Normally kittens have their environmental and nutritional requirements met by their mother. However, a number of different situations can cause the kitten to need additional care, such as death or rejection of the mother, poor health of the mother, or a litter that is too large for the mother to be able to adequately care for her kittens. Read more in our article:

Growth is the phase from birth to adulthood, the animal is then "fully grown". During this time, a great many processes take place in the body: not only a considerable increase in size and weight (e.g. in the St. Bernard from 700 g to 70 kg), but also the change of teeth and coat as well as reaching sexual maturity are important stations in the life of a dog or cat. Click here for our article on growth:

When someone asks me what they have to consider if they want to breed cats, I always say: "Get a thick skin! Breeding cats is not just fun, as many people think, but you also take on a lot of responsibility. This starts with the selection of the parents, whose origin from healthy catteries must be guaranteed, continues with the question whether the pedigrees can be traced back, whether there are known hereditary diseases and how old cats from related litters became, to name just a few examples. Read more about cat breeding:

What could be more beautiful than when a foal flits across the pastures carefree, healthy and happy? When it drinks milk in harmony with the mare? When fully grown, the horse shows impressive beauty, elegance and willingness to perform. Read our magazine article about the topic " foal" .

A puppy in the house provides a lot of joy, but is also associated with a great responsibility towards the little creature. An overview of the most important factors that are important in dealing with the growing four-legged friend and form the basis for a successful human-dog relationship is therefore provided on the next few pages:

Animals are also sometimes in need of rapid medical assistance. This is provided by the only animal rescue vehicle in Switzerland.

Sabine Uschmann Maurer is a breeder of oriental breeds like Siamese, Balinese and Oriental Shorthair and Longhair with heart and soul. In the interview we wanted to know from her how she got into breeding, what the challenges are and if she finds it easy to give the kittens away when the time comes. Read the interview here:

It is now scientifically proven that the duration and intensity of exercise has a direct effect on how healthy your puppy's musculoskeletal system can develop. If the puppy is loaded too early and too much, it can lead to developmental disorders of the joints, which can lead to serious consequential damage and pain. Read more about this in our article:

At least since the beginning of the Corona pandemic, so many dogs were bought as puppies, young dogs or dogs with a past. Sometimes more than the market could offer. But what happens to the dog when the initial euphoria has faded and problems arise? Many new dog owners who, in a frenzy of emotion, pick up the new family member at the kennel, at the motorway service station or abroad at the market during their holiday, think least of the education of the social partner on four paws. But where exactly does the education of the puppy begin? For most dog owners, not until the dog's pubertal phase, when the behaviour is perceived as disturbing or even dangerous. Read more about this topic in our magazine entry:

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Certainly when one thinks of diseases, the first ones that come to mind are the elderly candidates of our loving companions. Read the full article in the Tierisch Gesund Magazine:

