National Train Your Dog Month!

Canines who are well-behaved with great social skills are a joy to include in our daily lives. Engaging in regular training with your dog allows access to a variety of day-to-day opportunities!

In a nod to National Dog Training Month, (which we feel is EVERY month!) Fran Menley explains why on-going training with your dog is so good for your dog (and you!).

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As mentioned in our last blog post, continuing your canine’s training is crucial to nurturing and reinforcing your bond with your dog, regardless if he’s a puppy or older dog.

Dog Training is Never One and Done

Dogs need more than just physical activity for their overall well-being. Dogs also need and enjoy the mental stimulation that comes from regular and consistent training; especially if you make it fun (wouldn’t you rather play than work)!

From puppyhood to adulthood, canines need different kinds of training. After building a solid foundation of puppy training, additional training helps add more complex and desired behaviors for a variety of real-life situations.

Ongoing Dog Training Offers Benefits

Additional and ongoing dog training (beyond the basics) helps:

• Direct your dog’s behaviors into acceptable ones.
• Increase your dog’s confidence.
• Reinforce good manners.
• Keep you and your dog safe.
• Nurture mutual trust and respect.
• Tire your dog out as physical exercise does.
• Give your dog additional chances to socialize in classes or groups.
• Keep the lines of communication open and understood.
• Enhance the bond and relationship with your K9.
• Avoid the creation of undesirable behaviors.
• Enhance social skills and helps avoid dog fights and other negative behaviors.
• Well-behaved dogs stay with their families for their entire life instead of being abandoned because of unwanted, negative behaviors.
• Include your dog in more daily activities like:
  • Travel;
  • Vacations;
  • Hiking;
  • Local outings to dog-friendly places and restaurants;
  • Dog-assisted therapy work; and
  • Dog sports and games like agility, herding, scent work, tricks and more.

Good Canine Life Skills Open Doors

Life skills are critical for every human and dog. When your dog knows better, he can do better. Teaching K9 life skills help dogs understand what their humans want making life simpler for both the dog and human.

Dog life skills teach your dog:

• How to become a successful member of the household.
• How to come when called.
• Not to jump on people.
• Not to mouth or nip people.
• To relax in the presence of guests in the home.
• To pay attention when necessary and ignore distractions.
• To respect your leadership and your things.
• Good social skills in dealing with other animals, people and environments.

Training is Not JUST for the Dog

When any behavior is practiced over and over, the result is a well-executed behavior with better results each time. It’s no different when working with your dog.

Ongoing dog training also:

• Teaches owners how to effectively communicate with their beloved canine on the dog’s level, not from the human’s perspective. You will learn as much as your dog from the training.
• Helps owners set the dog up for success by asking for – and then rewarding – the desired behaviors, instead of negatively reacting to the unwanted behaviors.
• Helps us practice clear boundaries and rules with our dog encouraging both mutual trust and respect.

 

 

Whether you – or your dog – needs some basic training, a refresher course or advanced dog training, Creating Forever Dogs wants to be your dog training partner!

Take advantage of our expert:

• Phone consultations;
• One-on-one dog training sessions; or
• Classes

to grow and maintain your healthy relationship with your canine.

Always remember that the day you bring your new dog or puppy home (yes, even at 8 weeks old) is when they start learning about life with their new people. What behaviors do you wish to encourage and discourage? Consistency and follow through is key from potty training, to appropriate play, to appropriate greetings.

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 Additional Reading

APDT: National Train Your Dog Month

5 Fun Suggestions for National Dog Training Month

January is National Train Your Dog Month!