Why do we train dogs?? - Page 1

It seems many on this forum are living in a world in which competition is the reason to train dogs.  I don't believe that many people who own and/or train dogs give a hoot about anything competitive with their dogs.  I have outlined a few ideas about why we train our dogs below but as the short list I have made below suggests any sort of competitive dog sport is very unimportant from the viewpoint of most dog owners and almost all dogs.  Most training serves two purposes .. first is better human/dog communication and understanding and second is improvement in the dog's ability to serve humans.  I am sure I left something important out so please feel free to comment.

1.  Communication .. Ivan Balabanov's "Obedience Without Conflict" and several others address two way communication between the dog and the owner as a benefit of training.  Communication is not control .. communication is a two way exchange and control does not have to be the same thing.  If you tie a dog to a tree you have more control and the dog has less control.

2.  Control .. The ability to control and safeguard the dog and humans under dangerous or challenging human/dog social or physical interaction conditions is a reason to train as it removes danger, stress and miscommunication from both the owner's and the dog's life.

3.  Human service related .. Police, Search and Rescue, Explosives, herding, protection or guarding of livestock or property.  Hunting, retreiving, medical detection, therapy dogs, Seeing Eye, disabled person assistance dogs are also common tasks that require training.  Racing Greyhounds, Sled dogs, Military or War Dogs, mine detection dogs, Cadaver dogs,  Stunt dogs, acting or entertainment dogs .. the human service related cateragory is the largest and the most diverse cateragory.  The largest job cateragory in the USA is home companion dog.

4.  Competition .. Obedience, Agility, IPO, French Ring, KNPV, Belgian Ring, Mondio Ring, Flyball, Frisbee, and probably a hundred other sports including Monkey Racing.  Competitive sports may have implications both good and bad for items 1-3 but are not necessary to achieve 1-3.  Competition may serve humans or possibly not and it may be as illegal and/or evil as dog fighting or as harmless as the Frisbee dogs.  

Speaking of training: I just now heard on the local news of a suspect pulled over by LE. Suspect resisted...was tased, pulled the probes out and threw them back at the officers; did that several times so a canine was sent in for a bite and the suspect grabbed the k9's leash and LIFTED the dog OFF the ground away from him!!! Damn, they need some better dogs or TRAINING in Greenville, SC. K9unit. Where's Gustav!? LOL. They need you. :)

I am sure that a lot of people who own or wish to own breeds now declared as "dangerous dogs" would argue that none of us who own dogs even have complete control of our lives or the lives of our dogs.  Having lived in Germany where the average dog and dog owner are better trained I would say that training improves the lives of all dogs and dog owners when more people participate in training with their dogs.  I lived in Germany for four years and never saw a stray dog but did see an occassional cat out for an unsupervised stroll.

LOL @Joanro.  That's really sad.   vonrivera

why do I train my dog? To make my dog's life safer and more fulfilled than a dog without such interaction with its owner. The public at large do not care about competitions, maybe . Until they have a problem with their dog and realize there are people who have trained many dogs and some of these dogs are similar to their dog. They seek out advice and instruction from a person [ when the book is too difficult to read while the dog is pulling on the leash] or [ the video does not show everything]  That person has been networking with other people of like interests. they have learned and expand their ability. One great place to grow is at a dog training club. Most clubs will have a connection to a larger group and at some point a competition is generated for ''showing off'' the value of techinques. It is a great joy for me to think of every person who has taken the time to teach me about my dog[s] and my training of them. The dog tied to the tree is and example of controling an animal which will have its limitation. At some point the rope breaks, the tree falls down, or the dog gets away. You know if that does happen a friend or neighbor will help you look for that poor lost dog. Maybe they will recommend a good dog trainer to that owner. Arn't people great?

A frielnd of mine in the FBI emptied his 40 cal into the chest of a bad guy before it stopped him. I would not put my dog a someone that is that high or tough. But I have seen some PD dogs that were pretty worthless.

Yeah, I agree with the guy being too high to feel pain. But the dog never got a bite. I didn't hear how LE finally subdued the guy.

I train to increase my bond with my dogs and to better understand what makes them tick. I also believe training helps them to live more fuller lives and expands their genetic potential. I believe I have a contract with my dogs to give them mental and physical stimulation in concert with me, the bond is a two way street with both of us benefiting. I also train because I believe in this breed and the challenge given to us by the founders to prove the worthiness of our dogs.

My dog needs the work.  Plus, training helps to establish dominance.  And I started doing competitions because they helped focus the work.  It has improved my relationship with my dog.