What to Look For in a Trained Dog for Sale

Whether you are looking for a service dog or want a dog to protect your home, trained dogs for sale can be a great option. However, it is important to know what to look for before you purchase a trained dog. The first place to start is your local shelters. These shelters often have dogs who have been previously trained and are ready for adoption.

Rescue organizations

Animal rescue organizations have a common goal: to find homes for animals that have been abused, abandoned or otherwise mistreated. Some specialize in a certain pet type (greyhounds, pit bulls, reptiles) while others take on animals from specific situations, such as dog fighting and cockfighting [source: AKC].

They also have a commitment to no-kill sheltering – meaning that they do not euthanize dogs with behavioral issues or health problems. They do this to avoid overpopulation, and to provide a better life for each animal they take in.

Some rescues also offer foster care programs, which is a great way to help an animal get adopted. Whether you’re looking to foster or adopt, make sure that the shelter or rescue you choose is reputable and has a good reputation.

Most nonprofit animal rescues require that potential adopters spend time with the animals they are considering before committing to an adoption. This ensures that the pets are a good fit for their new owners.

Retired work dogs

Police K-9s are highly trained and work tirelessly to protect their handlers and the public. These dogs are often used for everything from locating missing people to searching for evidence at crime scenes.

Some police dog handlers choose to retire their police K-9s and adopt them out into the public. If this is an option for you, be sure to do your research and contact the police department or training facility that handled them before deciding.

Retired military working dogs (MWDs) are often available for adoption. These dogs are typically 10 to 12 years old and have a limited amount of service-related training left.

The process of adopting a retired MWD can be lengthy, so it’s important to understand what you are getting into before applying. If you are willing to be flexible on health issues or other criteria, then you will increase your chances of being able to adopt one.

Training academies

The Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior offers flexible education options, both for pet parents and prospective certified dog trainers. A 10-hour fundamentals course is available for pet parents who want to deepen their understanding of canine psychology, and a certificate program prepares prospective trainers for certification in canine behavior modification and canine rehabilitation.

This Montana-based school has a variety of online courses, with live classroom sessions using Zoom. Classes cover basic obedience and manners, and redirecting rowdy behaviors.

It’s best to sign up for a course before your dog is mature enough to start training, so the lessons are tailored to you and your pup. Unlike online classes that use sets of pre-recorded videos, SIRIUS offers a live online class format and small class sizes (no more than six students).

The academy also has an extensive library of training tips and articles. Some of these articles are accompanied by short videos that can be helpful for dog owners who are not comfortable reading long text-based articles.

Read More: best medium to large size family protection dog

Shelters

If you’re looking for a trained dog, there are many shelters that offer this service. While these animals may come with certain behaviors that they’ve picked up from their time in the shelter, they can be trained to behave properly, especially if you give them positive reinforcement training.

The Animal Care Centers of NYC, a not-for-profit organization that runs animal shelters in Manhattan and Brooklyn, offers trained dogs for sale on their website. The organization has a team of volunteers who train the animals for adoption.

ACC also works with people who surrender their pets to the city when they have to move into homeless shelters or face other hardships. In April, the agency brought on two social workers to help clients keep their pets.