5 Benefits of Dog training

[ajithantony]

I have just written a long article on the benefits of dog training. Every one is concerned about training their dogs, people seldom care about the benefits they are actually getting while doing it. I have written about it not only for the awareness purpose, but also for those lazy ones who do not care about dog training!:D
I have tried to be very accurate, any comments or doubts are welcome!

Free Online Solutions: 5 Benefits of Dog training (http://freeonlinesolutions.blogspot.com/2009/07/5-benefits-of-dog-training.html)
:)

[BetterDog4U]

In your article you say that "training builds a relationship". If, by that statement you mean, "a relationship can be strengthen through training", then I agree. If that IS what you meant to say, then you need to make that more clear in your article. :)

If NOT, then I have one major point of disagreement with your article.

Every secessful dog trainer will tell you that a trusting relationship must exist prevous to the beginning of any training. EXAMPLE: If you dont trust me, you will never allow me to blindfold you and ask you to get in a car with me!

Trust ONLY comes when you spend a large amount of time with someone, or in this case, the new dog. I have always advised that when someone brings a new dog in to their home, that they do so ONLY when they can spend no lees than 36 hours in direct contact with that dog. Yes, this means in the same room or within the same line of sight ... NON-STOP. Personally, I go to the extremes of putting a sleeping bag on the floor and I live at the dog's eye-level for the first 24 hrs.

With an adult dog the first 1-2 hours should consist of an on-leash stroll. First around the yard, and then around the block, and finally around the neighborhood. In the case of a new puppy, the owner should be in constant close physical contact. This includes sitting or laying in front of the dog and playing with toys, hand feeding and allowing the puppy to sleep right next to them ... and yes, even napping in their lap.

Only AFTER "initial trust" has been established should any kind of training begin.

[Labman]

I have to disagree. I start building my relationship with a new 7 week old puppy by beginning training on my way out of the kennel with it.

A 7 week old is very quick to adapt to the way things are done in its new pack, develop a relationship with its members, and do what it is trained to do.

[ajithantony]

In your article you say that "training builds a relationship". If, by that statement you mean, "a relationship can be strengthen through training", then I agree. If that IS what you meant to say, then you need to make that more clear in your article. :)

If NOT, then I have one major point of disagreement with your article.

Every secessful dog trainer will tell you that a trusting relationship must exist prevous to the beginning of any training. EXAMPLE: If you dont trust me, you will never allow me to blindfold you and ask you to get in a car with me!

Trust ONLY comes when you spend a large amount of time with someone, or in this case, the new dog. I have always advised that when someone brings a new dog in to their home, that they do so ONLY when they can spend no lees than 36 hours in direct contact with that dog. Yes, this means in the same room or within the same line of sight ... NON-STOP. Personally, I go to the extremes of putting a sleeping bag on the floor and I live at the dog's eye-level for the first 24 hrs.

With an adult dog the first 1-2 hours should consist of an on-leash stroll. First around the yard, and then around the block, and finally around the neighborhood. In the case of a new puppy, the owner should be in constant close physical contact. This includes sitting or laying in front of the dog and playing with toys, hand feeding and allowing the puppy to sleep right next to them ... and yes, even napping in their lap.

Only AFTER "initial trust" has been established should any kind of training begin.


I am really sorry micheal. I wrote the article from my own experience. I tried to be true evaluating my own case. I got a puppy as a gift. But she never even cared or minded me even if I stroked her or cared her. She simply ignored all my love. It was only the day I started to train her, she became a great friend of mine.
Sorry again. I shall do some research and modify my article!
Thanks.

[ajithantony]

I have to disagree. I start building my relationship with a new 7 week old puppy by beginning training on my way out of the kennel with it.

A 7 week old is very quick to adapt to the way things are done in its new pack, develop a relationship with its members, and do what it is trained to do.

OBVIOUSLY!!

I am talking about dogs and not puppies in my section of building a relationship.

