Why Train Your Dog?
Obedience training is one of the most important aspects of raising a dog. Training opens a line of communication between you and your dog. In fact, a well-trained dog is by far a happier dog! A trained dog requires fewer restrictions. The more reliable the dog, the more freedom they are given. A well-behaved, obedience-trained dog is a pleasure to own because he can go virtually anywhere without being a risk or nuisance to others.
Obedience exercises not only teach good manners, but also increase relaxation in uncomfortable situations. Dogs are social animals. Without proper training, they will behave like animals: soil your house, destroy your belongings, bark excessively, dig holes in your yard, fight other dogs, even bite you. Nearly all behavior problems are perfectly normal canine activities that occur at the wrong time or place or are directed at the wrong thing. The key to preventing or treating behavior problems is to teach your dog to redirect their natural behavior to outlets that are acceptable in your home.
Relationship Building
Training strengthens the bond between dog and owner. It builds communication, understanding, mutual respect, and subtly but effectively demonstrates that you're in charge. If your dog doesn't respect you, you may both be in big trouble, particularly if they're a bit rowdy or assertive by nature. All relationships require work—including the one you are creating with your dog. If you have a strong relationship, your dog is more likely to be responsive to you in a variety of situations. When your dog obeys the simple request of "come" and "sit", he is showing compliance to you. It is NOT necessary to establish yourself as top dog or leader of the pack by using extreme measures such as the so-called alpha rollover. You CAN teach your dog to defer to you by training obedience, manners, and/or tricks. This way is more fun for the human, too! Remember, having a dog in your life is about laughing and enjoying the moments.
Socialization
Socialization is the process of getting your dog accustomed to various people, objects, animals, and situations and provides the opportunity for your dog to familiarize themself with the world in a non-demanding situation. Many people make the mistake of trying to sooth their pet when it acts frightened. If your pet hides under a chair when the vacuum cleaner comes out and you verbally reassure him, he may interpret this as reward for his fearful behavior. On the other hand, if you laugh and giggle when he charges at it and attacks, you are also encouraging and rewarding aggressive behavior. Many pets become fearful or aggressive because their owners have unintentionally trained them to be that way.
Obedience training gives the dog owner the voice control necessary to prevent numerous potential tragedies. For instance, should your dog slip out of their collar in the middle of a congested traffic intersection, you can safely guide them across the street, followed by a sit command to put their collar back on. Or should someone accidentally leave the front door open, and you spot your dog leaving, they can be safely called back by using the recall command.
Obedience training will help your dog become more responsive. It also gives you more control over your dog's behavior. In an emergency situation, obedience training may save your dog's life. In fact, it can ultimately save the lives of many dogs, because far fewer dogs would end up in animal shelters if their owners would simply take the time to train them. Statistics show that puppies who receive early socialization, obedience, and temperament testing are far less likely to end up being euthanized by the time they turn three years of age than those who do not receive this early training. For those dogs that do need homes, a trained dog is far easier to adopt out to a new home than an untrained one.
