A gentle, effective way to train
RECYCLED LOVE
Training your dog is as important to their well-being as the food you feed them.
A dog not only needs structure, boundaries and love, but most importantly it needs to feel safe. A well-balanced dog that feels safe will thrive and blossom into a great canine citizen.
When you decide to bring a dog into your life it is your responsibility to ensure the public is kept safe. Whether that dog is a puppy or an adult you must ensure it's given the proper skills to succeed in life. Many rescues and shelters make obedience classes mandatory upon adoption. If you buy a puppy from a reputable breeder they can be a strong resource for training tips. A respectable breeder may also refer you to trustworthy trainers.
Ultimately, you will be deciding on the trainer you will be working with and it will take some effort to find one. A dog can develop life-long dreadful habits in the hands of the wrong trainer, please do your homework before you hire one. Ask the trainer for references and speak to other dog owners for recommendations. Do not hire a trainer because they have the best website or social media account with numerous followers. Drill down on the trainers' techniques and teaching methods.
Find a trainer who uses leadership and positive reinforcement. A trainer who enlists outdated restraints such as shock collars, prong collars, choke chains or are combative and reckless when handling a dog, should be avoided.
A dog trained with positive reinforcement such as food or a favourite toy will build a strong emotional bond with their owner. A dog trained with aggressive, hurtful methods will cultivate trust issues and feel unsafe or anxious. These dogs can develop aggressive behaviour towards humans and other dogs. Imagine not knowing when a simple walk will turn painful. A dog wearing a shock, prong or choke chain lives in a state of fear.
A positive-trained dog feels safe and trusts their owner will not lead them into a situation they cannot handle.
Dogs can resemble people. They are individuals with differing personalities, necessities and demands. Taking these features into account will help you find the perfect trainer as all dogs learn in their own manor. If a dog has developed unsavoury habits, take a long hard look at their current environment. If their daily routine has been upset or become unstable, they may be acting out because they are confused. Dogs work on instinct and they flourish with a routine they can count on.
One last piece of advice: never, under any circumstances, should you hit your dog. Hands are for affection only. A dog disciplined by physical slaps will end up biting someone and most likely it will be an innocent child. When a dog sees a human hand coming at their face, that dog should instinctively trust they are about to be touched with affection.
Please be kind to animals.