This week I started working with a new client whose goal is to train her young dog to become a certified Therapy Dog who visits schools and hospitals. She wants to build calm, reliable behavior so her dog can safely visit hospitals and schools without knocking things over or getting too excited. It is a thoughtful goal that will open doors for both of them to make a real difference in people’s lives.
Unfortunately, a few of her friends have criticized her decision to train her dog. They argue that “dogs should be dogs” and that training turns them into lifeless robots who simply obey orders. That mindset stuck with me for days. I kept circling back to the question: Is it really unfair to train a dog? Can there be too much training? This article is not a complete list of everything I believe on this subject, but it offers a starting point for the conversation.
Dogs Aren’t Living in the Wild Anymore
Many natural canine behaviors do not fit into modern life. When dogs first aligned themselves with humans, we were living around open fires, using bows and arrows, hunting animals, and leaving behind scraps. There was a mutual benefit in sharing space. Today, our dogs live inside our homes, often alone for long hours, with no need to scavenge or hunt.
That scavenging instinct is still strong. Many unwanted behaviors like counter surfing, garbage digging, and food theft stem from a dog’s natural drive to seek out resources. But should dogs be allowed to help themselves to whatever they find? What if it’s something dangerous? Most people agree that teaching manners around food is essential for a safe home. At the very least, housetraining helps eliminate a major health hazard for both dogs and humans.
Clear Rules Reduce Stress
Consistent expectations lower stress for everyone involved. Dogs thrive on structure, and so do people. Owners need to understand how to stay consistent, and dogs need to learn which behaviors are acceptable in different situations. Inconsistent rules cause anxiety and confusion.
Imagine if traffic laws changed daily. On Tuesdays, green means go, but on Wednesdays, yellow means go. Stop signs only count on weekends. Headlights must be on all day Monday and Friday. Blinkers are illegal on freeways. The chaos would be unbearable and road rage would skyrocket.
Now apply that to your dog. If your dog barks at the mail carrier five days a week and no one reacts, but then on the weekend suddenly gets scolded for the same behavior, what is the dog supposed to learn? From the dog’s perspective, the only difference is that their person is home. Over time, they associate your presence with unpredictability. No wonder some dogs act out more.
Well-Trained Dogs Get to Go Places
Dogs with good training get to do more in life. My client’s future Therapy Dog will be able to go to schools and hospitals, meet new people, and receive affection and treats for doing things they already enjoy. That’s a win for everyone involved.
My own dogs have joined me on a wine tasting trip in Paso Robles, camped with me at the Grand Canyon, ridden the Monument Valley tram, run loose on beaches, and gone boating in Colorado. They have attended street fairs, explored local parks, and walked calmly down busy sidewalks. All of this has been possible because they are well-mannered, calm, and trained to settle in unfamiliar environments.
Dogs like this do not chew up hotel linens. They are not obsessed with chasing every squirrel. They do not bark through the night in a campground or leap out of moving boats. They enjoy a life filled with enrichment, freedom, and travel. That is not the life of a robot. That is the life of a companion with the skills to participate in our world.
It’s Not About Control, It’s About Communication
understand why some people feel uncomfortable with the idea of training. There is a long history of harsh methods involving corrections, leash pops, yelling, and force. Those methods often create dogs who appear lifeless or hesitant. These are dogs who have learned that mistakes are punished and choices lead to discomfort. They freeze because they are afraid to act.
But that is not the kind of training I use. Positive reinforcement is built on communication, mutual understanding, and motivation. We reward dogs for offering the behaviors we want. We teach them that their actions influence the world around them. We help them develop confidence and self-control.
When a dog learns that sitting calmly leads to getting to play, both sides benefit. The person gets a calm dog. The dog gets to play. It’s a partnership based on trust, not control. The dog is not obeying out of fear, but engaging because they want to.
Sports and Competition as Shared Goals
Dog sports like Competitive Obedience, Agility, and Schutzhund are sometimes criticized as being too intense. But when done correctly, they are fun for both dog and person. They provide a structured training system and help people move beyond the basics.
Sports training includes jumping, scent work, retrieving, and precise heeling. These activities keep dogs mentally and physically engaged. They also help people become better handlers and learn how to communicate under pressure. Some dogs may not enjoy a certain sport, and that’s okay. We find what suits them best.
Ironically, dogs involved in sports often get more rest than average pets. Training is mentally taxing, so they also get plenty of downtime. As a result, they tend to be more relaxed and less reactive to their surroundings.
Training Saves Lives
What troubles me most is how often dog owners are made to feel guilty for being responsible. Training a dog should not be controversial. The number one reason dogs are surrendered to shelters is due to behavior problems. Most of those dogs have received little or no training.
Recent data shows that about 96 percent of shelter dogs have not been taught basic skills. Of those, around 40 percent have at least one serious behavior issue. Every year, about 3.7 million dogs are euthanized in the United States. That means more than 1.5 million of those deaths are linked to behavior that could have been prevented with training.
So instead of asking whether it is unfair to train a dog, maybe we should be asking whether it is fair not to.
Dogs Still Get to Be Dogs
Dogs do not stop being dogs when we teach them how to live with us. They still sniff, play, run, chase, roll, chew, dig, and bark. Training does not erase their instincts. It gives them the skills to stay safe, reduce household stress, and enjoy more of life.
Do dogs deserve freedom to be dogs? Absolutely. But freedom without safety is not kindness. Real freedom comes when dogs know how to navigate the human world with confidence and trust.
If you want your dog to live a full, happy life with more freedom and fewer limits, training is one of the best gifts you can give. Contact us to get started with personalized, humane training that builds trust, improves communication, and helps your dog thrive in your world.