Why is training so important?
In our opinion, training is vital when you own a dog. Gratefully, it can be started at any age. Training has many benefits for the owner and the Dog– it provides mental stimulation, builds confidence, and strengthens the bond between you and your dog.
Dogs suffering from anxiety or more timid personalities can truly benefit from training; it helps provide a sense of accomplishment and a way for you to communicate with this important four-legged family members. The positive attention they receive through training strengthens the bond between the two of you.
Just as vital as daily physical exercise stimulating, it’s important for your dogs overall well-being to stimulate them mentally. When it is too cold or rainy outside, going through basic training skills indoors can be the exercise our bored dogs need.
Will training make my dog behave better?
Sometimes it is challenging for our dogs to understand what it is we are asking of them. This can cause frustration for both us and our dogs. Typically, what we think of as “bad” behavior is really normal dog behavior. These may include chewing on things or digging. Dogs explore their environment by using their noses, mouths and paws. If these normal behaviors are not used in an appropriate way, they can lead to trouble. Dogs will learn to do things when people are not around. Dogs have no concept of right or wrong. It is up to us to teach our dogs what is “right.” If a dog is taught to chew on toys, he/she will look for these instead of your shoes. The key is consistency with training and it can take a time to achieve the exact results you want.
When should I start training my new puppy?
It is recommended to start socializing and training your puppy as soon as you get them home. Some breeders recommend waiting until the puppy has completed their vaccine series. However this is too late! When puppies are between the ages of 6 to 16 weeks they are in an ideal developmental stage to socialize them to all aspects of our world. This means exploring new people, new dogs, new cats and new locations. Enrolling your puppy in a “Puppy Socialization” class will help with both socializing and beginning early training process. Additionally young dogs will go through an adolescent phase between 8 – 18 months when socializing and training can be important tools to keep your dog friendly and happy as they go through the “teenage years”.
My dog knows basic commands, why do I need to train them?
If you recently adopted an adult dog or have had a dog for several years, training is possible. Obedience is the most common training people are aware of. There is also training for agility, nose work, therapy dogs, dock diving and trick dogs. If your dog has mastered sit and stay, it may be good to try something new. Contrary to the saying, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!
Do you have any success stories?
Simply put, every trained dog is it’s own success story. Whether you are training your dog for various confirmations, or just want a pet that consistently responds to your commands, the success you have is really in your hands and the time you commit to building your relationship with your dog.