Dog Training

[Charlene Manns Horne]

We are getting our goldendoodle in less than two weeks and I need help with training. Does anyone know of a good dog trainer in the Northern Virginia area? How easy/hard is it to train the dogs yourself? Any suggestions?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Puppy kindergarten is so important. They socialize and learn the basic commands. It should be a fun place to be. I suggest you go and sit in on a class like you would do if you were looking for schools for human kids. If you start early Doodles are easy to work with - consistency, consistency, consistency is the key.
The clicker training we are doing here in DK is fantastic. I suggest ordering the class now - you save money and you have the rest of us to lean on. I read the first 45 pages last night which I think you would benefit from so much - it discusses the difference between positive reinforement training and negative reinforcement training. Samantha is 13 months old and I learned a lot from just those 45 pages.
You could take the clicker training you learn here in DK and take it to class with you.
Good luck!!

[Adina P]

Hi Charlene, fergie11 mentioned the Doodle Spring Training we are doing as a website group. That would indeed be an excellent option for you that you can start right away. It is an e-book and our Doodle Spring Training group will be doing it together. If you want to join us click on the BRIGHT YELLOW banner at the top of the main page and then go to the discussion titled: Doodle Spring Training Is Live--GO, GO, GO It will have the info on where to purchase the training manual, etc.

That said, your puppy might still benefit from a puppy class just for socialization...but clicker training (what we are doing in the group) is a fabulous option for young pups! Also check out www.APDT.com and search for a trainer near you there if you decide to go that route. PetSmart and PetCo vary...some have excellent trainers, others have trainers that make you wonder how they got the job. So ask around at vets and groomers for recommendations. Good luck!

[Yvonne, Riley, Murphy and Luca]

SO easy to train! But, I would still take him or her to a class. That way the pup can socialize and learn to do commands with distractions.

[fergie11]

Check out the clicker training program on the main page. Doodles are so wonderful and easy to train. Do it on line - save time, gas, $$$.