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The Importance Of Understanding Dog Behavior

from: Kyle Besser

To understand behavior of the domestic dog, you must first consider the effects of the human contact that occurs from the moment the domestic puppy is born until the end of its life. These interactions are strong catalysts that add to the inherent differences between the wolf ancester and the domestic dog. The domestic dog easily weaves into the family and social structure of humans, while the wolf has failed to do so.

The integration of the dog into the human environment is so comfortable and complete that many people even refer to their dogs as their children. The analogy comes to mind for many people because the dog is often adopted as a family member and fits the child's role easily and naturally. To create the most rewarding human dog relationship, the unique qualities of the domestic dog must be considered by themselves.

Similar to the human child, the domestic dog seeks affection and approval and has the ability to learn. Like children, dogs are playful, affectionate, curious, adaptable, innocent, and basically happy-go-lucky creatures. Depending upon the home environment and many other factors, the dog, like a child, can be an angel or a delinquent.

Few dogs go through life without acquiring some dog behaviors an owner finds annoying or even intolerable. Intolerable dog behavior can be the result of genetics, caused by inexperienced breeders indiscriminately breeding poor tempered dogs, or the environment in which the dog has been raised without proper training and guidance.

Just like children, if dogs are not disciplined and taught manners, they can become out of control and a problem to themselves and for everyone in the community. These problem dogs all too often wind up at animal shelters doomed to an unnecessary demise.

If the owner is unwilling to endure the undesirable dog behaviors in the home, the problem dog may be relegated to the backyard and have very little human contact. This only exacerbates the problem dog behavior, and often turns the dog into an incessant barker, chewer, digger, or aggressor.

Fortunately, behavior modification through obedience training is very effective in repairing problem dog behavior. Comprehensive obedience and dog behavior courses can teach owners how to prevent and resolve dog behavior problems. The ideal purpose of dog obedience training is to channel appropriate dog behavior and discourage problem dog behavior.

The majority of dogs, regardless of their age, can be rehabilitated. Problem dog behavior can be redirected into appropriate dog behavior with clear, consistent, and persistent communication from the dog owner through dog obedience training.

Obedience training communicates rules which provide the dog with predictable outcomes via reinforcement and consequences. Obedience training with competent instruction teaches the owner the essential skills for raising a well-mannered, well-adjusted dog through consistency, persistency, and reinforcement for good dog behavior and correction for inappropriate dog behavior.