January is national dog training month!
Who knew? Not me—until a casual Facebook scroll revealed this nugget of knowledge. Naturally, it got me thinking about my own pack of lovable hooligans. If you’ve ever had the pleasure (or peril) of meeting my crew, you’d probably chuckle at the idea of them being “trained.” Spoiler alert: they’re not.
Don’t get me wrong—I’ve had trained dogs. Take Brutus, our Rottweiler. I trained him for personal protection, and let me tell you, he took his job very seriously. Brutus was the kind of dog who’d give his last breath to keep our family safe. Warm and cuddly? Eh, not so much. Aloof by nature, Brutus didn’t hand out friendship bracelets freely. If you were in his inner circle, you were golden. If not…well, let’s just say his death stare and 120 pounds of muscle were very persuasive.
He had quirks, though. Sunglasses, for instance, were his kryptonite. Anyone daring to approach our house wearing shades quickly learned to ditch them—or risk an unforgettable encounter. And despite all that specialized training, Brutus was not above swiping a couple dozen freshly baked cookies when the opportunity presented itself. Nobody’s perfect, right?
We got Brutus because my husband traveled for work, and I wanted a protector for myself and the kids. He was incredible, guarding my children like they were his own. He lived to 10 years old, and to this day, he remains at the top of our family’s leaderboard for intelligence and guard instinct.
Training Brutus taught me a lot. First, training a dog isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. It’s like picking a college major for your pup: Do you want a guard dog, a therapy dog, or just a polite companion who won’t knock your guests flat on arrival? Most people settle for the latter—and that’s perfectly fine!
But finding a good trainer? That’s a whole other challenge. Trust me, there are some out there who are more interested in your wallet than your dog’s well-being. Do your homework: read reviews, ask for recommendations (your vet is a great resource), and look for programs that train both the dog and the owner. Let’s face it—nine times out of ten, the human is the one who needs the most work. For an in-depth look at finding a reputable trainer, see Dog Trainers 101.
Why is training so important? Because today’s adorable puppy hijinks can turn into tomorrow’s behavioral nightmare. Untrained dogs are far more likely to end up in shelters, and rescues often have to pour significant resources into rehabilitating them—if they can. Sadly, not all dogs get that chance.
Now, back to my pack of misfits. Are they “trained”? HA! Let’s just say they have manners. They don’t steal food off counters, dive into the trash, or knock visitors flat. They know what “no” means (whether they care is another story). And while their recall skills are…selective, they’re generally good dogs.
Training doesn’t stop, though. When we moved to a new property, my crew had to learn not to bolt out the door, chase every critter they saw, or greet guests by sprinting down the driveway like a canine cavalry. Training is really just direction and repetition—rinse and repeat until it sticks.
So, if you ever visit my house, be prepared to meet eight semi-trained, wildly enthusiastic dogs who think you’re their new best friend. You’ve been warned.
