January is National Train Your Dog Month! Since 2010, this campaign, started by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, has aimed to raise awareness about the importance of proper training and socialization for a dog’s well-being. Whether you’re working with a puppy or a seasoned canine companion, training is an essential step in ensuring a happy, healthy, and harmonious life together.

 

Benefits of Training Your Dog

When you invest time in training your dog, you reap countless rewards, including:

Strengthening your bond: Training fosters a deeper connection between you and your dog.

Building trust: Dogs gain confidence and a sense of security through consistent guidance.

Keeping their brain active: Training challenges your dog’s mind, keeping them sharp and engaged.

Teaching new behaviors: It’s never too late to learn new tricks or refine existing skills.

Improving socialization: Proper training helps your dog navigate interactions with people and other animals.

Through training, you develop a mutual understanding with your dog. This two-way communication reduces stress and frustration for both of you, paving the way for a more joyful relationship.

Common Misconceptions About Dog Behavior

One of the biggest challenges I see as a dog trainer is the assumptions many people make about their dog’s behavior. Often, frustration arises because owners believe their dog is being stubborn or acting out of spite. However, it’s important to understand that dogs don’t process emotions the same way humans do. The part of the brain responsible for vindictive or stubborn behavior simply doesn’t exist in dogs.

Instead, what we perceive as “bad” behavior is often a reflection of:

Reinforcement (intentional or accidental) of unwanted behaviors.

Natural instincts or self-rewarding behaviors.

Miscommunication or unrealistic expectations from us.

Real-Life Example: Understanding Reinforcement

Let’s dive into a common scenario I encountered with a client’s family. Their 20-something son, whom we’ll call Chad, was frustrated because the family’s dogs jumped all over him when he came home from work. During a training session, I observed this behavior firsthand.

When Chad walked through the door, the dogs rushed to greet him, clearly overjoyed. Chad responded with excitement, using a high-pitched voice and enthusiastically petting them while they jumped on him. This reinforcement inadvertently encouraged the dogs to continue jumping and barking. As the excitement escalated, the dogs became increasingly out of control, eventually scratching Chad. At this point, he began yelling at them to “Get down,” but the dogs didn’t respond.

The family turned to me, puzzled about why this kept happening. The answer was simple: the dogs were doing exactly what they had been taught—even if unintentionally.

Breaking It Down: Why Dogs Behave This Way

Let’s analyze the scenario:

Initial excitement: Chad’s return was naturally exciting for the dogs.

Unintentional cues: Chad’s body language and tone encouraged the dogs to jump.

Reinforcement: By petting and interacting with them while they jumped, Chad reinforced the behavior.

Escalation: The dogs’ heightened emotional state made them less able to think clearly or respond to cues.

Confusion: When Chad yelled “Down,” the dogs couldn’t comply because they were too overstimulated and likely didn’t fully understand the cue.

Managing Expectations and Emotions

In high-energy situations like this, asking a dog to immediately shift to a calm behavior, such as “Down,” is often unrealistic. A dog in a heightened emotional state has a reduced ability to process cues or think clearly. Instead, it’s better to:

• • Use clear, achievable cues like “Off,” which simply means keeping all four paws on the ground.
  • Redirect their excitement with an alternative behavior, such as fetching a toy or sitting.
  • Reinforce desired behaviors with calm praise and rewards.

By setting realistic expectations and managing the environment, you help your dog succeed while maintaining their excitement in a controlled way.

Reinforce Joy, Not Chaos

Your dog’s enthusiasm when you come home is a beautiful expression of love and happiness. The goal isn’t to dampen their joy but to guide it into manageable, safe behaviors. Training doesn’t just create well-behaved dogs—it strengthens the bond you share and helps both of you navigate the world with confidence and mutual understanding.

This National Train Your Dog Month, take the opportunity to deepen your relationship with your furry friend. Whether you’re refining old skills or learning new ones, every step you take together builds a happier, more harmonious life for you both.