Dogs that star in movies are great. It even makes you jealous. Why can’t your dog be as well-behaved or as talented, right? I mean dogs like Hachiko and Bella (the Pitbull in a “Dog’s Way Home”) set the bar high. It makes you realize how smart dogs are and wonder what they might be capable of accomplishing.
Tell me I’m not the only one guilty of trying to understand how dogs speak. When you’re young, you wonder what it means when dogs bark at each other or when they howl at night. If they’re not communicating, why else would they be barking or howling in chorus? There’s more to our pet’s world than we will ever know. But I swear, if I ever get the chance to get one superpower, I would choose the ability to communicate with canines. It would be super cool if I could do that.
It’s good to note, however, that we’re not the only ones trying to understand each other (check out this video). Canines, too, do their best to live in our world and to do things our way. Their love and loyalty enable them to control their instincts and live with us as domesticated animals. They allow us to train them, invade their personal spaces, and manage their environment so that they can co-exist with us in peace.
If you read zoology books, you would know canines are fierce and relentless predators – and dogs are part of this family. The fact that they’re willing to be domesticated shows us just how much love they have for their human friends.
So if you’re looking to have your dog trained soon, it’s vital that you understand what it means to “train” them. I have seen many owners turn into real-life ogres when it comes to dog training. And it’s a real pity to see the little pups suffer because of their owners’ impatience. As I said before, dogs can’t understand what we say just as we can’t understand them. But they’re reaching out, and they’re trying their hardest to be with you. You should at least learn to recognize that.
We, from Train Your Canine Dog Training Company, have been training canines for years, so we at least have an idea of what approaches work and what doesn’t. Again, we are not dog whisperers, and we don’t have an exact formula on how to train your dog. We do, however, have experience – and it is extensive. So what we know is not just something we got from observing one dog. We learned it from countless dogs.
So far, there are three things we know for sure:
Violence won’t get you anywhere
Yes, that’s right. The results would be the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve. I’ve seen many owners lash out on their pets because they can’t respond to their expectations.
Again, allow me to remind you that what we’re trying to overcome here is not just a language or race barrier; we are trying to communicate and train a living being from another species. You cannot expect your dog to comprehend what you’re asking because you raise your voice a bit or show signs of hurting them.
They love you, and they will always love you – regardless of how cruel or impatient you can be during training. I hope that you also love your dog and understand he’s trying his best, but he can’t communicate with you.
If you want them to learn something, violence is never the answer. Lashing out when you’re feeling impatient is not the answer. No matter how many bruises you inflict upon them, it’s not going to make them human. You will only sow fear and resentment.
If you keep resorting to violence, you’d be surprised when the day comes that they no longer look at you as their friend. They will look at you as an oppressor. And nothing else you do will change that impression.
Be patient because the process takes time
Training a dog is not something you do overnight. It’s not something that reaps results after a couple of hours. It takes time, effort, and patience – especially patience.
Think about it you needed to go to school for about two decades to become the person you are now. You needed to be honed and molded for a long time, so don’t expect your dog to be civil and proper overnight. It won’t take years, but it is a process. Be patient and keep at it. Your dog will learn.
Establishing a reward system usually works
Instead of violence, why not develop a reward system instead? Why not give your dog a treat if he’s a good boy and follows what you ask perfectly?
Give your dog a belly rub whenever she stays when you say, “Stay” and sits whenever you say, “Sit”? Giving rewards far surpasses inflicting violence when it comes to training success rates. Furthermore, you build a better relationship with your canine – not the other way around.