| The dog is a mammal in the order Carnivora. | | | | trainers. However, just because someone has a |
| Dogs were first domesticated from wolves at | | | | business card doesn't mean they are a |
| least 17,000 years ago, but perhaps as early | | | | qualified trainer. |
| as 150,000 years ago based upon recent | | | | |
| genetic fossil and DNA evidence though there | | | | To find a good trainer, ask your friends and |
| is doubt about the accuracy of this | | | | family if they know a good trainer. Also, |
| mitochondrial DNA evidence. In this time, the | | | | while walking your dog at the dog park, ask |
| dog has developed into hundreds of breeds | | | | other dog owners who they recommend. Once you |
| with a great degree of variation. | | | | have found a trainer, ask them what method of |
| | | | training they teach. There have been dozens |
| For example, heights at the withers range | | | | of different training methods for dogs that |
| from just a few inches (such as the | | | | have been in and out of fashion over the |
| Chihuahua) to roughly three feet (such as the | | | | years. Ask the trainer what method they use, |
| Irish Wolfhound), and colors range from white | | | | why they use it, and what the benefits of it |
| to black, with reds, grays (usually called | | | | are. Also ask for references. |
| blue), and browns occurring in a tremendous | | | | |
| variation of patterns. | | | | Whether you train your dog yourself or find a |
| | | | professional, teaching your dog commands and |
| Dogs, like humans, are highly social animals | | | | socializing it is important. Areas to cover |
| and this similarity in their overall | | | | in training include: |
| behavioral pattern accounts for their | | | | |
| trainability, playfulness, and ability to fit | | | | 1. Socializing to strangers: This is easy to |
| into human households and social situations. | | | | accomplish while out walking your dog around |
| Dogs fill a variety of roles in human society | | | | the neighborhood and introducing them to |
| and are often trained as working dogs. For | | | | people. |
| dogs that do not have traditional jobs, a | | | | |
| wide range of dog sports provide the | | | | 2. Socializing with other dogs: You can do |
| opportunity to exhibit their natural skills. | | | | this at dog parks, or even better in a dog |
| In many countries, the most common and | | | | training class. |
| perhaps most important role of dogs is as | | | | |
| companions. Dogs have lived with and worked | | | | 3. Leash walking at a steady pace: You can |
| with humans in so many roles that their | | | | start this training as soon as you get your |
| loyalty has earned them the unique sobriquet | | | | new dog. |
| "man's best friend." Conversely, some | | | | |
| cultures consider dogs to be unclean. In | | | | 4. Create training: This is important, |
| other cultures, some dogs are used as food. | | | | especially to build up a tolerance to stay in |
| | | | a kennel environment for several hours. |
| A well trained dog is a joy to be around. | | | | |
| Beyond being well socialized, trained dogs | | | | 5. The sit command: This is usually the first |
| are less likely to jump up on people, and are | | | | command new owners teach their dog. |
| less at risk of biting someone. They also | | | | |
| tend to stay calm in distracting | | | | 6. The down/stand command: These commands |
| environments. | | | | help develop boundaries for the dog. |
| | | | |
| Also, well trained dogs are more likely to | | | | 7. The stay command: This command is |
| stay with the same owner, as opposed to being | | | | important for your dog to master, especially |
| abandoned to the pound. One research report | | | | in an environment with a lot of distractions. |
| from the Journal of the American Veterinary | | | | |
| Medical Association found that 96% of shelter | | | | There are many benefits to having a well |
| dogs had never had any training. | | | | trained dog. But it doesn't necessarily mean |
| | | | the dog will not develop behavioral problems |
| Training your dog helps to teach them | | | | down the road, like separation anxiety. |
| boundaries, thus making them more comfortable | | | | Simply put a well trained dog is a joy to be |
| around humans. There are many different dog | | | | around and strengthens the human-animal bond. |
| training programs and many professional dog | | | | |