Health Problems Highlighted By Puppy Training Classes

Training your puppy is an important step in making sure they are safe and ensuring they grow into a well-behaved canine citizen. Enrolling your puppy in a puppy training program run by an experienced trainer will provide them with a great start in life and can help you develop a strong bond with your new puppy as you both learn together. There are lots of puppy classes out there, but before signing your puppy up for a class, take time to enquire about the methods used by the trainer. For your dog's well-being, opt for a trainer who uses gentle and modern training methods.

Aside from your puppy learning important social skills and you learning how to keep them safe when you take them out, puppy training classes can highlight potential health problems that should be looked into. Read on to learn about a few of the health problems that can be highlighted when training your puppy.

Urine Infection

Some puppies pick up toilet training faster than others, and it's normal for your puppy to have the odd accident during the first year of their life. However, if you've been working hard with your puppy and their trainer to master toilet training and your puppy doesn't seem to be getting the hang of it, it's possible they have a urine infection. This can make it difficult for your puppy to control their bladder, and they will likely require a course of antibiotics to clear the infection.

Hearing Loss

A well-trained puppy will be able to follow a series of verbal commands, but if your puppy just doesn't seem to be responding consistently to the verbal commands they are being taught in their puppy class, don't be too quick to chalk it up to your dog being too cool for puppy school. Your puppy could be suffering from hearing loss, which could be permanent or treatable with antibiotics or cleansing drops. Ask your vet to examine your dog's ears if they're not getting to grips with verbal commands.

Gastrointestinal Problems

If your puppy seems lethargic and uninterested in taking part in fun training activities or socialising with other dogs, they may not be feeling great. A number of health problems that affect the gastrointestinal system, such as worms, poor nutrient absorption and food intolerances, can cause your puppy to have low energy, lack of focus and seem uninterested in taking part in new activities. Your vet can determine if there is an underlying health problem by taking blood and stool samples for analysis.

If you have any concerns about how your puppy is responding to training, have them looked over by your vet. It's better to be sure they are in good health, and if they continue to struggle with their training program, your vet may be able to offer some guidance.  

Contact a local trainer to find out more about puppy training programs.