Q. Which kind of dog is right for me?
A. Congratulates to you for thinking about which breed is best for you. Often people buy the cutest puppy in the window, only to find that it isn’t the right breed for them. When we know you and your needs better, we can help you make a wise decision about the right dog for you. We would love to help. We encourage you to pick-up Steve Diller’s book, “Dogs and Their People”. We can also e-mail you a questionnaire which we will use to assess which dog you might like best.
Q. At what age do I start training my dog?
A. GREATER BOSTON DOG’S philosophy is “as soon as he walks into your home.” We feel that the sooner you train your dog, the easier teaching will be — while preventing a lot of problems from developing. Of course, training will be modified depending on your dog’s age.
Q. I need to get my dog housebroken. What do I do?
A. I am sure that you understand the difference between housebreaking and paper training. It is almost impossible to do both. To housebreak your dog, keep it in a small area, take it out often, and let it run around your house for short periods of time after having gone ‘potty’ outside. We are opposed to hitting a dog with a newspaper or sticking its nose in its’ mess. If you are gone all day and have a puppy, see if a neighbor will help you out by taking it out for walks. If your puppy is at least four months old and not yet housebroken, contact us immediately!
Q. How do I find a dog trainer?
A. There are a lot of good trainers out there. Ask your vet or groomer for a referral. Ask a neighbor who has had his dog trained. The American Kennel Club will often have obedience clubs in your area. International Association of Canine Professionals are good sources for referrals. Of course, our recommendation is you leave it to GREATER BOSTON DOG, the best dog trainer in the Greater Boston, South Shore, South Coast, Cape Cod, Metro West, North Shore, and Gold Coast.
Q. I called one dog trainer who said the only way to train my dog is in my home. My neighbor said that group classes are the best and my vet tells me it would be great if I sent my dog away to school. What is the best way?
A. They are ALL right! All of those methods are good, depending on you, your lifestyle, your dog and its personality. GREATER BOSTON DOG loves doing in-home private lessons allowing us to use the technique that will work best for you and your dog. You are on your own turf, so you and your dog are comfortable in familiar surroundings. This helps us truly understand the dynamics of your household and lifestyle which greatly affect your dog, its’ training and the communication between you. Both you and your dog are also the most focused in your home, which makes the end result excellent. Boarding and Training are also effective ways to have your dog trained. Professional trainers can accomplish more when alone with your dog than when they are teaching you and your dog together. Make sure that you take advantage of the handling classes that your we offer.
Q. I just got a dog, what do I do first?
A. Feel free to contact GREATER BOSTON DOG for a Puppy Dog 101 session to avoid common mistakes of puppy or new dog ownership. Read two great books that will answer all your questions “Mother Knows Best” by Carol Lea Benjamin. You can also pick up a copy of Babette Haggerty’s “Women’s Best Friend”; Any Cesar Milan book is a step in the right direction as well.
Q. I sent my dog to school and it seems as though he has regressed. What do I do?
A. Your dog may need a refresher. Enroll him or her in our maintenance program and pick up Carol Lea Benjamin’s book, “Surviving Your Dog’s Adolescence”.
