Education of dogs - FAQ's

Over the years we have been asked many questions regarding the education of dogs.

The answers below are the result of many years of experience. We do not maintain that our answers are always right, as scientific research is constantly discovering new issues.  

We appreciate your comments.

1. Can you educate my dog?

Yes, we can educate your dog and we can do this very well, BUT...if we do so, without getting you actively involved, the dog will become attached to the trainer by the end, rather than you.

Watch a group of 5 dogs training at the same time:  All the dogs receive the same command, for example “down”.  Only the dog that has learned the command from his personal trainer will perform the command; the others will wait and do nothing.

The foundation of education is a well developed relationship between the dog and trainer. Once the dog is trained by us, the relationship built up has to be now transferred to the owner. It is essential that you get involved as early as possible and as often as possible. It is also needed so you can become familiar with your dog and to learn 'dog' language to develop a solid understanding.

So, we can train your dog at Phuket Dog Resort to whatever standard you require, however we will need a certain amount of time to train you with your dog.  From our experience this cannot be done in an afternoon.  For the transfer of the basic commands it will need about a month with at least two training sessions a week.

Another option is for a trainer from the Phuket Dog Resort to visit you and your dog at home on a regular basis and advise you on how to educate your dog.

2. How do you educate dogs?

The education is based on non-violent methods. We reject all methods that cause pain or injury to a dog. You may read the introduction on our web-page, “dog education”.

The methods we used depend on the dog's character and on the education goal.  For things the dog has to learn for the first time, we often use the 'clicker training';  we use toys to reduce stress and to burn off excess energy and other toys for brain-building and we sometimes work with a towing line or dog-pipe.

3. How much does it cost to educate a dog?

This is a difficult question to answer.

It depends on the dog, the goals set, and whether your dog stays at the Phuket-Dog-Resort.

To give you a rough idea:  if we train your dog together with you until all basic commands are well learned and the dog is maturing into a good family dog which can be handled by all within the family, you would be looking at a cost of around 20,000baht, or 500euro/650 Usdollars. 

To reach this standard you would have to train with the dog.

4. How long does it take to educate a dog?

For a well socialized dog that shows no behavioural disorders it needs about four weeks of intensive training until your dog performs all the commands a good family dog should know.

5. Can you train my dog so that he protects me?

Yes, we can, but how far do you want us to go with such a training. A dog that is trained to bite a defined part of the human body on command?

We can train your dog to show aggressive behaviour on command and to stop this behaviour on command. This alone, can be impressive and frightening and will make an aggressor back off. Obviously a very small dog like a Yorkshire terrier might not have this affect but they can be great fighters.

Guard dog training has to be done very accurately and requires an experienced trainer and owner. Only a few dogs would qualify for this programme.

6. Do you use electric collars or similar equipment for education?

A clear NO:  We do not believe in hurting the dogs to educate them.  The use of this kind of equipment, whether its electric shock, sound, vibrations or citronella spraying collars, they all cause great stress and often, pain.

Our education methods and in most of the world now, are based on trust, joy and success which lead to much better results than an education method based on stress, fear and pain.  

Think about your time in school – when did you learn better?

7. Can you educate and train my dog for dog-fighting?

Absolutely NO.  We refuse all requests for dog-fighting training.

8. Walking at a leash my dog is very aggressive when another dog comes close – what can I do?

The starting point to solve problematic or unwanted behaviour in dogs is to find the reason.

In order to give you a qualified answer it would be necessary to meet your dog.

From our experience the behaviour you observe usually has two causes:

One is that the dog simply wants to play and romp with his dog friends. To solve this unwanted behaviour your dog has to learn that barking and leash-pulling does not lead to the wanted result. You may think about a way to utilize the dog's excess energy. An agility course at Phuket Dog Resort might not be the worst idea in this case!

The second possible reason is that your dog feels 'insecure' in the presence of other dogs.

In this case your dog has to learn that there are no reasons for insecurity, and you – as leader of the pack – can help your dog during the learning process.

9. Is it allowed that the dog takes a seat on eg. the couch in the living room?

In our opinion – why not?

The couch and bed are probably the most comfortable places in the house and an excellent spot for daily cuddles with our dog and if you have no problem with dirt and hair, yes...its allowed!

But...you should remember that it is you who make the rules and not the dog.

If you do not want the dog on the couch, then he should never be allowed on it, with no exceptions.

At the Phuket Dog Resort we allow our dogs to jump up on the couch as we think it is good for bonding with our dogs.  Again, we are the ones who decide when the dog is allowed to jump on the couch and when he has to get down...not the dog!

If you follow this thinking, you may find that the dog is on the couch in your absence. This should be the exception to the rule, and your dog will be off the couch when he hears you returning home!

We should probably allow this rule breaking...we break rules sometimes, but that doesnt make us bad people and we do not get punished...we think the same can go for our dogs!