Training Can Improve Your Pet’s Focus And General Well-Being

For National Dog Month, we asked our team to share their fun training stories.  This one was shared by our claims manager:

“A few years ago, I took some agility training classes with my Jack Russell, Gunner.  We competed in several events and had one last competition to complete a title.  This takes a lot of work and practice.  We traveled several hours away for the dog show, and entered the ring for our turn.  Gunner ran down the first line, jumping and navigating obstacles.  However, as we turned back toward the direction we had started, someone outside the ring sat down to watch, and eat their lunch.  Gunner spied the wonderful hamburger and fries from across the ring, ran like a bullet over two jumps, right over the ring fence, and leaped into the man’s lap, choosing fast food over the agility title.”

This story is definitely one that we wish was on video, but it brings up a very crucial point in the importance of dog training – dogs can get distracted.  While this exercise took place on a course specifically for agility training, what if that hamburger had shown up across the street from your favorite park while tossing a Frisbee with your pet?  Training is important to your pet’s health and overall well-being, both mentally and physically.  The below website is a great resource for training tips, ideas and even has a forum so you can talk with other dog owners working on training with their pet, http://www.dogtrickacademy.com.