How Dogs Really Learn — Why Mental Exercise Matters as Much as Physical Exercise
This article was originally written years ago when I was collecting ideas and resources from trainers around the country. Since then, I’ve worked hands-on with hundreds of dogs and families throughout the Kansas City metro area, and my training philosophy has evolved into a clear, in-home system built around communication — not just commands.
One area I see consistently misunderstood by Kansas City dog owners is how learning actually happens inside a dog’s brain. Dogs that aren’t getting enough purposeful mental work — not just physical exercise — don’t become “bad,” they become restless, impulsive, and disconnected from their owners.
If you’d like help building this foundation with your own dog, you can learn more about my local services here:
Dog Trainer in Kansas City — https://kissdogtraining.com/dog-trainer-kansas-city/
Dog Trainer in Shawnee — https://kissdogtraining.com/dog-trainer-in-shawnee/
In-Home Dog Training in Shawnee — https://kissdogtraining.com/in-home-dog-training-in-shawnee/
The following section contains the original article and/or other resource that inspired this post and is preserved here for historical context. My current perspective, based on years of in-home training across Kansas City and Shawnee, is reflected in the introduction above.
INCREDIBLE ARTICLE BY ONE OF MY FAVORITE AUTHORS/TRAINERS! IT COVERS THE PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING, THE IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE, BOTH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL. IF YOU HAVE A DOG OR, FOR THAT MATTER, A CHILD. YOU NEED TO READ THIS! Santiago’s Brain–And what it has to do with Dogs « Wilde About Dogs
