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Benefits of An
Educated Dog
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version
When you feel frustrated with your dog’s behavior, remember
that someone must teach a dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not. A dog
that hasn’t been given any instructions, training or boundaries can’t possibly
know what you expect of him. By teaching your dog how you want him to behave,
you’ll not only have a saner household, but a healthier and happier dog as well.
An Educated Dog:
1 Allows you to handle every part of his body, to check for injury
or illness and to give him medication.
2 Has good manners, so he can spend most of his time indoors with
his people. That means more supervision, less boredom and fewer opportunities
for dangerous mischief. The more time you spend with your dog, the more likely
you’ll be to notice when something is wrong with him, like a limp, a cough, a
sensitive area or a loss of appetite. By recognizing such irregularities early,
you can seek medical attention immediately and, hopefully, prevent more serious
problems.
3 Wants to stay near you, listening for instructions (and praise).
This means he’ll have less opportunity to stray into danger.
4 Will walk or run beside you on a leash without pulling, dragging
or strangling, so you and your dog can get more exercise and spend more time
together.
5 Knows that "drop it" and "leave it alone" are phrases that mean
business, so he’ll have fewer opportunities to swallow dangerous objects. He
also can be taught what things and places are out of bounds, like hot stoves,
heaters or anxious cats. However, you’ll still need to limit his access to
dangerous places when you cannot supervise or instruct him.
6 Will "sit" immediately, simply because you say so. No matter what
danger may be imminent, a dog that is suddenly still is suddenly safe. And a dog
that will "stay" in that position is even safer.
7 Understands his boundaries, knows what’s expected of him and has
fewer anxieties. Less stress means a healthier dog.
By training your dog, you can help prevent
tragedy and develop a better relationship with him. Keep in mind, however, that
even an educated dog needs supervision, instruction and boundaries -- sometimes
even physical boundaries. Allowing your dog, no matter how educated he may be,
to walk, run or roam outside of a fenced area or off of a leash, is putting him
in danger.
Selecting a Class
Here are some tips to help you select an obedience
class that’s right for you:
Good obedience instructors are knowledgeable about many
different types of training methods and use techniques that neither the dogs nor
their owners find consistently unpleasant. Good training methods focus primarily
on reinforcing good behavior and use punishment sparingly, appropriately and
humanely. Excessive use of choke chains or pinch collars or using collars to
lift dogs off of the ground ("stringing them up") are not appropriate or humane
training methods. Good obedience instructors communicate well with people and
with dogs. Remember that they’re instructing you about how to train your
dog.
Specific problems you may have with your dog may not
be addressed in a basic obedience course. If you’re seeking help with house
soiling, barking, aggression or separation anxiety, ask if the course covers
these issues -- don’t assume it will.
Ask the instructor what training methods are used and
how they (the instructor and staff) were trained. Also ask to observe a class
before you commit to one. If you’re refused an observation, or if your
observation results in anything that makes you uncomfortable, look elsewhere.
Avoid anyone who: guarantees their work; whose
primary methods focus on punishment; or who want to take your dog and train him
for you (effective training must include you and the environment in which you
and your dog interact).
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