These commands are an important part of pet training, and they will make your dog more than just a good boy or girl.
“Training really serves many purposes,” says Dawn Barrientos, trainer at Stoney Run Canine Camp in Hebron. “One is creating a strong partnership with your dog. The dog benefits from knowing what is expected. The handler benefits from knowing how to communicate effectively with their dog, and others benefit when the dog is well-mannered.”
“Because dogs communicate differently than people, appropriate training provides dogs with a way to anticipate human responses and gives them a skill set to deal with unexpected events and circumstances,” says Dr. Gene Pavlovsky, primary care medical director at the Veterinary Medicine South Clinic University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
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He says the most important thing to teach your dog is to trust humans and advises owners to train appropriate leash walking and basic commands such as sit, lay, stay and relax.
It's important to start training early and keep expectations realistic, Barrientos says.
“Training should begin as soon as your dog comes into your life,” says Barrientos. “It's so much easier to set up good habits from Day One than to try to break bad habits and re-establish new habits in their place.”
To that end, Barrientos also notes that rewarding good behaviors is important. “Start catching and rewarding behavior you want to see instead of focusing only on cues and correcting bad behavior.”
“By introducing puppies to new people, places and situations, we help them build confidence and resilience,” says Abby Panozzo, a certified veterinary technician and veterinary medical technology program director at Joliet Junior College.
Panozzo says training and socialization can begin at 3-12 weeks of age. “Expose puppies to diverse experiences including people, other animals and various environments during this time to help prevent the development of fear, anxiety and aggression later in life. In most cases, when conducted in controlled environments, the benefits of early socialization and training far outweigh the risk of infectious disease.”
Panozzo recommends working with a trainer who shares your training philosophy and understands your dog's personality well. “This will help ensure a positive and enjoyable training experience that promotes the overall health and happiness of your furry family member,” she says.
Panozzo uses positive reinforcement, such as treats, praise and play, to encourage desirable behaviors and promote a lifelong love for learning.
“Dogs learn by association; if a dog sits and receives a treat every time it does, the dog learns that sitting means good things,” says Pavlovsky.
Benefits of training also apply to more mature dogs, who may need to correct undesirable behaviors.
“I’m not sure where the adage ‘an old dog can't learn new tricks' came from,” Barrientos says. “But I can tell you it is 100% false. They can learn, but it means a lot of work on our end.”
If your dog displays concerning behaviors such as aggression, inappropriate chewing or house soiling, Pavlovsky urges a vet consultation to rule out underlying medical issues and receive guidance on the next steps.
“Dog owners should seek help from qualified dog trainers so they can be on the same page with the training plan and implement it at home,” Pavlovsky says. He recommends checking for credentials from reputable organizations such as the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and the Karen Pryor Academy.
Punishment, fear or pain-based training techniques can cause long-term behavioral problems including anxiety, stress and aggression, says Pavlovsky, another proponent of reward-based training.
“Usually, a class is effective for learning, because it provides built-in distractions,” says Barrientos. “Private lessons are for dogs with behavioral issues that will not allow them to participate in a class or when they want to advance in a specific sport. After you have a good obedience foundation, we suggest finding a fun class” your dog can succeed at.
She says agility classes may be over-stimulating for excitable dogs, who may be better suited to a nose work class, a scent tracking activity.
Training also is rewarding for owners. “Learning to effectively communicate what is expected helps set the dog up for success and reduce stress on the human end of the leash,” says Barrientos.
