Should you train your dog? Fetcher Dog do some research!!

Should you invest in training for your dog?

Every dog that enters our rescue centre, whether they were found on the streets of Bosnia or in the dog pounds of the UK, requires patience and support as they transition to their new home.

While some dogs may easily settle into your home and adapt to your schedule, not all dogs have had positive experiences with humans. These past experiences can leave both physical and emotional scars, making the transition more challenging.

When your new furry housemate arrives in their new surroundings, it will take time for everyone to adjust to the new dynamics, especially the dog. But with patience and understanding, we can help them acclimate to their new life and create a harmonious environment for all.

For the dog there will be:

• Different Noises
• Different Smells
• Different People
• Different Furniture
• Different Food
• Different Timetable

In a nutshell, dogs are faced with a completely new environment that may seem unfamiliar to them, but not to you. They are working hard to catch up, and the fact that they typically adjust to their new routine swiftly demonstrates their remarkable adaptability.

If you discover that your dog's transition is not as seamless as you had envisioned, rest assured that you are not alone, and there is professional assistance available to you.

There are numerous motivations for seeking the guidance of a dog trainer or behaviourist, and I highly recommend that the ultimate reason you consider is 'unleashing every dog's potential.'

• To train their dogs basic commands and tricks.
• To change their dog's problem behaviour without damaging trust between dog and owner.
• To develop the best strategies to teach dogs.
• To unleash every dog's potential.

What are some of the characteristics that your dog may express:

• Symptoms might manifest as jumping on guests or showing aggression over food or toys.
• Selective obedience to ‘come’ commands
• Inter-dog aggression within the family
• Human-directed aggression
• Destructive behaviours like nipping or biting
• Anxieties and nervousness
• Undesirable habits like digging or chewing
• Coprophagia (eating faecal matter)
• Unresponsiveness to recall
• Aggression within the family or towards other dogs

How do trainers combat these characteristics:

1. Tailored Dog Obedience
2. Dog Obedience 1-1 Training
3. Targeted Dog Training

Another way that trainers can help you with is hobbies with your dog, which does wonders for the owner dog relationship, things like agility, gundog, and scent work, tapping into the dogs natural behaviour's and having fun too!

Fetcher Dog has welcomed more than 750 dogs into their family in the past seven years, forging connections with exceptional trainers and behaviourists and acquiring invaluable insights and strategies. Our suggestion is that if you sense a need for assistance with your new furry family member or if your dog is struggling to adjust to their new surroundings, it would be wise to seek professional guidance sooner rather than later.

 There are two trainers/behaviourists that Fetcher Dog work with and they are:

Hollie McAuley Jones - Invicta Dogs: Training & Behaviour 

(Both of these trainers are local to Kent)

At Fetcher Dog, we strive to prevent the worst-case scenario of any of our dogs being returned to us within weeks. It's heartbreaking for the dogs to adjust to their new homes, only to face abandonment once again.

Now, the question arises - should you train your dog?

While many dogs may not require a behaviourist or formal training, some may benefit from guidance and socialisation. That's where Holly and Justin, step in. They are there to provide the necessary support and expertise to ensure your dog thrives.

Thank You