Last Updated on 9 months by Dr. Shannon Barrett
What’s the secret to a well-behaved dog? The answer has been in front of you all along!
As school resumes, your children are not the only ones that benefit from education. Although “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come” may seem elementary training for your dog to know, it’s amazing how many dogs I encounter that have trouble with these basic commands.
All dogs want to please their owners but often we have trouble communicating our needs to them. So as the kids are getting ready for school, now would be a great time to consider enrolling your pooch in some basic training.
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From my personal experience I prefer group training, especially for younger dogs. It allows for puppy socialization in a controlled environment so they can learn to properly interact in the canine world and recognize signals from other dogs. Just ensure your dog is current on all their vaccines and that all puppies have completed their vaccine series prior to taking them to any public place.
There are several options for training classes that range from larger groups at retailers such as PetSmart/Petco to small group training by local trainers. Also, contact your locally owned pet stores to see if they offer training classes. Our local recreation center has a great puppy training class and allows for “recess” where the puppies can have some play time together.
There is a big difference between a well-behaved dog at home and well-behaved dog in public. Picture your 6 year old child at a theme park – they might be a little preoccupied! It’s a similar situation for your dog in public places, sensory overload and lots of distractions! It makes it difficult for your furry friend to focus on you, especially if they are only accustomed to taking commands in the comfort of your home. We took our dog, Sullivan, to PetSmart training classes when he was a puppy and he had to learn to “sit” and “stay” in the front of the store while dogs and people strolled the isles. This training was definitely worth the cost and effort.
However his training didn’t end when we left the class, we also did a lot of training at home. If you are not sure where to start with training outside of the classroom, there is a great book called, My Smart Puppy, by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson. The hardcover version includes a DVD and focuses on training through positive reinforcement. It’s a great reference if your dog “forgets” how to come (sometimes the thrall of seabirds are stronger than your requests to leave them alone). The combination of training at home plus formal classes or a trainer will provide the best results.
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Giving your dog enough stimulation and exercise is also important. If they have a lot of pent up energy, it’s much harder for them to focus. If your dog pulls on a leash as if they are trying to win the Iditarod, I recommend the Easy Walk No Pull Harness. It is a special harness that clips in the front of the chest. Since the leash clips on the chest, it gives you much better control. When your dog tries to pull, it pulls him to the side instead of forward. The key is to make sure it fits snuggly across the chest. I walked our 160 lb German shepherd on one since he was a puppy. It is important to fit this harness properly.
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The most important aspects of training are consistency and positive reinforcement. If everyone in the household is training differently, your dog will become confused and you will become frustrated. Positive reinforcement is also important, spanking your dog or rubbing his nose in the carpet will only make your dog like YOU less!
Dr. Shannon Barrett brings an exceptional blend of academic excellence and professional expertise to the world of veterinary medicine. With a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences, where she graduated with honors, and dual Bachelor degrees in Biological Sciences and Psychology, her depth of knowledge is extensive. A member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Barrett's insights and contributions to pet health have been featured in leading publications such as Rover, MarketWatch, and Newsweek.
