First of all, it is worth noting that both the upbringing and training of a puppy are elements of its training. Only these processes have different goals. But about everything in order.
Training is the process of learning how to execute commands. Or, in other words, the mechanical memorization of certain actions to which the word command is attached. For example, if we want the dog to sit down, we will say: "Sit down!" And she will do it. If we want her to wait, say the appropriate word and she will wait.
The advantages of this approach are obvious to everyone: you say a command, the animal hears it and acts accordingly. This is especially useful if you find yourself in new or difficult places for a dog — for example, you came with your pet to an organization to solve pressing issues, or you are walking along a busy street.
However, we all know cases when a dog is perfectly trained, but at the same time rushes at other animals, people, snaps at the owners.
She is trained in a variety of commands, but at the right moment she behaves as she wants, not as a person needs. And this is natural, since behavioral skills are developed in the process of upbringing , and not in the process of training.
Training is just learning routine actions. You can compare this to teaching a child the multiplication table: he will start clicking examples like nuts, but this will not teach him behavior in society in any way.
It is also worth noting another limitation of training: it was invented by people and has nothing to do with the nature of the animal. Have you ever seen one dog say "Sit!" or "Lie down!" to another and reward it with a treat?
In such a separation from nature, there are big problems for dog owners. The fact is that the use of commands affects the animal's sensory organs in the following sequence: ears, eyes and only then the nose. The opposite sequence is laid down by nature: nose, eyes, ears.
The nose for a dog is the most important organ with which it studies the world and collects information. Any dog initially relies on the sense of smell, then on the eyes, and then on the ears. This is what Mother Nature intended.
And when the dog stops relying on the nose, problems begin in its behavior, since the body responsible for interest and environmental inspection does not work.
And as mentioned above, training can change this natural sequence, because the dog is taught to rely first on the ears, then on the eyes, and the nose remains in the background.
I'll give you an example in public. If a sighted person is blindfolded and offered to live in pitch darkness, then after a very short time he will begin to have psychological problems. After all, he, the sighted one, decided to abandon the most important sense organ. So it is with dogs: if the nose does not work, then expect trouble.
Education, unlike training, is the formation of the owner's status in the eyes of the dog. This is the development of her ability to behave correctly in any life situation. For example:
A well-mannered dog clearly knows that all responsibility for decision-making in various situations lies with a person.
Here are a couple of examples of how the behavior of a well-mannered and ill-mannered animal will differ:
Depending on whether the dog is trained or brought up, it forms different styles of perception. Training allows the pet to understand the "Sit" command, and he can even perform it despite other internal impulses.
But at the same time, the desire, for example, to attack another dog will not disappear anywhere.
A well-bred dog without commands, words and hints will not initially want to do this. She will have a different perception image, in which there is no "I see a dog attacking" bundle.
Of course, there are difficulties in education too. The biggest of them is the lack of knowledge about it from the person himself and the internal resistance to obtaining this knowledge. You can find a common language with an animal in 5 minutes, but it is much more difficult with people.
The fact is that dogs are very simple and straightforward creatures, they are guided by instincts and live in the "here and now". And most people rely on reason, intelligence and exist simultaneously in three time lines: past, present and future. And this creates certain difficulties in interaction.
In addition, the success of the dog's upbringing process directly depends on the willingness of its owner to personal growth. After all, you cannot demand from another being what you do not own yourself. For example, how will you demand patience from a dog if you do not possess this quality yourself and are always fussing and in a hurry? Or how can you expect a pet to be calm if you are a restless person yourself?
It is necessary to realize that you are a source of knowledge about the correct behavior for the dog. And you'll have to learn to be calm and patient yourself first.
In my work, I often come across another big problem called "Laziness". Many people are just too lazy to take care of their dog, they want a ready-made recipe, a magic wand and can give many reasons why it is impossible to devote time to a pet and the parenting process. And here, too, a very fair question arises: is the problem in the dog or in the person?
Having extensive experience in the upbringing and re‑education of dogs, especially aggressive ones, I can say with 100 percent certainty that it is, of course, a human being. Dogs are always ready to change at any age, which, unfortunately, cannot be said about us humans. When the owner realizes that the problem is not with the dog, then everything changes. Therefore, if you want to have a well—mannered pet, start with yourself - develop the six most important qualities in yourself: calmness, confidence, consistency, patience, discipline and common sense.
I also advise you to first establish the status: who am I in your life and who are you in my life. That is, education. And then you can move on to training. It is very easy to teach a well-mannered dog commands, because it has already submitted to you, and this makes it very easy.