[CerbiesMom]

I'm gonna have to side with Michael about letting dogs settle in before training. You can have boundaries and rules right away, but not necessarily training. Maybe I feel this way bc I rescue. Max couldn't be touched for a while, and Cerb was very ill when we got him. There was no possible way for me to start training either of them right away. You have to have that bond with a dog for real training to begin. The rest of the article was pretty much common sense. Yes, if you train a dog, it (hopefully, unless you get a dog like my Lil' Bit) shouldn't tear up your house, or poo everywhere. Yes, the dog feels included if you interact with it on a regular basis. Most people who care about their dogs already know all this. On top of that, I usually don't care for "General Training" articles, as I feel you have to start new with each dog. What works for one might not work for another, with either dogs or ppl.

[6dogmom]

Well put cerbiesmom, it is interesting to read other peoples experiences but no one way is going to work for everyone. unfortunatly dogs are much like children and you can have two kids, the same three rules, and both will grow up much different. Sometimes you have to change rules, or adjust yourself to accomadate a different personality.
I still think that much can be gained from others experience. Someday I have hopes to have my opinions written about domestic dog packs. None of my opinions will be "the way it is" they will be just that opinions based on what I have witnessed and what I know.

[BetterDog4U]

... no one way is going to work for everyone. unfortunatly dogs are much like children and you can have two kids, the same three rules, and both will grow up much different. Sometimes you have to change rules, or adjust yourself to accomadate a different personality.

This has always been my thought in training. In my experence i have found that dogs have basiclly five different personalities. Hyper, Outgoing, Mellow, Shy and Scared. Then each have thier own sets of likes and dislikes.

That means as a trainer you must have at least 5 basic approches. After all, You couldnt expect to use the same training stratiges on a hyper dog as you do with a scared dog. And your method also has to change a little when working with a mellow dog compared to an outgoing dog.

MY point is that you MUST know your dog's personality BEFORE you can come up with the proper training strategy. And in my experence, it takes at least a week or so for a new dog to get comfortable in its new suroundings! This is what I refur to as trust. (This isn't as true with young puppies. They are more inherantely trusting).

ajithantony:
No need to be sorry ... I also enjoy reading how other ppl (like yourself) train, so dont change your stuff on my account. ( unless that was what you really meant to say :) ) Over the years I've written a few white papers that ppl have disagreed with, and thats fine ... but b/c my methods have worked for me for over 30 years, I feel I should share them from time to time.

Labman
I also start doing "some training" from day one. But its stuff like sit, down and basic boundries. But until I figure out what makes the dog "tick" I feel that its a waste of time to do much else ...

[CerbiesMom]

6dogmom: I would love to read your writing on dog packs. It will probably be the closest I ever get to a house full of bullies.

[NoodlezxMama]

I have to agree with everyone else. When we got Noodles, he had no training at all, and no trust either. I had to first build that trust with him before I could teach him anything..and he left this world a perfectly mannered little man..

[Jr_K9_Expert]

Put simply if there is no trust, no bond, then there is no motive to listen to you. Its not rocket science :D

And just because your initial dog didn't respond to your caresses doesn't mean she had NO bond with you. Some dogs don't aren't very outward about their bonds...if I hug my dog he'll just pull away, he isn't that type of dog, but the bond we share is unmistakable.

[BetterDog4U]

... if I hug my dog he'll just pull away, he isn't that type of dog, but the bond we share is unmistakable.

Neka is the same way. :) She will let you give her a chest rub, scratch her belly or a pat on the head ... but if you try to give her a big hug she will pull away and lay down across the room every time! :(

[ajithantony]

Hi everybody,
I just popped in to admit that I have made a mistake because everyone is against me. I am rewriting my article tomorrow with all your info taken into consideration. Thanks for all the support!:)

I need your support again!

