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