Senile dementia in dogs is a serious disease and should not be confused with normal senility. The technical term for this disease is Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (KDS) and is currently often underdiagnosed. But why does it matter, and why is it important to know? Because we can do something about it. The quality of life of your senior pelt-nose can be noticeably improved, with the aim of keeping the relationship with your faithful companion as normal as possible for as long as possible. It is our concern to make a contribution to this and to support you in doing so. Several studies have shown that one in three dogs between the ages of eleven and twelve and up to one in two dogs aged 15 and over can be affected by senile dementia. In a particularly rapid progression, the first signs can appear as early as six years of age. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome is an incurable, progressive, neurodegenerative disease. Neurodegeneration can be thought of as a change in brain structures with atrophy of nerve cells and thus a loss of normal brain function. The brain structure is altered by deposits of various proteins. These include beta-amyloid plaques and the pigment lipofuscin. There is evidence of inflammation and increased release of free radicals, which in turn can lead to damage and progressive degeneration of brain tissue. Brain tissue is particularly susceptible to free radical damage. In addition, the altered brain structures lead to an imbalance between the neurotransmitters that are responsible for normal behaviour in everyday life. With the described changes in the brain, the disease strongly resembles Alzheimer's disease in humans. We are therefore talking about a progressive brain disease that leads to a gradual decrease in cognitive ability. Early detection is an important element in preventing rapid progression. Early detection gives us the opportunity to use targeted training, nutritional supplementation and medication to slow down the progression of the disease, if not stop it, at least significantly and improve quality of life. How can we recognise cognitive dysfunction syndrome? What is meant by altered cognitive abilities? When we talk about cognitive abilities, we mean the attention, conscious awareness, memory and learning abilities that an individual brings to the table. Changes in cognitive abilities may announce themselves as follows: Disorientation / confusion The animals want to do something and suddenly seem to forget what it was. For example, they want to go into the garden, then stand outside and pause as if they have forgotten what they were about to do. Or monotonous walking around, sometimes with monotonous vocalising, or staring into corners can be observed. Altered social interaction with people or other animals Familiar people and animals may no longer be recognised or an unfamiliar greeting may be given. When called, they may look in the wrong direction and have difficulty finding their owner on the walk. Altered social interaction with people or other animals Familiar people and animals are no longer recognised or they are greeted in an unfamiliar way. When called, they may look in the wrong direction and have difficulty finding their owner on the walk. Change in sleep/wake cycle Normally, dogs sleep through the night, much like their owners, with extra rest during the day. In sick dogs, this behaviour can change. They sleep more during the day and have more periods of wakefulness at night, up to and including prolonged periods of insomnia. Sudden startling from sleep and restless sleep may also occur. Unlearning what has been learned Basically, a reduced ability to learn and forgetting of what has been learned can be noticed. This can go so far that even house-training is no longer possible. Known commands are forgotten, or there is a longer reaction and execution of the command. We must not confuse this with "stubbornness in old age" or reduced hearing ability. Altered activity Initially, increased sleep and reduced interest in social activity may be observed, followed by increased restlessness, restlessness and night waking or other repetitive behaviour patterns. In addition, anxiety disorders such as separation anxiety, sound phobias (thunderstorms/thunder), increased barking, reduced grooming and altered appetite may occur. Important to know We must be aware that there is no cure for KDS. The course of the disease is influenced by various factors. Accordingly, there are also different therapy approaches that are in focus. Basically, as in humans, the earlier the therapy is started, the slower the progression of the disease. We can therefore support your dog with the appropriate therapy and thus slow down the course of the disease. However, the first step is always to check or clarify other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms. It is also known that dental diseases as well as joint diseases can promote dementia. How can your dog be helped? The selection of the appropriate therapeutic treatment depends on the individual needs of our patients and should be chosen carefully. We focus on the following therapeutic approaches: -Assistance in everyday life -Adherence to a constant, regular daily structure -Mental / cognitive stimulation: regular practice of commands, playing, adding new toys, searching games, chewing toys -Increased / regular activity: Increased short walks to clean up can help maintain housetraining. Dietary measures Various scientific studies have shown that specific dietary measures as well as food supplements can provide support. These include vitamins B, C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, mitochondrial co-factors (alpha-lipoic acid and L-carnitine), and essential fatty acids (MCT, omega-3 fatty acids / DHA). Medication In certain patients, it may be useful to support the therapeutic measures with additional medication. For animals that are very anxious or show significant nocturnal activity, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication may be used. Dementia neurology consultation as an exclusive offer KDS is an under-diagnosed disease of our senior cats. The first signs of the disease as well as the individual course can vary greatly. Making a diagnosis can seem difficult at first glance because it is a complex clinical picture. It is our goal to diagnose affected patients at an early stage and thus be able to initiate therapy in time. In this way, we can help to improve your pet's quality of life in old age and maintain it for as long as possible. In the specialist clinic of the Veterinary Clinic Basel, we offer a wide range of neurological services in the department of neurology exclusively in the Basel area, in order to detect neurological diseases early, to clarify them in a problem-oriented manner and to treat them in a targeted manner. In the specialist clinic of the Veterinary Clinic Basel, we offer a wide range of neurological services in the Department of Neurology exclusively in the Basel area, in order to recognise neurological diseases at an early stage, to clarify them in a problem-oriented manner and to treat them in a targeted manner. We offer special dementia consultation hours for the diagnosis and treatment of cognitive dysfunction syndrome in dogs. We cover the following services: - Early detection and diagnosis of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. - Counselling and discussion of preventive measures - Exclusion of other diseases by means of specialised diagnostics - Preparation of an individual therapy plan for animals suffering from Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome In cooperation with our specialist clinic (surgery, internal medicine / cardiology, radiology, dentistry, sports and pain) we can ensure a multimodal improvement in quality of life We work closely with your family veterinarians to provide optimal care in the longer term We offer the opportunity to participate in our special training sessions in the "Memory Gym" to improve the mental and motor skills of older animals. More At:

