Dog training is about more than - potty training, separation anxiety, leash training, chewing, or any of the typical behavioral dog issues. Please don't misunderstand me - these are very important reasons to train your dog. But the underlying theme of dog training, is that training teaches both you and your pet how to communicate with each other!
For example, if you are leash training your pet, you may teach your dog the command "stay" - not move unless you give him/her permission to do so. Your pet learns the action to perform when you give the command "stay". This is a form of communication with your pet. Dog training allows you to teach your pet many commands, both verbal and non-verbal. By whatever means, your dog learns what to expect from you - he/she learns the "rules".
During the training, as the trainer, you should spend some time observing how your pet acts or responds to you. Watch your pets' body language closely so you can learn from your dog too. For example, are its ears up and alert, is its tail wagging, is the dog watching you for information about what to do next, is your pet barking - maybe trying to tell you something, is your pet growling, etc. Even more than this, watch for signs that your pet is alert, scared, playful, or curious. Some signs might include, your pet showing its hair raised around its upper back, neck, and/or tail areas, your pet not paying attention to you, tenseness in your pet, etc. If you learn to observe your pet and the signals your pet gives you, you will learn to understand what your pet is feeling, and consequently, what your pets' needs are.
Dog training forces you to spend some time with your pet, which allows you time to observe and understand the signals your pet sends to you. This ultimately allows you to be able to communicate with your pet. Simply because you are spending some quality time with your pet - actually doing the training, and, you are using that time to observe your pets' habits and body language, you learn to read your pets feelings and what it is your pet is trying to communicate to you. Your dog also learns all these things from you during the training. This all leads to both of you being able to better understand each other.
Once you learn how to read your dogs' body language, you ultimately learn what your dog requires from you. And of course, your dog also learns what exactly is required of him/her. You will bond and become "as one" with your dog. If you are able to perform dog training and achieve this bond with your dog while the animal is young, you will continue to bond and learn the art of communication with your pet during its life. This even happens when you train pets that are older. Regardless of what the old saying states, you can teach an old dog new tricks! If your pet "listens" to you, by reading your emotions and body language, and, your pet has learned that it must respond to your commands, your pet understands how to communicate with you. Once you have a pet that understands you, you will be able to communicate anything - any idea or command to your pet. And, once this is true, your pet will always be a true companion.
Dog training is truly worth the effort because it allows you and your pet to be able to communicate to each other for life. It is one of the greatest satisfactions - to be able to understand each other! It allows for you to have a life-long relationship with your pet. Enjoy!
