About Dog Training

Dog training is not a mysterious process. It is a matter of communicating with a dog so that it understands exactly what it should do. While some dogs are more eager to please than others, and some seem to possess more intelligence, all dogs can be trained in at least basic commands.

Misconceptions

While dog trainers understand that training is all about communication, the average dog owner may have a number of misconceptions about how a dog learns.
Such common misconceptions include: some dogs can't be trained, smart dogs are easily trained, some dogs purposely do bad things and training a dog is about forcing it what you want it to do. Some dogs are harder to train than others, but part of the challenge is finding out what will motivate a particular dog.

Benefits

A well-behaved dog is the obvious benefit of dog training, but there are many other benefits, including the safety of you and your dog, reduced stress, an enjoyable pastime and a closer relationship with your dog.
A well-trained dog is less likely to run out into traffic, get in a fight with another dog or wander into a dangerous situation when left alone. Such a dog is also more likely to keep its owner safe by warning of danger.

Risk Factors

If a dog isn't responding to training, it's usually because the trainer has not communicated what he wants in a way that the dog understands. Owners or trainers who don't understand this risk create a nervous dog that dislikes training and loses motivation.

Significance

Dog training is mainly focused on creating a well-behaved pet, but it can play a more significant role. In the Middle East, sight hounds have historically been trained to provide food by hunting down rabbits and small game for their handler. Sheep and cattle dogs are trained to protect livestock and help herd them. Dog training has been used for centuries in war to protect soldiers and carry messages. Dogs are also trained to help detect weapons at airports, illegal cargo on ships and to find victims of disasters. Even with modern technology, dog training plays a significant part in the safety and comfort of our everyday lives.

Expert Insight

"There is no such thing as a difficult dog, only an inexperienced owner," said renowned dog trainer Barbara Woodhouse.
This same sentiment is echoed by many dog trainers.
Said dog trainer William Berloni about the dog he trained to portray Sandy in a production of Annie: "My most satisfying aspect of animal training is a very simple moment. After a show when I leave the stage door ... and there is a crowd gathered, sometimes I hear someone say the following and it makes it all worthwhile. 'How did they make that dog do that?' I smile because I am the only 'they' and I do it with love."