This 4th of July, consider the link between obedience and freedom.
I often come across dog owners who are reluctant to train their dogs. They're think that training their dog takes away his "freedom". Or that obedience training their dog is somehow cruel. That it means forcing the dog to do something he doesn't want to do.
And, of course, that obedience training their dog will make their beloved canine unhappy.
What these dog owners are really afraid of is that their dog won't love them unconditionally if they have to go through obedience training. And nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, a dog that isobedience trained correctly is happier and better adjusted.
You see, dogs want and need order and boundries. Dogs like to know the order of things, and what to expect. "If I do A, the result is B."
And most dogs really want to make you happy. And if working together as a team makes you happy - they're happy. The trick is to train them using only positive reinforcement. So every time your dog does the right thing, its a good thing for both of you.
Dogs like and crave the feeling of belonging, and of knowing that there is order in their universe. Dogs that don't perceive that anyone is in control tend to "act out" as much as any delinquent teenager would. And some dogs become very stressed when their they don't know what the rules are.
Additionally, a dog that does what he wants, where he wants, and when he wants, is rarely popular or liked outside his own home. These dogs almost never go anywhere with their owners. They're usually considered a royal pain to be around.
In contrast, a dog that display good manners and considerate behavior can be taken anywhere. Dogs like these get to go everywhere with their owners. And they're welcomed when they do.
Now that's freedom!
[dog training]
[dog obedience]
