Dog Training Basics Every Dog Walker Must Know
Dog Walkers' Obedience Training
Though it is not necessarily up to you to train another person's dog - you're a walker, not a trainer - giving the dogs that you walk a few basic lessons in doggie walking etiquette can make all the difference in your overall dog walking experience.
In fact, there are many different benefits to training dogs with the basics in walking etiquette that you may not even have considered. Think about the following important aspects to offering a bit of training to your four legged clients:
- The owners of the dogs will be very pleased when they begin to see the benefits of your training on their dogs when they're at home. Even the most basic commands such as sit, come, stay, and down, can make an enormous impression on your clients.
- You will improve communication between yourself and the dogs you're walking. This is important for confidence, enjoyment, and safety. The more confident you become, the more dogs you'll be able to walk at once (up to the legal limit, of course) and the more money you'll be able to make.
- The dogs will like your company more when they understand what you want from them. They'll be more eager to please you and to be around you. Dogs are pack animals and communication is very important to them. The better you can relay your messages to the dogs, the more pleasant the walks will be. After all, haven't you ever heard that the key to a healthy relationship is communication? The same goes with dogs!
- You will maintain a much more professional appearance when walking well trained dogs. Even as you are training the dogs, you will show that you know what you are doing and that you are aware of what is needed to communicate with the dogs. This will please any current clients who happen to see you and will impress anybody who happens to be in the market for a dog walker and may be looking for the type of services that you can provide. In that vein, don't forget to carry business cards with you so that you can hand them out if you're approached.
- Training dogs can be an extremely rewarding process. This is the case both with dogs that are easy to train and those that present a bit more of a challenge. When you teach a dog something new, it is fun to see the learning progress and can give you a great sense of victory when the dog has consistently picked up the skill or the word that you've been teaching. Not only is the goal contain many benefits, but the path to achieving it can give you with a strong sense of accomplishment, too.
Most dogs are eager learners. They want to get along with you and would like to please you if they can. Use this knowledge to share some enjoyable training time together - even if it is only a few minutes per dog per walk. Just remember not to overdo it or both you and the dog can become tired and frustrated. Be consistent with your training and don't allow any undesirable behaviors to simply "slip by" just because it seems easier at the time. Your patience, dedication, and consistency will be greatly appreciated by both the owner and yourself when the training starts to pay off.
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Dog Training Basics Every Dog Walker Must Know: Dog Walkers' Obedience Training
Dog Walking Safety Tips
Dog First Aid
Dog Walking Etiquette
Dog Walking Flyers
Dog Walking Business Names
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Dog Walking Business Cards
Dog Walking Rates
Dog Walking Tips
Reviews of Dog Walking Business Books
Dog Walking Forms