Dog training is an ever-evolving process, and new equipment, theories, drills and procedures seem to sprout up every day. And in almost every case, they move the art of dog training to where it should be – that of being a mutual communication between you and your dog and not an imposition of wills. And it is today’s professional trainers who are conveying this communication who deserve all of the credit. Yes, bloodlines of the different breeds have improved, and dogs are being produced that are healthier, and some would say smarter, than their predecessors. But getting into the canine brain and speaking their language in order to get these dogs to do some pretty amazing things is one of the outdoor world’s most impressive accomplishments.
Dogs, like kids, can bring out all sorts of emotions in us as we train them for a specific task and raise them in our household as part of the family. From frustration to joy, disappointment to amazement, training a dog particularly if it’s your first one – can be a roller coaster. You’ll go through times when it seems as though nothing is getting through and all hope is lost; then, seemingly overnight, the dog will perform as if he understood you perfectly the entire time – he just finally decided to listen. Always keep in mind that no matter how poorly the dog may be reacting to a lesson, he’ll also have a lot of “light-switch moments”, when he’ll suddenly be listening and the light will magically turn on.
Most importantly – and you should keep this fundamental fact in mind throughout the course of your training – the dog is a member of the family. If everything is done in a right way, your dog will swim with your kids, go on an evening walk; bring you newspapers in the morning and so on.
Training a dog is similar to riding a roller coaster – lots of ups and downs. You will find that some days your dog looks like a world beater, and some days you will wonder if he even knows his name. Be patient and always try your best. You need to realize what we are talking about when you decide to get a family dog. We are talking about a family companion for twelve months out of the year, twenty four hours a day and sixty seconds per minute; something kind of “babysitter” for your kids, the best friend of yours and an entire part of your own life and the life of every member of your family.
By no means am I suggesting that you not take your dog’s training or socialization seriously. It is an extremely important proposition you have entered into, and you owe it to your dog to train him well, both for his safety and so that he knows his place in the family structure.
