Dog Training: Should You Pay For Lessons?

When training a dog or puppy, there are two different ways to approach the task. The first, and probably most popular, is to try and train the dog yourself using a standard reward scheme of training (for example, if the dog performs a trick successfully, he gets a small treat). Many owners enjoy this kind of training, and it does have its benefits. Firstly, both you and your dog friend will be able to learn at your own pace and go over things that you’re finding particularly difficult. You’ll be able to partake of the lessons in the comfort of your own home, and make sure you learn the tricks that are particular for your lifestyle.

Yet the answer cannot be this simple; if everyone were managing to train their pooches, then surely the professional world of dog training would not exist? Well, professional and paid dog training does indeed have its place in the world and can be an extremely valuable asset in the battle to train your dog. However, it is probably best for both you and your canine companion to try the at-home method of training first.

Dog training with a professional can be expensive, and with most things, if you can try and manage it yourself without the aid of a trained professional, it is better for your wallet. However, there is no guarantee of success when trying to train your dog yourself; if you encounter stumbling blocks, or find that you and your dog simply aren’t advancing in the way you feel you should be, it’s probably time to seek some outside guidance. There is no admitting of defeat in this or associated failure; just like you’d call a plumber or electrician for a complicated at-home job, you’re simply calling on a person with a better knowledge and experience of dog training.

If you find that you and your pet have reached a seemingly unbreakable point in your aims to train them, then do seek professional guidance. While it is still worth trying yourself, if only for the financial benefits, it is best to turn to someone with more experience should the situation call for it.

Can You Teach An Old Dog New Tricks?

The phrase “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” has become popular usage in everyday situations, usually used to refer to people or animals that are set in their ways. It is, however, a phrase that is often wondered by many people with older dogs –it is easy to take the saying quite literally, with many people genuinely wondering if it is possible to teach an older canine new tricks. So – is it?

The simple answer is that the phrase is incorrect; it is absolutely possible to teach an older dog new tricks. Just like human beings, a dog’s capacity for learning is not finite. Can you imagine how difficult life would be for humans if, upon reaching the age of 50, we could suddenly learn nothing more? With technology constantly changing and rules and beurocracy requiring constant mental updating as to how they work, it is simply essential for any mammal to be able to continue to learn and develop throughout their lives. In the wild, where the ancestors of the dog belong, a failure to learn and adapt would result in potentially fatal situations if presented with the threat of a new predator.

However, some credence should be given to the saying. Again, using the human comparison, while it is possible for the older generation of a species to learn new things, it may take a little longer. While a teenager is able to understand the latest computer applications seemingly at a moment’s notice, an older person will need a little longer to comprehend the same application.

It is therefore imperative that, should you decide to train your older dog, to be patient. This is especially important if, in the dog’s youth, you trained them yourselves and found they picked things up easily. You must make allowance for age and slightly reduced understanding capabilities, but this does not mean the job itself is impossible.

Crate Training – For The Good of All

The practice of crate training a dog or puppy has been established for several years now, yet still remains a hot topic for debate amongst dog owners and canine experts. The main point of contention seems to be that some regard crate training as rather cruel to the dog, while others see it as a necessary evil when it comes to dog ownership in the 21st century.

Crate training in itself is relatively simple. A dog owner will purchase a good-sized metal crate – often described by the denominators as a cafe – which the dog is trained to use. The idea is that the dog can be shut up in the cage, quite happily, to allow for a freedom of living for the owners. Ideally, it means an end to chewed furniture when you’re out of house and a peaceful night’s sleep without the dog causing mayhem while your back is turned.

Crate training is said to be particularly useful when trying to housetrain a puppy to use the outside for their toilet needs. There is no real knowledge of why this is so effective, but the main assumptions are that when a specific dog-only area is created, the dog is more likely to understand the need to keep it free of mess.

Despite a somewhat unsavoury reputation in some areas, crate training can be very effective. Not only does it preserve furniture, but it is also a convenient way of keeping a dog safe in a harmful environment – if, for example, you are redecorating in winter, you will want to keep your dog from the paint but won’t want to shut them outside. Advocates of crate training also say that many dogs come to love their crates and the idea of having their own personal space, with many dogs voluntarily using them after a few weeks.

The main issue becomes when owners use the crate as a punishment; for example, if a dog has done something naughty, they are trapped in the crate for a period of time. Suddenly, the crate that was meant to make a dog happier and prevent mishap, is nothing more than a glorified prison cell. This is where the usage problems arise and the calls of cruelty appear. In actuality, if you use a crate for the purpose it was intended for and never as a punishment, it can be a valuable asset to any home.