Owners rarely come to me asking to teach a behaviour. Usually, I’m asked to stop behaviours. ‘I want to stop my dog from pulling on the lead’ in comparison to ‘I’d like her to walk next to me’, ‘I want to stop my dog running off’ rather than ‘I’d like to teach him a good recall’.
I find that when addressing the issues owners have asked me to help them with, that owners regularly wait for the undesirable behaviour to occur (pulling on the lead, for example) before attempting the desirable behaviour that I’m trying to replace it with. So it is very much managing the owner’s expectation when training their dog’s these new skills. So before we start, I discuss the following points with owners:
- When learning a new skill, it takes time for your brain to digest what has been told to you when you’re given instructions. So an owner may still be digesting by the time I’ve got them having a go at the exercise.
- You need to practice! Expect to do 5-6 repetitions of a behaviour before both owner and dog get a handle on what is expected. Practice makes Perfect!
- Lower your expectations! Sometimes things go well, sometimes they don’t and that is fine. You are both learning together and I as a trainer may need to adapt the way I teach a particular behaviour to meet the needs of individual owners and their dogs.
- It’s hard! Dog training is a skill that takes a huge amount of time to become good at. There are a lot of variables at play and it’s hard to control those even as a dog trainer. I don’t expect the owners I work with to perfect these skills instantly.
So, when you seek the help of a professional trainer, relax and enjoy the journey. You are learning a new skill and so is your dog. And you will find as the training journey continues, you and your dog will become better at the behaviours you are trying to teach. And remember the golden rule in training…..Fast is Slow. And Slow is Fast.
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.
Puppy Training Consultations, Dog Training Consultations, Puppy Training Courses, Dog Training Club Classes, Kids Around Dogs, Helpful Hounds, Doggie Daycare, Dog Boarding, Dog Shop
Leave a Reply