Development and Training for Working Dogs

Lucia Lazarowski; Melissa Singletary; Bart Rogers; Paul Waggoner

doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.04.009

Development and Training for Working Dogs

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2021 Jul;51(4):921-931. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.04.009.

Authors

Lucia Lazarowski¹, Melissa Singletary², Bart Rogers², Paul Waggoner²

Affiliations

¹ Canine Performance Sciences, 104 Greene Hall, Auburn, AL 36849, USA. Electronic address: lzl0017@auburn.edu.
² Canine Performance Sciences, 104 Greene Hall, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.

PMID: 34059264
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.04.009

Abstract

Individual differences in behavior lead to wide variability in working dog suitability, and are the primary reason for rejection or early release. Behavioral suitability of a working dog is shaped by interactions with its environment during early development and specialized training. Understanding how aspects of development and training affect a working dog's performance is critical for practitioners to effectively evaluate and treat behavioral concerns in working dogs. This article provides an overview of critical aspects of puppy development that influence future behavior, and reviews important features of training that influence a dog's ability to learn and perform its designated task.

Keywords: Canine; Dog training; K9; Puppy development; Socialization.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Dogs
Working Dogs*