March 29, 2024
Whether you have a high-energy German shepherd or a cheeky Yorkshire terrier, dog training can give them the socialization and mental stimulation they need. However, with so many dog training courses to choose from, it can be challenging to find the best fit for your pet. From puppy training to obedience classes, this guide gives […]
Whether you have a high-energy German shepherd or a cheeky Yorkshire terrier, dog training can give them the socialization and mental stimulation they need. However, with so many dog training courses to choose from, it can be challenging to find the best fit for your pet.
From puppy training to obedience classes, this guide gives you a helpful breakdown of the best dog training programs. You can then sign up with confidence and look forward to strengthening your bond with your pup or older dog.
While it’s certainly possible to teach an older dog some new tricks, it’s much easier to train puppies. Puppy training sessions help your new pet acquire skills such as basic obedience, confidence and socialization. If this is the first time you’re welcoming a dog into your household, puppy training programs will also help you learn what to expect from your pet. Learn more about the different puppy training courses we have on offer.
Puppies aged 10 to 20 weeks are welcome to join our Puppy Play and Train Program. By signing up, you and your puppy will benefit from two 60-minute intro and exit sessions as well as 12 full days of socializing and training. At the end of the course, your puppy will have mastered skills in the following areas:
In addition, our trainers will introduce you and your puppy to leash walking, crate training and agility work. This course offers a great foundation for further training and encourages healthy interactions with other dogs from the start.
It’s one thing for a puppy to obey a command in the comfort of your home — but the outside world is full of distractions. Our Group Puppy Obedience Training exposes your pup to different noises and smells, as well as people and dogs, helping them learn to follow commands in high-stimulation environments.
This program is suited to puppies between 12 weeks and 6 months and is held on Sunday mornings. Once your pup has completed six 60-minute training sessions, they should demonstrate basic obedience in public places.
If work commitments prevent you from attending training classes during the week, you may want to consider Private Training Lessons. The package includes five 60-minute training sessions. You can schedule them on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Aside from working through the puppy obedience and socialization basics, you’ll also benefit from personalized training tips from your experienced trainer.
If you’ve experienced the joy of raising a furry ball of boundless energy before, you may not want to sign up for an extended puppy training program. Our Puppy Consult Package is an excellent option for puppy owners who simply want to refresh their knowledge of obedience training.
During your once-off private training session, you and your new pup will learn the basics of obedience, manners and socialization. Working exclusively with our trainers also offers specific training advice for your pup’s breed and temperament.
Border collies, poodles and golden retrievers are some of the smartest dog breeds around — they require higher levels of mental stimulation to keep them out of mischief. Obedience training is an excellent way to keep your dog engaged while also ensuring their safety in public spaces. For example, instructing your dog to sit on the sidewalk while you wait to cross the road helps to keep them safe from oncoming traffic. If you’re interested in attending dog obedience training sessions with your pup or older dog, consider one of these options:
All our obedience training programs rely on positive reinforcement methods. By rewarding your dog for desired behaviors, you encourage them to repeat the behavior in the future. As you’ll need to practice the commands you learn at home, exploring different reward options for your dog is a good idea. Some common examples include treats, toys and even a game of tug. Many dogs have a high food drive, so high-value treats are often the most effective. Here are some ideas to try:
Obedience and behavioral training are distinctly different. Obedience training focuses on reinforcing certain behaviors, whereas behavioral training corrects bad habits. Behavioral training is a particularly helpful method for older dogs with established behavior patterns. However, some puppies may start to exhibit bad habits early on, and this training approach will help nip them in the bud. Dog behaviors that constitute problematic include:
Our Dog Aggression Training Package helps address these reactive behaviors and more. Over the course of six private lessons and three group sessions, you’ll work with our trainers to reinforce core commands such as “place,” “heel” and “off.” Once you’ve introduced these commands, you’ll use them to condition alternative responses. For example, if your dog tends to jump on you or your guests, reinforcing the command “place” will help them know where to go when someone enters your home.
At the end of the program, your dog will respond appropriately to triggers and threats. Knowing that your dog will react in a positive and consistent way helps pet owners feel at ease in public spaces.
