It is really important that we always end training sessions with our dogs on a high note. In other words, the last thing we do with them should be fun and successful.
This is not to say we will always be successful with what we are working on that day, especially if it is something brand new or especially challenging. There will likely be times that our dogs have difficulty learning something, and that’s totally normal. We all have talents that came naturally and other skills that had to be developed with a little more effort. Some of us are good at math, others not so much. Dogs are no different. No big deal, just come back to it later or on another day.
Getting frustrated or grinding away at a certain skill for too long will only lead to frustration. Frustration, be it yours or your dog’s, will be counterproductive. The key is to make the training fun and end the session with both of you feeling good about what was accomplished and looking forward to the next training session. So sometimes ending on a high note might mean going back to something really easy that your dog already knows or just playing tug, fetch, or anything that feels good for you both.
This, like most things in life, is simple in theory but easy to overlook when caught up in the moment. Competitive, perfectionist types may find this especially challenging, but trust me when I tell you that this is the best way to achieve that perfection you are striving for. Think of it like a good work out. You always warm up before getting into the hard stuff and then cool down before calling it quits. If you just went to the gym, tried to lift something too heavy a few times, got upset with yourself and quit trying, you’d probably not be motivated to go back.
We need to set ourselves and our dogs up for success. Warm up with easy stuff and get them engaged, then ease into the “work” portion, which could be adding challenges to known behaviors or teaching something brand new. If you have success with the new behavior or challenge, great! You can end the training there, give lots of love, and just throw the ball for fun or let your dog run around exploring, or whatever. Good job! If, on the other hand, the challenge is not going so well or your dog just isn’t getting it, take a breather and then go back to something easy.
Clearly, if you are not seeing improvements over a reasonable amount of time something is wrong and you may need to rethink your approach or get some professional help. If you’re already in an obedience class, don’t be afraid to ask questions. It is easy to get lost in the crowd so make yourself known and get your money’s worth. I can’t speak for all trainers but I love questions. It shows that you care plus it keeps me on my toes. I also appreciate people who show up early or stay after class when they need some extra help.
If you hit a wall and are trying to rethink how to train your dog to do something you may also reconsider what you are trying to train. As mentioned earlier, we all have different talents. Working with your dog’s strength as much as possible will make for much smoother sailing. Maybe Fido just isn’t meant to be a disc-catching dog. Perhaps he was born to be a therapy dog.
Sometimes we get caught up trying to strengthen our weaknesses when we would better serve ourselves and the world by developing our true talents, our gifts… our calling, if you will. The same goes for our dogs. Unless what you are working on is vital (like coming when called or not chasing cars), I believe the round peg belongs in the round hole. Find Fido’s calling and go with it. This is how stars are born.
The main point here is that it all doesn’t have to happen today. All will be well if you end training sessions on a high note so both you and your dog will want to do it again tomorrow.
Chad Culp is a certified dog trainer, behavior consultant, and owner of Thriving Canine: Dog Training Services (thrivingcanine.com). He travels the Bay Area doing behavior consults and conducts obedience and non-competitive agility classes in Gilroy and Morgan Hill. To contact him, email chad@thrivingcanine.com.
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