Preview (opens in a new tab)What does it mean to train with your puppy? Some people may think that this begins and ends with teaching them how to sit, lie down, and possibly a handful of tricks. In truth, training is so much more than basic obedience. Training is the very foundation on which you and your puppy will build your life, communication, and bond upon. This is why new puppy owners should not only strongly consider enrolling in a puppy class, but ensure that the puppy class that you choose is of a good quality with the education it provides. Join us as we explore the importance of training and why the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class is an excellent option to train your new puppy.
Why is puppy training important?
Training with your dog is an essential part of dog ownership. First, it teaches your dog basic boundaries. For instance, if you have a puppy that becomes mouthy when excited, you can teach them through training that biting and nipping is unacceptable so that is clearly understood. Once your puppy understands this boundary, play can be a joyful activity for everyone involved.
Training also provides a dog with structure. Dogs appreciate consistency and predictability. By having clear, repeatable rules, a dog is spared the stress of having to figure out what they are supposed to be doing. Structure can help to counteract a number of potential issues, such as separation anxiety, aggression, or fear. Mutual understanding of the rules helps facilitate a harmonious life between you and your pup.
Third, training helps to develop your bond with your dog. Positive reinforcement through treats and praise builds your puppy’s positive associations with their owner as well as the environments around them. Carving out designated time to spend on training only further strengthens your relationship. It’s also just great mental exercise for your dog. Dogs are incredibly intelligent, and putting those smarts to work prevents boredom.
Finally, training helps to give a dog confidence. Learning how to react when faced with certain commands or situations better prepares your dog to face something new. They also have learned to have faith in their handler to tell them what to do in the face of uncertainty. In short, training your dog allows them to just relax and enjoy being a dog!
For all the benefits that training with a dog of any age can have, training your puppy is especially vital. From birth to adolescence, puppies are undergoing a period of intense physical and mental growth. The time between 3-16 weeks of age are a critical period for their social development. It is no exaggeration to say that what they learn during this time will have a significant impact on the rest of their lives.
Training early and training well (including avoiding some of the common pitfalls) is key! This is where professional trainers and quality training classes can make a huge difference. A good trainer can help you learn to communicate clearly with your dog and start you off on the right paw! One such program is the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class.
What is an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class?
In order to understand the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class, it is helpful to first understand the AKC Canine Good Citizen certification. While there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all expectation of a canine and human relationship, most dog owners have some common hopes: they want to have a loving and respectful relationship with their dog, they wish to be able to take care of their dog’s needs such as veterinary needs and grooming, and they wish to be able to take their dog into public spaces for walks or other events.
The Canine Good Citizen program is designed to train and test some of these basic manners. Passing this test demonstrates that your dog is able to conduct themselves well in public in the face of distractions such as strangers, other dogs, cars, or other stimuli. In addition to creating a safer experience for all involved, passing the CGC test can have potential benefits, such as access to certain public spaces with your dog, potential reduced pet fees in rentals, or liability insurance benefits. Plus, there are always bragging rights!
The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program exists as precursor to the CGC program. Because training a puppy and adult dog are very different, the S.T.A.R. Puppy program places additional emphasis on handling and proper socialization to capitalize on their critical learning period. There is also information about common puppy hurdles such as potty training and teething. Whether or not an owner decides to continue into the CGC program, beginning your puppy with the S.T.A.R. Puppy Program will give them a foundation that will last a lifetime.
Here are some of the things that you and your puppy will learn about as a part of the S.T.A.R. Puppy Program:
Environmentals & Experiences
The purpose of environmentals is to expose a puppy to different sorts of instances that they will encounter in their lifetime. This includes objects or flooring for them to walk on, climb on, step over, or crawl under. This may take the form of stairs, tunnels, dangling objects, or unfamiliar surfaces. It also teaches puppies much-needed coordination and front/hind end awareness. Loud or distracting sounds are also an obstacle that your puppy may encounter and need to be prepared for in the future.
Your AKC S.T.A.R. instructor will have different environmentals for your puppy to interact with, and will demonstrate how to guide your puppy through these experiences. Equally important, they will help to guide and educate you in your handling. The objective is to create a positive association for your puppy. By doing so, your puppy will be much more prepared and confident for similar obstacles in the future, and you’ll be better able to tackle brand new obstacles as a team!
