Why do we need to train our canine friends? Why do so many dogs end up in shelters? And why do humans believe a dog should just know how to behave?
The number one reason dogs end up in shelters is due to a lack of training early on and the lack of continuation of training throughout the dog's first year of life. Puppies need to begin training outside of your home as soon as they are given the clearance from your Veternarian. Owners also need to continue this training throughout the dog's adolescence which starts around 6 months of age and continues to almost the age of 2 years. Humans believe that puppy behaviour is just that, puppy behaviour. It seems so innocent and manageable because the puppy is cute and small and the bad behaviours seem so small. But that puppy will soon become large, unruly and put in a shelter because the owners can no longer control him. Imagine a parent deciding not to teach her child manners before the age of 13 years. Would you just expect that teenager to all of a sudden behave properly and have manners without any teaching from you. Of course not!!! That child has to be taught from the very beginning right from wrong as well as the house rules. There is no difference when raising a puppy!!! Research now shows that puppies are more than capable of learning behaviours as young as 8 weeks of age. Positive reinforcement training has also made learning fun for both puppy and owner. The pups then grow up healthy, socialized and easier to manage when adolescence kicks in instead of being sent to a shelter where the end results could be deadly.
So, when you bring home that sweet little puppy, you are basically given a clean slate to work with. Yes, genetics will play a huge role in your dog's temperament but environment can play an even bigger part. So, it is up to you to turn that puppy into a well rounded and happy canine.
For those of you that own older dogs, don't despair. With positive reinforcement training, you can teach an old dog new tricks. We have classes that cater not just to puppies but also for the more mature dog. It is never too late to start training your dog. They are amazing animals and learn very quckly at any age!
