Home

Dog training fallacy: do dogs need hardening?

Dog training fallacy: do dogs need hardening?

Dog training fallacy: do dogs need hardening?

A dog runs, on walks, or a dog training school, you’ll occasionally hear the phrase, “He’ll have to go through it!” In dog training, it seems the prevailing opinion among some owners is that dogs need hardening to learn. But is there any truth to this, or is it a misconception?

Dogs are very adaptable and have adapted to living and working with humans over the many millennia they have been domesticated. If the bond between animal and owner is correct, consistency, clarity, and patience in dog training are enough for the four-legged friend to adhere to the desired rules.

However, we humans must not forget that our animal friends still have their instincts. Reacting to undesirable behaviors of the dog with hardening and coercion would be the wrong way.

“He’ll have to go through it!”: Misconception or truth?

As long as two strange dogs play peacefully with each other, you do not have to intervene. But if it comes to a fight or bullying and your dog behaves fearfully, he needs your help. In such situations, when your four-legged friend seeks your protection or the other dog is physically superior to him and plays too wildly, it would be a mistake to dismiss this with a “He’ll have to go through!”. This would not lead to hardening but would strengthen or trigger your dog’s fearfulness and insecurity. If he then realizes that he cannot rely on his caregiver in moments that unsettle him and cause him to stress, your bond with each other will suffer – and that in turn will make dog training more difficult.

Dog training: adaptation yes, hardening no

If you want to achieve hardening through dog training, it is better to start small and get support from a dog trainer if necessary. This is advisable, for example, if your dog has already developed an anxiety disorder. Systematic desensitization is the technical term for when your four-legged friend gradually gets used to a fear-triggering stimulus. For example, if your dog is afraid of thunderstorms, it makes little sense to send him outside during lightning and thunder to harden him. Instead, you should gently acclimate your little scaredy-cat to the sounds and provide him with a haven indoors during a thunderstorm.

Dogs adapt to many things when living with their humans that are not their instinct. They learn to walk on a leash, eat the food they are handed, understand commands, and behave publicly. This alone requires a great deal of frustration tolerance, impulse control, and a willingness to learn from them. So it is unnecessary to ask him to endure and endure situations that may instill fear or even become dangerous for him.

HZOES.COM

HZOES.COM

Cute and funny, info and tips about dogs, cats and other animals. Great pictures and funny videos from the animal world. Your animals on hzoes.com

More articles from dog

Samoyed: Such is the character of the dog
Dog Buying

Samoyed: Such is the character of the dog

Samoyed: Such is the character of the dog The beautiful, white Samoyed belongs to a sled dog breed. His character is friendly, lively and outgoing, …

Read More →
Dog Training: Teaching the "Off!" Command
Dog Training

Dog Training: Teaching the “Off!” Command

Dog Training: Teaching the “Off!” Command If you want to teach your dog the command “Off!”, it is best to start with it while playing. …

Read More →
Why do dogs lick people? Meaning of "dog kisses
Dog Keeping

Why do dogs lick people? Meaning of “dog kisses

Why do dogs lick people? Meaning of “dog kisses When dogs come near human ears or hands with their tongues, it causes different reactions; what …

Read More →
Dog suddenly stinks extremely: What to do?
Dog Health

Dog suddenly stinks extremely: What to do?

Dog suddenly stinks extremely: What to do? The dog smell can already be very intense in normal condition. However, if the smell changes and the …

Read More →
Five health tips for dogs in winter
Dog Health

Five health tips for dogs in winter

Five health tips for dogs in winter Anyone who has observed dogs in winter knows that most four-legged friends love this time of year. Fun …

Read More →
Great family dogs: these breeds fit children
Dog Buying

Great family dogs: these breeds fit children

Great family dogs: these breeds fit children If you have children and plenty of space, large family dogs are just the thing. These breeds with …

Read More →
This site uses cookies

By continuing to use our site, you agree to our T & Cs and the use of our Cookies & amp;trackers as well as those of our partners in order to offer you content, services, personalized advertising and to generate statistics & amp; audience analysis.