I Trained My Dog Like a Navy SEAL – Here’s What Happened!
Introduction to Advanced Dog Training
Dog training, one of the crucial aspects of pet ownership, is an ongoing process that assists in maintaining a healthy relationship between a pet owner and their pet. Basic training starts with simple commands like “sit” or “stay”, but as any experienced dog owner would tell you, training doesn’t stop there. Advanced dog training, which tackles more complex tasks, assists in enhancing the bond between dogs and their owners while also ensuring dogs are well-behaved creatures of society.
Understanding the Process
Advanced dog training entails reinforcing basic commands and introducing dogs to new concepts and behaviours. The goal is to refine their skills and maintain consistency, even when faced with distractions. It may also involve addressing behavioural issues and preparing the dog to exhibit specific behaviours to adhere to the owner’s lifestyle. Techniques here are widely varied, expanding to signal-based learning, association-based learning, and task-specific commands.
Common Advanced Training Techniques
Clicker Training
Clicker training is a positive reinforcement technique that uses a sound-maker or ‘clicker’ to mark desirable behaviour. When the dog performs the requested action, a ‘click’ sound is made followed often by a reward creating an understanding for the dog that a specific action elicits a positive response.
Whisper Training
Whisper training focuses on building the relationship between the dog and owner. This approach relies on dog psychology, interpreting canine language and behaviour. It emphasises on understanding the needs/desires of your dog to facilitate training.
Obedience Training
Here, the focus is primarily on adherence to commands. This covers a variety of commands, from simple ones to more complicated ones like fetching a specific item. The goal is to reinforce command adherence even under substantial distractions.
Advanced Dog Training Benefits
Setting aside time to focus on advanced training reaps various benefits. It helps create high communication quality, reduces behavioural issues, creates stronger bonds and provides physical and mental stimulation for the pet.
High-Quality Communication
Advanced dog training can highly enhance the way an owner communicates with their dog. It teaches the dog not only to understand complex commands but also provides a medium for the dog to communicate back. The dog can indicate yes/no responses or even showcase an understanding of more intricate concepts.
Handling Behavioural Issues
Advanced techniques can help address stubborn behavioural issues. Dogs with such issues can be hard to manage, particularly in public spaces. Training can help mitigate this problem, teaching dogs to react appropriately to stimuli that may otherwise stress them or make them aggressive.
Strengthens Bonds
An often-understated benefit of advanced training is the bond it can help create between a dog and its owner. Through training sessions, the pet becomes more in sync with their owner, understanding their commands and limitations better. In return, the owner will be able to decipher their dog’s body language and signals which will promote a deeper connection.
Physical and Mental Stimulation
Like people, dogs also need physical and mental stimulation. Engaging your dog in advanced training exercises and activities provides the dog with a good workout physically and mentally. This helps keep your furry friend in peak physical condition and promotes their overall wellbeing.
Preparation for Advanced Dog Training
Starting advanced dog training needs preparation from both the owner and the dog. The dog needs to have mastered basic skills, while the owner needs to understand the commitment and patience required. Here are some essential elements:
Mastery of Basic Commands
Before venturing into advanced training, dogs should master basic commands. Basic commands are the building blocks for advanced training, as most of the advanced commands are just extensions of the basic ones.
Understanding Dog Behaviour
Understanding canine behaviour is paramount for effective training. Owners should be able to interpret their dog’s body language, vocalization, and responses to various stimuli, enabling an effective training process and a robust owner-dog relationship.
Implementing Advanced Dog Training Techniques
Now that you understood what advanced dog training is, what are the prerequisites and benefits, the next step is to implement it. But remember to progress at your dog’s pace. Make sure each step is understood before moving onto the next.
FAQs
How long does it take to train a dog with advanced techniques?
The duration of training is highly subjective, depending on factors like the dog’s age, breed, temperament, and the consistency of training. It can take anywhere from few months to over a year.
Can I train my dog alone, or do I need a professional?
While owners can certainly train their dogs, a professional trainer can prove valuable. This especially holds for dealing with behavioural problems or highly-specific training forms.
Conclusion
In essence, advanced dog training is an invaluable tool that strengthens the bond between a dog and its owner and creates a perfect harmony within the household. It improves the overall quality of life for the dog, the owner, and others around, making it an investment well worth considering.
