FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Dog Training at the Meyer-Miebeck Dog Center
Here you'll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about dog training, behavior, nutrition, organization, and care. Clear, honest, and practical.
Puppy and young dogs training
Puppy training
At what age can my dog join puppy classes? Puppies can participate in our puppy classes from around 10 weeks of age, as soon as they are healthy, have received their first vaccinations, and have settled in with you. An early, well-supervised start lays the foundation for confidence, orientation, and a strong human-dog bond.
How big is the puppy group? We deliberately work in very small groups with a maximum of 4 puppies to ensure individual attention, safety, and genuine learning.
What is the goal of puppy training? Puppy training lays the foundation for a well-adjusted, confident, and relaxed family dog. This includes focusing on the human, learning basic commands, socialization, calmness and relaxation, and positive learning behavior – without overwhelming the puppy or using excessive pressure.
Are the puppies allowed to play? Yes – but in a controlled and meaningful way. We focus on guided, social learning rather than wild romping. This is how the puppies learn communication, boundaries, and self-regulation.
Young dogs training
How old should my dog be for the young dogs class? The young dogs class is suitable for dogs that are past the puppy stage and are going through puberty – generally from about 5 to 6 months old.
What are the components of the young dogs training? Leash training, impulse control, calmness, training with distractions, recall, everyday situations, confidently minimizing conflicts, stress-free and guided play, learning to read body language, understanding adolescent behaviors.
What happens in young dogs training – especially during puberty? Puberty brings many changes. In puppy training, we work on orientation, impulse control, leash manners, recall, and everyday situations – with understanding for this developmental phase and without unnecessary pressure.
You can find more information about our offers for puppies and young dogs here:
Individual & group training
How big are the training groups? Our groups are intentionally small: Puppies: max. 4 teams Other courses: usually up to 6 teams. This allows us to provide individual attention and effective training.
Do you also offer individual training? Yes. In individual training, we analyze your situation in detail, create a clear training plan, and work individually on your specific issues – in everyday life, at home, or outdoors.
Where does the individual training take place? We'll arrange that with you individually. We can come to your home, meet in a park, forest, or at the locations where the problems are occurring. Meeting at our training ground is also possible, for example, if the goal is for the dog to learn behaviors off-leash.
What are the advantages of group training? Dogs learn to remain responsive and obey commands despite distractions from other people and dogs. People learn to handle their dogs in realistic situations. Learning in a group is also an important component of dog training. Dogs learn very well from and among themselves.
Is individual training only useful for "problem dogs"? No. Individual training is beneficial for all human-dog teams who want to work individually, calmly, and with a clear goal in mind—regardless of whether it's about training, behavior, or everyday life.
What happens during a first training session? We'll discuss your goals, analyze your current fitness level, and begin with some initial practical exercises. This will result in a clear, actionable training plan.
You can find more information about our training programs here:
Special training
Anti-hunting training
For which dogs is anti-hunting training suitable? For all dogs – especially adolescent dogs, breeds with a strong hunting instinct, and dogs that are difficult to control outdoors. The goal is not suppression, but rather orientation, control, and safety.
Can hunting instincts be completely eliminated? No – and that's perfectly normal. But they can be guided, controlled, and made safe, so that walks are relaxed and reliable.
Medical Training
What is Medical Training? Medical training helps dogs cope with grooming procedures and veterinary visits without stress – through voluntary cooperation, self-determination, and gradual training.
What is practiced in medical training? Everyday grooming procedures (nail trimming, brushing, ear, eye, and tooth checks, administering medication, etc.) are specifically trained so that the dog tolerates these procedures through a sense of autonomy and security.
Mindfulness training
What is "Mindfulness Training with Dogs"? This training is a wonderful opportunity to cultivate calmness, awareness, connection, and relaxation to promote a harmonious daily life. Both dog and owner benefit from it.
What can I expect from an hour of mindfulness training? The saying "Strength comes from stillness" is, so to speak, the overarching theme. We practice breathing techniques, relaxation techniques for both dog and owner, calm movement and daily routines, clarity of body language, and individual and shared rituals.
Dog sports
What dog sports activities are offered at the Meyer-Miebeck Dog Center? We offer fun and playful agility, exercise during walks, coordination, and body awareness training. All without pressure, but with lots of fun and motivation.
Is dog sports also suitable for older dogs? Yes. The difficulty levels are adjusted to the dog's age, fitness level, and motivation.
You can find an overview of our specialized training courses here:
Health, vaccination & participation
Does my dog need to be vaccinated and insured? Yes. For participation, we require valid vaccinations as recommended by a veterinarian, as well as dog liability insurance.
Can my female dog in heat participate? Participation is decided on a case-by-case basis. Individual training is usually possible without any problems; group training depends on the situation and the course.
Information on common dog diseases, vaccinations and preventative care can be found here:
Dog Nutrition Consultation
What exactly happens during a nutritional consultation? We analyze your dog's current diet, discuss any problems, and set goals (e.g., weight loss, optimization, etc.). We then analyze their nutrient supply and develop appropriate recommendations or an individualized plan. We also provide support for dogs with allergies, intolerances, weight issues, and the nutritional needs of chronically ill dogs (e.g., heart disease, kidney problems, anxiety) as well as dogs with food refusals.
Do I absolutely have to switch pet food manufacturers? No. If the current food is generally suitable, we will optimize it accordingly. A change is only recommended if it makes sense from a nutritional or health perspective.
You can find more information about dog nutrition consultation here: