Dog Training Advice for New Pet Owners

Is there a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution for dog training? Many new pet owners ask themselves this question when they realize how many different facets of their relationship with their dog are affected by proper training.

 

The truth is that not all methods work for all dogs. The good news, however, is that there are common instincts and behavioral tendencies shared by all dogs. Therefore, all you need to do first is understand ‘dog psychology’ on the species level, then make adjustments based on your dog’s unique personality and breed characteristics.

 

What follows now is a list of questions to help you narrow down your quest for the right training approach for your dog.

 

*Where did my dog come from?

 

Your dog may have special needs depending on whether you got him from a breeder, a shelter or as a stray from the streets.

 

Puppies purchased from responsible and licensed breeders are usually “blank slates” in the sense that they come to you without a past history of starvation, abuse or other circumstances that can make training more difficult.

 

Strays and shelter animals on the other hand represent an ‘unknown’. These dogs may have experienced any number of traumas before going home with you, but they won’t be able to tell you their stories through anything other than their behavior.

 

*How old is my dog?

 

Again, puppies have an advantage in that they aren’t set in their ways. Early trauma can be dealt with more easily.  Older dogs require a bit more patience and perseverance. The more ingrained the habits, the more time required in re-training. The rewards, however, are well-worth the effort.

 

*What breed of dog do I have?

 

There are numerous advice books available to owners of purebreds. These books can give you a clear idea of what to expect in terms of the dog’s growth, exercise requirements, personality, degree of ‘dominance’ or alpha-behavior and so on.

 

Mutts and ‘mixed breeds’ are often easy-going, but it is important to determine (if possible) which breed’s genes are dominant in your dog’s overall genetic make-up for both behavioral and health reasons.

Once you’ve answered these questions, you can incorporate your dog’s specific training-needs into the ‘big picture’.

 

The most important things to remember about dogs, as a whole, include:

 

1. Pack instinct.

 

Dogs are pack animals by nature. These instincts still affect their behavior even when they’ve been raised in the absence of other dogs from a young age. As far your dog is concerned, you are just another large, hairless dog and member of his pack.

 

2. Dominance

 

Both male and female dogs can exhibit dominance-oriented behavior. The tendency to claim ‘alpha status’ is usually more pronounced in males and in specific breeds, but the instinct is there in all dogs in varying degrees.

 

Your dog’s sense of where he or she is in the hierarchy of your family, and among other household pets, can effect these relationships on many levels. Extremely dominant dogs may ignore your commands, guard food and toys, and display jealous aggression towards other pets and people.

 

When you understand what motivates these behaviors, you’re in a much better position to train your dog in a positive fashion, rather than punishing him for something he’s doing out of instinct.

 

In the long run, this will build more trust between you and your dog, and you’ll both be much happier for it!