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Selective Breeding
As this mutually beneficial relationship progressed, people began to prize dogs for specific qualities. Some were valued for their alertness, while others were valued for speed, or responsiveness to learning. This was the beginning of selective breeding for desired traits. It has resulted in hundreds of breeds that encompass a vast array of distinct characteristics. In every breed, certain traits are accentuated to improve their ability to assist us, and in some cases simply to be beautiful, enjoyable companions. For instance, the sighthounds were bred for extreme speed and keen eyesight, to hunt fast game over the flat open terrain of the Middle East. On the other side of Asia, the Pekingese was developed in China’s Imperial Court to resemble a lion, guard the palace, and act as a loyal, dignified companion to the royal family.
TRAINING TRUTH
Focus on Companion Dogs
People certainly valued canine companionship during the early stages of the canine-human bond. But at that point in time, no one had the resources to keep dogs solely as friends. People were far more concerned with the contribution that dogs could make toward everyone’s survival. As a result, they became more specialized for particular jobs. We have spent thousands of years accentuating, appreciating, and benefiting from every breed’s unique working function. Our world has changed, and our reliance on dogs as working companions has decreased. There are still plenty of dogs with day jobs such as bomb, drug, and cancer-sniffing dogs, as well as police and service dogs—to name just a few. However, the focus of our relationships with our dogs has shifted from work to companionship. Regardless of their original function, most dogs now live their lives as our companions. Some breeds adapt to this modern role more easily than others. In some cases, it is at odds with the breed’s underlying behavioral traits.
Every Dog Needs a Job
All dogs need a job, regardless of their size, type, ancestry, or age. The goal in creating a job description for today’s pet dogs is to provide them with an outlet for their physical and mental energy. The easiest way to do this is by teaching skills that will become your dog’s job. Dogs that are occupied with doing the things we want have little time or energy for activities we don’t want them to do. As a result, the underlying canine and human relationship is enhanced.
TRAINER’S TIP
Although dogs want to be accepted into our social groups, they don’t automatically understand the rules. They require our thoughtful guidance and an understanding of their needs as they learn to recognize and choose appropriate behaviors. Family members should discuss this and agree on an approach to training and a set of clearly defined goals for future reference.
Training not only enhances your dog’s well-being, it’s also an important social responsibility. Whether it’s fair or not, a dog’s conduct is viewed as a reflection of his family and their ability to be responsible owners.
Teaching our dogs to be well-mannered should not be seen as a desire to exert our will over them. It is vital to their safety and ensures that they will be warmly welcomed in their community and in our homes.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Dogs that remain in one loving and responsible home throughout their lives generally have two things in common; their families have realistic expectations and a commitment to ongoing education. When setting expectations, consider your dog’s age, temperament, activity level, and health. It’s equally important to honestly assess your ability to follow through with teaching your dog to do what you want on a consistent basis. An honest assessment of these variable factors will prevent frustration and encourage success. Generally, dogs only fail when asked to do things for which they aren’t prepared. This happens when your efforts to teach them something are inconsistent, or when they are not yet mentally or physically equipped to learn the concept.
Commitment and Compliance
Most people start out with the best of intentions when they get a dog. They imagine how their dog will behave (for example, he won’t jump onto the furniture). Yet, in a short time, their dog behavior wish list has been replaced by a list of behavior problems and excuses for why they developed.
Inconsistency is a major reason for this. Good intentions are meaningless without realistic expectations and a consistent agenda of helping your dog learn the behaviors that you want from him. You cannot expect your dog to be mannerly and quiet if you are in the habit of praising him for jumping around and howling with excitement when you arrive home. This lack of consistency can be quite confusing for dogs and will most likely lead to disappointment for the family in regard to their dog’s overall behavior.
CHECKLIST
Training Expectations
Most people share the same general training goals. They hope for a dog that is friendly and safe, mannerly, responsive to requests, housetrained, and trustworthy when unsupervised. However, specific expectations vary. Clarify your goals by making a list of behaviors you consider important in your dog. For example:
Dog Behavior Wish List
– How would you like your dog to greet people?
– Where should your dog eliminate?
– What should he chew, and more importantly, refrain from chewing?
– How should he behave when left alone?
– When is barking permissible and when should it stop?
– What cues or commands should he respond to reliably?
– How should he react when you take something away from him?
– Is he allowed to jump on the furniture?
While your family is setting goals and expectations for your dog’s behavior, you should also discuss the reasons why they are important. This way, everyone will be motivated to follow through with training. For instance, a dog that doesn’t come when called can be seriously hurt if he happens to slip from his leash on a busy street. A dog that consistently eliminates on rugs is in danger of being relinquished to a shelter. Consistently encouraging your dog’s behavior in the right direction requires a team effort.
TRAINING TRUTH
Curb Your Frustration
Dogs thrive
