LESSONS I LEARNED SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO
Having a dog brings so much joy, but it also comes with its challenges. Like any relationship, communication and understanding are key. Trust, respect, and patience lay the groundwork for successful interactions. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned the hard way so that you don’t have to.
Start by prioritising your relationship and ensure your dog knows that all good things come from you.
Have you ever noticed that it's easier to have difficult conversations with friends than with strangers? That's because you have social capital with your friends... Tough feedback is even tougher without trust and a pre-existing relationship, so investing time in building a relationship with your dog is worthwhile. That way, when faced with challenging situations, your dog will trust what you have to say. Most of the time, building a relationship can be as simple as playing, spending time together, and training together.
It’s much harder to train a dog that is over threshold…Love, not fear is what sticks.
Consider conversations you've had with people in emotionally charged situations. Think about how receptive you are to someone who only offers negativity or criticism in a heated fashion—chances are, those conversations aren't as productive as those held when both parties are level-headed. Similarly, keep in mind that if your dog is over threshold, learning is occurring, but it may not be the type you desire since your dog isn't in a "rational" state of mind. This is why we strive to conduct nearly all work when dogs are under threshold.
A healthy amount of pressure or threshold work is acceptable, but continually pushing your dog to the edge or relying heavily on punishments and corrections can shut them down and harm your relationship. If most of your behavior modification efforts stem from fear or intimidation, your actions may yield results, but they won't be as sustainable as those rooted in love and kindness. Additionally, there's likely to be a long-term cost to your relationship with your dog.
Leverage existing drives to motivate your dog and achieve goals.
Meet your dog where they are and understand them as individuals. Does your dog love food, respond well to affection and praise, or enjoy play? If your dog is already motivated in one area, use those motivations to create positive associations with other activities by pairing them with different motivators.
Every dog is different; work with the dog you have in front of you.
What works for my dog may not work the same way for yours. Different dogs will respond differently to various methods. While there are general principles, it's crucial to select tools and approaches that best suit a given dog and handler in their specific context. If someone offers a blanket solution for your dog's issue, exercise caution.
Don't dwell on mistakes—shake them off and move forward.
Mindset is crucial, especially when dealing with challenging dogs. Most dogs are highly sensitive and can pick up on your emotions. Therefore, it's essential to lead by example, quickly recover from tough interactions, and model calm behaviour for your dog. The ability to bounce back swiftly from setbacks is key to progress.
Instead of just saying no, communicate what you want your dog to do.
Have you had a manager who criticised your work without providing clear examples of what they expected? Consider if your communication with your dog resembles this. If you're constantly correcting them without providing guidance on what behaviours you want, your dog likely doesn't understand what you're asking for. Clear expectations and consistent reinforcement of desired behaviours are crucial for effective training.
Proof and generalise the behaviour before you move on.
How many times have we heard, “My dog recalls fine when no other dogs are around.”?
How often have we heard, "My dog listens perfectly at home, but not outside"? If your dog can't perform a behaviour everywhere, regardless of conditions, they aren't fully trained in that behaviour. Avoid increasing complexity until your dog is ready, as it is pointless to increase complexity before your dog is ready to do so.
Building a strong relationship based on trust, love, and clear communication is paramount in training your dog effectively. By understanding and respecting your dog's individuality, maintaining patience, and prioritizing positive reinforcement over punishment, you can nurture a harmonious partnership that lasts a lifetime. Remember, every interaction with your furry friend is an opportunity for growth—for both of you.
