What is dog training – well it is getting your dog to do a prescribed action on command based on prior teaching or training.

Dogs innately have instincts of working with other dogs as pack animals for survival such as in the hunt. There is basic dog obedience training which is what the majority of home owners who own a dog would be interested in. That can be to handle things like not jumping up on the guests, not begging at the table, not doing no-nos on the floor, etc.

There are many forms of specialty canine training and certain breeds have been bred with some specialties in mind. You have the seeing eye dog to lead the blind which has typically been a German Shepard or some sort of Labrador. The first training schools for seeing eye dogs began around the time of World War I in Germany for war victims and not too shortly after schools began to crop up in the United States. German Shepard's are also used often by police in sniffing out drugs, etc.

There is the rescue dog who typically use the scent of humans to hone in on the party needing rescue. German Shepard's, Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Border Collies are well known for their ability to follow human scent. St Bernard's are known for rescue too.

There are hunting dogs of various types requiring specific dog training for the task. First there are the hounds which operate on either sight or scent to track their prey. There are also a variety of dogs that go along with hunters to flush out game, or to point to game or to retrieve game once it has been shot. This would include your Golden Retriever, Whippet, Spaniels, Pointers, Setters and Terriers.

In dog training the main focus is generally to reward desirable actions and to disregard or correct undesirable actions. There is standard canine training which is general and not specific in purpose. This would include the sit, lay down, come here, stay or remain close. If you punish a dog for coming to you this can be counter productive as he will associate the punishment with the command which is not actually the intention of the trainer. Physical punishment in dog training is not desirable and in some cases may lead to aggression. Common agreement among trainers is that the less force applied to train your dog the better.

It is also felt by trainers generally that the more involvement the owner of a dog has in the canine training process the better will be the results. There are classes where a dog can be sent to train them which do have a positive effect, but if the owner also goes to the class and sees the training commands and participates, they will better understand and be able to apply this to their dog in the home environment.

Dog training and relationship with a dog is all about communication. A dog is a living sentient being that has emotions and has understandings and the more you are able to be in communication with your dog the better they will behave and the better you will get along. Basic dog obedience training should revolve around that factor.