Dog training is a physical skill, like learning to drive and it takes time to get used to this. We all go through the stages of learning skills; unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetent, conscious competence, unconscious competence. For dog trainers who have been teaching behaviours for years, we tend to lie in the unconsciously competent stage which means that we’re so comfortable and used to teaching a behaviour that we don’t think about how we have to do it. This is the realm that most drivers are in, you don’t have to think about each manoeuvre before you do it, it happens unconsciously. However, these skills weren’t always like that, do you remember your first driving lesson and how difficult it was to move into first gear? I do and it was a petrifying experience!
When you first start teaching your dog something you’ll go through each of these stages again. The more you practice, the faster you’ll move through the stages and getting the behaviour you’ve been working on will soon be something you do whilst being unconsciously competent. Everyone goes through this experience, even your dog trainer.
Every exercise you teach your dog will be hard at first, it is for all of us. The more you practice and make it part of your everyday life; the sooner it will become something you don’t even think about before doing and you’ll be taking that behaviour for granted!
To follow up or make an appointment or find out more information about Ringwood Dogs, Ashley Heath on the Dorset, Hampshire and New Forest border, please contact Isabelle Adams-Papé by clicking on the Contact Me tab.
I look forward to meeting you and working with your dogs.
Teaching Owners – Training Dogs. Happy dog training.
Isabelle Papé IMDT, ISAP, KAD
Ringwood Dogs, Three Legged Cross on the Dorset, Hampshire and New Forest border.
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