Do you have a new four-legged family member who happens to be an energetic ball of fun? If the answer is yes, you likely have a new puppy or even a slightly older dog.
Watching a puppy grow up or loving an older dog is a rewarding experience for the entire family. More often than not, this new family member will need a little bit of dog obedience training to ensure that he is the best companion for years to come.
Keep reading for more information!
1. Safety is a Top Priority
Choosing to train your dog means that your family, friends, and neighbors are safe. It also means that Fido is safer too.
A well-trained dog will listen to various commands that tell him to sit, stop jumping, or to stand still. A dog that doesn’t understand these words is likely to get excited when meeting new people and may jump or bolt into a busy street.
If the dog is a larger breed and happens to jump on a child, the child may get hurt or develop a fear of dogs.
Dog bite lawsuits are a real threat for canine owners. Proper training may not eliminate the risk of your dog biting someone, but the chances are far lower. Should a dog bite someone, there is also a risk of him being put down which would mean losing your family pet.
2. You Learn Too
When you sign up for a dog obedience training course, you will begin to learn how to read your dog. Some dogs have anxious tendencies while others will mope when they don’t want to do something.
Learning about your dog and how he will communicate with you makes it easier to notice problems. You will also learn what motivates your dog. Most often the motivation is in food form, but it may also be in the form of a ‘good boy’ or belly scratches.
If this is your first puppy, a dog training class will help you learn small, yet helpful bits of information. It will also give you the ability to train any other dogs that you choose to adopt.
3. Socialization Isn’t Just For Toddlers
Part of the reason parents choose to place their children in preschool is that the little ones learn social skills. Preschoolers learn how to communicate with their peers, their parents, and begin learning what is socially acceptable.
Attending a dog training class over several weeks with a group of other dogs provides the same type of socialization. Your puppy will learn to play with other canines and not try to attack them.
Aside from learning about how to be a dog, he will also learn how to interact with other humans that are not his handler, owner, or part of his ‘pack.’ This is especially true if you plan to take the dog into public settings, as you don’t want to be known as the family with an aggressive or mean dog.
4. Dog Obedience Training Will Strengthen Your Bond
Adopting a puppy is stressful as they lack manners as well as potty training. You may feel frustrated that there is always a mess to clean or your favorite shoes always go missing.
These feelings can make you wonder why you chose to add a dog to the mix in the first place. Because dogs are quite observant, they will also feel the tension and not understand how to correct it.
Most dogs simply want to make their humans happy. Training your pup will allow him to begin learning what it takes to please you and avoid doing the things that you find annoying or upsetting. Over time, this will allow you to develop a deeper bond and have a dog that is a true joy to be around.
5. You and Your Dog’s Health Can Improve
Small breed dogs are usually pretty easy to walk on a leash. Larger breeds may present more of a problem due to their tendency to pull in whatever direction they wish to walk.
Regardless of size, when you and your dog take training courses, you will be far more likely to take walks, go for hikes, or just get out into nature. This helps keep you healthy and allows your pup to expend all of his extra energy while keeping him at a healthy weight.
When your dog has training that the two of you can practice, this also helps keep his mind active. Typically a dog who isn’t bored won’t get into as much trouble digging in the yard, chewing shoes, or attempting to escape.
Final Thoughts on Training Your Pooch
Dog obedience training is a fantastic option for almost any dog. However, you should research the type of training you would like to use.
Some people opt to use treat training as a start and slowly move to other rewards while others choose to use electric collars to help get their pup’s attention. When an electric collar is used properly, it is not cruel and does not actually hurt the dog.
Most professional trainers will agree that the idea isn’t to scare your dog into submission but reward good behavior while correcting the bad. Research the methods that work for you and consider signing up for a few free classes before committing to one method of training.
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