Experiences
Experiences are a similar concept, but out in the real world. Many people are worried about taking their dog out into the wider world as a puppy because they have not yet had all their shots. Caution is very important, and until a puppy has been fully vaccinated, they should not be allowed to walk around in high dog traffic areas or interact with animals outside of the household. However, this period to socialize is critical for both their development and temperament. An AKC S.T.A.R Puppy class is a safe and effective way for puppies to socialize in a clean and sterile environment.
Puppies need to see the world, and a once-a-week class is not enough for a puppy to properly socialize. There are still safe ways to allow your puppy to absorb experiences during this critical learning period. Using a backpack or stroller when leaving the home environment is an excellent compromise between safety and expanding your puppy’s horizons.
When is this important in the real world?
Noisy environments, such as construction sites or busy roads. Unfamiliar surfaces, such as moving walkways, grates, sticky surfaces, etc. Life is full of surprises! Let’s make every one a fun new experience for you and your puppy!
Socialization
Socialization is one of the most misunderstood aspects of puppy training. It’s often mistaken for simply introducing your puppy to as many other dogs as possible. In truth, socialization has much more to it! It’s back to the experiences that your puppy has. During their early life, the more positive experiences that your puppy can have with people of different walks of life, the better off they will be. Introducing them to people of different ages, skin color, body types, or even wearing different accessories like hoods or sunglasses can help your puppy be more comfortable with strangers in general.
Introducing your puppy to other dogs or animals is also very useful, but it should be done in a controlled manner. Not all dogs are friendly or play styles appropriate. Puppies also have very little boundaries, which could lead to other dogs taking offense quickly. Keep the association with other dogs positive and safe always!
Your dog should be able to remain neutral when faced with a friendly stranger or dog. Your trainer will show you how to capture this and have these interactions be not just neutral but happy!
A large part of socialization is also impulse control. The more social your dog is, the more control that their handlers risk losing. Your puppy may start to exhibit obnoxious behavior, or drag you around to try to greet another dog. While you may want your dog to be friendly with strangers, they also need to learn how to meet new people calmly. Similarly, they also need to learn how to read social cues from other dogs and play with them nicely. This is one build-in benefit to puppy class; it’s a great time to practice!
When is this important in the real world?
Socialization is relevant for anyone outside of your immediate family. From taking your dog on walks to veterinary appointments to visiting family, having a well-socialized dog will only benefit you both.
Handling
Handling is an essential skill for your puppy to learn early. This is not as simple as allowing someone unfamiliar to give them a quick pat on the head. Your puppy needs to be comfortable being handled in ways that they may initially not enjoy. There will be a time in their life where they need to have their teeth, feet, or ears examined, be lifted off the ground, or be gently restrained. Your instructor will guide you through these various methods of handling to help your puppy be accepting of human handling. Handling also includes items like harnesses and collars that your puppy will need to wear outside of the home.
When is this important in the real world?
Your puppy will need to accept handling from their family in case of certain care needs, such as trimming nails or administering medicine. They will also need to be comfortable with strangers handling them during veterinary examinations or to be groomed. By teaching your puppy early to tolerate these touches, you’ll save your adult dog and yourself a lot of stress in the future!
Obedience
Do not overlook obedience! Learning to communicate commands to your puppy and having them consistently respond to your commands is important. Some commands are useful, such as being able to instruct your dog to sit and stay in a chaotic situation. Some are a matter of safety, such as a reliable recall. Some help to set boundaries, such as teaching your dog to drop a toy. Of course, there are also tricks that are just fun! A good trainer does more than just teach your dog commands – they help your dog learn how to learn and teach their owner how to teach!
When is this important in the real world?
A reliable drop command or recall can save your puppy from getting into dangerous situations. Sits and downs can be helpful any time you and your puppy are required to wait, or if you are around someone who is not comfortable with dogs. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. If your puppy has the temperament for it and you have the patience, you can train them to perform all sorts of behaviors on command!
And More…
In this six-week course, students in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class will learn all of this and more. Other topics included are crate training, potty training, additional impulse control work, and proper play techniques. Breed and genetics will play a large role as your puppy grows to be an adult dog, but through proper training you can play a significant role in shaping their future. A trained puppy should have the confidence to conquer the world, the discipline to respect the rules, and the trust in their owner to help them navigate all the adventures that their life will bring!
