
Here's the down-low on training sessions for your dog. It's actually for YOU! Mind=blown right? If you have ever felt frustrated with your dog's behavior, chances are that it's the human that needs training, not the dog. OK, so the dog benefits from the training but the fact of the matter is, the better you are at communicating with Fido, the better Fido behaves.
Animals do not come to us fully trained and, as pet parents, it is up to us to learn how to instill manners and obedience in our fur babies. I became aware of the misconception that humans believe that dogs are born with an intrinsic knowledge of commands while volunteering at a spay and neuter clinic at a Northern community in Manitoba.
Most of the animals treated were un-owned dogs that our team caught and brought in for surgery. Yes, caught, as in, live outdoors, little to no human interaction at all, fend for themselves, almost wild, dogs. A nice young couple was managing a caught dog and were attempting to make him "Sit" and "Stay" and were genuinely shocked when he did not obey. I politely mentioned, guys, he probably hasn't been taught that stuff!! From their reaction, I became aware that some folks think that dogs are born not only to behave but, come fully equipped to respond to commands.
Animals do not come to us fully trained and, as pet parents, it is up to us to learn how to instill manners and obedience in our fur babies. I became aware of the misconception that humans believe that dogs are born with an intrinsic knowledge of commands while volunteering at a spay and neuter clinic at a Northern community in Manitoba.
Most of the animals treated were un-owned dogs that our team caught and brought in for surgery. Yes, caught, as in, live outdoors, little to no human interaction at all, fend for themselves, almost wild, dogs. A nice young couple was managing a caught dog and were attempting to make him "Sit" and "Stay" and were genuinely shocked when he did not obey. I politely mentioned, guys, he probably hasn't been taught that stuff!! From their reaction, I became aware that some folks think that dogs are born not only to behave but, come fully equipped to respond to commands.

If only that were true, life would be a whole lot easier! While some breeds are more intelligent and easier to train than others, (do your homework!) all dogs need your direction and guidance on how to behave in accordance to your family guidelines. If you are not equipped to impart this training, there are plenty of trainers and obedience schools out there to help you help your dog. Courses are usually reasonable in price and are a great investment of both your time and your money.
According to statistics, most owner relinquishes are due to bad behavior on the part of the dog. And, maybe I'm not pointing any fingers but it's not the dog that is the problem in these situations, is it? If the proper time and consideration are put into training, rules, regulations and, obedience, the odds that an owner relinquishing their "bad" dog will taper off dramatically.
According to statistics, most owner relinquishes are due to bad behavior on the part of the dog. And, maybe I'm not pointing any fingers but it's not the dog that is the problem in these situations, is it? If the proper time and consideration are put into training, rules, regulations and, obedience, the odds that an owner relinquishing their "bad" dog will taper off dramatically.

Training considerations should automatically factor into the decision to add a dog to your household. Expect to repeat yourself a million times, lead by example, keep your cool and, blow a bit of your budget on rewarding your puppy pupil with yummy attention getting treats. If you don't know where to find a good trainer or have tried training on your own but need help, reach out to your local shelter or rescue for some advice. There are probably a few advocacy groups on the web that can point you in the direction of a reputable, force free trainer.
Remember, while your dog may not come fully trained, Fido is geared to learn and is ready to please. Once you and your K9 companion get in the groove of what is expected in any given situation, things get MUCH easier, trust me! If you choose a stubborn breed, prepare yourself for longer training sessions. If you want an easy to train dog, get one.
Not sure which is which? Ask someone in the know. Or try this fancy tool I heard of once called "Google"!! In all seriousness though, I advocate in favor of being able to manage in a force free manner any dog you have chosen to bring into your home. Your K-9 companion wants nothing more than to please you, so help him do just that, won't you?
Remember, while your dog may not come fully trained, Fido is geared to learn and is ready to please. Once you and your K9 companion get in the groove of what is expected in any given situation, things get MUCH easier, trust me! If you choose a stubborn breed, prepare yourself for longer training sessions. If you want an easy to train dog, get one.
Not sure which is which? Ask someone in the know. Or try this fancy tool I heard of once called "Google"!! In all seriousness though, I advocate in favor of being able to manage in a force free manner any dog you have chosen to bring into your home. Your K-9 companion wants nothing more than to please you, so help him do just that, won't you?