Don’t you just love it when your furry pal follows your commands and behaves well everywhere you go? Some pet owners have this natural ability to make their furry pals obey. Unfortunately, many just don’t.
Maybe it’s the breed of the dog or the environment they grew up in. But regardless of the reason, teaching a dog to follow orders is a thing no good dog owner should neglect. Lots of dogs that are not trained properly in their puppyhood, end up in shelters or abandoned on roads and streets. Here comes the dog obedience training.
Dog obedience training is an essential part of responsible pet ownership. It helps create a strong bond, ensures your and your dog’s safety and well-being, and helps it to be a well-behaved member of your household, as this home page and many other online sources will tell you.
But what does that entail? Whether you’re a seasoned dog owner or a first-timer, here’s what you need to know about the importance of teaching your dog obedience.
Read Lycan Shepherd Dog
Table of Contents
What Exactly Is Dog Obedience Training?
Dog obedience training refers to teaching your dog how to understand and follow commands. This can prevent dangerous situations caused by your pet, i.e., losing composure under stress or excitement, and protecting it and you from harm. That means reducing problem behaviors such as excessive barking, jumping, destructive chewing, and pulling on the leash.
The goal is to make handling your dog more enjoyable, as well as, to maintain your dominance over your dog. So, this training is a crucial investment in the long-term happiness and success of your relationship with your furry friend.
Obedience training is typically done through a combination of positive reinforcement, rewards, and repetition. It’s vital for the owner or handler to be patient, consistent, and clear in their communication with the dog and to tactfully use rewards and praise to encourage good behavior. Training can be done at home or through a professional obedience training class or program.
Pro Tip: Choose a name for your dog that is not similar to any of the training commands as it may be confusing for your fur baby.
Benefits Of Dog Obedience Training For Your Furry Pal
Here are some specific advantages of teaching your dog how to be obedient:
- Improves its capacity for self-regulation: Your dog will be more well-behaved and avoid negative behaviors such as running without warning, straining against the leash, chewing on valuable objects, and getting violent with strangers and other dogs.
- Builds trust and strengthens the bond between dog and owner: This lets your dog understand what is expected of it and learn to trust you.
- Improves communication: The dog learns to respond to commands and cues better.
- Improves its socialization skills: With proper training, your dog will learn to behave appropriately around other people and animals.
- Protects both the dog and others: By teaching the dog to follow commands and stay under control, you can reduce the risk of your dog running into the street, chasing after wildlife and cards, or approaching other dangerous and unfriendly animals.
- Improves its overall well-being: It provides mental and physical stimulation, which are vital for dogs, especially in certain breeds.
You may like reading about The Great Dane Dalmatian
Benefits Of Dog Obedience Training For Owners
If it has advantages for pets, it naturally does the same for pet owners. Here are some of them:
- Allows the owner to establish themselves as the leader: When the dog learns to obey these commands, it sets the owner as a leader and a figure of authority in the relationship. This is important in creating a clear structure within the relationship, which lets the dog understand its role.
- Allows owners to take their dogs out in public without fear of misbehavior: This is particularly important when visiting places where dogs are required to be under control, such as parks, dog-friendly stores, and restaurants.
- Ensures a fun and rewarding experience for you and your dog: The difference between a trained and untrained dog is palpable. Pulling it off successfully is a true accomplishment for it and yourself.
Different Methods Of Dog Obedience Training
Every dog learns in its own way. But over the years, people have narrowed down their methods to phase out controversial and inhumane ones. These are the training methods commonly used today:
- Positive reinforcement training: A training method that involves reinforcing desired behaviors in a dog by providing rewards or other positive stimuli.
- Clicker training: A type of positive reinforcement training that uses a small, handheld device called a ‘clicker’ to mark desired behaviors. Its distinctive sound, followed by a reward, teaches the dog to connect the marked behavior with the possibility of a reward.
- Professional dog trainers: They’re individuals who have received specialized training and education in the field of dog behavior and training. They are a great help for owners who really need guidance in teaching their pets to behave themselves.
Consider It Today
For your dog to be well-behaved, safe, and able to coexist peacefully with humans and other animals, it may need obedience training. It can feel grueling sometimes, but it’s essential for strengthening the bond between dogs and their owners and making them safe companions.
Check out your local catalog of dog trainers who use the latest, research-based methods to get started. You may also search for local dog trainers on Google and you’ll find several professional trainers.
Recommended read – Cavapoochon Dog Breed Info