Home Dog Training
With all of the instructional resources out in the public on the Internet, there is no reason why a person should NOT train their dog.
Home dog training with a clicker is easy, inexpensive, fun and convenient. It is also fast and effective.
It can be learned with an Internet connection and performed with a clicker, which is a piece of equipment that costs less than $5.
While there are additional items you can get for clicker training that will enhance the experience, that is all you need for home dog training.
And even though you may do much of this clicker training at home, it will carry over into the public, outdoor world. In fact, clicker training is so convenient, you can bring the clicker with you and train while you are out and about with your dog.
I meet at the park with friends every week to let our dogs run around and play together.
They get along great, but my dog is the only one that is clicker trained. The others are somewhat responsive to the commands of their owner, but it is really inconsistent. Additionally, one dog in particular is incredibly sweet, outgoing and loving.
She is so outgoing that she runs to people and dogs that come into the park. She will jump on you if she thinks you have a treat or a toy and she’s a pretty big lab.
This isn’t good for a number of reasons.
While I have full confidence that she would never ever attack anyone, her size can be intimidating to some people. People who are afraid of dogs might get uncomfortable with a giant dog running towards them, no matter how friendly she is.
One could say, “Well, that’s their problem” but the truth is that they could call the cops if they wanted.
The park is public and it is a normal park, not a dog park, so people are not expecting to be interacting with dogs at that level.
Additionally, I have had this dog jump on me while taking out a toy. She accidentally hit my hand with her very large paw and put a gash in it and bruised it for several days. I know it was completely accidental and I absolutely adore this dog, but some verbal restraint by the owner would have saved my hand a few days of discomfort.
Furthermore, the owner is always worried that one day the dog is going to take off and run across the street when her dog sees another dog. And because the dog often does not halt on verbal command, it is a real possibility.
My dog does halt on command and never jumps on people. He also sits in front of you when he knows you have a treat or if he wants something (like to go outside).
If he sees a squirrel and he wants to run after it, when I tell him to leave it, he leaves it, no matter what. This is important for his safety because he sometimes sees squirrels and birds across the street. He will not go into the street unless I tell him that it is ok. He sits on corners while we wait for the traffic light to change.
I’m not saying this to brag, because I believe that all dogs are capable of this.
I am saying this to share with you the incredible power of clicker training. It the kindest and most loving thing you can do for your dog. It not only will enhance your relationship and trust with your canine, it may one day save his life and his health.
Besides, do you really want to be that owner who is constantly apologizing for your dog smelling someone’s crotch or jumping up on someone?
Home dog training with a clicker is so easy and convenient. If you feed your dog good food and give him good exercise, than this should be another logical step toward taking care of your dog.
