Train your dog. It’s the smart thing to do!

Dogs crave stability. The focus of canine social language is to facilitate a steady state, so dogs are hard-wired to crave stability. Chaos affects a dog mentally, physically, and behaviorally. We don’t do well sharing our lives with an ill mannered dog. It is draining on the whole household. There are enough stressors in today’s world without adding to it by having a poorly behaved dog. Training creates stability and trust.

Dogs crave clarity. Dogs are much happier with clearly defined boundaries. Dogs aren’t born knowing sit, to wait at the door, or to walk politely on leash. We can’t expect our dogs to guess what we want. We need to teach them our expectations. Training enables a clear line of communication.

Training provides a safety net. Walking politely on lead, coming when called, wait, sit, and down are much more than basic obedience skills, they can be live savers. A dog trained to wait at doors won’t bolt out of the house and into traffic. A dog trained to come when called can be saved from harm. Training your dog is a matter of safety; your safety, the safety of others, and your dog’s. A well behaved dog rarely gets into trouble.

Training a dog creates intimacy and inclusion. No one wants to spend time with a mouthy dog that whines, jumps, chews destructively, won’t settle, or is not house-broken. Untrained dogs get side lined – outside or in their crate. Isolated dogs are unhappy dogs. A trained dog is included in family activities. Untrained dogs stay home. The more we do with our dogs, the more they become members of the family. A well behaved dog is a joy and easier to live with. We like to spend time with well-mannered dogs but, that requires communication, and communication requires training. A trained dog is a companion for life!

A trained dog travels well. Is there anything better than a traveling buddy? It is no fun to travel with a poorly behaved dog but, a well trained dog can travel with its family and be welcomed in a variety of places. A trained dog is subject to your rhythm and makes a perfect traveling companion. They rest while you drive, go for walks when you stop, hang out when you want to hang out, and chill when you want to chill. Something happens when you and your dog travel together. The depth of commitment of the dog to your ‘pack’ deepens. Plus, the more exposure your dog has to behaving in a variety of circumstances, the more adaptable, confident, and solid in commands your dog will be.  The more you take your dog to new places and ask for obedience, the more deeply ingrained that obedience will become stored in memory. So, traveling and training literally builds a more confident dog.

A trained dog more easily adapts to change. Our circumstances change all the time. Routines change, people come and go to school and to work, and visitors come and go. Moreover, it is rare that someone lives the entire life of their dog in the same house. Your dog needs to understand that the same language of come, wait, sit, and down, is with you where ever you go and no matter what the circumstance. Continuity means life is good. Training builds adaptability to change.

Training is essential to a dog’s well-being. Training a dog to accept routine physical examination and care is essential to your dog’s good health. You can’t groom a dog that won’t stand still. Examining a dog’s belly or groin for signs of cancer, checking its teeth for cracks, or its gums, ears, or eyes for infection can be extremely difficult with a dog that has not been trained. As dogs age they get all sorts of lumps and bumps. Many physical ailments have been caught early due to timely owner handling. Inclusion in the family adds to the well being of a dog. A trained dog thrives with mental and physical stimulation and radiates good health.

A trained dog is good for your health. Research has shown that a good relationship with a dog offers several health benefits for the human partner such as longer life, lower blood pressure, less stress, and increased immune strength. Interaction with dogs actually has substantial medical benefits and that’s why dogs are used in therapeutic relationships in medical establishments. Those same benefits belong to those with a well behaved dog living in their home. In extreme circumstances, sharing your home with a dog can be a lifesaver. Marriages, health, jobs, and friendships may come and go. The daily routine of living with a trained dog keeps us anchored to the rhythms of the day. A trained dog is better than any medication your doctor could prescribe.

Training your dog deepens your relationship with your dog. You develop a bond of total acceptance with no judgment. The more you learn about training and building a working relationship with your dog, the more profound the communication between you and your dog will become. The more profound the communication between you and your dog, the deeper and richer your relationship, a relationship built on the fabric of shared experiences and communication.

Having a trained dog is just plain fun! Haven’t you ever wanted to show off to your neighbor that is always bragging about their well behaved dog? Ego aside, having a trained dog and doing things with a well behaved dog is just plain old fashioned fun. The ability to walk, hike, run, and hunt with your dog makes life more enjoyable and you meet some great people along the way. You find connections you might never have found but, for your dog. Training feeds the soul, yours and your dogs. Training enables your dog to be “the icing on the cake” instead of being “just another thing to take care of”.

Train your dog!

Ernie & Buck

Ernie & RBRandL Buck 110, recently earned two passes toward Buck’s HRCH title. Out of RBRandL Bella Grace, RA, CD X HRCH Gator Point’s Bayou Chopper, SH, Buck is owned, trained and handled by Ernie Matacotta of Marietta, GA. Ernie has used rewards-based training to develop his high energy Labrador into a focused and hard driving retriever. Rick Flippen of Britannia Gundogs called Buck “the real deal”. Ernie and Buck enjoy hunting together during duck season and will continue to compete. They’ve got their eyes on the Master National!