Are You Always Training that Dog?

By Lisa Spector, Canine Music Expert, Juilliard Graduate, and co-creator of Through a Dog’s Ear.

In honor of National Train your Dog Month sponsored by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), I have been dedicated my January blogs to dog training, specifically positive reinforcement, science-based training. My previous blog included an interview with veterinary behaviorist Ian Dunbar, the founder of APDT and the first trainer to start off-leash puppy and socialization classes with pups starting at 8 weeks of age.

A local business owner, who sees me often with Sanchez, made a passing comment the other day that really got my attention. He said, “You’re always training that dog.” While he didn’t mean it as a criticism, he certainly didn’t intend it to be a compliment, even though I replied with “Thank you.” A better compliment might have been, “You are always building relationship with your dog.” But, I don’t think that’s what he saw.

Sanchez is seven and was bred to be a guide dog. He loves to socialize, work, and keep his mind active. Recently I read that keeping a dog’s brain engaged is the key to a happy, healthy companion. This is very true with Sanchez. His mind is always working and even though he gets a tremendous amount of exercise, it needs to be combined with mental stimulation. I live in a very dog friendly town and he goes almost everywhere with me and loves all the attention he gets. Most locals know him by name. I work with him whenever we are in line at the bank, the hardware store, and when he needs a break from being in a down stay at the Apple Store (where we are both receiving training).

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Kori B.

9:18AM PDT on Oct 29, 2011

Yeah whether or not you mean to you are always training your dog. This needs to be told to my mother who reinforces questionable behaviours by giving treats after they steal something from her plate >_>

send a green star

Eternal G.

5:39PM PST on Feb 22, 2011

No, I'm always training my cats!

Sue M.

2:07PM PST on Feb 15, 2011

thanks!

Darilynn T.

12:47AM PST on Feb 6, 2011

What a good dog!

Klarissa B.

10:31AM PST on Feb 5, 2011

thank you

Jeramie D.

8:06PM PST on Jan 29, 2011

It is my understanding that training never ends.

Barbara E.

10:37PM PST on Jan 21, 2011

noted, thanx

Tamila m.

10:12AM PST on Jan 21, 2011

noted.. thanks

Una D.

2:51AM PST on Jan 21, 2011

Thanks, I enjoy training and working with my dog

Nada A.

1:25AM PST on Jan 21, 2011

I like play with my dogs..playing catch-up, retrieve, hide and seek ... and when I have biscuits in your pocket, they are most obedient dogs on Earth:)I love them!