NWA School for Dogs has been a local staple for dog owners since 2013. Owner, Shanthi Steddum, says that her goal is to “provide fun and force-free dog training to the pups and people of Northwest Arkansas.” NWA School for Dogs has been a long-term client of ASBTDC, but recently, ASBTDC consultants have been working with Shanthi as she worked through the process of expanding to a larger Fayetteville location on Front Street near Panera Bread.
Before you bring a new pooch into your household this holiday season, read Shanthi’s tips for planning for your new pet:
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- What are the three biggest factors to consider?
Lifestyle, home environment, and budget.
If you lead a relatively quiet life, look for smaller “companion” breeds that don’t need tons of exercise. If you love outdoor adventures, look for breeds or mixes that have great endurance. The American Kennel Club has a great questionnaire to help find what type of dog would fit best into your life.
If you live in an apartment, you do not have to rule out larger dogs, but you should take into consideration how much time you will need to spend with them outdoors… in all weather!
When budgeting, do not forget to consider maintenance costs like food, trips to the veterinarian, and grooming. If you do not want to spend money every month on a groomer, avoid dogs that typically need professional grooming (doodles are a fitting example of a dog that requires regular grooming).
2. How should you choose what type of boarding/ training is best for you?
Do your research. While there are many great options around our region, I always recommend you interview the trainer or boarding facility. Get information about the techniques they use. If you’re not getting a good vibe, keep looking!
As far as boarding, find out how they house your pup and who they let them play with. Not all dogs want to play with other dogs, so some facilities may not be ideal for your fur-baby.
3. When should you start training a puppy?
Training can start the day you get them! House training, routine training, and socialization are things you can do on your own and are often overlooked as foundational skills. You can also start training basic manners skills, too!
Feel free to reach out to us at NWA School for Dogs to learn safe ways to socialize and train your pup even before they complete their puppy vaccinations.
4. How much should you be ready to invest in training and care?
While each dog is different, you should consider that the essentials like food and well-puppy visits may cost anywhere from $50-200 per month in the early months, or even more if you have a dog that requires grooming.
Training courses generally start at $150 for each course. Different services range in prices, but for basic training, I recommend budgeting for at least two courses for your pup to learn foundational manners.
5. How can you get started at NWA School for Dogs?
The easiest way to get involved is to visit our blog! We post videos and articles about the basics, from clicker training to leash foundations to potty training and more.
We offer six-week programs for group classes to help owners and their dogs through all stages of life. One of these programs is The Puppy Class, which helps you navigate the challenges of raising a puppy as well as starting to train the foundational skills. This would be a great way to introduce your pup to the School for Dogs if you are considering day school or boarding school.
Visit our website to explore more of what we offer, register as a new client, and ask us any questions you may have.
We at ASBTDC are so proud to spotlight NWA School for Dogs as a client this month. Their dedication to our furry friends and the local community is apparent, and we are grateful to be able to offer our services to small, local businesses free of charge.
If you have not already, register your small business as a client with the ASBTDC. We offer complimentary one-on-one consulting and exclusive access to our webinars and workshops on small-business topics ranging from finance to social media to management and more.