Dog Training: What are you working on today?

What are you working on with your dogs ideal now?

There’s always something, because as you know, training never really ends.

Some new pet dog owners seem to be under the impression that training ends after the pet dog passes beginning obedience classes or after the pet dog completes six sessions with a personal trainer.

But pet dog training never ends.

I have taken my pet dog to obedience classes for at least one session a year for the last seven years. We’ve repeated the “novice” obedience class about five times. It’s not because we’ve failed the class. It’s because there’s always a lot more to learn.

The majority of the pet dog owners in those classes are capable of teaching the class themselves, even if they don’t consider themselves professional pet dog trainers.

Even pet dog trainers area always training their dogs. even pet dog trainers take their dogs to obedience classes.

Not that obedience classes are for everyone or that classes are the only way to train a dog. They’re not.

Almost each day I practice training with my 8-year-old pet dog Ace.

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On walks, I reward him for heeling and “watch” for making eye contact.

I walk at different speeds and change directions and reward him for following along. often I run with my dog.

I encourage him to stand on different surfaces and obstacles like park benches and to climb up low trees.

I show him new tricks like “get your leash” and “catch!”

I’m always taking Ace to new places and events like different coffee shops.

I’m always introducing him to different dogs so he can maintain his social skills.

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I don’t know how lots of thousands of hours I’ve spent training my dog, but it’s never something that ends just because he’s reached a certain age or because he’s mastered a certain number of commands.

With dogs, there’s always another challenge. It’s one of the things I love about dogs.

There’s always a goal. always a reward. always a lot more to learn.

What are you working on with your pet dog ideal now?

Let us know how old your pet dog is and how long you’ve had him or her.

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