by Pat Gray

Created on: January 07, 2009

News flash! All dogs are trainable - young and old, large and small, fuzzy and short-coated. The trick is to find a dog who is interested in what you want to teach them, beyond the basics (house training, coming when called and walking politely on a leash).

This is an important point to make, because too many people assume that THEIR dog is untrainable, when in reality they are trying to turn a Beagle into an obedience champion or they aren't consistent with their training program. And small dogs, often labeled as untrainable, are often just under-trained, simply because it's easier to pick them up than it is to make them behave.

- What are you expecting?
Keep in mind what you are expecting your dog to do for you. If you want a therapy dog, make sure you select a dog that's calm and sociable. If you want an agility champion, look for a dog with energy. If you're going for obedience, select an attentive, willing dog. If you want a hunting or tracking dog, look for a dog who buries their nose in every available odor who isn't afraid of loud noises.

If you are choosing a specific breed, do your research on their general skills and history. DogBreedInfo is a great source of information on every official and unofficial dog breed. But don't overlook a mutt - a Lab-mix or a Beagle-mix may make an excellent hunter, and a Border Collie/Shepherd cross would be a great choice for an obedience work.

If you are just looking for a good family dog who'll mind their manners around the kids and visitors (manners are trainable, it's a slightly less strict program than obedience training), consider a more sociable breed or mix. Avoid breeds that tend to be one-person dogs and look for a dog that's less interested in running that in hanging out with the family.

A final word on picking the right dog/breed - all dogs are individuals, and their are social Chows and snippy Labradors. Evaluate each dog you're considering as a unique personality, and work with your breeder or shelter councilor to find the right dog for you and your needs.

- Do you have the right training strategy?
Once you have your dog, and before you pronounce your dog untrainable and take them back to the shelter or breeder, evaluate your own training strategy and your training abilities. Is your dog getting sufficient exercise, or do they spend 12 hours a day in a crate or kennel? Is everyone who interacts with the dog using the same commands and being consistent in what they expect the dog to do? Are you asking too much

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