Why Is It Important To Train Your Dog?Dogs are a separate species from people and as such, have their own special needs and natural instincts. They communicate very differently than we humans do, and many of their normal behaviors are counter to our own. Most people view their dogs as their "baby" or "child", yet have no idea that it is extremely detrimental to the dog. When we bring a dog or puppy into our homes and our lives, we are asking them to change much of what is natural about their existence. It is our responsibility to ensure that our dog has a balanced, meaningful life. Although they are officially "man's best friend", dogs need help understanding what human's expect from them. They can't possibly understand what's expected if you are uncertain yourself, or if you are unable to communicate it properly. Training is the best way to ensure you have a great relationship with your dog and a strong mutual understanding!
Training serves to strengthen the bond between a dog and his owner. It builds communication, understanding, and mutual respect, and subtly but effectively demonstrates to your dog that you're the leader of the pack (commonly referred to as the "Alpha"). If your dog doesn't respect you as his leader, you may both be in big trouble, particularly if he's a bit excited, rowdy or dominant by nature. |
Top 5 Reasons To Train Your Dog: |
Dog training improves your relationship with your dog. Dog training is really an education for both the dog and its human family; and, as such, it fosters a harmonious relationship between them. Dogs, like their wolf ancestors, are pack creatures. They naturally seek a leader. If their owners do not assume this leadership position, often gained through dog training, the dog may try to become the leader, which can lead to a host of problems. However, as you train your dog, you earn your dog’s respect as their benevolent and trusty leader. They begin to follow your lead and respect you as the authority figure. Both you and your canine pal become more secure in your relationship, which builds a stronger bond and ensures order in your home.
Training ensures that you and your dog spend more time together. Working with your dog on behavioral lessons can be fun! It gives your dog an opportunity to succeed and please you—which is truly what they want to do—and you gain the opportunity of learning all your dog’s quirks and abilities. The physical and mental exercise both you and your pup get during training is also a mutual benefit. Trained dogs are more fun and enjoyable members of the family. It isn't a secret - a trained dog is a pleasure to have around. A well-behaved dog is a pleasure to walk or take to the park, a pleasure to take on adventures—such as hiking, camping and beach trips—and a pleasure to own. Dog training can literally open doors for you and your pup—you’d be surprised at how many places will admit a dog that stays near its owner, responds instantly to commands, and behaves well in public. Just think of all the places you enjoy that might be shared with your well-behaved canine companion! Training will eliminate problem behaviors such as jumping on visitors, barking, digging, house soiling, chewing, and other issues that come between you and your dog. Training can do this in a few ways. One, as mentioned above, training makes clear the “pack order” in your family. Many behavioral problems stem from the dog’s uncertainly about its role in the “pack.” Training can eliminate problems stemming from insecurity, anxiety and power struggles. Second, training can add richness and variety to your dog’s life thereby preventing boredom—which is at the root of many behavioral problems. Overall, training helps you identify your dog’s needs and the underlying causes of its “bad” behavior, helping you also to remedy these problems. The last, but not least, important reason to train your dog is that it can literally save your dog’s life. While we don’t spend much time thinking about doom and gloom scenarios, imagine this: you are on a busy street packed with cars and other people. Your dog slips out of its collar or is off its leash and goes dashing into the street. You call your dog and hope that it will return safely to your side. Now, the untrained dog may not heed its owner’s calls, oblivious to the impending dangers. The well-trained dog will hear and respond immediately to your command, returning instantly to your side and be safe from danger. This is one of the best reasons to train your dog. |
Still Not Convinced? |
With all of the reasons to train your dog, why is it some people still choose not to? Some owners may think that they are capable of "training" their dogs themselves, yet fail to consider all aspects of training properly. Some owners may feel sorry for the dog, thinking the rules are restrictive instead of reassuring. Family members may disagree on training methods, or are not committed to training the dog consistently. In all of these scenarios, both the owner and the dog lose.
The result is often a dog that is out of control, unsure of the rules and when he breaks them, is not sure why he is in trouble. Without proper training and a strong "pack leader", a dog may also resort to aggressive tendencies, such as biting other dogs or even people. Once aggression escalates to this level, it is imperative that a professional trainer properly rehabilitate the dog in order to avoid possible attacks, lawsuits from bites, or worse - a fatality. It’s never too late to start training your dog—despite the familiar adage. If you have questions about what program is best for your dog and family, please don't hesitate to contact Pawsitive Results today! |