In What Way Does Training and Competing With Your Dog Benefit The Dog?

Question

How does it benefit the dog?
How has it benefited you? (if at all)

Answer 1

You know, I have thought about this question for a while and I am not sure you explain the benefits, not just to the dog, but to the handler too, to anyone that has not been there and done that!! It is a TEAM effort, both parties get too train and both parties get to compete and in some sports, KNPV for example, the handler is scored as well as the dog.
Training a dog to high level competition requires so much sacrifice and commitment and sweat and tears and sometimes even blood!!
To take a green puppy/dog, and train for a year or two or even 3 in some sports and then look at the achievements you BOTH have made, how far you both have come, that is incredible and no words will be able to describe that feeling!!
Hope I helped!

Answer 2

I have a highly trained German Shepherd, we do not compete or anything though because he is not a pure and he had to be "altered" because I live in the city and he needs to be friendly with other dogs at all times.

That being said, for a working class dog to NOT be trained well is a complete shame. They absolutely need a job, even if their job is obedience. It makes the dog confident, responsive and safe. Not sure about all breeds, but I'm sure the confidence a dog gains through training can only be a good thing.

As for me, having my dog be obedient vs some of the people I see chasing after their dog in the park, is worth way more than the cost of good training and time spent working with the animal.

Answer 3

Competition is pressure.

Depending on the venue it is the proving ground.

Its all well and good if your dog is obedient at home.... if he cannot be obedient when faced with the distractions of a show (or a real life walk downtown with heavy pedestrial and vehicular traffic) just how well trained is he?

Having a dog that knows how to respond well to pressure crosses over into daily life- Such as when two strays attacked my 10 mos old pup and my partner basically lifted and tossed him into a crate in the van to get him out of harms way. The pup was unphazed... partially, I believe due to the fact he's been in high stress situations (competition, grumbly dogs) before and he knows he can trust.. and we'll take care of it.

Looking at conformation from my dog's point of view (probably a pretty accurate guess since they all want to be the one shown):
*Couple hours the day before show grooming- time spent with mom (eh, what else would they call me?)
*Car ride (what's not good about that!)
*More grooming (more ALONE time with mom)
*Show time- stand pretty and stretch (hey.. I'm a Service Dog this is easy peasy)
*Easy yummy special treats for putting up ears and SMILING at the judge

It benefits me by proving I have good dogs. It gives me a place to meet people and discuss dogs, training, breeding.

But most of all, it increases the bond between myself and the dog... there is a symbiosity (is that a word) between the dog and I. There is pressure around us.. I pressure the dog, the dog gives.. the dog pressures me, I support the dog.. the tension and flow between us increases... and THAT is where a remarkable performance occurs.

Edit: In the picture in my avatar there are 4 Samoyeds and a Bernese. The Bernese is a 9 mos old puppy boy. The two dogs on the left are mine and my daughters, the 2 Sams on the right are dogs I handled for someone else (kennel dogs I trained). The picture was taken at a park in the Grand Canyon... with people milling all around and ooohing and ahhhhing over the pretty dogs. Yet you see them all sitting nicely and smiling.. THAT is pressure.

Answer 4

I don't compete with my dog... obedience training has been enough work for now. The obedience training has benefited both me and my dogs. It has benefited my older dog in more ways than me. She is very energetic, and training provides some wonderful and productive mental stimulation for her. Additionally, she is a very "edgy" dog... weak nerves I believe it has been referred to on this site, and with training, I can avert her attention much more easily.

When she freaks out at something by the window, working herself up, I simply call her over and go through a series of obedience commands. It keeps her attention away from the window, works on her obedience, and helps alleviate her stress.

As for me? Well, in her being my first dog that has not been a "family dog", I get great pride out of training this little devil. She is a challenge, but I feel accomplished having a trained dog.

Answer 5

Benefits to dog:
exercise for body
exercise for mind
socialize your dog to different people/situations/dogs
learns control in these situations
strengthens bond with you
increases confidence
decrease boredom

Benefits to you:
All of the above, plus the joy of having a well-behaved dog, and the joy of seeing him compete and "show his stuff." Also making dog-people friends!

Answer 6

Competing is great, just don't forget to have fun while you are at it :)

Training makes a world of difference to the dog.

If only people realized how much training means to dogs, we probably wouldn't have shelters overflowing with unruly, out of control adolescent dogs.

My American Pit Bull Terrier trains in Competition obedience, Fly Ball and competes in Dock Diving. She has a job and tasks to do daily, so she is a happy dog whose energy and drive was channeled towards the good things. That makes a happy and contained dog, which in turn makes a happy owner! Not to mention she is an absolute joy to walk around town with, because of her obedience skills.

I don't have a dog that was taught few tricks. Through training we have a strong bond and I am her leader. Her decision making process goes through me, and it makes our both lives that much easier and enjoyable.

Answer 7

We recently started in the confirmation ring in a few different venues. Both my female dog and I were "green" so to speak as neither of us ever competed, but have trained all along as if we were.

After my girls first show......she had a whole differen air about herself. She did win ribbons, and did get Best Puppy in Class. Just seeing how much better she carries herself since then is amazing. She loves socializing with the people that ask to pet her, as well as the other dogs.

Benefits to me: a 4 day weekend to let my girl do her thing, which she seems to enjoy! Meeting other owners, handlers, breeders is quite awesome too.

Answer 8

Stimulation, socialization and learning to behave in a human world. It gives us the chance to meet other like minded people in a setting that is fun and enjoyable, we all have the same interest, our dogs. I like to think that people that take the time and effort to compete in these events are responsible people who take care of their pets. No matter the forum, be it agility, obedience, working trials, or conformation. You are somehow testing your dogs abilities and your own training abilities, which means how you communicate with your pet. You wont be able to do any of these things with a dog that doesn't like or doesn't respect you.

Answer 9

I think it strengthens the bond between dog and owner. It also gives both a sense of accomplishment, and most of the time taps into a dogs natural insticts, allowing them to do what they were bred for.

During the weight pull competitions in my local pit bull organization, if the dog cannot pull the cart, someone gives it a push, so the dog won't feel like he failed. I don't know if the dog even notices, but it's stilll a positive experience on both sides.

Answer 10

Not only is it the exercise of both the body and mind of both the dog and owner it also strengthens the bond between the two.

The dog benefits by exercising. Stimulates his mind so they don't go crazy. And he learns to listen and trust his human partner.

The human benefits by having a tired puppy. let alone relieving stress, Exercising and having a partnership with some one who loves you unconditionally.