As more and more species are discovered over time, there is one constant fact, dogs are one of the smartest animals in the world. Their problem-solving skills and cognitive abilities have been proven repeatedly over the years. Not just intelligent; dogs are extremely social beings by nature too. They live in packs and thrive in a co-dependent social hierarchy. Human beings optimized on this beautiful combination of intelligence and amicability to breed dogs and have them serve us in different capacities. Eventually, human and dog packs came into being, both species had their needs and wants met, social hierarchies advanced and a change in evolution occurred. Dogs have been trained since Roman times and around the 1950s, the popularity of household ‘pet’ dogs rose.
Dogs have always been bred by humans to be trained for specific purposes. Different approaches have been used over the years from pack theory training and dominance- based training to until recent years, the popularity of positive reinforcement training. All these methods were devised to produce results from our canines and strengthen human- dog bonds as a result. Humans have and will always be an integral part of dog training. Both species are codependent elements when it comes to training and cannot exist without the other.
In a survey conducted in 2023 and 2024, it was found that approximately 66% of US households have pet dogs. On a more global scale, it is estimated that there are 471 million pet dog owners around the world, which is around 1.5 times the population of the USA. Dog ownership is rising significantly around the world and pet parents are now looking for something more than just dog ownership. They are looking for something more meaningful and deeper. That’s when the importance of dog training comes into the picture.
Our world is exponentially bigger than our dog’s world. We have various sources to fulfill our needs and wants. Our dog has just one, us. Since they are pack animals by nature, when we take on a dog, we become part of their pack. A human pack, but part of their pack. We control the source of all their basic needs in life, and yes, they know that. We are the center of their world. And we automatically fall into their social hierarchy, whether we want this or not. Most people don’t realize that the most effective way of honoring and strengthening their bond and place in the hierarchy is through two-way communication i.e. training.
However, despite the intention, with busier schedules, lots of people hire trainers, expect them to revamp and transform their pets without lifting a finger, and become unhappy when they don’t see long-term results. That’s not how it works. That’s never how it worked. Similar to humans, factors in the environment influence their behavior, they have motivators, demotivators, and skills in their memory that need to be visited regularly if they need to be practiced. Yes, it is the trainer’s job to use their expertise first to study, and then train your dog. But for that training to realistically last, the family HAS to get involved and maintain it. This can be achieved by having the will to understand your dog for what they are and putting in the time and effort to regularly practice commands/training learned. I am a firm believer in this – If you truly love your dog, you will take the time to train your dog, even if it’s basic things. Not just feed it and shelter it but to keep them mentally stimulated and not let those brains decay. Similar to humans, mental health is a major determinant of physical health, and keeping your dog’s mind active is crucial to their long-term physical well-being. To ensure a long and wholesome life for your pet, take a couple of minutes from schedule to train. And I can guarantee that your dog will look forward to ‘training time’. Training is a NEED, and they cannot be trained without human influence. So, get moving, train, and connect with them. It’s not going to happen without YOU.