When attempting to train a dog using modern training methods, it is important to know both the nature and personality of the dog, to base the training on scientific knowledge, and, if possible, to apply it to the dog\’s real life as much as possible. For example, it is great to know what principles dogs learn on, how they function, and what speeds up or slows down training. If something goes wrong with the animal, the owner should never hit or mentally depress it.
When an animal is stressed and frightened, it certainly does not help. On the contrary. Remember that even dogs are emotional creatures! If an owner wants to start training, he should know his dog perfectly well. For example, he must understand body language, but the dog must also understand humans. If it is not a mutual and reciprocal communication, the dog will understand very little, even if it is requested a million times.
People also make the mistake of asking the dog to do something of its own volition, but are no longer interested in how the dog sees it. This is wrong. Put yourself in the dog\’s shoes. You may be saying to yourself, “Why do I have to do this? Basically, the point is to make the dog do something because it wants to, not because it has to. The dog is driven by the usual question of what will be in it for him if he does it. A treat, a toy, or the pure pleasure of his master is enough.
Of course, if anyone concludes from this that dogs are opportunists in a negative sense, he or she really doesn\’t know much about these four-legged pets, or rather knows nothing about them and is just thinking. Today, we place greater burdens and demands on dogs than in the past. In the old days, dogs were kept in kennels, or at best in gardens, or even wandering around the area if they lived in villages. It was not the life the dogs wanted, but it was something they could do.
Today, it is all about keeping the dog healthy, content, and happy. Of course, being a good watchdog is also important. Especially in cities, dogs have to deal with many things that are unnatural for them, the city and its many people, transportation, technological conveniences, and modern homes. Dogs can adapt, but humans must give them time. It is similar to a relationship with a partner.
Violence is unthinkable in modern training. But not only physical violence, for example, but also throwing keys, shaking collars, using spikes or retractable collars. The violence used is absolutely unacceptable, both from a moral standpoint and in terms of what the owner wants to achieve. It is common for owners to become overwhelmed with anger and take it out on their dogs. However, dogs may forgive, but they do not forget!
