Editor’s Note: San Franciscan Courtney Gunter was the voters’ favorite dog sitter in our 2009 and 2010 Beast of the Bay Awards (plus she took second place in the dog-walking category). Here she shares her tips for making the most of your dog training investment.
If you want a well-behaved dog, training is the last thing you should be thinking about. That’s not to say you aren’t going to want to train your dog; you will. It just means that formal training is only one in a series of steps designed to make your dog the best-behaved, happiest, most reliable canine companion he can be.
Training in its proper time and place is one of the most important investments you will make in your dog. It can be useful, though, to consider some other crucial factors before you begin.
Exercise, is key
There is no question that sufficient exercise is essential for a well-behaved, happy, healthy dog. Your daily walk is an important bonding time for you and your dog, as well as an opportunity to practice leadership.
Equally important, exploring the world every day stimulates and expands your dog’s mind, developing his ability to learn and his tolerance for new situations – and these skills are important in everything you do together.
Make sure that your dog is getting the appropriate type and amount of exercise for his specific needs. What exhausts your senior Bulldog is barely a warm up for the Springer Spaniel next door. I know a few Jack Russell Terriers whose brains don’t start working until they’ve run at least two miles. Attempting to teach one of these dogs when he’s been inappropriately exercised will be a frustrating experience on both ends and can derail your training plans.
Active dogs and bored dogs alike benefit from the challenge and variety of dog sports and games – agility, fetch, canine disc, rally, swimming, dock diving, tracking, even doggie dancing. Agility exercises, in particular, are beneficial for every dog. Your Great Dane might not be the most graceful dog on the course, but don’t let that stop you from having fun! Agility is a great way to build confidence and teaches your dog important lessons about her body. Whatever forms of exercise your dog prefers, make this activity a high priority for your time together.
Socialization
Group activities help meet your dog’s mental and physical exercise needs and provide socialization, another essential part of any well-rounded dog’s regular program. There is an especially high expectation for city-dwelling dogs to be socially adept. If your dog mixes easily with others, she’ll find plenty of opportunities for fun and exercise in the urban environment, from group walks to dog parks, from doggie daycare to meet-up groups.
Some dog don’t “play well with others,” and this makes it difficult for their owners to keep them well-exercised and mentally stimulated. In fact, this is what drives many dog owners to trainers in the first place.
Active and consistent socialization is crucial, no matter where your dog falls on the social spectrum. Exposing your pup to lots of different people and settings when he is still very young will save you lots of catch-up time later on. That said, group dog walks build valuable confidence for insecure and shy dogs of any age.
Dogs who fail in daycare may thrive in an off-leash group walk. I have seen group walks cure separation anxiety and I’ve seen owners cry with joy to see their previously reactive dogs walking on leash calmly next to others of their kind.
Each dog’s socialization needs and goals are different, but it’s always critically important.
Health and Nutrition
Make sure a complete veterinary exam is part of your dog’s pre-training program. If you are working through behavior problems, it’s important to rule out any physical causes. Dogs who are sick or in pain may be more reactive than usual. They can be reluctant to exercise or go for walks.
Sometimes a thyroid problem underlies or contributes to behavior problems. Something as simple as a joint health supplement or daily pain medication can turn a crabby loner into a happy, social hound. Some dogs might benefit from other kinds of medication, as well, and from canine bodywork or alternative therapies like acupuncture, homeopathy, or herbal medicine. Don’t skip the wellness step.
And don’t forget good nutrition. You feel better – and handle stress better – when you’re eating right, and your dog is no different. The effects of proper nutrition are far reaching. Improving a dog’s diet will always help set them up to succeed.
There are few subjects more certain to get dog lovers arguing than the right way to feed a dog, so just be sure you’ve done some research and are making informed, responsible decisions about how you feed your pup.
Y-O-U
Finally, one of the most influential factors in your dog’s success is you. You are the most important thing in your dog’s life, and she is highly attuned to all things YOU. Dogs pick up on and react to any change in the environment and are very sensitive to the emotional subtleties of the people they love.
I once did a training evaluation with a woman whose dog had begun showing aggression towards men in general, but particularly her husband, and she was very concerned about it. Before our training had even begun, she called me to report that her husband had become violent with her, and she had kicked him out. Once he was gone, so was the biting problem. Her dog thrived in training, but we never saw the aggression again.
If your dog is going through a rough period, stop and consider what has changed about you. Is there a new source of tension in your life? Have you been dealing with health, relationship, or work challenges? If so, managing your own stress can help your canine companion immensely. Sometimes, just taking a deep breath and visualizing a positive training outcome before you begin a training session with your dog can make a big difference.
You play a critical role in your dog’s success. He looks to you to provide the structure, stability, and guidance he needs to grow. Be consistent, be patient, and maximize your training success by addressing the needs of the whole animal in a well-rounded training program.
Courtney Gunter is the owner of The Whole Pet and is dedicated to providing a holistic and balanced approach to dog training and pet care (www.thewholepet.net). She is a board member for The Friends of SF Animal Care and Control, a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and Pet Sitters International, and a certified Pet Tech Pet First Aid Instructor.
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