The Spooky Truth of Training A Dog | Pupford

With Halloween around the corner, spooky season is in full swing.

For new dog parents, nothing can seem spookier than taking on the task of training a new dog. After all, it’s more than just tricks and treats. Where do we start? What tools and resources do we need? How will my dog respond?

We’re here to share the spooky truth of what training a dog is really like, and how it can change the relationship between you and your dog forever.

HERE'S THE SPOOKY TRUTH OF TRAINING YOUR DOG

1. YOU’LL HAVE A MORE CONFIDENT DOG

Do you want a dog that’s steady, sure of themselves, and calm in new situations? Then training is a must.

Dogs that are well trained in multiple behaviors in varying environments will have an overall better time adapting to just about any situation. Because of that, they’ll be more confident in their ability to navigate the world around them.

Your dog will also be more confident that whenever you are around, you will keep them safe because of everything they’ve learned from you.

So when you start training your dog, be prepared to have your dog's confidence skyrocket!

2. YOU’LL FIND A NEW COMMUNITY

If you don’t want to make awesome new friends, then training your dog is not for you.

Because of group training, the internet, and social media, parents training their dogs can find other families in the same boat. They can learn tips from each other, celebrate wins together, and of course talk about how cute all the dogs are.

There really is strength in numbers when it comes to dog training, even if the bulk of the work happens between you and your dog. Don’t believe us? Check out our 30 Day Perfect Pup Facebook community and see how much people share.

3. YOUR DOG WILL TRUST YOU MORE THAN EVER

Training your dog will make drastic changes to their trust in you. Be prepared for your dog to now completely look to you for guidance -- are you ready for that responsibility?

The consequences of your dog trusting you more are that your dog will tune out other distractions and stimuli and look to you for direction, and be more likely to respond to you regardless of what else is going on.

Your dog will be so thankful for you teaching them everything they know and look to you as a guide and source of truth. That = more trust, so be ready for it!

4. YOUR DOG WILL BE SAFER

You won’t need to guard the door when you open it to stop your dog from escaping, or be nervous when your dog crosses paths with another dog on their walk, or even avoid giving your dog freedom out of fear their recall will fail.

That’s because well-trained dogs have been taught what to do, so they are less tempted to do things they shouldn’t do. They’ll know their manners around other dogs, how to safely navigate thresholds, when to respond to your calls, and more.

Instead, you’ll have a calm, steady dog that is far less likely to get themselves into dangerous situations. So if you’re not ready to give up all the chasing, worrying, and overprotecting, then training your dog may not be the right move.

Now, this won’t happen overnight, but with time and consistency, your dog will be able to learn these important skills!

5. MANY BEHAVIORS WILL STOP OR CHANGE

Destroying things when home alone? Chewing things that aren’t meant to be chewed? Excessive barking or chasing?

Fair warning: that all may end.

Again, once your dog is taught what they are supposed to do, they in turn know what they are not supposed to do. Dogs who are well trained also tend to have less anxiety, less excessive energy, and more healthy coping mechanisms to handle being left alone or excited without resorting to destructive behavior. At first, you might not even recognize your dog!

What are you going to do now with all the free time that isn’t spent responding to destructive or interruptive behavior?

6. YOU’LL HAVE A MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY TIRED PUP

You may find your dog taking long naps after training sessions. You might also find that they are calmer for the rest of the day.

Well, get used to it. That’s the sign of a dog who gets enough physical and mental exercise!

Training doesn’t just provide exercise for your dog - they’ll be working their brains trying to make new connections and sharpen existing ones. Training sessions are the most efficient way to give your dog full body and mind conditioning, both of which are so important for your dog’s health and happiness.

7. THE BOND BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DOG WILL GET DEEPER

If you don’t want to have a better relationship with your dog and feel closer than ever, then scroll past this.

But if you’re looking for a deeper bond with your dog, then training is for you! Training teaches your dog to listen to you, respect you, and have fun with you while you celebrate new learnings and wins.

Don’t be surprised that after some time of training your dog is more in tune to your emotions, more comforting to you, and overall a better buddy. Again, you may not even recognize them! How spooky!

The dog training process is never over! There are always things to teach your dog, skills to learn, new tricks to pick up on and more. To help guide you through all phases of dog training, we created Pupford Academy. Work on potty training, crate training, leash walking, impulse control, and so much more. Check out Pupford Academy here.

What other truths did training your dog reveal that you think would be helpful for new pup parents to know? Share them in the comments below!