Dog owners who choose one of our Board and Train Programs will book their dogs into our facilities for one or two weeks, depending on the course. During the specified period, your dog will undergo daily training to ensure reliable behavior in all environments. Some of the reasons why dog parents choose our Board and Train packages include:
If your dream is to have your dog accompany you on adventures to the park or beach, they will need to master recall. Our one-week Freedom Board and Train Program will achieve this essential learning outcome, allowing you to confidently let your dog off-leash in specified public spaces. In addition, our team will teach greeting manners and basic commands. We’ll also introduce the concept of “heel,” so you have the foundation to build good walking habits.
When you collect your dog at the end of the program, you’ll receive an E-collar and meet the trainer for a 90-minute session on how to reinforce the training techniques at home.
Two weeks may seem like a long time to be without your furry friend, but the results are worth it. Enrolling your dog in our Community K-9 Two-Week Board and Train Program will teach them appropriate responses to common mid-level distractions. For example, they’ll learn how to respond when someone knocks at the door or how to interact with other dogs at the park.
With this program, you’ll also receive an E-collar and a 90-minute training session at the end of the two weeks.
If you live in a busy metropolitan area, your dog will face a multitude of high-level distractions. These environments make it more challenging for dogs to obey commands, and there’s often a greater risk to their safety.
Our Urban Program will present your dog with various high-stimulation environments, such as busy airports, noisy train stations and crowded shopping centers. Extensive training in these environments will help your dog learn how to react in similar situations. In addition, they’ll learn how to hold an extended “sit” or “place,” so they don’t venture off into a busy road or onto the train tracks.
This program also includes an E-collar and a 90-minute private training session.
Aggressive or reactive dogs can unintentionally harm your home, other animals and even people. For this reason, you must correct this behavior as soon as possible. Our Aggressive/Reactive Program presents the most effective way to address problematic habits and condition alternative behaviors. By signing up for this board and train package, your dog will benefit from:
As with all our Train and Board packages, we’ll schedule a comprehensive 90-minute debrief session with you upon program completion. However, if you require a refresher course, we’re always happy to assist — free of charge.
According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), a therapy dog supports someone’s physical, social, emotional or cognitive needs. Therapy dogs frequently visit places like frail care centers, hospitals and hospices to bring comfort to adults and children. Unlike service dogs that are allowed to enter public buildings, therapy dogs have limited access. It’s best to research therapy dog regulations for your specific state so you know where they can and can’t go.
While you might argue that all dogs offer therapeutic benefits, they must first undergo training and assessments to qualify as a “therapy dog.” Off Leash K9 Training Maryland offers two courses for you to consider if you’d like to train your dog for clinical settings. Both courses are run by our dog trainers in Maryland who are certified canine behaviorists and AKC-certified evaluators.
If your dog has a calm demeanor and is affectionate with strangers, they’re probably a good fit for a therapy dog. By signing up for our Therapy Dog Development Program, your dog will participate in eight private lessons — four of which will focus on obedience, while the remainder will center on your dog passing the therapy dog certification.
In your sessions, you’ll work with experienced dog trainers in Maryland to gain a concrete grasp of five commands. You and your dog will also do extensive groundwork to ensure you’re ready to pass the therapy dog evaluation. At the end of training, your dog would have the standard obedience to be able to pass any certification.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) developed the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program to help all dogs be good dogs. Our Canine Good Citizen Prep course will help you and your dog prepare to pass the AKC CGC test. By signing up for this program, owners can enhance their dog’s obedience and establish a strong bond. The course assesses 10 skills along the following criteria:
If you’ve reviewed our puppy training, obedience and behavioral courses and are still coming up short, we’re here to help! Our expert team makes it their mission to recommend the best training program based on your dog’s nature and behavior. By signing up for the right course, you and your dog can enjoy many fun adventures together.
The Off Leash K9 Training Maryland team believes every dog is trainable. Whether they’re exhibiting problem behavior or you want to encourage better obedience, we’ll help you work through the relevant course. For more information about our programs, contact our experienced team of trainers for personalized advice on dog training in Maryland.
