It’s National Train Your Dog Month!
Is dog training included in your New Year’s Resolutions? It should be.
Training is not just for the brand-new puppy; it offers benefits throughout your dog’s life and helps re-strengthen your bond with your beloved family member. Whether you’re going to do it on your own or search out a professional trainer, dog training should be a staple (like exercise, food and medical care) in your relationship with your K9.
Training is never a “one-and-done” activity and it’s so much more than just obedience commands and the recitation of moves. All training (no matter the specific method) should be positive and force-free, consistent, relatively short and fun! Training is the mutual and consistent tool of communication between you, your family and your canine. Proper and consistent training sets your dog up for success and helps keep them safe.
Train – and Reinforce – the “Basics”
By making training a part of your daily life with your dog, you not only keep them challenged but reinforce your bond (including trust and mutual respect) and leadership role.
Every dog should possess basic manners including:
- Sit
- Stay
- Down
- Wait
- Come
- Leash training
Advanced dog training skills include:
- Leave it
- Hand signals
- Fetch
- Down
- Go to your place
- Drop it
- Gentle
- Heel
- Quiet
- Bark/Speak
- Touch
- Ask to go out
But training doesn’t end with just these commands. The more time and effort you invest in training, the stronger – and more reliable – your working relationship becomes with your dog!
Socialization is Critical to a Happy Dog (and Owner)
The best training includes lots of socialization with all kinds of faces and places. Every dog, no matter their age, should possess great social skills (especially outside their home), including:
- Stress-free visits to your vet, groomer and new places
- Positive interactions with all kinds of people, children and pets
- Polite greetings with both people and pets
- A happy dog that is secure, confident and self-assured
STOP Behaviors from Forming with Training
Training also helps address – and head off – potential unwanted behaviors (many of which are why dogs are relinquished to shelters); including:
- Accidents in the house
- Destructive chewing and digging
- Constant barking/howling/whining
- Nipping, mouthing and biting
- Food guarding
- Jumping
- Separation anxiety
- Aggression/dominance
- Stressful reactions (to loud noises, strangers and new situations)
Basics Covered? Make Some (Fun) New Habits!
- Canine Sports:
- Agility
- Herding
- Flyball and Frisbee
- Lure Coursing
- Disc Dog Competitions
- Dock Jumping/Diving
- Ultimate Vertical (high jumping)
- Weight pulling
- Skijoring
- Retrieving/Tracking
- Canine Freestyle/Heelwork
- Obedience Trials
- Scent/Nose Work
- Trick Training
- Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Hiking/Backpacking/Camping
- Surfing/Paddleboarding
- Doga (Yoga with Your Dog)
- Rollerblading
Do You Need a Dog Trainer or Dog Behaviorist?
They may sound a lot alike, but there are specific differences between a dog trainer and a dog behaviorist.
Proud Dog Mom explains it in very simple terms:
Dog Trainer
A teacher or coach
Helps teach your dog new skills, such as sit, stay, come, or how to properly walk on a leash.
Dog Behaviorist
A therapist
Helps solve, modify or change behavioral issues like fear, aggression, barking, chewing and separation anxiety.
Additional Reading:
- Get Ready for National Train Your Dog Month, January 2019! www.trainyourdogmonth.com/
- Why Should I Train My Dog? positively.com/dog-training/find-a-trainer/why-should-i-train-my-dog/
- Common Dog Behaviors www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues
- 7 Tips for National Train Your Dog Month www.dogtipper.com/tip/2018/01/7-tips-for-national-train-your-dog-month.html
- January is National Train Your Dog Month! www.bigcreekvet.com/news/january-is-national-train-your-dog-month
- Dog Trainer vs Dog Behaviorist: What’s the Difference? www.prouddogmom.com/dog-trainer-vs-dog-behaviorist/
Training your dog is an effective form of mental stimulation and exercise.
Please join us in welcoming Fran to our Pet Sitting Team. Fran will also be helping with pet’s that experience
common behavioral issues such as separation anxiety, leash-pulling, jumping and other behaviors. Having a healthy, happy pet always enriches their lives and yours too! Our commitment to the 4-legged’s is to Help Pets Live Better, Longer.
Fran has been the Intake Manager at Freedom Service Dogs and had extensive experience with behavior issues that affect pets and their families. If you have any questions, please contact Fran @ fran@distinctivepetcare.com or call us at (303) 904-0484.
