The Power of Dog Training: Why Training is Good for You and Your Dog

We all know that a well-trained dog is loved by friends, family and passersby; well-trained dogs are adorable.  But you may not know that there are also many reasons why training is an important part of your and your dog’s overall health and wellness. Big or small, all dogs deserve the benefits of training.

Safety.  When you teach your dog to obey directions, you provide safety not only for humans but also for your dog.   If your dog knows even basic commands such as “Come”,  “Sit” or “Stay”, you can protect your pet from hazardous conditions or engaging in dangerous behavior.  

Physical Exercise.  Training-related physical activities such as training walks, fetch-and-return and agility drills help to maintain your dog in good shape and reduce their chance of developing health problems related to being overweight.

Increased Confidence; Reduced Anxiety.   In addition to physical exercise, dogs - particularly certain breeds - also need mental exercise to keep them healthy.  Your dog’s confidence rises as it picks up new skills and is rewarded for its accomplishments.  Mentally stimulating training exercises also reduces your dog’s anxiety, making it less likely to be bored and engage in destructive behavior.  Training challenges them to think, learn and solve problems.  In addition, training establishes you as the leader and alpha of your pack, and pets also feel more confident and less anxious when their “alpha” (you as the human) protects them.  

Creating a Bond with Your Pet.   Teaching your dog to obey directions is only one aspect of training them; another is strengthening your relationship and improving their quality of life. Mutual respect and trust are fostered by spending time together in a good and focused environment.  Training improves the communication between you and our dog, lessening your pet’s confusion and frustration for you and your dog.

Training Tips - How to Effectively Train Your Pet

Pets4Life believes that proper training is essential for every dog to be well-behaved and happy.  There are many ways to train a dog, and your pet’s unique circumstances may dictate a different form of training.   Pets4Life offers a few tips on how best to train your dog.

Seek Professional Advice.  Unless you are very knowledgeable about training, it is helpful to seek advice on how best to train your breed of dog.  Reading training books, on-line research about your breed and desired behaviors and hiring an experienced dog trainer are all good ways to learn how best to train your pet. Pets4Life has partnered with Colton Brooks who has numerous training classes and can do one-on-one training as appropriate.

Be Consistent. One of the most important aspects of training is consistency.  Whatever you are teaching your dog, it’s best to create a schedule that includes frequent - even if short - training sessions so that your dog can get accustomed to structure. Your dog will be able to acquire new concepts faster if you give consistent commands and the learned behaviors will be strengthened by consistency. 

Be Positive and Be Patient.  Every dog learns differently, therefore patience is just as crucial. Remember to be patient and acknowledge your progress in tiny steps. And stay positive – don’t give up because your dog occasionally lapses into old behaviors - it will take time for the training to sink in. 

Know What Motivates Your Dog.  Best practice training involves rewarding desired behaviors over penalizing errors.  Rewards create a more conducive learning environment and a stronger bond between you and your pet.  Treats, affection, and praise are examples of positive reinforcement that can inspire your dog and promote excellent behavior. Make sure you understand what makes your dog happy.

Socialize Your Dog.  Another  important component of training is socialization. From a young age, expose your dog to a variety of people, places, and animals to aid in their development of self-assurance and adaptability. Through socialization, a pet becomes less likely to respond aggressively or out of fear, making them more well-rounded and gregarious. Group training sessions or puppy classes can be a great way to expose your dog to different situations in a safe environment.

Make Training Fun.  There is no reason why training can’t be a pleasurable experience for both you and your dog. To keep your dog interested and motivated during training, including playtime and interactive games. you keep the atmosphere pleasant, speak in a happy and upbeat manner. Make sure you finish training on a high note so your dog is excited for the next session.

Pets4Life Animal Hospital believes that proper training gives your dog vital mental and physical stimulation and helps strengthen the bond between you and your pet.. is here to help you along the way while you train your dog. Our team of knowledgeable experts can provide direction 

If you are ready to unleash your dog's potential and reap the benefits of a well-trained furry friend, visit us at  Pets4Life Animal Hospital at 661 Central Avenue Highland Park, IL 60035, call us at (847) 434-2745, or book an appointment online at www.pets4.com.  We have also partnered with professional trainer Colton Brooks who offers training classes, consultations and one-on-one sessions.