Find a group dog trainer near Norwalk, CT

Find a group dog trainer near Norwalk, CT

Find a group dog trainer near Norwalk, CT

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Top 5 group dog trainers near Norwalk, CT

Avatar for Bark Busters Home Dog Training (Fairfield County)
Avatar for Bark Busters Home Dog Training (Fairfield County)
2.
Bark Busters Home Dog Training (Fairfield County)
2.
Bark Busters Home Dog Training (Fairfield County)
Top Pro

5.0

(1)

5.0

(1)

In high demand
  • 1 hire on Thumbtack
  • Serves Norwalk, CT
Lisa D. says, "Cassidy is an A+ professional. Her work ethic is top-notch, her professionalism is superior, her knowledge and expertise are first-rate, and her personality puts the icing on the cake. I have a high-strung, anxious rescue dog from the streets of Puerto Rico. Without having a mother to teach him the ropes, he was left to fend for himself. He was out on the streets, where he lacked the parenting that most dogs have during their early months of life. With trust issues and not having had the proper 'schooling' from his mom, Frankie arrived in the States without having had the basic training from a role model. I tried my best over the last two years, but I am not a dog and certainly can't think like one. I have had eight other dogs in my life, but Frankie was my most challenging. I just couldn't find a way to teach Frankie that he was safe and that I was in control of things. His anxiety and uncertainty about who was in charge made for a very nervous pup. It certainly wasn't fair to him to allow him to be in this state of high alert for his entire life. I wanted him to be able to relax and trust me as the one who makes the decisions, shows him the ropes, and allows him to relax and enjoy his life with me. This is where Cassidy came in. Within minutes of explaining how she worked, while her watching Frankie out of the corner of her eye, she knew more about him than I did. Over the next three hours, she taught me what he sees from his point of view and where he, at the moment, saw himself in the pecking order. He immediately began to listen to her without the use of treats, harmful collars, or intimidation. She spent over three hours training ME on how to train my dog and how to overcome his basic issue with anxiety. Towards the end of her patient training, she'd shown me basic yet profound tips on how to raise a calm, content dog who will listen to what I want when I want it and for Frankie not to feel that he constantly be on guard. The behavioral changes Cassidy implemented are worth every penny. She gave me homework to do until we meet again next, at which time we will go over what Frankie and I learned and accomplished and move on from there. The experience was eye-opening and gave me tools that Frankie and I can build upon. I highly recommend calling them, and I can't wait until our next session."See more

Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

How old should a puppy be for training?

Dog training shouldn’t wait until you’re having behavior problems. If you get a new puppy, start from the beginning with professional training to give both you and your puppy the tools you need for a healthy relationship. Dog training is as much about teaching the owner how to interact with their new dog as it is about the dog learning to behave. Puppy training can start as early as eight weeks old. Trainers who offer puppy training programs may works specifically with dogs between the ages of 8 and 18 weeks old. Trainers can teach owners about potty training and how to deal with accidents, working with separation anxiety, and training your pooch out of destructive behaviors like chewing, biting and demand barking. Puppies will start to learn to walk on-leash and other basic skills.

In addition to behavior training, socializing your puppy is an important part of dog training. Socializing your dog means they become comfortable and confident in a variety of settings and have a great foundation for becoming a well-adjusted adult dog. After your puppy has had the proper vaccinations, you can start to introduce it to a variety of different dogs and people in safe settings.

What is a dog boot camp?

A dog boot camp is basically a board and train program that focuses on training your dog or puppy. The trainers will work with your dog to curb unwanted behavior, teach them basic skills and show them how to walk on a leash.

Dog boot camps and training programs might differ when it comes to their services, so it’s always a good idea to do your research and ask them to explain exactly what they offer — and how much they charge.

How long does it take to train a puppy?

Dog training depends on the dog and how much homework the dog owner is willing to put in. Puppy training is similar to dog training in that the onus of the work depends on the owner learning new ways to interact with their dog. For a quick crash course, you can opt for a single, two hour smart-start puppy training consultation to teach you the ins and outs of being a new dog parent. You can learn how to manage potty training and what to do if the puppy experiences separation anxiety. As long as you’re willing to work on dog training a little bit each day, your puppy will quickly learn these new behaviors. If you’re not confident about training your puppy yourself, you can enroll in a 6- to 8-week puppy training course, with weekly lessons touching on everything from bite control to obedience. Puppies usually need to be at least three months old for group training classes. If you want more intensive one-on-one work, you can opt for private lessons. Some behavior problems can be resolved in one session if the dog owner learns and can implement new skills. In the case of more serious issues, 3 to 10 private sessions can typically correct challenges.

Which dog training method is best?

The best type of dog training for both you and your dog depends on the outcomes you hope to achieve. If you want your dog to learn agility training, go to someone who specializes in those techniques. Regardless of whether you want your dog to learn basic behavior or competitive-level tricks, the majority of dog training is actually about training the owner how to communicate with their dog. Most professional dog trainers agree that a model of training based on positive reinforcement breeds a happy, healthy, well-adjusted dog. The alternative to positive reinforcement training is using force or aggression techniques like physical punishment or shock-collar training to get the dog to do (or not do) a behavior. While the dog may learn how to behave as you direct, it is also learning to communicate with force and aggression, and will in turn use those behaviors on other dogs (or people) that are smaller or weaker than it is. Before signing up with a dog trainer, meet with the trainer and ask for references. Watch the trainer interact with your dog, and make sure they treat your dog with patience and firm kindness. Ask them questions about their training methods:

  • What type of training methods do you use?
  • What is your background and training, and how did you become a dog trainer?
  • How long do you expect that we will work together before we achieve the results I’m after?

There are 10 five star group dog trainers in Norwalk, CT on Thumbtack.

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