As dog parents, you want your furry friend to be happy and obedient. But sometimes, no matter how much time and effort you put into training them, they may still exhibit undesirable behaviours. That’s where professional dog training comes in.
A professional trainer covers all areas, from obedience and behaviour to socialization and agility training; there are many ways that professionals improve your pup’s manners and overall quality of life. In addition, we’ll provide tips on choosing the right trainer for your dog’s needs. So if you’re struggling with your canine companion’s behaviour, read on to learn about the benefits of professional dog training and when to hire a trainer.
How Does Dog Training Work?
It is important to remember that dogs are not people, so they are not programmed to understand what you say and listen to you automatically. That is the first oath of acknowledgement that any other dog parent should take. Dogs have their own individual way of thinking and behaving, and nine times out of 10, if they aren’t trained otherwise, they’ll do exactly that.
Dogs are undoubtedly spectacular creatures; even without training, they form incredible bonds with people. But dogs and people can coexist peacefully with the right training and teaching. This can be easily achieved with the dog owners efforts to socialize their canines and seek the proper training.
So how does dog training work? Here are some fundamentals,
● Operant Conditioning: Also known as instrumental conditioning, this method uses rewards and punishments to change behaviour. The four types are positive and negative reinforcement and positive and negative punishment.
● Reinforcer: These consequences boost the chances that a certain response or behaviour will occur again. When you use positive reinforcers, you add something to increase the behaviours; negative reinforcers are when you take something away. Primary reinforcers for dogs are food, water, toys, and shelter.
● Markers: Markers are words as a tool for teaching new behaviours, new tricks or verbal clues. A simple method of canine training that communicates to the dog the appropriate and desired behaviour of the handler. For example, stay, sit, and roll over are some of the most marker words used in dog training.
Types And Methods Of Dog Training
There are several types and different dog training methods; let’s take a look.
Types
- Alpha Training
- E-Training
- Positive Reinforcement
There are also some specialized types of dog training,
- Agility Training
- Behavioural Training
- Obedience Training
- Protection Training
- Service Training
- Therapy Training
- Tracking
Finding the right trainer that fits your and your pet’s needs can be challenging. But thanks to training centres and programs like allbreeds dog training, where you can rest assured that your four-pawed best friend is going to receive the best-quality training!
Methods
- Classical Conditioning
- Clicker Training
- Electronic Dog Training
- Model-Rival Or Mirror Dog Training
- Relationship Based Training
- Science-Based Training
- Traditional Dog Training
Only a professional can determine what type and method of training will suit your dog’s breed and needs the best.
Benefits Of Professional Dog Training
When to Hire A Trainer
Dogs and puppies may need time to adapt to new situations and people. When they don’t receive proper training, they might develop behavioural issues. Here are a few of the problems that dogs without the proper training often come across,
● Doing their business all over the house.
● Jumping on furniture.
● Aggression when they’re nervous or anxious.
● Unnecessary barking and/or whimpering.
● Chewing on furniture and other things around the house.
● Not socializing with other dogs.
● Not responding to verbal commands and markers.
● Tendency to run out the door or escape.
Benefits of Professional Dog Training
Working with a professional dog trainer benefits dog parents, their pets, and their lives. The following are some benefits of employing a dog trainer,
- Build A Better Relationship With The Dog-Parent: When you invest in a dog trainer, you devote your time, money, and effort to building a lasting relationship with your four-pawed buddy. Dog trainers are experts in well being and canine behaviour. They advise you on interpreting various canine behaviours, essential for keeping your well trained dog safe.
- Basic Obedience: Professional trainers can help your dogs obey commands and housetrain them. So hiring an expert will help teach dogs basic conduct and social skills, which is particularly useful for small kids. In addition, regular training will help your pooch learn quickly!
- Better Communication: To help you understand your new puppy, a great trainer will be able to decipher and translate dog language. You are more likely to blame if communication between you and your dog is difficult. Most dogs want to please their human companions and learn new things.
- Physical and Mental Satisfaction: Most dogs need regular mental and physical stimulation. So when you leave them alone at home for work, they need to adapt to spending time alone. Dog trainers know how to train them and maintain their happiness. After successful training sessions, your dog will grow into a self-reliant pepper.
- Solving Problems: Many dog parents will misunderstand the motivations behind their pets’ actions. An expert trainer will help tackle your dog’s problems effectively and give solutions that work. Qualified trainers are knowledgeable and can analyse specific issues properly and solve any difficulties.
- Resilience: Dog trainers can help dog parents deal with common issues like aggression, separation anxiety, obedience training, etc. However, it can be overwhelming to address the different behavioural problems that your dog could be displaying. This is why using expert dog training services might be helpful.
- Good Sense and Convenience: As we mentioned before, investing in a dog trainer ensures you want the best for your dog and you! And while you cannot make time for training, a trainer can do the heavy lifting for you. You can even hire professional dog trainers to come to your home and train your own dog!
Things To Remember
When hiring a dog trainer, remember to keep these things in mind,
● First, identify what your dog’s needs are. Your trainer doesn’t stay with your dog 24/7; you do. So first of all, know what skills you want from the training and let the trainer know.
● Once you identify the kind of dog training classes you want, settle on a type. But, again, the dog trainer doesn’t know your canine companion as well as you do. So do some research on the types of training, and recognize what type you want, then inform your trainer.
● Do your research on the trainer you’re about to hire. You could even shortlist some well-reviewed ones and speak to them. You must do this because you want the best for the well being of your pooch! Look at their certifications, and look up on the web too!
● If they have a facility or a centre, visit it. Find out if they’re maintaining cleanliness and how they’re housing dogs. This is imperative once you settle on your trainer.
Conclusion
We hope you found this article informative and useful! Always remember, there’s no bad dog, only incompetent dog owners. So be patient with the training and give your well trained dog time. Listen to your dog trainers advice and pick up some tricks and tips so you can do some homework with your pup!
FAQs
- How Can I Teach My Puppy Not To Bite?
Ans: Puppies like biting or, specifically, teething. Just like babies start teething at six months, puppies start much younger at just 2-3 weeks old! While this is a natural occurrence and seems playful initially, it can become annoying and uncomfortable for many dog parents. Try these popular methods to stop your puppy from biting,
● Whenever you feel your puppy’s teeth when they bite, just let out a high-pitched screech. Don’t yell; just a yelp. Follow this by walking away from them for 20-30 seconds. Then come back, and if they do it again, repeat for a few times.
● Give them chew toys. This is the best way to curb teething problems. Give them rubber or fabric toys. Please don’t give them rawhide or plastic chewables that are choking hazards.
2. How Do I House Train My Dog To Be More Sociable?
Ans: Socializing your dog is essential; you need to take them out on walks and help them get along with other dogs and people. Here are some tips to help your dog be more comfortable in public spaces and socialize,
● Take them out on more walks.
● Introduce your dog to another dog or puppy. Arrange fun playdates with your other dog parents and their furry babies.
● If you can, get them in doggy day-care. That is an excellent way to socialize your dog with other dogs and dog owners.
● Reward their good behaviour. Treat them when they behave positively with other dogs and people. This works best!