The Basics Of Dog Obedience Training

Obedience training is one of the most important and most effective things any owner can do for their dog.An untrained dog can be destructive and sometimes dangerous, while a properly trained dog is a productive and happy member of the family.

Dogs are designed by nature to follow leaders, and to look for that leadership.   As pack animals, dogs naturally follow the directions of their pack leader. The dog might assume this role without the presence of a strong pack leader.  Dogs that consider themselves as the leader of their human pack can become uncooperative, destructive and even dangerous.

Proper obedience training opens up key lines of communication between owner and dog.The foundation of any good dog obedience training is to obtain the cooperation and respect of the dog.  This respect cannot be exerted through rough handling methods or mistreatment.Through proper leadership and dog training methods it must be earned.

Basic obedience training consists of teaching the dog what to do and what not to do.  When it comes to desired behaviors, it is important for the dog to learn and respond to basic dog commands, such as heeling when walking, stopping on command, sitting when directed, coming when called and staying where the handler directs.

The list of what not to do is also important when it comes to obedience training.  Some of the don’ts of obedience training include – not jumping up on people, not forging ahead when walking and, not chewing the furniture or your property, and not getting out of control when exposed to unusual situations.

Essentially, obedience training involves establishing the social hierarchy that is so important to dogs as pack animals.  When your dog follows your obedience dog commands, such as – come, stay, sit, heel, etc., she or he is demonstrating submissiveness and compliance.A submissive member of a wild dog pack would demonstrate this type of behavior to the alpha dog in it’s pack.

As with any type of dog training, it is important that obedience training sessions be fun and rewarding for both dog and owner.  A happy, healthy dog will be best able to learn, and keeping the dog happy during the training sessions will make life easier for both yourself and your dog.  Obedience training has many benefits for the dog as well as the owner.An obedient, well trained dog can be allowed a greater amount of freedom than an untrained dog.As an example, a properly trained dog that obeys when called to come and when called can safely enjoy some off leash time at a dog park.

There is always a debate over whether it is easier to obedience train puppies or older dogs.  The fact is that both puppies and older dogs can be successfully trained to be willing, obedient companions. If can be more difficult to retain dogs that have developed bad behaviors than to train young dogs and puppies.You can successfully retrain using basic obedience training and control techniques with even problem dogs.

When obedience trainingpuppies, however, it is important to remember that puppies generally have a shorter attention span than to do full grown dogs.Dog training session should be kept short in the beginning for best success.Incorporating lots of play with other dog, puppies and different people is also important.It is important to teach proper socialization to create a happy, healthy dog.