By the age of three, 70% of domestic cats and 80% of dogs already have some form of periodontal disease. This is an inflammatory disease of the periodontium, which is responsible for holding the teeth in the jaw. Normally, this disease is silent - there are no obvious symptoms or signs at first. However, when it progresses, it causes your pet to experience chronic pain, gum reduction, tooth loss and bone deterioration. The best start for optimal dental care for your pet is to begin before there is even a problem. This is easiest if optimal dental hygiene is already practised with the new puppy or kitten, even without any known disease or contamination. For older animals, it is advisable to set up a plan for regular dental hygiene in consultation with your trusted veterinarian. This should include regular dental cleanings, dental radiographs and a thorough oral examination of the jaws. Prevention is the best way to healthy teeth in old age: For most patients, periodontal disease is a preventable condition. Especially in pets that receive good veterinary dental prophylaxis at an early age and are also familiar with successful and regular dental hygiene at home, dental problems in old age can usually be well prevented. I always recommend that young animals receive a complete dental and jaw examination by the vet at the age of three to four months in order to look at the milk teeth and to see if any teeth are already missing, growing too slowly or if there is a malocclusion. The so-called "bite" of the animal is also checked, i.e. how the teeth fit together when the mouth is closed. The length of the jaws and any misalignment of the teeth of the upper and lower jaws in relation to each other and to the gums are also examined. In such cases, early detection and, if necessary, treatment can prevent further disease of the teeth. The second important examination for a later carefree age, which I always recommend as a veterinarian, is at the age of about six months, when the milk teeth fall out and the new teeth grow in. Here it is extremely important to check that all the milk teeth have fallen out correctly. If one of the milk teeth has not fallen out correctly, it is advisable to remove it to prevent the adult tooth underneath from becoming misaligned. It also prevents the formation of periodontal disease, which could be caused by insufficient space in the jaw. In kittens where the adult teeth are not yet visible, it is advisable to take a dental x-ray to check whether the teeth are really missing, as unerupted teeth can be problematic. If possible, pet owners should start dental hygiene at home when the animal has all adult teeth. In young animals, which still have the milk teeth, dental hygiene could be unpleasant and we would like to avoid a negative experience in any case. In animals that will weigh less than twelve kilos in adulthood or in brachycephalic animals, i.e. the short-nosed breeds, there are more problems with the teeth, as they are often twisted or too close together due to too little space in the jaw. The veterinarian should check the teeth and the correct dental hygiene carried out at home at least once a year. Proper and thorough dental hygiene at home helps to protect the health of the teeth and oral cavity in the best possible way. For most patients, effective prophylaxis against periodontal disease can keep the oral cavity and teeth pain-free and healthy, which has positive effects on the animal's entire body and well-being. Brushing teeth twice a day is also the gold standard for dental care at home for our animals. As with us, it is the most effective way to remove the bacterial plaque that forms on the animals' teeth within a few hours. However, brushing the teeth only removes the plaque, not the tartar. Brushing must be done at least daily to stop tartar from forming. Brushing when the gums are already inflamed is painful and will only cause the animal to fight back and have a bad experience. So this is another reason to start brushing at a young age so that we can continue the optimal care in the geriatric patient. But even daily tooth brushing does not prevent examinations - sometimes under anaesthesia - x-rays and the appropriate therapy from being necessary, just as in human dentistry. We veterinarians know that brushing your pet's teeth can be difficult and challenging. We therefore recommend building it up slowly and not giving up immediately after the first failed attempt. There are two types of dental hygiene products: Mechanical: such as toothbrushes, diets, chewables, and Chemical: such as toothbrush wipes, cleansing additives for drinking water, toothpaste and dental sealants. Certain products also use a combination of mechanical and chemical - such as brushing teeth with toothpaste enriched with special enzymes. There are also now diets specifically designed to reduce plaque and tartar or slow its formation. These are very helpful when pets are unable to brush their teeth regularly. These preventive diets work by using a mixture of mechanical and chemical tooth cleaning. The dry food is slightly larger and has a special surface that cleans the teeth when chewed. In addition, the composition of the food coats the teeth with a protective layer against tartar. Since there are many products that make this promise, and to help you find your way through the jungle of offers, we veterinarians recommend that you simply stick to the products that have been found to be "good" by the "Veterinary Oral Health Council" (an association of specialised dental veterinarians who test the relevant products). Among the chews and treats that promote dental hygiene, there is also a wide range of products that have been tested by the Veterinary Oral Health Council and have been proven to remove or reduce plaque and tartar. But beware: overly hard rewards such as antlers and synthetic or real bones should be avoided as these can damage the tooth structure, causing pain or inflammation. These can even lead to tooth fracture (breaking of a tooth). The bottom line is that your pet's dental hygiene should be on par with yours. Daily brushing helps to keep the mouth and teeth healthy into old age and to prevent disease. However, this by no means eliminates the need for professional dental prophylaxis by a veterinarian under anaesthesia. The number of procedures your pet will need depends on many factors that you cannot influence. Factors such as breed, size and genetics. But there is one very important factor you can influence: How effectively teeth cleaning can and, of course, is done at home. We all know how bad toothaches can be - help prevent them and give your pet a pain-free old age with a beautiful white smile! More at:

