by Bette Wayne

Created on: August 13, 2008

Not All Dogs Can Be Trained

The statement that not all dogs can be trained is comparable to saying the earth is flat.

The secret to teaching "untrainable" dogs is twofold. First, the dog has to want to learn and secondly, the teacher/trainer has to know how to teach. Sounds simple and it is, but there are a few details that should be mentioned.

Since dogs first earned the title "dog", and were no longer members of a wolf pack, they have all wanted to share their lives with their humans. In doing this, it is natural for them to want to please us and, therefore, they have the desire to learn all they are capable of knowing.

Like humans, different dogs possess different levels of intelligence. I once owned a dog that was rather low on the canine IQ scale and could not learn very much. However, my current best (four legged) friend is so smart, she can carry on a conversation with you, if you understand her language. It is up to the owner to determine how intelligent his/her dog is and to develop that intelligence.

Some breeds of dogs seem to be brighter or more easily trained due to their breed characteristics. Hunting and herding dogs are generally quick to learn because they have been bred for countless generations to respond to their masters' voice and hand commands. Other breeds may be generally regarded as bright but perhaps not as many could rank equally with a given number of working dogs. For this reason, I believe the odds of buying a Border Collie or Golden Retriever puppy and getting one that is both smart and easily trained are greater than choosing a dog that has been bred for companionship.

If you already have your dog and are having trouble training him, read on.

As previously mentioned, a dog wants to please his master, however, he must also respect him. Dogs' awe and reverence for an "alpha" dog (or master) began when they were members of a wolf pack. That is a trait that has remained unchanged. Unfortunately some people baby their dogs to an extent where they fail to establish the proper bond. Because the dog does not fully respect his owner, it is easy for him to ignore a command. Bad dog you say? Look around you at the next store you enter. How many children are doing the same thing for the same reason?

To establish the proper bond with any dog, certain basic necessities must be met. Food, water, and a warm, dry bed are obvious needs for any animal, but dogs need affection and attention as well. Playing together and simply talking to your dog as

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