“Why should I have My Dog Trained?”

 

 

All dogs need training to one degree or another.  We owe it to them.  We have domesticated them and they have become dependent on us.  They have no idea of what behavior is expected of them, what is acceptable and what is not, unless they have been taught: much like a child.  We must learn to properly communicate with our dogs as it makes living with them so much easier for us and

The average pet owner begins thinking about training when the problems begin to manifest themselves, usually when a puppy is four to five months old.  A pup this age is beginning to show signs of independence like ignoring you when called and wandering away without responding.  These small puppy problems can develop into larger behavioral issues as the pup grows, like destructive chewing, digging, continuous barking, and aggression.  Obedience training avoids having to break bad habits by forming good ones instead.

Dogs are instinctively pack animals and they look upon their family as their own personal “pack.”  If they do not have a leader, they will feel the need, and desire, to leak the pack themselves.  Pack animals, such as dogs (and humans) can only exist and flourish in a social group which has a clearly defined hierarchy.  Older dogs with behavioral problems are often frustrated because they may be confused about their rank in the pack; one day they are top dog and next day they are “low man on the totem pole.”  This confusion builds, bringing frustration and tension.  Boredom and loneliness add to this tension and the dog releases these tensions through bad habits that they are allowed to acquire; digging, fence jumping, chewing, barking or running away.  Proper obedience training helps the dog find its place within the pack, thus helping relieve the tensions that can cause the behavioral issues.

In the wild, there is always a leader of the pack and all the pack members accept this and follow the leader, as the leader is the “tough guy” and they look to him for strength and guidance.  In the domesticated dog the owner must take the position of the leader from the very start or the dog will feel lost and confused.  The canine instinct tells him that there must be a leader and if there is no leader present, he will innately fill that vacant leader position.  Without training, a dog can, and will, become the dominant member of the pack.  The dog will become very unruly and difficult to live with.  He does as he pleases and thinks he is king.  Through obedience training, you will acquire the ability to show the dog that you are in control of the pack, you are the master and you don’t need his help in that area.  Your dog will learn his place in his home society quickly and be very happy, and content, with his position.

Kelly’s K-9 College offers Puppy Private in-home Training, Adult Obedience and Off-Leash Classes.  Group classes begin monthly.  Please call for dates, locations and prices.  We also provide private, customized in-home lessons to target residential behavioral problems.