Creepy-crawly parasites are always disgusting. They are also often difficult to control if their presence is not nipped in the bud. Fleas cause itching, are common in dogs and cats, can cause skin diseases and are easily transmitted from animal to animal. Fleas live in the environment and get onto the animal for the blood meal. Ticks themselves do not cause any harm to humans or animals other than local skin irritation. However, dangerous pathogens such as Lyme disease, early summer meningitis TBE etc. are transmitted by them. Medication The available medicines have different effects and are not all equally suitable for the control of ticks and fleas. Let us advise you. Unfortunately, parasites become resistant over time. We always try to have the most effective products in our range. We do not recommend biological and alternative medicine products, because to date there are no such products with sufficient effectiveness on the market. Attention: There are preparations which are highly toxic for the cat. Ask us! You can find more information at your local VetTrust practice. More information on fleas and ticks: Fleas can be seen with the naked eye. The easiest way to find them is by combing out the fur with a very fine comb. The same applies to flea droppings, small black crumbs that release red blood pigment when they come into contact with moisture, e.g. on a damp paper handkerchief. Fleas bite into the skin with their sharp proboscis and suck blood from small blood vessels. A flea bite leaves a red, itchy swelling on the skin. Scratching it damages the upper layers of the skin, especially in dogs. Fleas are also involved in the spread of tapeworms: Flea larvae eat the eggs of the cucumber seed tapeworm and thus become intermediate hosts. When dogs or cats bite fleas, which happens very often during grooming, they become infected with the tapeworms. Apart from humans, ticks mainly infest dogs, free-roaming cats and wild animals, e.g. hedgehogs. They are most active in the evening. They drop from grasses and bushes onto their hosts, look for a well-blooded spot with thin skin and drill a blood vessel with their hard proboscis.

