Dog Training Shows How Much An Owner Loves A Pet

By Adriana Noton

One of the things that really angers most dog lovers is when they see an animal whose dog training has clearly been neglected. While some people may think dog training oppresses their animals, in fact it's just the opposite. A truly loving pet owner will see that his or her animal gets the best training possible.

There's a wealth of information about dog training, but experts say that one of the best reasons to train a dog properly is to establish a relationship of mutual trust. Unlike other kinds of pets, dogs are social animals that have been bred through centuries to serve and be close to their human owners. Dogs by their nature are pack animals that look to a leader to know how to behave, and a human who doesn't establish this kind of relationship really fails to take good care of his or her dog.

Good dog training also should train the owner as well. Pet owners should know the proper commands to keep their animals under control, so that they can have confidence in how their pets will behave around people and other animals. This is especially important in situations where some kind of danger or hazard suddenly appears.

Eventually, however, as you learned the local language you will be able to have a happier, more fulfilling life there. The same is true of dogs that live as pets in a human environment. Through obedience training a dog learns how to associate behaviors with certain human sounds. Saying "sit" to a trained dog always results in the dog sitting. Saying "stay" keeps the dog in one place, and saying "come" brings the dog to its owner. With proper puppy training, both the owner and the dog develop a mutual understanding that each can trust in their relationship.

However, all puppies go through a period of "stranger avoidance" between six and 12 weeks. This is a natural fear that develops as a way to keep puppies safe from predators. During this time puppies exhibit more "startle" reactions to sounds and sudden movements. These reactions keep a pup safe, but they also could interfere with establishing relationships with people. That's why it best not to rush a puppy through these behavioral period. Let it get its bearings first.

Dog training teaches pet owners as much as it teaches pets. By attending classes at local pet stores, kennels or with independent dog trainers, owners learn more than just how to control their dogs. They learn how to foster their dog's health and well-being, from what kind of dog food to provide to what human foods can be dangerous, possibly even fatal, to their pets.

Group training classes for puppies may not be available until the pup has had all its vaccinations, which occurs around three to four months of age. However sometimes a kennel or trainer will offer puppy socialization classes, in which the dog can be used to getting along with other puppies. This can be a good first step toward a more structure dog training class in the future.

Dog training classes available through pet stores, kennels and independent dog trainers can aid a puppy and its owner in developing good communication and a mutual trust relationship. By knowing how it's expected to behave according to basic commands, a puppy will grow up into a dog that's friendly to other people and dogs, obedient to its owners' instructions, and most of all, a loving and loyal family pet for many years. - 31866

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