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The Benefits of Training, Socialization and Exercise
I would like to share my professional opinion on the benefits of
training. Through training you will build a strong lifelong bond
between you and your dog. A well-behaved dog is more likely to
become an active member of your family. Well-socialized, trained
dogs make it easy for you to take them on vacations, to parks,
and on visits to family members' homes without it being
stressful for either of you. Training requires consistency,
motivation and timing. The main thing most people do not realize
is that the training is for the owner as well as the dog. Dogs
cannot think like we do, but we can surely think like them; we
just need to learn how. Dogs are pack animals, and in their pack
there is always a leader, the Alpha. We just need to understand
how to become an alpha. Communication is the key. The alpha
dictates everything to the pack; she/ he will teach boundaries
as well as what is acceptable and what is not. If we train like
we are the alpha then it is instinctual for the dog to
understand that we are in charge.
Socialization
Builds your dog's temperament, and an even-tempered dog is less
likely to be aggressive or fearful and will have fewer
behavioral problems. Dogs that have been exposed to many
different people, places and objects are much easier to train as
well. If dogs are not exposed to different places, people,
terrains and objects they can build up a fear of anything new or
of any change in their routine. Always make sure your dog is
fully immunized before you start any socialization. Check with
your veterinarian first before any socialization occurs. People
do not realize that dogs must be exposed to as simple a thing as
sand, for example. I had a client call me while on her vacation;
she was stunned that the dog she thought was well-socialized
would not get on the beach. Her dog was scared of the sensation
of her feet sinking into the sand. Now she remembered I had told
her to take her puppy to sand early on, so there would not be an
avoidance of it later in the dog's life. She found out the hard
way that socialization has many forms, shapes and textures.
Another example involved a lady that moved into a new home where
there were 4 stair wells. One was outside off a deck and you
could see through to the other side, a very scary situation for
some dogs. Now the dog is 2 ½ years old and does not know how to
go up or down stairs. The importance of socialization is
tremendous. The main thing we all want is a well- mannered,
well-behaved dog, and this can be accomplished through
Socialization and Training.
Exercise
Dogs build up a level of stress and energy everyday which can
determine how they interact with you, your kids and other dogs.
Exercise releases stress and energy. Your dog needs exercise
every day for this release. A bored dog can become a "bad dog",
whereas an exercised dog leads to a calm, well- behaved dog.
Remember, an exhausted dog does nothing wrong! One form of
exercise is getting your dog interested in a ball or Frisbee.
Find places (if you do not have a fenced back yard) to allow
your dog to run. Long walks are helpful, but running releases
the most amount of energy and stress. Allow your dog to have
"dog time" where he/she can just be a dog, and run, jump, play,
chew and dig. Most of a dog's natural behaviors are what we want
a dog not to do; seems a little unfair, don't you think? Dogs
naturally greet one another by jumping, mouthing, and smelling.
Within their pack the greeting is a big deal. There is
competition for attention, and that naturally raises the dog's
energy level. You can teach a dog another way to greet you
besides jumping, through training and consistency . Dogs are
social animals and want to be with their "pack"- you are their
pack. Have fun! Exercise, Socialize and Train your dog and the
rest is simple!
About the author:
Susie Aga
HREF="http://www.atlantadogtrainer.com/">Atlanta Dog Trainer
Susie is the featured Pet Expert for Turner Broadcasting and
hosts The Animal Hour radio show on AM1650. She is a
member in good standing with the Association of Pet Dog
Trainers. She has four rescue dogs and donates much of her time
and services to rescue organizations.
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