Les allergies se révèlent souvent par les démangeaisons qu'elles provoquent. Lisez cet article pour savoir de quoi il s'agit, ce que vous devez savoir sur les allergies et ce que vous pouvez faire si votre animal est touché. Les allergies sont ennuyeuses - et malheureusement presque omniprésentes, du moins chez nous, les humains. De nombreuses personnes ont les yeux qui pleurent à cause des pollens volants, ou doivent acheter des housses anti-acariens pour leurs couettes. Les restaurants proposent également des menus sans gluten et sans lactose, et les supermarchés regorgent de chaînes de produits et d'étiquettes destinées aux personnes allergiques. Des études montrent que les allergies et les intolérances sont diagnostiquées plus fréquemment aujourd'hui qu'il y a 50 ans - la raison exacte n'est pas encore claire, même pour les experts. Les animaux peuvent également développer des allergies. On ne sait pas si elles étaient moins fréquentes que chez l'homme dans le passé. Mais il existe des faits sur ce à quoi certains animaux sont allergiques et comment les propriétaires d'animaux et les vétérinaires peuvent le reconnaître. L'un d'entre eux est le suivant : le "rhume des foins", c'est-à-dire l'allergie au pollen des plantes, existe aussi chez les chiens. On l'appelle atopie et les symptômes sont des démangeaisons et d'autres symptômes cutanés. Démangeaisons - et autres symptômes d'allergie chez les animaux de compagnie Une allergie est - chez l'homme comme chez l'animal (domestique) - une réaction excessive du système immunitaire à une substance qui est en fait inoffensive. Chez l'homme, cela se manifeste par un rhume des foins, de l'asthme ou une neurodermatite. Chez les animaux, on observe le plus souvent des démangeaisons, des modifications de la peau et des otites. Outre une allergie, il peut toutefois s'agir d'une autre réaction d'intolérance ou d'une infestation par des ectoparasites (puces, etc.). Que ce soit une allergie ou une autre réaction, les démangeaisons sont très désagréables pour nos animaux de compagnie, ils se grattent, se frottent et rongent. Cela peut provoquer des plaques sans poils, des croûtes, des rougeurs et des saignements, des infections bactériennes s'ajoutent, ce qui entraîne une inflammation - et encore plus de démangeaisons, un cercle vicieux se crée. Y a-t-il une allergie ? Un diagnostic précis d'allergie peut prendre beaucoup de temps et ne convient pas à tous les animaux ou propriétaires d'animaux. En revanche, dans certains cas, les symptômes peuvent être fortement atténués, voire disparaître, grâce à des médicaments, de bons soins de la peau ou une réduction du stress. Quelles sont les causes les plus courantes des allergies ? Les allergies chez les chats et les chiens peuvent être divisées en trois groupes : L'allergie aux puces, l'allergie alimentaire et l'atopie. Il n'est pas rare que les chiens ou les chats aient plusieurs allergies en même temps, ce qui complique le diagnostic. L'allergie aux puces est une allergie à la salive que la puce libère dans le corps de l'animal en suçant le sang. Elle peut toucher les chiens et les chats de tous âges et de toutes races. À l'examen, tous les animaux ne présentent pas de puces dans leur pelage, car il suffit de très peu pour déclencher la réaction allergique. Si l'on soupçonne une allergie aux puces, il est important de traiter tous les autres chiens et chats ainsi que l'ensemble du foyer. Une prophylaxie régulière contre les puces est recommandée pour chaque animal allergique dans tous les cas, afin que l'animal ne soit plus en contact avec la salive des puces. En cas d'allergie alimentaire, l'animal réagit par des symptômes allergiques - démangeaisons ou troubles digestifs - à un ou plusieurs composants alimentaires. Les allergies peuvent être déclenchées, par exemple, par : le bœuf, les produits laitiers, le poulet, l'agneau, le poisson, les produits céréaliers ou les additifs alimentaires et bien d'autres encore. Pour diagnostiquer une allergie alimentaire, on donne à l'animal une alimentation spéciale, adaptée individuellement, pendant huit à douze semaines. Nous ne recommandons pas d'autres moyens de diagnostic tels que les tests sanguins, les analyses de poils ou les méthodes alternatives, car ils ne sont pas fiables. L'atopie ou la dermatite atopique est une allergie aux allergènes environnementaux tels que les acariens, les spores fongiques ou le pollen de fleurs. Les animaux affectés peuvent présenter des symptômes toute l'année ou de façon saisonnière. Le diagnostic se fait (comme chez l'homme) par un test cutané ou sanguin. Dans le test cutané, de petites quantités de différents allergènes sont injectées sous la peau et la réaction est lue. En fonction des résultats, un "vaccin" spécifique peut être préparé pour la désensibilisation. Les chats sont particuliers Le fait de se toiletter davantage, de se lécher ou même de s'arracher les poils au point de devenir chauve peut être un signe de démangeaison. Cependant, les chats sensibles ne sont souvent pas vus en train de se gratter ou de se lécher, ils le font très discrètement et sont passés maîtres dans l'art de se cacher ! Un examen vétérinaire peut révéler des traces de griffes, des griffes avec des traces de sang ou des poils léchés. Le deuxième symptôme spécifique de l'allergie chez le chat est le complexe de granulomes éosinophiles. Ce terme résume trois tableaux cliniques différents qui se ressemblent à l'examen microscopique. Ce groupe de lésions peut affecter la peau ou la muqueuse buccale. Là encore, les allergies aux puces, les allergies alimentaires ou l'atopie peuvent en être la cause.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of pets are hit by cars, fall victim to biting attacks by other four-legged friends or suffer bloody wounds. This is exactly what happened to Marie and her Malinois dog Lua in the park. Marie threw the ball, Lua ran after it at full speed as usual. On her way back, Marie already saw that something was wrong. Lua was running very slowly and limping. As she got closer, Marie saw a gaping and heavily bleeding wound on Lua's leg, which she must have gotten from a shard. "I was in shock at first. It's been far too long since my last first aid course and everything is a bit different with dogs. My family vet was already closed and the nearest emergency clinic was much too far away," Marie says. "Many people are insecure in emergency situations because they are afraid of doing something wrong. That's exactly why we developed the PocDoc® Pet Connect," says Dominic Dussault, the inventor of the PocDoc® Pet Connect. "I was so happy to always have the little first aid kit in my dog's backpack," Marie agrees. The PocDoc® Pet Connect is a smart first aid kit that includes an unlock code for the app. Each step of the treatment is explained in the app in short concise sentences and with understandable pictures. In addition, the required material and its position within the first-aid kit is displayed. "It really worked great. With the help of the app, I was able to apply a pressure bandage. The bandage was not too tight and was still able to stop the bleeding. When I went to my GP the next day to have the wound looked at, he told me that I had done well and that the wound didn't need stitches," Marie says. So Marie and Lua were lucky and everything went well. "When the nearest emergency clinic is too far away, immediate and courageous intervention can mean the difference between life and death," says Gabrielle Brunner, veterinarian and member of the management team at VetTrust. The PocDoc Pet Connect is currently available at the introductory price of only CHF 39.90 in all VetTrust branches or via the .

