Dog trainers walk that special line in people’s lives. It is very similar to teachers. We can be loved or despised, appreciated or taken for granted. But in the end, our true reward is when we see dogs’ lives get better because of our teaching.
As dog trainers, we can truly make a difference in family’s every day lives. After a recent private lesson, I got in my car and sat for a moment. I smiled and thought, I love my job.
Private lessons are so special to me. Almost always, cases that require in home, private lessons are because the problems have already become extreme. These lessons are about showing people that there is hope. Sometimes the canine behavior problems people endure take a toll on their family life, their marriage, their relationship with their children. After lessons like these, I really realize just how much the lesson changed the lives of the family, but most especially the dog!
The biggest surprise for this specific family was that their dog was actually quite intelligent and very quick learner. He was willing to please and when told what to do was very fast to follow. This was the type of lesson where the family meant well, but as is natural for people, they weren’t seeing things from the dog’s perspective and “speaking the same language.”
Quite a few of their “techniques” were actually teaching the dog to misbehave – unintentionally of course. Always remembering the fact that dogs repeat what is rewarded is so important. If a dog barks in the crate and you open the door? Wah-lah! Barker in the crate! Sometimes things that are more passive are also rewarding. For example, when the dog goes to the bathroom, whether in the house or outside, the relief of that “tension of having to go” is a reward – think of that last long car trip you took! It is our job as pet parents to teach them where that can happen.
Also, in this home and many others I have visited, leadership desperately needed to be established. This adorable little puppy thought he was the ruler of the home! Leadership is not the same thing as dominance – this little puppy didn’t need to be taught “who was boss!” but instead needed to start earning all the fun and privileges it had been getting for free.
This family and I have continued working on their dog’s training. Teaching your dog is often about teaching yourself, learning how to “speak dog,” and broadening your knowledge of this species our lives are intertwined with.
Peace, Love, and Paws,
Christine Fox
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://wagntails.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/author-image.png[/author_image] [author_info]About the Author Christine Fox, APDT, CTDI and a Pet Sitters International member, is the founder of Wag ‘N’ Tails Dog Activity Center with two locations in Michigan. She has been involved with many pet dog trainer certification initiatives, all based on learning techniques that involve humane practices and the latest in scientific research. Christine also raised a service dog for Paws With a Cause and plans to train her newest pup in therapy work. Through her work with dogs and their parents, Christine has developed many happy and healthy relationships with both humans and dogs in the community.[/author_info] [/author]
