How Long Until a Dog is Trained?

Dog ownership can be one of the great joys in life. A dog is a reliable friend, companion and protector and will love its owner no matter what. A strong bond between dog and owner can be obtained through spending time together and proper training. A well-trained dog will not eat your favorite pair of shoes or use the bathroom indoors. In fact, a trained dog will go out of its way to please its owner and to reinforce the relationship. A good dog owner will take the necessary time to make sure the animal is properly trained and knows what types of behaviors are expected.

What is Basic Dog Training?

Basic dog training refers to the reinforcing of set, desirable behaviors from a dog. Even if a dog is not going to be trained for a specific use, such as hunting or guiding, it must be shown the basic expectations. Some of the issues dealt with in basic dog training include:

• Walking on a leash
• Eating and drinking out of bowls
• Going potty outside
• Chewing only their own toys
• Sitting
• Coming when called
• Not going through doors without permission
• Respecting other dogs
• Respecting people

The time and expense involved are a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things to ensure that the dog and owner have a respectful and loving relationship.

Types of Dog Training

There are many different type of dog training in addition to basic training. Police dogs, for example, must go through extensive training that includes tracking, barking and even attacking.

A seeing eye dog has to receive extensive training on walking and guiding its owner through various situations. These situations could include crossing busy streets, walking in a crowded city or simply getting around the house.

A hunting dog gets specialized training in tracking animal scents, retrieving animals or even subduing animals. Hunting dogs may also need to be desensitized to certain noises, such as a shotgun blast.

How Long Does it Take to Fully Train a Dog?

There is no specified amount of time that will be needed to train a dog. One of the first steps in dog training is potty training. Some dogs learn to go outdoors in as little as two weeks, while other dogs may take several months to get the hang of it.

Basic commands can also take as little as a few weeks up to several months. Specialized dog training for service dogs can take months or even years. A police dog, for example, may spend several months being trained on specific parts of their job.

It is important to keep in mind that dogs learn at their own pace. Trying to rush a dog's training will not only yield poor results, but may also result in the dog misbehaving and a strained relationship with its owner.

Perhaps the best way to view dog training is as an ongoing process. Contrary to the saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks," dogs are capable and willing to learn at any stage and at any age. Ongoing training will not only reinforce the dog's positive behaviors, but will also strengthen the bond it has with its owner.