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Leave Your Ego Out of Training, Your Dog Doesn't Understand It

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Stop controlling everything your dog does. 

When we crowd our dogs with our own thoughts, desires, and emotions, they never have a chance to be themselves. This will, in turn, hinder your ability to understand WHO they are as a dog. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t manage their behaviors, have them on a healthy schedule, or restrict a young dog’s free range of the house. It’s vital to allow a little wiggle room. It will give them the confidence and help them to build a trusting and loving relationship with you.

Be present and pay attention. Learn who they are, what they love, and what they don’t. 

Personality, temperament, likes, and dislikes vary from dog to dog. This is not just due to age and breed. Every dog is different than the one next to him. Pay attention to these things. They are trying to show you as well as others around them. This might mean putting your phone away at the dog park, paying closer attention to what they do on walks and watching them without jumping to interfere right away. Literally WATCH what your dog is putting out there. You can even go as far as taking notes on the behaviors you see. A trainer can help you decipher what it means. Watching your dogs behaviors and processing it accurately is the input I need as a trainer to approach your dogs training appropriately.

Forgive them - quickly. And give them multiple opportunities to learn the desired behaviors. You will be surprised at how quickly dogs can overcome human perceived obstacles.

Dogs don’t hold a grudge the same way humans do. They just don’t. They easily forgive you for all of your mistakes and imperfections. And they still think you’re the greatest person on earth. Reciprocate that love. Swipe the slate clean and begin again with fresh, positive eyes. Every time.

Slow down. Your dog’s doesn’t have a timeline, only you do.

There is no rush to reach all of your training goals NOW. I can’t tell you how many times I see owners trying to teach their puppy or dog how to “stay” when they haven’t first helped them develop the skill of just sitting still for 20 seconds. When you rush your dog, they begin to mirror you. This creates anxious, unhappy dogs that rush through things with an unrealistic agenda set by you; another thing they will never understand. Instead of developing a training relationship based on unnecessary pressures, slow it down a little. Bank the smaller steps, they are movements in the right direction, even when they don’t feel big to you. Always let them know that they are doing well when they try and they will keep trying.

Hey, it's Ariel, your Canine Coach here. Hope you are loving Winter 2021!