No dog is perfect – just like no dog is perfect and unlike the last car your bought, a dog doesn’t come with an owner’s manual. Although, sticking with the car analogy, there are a times when your dog can be out of alignment, and that’s when a trainer might be of help. Here are instances in which a trainer can be great benefit.
Experienced dog owners shouldn’t shy away from consulting a trainer. No two dogs are the same and each has its own and ever evolving personality. One should never expect a new dog to be like your previous dog. A few meetings with a trainer can help solidify that early bond and facilitate best communication methods.
Raising a teenager can be tough. A loving sweet, floppy puppy turns into a different animal when it hits those teenage years. Many canine teenagers will resist commands, run away from you, bark incessantly, and discover a whole encyclopedia of unwanted behaviors. A trainer can help explain this transition period and guide you to better behaviors as the dog enters young adulthood.
Developing bad behaviors is a major reason to engage a trainer. When a behavior becomes a habit, it can be even harder to change. A good trainer will help modify the new bad behaviors and teach your dog alternative behaviors to replace the unwanted ones. This is not a time to delay.
Any sign of aggression is a time to call a trainer. No hesitation. Any act of aggression towards you, children, guests or to another dog requires a call for help. Growling at people, lunging at people or dogs, or any signs of protectiveness are major red flags that need to be addressed. A dog trainer can intercede hopefully before your dog bites someone or another dog. A good trainer can be a barometer of future behaviors.
If any of the above applies or you simply wish to talk to a trainer about dog behavior goal setting, then give us a call or stop in for recommendation, and as always, reach out to me as I’m only a bark away.
–Carolyn