Having a puppy in the home is such a joy! They offer almost endless amounts of entertainment with their antics as they learn about the world around them. As much fun as it is to have a playful puppy, it essential that they are properly trained before they reach adulthood. ‘Sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘leave it’, are basic commands that every dog should know. Additionally, everyone knows the importance of a puppy remembering where the right spot is for toileting!
An untrained fully-grown dog can be difficult to accommodate in the home. One of the top reasons that dogs end up in shelters is because of behavioural problems. Puppy training can take some persistent work, but there are some third parties who will take this on for you. As simple as it sounds to have a fully-trained pooch from the moment he enters your home, there are a few things you might want keep in mind first.
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What does ‘fully-trained’ mean?
Different people may have different definitions for “fully-trained” when it comes to puppies. Ensure you know exactly what comes with the training package. Of course, house-training is one of the most important things your puppy will need to learn and will most likely be included. However, consider how important it is to you to have other commands on-board as well as lead walking and following off-lead.
Maintenance training and lifestyle acclimatization will still be required
Any puppy will require on-going reinforcement of learned behaviours. You will still need to keep up with what was taught during the program. All dogs will require some maintenance training to keep up what they know. Also, no puppy will come to you being fully accommodated to your own unique lifestyle. Some acclimatization to your home and routine will always be necessary.
Cost
Fully-trained puppies will come at a premium cost. Reinforcing new behaviours is, of course, very time-consuming. Your puppy will likely be getting one-on-one attention from an experienced trainer over the course of weeks or months in a private home or facility.
You will be missing out on puppy bonding time
A fully-trained puppy will have to move from the time of weaning straight to their trainer’s facility. This means that you will be missing out on some quality bonding time. It is a unique time in a puppy’s life when they are first away from their mother and you might not want to miss out on experiencing it with your own pup!
Training your own dog can be fun!
There is a lot of satisfaction that comes with training a puppy yourself. It can certainly be challenging, but it is certainly one of the best ways to bond with your new dog. Additionally, there are a number of resources which can support your training journey. One of the best options to supplement an at-home training program are puppy classes. They are great for ensuring that your puppy will have the basics on board and your pup will also get an opportunity to socialize with others his own age.
There may be limited adoption options
Some fully-trained puppy providers pick out the puppies they train themselves. You may not have the options to shop around for the breed of your choice. You will also have to be prepared to travel to pick up your puppy, as the closest training facility may not be local.
What about a ‘fully-trained’ adult dog?
If you can forgo the puppy years, it may be worth looking into adopting an adult dog who is in need of a home. A local shelter can be a place to start your search, or you might find someone looking rehome their dog. These dogs will, at the very least, be toilet trained and will likely already be properly acclimatized to home living.
There is always a lot to think about when considering adding a puppy to your family. Hopefully these considerations will help you decide if a fully-trained puppy is the right choice for you.
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