After training your first perfect dog, and then getting one that is different than what you are used to, we quickly realize that training a dog can be complex. It isnt as simple as saying yes and no and teaching behaviours. We soon realize that our dogs have their own motivations, abilities, desires and work ethic, or lack there of, in addition to physical and temperamental difficulties. Our job as trainers is to work with our dogs, developing their weaknesses, building their strengths, and using their strengths to help us retrain their weaknesses. We increase work-ethic, teaching them that pleasing us is key to all great things in life. As we do this, we must always aim to keep them happy and enthusiastic. The more you know, the more you realize how everything affects everything. As you build their desire and drive, your control is no longer sufficient. Or as you build confidence in a fearful dog, you will frequently see aggression emerge. By altering one piece of the puzzle, your entire picture can dramatically change. You know you are learning and doing things right when things become difficult. If it is simple, you are not getting the most out of your dog. A dog with zero self-esteem is easy to live with. They lie at your feet, never have the guts to jump on a stranger, and plod along behind you on their walks. But low self-esteem isnt right. A dog with full self-esteem and confidence will make his own decisions, sometimes reply no to a request, and must be taught to make the right choices, meaning that first he must be schooled well in what is right, and then given the freedom to show his brilliance. This requires feel and timing, and is complex to get the balance right. Often I see dogs with full-self esteem and no control, or way too much control and no self-esteem. I believe that many trainers of dogs are excellent at teaching set behaviours, but forget to train and mold the temperament. They will end up with a dog with many great training moments, but no skills to pull them through the times of stress, impossible situations, or over-excitement. Training the dog, and not just the behaviour, is akin to learning to speak a language. You will start to see things that you previously never saw, and once you are able to see you will never not see again. You will become a master at reading dogs, and will love the challenge of working out exactly what they need, and how to give it to them. And you will get completely and utterly hooked.... if you are not already. Monique Anstee Victoria, BC
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 14:22:00 +0000
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