No responsible parent would deprive their child of education, yet thousands of well-meaning owners do exactly that to their dogs.
They indulge and spoil them while failing to impart any meaningful knowledge. When adult dogs jump on visitors, drag their handlers down the road and lunge at other dogs, it has nothing to do with the dog’s personality: it’s lack of education.
I’ve seen hundreds of wild, “uncontrollable” dogs turn into wonderful companions once they know what’s required. No one expects an uneducated child to behave correctly so why would a dog?
Most of the unfortunate canines languishing in rescue centres are not there because of neglect they are there because they are difficult to handle and the reason for that is … yes, you’ve guessed: no education.
Your dog can’t educate himself. That’s our job as owners, just as it is with a son or daughter. Ignorant children do not receive invites to parties and ignorant dogs are not welcome anywhere.
Good parents bring up their children to be well-mannered and respectful and you must do likewise if you want a happy, balanced dog. No sensible parent would tolerate unruly or aggressive behaviour from a child, so why accept it from your dog? Yelling is not the answer. You must communicate calmly and consistently.
Unmanageable dogs are impossible to rehome so by neglecting his education you are condemning your dog to life in a shelter should you find his behaviour too much to handle.
Dogs do not live in the past or worry about the future: they live in the here and now, and this is what enables them to change at any time.
I have seen some spectacular successes reforming older stubborn boisterous dogs into good citizens. Dogs do not hold grudges and are always willing to move on.
Regardless of age, dogs are always ready to learn.
Are you?
All our training classes are now back in full-swing, and you can join us on line at vicbarlow.com or by text to 07590 560 012.
