Why Obedience Training Is So Important

Remember the excitement you feel when you master a new skill? It is the same for dogs. They love learning and doing new things with their human companions. Your dog can learn new skills to make life easier with you as a patient and caring guide. Some of these skills can help keep your canine companion safe and help them interact with the world in healthy and happy ways. 

What Is Dog Obedience Training?

Training your canine companion to obey basic commands is essential for ensuring proper control and safety of your dog. According to AKC’s guidelines, all dogs should know and respond to a minimum of five basic commands, which are:

• Heel

• Sit

• Come

• Down

• Stay

These constitute basic obedience training. However, the training process can go deeper than the basics. Dog obedience training teaches your pup how to behave in various environments and social situations. 

Benefits of Dog Obedience Training

While most people refer to the process as obedience training, it is not so much about teaching a dog to do something. Instead, it is about helping a dog learn something, which starts with trust. Dogs tend to develop trusting relationships with their parents through shared activities. These include playing games, walking, meeting new friends, and learning skills. The benefits of obedience training include:

Better Control of Commands

One of the critical benefits of obedience training is that well-trained dogs will obey every command. Understanding basic commands will make avoiding confrontations and diffusing difficult situations more manageable. Furthermore, a trained dog is safe to bring out in public and busy environments. You will not be anxious about their safety or the safety of others. 

Foundation of Behavior Modification

Obedience training helps dogs understand who is in charge. Your furry friend will have difficulty getting by without understanding the dynamics of your relationship. Learning the boundaries and rules to live by will provide a solid foundation for lifelong good behavior. 

Safety in Difficult Situations

Frightened dogs tend to run away when scared. Such frightening situations can turn deadly if your furry friend runs into wild areas with predators or busy road traffic. Teaching your dog to stay or come will prevent this from happening. 

Bonding With the Owner

A dog obedience training course can establish a rock-solid connection between dogs and their human companions. Also, this form of training can make your dog more relaxed and happier, besides teaching skills required to build trust through clear communication. 

Constant Flow of Information

Dogs are intelligent creatures. They need constant physical and mental stimulation to keep them healthy and happy. Obedience training challenges dogs to use their problem-solving skills with their owners’ guidance. Learning new commands will give your dog an excellent opportunity to use their mind in the real world. 

Conclusion

Dogs should be able to respond to commands no matter where they are and what is happening around them. Well-trained dogs can even sit on a busy street, watch their human companions walk away, and not move until they get the signal.

For more on obedience training, visit Lakeville Family Pet Clinic at our office in Lakeville, Minnesota. Call (952) 595-6500 to schedule an appointment today.