Dog Training Blog (Writing Sample)

Mar 11

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EP4: Types of Dog Training | Why It’s Not a One Size Fits All

Did you know that there is not one type of training that is best for all dogs? Depending on their age and the cause of their underlying problem, the type of training you chose should differ.

We’ve all experienced the frustration and embarrassment that comes with our dogs barking and lunging at other dogs and people while on a leash, or being super afraid of strangers. Sometimes it can be easier to think that something is wrong with our dog, that they're being bad, then it is to think that we may need to do something about it.

If you let your dog's problem get out of hand, it's bound to get worse. If you have back pain, and take an aspirin, but it turns out you actually have a perforated disc, do you think that the aspirin is going to do you any good? Probably not, and that is because you are addressing the symptom and not the cause. And it’s time to address the cause.

In this episode of the Naughty Dog Podcast, you’ll learn:

The perfect time for puppy socialization,
When your dog needs manners or obedience training, and
When behavior modification may be necessary

Leave me a comment, or send me a DM on instagram @allabouttrainingdogs, and let me know what type of training you think your dog needs.

In This Episode, You Will Learn

The 3 categories of dog training
Why puppy socialization is preventative and not reactive training
What manners/obedience training should be used for
Why behavior modification is the most common form of training

Types of Dog Training

In my over 10 years of dog training, it is pretty common for me to hear that a specific dog training wasn’t working for my client before they came to me. And it is because the wrong type of dog training was chosen for that particular dog.

Dogs, just like people, are very unique. They each have their own set of fears and anxieties, and it is up to us to help put them at ease. However, it is hard to stop a baby from crying if you're feeding them when they are actually tired, or putting them down for a nap when they are actually hungry. So, what type of dog training does your dog need?

Puppy Socialization
Manner/Obedience Training
Behavior Modification

Puppy Socialization

Puppy socialization, and I cannot stress this enough, is for PUPPIES! The ideal time for this is between 3-12 weeks old. When your puppy is older than that, the approach has to be different.

When a puppy is 3-12 weeks, they are about 80% curious about the world, and 20% fearful.

After about 13-16 weeks, they are now the opposite. 20% curious and 80% FEARFUL! It is hard to try to socialize your dog, when they are now cautious, scared, or largely anxious about everything they have not had a positive experience with.

Manner/Obedience Training

This type of dog training is largely overused for the wrong purposes. People think that if your dog is barking, that if you make them sit instead, that this is resolving the issue. But barking is just a symptom and sitting will not cure the cause.

Manner/obedience training is to teach your dog an action:

Sit
Stay
Go to your bed
Down
Come

This is the elementary school for dogs, teaching them to listen when spoken to.

Behavior Modification

This is what about 98% of my clients require. This is a specific program to help dogs that bark, lunge, bite, snap, growl, have anxiety, separation anxiety, or are extremely shy.

This is to help address whether your dog is behaving in a negative way around a certain stimulus and addressing it so that the behavior does not continue and get worse!

So…what type of training do you think your dog needs?