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Why is training so Important?
Dog obedience is essential to the well being of your dog. The five basic commands that we teach our dogs are: Sit, Stay, Down, Heel, Come. These can one day save their lives. They also give the owners a leadership position in their dog's mind. Exercise, training, and playing, in that order, is the best gift we can give to man's best friend.
When is the best time to start training?
When is the best time to train a dog? The earliest, the best, but it's never too late. Everyone has heard the term "you can't teach an old dog new tricks", but this is not true. Dogs, like humans, have the capability to continue learning, whether it's learning a new trick, or a another method of dog obedience training.
Exercise is an Issue!
The most common anxiety problem that I see as a trainer is a result of a lack of exercise. When dogs don't have an energetic outlet it can manifest into confusion, anxiety, and ultimately in aggression. Even if you have a huge backyard, your dog still needs to be walked on a leash to help establish the owner in a leadership role. Dogs are migratory species; they see you leave the house everyday, why don't they?
Dog so cute that I can't discipline?
There are many dog owners out there who say that cannot discipline their pooch. "He's so cute, he's like my little baby." "She's my child." We hear and see this all the time. Dogs and humans are different species; dogs require discipline to maintain healthy relationships--not only with humans, but with others dogs as well. Discipline, praise, and affection are the key elements to having a mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy dog.
Be positive.
Dogs learn with positive reinforcement, the more you reward the positive behavior the more it imprints the desired behavior. Your dog does not speak English, therefore our body language and gestures speak volumes to our furry friends. We try never to use their names when correcting their behavior, this will only confuse them. Remember to use their names only in the positive, this will go a long way in your dog's training. When a dog shows fear or phobias, try not to comfort them, in a dog's mind, this encourages this behavior. It is our responsibility to teach them and show them how to co-exist with us. So remember, even though we may want to heal our dogs, they are a whole different species.