How Dogs Are Trained for Specialized Tasks

Training dogs can be done with several different techniques, from the easiest commands to training dogs really tough things. Individuals, law enforcement agencies and even the medical field use dogs for all sorts of reasons. A large number of dog owners only teach their dogs the basics however dogs are able to do some remarkable and advantageous things if you train them the right way.

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Dogs can rescue people if properly trained. Here's how that works. As you probably know, rescue dogs have been trained for years to help find people that are trapped or lost. Rescue dogs must be highly trained in a number of areas.

For example, rescue dogs are extremely physically fit. They can handle all types of weather and geography. They must be comfortable with heights and have a good sense of balance, as many rescue operations take place in the mountains. They are also very proficient at finding people using only their scent regardless of where they may be. The canine species is naturally adept at protecting its master. Even without training, they will be very accommodating and protective when you go into the wilderness to hike or fish in rugged areas.

Farmers and herders have used dogs ever since the olden days and their ways have continued even into the present time. Rounding up cattle and livestock with their herding abilities is something a lot of breeds can do and Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and German Shepherds are some examples. The above mentioned breeds and some others have an innate sense for herding, which can be really helpful for herding animals on ranches and farms. Another lesser known use for this type of dog is in geese management. Geese are often a nuisance at airports, on golf courses, race tracks and other public places. Chasing geese away and discouraging them from entering these kinds of places is something that some herding dogs are expressly trained for.

Teaching your dog to do tricks is one of the favorite pastimes of dog owners. Complex tricks, well beyond fetching and learning how to stay, are taught to many dogs around the world for fun and for the owner to display. Clicker training is an example of advanced training. To get your dog to obey basic commands, you will use the clicker which is a very small device. Advanced training involves using the clicker to help them learn how to get things like your shoes or grab a water hose. Not all dogs are able to learn the most advanced tricks, but if you have a highly intelligent and well behaved dog, you can teach him to do a surprising number of tasks.

No matter what the purpose of dog training, everything has to begin with the fundamentals. A dog that knows vital commands can then be taught with more advanced training. Beyond this, what a dog is capable of depends on the breed and the temperament and qualities of the individual dog. Training dogs for specialized reasons requires both a dedicated owner and a dog that has the right traits.