Be vigilant to find a positive dog trainer
Training your dog is as essential to their well-being as the food you feed them.
A dog needs boundaries and love; they also need to feel safe. A well-balanced, gently trained dog that feels safe will grow into a great canine citizen.
When you bring a dog into your life, it comes with a significant responsibility - ensuring the public is safe. Whether that dog is a puppy or an adult, you must ensure they are given the proper tools to succeed in life. Many rescue or shelter organizations make obedience classes mandatory upon adoption. If you buy a puppy from a reputable breeder, they may be a strong resource for training tips or they may be able to refer you to trustworthy trainers.
Ultimately, you have the final say on the trainer you will be working with side-byside. A dog can develop lifelong poor social habits in the hands of the wrong trainer so do your research before you hire one. Ask the trainer for references and speak to other dog owners or veterinarians for recommendations. Do not hire a trainer because they have a large following on social media. You must ensure the trainers’ techniques and teaching methods are not harsh.
Find a trainer who uses positive reinforcement with your dog. Avoid trainers who endorse outdated restraints such as shock collars, prong collars, choke chains or are combative and reckless when handling dogs.
A dog trained with positive reinforcement such as food or high-value toys will build a solid and healthy bond with its owner. A dog trained with aggressive, even hurtful, methods will develop trust issues and feel unsafe or anxious. Negatively trained dogs will most likely foster aggressive behaviour towards humans and other dogs. These dogs live in fear as they do not know when a simple walk will turn painful. Positivetrained
dogs feel safe and they trust their owner will not lead them into a situation they cannot handle.
Dogs often resemble people as they are individuals with differing personalities, necessities and demands. Taking these features into account will help you find a trainer who looks at your dog as an individual and designs training sessions around your dog’s needs and personality.
If your dog has developed bothersome habits, take a hard look at its current environment. If their daily routine has been upset or is unstable, they may be acting out because they are confused. Dogs flourish with a routine they can count on.
Never, under any circumstances, should you hit your dog because hands are always for affection. A dog disciplined by physical slaps may bite someone, and most likely, it will be a child. When a dog sees a human hand coming close to their face, they should instinctively trust they are about to be touched with affection.
Please be kind to animals.
Tracy Jessiman is a pet portrait artist who lives in Halifax with her husband and their three pets. She has been rescuing animals most of her life, but more intimately, animals rescued her.