Obedience Facts

One of the resources we offer to our members and the Greater Pittsburgh pet community is our GET SMART! Education and Training Program. We field dozens of phone calls a day asking for information about dog behavior, training, and choosing the right class for their puppy or dog. Here are some of the frequently asked questions:

Q: When is the right time to start training my dog?
As soon as possible! Your new puppy or dog will thank you with better behavior and a much happier outlook. Puppies and dogs all benefit from taking a formal training class with their new owners; although all the basic skills are introduced in our basic level classes the most rewarding part of taking classes is to watch your pet develop a greater appreciation of you and the fun they have showing off all of their new skills for you.

Q: But I've always trained all of my dogs myself, why should I take a formal class?
Formal classes are not an alternative to training at home. They also provide several advantages. An instructor provides you with the basic materials and tools to work with your dog. Our instructors also bring years of experience observing thousands of dogs' behavior to help you recognize potential problems before they become big setbacks. Just like any educational class, classroom time alone is not enough. Practicing the skills we teach at home will help solidify the behavior. Plus, what better way to treat your puppy or dog? One hour a week with their favorite person focusing all of their attention on them!

Q: What training techniques do you advocate?
Our instructors each have many years of training experience-many of them started their careers using one technique and have evolved their training methods as new scientific research has provided additional insight into more effective learning techniques. All of our instructors use a positive reinforcement approach, rewarding the dog for doing the behaviors you want in order to get him to do those behaviors more often. Your dog will learn that good things happen when he chooses a behavior of which you approve. By motivating your dog to choose the behavior you prefer, you achieve the results you desire and your dog learns to think before he acts. A dog that learns to think before acting is a happier, better adjusted dog

Q: Where are your classes held?
Our North Shore shelter is equipped with two training rooms on the second floor, where most of our classes are held.