Why should I train my dog?
Jeanne Perciaccanto
Ultimate Dog Training NJ
Have you wondered why my dog won't: (fill in the blank) stop barking; running; pulling on walks; counter surfing; jumping on company or destroying the house? Too make matters worse, your neighbors dog, which has never been formally trained, is perfect!
If you have had dogs long enough, somewhere along the line you will get Lassie. The dog who just seems to know how or what you want them to do without having to speak. They automatically do what is right, such as; never running away or leave the yard when off leash. Never fight with other dogs nor pull wildly the owner down the street after a stray cat. They are calm in the house, never chewing or destroying anything left laying about. These dogs are a gift and will spoil even the most seasoned dog person lulling them into a false sense of calm.
If you have had dogs long enough, somewhere along the line you will get Lassie. The dog who just seems to know how or what you want them to do without having to speak. They automatically do what is right, such as; never running away or leave the yard when off leash. Never fight with other dogs nor pull wildly the owner down the street after a stray cat. They are calm in the house, never chewing or destroying anything left laying about. These dogs are a gift and will spoil even the most seasoned dog person lulling them into a false sense of calm.
The next dog you have may be a wild thing! Frantic energy, in constant motion, chewing its way from one end of the house to the other. An open door becomes an open invitation to speed and flight wherever their paws will take them with no thought of danger or harm. Company enter at their own risk of excessive paw-molestation until the dog settles down from fatigue!
What is unseen becomes the key. Even your neighbors perfect dogs has learned value in what the rules of the road are. They just have a different learning curve than your dog.
Stop thinking of behaviors as just actions of good or bad. Think instead of behaviors as questions. Since dogs are incapable of speaking to us, "Use your words", they speak through acts which for them are trial and error or allowance and consequence. If they jump on you, what is your response? Is your response constant or does it vary. Is jumping rewarded one time with petting and another with correction? What information is your dog left with becomes trial and error, jump again to see what your response becomes, a pat on the head or correction. Is your reaction to their action clear or have you given them an alternative to what they are doing? If I don't want you jumping on me, here is what I want you to do instead.
Often the more actions or question your dog asks, the more clarity they need.
Back to your neighbors dog. What you haven't seen is how/what their dog has questioned and how the answers have been presented.
Dog Training your dog is not teaching obedience commands to have a robot. Those commands become language and a format in being able to answer those questions your dog is asking of you. Language which helps both you and your dog speak the on equal terms and communicate on a level playing field of how/what you need your dog to do in the long run. "Sit" stops jumping. "Down" produces calm. "Come" prevents door bolting and "heel" gives you an enjoyable walk. The words mean nothing to your dog until they put into context of position, time and expectation.
Dog Training brings you and your dog together. Seeing them as only a series of actions (good or bad) is limiting. Seeing them as a thinking, intelligent, problem solver with capabilities which far exceed our own helps your dog live the most fulfilling life utilizing their personal talents and gifts of nature. Your out of control "wild thing" dog may be great at scent work, or wonderful at agility or a perfect therapy dog. Training helps you to find their magic and help you polish that diamond in the ruff into your neighbors perfect dog.
What is unseen becomes the key. Even your neighbors perfect dogs has learned value in what the rules of the road are. They just have a different learning curve than your dog.
Stop thinking of behaviors as just actions of good or bad. Think instead of behaviors as questions. Since dogs are incapable of speaking to us, "Use your words", they speak through acts which for them are trial and error or allowance and consequence. If they jump on you, what is your response? Is your response constant or does it vary. Is jumping rewarded one time with petting and another with correction? What information is your dog left with becomes trial and error, jump again to see what your response becomes, a pat on the head or correction. Is your reaction to their action clear or have you given them an alternative to what they are doing? If I don't want you jumping on me, here is what I want you to do instead.
Often the more actions or question your dog asks, the more clarity they need.
Back to your neighbors dog. What you haven't seen is how/what their dog has questioned and how the answers have been presented.
Dog Training your dog is not teaching obedience commands to have a robot. Those commands become language and a format in being able to answer those questions your dog is asking of you. Language which helps both you and your dog speak the on equal terms and communicate on a level playing field of how/what you need your dog to do in the long run. "Sit" stops jumping. "Down" produces calm. "Come" prevents door bolting and "heel" gives you an enjoyable walk. The words mean nothing to your dog until they put into context of position, time and expectation.
Dog Training brings you and your dog together. Seeing them as only a series of actions (good or bad) is limiting. Seeing them as a thinking, intelligent, problem solver with capabilities which far exceed our own helps your dog live the most fulfilling life utilizing their personal talents and gifts of nature. Your out of control "wild thing" dog may be great at scent work, or wonderful at agility or a perfect therapy dog. Training helps you to find their magic and help you polish that diamond in the ruff into your neighbors perfect dog.
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