Bonding and Building Trust - On training the "ideal dog"

Everyone wants to own their “ideal dog.” Whether that means having a big, playful pup or a small little couch potato, the description of this ideal dog can vary greatly from person to person. Whatever you picture as your perfect pet, people often share one common ideal trait: a dog that listens to you when you ask them to do something.

An obedient dog that pays attention when you say things like, “no jumping on the houseguest,” or “get off the furniture” is always ideal, but the question is, how do you get your dog to listen? The first step is to teach them a command that means a behavior. This is why taking pet training classes with your dog is one of the most essential things you could ever do. 

Through training, you can teach your dog behaviors that will not only help improve their quality of life¸ but it will make your job easier as well. Pet training can also teach your dog behaviors that have the potential of saving their life. Something just as important as pet training itself, however, is you, their human, being involved in your dog’s training.

Being present and active in training is critical in the reinforcement of your dog’s behaviors elsewhere. When you are involved in training, you are building a relationship with your dog that will greatly enhance the bond that you share. Beyond building that bond, training your dog also builds trust. Your pet begins to really understand that you are there to reward them when they do something good. If you are not the one teaching the dog behaviors, your dog never learns that they need to work for you. You have to teach your dog to listen to you, and they need to know when they do listen, they will be rewarded greatly.

More than just being involved yourself, it is important to have as many people in your household participate in training as possible. Having more people in the family involved helps confirm that everyone will be reinforcing similar things. 

Pet training is extremely important for you and your dog, and it’s so crucial that you are involved in your dog’s training as well. In recognition of January as National Train Your Dog Month, Morris K9 Campus realizes the importance of training and owner involvement and has collaborated with six different local shelters and rescues: 11^th Hour Rescue, Randolph Animal Pound, One Step Closer Animal Rescue (O.S.C.A.R.), Cold Nose Warm Heart, Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter and Coming Home Rescue. Every dog adopted from these shelters during the month of January can enter for a chance to win one of six 2-month training memberships to Morris K9 Campus! Call or visit these shelters to consider adding a new ideal pet to your family and to enter this exciting contest.