Top 3 Things Trainers Know That You Don't
Do you ever watch a trainer on social media or in your home or a class and wonder how it is so easy? Here are three things great trainers know and do that the average pet owner doesn't.
- Environment Matters
- Training is happening all the time.
- Fighting against genetics is a loosing battle.
Environment Matters.
The environment you and your dog are in can change everything! It is easy to get upset with your dog for not doing things you know they have learned. But take a minute to stop and think about where and under what circumstances your dog learned it. If the environment (including other people, noises, smells, etc.) is different, they may need a little help to remember what they know. To help them out, you may need to make it easier for them (move further away from whatever is exciting or overwhelming). Or help them see its worth their while with a few rewards for doing the thing in this environment.
Training is happening all the time.
Training is not just when you get your treats and clicker out. Training happens all the time. Every time you walk in the door, your dog is learning if jumping on you will get them attention or if the best way to get your attention is to station on the ottomon. Every walk, your dog is scanning the environment and deciphering threats from friends. When you call your dog in from outside where they are loving life, and then immediately put them in their crate to leave, they are learning that coming when you call means their about to get locked up.
Knowing this allows us to better figure out what your dog has learned and how to change it effectively. Instead of calling your dog in and then leaving, call them in, do a few more of your morning things, maybe throw in a 5 minute game of tug. Creating distance between the come to me cue and leaving will help them see that only good things happen when they come to you. Coming when called no longer means social isolation.
Fighting Against Genetics Is A Losing Battle
Our dogs have been bred for the last 40,000 years to do different jobs. Those jobs vary by breed, but including keeping livestock safe, alerting to predators or intruders, killing rodents and harmful (to humans) animals in the environment, assisting with hunting and retrieving, sport and so much more.
There is also a ton of information in your dog's genetic code that has come along for the ride due to our selective breeding or because of experiences and learning they have encountered and prior generations have.
Trying to stop a bully from biting, a cattle dog from herding or a husky from covering long distances is a losing battle. Going against a dogs genetics is like not allowing a human to communicate with other humans or not allowing a human to move their body. Our dogs have needs beyond food, water and shelter and we have an obligation to meet those needs. Does this mean we should allow your husky to run through the neighborhood, your cattle dog to oush your quests around the home or let your bully bite at human arms and legs? Of course not! But what is does mean is that we need to find appropriate outlets for these needs.
So there you go, 3 of the things the best dog trainers know that the average pet owner doesn't. Hopefully this can help you and your pets build a better relationship and live more harmoniously.