Training: The Often-Overlooked Key to Better Health

As a trainer, I get asked all the time, “Isn’t training just about having a well-behaved dog?” Sure—it starts there. But training is so much more than good manners. It’s about helping dogs feel confident, reducing stress in unfamiliar situations (like vet visits!), and creating routines that support long-term wellness.

When veterinarians and dog trainers work hand in hand, everyone wins—especially your dog.

🧠 Mental Health Matters for Dogs, Too

Dogs need more than the basics like food, water, and exercise. They thrive when they’re mentally engaged and have opportunities to solve problems, explore, and connect with their humans.

Things like:

• Learning a new trick

• Playing an enrichment game

• Practicing cues like “touch” or “wait”

All of these things give your dog a sense of purpose. That mental stimulation helps prevent boredom, anxiety, and even destructive behavior. Just like with people, a healthy mind supports a healthy body.

🐾 Training Makes Vet Visits Less Stressful

Imagine walking into the vet’s office and your dog sits calmly beside you instead of trembling or trying to bolt. That’s the power of training.

Simple behaviors like “sit,” “stay,” or “relax” can make exams faster, less stressful, and even more accurate. A cooperative dog:

• Moves less during exams (which helps with diagnostics)

• May not need sedation for basic procedures

• Feels safer and less overwhelmed

Teaching your dog to be gently handled—ears, paws, mouth—at home also pays off big time in the exam room.

💉 Easier at Home = Healthier in the Long Run

A well-trained dog is more likely to allow grooming, take medication, or stay still during wound care or ear cleanings.

This makes home care doable—and even routine. That’s essential if your pup has a chronic condition like allergies, arthritis, or diabetes. When your dog sees these things as “no big deal,” life is easier for both of you.

🧬 Training Builds Lifelong Healthy Habits

Training isn’t about control. It’s about creating structure in your dog’s day that supports their health and safety:

• Loose leash walking means more outdoor time and exercise

• Reliable recall gives them more freedom (safely)

• A calm settle cue teaches them how to relax on their own

It’s also one of the best ways to build a strong bond. And dogs with secure, connected relationships tend to live more balanced, happy lives.

Training doesn’t just make life easier. It makes dogs healthier.

Confident, well-socialized, and cooperative dogs:

• Have less stress

• Respond better to vet care

• Live more enriched lives

If your dog finds vet visits overwhelming, struggles with behavior challenges, or you just want to start things off on the right paw, contact Love Me, Love My Dog Training, LLC.

We’re in this together—because your dog’s best life is built through teamwork.

A huge thank you to contributing author Margi Moore of Love Me, Love My Dog Training | Dog Trainer in Darlington SC