Dog Training Tips
The dog is a mammal in the order Carnivora. Dogs were first domesticated from wolves at least 17,000 years ago, but perhaps as early as 150,000 years ago based upon recent genetic fossil and DNA evidence though there is doubt about the accuracy of this mitochondrial DNA evidence. In this time, the dog has developed into hundreds of breeds with a great degree of variation.
For example, heights at the withers range from just a few inches (such as the Chihuahua) to roughly three feet (such as the Irish Wolfhound), and colors range from white to black, with reds, grays (usually called blue), and browns occurring in a tremendous variation of patterns.
Dogs, like humans, are highly social animals and this similarity in their overall behavioral pattern accounts for their trainability, playfulness, and ability to fit into human households and social situations. Dogs fill a variety of roles in human society and are often trained as working dogs. For dogs that do not have traditional jobs, a wide range of dog sports provide the opportunity to exhibit their natural skills. In many countries, the most common and perhaps most important role of dogs is as companions. Dogs have lived with and worked with humans in so many roles that their loyalty has earned them the unique sobriquet "man's best friend." Conversely, some cultures consider dogs to be unclean. In other cultures, some dogs are used as food.
A well trained dog is a joy to be around. Beyond being well socialized, trained dogs are less likely to jump up on people, and are less at risk of biting someone. They also tend to stay calm in distracting environments.
Also, well trained dogs are more likely to stay with the same owner, as opposed to being abandoned to the pound. One research report from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 96% of shelter dogs had never had any training.
Training your dog helps to teach them boundaries, thus making them more comfortable around humans. There are many different dog training programs and many professional dog trainers. However, just because someone has a business card doesn't mean they are a qualified trainer.
To find a good trainer, ask your friends and family if they know a good trainer. Also, while walking your dog at the dog park, ask other dog owners who they recommend. Once you have found a trainer, ask them what method of training they teach. There have been dozens of different training methods for dogs that have been in and out of fashion over the years. Ask the trainer what method they use, why they use it, and what the benefits of it are. Also ask for references.
Whether you train your dog yourself or find a professional, teaching your dog commands and socializing it is important. Areas to cover in training include:
1. Socializing to strangers: This is easy to accomplish while out walking your dog around the neighborhood and introducing them to people.
2. Socializing with other dogs: You can do this at dog parks, or even better in a dog training class.
3. Leash walking at a steady pace: You can start this training as soon as you get your new dog.
4. Create training: This is important, especially to build up a tolerance to stay in a kennel environment for several hours.
5. The sit command: This is usually the first command new owners teach their dog.
6. The down/stand command: These commands help develop boundaries for the dog.
7. The stay command: This command is important for your dog to master, especially in an environment with a lot of distractions.
There are many benefits to having a well trained dog. But it doesn't necessarily mean the dog will not develop behavioral problems down the road, like separation anxiety. Simply put a well trained dog is a joy to be around and strengthens the human-animal bond.