Is it worth spending your hard-earned money on puppy classes? The short answer is “yes,” but if you’d like a longer one, here are just a few reasons to invest in puppy training.
1. You’ll correct problem behaviors before they begin.
This is the big reason most people seek out puppy training. If your puppy is barking, biting, growling or chewing on table legs, you’ll want to stop these behaviors before they become habits. Do it while they’re still young and you have a much higher chance of success than an older dog set in his ways.
2. You’ll spend more time with your puppy.
Puppies need a lot of love and attention in order to feel secure in their environment. Unfortunately, if you’re juggling multiple responsibilities in the form of work, school or family, you might not have a lot of wiggle room in your schedule to give your puppy what he needs. Training can be a great way to get that time together.
3. You’ll improve your relationship with your puppy.
Not only will your puppy come to see you as a beloved figure, but he’ll also look at you as the alpha. This is absolutely critical if you wish to retain control over him even after he grows into a 100-pound guard dog.
4. Your puppy will have more stimulation.
Did you know that a lot of canine misbehavior stems from boredom? This is especially true when it comes to young puppies and their short attention spans. Training will give them physical and mental stimulation by engaging their bodies and their brains with new tasks, activities and routines.
5. Your puppy can go more places.
According to Beyond the Leash, “socialization is a big part of puppy training, and a well-socialized dog is much more welcome in general society than a snapping one.” From dog parks to outdoor cafés, your puppy needs to be socialized if you want to show him the world.
6. You’ll open the door for more pets.
There’s a common joke around the dog owner community that puppies are like potato chips: It’s hard to have just one! However, you can’t give your puppy a new brother or sister until he’s trained and socialized. You want all of your pets to get along and not fight for space, dominance, food, toys and affection.
7. It might save your puppy’s life.
It might seem like “sit” and “stay” are just everyday commands to keep your puppy off the couch, but imagine that you’re walking down a busy sidewalk when he suddenly slips his collar and runs towards traffic. A sharp verbal command might be the only thing that can prevent a tragedy, but he has to be willing to listen.
These are just a few reasons why it’s important to train your puppy. It can be a hard road, but it’s entirely worth it, so good luck!
