Is Dog Training a Healthy Move?
By Dr Cathy Alinovi.
In my perspective, our furry companions are akin to perpetual toddlers, forever in a state of playful curiosity. This quality makes them endlessly entertaining, but it also necessitates some basic guidance. Much like establishing household norms for children, teaching our pets fundamental commands helps us navigate daily life more smoothly.
These essential skills not only strengthen the bond between pet and owner but can also lead to significant savings on veterinary expenses. Allow me to elaborate.
Consider routine tasks like examining your dog’s ears or trimming their nails. While it’s understandable that an adult rescue animal might be less accustomed to handling, starting early with puppies or kittens is ideal. Familiarize them with gentle touches all over their body – from paws to nose, ears to tail, and everything in between.
This familiarization is crucial for future care. There will inevitably come a time when you’ll need to trim nails, check ears for issues, or clean their face. Being able to handle your pet comfortably is essential. Make these experiences positive by offering small treats like slices of pears, prepared bacon, or freeze-dried meats. Some pets even enjoy banana!
Nail trimming is particularly important and best introduced early. While some groomers charge for this service, you could potentially save money by doing it at home if your pet is accustomed to the process. Additionally, many groomers require full vaccination, which can be problematic for older pets with health issues who may not be up-to-date on all shots.
Another fundamental command every dog should learn is “sit”. This simple action engages numerous muscles, similar to how we use our core, gluts, hamstrings, and quads when sitting and standing without support. In cases of injury or rehabilitation, practicing controlled sitting and standing can be beneficial exercise.
Teaching “sit” can be especially challenging with smaller breeds, but using mealtime as a training opportunity often proves effective. By requiring a sit before placing their food bowl down, dogs quickly learn to associate the action with a reward.
While not mandatory, participating in dog training can significantly enhance the emotional connection between pet and owner. Group classes are available, though they often require extensive vaccinations. Alternatively, individual trainers who come to your home may be more flexible regarding vaccination requirements and can provide valuable socialization opportunities with their own well-trained dogs.
It may seem counter-intuitive that a holistic veterinarian is recommending “training”; I cannot tell you how many times I send homework that includes the above-mentioned sit, stand, sit, stand… combination but the dog owner first has to teach his/her dog how to sit. The idea is not blind compliance or dominance; the idea is physical rehabilitation training to strengthen weakness, correct physical imbalances and retrain the body to work well – not every cruciate ligament tear needs surgery – most just need quality rehabilitation that can be done at home!
In conclusion, while formal training isn’t absolutely necessary, it’s highly beneficial. Basic training enables early problem identification and intervention, fostering a stronger bond between you and your pet. During our natural pet care visits, I’m always happy to demonstrate proper techniques for various care procedures.
Are you ready to start treating your pets like your human family? Dr Cathy Alinovi, holistic veterinarian, shows you how. Come to www.healthypawsibilities.com for a free report.
