You CAN Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

We've all heard the old adage, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." But is it true? Any pet can be trained -- at any age. You need the right training, the right information and the right tools. The number one reason pets end up in shelters is because of behavior problems, so good training is important for the relationship between you and your pet.

Many experts, including the accredited instructors at PETsMART, believe that using positive reinforcement techniques will give you and your dog the best results. Training should be fun and positive, for both dog and owner, and the focus should be on rewarding good behavior, not punishing unwanted behavior. It's important to understand that every time you interact with your dog, you're training him whether you know it or not. Sometimes it only takes simple adjustments in the way you interact with your dog to make big changes in your relationship with your furry friend.

Knowing what not to do is also important. Training is supposed to be fun, so if you begin to feel frustrated or angry, discontinue the training session.

"Owners should not have unreasonable expectations for their relationship with their dog," says Vicki Smith, director of pet training for PETsMART, Inc. "For example, people send their children to school for 12 years of formal education to get 'the basics,' but think that investing 12 weeks to train their dog is unreasonable. All good relationships require a bit of work."

Classes taught by knowledgeable pet trainers and behaviorists at PETsMART help pet owners understand dog behavior. From these experts, you will receive good information on how to communicate with your dog. Your dog will learn basic behaviors such as "sit" or "down," but you will also receive a basic understanding of how that learning took place. This way, you can teach your dog something new without professional help. But remember that a one-hour class each week will not be enough unless you follow up at home. You should leave class each week confident about how to practice the lessons at home.

Group training classes can also teach your dog some important social skills. Because they are "social pack" animals, dogs who are not properly socialized sometimes respond with fear, excessive exuberance or even aggression when they eventually do interact with other dogs. Unsocialized dogs may respond to people the same way. With the growing popularity of activities that can include dogs, such as dog parks, shopping with your dog, dog birthday parties and weddings, having a dog that responds appropriately in the company of other dogs makes time with your pet more enjoyable.

Pets can add a tremendous amount of love and joy to your life. By taking the time to train your dog properly, you give him the chance to become your best friend instead of a burden. This leaves less time for punishing your pet and more time playing with them.

For more information on PETsMART and its in-store training classes, log onto www.petsmart.com to find the store nearest you.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com, e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional information, contact Allison Moore, PETsMART public relations manager, at (623) 587-2108, or at amoore@ssg.petsmart.com.