5 meaningful ways obedience training will boost your dog’s overall happiness (yours too)
Class is in session! Sit and stay for a moment. Let’s take a few minutes to talk about what it really means to have a well-mannered pet pal.
Unfortunately, dog training, behavior, or obedience classes – anything that instills doggy manners, is often linked to this idea that it is only about teaching your dog to adhere to a set amount of commands. This perception makes it seem like more of a chore you HAVE to do and, at times, can seem a tad overwhelming. We’re here to tell you it doesn’t have to feel like a daunting task – successful training programs are built on a foundation of FUN while you teach your dog valuable skills and behavior etiquette. Even starting with a few training basics will have a huge impact!
Are you still thinking – can’t I just let them be the adorable, unruly personality they are? Of course, but in our 15 years of training all types of happy hounds, we’ve seen significant long-term results that support your dog’s overall well-being and even your own.
In fact, you can count on one paw the big ways your dog will benefit from training, regardless of their personality or age.
Here are the top 5 ways training will help your favorite sidekick live their best life.
1. Life Skills for Happiness
Dogs with clear rules and who know their role within the family unit are more confident and happier. This translates to an even closer bond with their human counterpart because it is a form of communication between each other.
When you incorporate training into your daily routine, you’ll soon begin to learn the key to unlocking your dog’s full potential. You’ll be able to read their body language cues, understand how to encourage them to try something new, and discover which incentive they value above all others.
With training, they won’t become fearful or anxious when they encounter something unusual or unexpected. Instead, they’ll react with calm certainty. This alleviates a lot of stress for you and your dog, and they won’t be left guessing or confused about how to behave properly in certain situations. For example, leaving them home alone means you can trust they won’t bark for hours or chew up your favorite pair of shoes. When a dog engages in these sorts of behaviors, it means they’re not in a good state of mind. When you properly train your dog, it reinforces good patterns of behavior and reduces separation anxiety.
And just the small act of spending some concentrated, quality time together is something your dog will happily eat right up (and that’s better than your sneakers).
2. Positive Public Appearances
Taking your furry friend out of their usual routine into the chaotic world of regular life can be stressful for all involved. They are confronted with new people, dogs, loud noises, interesting smells, and more– leading to behaviors that may be surprisingly out of their typical character—leaving you both confused and without the tools in place to react appropriately. Your pup needs established skills to interact in various social situations – walks in the park, going to people’s homes, or heading to the veterinarian.
Socialization is a relevant aspect of training. It allows your companion to practice commands and read cues around people they don’t know very well in a safe environment. This will give them the time needed to get comfortable and secure, so in the future, they can be left with pet sitters, groomers, or boarding kennels without feeling stressed.
Both you and your companion will feel much more confident in any public situation, reducing anxiety and feeling at ease when out and about – a big win!
3. A Safe Place
Dogs don’t always understand the dangers that exist in the world. Their safety is not innately at the forefront of decision-making – their instinctual senses kick in, and often, these reactive moments can lead to dangerous or unhealthy outcomes.
Dog training ensures that when you and your pup are faced with potentially harmful situations, you can keep them safe. Think for a moment of that squirrel who jets across the street and your dog bolts after it. With training, you can rely on them to stop and come back to you.
Safety in your own home is also something to consider. Excitable moments like jumping on someone when they walk through your doors or showing aggressive responses to other dog visitors can lead to someone getting hurt. And even though your home is familiar to them, as soon as you leave, your dog may experience intense separation anxiety, which can result in acting out, like snacking on furniture, socks, or the fluffy pillow you just purchased. Ingesting any foreign object can be a serious health risk for your loved one.
4. Canine Communication
Have you ever experienced one of these moments? Your dog walks into the room, stares you down, and locks eyes with you as though they are trying to tell you something. And you find yourself saying out loud, “I wish you could talk to me?!?”
Your furry companion does have something to say, and part of developing an understanding is through “listening.” Every dog has their own little personality, and a deep understanding will develop as you spend time together establishing limits, sharing experiences, and learning to read each other.
Watch as the trust between one another grows, and the solid bond between you and your dog will continue to strengthen.
5. Mind and Body Health
All dogs benefit from learning and practicing skills daily, both physically and mentally. Whether young or old, using their little noggin to problem solve and learn tricks keeps them stimulated and less likely to misbehave from boredom. Dogs love pleasing their owners, and having a job to do is a confidence-builder as they navigate new cues and habits.
Plus, it gets them up from the couch and moving around, and any added exercise in their life is a bonus!
You will beam with pride over their newly found abilities, and they will too! And trust us when we say your dog will never turn down all the positive, undivided attention you are throwing their way.
Yes, training is a small investment in time, but it is well spent with your favorite friend. The ultimate gold star – seeing your happy hound grow and learn. The doggy life skills they will gain will ultimately result in a healthy, confident, stress-free life.
Although, let’s be honest. We know our best buddy’s primary motivator is all those celebratory treats!
Where to start? Dog Training Resources
Trying to decide the best way to train your dog? We have you covered no matter what your dog needs to practice – our training approach is personalized to meet their goals and yours.
How to get the most out of a training program? Five important questions to ask.
Want to dive right in? Check out these training tips!
Please feel free to contact us for more information about our programs, including basic commands and obedience, specific training for aggression or separation anxiety, doggie daycare and boarding.
Happy Hound’s Training Programs: Find the perfect fit for you and your pet pal here.
- Categories: Dog Training
- Tags: dog training, socialization