February is Dog Training Education Month! If your canine companion hasn’t been properly trained yet, you’ll definitely want to finish Fido’s petucation. All dogs should know basic commands, such as Sit, Stay, Heel, Come, and Lay Down. This basic obedience training is crucial for many reasons! A Tampa, FL vet lists some of the key ones below.
Petiquette
First and foremost, training is important for manners! No matter how cute Fido is, he won’t be very charming if he steals your food, drags you around, or refuses to obey simple commands.
Safety
Training is also very important for safety reasons. If your canine buddy slips out or pulls the leash out of your hands, you need to be able to call him back to you. The Leave It command will also come in handy if your pup comes across something he may want to eat, like a chicken wing someone dropped at the park.
Confidence
Mastering a new command can be quite a confidence booster for Man’s Best Friend, just as learning something new can improve our self-esteem. Many dogs actually really like learning new things! Fido also tries very hard to please his humans. Training helps with both of those things.
Bonding
Another reason that training is important is that it will help you and your four-legged friend build a stronger friendship. You’ll be able to communicate better, and Fido will know what is expected of him. You’ll both be happier—and closer—as a result!
Curb Bad Habits
Training can also help you stop your canine pal from engaging in unwanted behaviors, such as lunging, digging, and chasing the cat around. Plus, being able to tell your furry friend to go Lay Down is sort of like giving him a mini time-out, which can be very useful. This is definitely a huge plus!
Tail Wags
At the end of the day, your furry pal will be much happier if he feels loved and appreciated. If you’re constantly having to reprimand him, it will eventually take a toll on his emotional well-being. Friction caused by bad behavior isn’t good for either of you. Fido is adorably cute when he’s clearly proud of himself for being a Good Boy!
Please do not hesitate to reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your local Tampa, FL veterinary clinic, we are here to help!
