Why Train Your Dog?
Training takes
time, energy, and know-how, but the effort is worth it. Besides, training is
fun! A well-trained dog is mannerly and attentive. He knows what is expected of him. He is happier,
because he has a better relationship with the humans around him. He regularly gets the mental stimulation that
training provides, and he sees his trainers as his benevolent leaders. He is less likely to run away. He is a much safer member of the family and
community. This means he is less likely to bite than a dog that is supposedly
not trained.
I say “supposedly,”
because a dog with little or no human training will train himself to do whatever suits him and what is in his nature: to bark excessively, to chew the furniture,
to dig holes, chase bikes, cars, the mailman, etc. As the Dog Scouts of America put it:
Face it, (sic) most NORMAL dog behaviors have some degree of unacceptability
amongst humans. After all, they greet strangers by sniffing butts. Upon
greeting a family member, they are compelled to lick the other's face. They
know that the freshest, most cool water is in the toilet bowl... The whole
world is just "chew toys" to them, and they have no way of knowing
which things were put on earth for little dogs, and which things are
irreplaceable family heirlooms.
Training gives
your dog’s mind something to work
on. Researchers tell us that dogs lack
humans’ verbal and abstract-reasoning abilities. But in many other respects they have the mind
of a two- or three-year-old human child.
Deprived of training and other mental stimulation, they suffer from
horrible boredom; this is one of the reasons that so many of them get into
trouble when left alone. The public
expects modern zoos to provide toys and a stimulating environment for its
animals; we certainly should do no less for our pets at home!
A trained dog gains
more freedom, not less. For example,
once he is thoroughly house-trained, he can obtain the run of the house. Behaviors of an untrained dog, like chewing
up upholstery or soiling the carpet, can get him permanently banished to the
back yard (where no dog should have
to be). Once he knows how to take treats
nicely, he can accept little rewards from old men, toddlers, and all manner of
people he meets (and if you are wise, you will carry some treats with you on
outings for this purpose). Once he knows
how to behave calmly around guests without jumping up, he can hang out with his
family when company visits instead of being locked up in a back room. He can relieve stress, have fun, and stay
trim and healthy by playing games like fetch and tug. Advanced training can even allow you and your
dog to compete in some fun dog events, like Agility or Flyball, mentioned elsewhere on this blog. Training can even save your dog’s life. An untrained dog is more likely to run in
front of a car and be killed. He is even
more likely to bite someone and lose his life through euthanasia at the
decision of his owner or even a judge.
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