DOG TRAINING TIPS
“ You ’ re having trouble with something and you see something that works for somebody else , so you try it ,” she said . “ And that ’ s kind of what all dog training is about is what works for you best , you ’ ve just got to communicate it to the dog .”
After getting her feet under her in training her own dogs , people began reaching out to her for help with their own pets because there was no one in the area at the time who offered it . There were also other groomers and veterinarians in the area who were having to deal with dogs that were not trained , and Caudle said she received recommendations from them as well .
After training dogs in another location for the past several years , she joined Happy Tails this February to become a fulltime trainer there .
Adding training to the list of services that Happy Tails Groom & Board offers is something that has been in the works for a long time , and bringing Caudle onto the staff has allowed for it to finally happen , said Happy Tails owner Page Dowdy .
She said that for the 10 years that Happy Tails has been open , the biggest request that she received from customers was for training services , and when the business moved to its current location a few years ago , she began looking for the right trainer who could come in and offer the kind of training that dogs needed .
“ I want everything here to be perfect , and you can ’ t just bring in anybody to do it ,” Dowdy said . “ So we waited three years for the right person .”
Since Caudle came on at Happy Tails , the training services have continued to grow , and the business is currently converting a storage building into a training area that will have a space for one-on-one training with dogs and a meeting room for dog owners to discuss what kind of training they are looking for .
“ I ’ m so excited about it , I can ’ t hardly stand it ,” Caudle said .
Dowdy said Happy Tails is also working to incorporate enrichment activities for dogs that are spending the day there for its daycare service , and Caudle will be in charge of many of those activities .
There are already dogs who come to the business for a bath , but spend the day at daycare playing with other dogs , or dogs that are boarding and get some grooming before they go home , so now training can also be added into the daily regimen that dogs can receive at Happy Tails , she said . “ Besides veterinary care , there ’ s really nothing that you can ’ t get here now ,” Dowdy said . “ So we ’ re excited to be one of the first places to offer all of that combined .”
To find more information about boarding , grooming , day care or training services — or to find out how to book an appointment for your pup — visit the Happy Tails Groom & Board Facebook and Instagram pages , call 256-727-6520 or visit happytailsgroomandboard . com C
Caudle and Dowdy also offered a few tips for new dog owners that they should start doing as soon as they get their new pet to make sure their puppy stays safe and has a happy life .
1 . Do your research
If looking for a specific breed , what will your puppy instinctually do based on its breed ? How big will your puppy be when full grown ? How much space will it need ? How much daily activity does it need to stay physically healthy ? Will it need a “” job ” to stay mentally healthy and happy ?
2 . Caution in the early months
It ’ s best to keep your puppy away from public places , especially places like pet stores , and dog parks where other dogs are likely to be until after it is fully vaccinated .
3 . Socialization is very important
As soon as it ’ s safe , start socializing your puppy . He or she needs to meet all sorts of people , dogs , and other animals . He needs to be comfortable going anywhere and doing anything with you . Your puppy also needs to learn to be comfortable with other people and places even when you ’ re not there . Leave it with a friend or doggie daycare every now and then .
4 . Look to your dog ’ s future
Join an obedience class as soon as possible . There are many options from basic obedience to puppy sensory classes . You and your puppy will develop a stronger bond and get so much more out of a class than just learning to give and obey commands .
5 . Organize your pack
Finally , it ’ s extremely important to remember that your new “ baby ” is a dog . Dogs do not understand or reciprocate many things that we humans consider to be “ love ” and “ fun ” and those misunderstandings can create confusion and anxiety . Keep in mind that even though your puppy will be a huge part of your family he or she will always crave and need the consistency and structure of a well organized “ pack ” in order to thrive from the very beginning .
Cullman magazine | SPRING 2022
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