Dog Boarding & Training
- Basic commands that every dog should know include "sit," "stay," "come," "lay down" and "heel." According to the American Kennel Club, you can begin training a puppy as early as 3 months old. AKC also offers a Canine Good Citizenship class that is available at dog training clubs across the United States. This course teaches you and your dog the five basic commands and you and your pet take a test at the end of a six-week period. Dogs and owners who pass receive a certified Canine Good Citizenship award.
- Advanced training could include teaching your dog to fetch or hunt. If you plan to compete with your dog, agility training is an advanced form of obedience training. The AKC holds several competitions throughout the United States annually for owners and their dogs. Most of these events are open to mixed-breed dogs as well as purebreds. Kids can also compete with their pets.
- Conduct research before you decide on a kennel for your dog. Ask other pet owners where they board their dogs. Visit the facilities to ensure the place is clean, friendly and able to handle your dog. Make sure indoor and outdoor areas are available for the dogs to play in, and that pets are kept well fed and watered.
- Ensure that your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations including rabies and Parvovirus before you board it. As well, get your dog vaccinated for kennel cough, otherwise known as Bordetella. This is a contagious respiratory illness that can be spread in boarding situations. Also, ask the kennel owner what other vaccinations he recommends. Always talk with your veterinarian before boarding your dog.
- Consider your dog's breed when you begin training. Some breeds can be more difficult to train than others, but all dogs are trainable. According to the Dogluvers website, easy-to-train breeds include Labrador and Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, spaniels and Corgis. Hard-to-train breeds, according to TrainPetDog.com, include toy breeds, Siberian huskies and terriers.
