***Train a Dog You Can Be Proud Of

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers wants you to have a dog that you can be proud of so it has designated January as National Train Your Dog Month. Regardless of whether you start with a puppy or an older dog that you have just rescued, you should make training a part of your everyday life with your dog.

Puppy classes give you a routine to follow and support from other puppy owners for those moments when you are in overwhelm with puppy behaviors such as chewing and housetraining. The classes will help your puppy develop skills to interact with other puppies, with children and adults and to experience new but safe environments.

Training that occurs outside the classroom reinforces the basics learned for any sports activity, therapy behavior or other job that you want your dog to do. You can be proud of your dog when he has learned to greet your guests politely, to walk nicely on the leash and to come when called. Well-trained dogs can fully participate in your life rather than be left behind or confined to a separate room.

Although dogs are not allowed at many sporting events where children play, older children may play with their dogs at a well-designed dog park such as the Frostburg Dog Park in Maryland. AKC kennel clubs and 4-H Clubs focus on teaching the proper care and training of dogs to children and emphasize building a lifetime relationship with their dog. If you do not have children, consider allowing a child, who may not be able to own a dog of their own, to work with your dog under supervision. Both the child and your dog will benefit from the time that they spend together.

Once the basics of training such as sit, stay, down, wait, and come are taught, then you and your dog are ready to have fun. If you have a high-energy dog or fearful or nervous dog, consider dog agility as a sport. If your dog displays aggression or serious intent to be aggressive, consider how your dog would benefit from tracking. If your dog is aggressive towards you only, train your dog to do agility and herding to redirect that frustrated energy. If your dog is easily frustrated and under exercised, add joring sports to the mix. If your dog loves to pull, definitely consider joring sports, tracking and carting. If you and your dog are all-around athletes that love to try everything then follow your heart and include rally obedience, dancing, dock diving, tracking, search and rescue, skijoring, sledding, swimming, water rescue trials, carting, reading programs, therapy work, field trials and whatever else your imagination can lead you to do in the way of entertainment and philanthropic passions.

Training your dog will enable you to keep your dog with you through any life changes such as illnesses, travel, or moving into a new home and environment. Training your dog everyday as you go through your day is what builds a mutual bond, enhances your partnership and enriches the relationship that you share with your dog.

Training a dog you can be proud of involves teaching your dog new behaviors to use in your “real life.” Some stores and restaurants allow you to take your dog shopping with you. Pet stores are a great place to take your dog first since your dog will be reinforced with attention and pleasant smells. While you are shopping, your dog can practice sitting politely and walking on a loose leash. Your dog will also practice waiting for people to pass before going up and down aisles that are crowded.

You can train your dog to ride in a car and be a safe passenger. If your car is not suited for a dog kennel, then buckle your dog into a harness to keep him secure in case of sudden stops or impacts. Start with short trips and go to places where your dog may be reinforced with pleasant sounds, smells and treats such as banks or the drive-through. Visit the veterinarian’s office just to say hello and ask the staff to greet your dog, then leave and have some fun.

If the mailman, garbage truck, paperboy or deliveryman overly excites your dog, have your dog sit politely while you reward him with treats. Sit and down stays can be reinforced while you are watching TV, talking on the phone, cooking, and eating dinner. Reinforce your dog with a chew toy or treat for being quiet and relaxed while you are working at home on your computer or your children are doing their homework.

Take your dog to a place where children ride their bikes, run and skate to watch from a distance and practice more loose leash walking, sits, downs and stays. Over time, your dog will learn to relax in these highly distracting atmospheres.

Play the “recall game” in your house. When your dog runs to the front door or window to bark at something or someone outside, hide in another room and call your dog to you. Be prepared to reinforce your dog with multiple treats or a fun game to play so that you become the main attraction!

Your dog is good at telling you what he wants. Use these behaviors to earn him “what he wants.” When your dog wants to go out, teach him to come to you and sit politely while you put his leash on rather than hurrying to him as he is barking near the door and bouncing off of the door. When your dog wants to eat, have him wait politely while you prepare his food and put his bowl down for him. When your dog wants affection, ask him to sit or lay down first. Whenever you ask your dog to do “something” in exchange for a valuable “life” reward, you are practicing “real life” training that is stress-free and rewarding to both of you. By training everyday, you will be living with a dog that you can be proud of!