Should dog training be compulsory?

With the abundance of lockdown puppies and the lack of any formal training classes last year there are many dogs now approaching a year old who have not undertaken any training.

Basic levels of training are recommended for puppies so that their owners can learn to communicate and understand the signals their pup is giving.

It has been said that having a dog is like getting a car – you have to learn how to drive first before you take it out.

Positive dog training is fun and is a superb way of building the bond between a new owner and their dog.

According to the RSPCA “Training is an important part of any dog’s life and is important for several reasons. It provides mental stimulation which helps to keep your dog happy, and if combined with morning exercise your dog will be mentally and physically tired at the end and far more likely to sleep during the day.”

The RSPCA supports reward-based training methods where the dog is set up to succeed and then rewarded for performing the ‘good’ behaviour (positive reinforcement).

“Reward-based training is enjoyable for the dog and positively enhances the relationship between the dog and handler. Reward-based training also involves generally ignoring any ‘unwanted’ behaviours. In this way, the dog is not rewarded for any unwanted behaviour.”

Do you think basic levels of training should be compulsory upon ownership of a dog?