A professional dog trainer has shared the two skills all pet owners should learn to ensure they have a “perfect canine companion” – and it’s essential to master them fast
A dog trainer unveiled the two “simple” skills all owners need to perfect to ensure their pet behaves in the way they’ve “always dreamed of”, and he’s urging people to learn them as soon as possible. Dogs are a firm favourite option when it comes to choosing a pet, with millions worldwide welcoming a them into their homes – and it doesn’t take long before they become a cherished member of the family.
Owning a dog isn’t a simple or effortless decision though as they can be quite demanding. Dogs need consistency, love, attention, mental stimulation, physical exercise and more. Bringing a dog home is a significant decision and responsibility – dogs are famously loyal and devoted to their owners, so it’s crucial to ensure you’re ready for the challenge and commitment.
Canine behaviourist Will Atherton regularly shares training tips and advice on social media, drawing from his years of professional experience working with a wide variety of dog breeds.
Recently, he outlined the two skills he deems most important for owners in an Instagram video.
In the footage, the expert began: “Let me tell you the secret to training a perfect canine companion. You need to have the ability to do two things.
“You need to be able to communicate to your dog, ‘please do this’ and then you need to be able to communicate to your dog, ‘please don’t do that’.
“If you have just those two skills, you will be able to train an amazing canine companion. The reality is, it really is that simple.
“Everybody wants to overcomplicate it, everybody wants to make it sound like it’s something more fancy than it actually is.”
Reiterating his point, he finished: “‘Please do this, don’t do that’.
“If you only ever focus on ‘please do this’, you’re going to run into a lot of situations where your dog would rather do something else.
“If you only ever focus on, ‘don’t do that’, you’re going to find yourself with a dog that’s going to be a little bit nervous not knowing what it is they should be doing instead.”
Will stressed the importance of being able to master both instructions so dogs know exactly what’s expected of them and where they stand.
He urged people to stop “overwhelming” themselves and instead “focus on those two things” to guarantee them a “perfect canine companion”.
In the caption accompanying the video, the expert simply added: “Please do this, please don’t do that.
“Learn how to explain that to your dog in a language THEY UNDERSTAND (that’s the magic part) and you’ll have the dog you always dreamed of.”
Dogs typically signal a major lifestyle change so before getting one, it’s important to do your research.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that training is essential, and not all dogs are suitable for first time owners.
If you’re looking to welcome a dog into your home, consider the benefits of adopting a puppy or dog from a charity or local shelter instead of shopping from a breeder.