Training Helps You Live In Harmony With Your Dog
Working dogs and show dogs will go to homes with those needs and will find themselves with owners already mindful of the training required to build these skills. A pet owner however, may require training as well as the dog. The main difference is that the dog has natural instincts that tell it to look to its owner for an example and to be trained. Owners have to find books or trainers to help them become knowledgeable. If the owner wants to train his dog to be a well mannered, inoffensive and loved and admired domestic pet, and has no previous experience, then a sensible idea is for the owner and the dog to attend a dog training school. Most pet supply stores will have community lists of obedience classes, as will your vet. At the obedience classes, the owner is given the necessary training to understand what the dog is looking for in him, and how the new pair of friends will be able to communicate. After every session, the dog and its owner have to practice and sharpen their training routines together, using all the tips they will have picked up. Gradually two things will happen; the dog will begin to respect and love its owner, and gradually will become a well behaved and well trained member of the family unit. Building an affinity with the dog is very much part of a successful training schedule. Ideally there should be only one person involved in training the dog. However if more than one member of the family wants to be involved, then it is important that their training styles should complement each other. Otherwise the dog will become confused and frustrated, and instead of moving forward it will get nowhere and may become problematic. Most experienced dog trainers will tell you that the use of force is not instrumental in training a dog properly. The most successful methods of training rely on timing of enthusiastic positive rewards immediately for good behavior and either ignoring unwanted behavior, using a time out or a quick "collar correction" (meaning a jerk on the leash that doesn't even appear to come from the owner). Dogs need to look up to their owners, and once a common language is established, genuine and consistent progress will be made. Once a dog has found its boundaries, it will be in its nature to test them every now and again, to see how far they will stretch. This is normal in the "pack" world, to see if it's time for a new leader. A dog will generally get the message that you are still the pack leader with repeated and consistent training. Reinforcement will let the dog know the same rules apply as before and they will quickly shape up. You can never tell the day when the dog's training has come to and end and there is complete harmony between the dog, his family and surroundings. It will be just a gradual feeling that will creep in over a few weeks or months. A well-mannered dog will be happier and more content and will receives more attention and interaction with people and other dogs, simply because he or she is more pleasant to be around, and does not behave in an aggressive or anti-social manner. |
Dogs have been companions to humans since before recorded history. They guard & herd our flocks, work as service dogs to the blind, perform in the show ring, follow our lead, play with us and protect and love us just as we are. The worst life for a dog is one banished to the yard away from their "humans." A well trained dog has the advantage of a closer bond with the human who invested time in the training as well as a better life as they get included in your daily life. This combination of bond and training will lead to harmony between you and your dog.