“You’re not training our dog, you are training us!” is something I hear often during classes and private sessions. Since we do not offer board and train, we are essentially teaching owners how to handle and train their dogs themselves. Much of the work involves guiding and directing the human. We, as trainers, may be able to take the leash and make the dog look fantastic, but the onus is on teaching the dogs family to be able to better their skills and communication, since we don’t live with the dog, and are only with the family for a short period of time. Teaching people provides a lot of important insights into learning rates, retention, confidence building, differing personalities and gives us a glimpse into the workings of human mind, with emphasis on behaviour.
So here are the top five, of the many things, that I have learned in over a decade of helping people work with their dogs more effectively, that are important for both training your dog and for life in general.
- Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks. Our dogs behaviours can be frustrating and embarrassing, we can screw up, do silly things, say something with no filter, but if we focus on what others think, we are simply performing to appease the outside world. Instead, we need to focus inward and not let others perceived judgement cloud our progress or our relationship with our dogs. At the end of the day, their opinion doesn’t matter, it’s your opinion that counts.
- Practice doesn’t make perfect. There is no such thing as perfect. Perfect is an illusion. Instead, practice makes progress, and progress is what keeps us going, what motivates and moves us forward. Striving for perfection only disappoints and doesn’t allow you to enjoy the process as much.
- Small wins are big wins. Celebrate the small wins, the small progress, the little moments, as they will help to drive you forward to your big dream. Small wins are always progress and growth.
- Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone learns and retains information at their own rate, and not everyone learns in the same manner. So you need to stop asking why you or your dog isn’t as good as the neighbour, the random person on Instagram or the person beside you in class. As long as you are making progress and seeing results, you will eventually get to where you want to be. Don’t put pressure on yourself or on your dog to be like others. Be yourself. You are cool. There is nothing wrong with you.
- Have fun and find gratitude. Even on the tough days. I get it, things can be hard at times, but focusing on negativity will only breed more negativity. Instead, pick one thing each day that you are grateful for, and set out to have fun, even if it’s only for a few minutes. If your practice this daily it will absolutely change your mindset and garner much better results with your dog, and in life.
These are just a few of the important pieces that I have learned over the years, and hopefully these pieces offer you some insight and inspiration on how to make working with your dog, or others, a more positive experience.
Smart Dogs Canine Training Milton 