Why do people resist training?

Although I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, I often wonder why people resist training their new dog and then 6 months later are in tears because their dog has taken over their household.

The basic reason is dogs are pack animals and they will rise to the level within the pack they are allowed to rise to. If you ever watch any training shows on Animal Planet or National Geographic, you will notice the first thing the trainers do is place themselves at the top.

I believe many people who adopt shelter animals, feel so sorry for them when they arrive home, they baby them, give them run of the household, and then are stumped as to why the dog won't behave.

It can take several months for a shelter dog to become comfortable in their new home. Once they become comfortable, they begin to test the waters to see what they can get away with. If they have been getting away with little stuff, the big stuff is next on the agenda as they elevate themselves higher and higher up the pack.

Most trainers I have spoken to will tell you nothing in life is free and the dog must view you as the leader. The sit command is the most important one you can teach and use with your new dog. They must sit for treats, sit for food and water, sit to go outside and on and on. You also need not scream at your new dog. They can hear you. They may ignore you, but never doubt they understand what you are saying. Say it once and wait for them to obey.

If you say it twice, they will learn they can push you until you command them two, three or four times. They they are in control.

When most shelters suggest training, it is of the most basic kind. Sit, stay, down and come when called. Those are the basics. We simply don't want the dog to elevate itself within your pack. If that elevation happens, most dogs are returned to the shelter as a behavior problem. So what started out as a happy occasion , ends on a bad note, for you and especially for your pet.

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