Why Not Training Your Dog Is a Big Mistake
Over the years, I’ve met countless people who say they don’t see the value in training their dog — and then immediately complain about their dog’s behaviour. As a dog trainer, this is incredibly frustrating to hear.
Here’s how I explain it to clients:
Imagine having a 10-year-old child that you never taught to speak, read, or understand the world around them. Living with that child would be incredibly difficult — a full-time job of constant management and stress. The child would likely be emotionally unstable and hard to be around.
That is exactly what happens when people don’t train or socialise their dog.
The Cost of Skipping Training
A large majority of behavioural problems stem directly from a lack of training and socialisation. Years ago, an Australian study found that less than 1% of dogs ever attend any form of obedience school or work with a professional trainer. I see the truth of this every time I’m out with my own dogs — constantly having to manage other people’s untrained dogs to keep mine safe.
As Forrest Gump would say: “Stupid is as stupid does.” Not training your dog keeps it ignorant — and that ignorance makes it a liability.
I’ve broken up countless dog fights and watched too many owners chasing their runaway dogs just to finish a simple walk.
The Power of Training
Training is about teaching your dog the “ABCs” — building clear communication that you can build upon. This creates a reliable dog instead of a constant problem.
When you invest time in training, you:
- Prevent unwanted behaviours
- Strengthen the bond with your dog
- Gain the ability to enjoy life together
People often compliment me on how well-behaved my dogs are. Yes, being a professional trainer helps, but the real difference is that I took the time and applied the discipline to teach them. That effort has created wonderful relationships and allowed my dogs to help me rehabilitate other dogs and demonstrate what’s possible.
Bottom line: Training isn’t just about commands — it’s about giving your dog the skills they need to succeed in our world and building a relationship you’ll both enjoy for years to come.
Check out Sidney’s YouTube channel (5017) Sidney Aarons Professional Dog Trainer – YouTube