Dogs are endearing creatures, and many pet owners treat them almost like humans. Unlike humans, however, dogs may have difficulty following certain commands. They also have certain habits that seem playful or funny, but, in the end, may actually be destructive.
Chasing the family pet cat, for example, or extreme barking, can seem to just be like doggy idiosyncrasies. However, it may cause a lot of trouble in the house in the form of broken furniture or difficulty with socializing your dog. In some cases, your dog would need professional help in terms of obedience training like the ones being given by H&H Dog Training.
You shouldn’t look at obedience training as a failure on your part as a pet owner. Instead, it is part of your love and care for your dog. Your main goal is that you will want them to be in the best behavior possible so you will have a better relationship with them and have more fun times with them.
The following are signs that you need to get a dog trainer:
- Your dog is aggressive
Sometimes aggressive behavior is manifested as growling and barking. Your dog may also behave aggressively towards other pets and try to attack them. They may also be showing signs of aggression when they see children or other pets with food.
It is something that pet owners may not take seriously. They may think that aggression is just part of a dog’s nature. However, this shouldn’t be the case as dogs should be well behaved and have a calm manner with people and other pets.
- You have trouble walking your dog outside
Walking your dog is a great time for you to get some exercise and have some bonding with your dog. Depending on the attitude of your dog, this may be a relaxing time or a headache. Some dogs are impossible to walk because they have certain behaviors that are unmanageable and dangerous.
For example, your dog may be inclined to bark at passing cars or cyclists. They may also have an urge to be free and try to get off the leash to chase cars and people. You may have trouble keeping up with your dog because they are pulling on you instead of you guiding them. On the other end, your dog may be so inactive and refuse to walk. All these types of behaviors point to the need for obedience training.
- Jumping on people
Another behavior that pet owners often overlook is when dogs jump on people. Many pet owners think of this as a sign of friendliness on the part of the dog. It may be so, but it can be a dangerous habit or behavior. If you have friends and family in the house, a dog may suddenly jump on them. If your friend or family member interacts with your dog in the wrong way, it may result in an accident. A dog may accidentally bite a person if there are petted in the wrong way. Also, there are people who do not appreciate being jumped on by a dog, and they find it uncomfortable and even scary, especially if you have a big dog.
- Your dog ignores you
There may be instances where your dog will ignore you or when they do not respond when their name is called. It can be annoying and a hassle. If it is time to eat or give a treat, you will call them by name, and they do not come forward. You have to use a leash or carry your dog to do the action you want them to do. A dog with this kind of behavior of ignoring can benefit from an obedience class. Obedience class can teach them to come to you once their name is called, resulting in a better bond and a better relationship with your dog.
- A dog chasing its tail
A dog chasing its tail may seem funny, and there are probably a lot of YouTube videos about dogs exhibiting this kind of antics. It can generate a lot of laughs, but this is not healthy behavior. More often than not, a dog that chases its tail is bored and feels under-stimulated. It is crucial to get a dog like this in behavioral training. They will learn to substitute this kind of behavior with other more productive behaviors. They may be taught to learn tricks and other types of play that will stimulate them and cause them to have a better relationship with their owners.
Final Thoughts
Your dog is special and unique; however, there are certain behaviors that must absolutely be corrected so that your dog will be a pet and not a pest. If your dog has undergone dog training, you will have a better chance of maintaining them and taking care of them. Other people, such as friends, family, and neighbors, will also be fonder of your dog because they are well behaved. Dog training can also save you from litigation and lawsuits from your dog inadvertently becoming aggressive and attacking other people and pets.
