A well trained dog is a joy to be around. Beyond being well socialized, trained dogs are less likely to jump up on people and are less likely to bite someone. They also tend to stay calm in distracting situations.
Also, well trained dogs are more likely to stay with the same owner as opposed to being abandoned to the pound. One research report from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 96% of shelter dogs had never had training of any kind.
Training your dog helps to teach him what he can and cannot do, making him more comfortable around you, your family and strangers. There are many different dog training programs and many professional dog trainers. However, just because someone has a business card stating that they are a professional dog trainer doesn't mean that they are a qualified trainer. Just like many professions now-a-days, there are many charlatans out to make a quick buck from unsuspecting dog owners.
To find a good trainer, start by asking everyone you know if they can recommend a good trainer. Check with your veterinarian and the breeder or supplier of your dog. Also, while walking your dog at the dog park, ask other dog owners whom they recommend. There have been dozens of different training methods for dogs that have been in and out of fashion over the years, so once you have found a trainer, ask him or her what method of training they use. Ask why they use it and what the benefits of it are. Also ask for references.
Whether you train your dog yourself or find a professional, teaching your dog commands and socializing it is very important. Areas to cover in training include:
1.Socializing your dog to strangers: This is easy to accomplish while out walking your dog around the neighbourhood and introducing her to people you meet. Until you get her to respond calmly and in a friendly manner, it is best to keep her on a short leash when meeting new people.
2.Socializing with other dogs: You can do this at dog parks, or even better, in a dog training class. Again, until you see how your dog interacts with other dogs, keep her on a short leash. The last thing you want to create is a dog fight.
3.Leash walking at a steady pace: You can start this training as soon as you get your new dog. If he starts to strain against the leash in an attempt to go more quickly, stop walking until he settles down. The first few walks could be quite short (in distance) because of the amount of time you spend standing still while he strains against the leash.
4.Crate training: This is important, especially to build up your dog's ability to calmly stay in a kennel environment for several hours at a time. If you have to leave him home alone and he is not fully trained, it is best that he be left in a crate to prevent him from getting into something he shouldn't, or causing damage.
5.The sit command: This is usually the first command new owneers teach their dog. It is good as a way of keeping her from straining against her leash or from lungeing at other dogs.
6.The stay command: This command is important for your dog to master, especially in an environment with a lot of distractions.
7.The down/stand command: These commands help to develop boundaries for your dog.
There are many other commands and behaviours that your dog should be taught as time goes on, but the above are some of the first that should be considered.
There are many benefits to having a well trained dog. But it doesn't necessarily mean that your dog will not develop behavioural problems down the road, such as separation anxiety, food guarding and other undesirable habits, however, these are not related to training or lack thereof. Simply put, a well trained dog is a joy to be around and the training strengthens the human-animal bond.
Until next time,
Teia
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