[Furbilator]

Dogs tolerate being hugged but they don't like being hugged. Hugging is a primate instinct; primate babies must hang on to their mommies and are so defenceless for so long that the 'hug' desire is a desire born into them (and us) for closeness, bonding and protection. So what do you do when you have an overgrown primate hugging you making you feel trapped, you little doggie will either move away, avoid the hugger like the plague or sigh and submit and hope it is over with fast. :D

Although I agree that a certain level of trust must be established prior to training commencing - especially with an adult dog. Training in itself will promote a bond when it is positive and motivating in the beginning. With every activity you do with a dog from the patting, to the housetraining, to indicating what pleases or doesn't please you, you are 'training' the dog. Dogs will pick up on the clues you give off both verbal and physical so training begins the moment you meet. The old phrase 'You never get a second chance to make a first impression' is especially important to remember when dealing with adult dogs, dogs abused or neglected as they have been trained by their experience to distrust first.

Furbs

[vmills]

I have just written a long article on the benefits of dog training. Every one is concerned about training their dogs, people seldom care about the benefits they are actually getting while doing it. I have written about it not only for the awareness purpose, but also for those lazy ones who do not care about dog training!:D
I have tried to be very accurate, any comments or doubts are welcome!

Free Online Solutions: 5 Benefits of Dog training (http://freeonlinesolutions.blogspot.com/2009/07/5-benefits-of-dog-training.html)
:)

I'm convinced that there would be a lot fewer dogs in shelters if people spent the time to train their dogs.

This article is well-worth your attention!

[6dogmom]

6dogmom: I would love to read your writing on dog packs. It will probably be the closest I ever get to a house full of bullies.

I should be an interesting read. I fasinates me everyday. I love how they all "talk" to each without saying a word. I wish I knew what they were saying.

[6dogmom]

Hi everybody,
I just popped in to admit that I have made a mistake because everyone is against me. I am rewriting my article tomorrow with all your info taken into consideration. Thanks for all the support!:)

I need your support again!

I don't think you should re-write it based on our opinion. It was based on your thoughts and your opinion. If you look at the dog training world there are many trainers with many many different opinions of how things are suppose to be. Not one of them is perfect and not one method is wrong or right. It's what works for the owner and the dog.

[ann_hawes]

Three of my four Rotties LOVE to be kissed on the face and hugged, although none wanted any of that when they first came to live here. If you stroke their ears, chest or face, they'll duck their head and come up under your arm for a hug, grinning from ear to ear, eyes sparkling at you. There's no mistaking what they want. I think they like hugs from children best, but they'll ask for one from almost any adult also.
The fourth dog will tolerate hugs and kisses but is not as enthused about it.

[Jr_K9_Expert]

Hi everybody,
I just popped in to admit that I have made a mistake because everyone is against me. I am rewriting my article tomorrow with all your info taken into consideration. Thanks for all the support!:)

I need your support again!

Don't get us wrong, it was a good article. And don't change it only to comply to with what others think...and yes its true that you wrote that from your experience but what would be better is that you used your opinion mixed with your experience and that of many other dog owners. Best of wishes with your article!

[Labman]

My opinion is that there are too many people with our extensive training, reading, or experience giving dog advice. I am troubled by those that think merely owning a dog qualifies them to post advice on the net. Much of the advice I read won't work that well on any dog. Try reading some good books.

Here is a list put together by the professionals at a dog guide school for those caring for their dogs.

The Cultural Clash by Jean Donaldson, 1996

Excel-crated Learning by Pamela Reid, 1996

Don't Shoot the Dog, by Karen Pryor, 1996

Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1993

Second Hand dog, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1988

Dog Problems, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1989

Super Puppy, by Peter J. Vollmer, 1988

HELP, Mt dog Has an Attitude, by Gwen Bohnenkamp, 1994

Owners' Guide Better Behavior in Dogs and Cats, by William Campbell, 1989

What All Good dogs Should Know, By Wendy Vollmer, 1991

How to Raise a Dog When Nobody is Home, Jerry Kilmer, 1991

Through Otis' Eyes-Lessons from a Guide Dog Puppy, by Patricia Berlin Kennedy and Robert Christie, 1998

Puppy Primer, by Brenda K Skidmore and Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., 1996

Beginning Family Dog Training, by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., 1996