Myth or Reality: Do Dogs Require Toughening Up in Training?

On dog runs, walks or in dog training schools you might hear someone exclaim that “He’ll just have to go through it!” Many owners believe their dogs need hardening in order to learn; but is this accurate or just an opinion among some owners?

Dogs have proven themselves highly adaptable over their many millennia of domestication, making the transition seamless for both animal and owner alike. If the relationship between animal and owner is strong enough, consistency, clarity, and patience in dog training should help your four-legged friend adhere to desired rules.

However, we humans should remember that our animal friends still possess instinctive behaviors. Reacting harshly to any undesirable actions by your canine would only doom his behavior further.

“He must go through it!”: Prejudice or reality?

As long as two strangers play peacefully together, you aren’t required to step in. But if one or both dogs start fighting or bullying the other one and your four-legged friend becomes fearful, he needs your assistance. Responding with “He’ll have to go through!” would only serve to increase his fearfulness or trigger it further – potentially increasing anxiety levels even further and complicating dog training efforts even further.

Training Your Dog: Adaption Is Key; Hardening is Not

Getting hardening through dog training should start slowly and with professional assistance if necessary, especially if your pup already has anxiety issues. Systematic desensitization refers to when your four-legged companion gradually adjusts to fear-triggering stimuli such as thunderstorms. Instead of subjecting him to the sounds alone as punishment during thunderstorms, take care to gradually familiarize them gradually indoors until your four-legged friend can stand it in safety during stormy days!

Dogs adapt quickly when living with humans who do not share their instincts. They learn how to walk on leashes, consume what food is given them, understand commands given them and behave publicly without becoming disruptive or fearful of humans. It would be inappropriate for us to force such animals through situations which might induce fear or cause them harm – rather it should be necessary for humans to provide sufficient training so their canines can adapt efficiently in the most beneficial environment for both parties involved.