With the right technique and a little patience, it is in most cases easily possible to house-train a puppy within a few weeks. As always, the basic rule is to reinforce and reward desired behaviour, while incorrect behaviour should usually not be corrected in the case of housetraining.  It is important to know that a puppy needs to clean itself approximately every 2-3 hours. It can be assumed that this is mostly the case after sleeping, playing and eating. It therefore makes sense to always take the precaution of going outside at these times right from the start and to be happy if your fosterling does its business outside as planned. If you are not quick enough, pick up your little one, take him outside and stay there for a while, even though he has already done everything inside. It is not uncommon to get a "second helping" for which you can then praise him outside. If your puppy is a bit older, you can also say "no" and take him outside afterwards. However, this only makes sense if you catch him in the act (i.e. during defecation/urination). If you miss the moment, the dog will no longer be able to associate your "no" with his act and you will only scare him unnecessarily.  At night it can help to let the little one sleep in a dog box right next to your bed. So he has no choice at night except to make himself heard when he needs to go out. If a dog can choose, he never goes to sleep voluntarily. So you have the opportunity to wake up and go outside immediately. In the beginning, it is best to carry your fosterling, because then, as a rule, no misfortune will happen on the way. It is important that there is no playing outside. Stand somewhere and ignore all behaviour except the grooming itself. Otherwise, the puppy may learn that you can be woken up at any time, even to play at night.  Once housetraining is learned, most dogs are very reliable at it. A healthy adult dog can wait up to eight hours without any problems, and often longer at night. However, you should not expect him to wait longer than this, because if it becomes unbearable and your dog has to clean himself up indoors, this is a great stress for him. Pay attention to how long the intervals are. If your dog suddenly has to go out much more often or if he pees regularly, this can also be a sign of illness.  We are here for you. Animal health for life. Your VetTrust

A good dog school is one of the most important decisions in the development of a young dog. Especially for first-time dog owners, for whom the topic of training and imprinting is understandably still uncharted territory, it is crucial what help they get in training their charge. In Switzerland, the title "dog trainer" is not protected and basically anyone can open a dog school. This makes it even more difficult to find a good one. The question of a good dog school cannot be answered conclusively. However, there are a few points to look for when making a choice. A good first point of reference is certainly a recommendation . Don't be afraid to ask other dog owners with a well-behaved dog, whom you meet on a walk, for example, about their dog school. Such a question is a compliment to the behaviour of your own animal and is usually answered with pleasure. Afterwards, inform yourself on the homepage of the respective school or call to get a first impression. Also rely a little on your gut feeling. The most important thing is that you have a good impression and feel comfortable from the start.  In a good school there are small groups and each dog is dealt with individually. A dog trainer should never lose patience with you or your charge, no matter how long an exercise drags on. The cornerstone of modern dog training is positive reinforcement. Puppies and young dogs in particular need lots of positive experiences with people to develop calm and reliable behaviour. Learning methods based on pain, fear or intimidation have no place there, of course. Every animal has its own learning speed and a good dog trainer therefore encourages each dog individually. If an exercise does not work, something else is tried and a new approach is chosen.  Good trainers are also happy to come to your home if necessary and work with you as a team to practise something or to look at a specific situation. This should also never make you feel that you have "failed". Rather, you will be supported and the best will be made of every situation with understanding and patience. Not every dog and not every dog owner has to master every exercise perfectly, it is much more important that you and your protégé find each other in everyday life and that there is a basis of deep trust and security.