Many people have come to me with a wide variety of issues they are experiencing with their dogs. These problems range from pulling on the leash, jumping, lunging, door dashing, counter surfing, barking excessively, among many others.

Dog owners who have experienced these issues very often have gone to other less experienced trainers who side-step the issue by teaching the Dog’s owner very basic management techniques (Which could easily be found with a simple Youtube search), which will work to an extent, but this strategy neglects to address the cause of the problem.

The end result is a never ending cycle of constantly needing to micromanage your dog. Training, done correctly, will always address the cause and will mitigate or eliminate any need for micromanaging, which makes owning a dog a chore instead of a joy.

The end goal of the training should always be to enhance the relationship between the Dog and the owner.

The fact is, every dog is different, and each Dog Trainer’s plan should be custom tailored for each dog and owner’s unique set of circumstances. 

For the sake of this article we are going to presume the best training methods and tools available to us are being used, in other words, a Reward-Based approach to training. 

Reward-Based Training does not mean we don’t use corrections. On the contrary, a properly timed correction can save a dog’s life. I personally aim for 90%-95% positive reinforcement, 10% or less of corrections. (This of course is highly dependent on each dog I’m working with.

Basically, we want to teach the dog how we want them to behave and set them up for success. 

The end goal we want is a happy, well-behaved, obedient dog that listens to their owner.   

1. Dog Training and Obedience Gives Much Needed Structure

When dogs are given structure through proper training, the result is a much more obedient and balanced dog. 

Dogs are pack animals and given a natural structure by the members of the other members of their pack family. 

Dogs teach each other manners, boundaries, and will correct each other if those boundaries are not respected.

Structure essentially means rules, if we don’t teach our dog what the rules are, how are they supposed to know how to behave? 

The whole point of obedience training is to teach the dog what their role is in the household. We accomplish this by giving them their own place to sit, or lay down and rest, a feeding schedule, crate training, and how to walk next to us (not pull us down the street). 

Once a dog knows its place in the home, it is less likely to get into trouble. Not only that, your dog will be much happier knowing where they stand with the person or people they live with. 

2. Your Dog Will Be Able to Enjoy More Freedom and So Will You!

The goal with a Reward-Based Approach to training is to  teach the dog potentially life saving skills!  

Once you and your dog have mastered Basic Obedience Commands (Recall, Leave it,  Sit, Stay, Wait, Down and Heel) both you and your dog will enjoy a much better relationship.  

It is very rewarding to know your dog will come to you when called and will listen to you. 

3. Good Obedience Training Teaches Dogs Good Behaviors to Replace Unwanted Behaviors

Many unwanted behaviors can be countered by giving your dog something else to do. 

Once you start training, your dog will learn that it is in their interest to respect and listen to you. 

Obedience gives dogs a good foundation for them to come back to if they start doing something they shouldn’t. 

Dogs often need an outlet for their excitement, if we fail to give them one they will find an outlet for their restlessness themselves. 

This might mean chewing up the furniture, jumping all over guests, stealing food, running out the door, lunging at people or other dogs, etc. 

All these behaviors can be potentially dangerous. So it is important to teach your dog to behave. 

Once they have learned what to do and what not to do, many of these unwanted behaviors diminish significantly or go away completely. 

4. Your Dog Will Learn Good Character Traits

Sticking with the theme of teaching good behaviors, the character traits your dog will learn will greatly benefit your dog in the home and when you are out and about. 

If your dog lunges and/or barks at people, dogs, or other competing motivators (such as squirrels.) It is very important for your dog to learn impulse control, patience and respect. 

Many times, learning these good character traits are essential to beating certain unwanted behaviors. 

Once you start obedience training with your dog, you will see a positive change in your dog’s behavior very quickly. 

You will notice your dog is more calm, relaxed, and listens to you. 

5. Your Dog Will Trust & Respect You

Many seasoned dog trainers have said if you give your dog love alone, they may or they may not love you back. 

But if you give your dog structure, they will not only love you but they will respect you as well. 

“Respect is equivalent to love in the dog world.” 

– (Unknown)

Once a dog knows you are in charge, they are immediately less stressed and will follow your lead to the end of the earth.

Wrapping up

Outside of giving your dog food, shelter, water and love, obedience training is probably one of the best things you can do for them.

Once you start working with a dog trainer who knows what they are doing, you will see immediate results and changes in your dog. 

Having worked with just about every breed imaginable, I can attest to the positive results of proper obedience training. In fact my clients see immediate results in their dog within a single lesson. 

I love helping people and dogs, if you are interested in learning more feel free to contact me for a free consultation.