Training

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Dogs need training or they train themselves and us; especially our highly intelligent Dobermans. My husband thinks our boy Dobe is not as bright as our girl. When she wants a snack she brings us her kong. However, we do not like her to have a treat without our Dobie boy getting one too. After all, equal should be fair; he should have a kong, too. He never seems to understand the command “get your kong”. He looks at you and does not move or wanders aimlessly. In frustration, she will find his kong. She knows the command. This happens day in and out; unless, the girl is not home. If the girl is not home; he knows the command. The boy is smarter than all of us. Who has trained who? The boy has the girl trained to get his kong. Without it, no one gets a treat. And they have us trained to give them a treat when a kong is delivered to us. Who is training who? Our dobes are smart; they need training and the reverse is true. We need to be trained to train them.

Training needs to start as soon as we have the relationship with our dog; that could be a puppy or an adult. All dogs can and like to learn. Without learning the rules of the human world, dogs would not be housetrained, chew our furniture and do the normal behaviors that dogs do. We communicate our boundaries; how they should act with children, other dogs etc. We socialize them to our world and its set of rules.

Training should be positive and fun. It is safer for our dogs, who live in our environment, learn our rules. A solid stay or come is critical for dogs that may accidentally get loose around moving cars. It could save their lives. A dog with good manners is typically welcomed in any community. The time spent training your dog creates a special bond and partnership; these are skills that you build and maintain over their life time.

Basic skills that you would want teach your dog beyond housebreaking are: come, sit, wait or stay, walk on a loose leash and not to jump on people. Heeling and competitive obedience are fun but more advanced skills. Training should be a daily process. Even if an exercise is conducted 5 minutes a day, you and your dog will benefit. In fact, every interaction with your dog can be a training opportunity. Ask for a sit before you put the food bowl down, a down stay while you prepare a meal.

Group training gives your dog the advantage of working in a group situation with other dogs. This helps with both dog and people socialization. You as the owner reap the reward of education from the experience of a trainer and other dog owners.

The term “training” can refer to activities surrounding changing a dog’s poor habits or behaviors. At these times, simple training and your attention may resolve the dog’s boredom and turn around these issues. If not a behaviorist may be needed for a consultation and training plan.

Training a dog involves your ability to be a trainer, and what you are trying to achieve (competition?), as well as your dog’s likes and ability to get there. Food and verbal praise can be used to reward your dog toward achievement; some dogs like toys as a reward instead of treats. You need to know your dog and what reward will keep them interested and repeat behaviors. Positive training gets and sustains results overtime. Corrections are often used by owners at the wrong time and create more confusion for the dog instead of winning a behavior. A correction can be a change in voice tone and must never include force of any type. If you find you are getting angry at your dog, stop the training, take a time out and try again later.