April 25, 2023
Many misconceptions exist about what therapy dogs do and where they can go. If you have a therapy dog or you’d like to train your dog as a therapy dog, you need to know where you’re allowed to be. There are specific laws that govern the circumstances under which dogs are allowed. There are also […]
Many misconceptions exist about what therapy dogs do and where they can go. If you have a therapy dog or you’d like to train your dog as a therapy dog, you need to know where you’re allowed to be. There are specific laws that govern the circumstances under which dogs are allowed.
There are also significant differences between therapy dogs, service dogs and emotional support animals. Each category of assistance animal is allowed to do different things. Knowing the facts about therapy dogs and their limitations is the first step to training a successful therapy dog yourself.
Therapy dogs, also known as comfort dogs, support people’s mental health by providing emotional support and comfort. They are trained to be calm, sweet and reassuring for people facing health or emotional difficulties. Therapy dogs and their owners work as a team to improve people’s lives, whether visiting an older adult in an assisted living facility or comforting a child in foster care.
Therapy dogs must display certain characteristics in tense or anxious situations. A successful therapy dog is:
Therapy dogs, emotional support dogs and service dogs perform different functions. While a therapy dog provides support and comfort to different people or a group of people, service animals perform specific tasks for their owners. They receive additional training aimed at helping their owners manage disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows service dogs to accompany their owners in public places.
Service animals must be dogs, whereas a therapy animal can be any animal calm and gentle enough to provide reassurance. An example of a service dog could be a dog who guides a blind owner or helps a person with a physical disability complete daily tasks. They stay with a specific person and have special privileges in public places.
Emotional support dogs are similar to service dogs in that they help specific people. They provide emotional support to their owners, who may have a mental or emotional condition, such as anxiety or depression. While they are not trained to complete specific tasks, they are still considered essential to their owners’ well-being. They may be allowed in housing that doesn’t typically allow dogs.
The quick answer is no. Therapy dogs are not classified the same way as service animals, and their access to specific locations is more limited. While a therapy dog can work anywhere, the venue must invite them to the premises. Therapy dogs work closely with their owner and handler and come as a team.
Therapy dogs are not protected under federal law, so they don’t have the same access to public places as service dogs. However, they serve a vital purpose — their calm temperaments and willingness to work with various people make them invaluable in many situations. Some familiar places you might find therapy dogs include the following:
Therapy dogs have the same legal rights as regular pets. As the owner of a therapy dog, you must ask permission before taking your dog somewhere new.
If you want to take your therapy dog to various locations and lend a helping hand, all you need is an invitation. You may find that individual service providers allow you to take your therapy dog places where a regular pet would not be welcome, but it depends on the circumstances.
There is no legally protected status for therapy dogs, but you may find they’re allowed in some of the following spaces:
Many laws concerning pet ownership and access vary from one state to another. While most regulations don’t cover therapy dogs, their obedient temperaments and excellent manners make them welcome in more places than you might imagine. Always double-check with a venue before bringing your therapy dog along. You might be pleasantly surprised at the reception.
If your dog has a suitable temperament to be a good therapy dog, training him is an excellent option. Dogs with calm and pleasant temperaments enjoy meeting new people, and taking them to different environments is mentally stimulating.
Often, a canine good citizen (CGC) test is a prerequisite of therapy organizations, so it’s an excellent place to start. It covers all the basics required for a therapy dog, including the following:
Once your dog has completed their CGC test, you may be ready to take the next step and become a therapy dog team.
If you think your dog has all the makings of an excellent therapy dog, training them will be incredibly rewarding. Off Leash Canine Training Maryland can help you turn your dog into a phenomenal therapy dog. We offer a canine good citizen preparation course and a therapy dog course assessed by our in-house Therapy Pets Unlimited evaluators. After our eight private lessons, we can evaluate you and your dog as a team for certification.
Our compassionate and knowledgeable trainers are here to help you one-on-one and can provide extra individual attention to help you achieve your goals, no matter your dog’s age, breed or size. Contact us to sign up for our therapy dog training course!
