Dog Training FAQ
Are all dogs trained using the same training method?
No. Every dog is different, and there is no single training method that works equally well for every dog.
A good trainer should have a good understanding of different training techniques and be able to observe the individual dog, understand what motivates them and adjust the way a behaviour is taught accordingly.
Some dogs learn quickly through food rewards, while others may be more motivated by toys, play, praise or access to something they want. Some dogs may also need smaller training steps, more distance from distractions or a different approach to help them feel comfortable enough to learn.
At Perfect K9, we use positive reinforcement, reward-based training and LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) principles. We will assess your dog and adapt the training approach where necessary rather than forcing every dog through exactly the same method.
What training methods do you use?
Our training is primarily positive reinforcement and reward-based.
We teach dogs what we want them to do and reinforce the behaviours we want them to repeat. We also use marker training to give dogs clear information about the behaviour they have performed correctly.
Our approach follows LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) principles. This means we aim to use the least intrusive and minimally aversive approach appropriate for the individual dog and situation.
For behaviour issues, we also look at why the behaviour is happening, rather than simply trying to suppress the behaviour.
Our goal is to help dogs understand what is expected of them, develop appropriate behaviours and build a reliable relationship with their owners.
Does reward-based training mean I have to give my dog treats forever?
No.
Food rewards are an effective training tool, especially when teaching a new behaviour or helping a dog understand what we want.
However, the goal is not to have a dog that only listens when a treat is shown.
Once a behaviour is understood and becomes more reliable, we gradually fade and vary the rewards. The dog learns that a reward may come after performing the behaviour, rather than needing to see a treat before responding.
Over time, your dog should be able to respond to your commands and behave appropriately in everyday situations without relying on a treat every time.
What is marker training?
A marker is a clear signal that tells your dog, “Yes, that is exactly what I wanted.”
The marker allows you to communicate with your dog at the precise moment they perform the desired behaviour, even if you cannot deliver the reward immediately.
This makes it easier for the dog to understand which behaviour earned the reward and helps make training more precise and consistent.
What tools do you use for training?
For dogs below 12 months old, we generally recommend using a harness.
For adult dogs, a suitable harness or collar can be used depending on the individual dog and training requirements.
For dogs that are more difficult to control, a head halter or Gentle Leader may be introduced where appropriate.
We do not use choke chains or electronic collars as part of our training.
However, equipment is only a training tool. The equipment itself does not teach the dog how to behave. The training method, communication and consistency are far more important.
Do you use treats during training?
Yes. Treats are commonly used, especially when teaching new behaviours, building focus and creating positive associations.
However, we do not simply feed treats continuously throughout the lesson. We teach owners how to use rewards strategically and how to gradually reduce the dog’s reliance on them as behaviours become established.
The type and amount of reward will also depend on the individual dog.
Will my dog be able to learn if they are easily distracted?
Yes, but we need to teach the dog how to focus before expecting them to perform reliably in a highly distracting environment.
Dogs do not automatically understand that a command learned at home should also be followed at the park, in a lift or around other dogs.
Training therefore needs to progress gradually, starting at a level where the dog can succeed and increasing distractions as their skills improve.
This is also why we place importance on focus, engagement and real-life practice, rather than teaching commands in isolation.
My dog knows the basic commands. Why would I need Lifestyle Obedience?
Knowing a command and knowing how to use it in everyday life are two different things.
Lifestyle Obedience teaches owners how to incorporate the commands their dogs already know into daily routines and real-life situations.
For example, your dog may know SIT and STAY, but can they remain calmly beside you while you are dining outdoors? Can they sit quietly in a lift? Can they wait before crossing a road? Can they walk past another dog without pulling towards it?
Lifestyle Obedience focuses on making obedience practical, reliable and useful in everyday life.
Does my dog need to complete Basic Obedience before Lifestyle Obedience?
Yes. Lifestyle Obedience is intended for dogs that already have an understanding of the basic obedience commands.
Basic Obedience focuses on teaching and establishing the commands. Lifestyle Obedience then focuses on applying those commands in real-life situations, different environments and around distractions.
My dog is reactive. Can you help?
Yes. However, reactive dogs are generally not placed directly into a group obedience class.
For dogs that bark, lunge, growl, snap or display other reactive behaviours, we normally recommend starting with 1-to-1 Behaviour Modification training.
The approach will depend on what triggers the dog’s reaction, what the reaction looks like, the dog’s emotional state and the environment in which it occurs.
Our goal is not simply to stop the outward behaviour. We aim to help the dog become more comfortable, learn appropriate responses and teach the owner how to manage situations effectively.
Behaviour modification also requires realistic expectations. Every dog is different, and we cannot guarantee that a dog will eventually become comfortable interacting freely with every dog or person.
Can you guarantee that my dog will be fully trained?
No responsible trainer should guarantee a specific outcome.
A dog’s behaviour is influenced by many factors, including genetics, previous experiences, environment, health, motivation and the consistency of training.
Our role is to provide the appropriate training plan, teach you how to communicate with your dog and help you understand how to continue the training outside of lessons.
What happens between lessons is just as important as what happens during the lesson.
Do I need to practise between lessons?
Yes.
Training is not something that happens only during your scheduled lesson. Dogs learn through repetition and consistency.
