Why It's Crucial to Train Dogs
When you get a brand-new dog, often you think that's that. There's nothing else to think or worry about. Wrong. Actually there's tons more. You have to think about several things. Why did you get a dog? Did you even need one? Why a dog? Did you want a pet you can hug or just something that is almost maintenance free? Who will take care of that dog? You have to keep in mind that dogs are living, breathing creatures who need to eat, relieve themselves, and have a set of habits. Someone who took him home, you, will have to take care of him and get used to him.
So then, so that your dog will conform to your way of life, living, and rules, and so that you will be able to live with him better, you will have to train him. That's right. You. You brought him home, you're the responsible owner. That dog of yours will have to get used to the way you live and get used to your working and sleeping hours. But since you didn't bring home a programmable cell phone, you can't really realistically expect the dog to conform to your expectations immediately. Your dog has his own nature, his own ways, and he'll do what's natural for him, like pee and poo. And you will do the natural thing a new dog owner will do. Clean up the kitchen floor. Clean up the neighbor's driveway. Replace the chewed on curtains.
So then, he needs training. Dog training is not there to completely alter your dog's habits. It's more of a realignment, a negotiation, so to speak. The rules of the house you will be imposing are more words you will be telling yourself. That dog knows the language of gestures and intentions, cause and effect, reward and punishment. You will have to speak those languages. He will be answerable to you. You're the boss. You will have to make him listen to you, else you'll be cleaning poo and pee and replacing chewed up stuff for a long time.
What can make the dog training smoother, easier is you bond with your pet. Bonding is not some mechanical and forced putting up with each other. The dog can sense if you're sincere. The point is to spend time together so the dog will trust you, so you'll be accustomed to him and his ways, and him with yours. The more you do this the more you're in a position to restrain his behavior, the more you'll know subtle clues and hints about his behavior, too.
When you get down to it, training your dog is not that hard that you have to hire someone else do it for you. You'll have to raise him yourself and not leave him with a sitter. When you establish some rewards for good behavior his less unacceptable dog behavior will curb down and you can even begin to teach him some advanced behavior, like pretty tricks you can show off to your friends.
Have a great "dog training" day,
Dr. Alfonso
