Getting a new puppy is exciting for you and the puppy alike, but your enthusiasm and patience will be short lived when you realize that your puppy is constantly disobeying you. You probably had unreal expectations that your dog would naturally be well-behaved, but that's not how it works. It takes time, effort, repetition and positive reinforcement. If you are persistent and patient during the training process, you can shape your puppy's behaviors into whatever you want them to be. Here are six reasons why you need to train your dog.  

Keeps Your Dog Safe

Teaching your dog to come when you call, sit and stay are vital to his safety. You should start training by using these commands from the comfort and safety of your home, so your dog has plenty of time to pick up on what to do. By ensuring that your pet obeys these commands, you can direct his actions in potentially dangerous situations. 

Makes It Easier To Board Your Dog

If you're planning a vacation, you'll have to find someone to take care of your dog, which won't be an easy undertaking if he isn't trained. Your friends won't want to house sit your dog if he might cause damage to their homes.

Don't let this be the reason why you won't be able to look into cruises in 2022. Teach your dog what he can and cannot do. If your pup is trained well, not only will he listen to you, he will obey others' commands as well.  

Influences Good Behavior When Left Alone

The best part of training your dog is that his good behavior carries over even when you're not home. If you tell your dog “no” to an unacceptable behavior such as chewing on your favorite pair of shoes, and he listens, reward him with a treat. He will remember this when you're away. 

If you teach your dog to understand the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behaviors, you can avoid financial headaches. You won't have to focus on home repairs after your dog has chewed carpeting or decorative wood. The only thing to worry about is giving your pup some love when you get home!   

Helps Your Dog Remain Comfortable in Social Settings

Whether you're taking your dog on a walk or to the vet's office, you'll likely encounter people and other pets. Teaching your dog to behave properly in social situations will keep all parties involved comfortable. Your dog will get used to these interactions and maybe even start to enjoy them.

As a responsible pet owner, you should take time to desensitize your dog when it comes being touched for hygiene and maintenance purposes. If you do so, you and your dog will be less stressed when it’s time for a bath, nail trimming or vet visit.    

Aids in New Training

If you think that because your dog is not a puppy anymore he can't learn new things, you're wrong. Whether your dog has been displaying some bad behaviors that need to be nipped in the bud, or you want to teach him a new trick, your dog can learn at any age. The mental capacity to learn is the same in older dogs as it is with puppies. Luckily, if he is already trained and understands your cues, he might be inspired to learn faster. 

Helps Your Bond Grow Stronger

Training your dog reaps benefits for you both. Not only does your dog learn proper behaviors, but you get to understand his needs better. Every interaction between you and your dog enriches your bond.

Using positive reinforcement during training enhances your relationship with your dog by illustrating trust. This is why getting frustrated and yelling at or hitting your dog is a cruel and ineffective way to train him, as he will view you as a bully rather than a leader. If you try to teach your dog by using fear tactics, you will push him further away from your training goals. Sternly tell him “no” when he is engaging in an undesired behavior such as begging to play. If he isn’t acknowledging you, simply walk away from him so he knows that you decide when it’s time to play.

By doing so, he will understand that every bad thing he does will be met with a consequence. 

Training your dog at a young age will make your time together much more meaningful, as you will be able to trust him and bond with him easier. You’ll be able to take him places without worrying that he will misbehave. Not only will you be content to have your sidekick with you, but your dog will be even happier to accompany you. A little bit of training can go a long way in promoting a lifelong friendship!