We will provide exercises for you to practise between lessons. These do not necessarily need to be long training sessions. Short, consistent practice incorporated into your daily routine can be very effective.
The more consistently the whole family follows the same rules and communication, the easier it is for the dog to understand what is expected.
Do owners need to participate during the training?
Yes.
Our training focuses on owner education, not simply training the dog for you.
We want you to understand why a behaviour is happening, how to communicate with your dog and how to continue practising the exercises after the lesson.
This is particularly important for behaviour issues and real-life obedience, because you are the person who will be managing your dog every day.
Can you train my dog while I am not there?
Our training is based on owner participation and education. We do not offer board-and-train programmes.
We believe owners need to learn how to communicate with and manage their own dogs, rather than having the dog trained by someone else and then expecting the owner to maintain the behaviour afterwards.
Is group training or 1-to-1 training better?
It depends on your dog’s needs and your training goals.
1-to-1 training allows us to focus specifically on your dog’s individual needs and can be particularly useful for puppies, specific behaviour issues or dogs that are easily overwhelmed by other dogs or distractions.
Group training provides an opportunity for dogs to practise their obedience around other dogs and people, which can be useful for developing focus and responsiveness in a more distracting environment.
For some dogs, starting with 1-to-1 training before moving into a group class is the more appropriate progression.
Should I start with Puppy Foundation or Basic Obedience?
For puppies, we generally recommend building a good foundation first.
Puppy Foundation focuses on more than just obedience commands. It helps establish focus, engagement, calmness, good manners, handling, basic communication and appropriate everyday behaviours.
Once the foundation is established, the puppy can progress to Basic Obedience and work on the commands in a more structured setting.
Starting with the right foundation can also help prevent unwanted habits from becoming established as the puppy grows.
Is it too late to train an older dog?
No.
Dogs can learn throughout their lives. An older dog may already have established habits, so training may require more time and consistency depending on what we are trying to change.
We will take into consideration the dog’s age, history, existing behaviours and training experience when deciding how to approach the training.
Can you train a dog that has never had any training before?
Yes.
Many dogs start training without any previous formal training. We will begin at an appropriate level for the individual dog and build the necessary skills progressively.
For puppies and dogs with no previous training experience, establishing focus, engagement and communication is often an important first step.
How long will it take to train my dog?
There is no fixed timeframe that applies to every dog.
The time required depends on the dog’s age, temperament, previous learning history, the behaviour being taught and how consistently the exercises are practised at home.
Some behaviours can be taught relatively quickly, while changing an established behaviour or working through a behaviour problem can take considerably longer.
Rather than focusing only on how many lessons it will take, we focus on progress, understanding and building reliable behaviour over time.
What happens if my dog does not respond during a lesson?
That is part of the learning process.
A dog not responding does not necessarily mean that they are being stubborn or refusing to listen. They may be confused, distracted, overwhelmed, too excited, insufficiently motivated or simply not ready for that level of difficulty.
We will assess what is happening and adjust the exercise where necessary. Sometimes this means making the exercise easier, increasing the distance from a distraction, changing the reward or giving the dog a short break.
The aim is to help the dog understand and succeed rather than repeatedly asking for something they are not yet ready to do.
Do you use punishment or aversive training tools?
Our training approach does not rely on fear, intimidation or punishment to teach obedience.
We focus on positive reinforcement, reward-based training and LIMA principles, while taking the individual dog’s needs and circumstances into consideration.
We do not use choke chains or electronic collars as part of our training.
Our focus is on teaching dogs appropriate behaviours and helping owners develop clear, consistent communication with their dogs.
What if my dog is not food motivated?
Not every dog is equally motivated by food, and some dogs may lose interest in food when they are distracted, stressed or overly excited.
This does not mean the dog cannot be trained.
We look at what motivates the individual dog and may use other rewards such as toys, play, praise, movement or access to something the dog wants.
The important thing is understanding what the dog finds rewarding in that particular situation.
Can I bring my family member to training?
Yes. We encourage the people who regularly handle the dog to understand the training approach and practise the same skills.
For our classes, we generally allow up to two people per dog. If you require an exception for a private session, please let us know in advance so that we can advise accordingly.
Consistency between family members is important because dogs learn best when everyone follows the same rules and communication.
Do you offer training at home?
Yes. Home training is available for 1-to-1 sessions.
Home training can be particularly useful when you want to work on behaviours that occur specifically in the home or neighbourhood, such as household manners, handling, potty training, door manners or interactions with family members.
For group training, sessions are conducted at our training centre in Sembawang.
Can I walk in for a trial lesson?
We do not offer walk-in trial lessons for our puppy or basic obedience courses.
We believe it is more useful to first understand your dog’s needs, your training goals and any challenges you are facing, so that we can recommend the most appropriate programme.
What is the difference between training my dog and training me?
Dog training is not just about teaching a dog to perform commands.
A large part of successful training is teaching the owner how to communicate clearly, recognise what the dog is trying to communicate, manage the environment and reinforce the right behaviours.
Our goal is not simply to have a dog that behaves during a lesson. We want owners to understand how to continue applying what they have learned in everyday life.
A well-trained dog is the result of a well-trained partnership between dog and owner.