Dog Training Made Easy

I believe a happy, stimulated dog learns more quickly, they are easier to train and the experience is more enjoyable for both owner and dog. If you want your dog to heel well and do what we expect of them during training, they need to be happy, stimulated and enjoy what they are doing. Some dogs love obedience training (working dogs), but some are more sensitive and quiet. They need motivation.

So how do we keep a dog interested, happy and stimulated during training?

Motivation can be achieved in many different ways. Using an exciting voice, toys or treats and especially praise. We ask our dogs to do exercises that are not natural for them and sometimes we become upset when they are not working well.
Even if your dog is not working well you should still be happy and have fun because with persistence and a happy outlook you will eventually achieve your goal. Dogs are also able to sense your moods and confidence levels so training should be made as much fun as we possibly can. Your dog needs to believe that the exercises we ask of them are the best things in the world to do. The biggest motivator for dogs is knowing that what they are doing is making you very happy. If you look at very good trialling dogs, outside of a trial ring, preparing to go in or just watching the other contestants, they are like coiled springs, they are excited with anticipation and cannot wait to get into the ring. Dogs love trialling because it stimulates them, they are with their owners and they have a lot of fun.

Demotivating happens when we get upset, angry, overwork our dogs or become too dominant over them.

Don’t get upset during dog training. If your dog does something wrong first look at yourself and make sure it is not your fault. Be sure that you are using the correct footwork and hand signals and not pushing your dog too far too fast. Ask your instructor for help.
Don’t get angry or growl at your dog. Dogs are a little like children, if we get upset with them over a task they have performed badly and visibly show it, they are not likely to try again and if they do they are very apprehensive about it and don’t perform well. Have you ever walked into a room after a couple have had a fight and feel the tension in the air? Dogs have that awareness all the time so it doesn’t take much to upset them.
Even if your dog is not working well you should still be happy and have fun. If you are upset or angry laugh it off and try again. When you do get it correct praise you dog and reward with treats; free your dog and play. Have fun!!!
Don’t overwork your. Dogs learn by repetition and consistency, everything you do in dog training should be repeated exactly the same as the previous attempt but if you do too much work your dog will get bored and demotivated so limit your practice time and play for twice as long as you practice.
Leaning over your dog is one of the worst demotivators and the hardest to stop. Even the best trialers have at times lent over their dog. Your dog perceives it as a form of dominance and sometimes reacts in an unwanted manner (moving away, lagging, heeling wide, getting up out of stays etc.).
We all want to watch our dog heeling by our side but eyeballing and leaning over your dog is too much for them. It is much better to pick an object in the distance and heel towards it, glance down at your dog over your left shoulder while keeping your body upright. When returning from stays don’t crowd your dog.
I did say it was hard! I still have problems with it myself but it is worth the effort.

D.Mark Allen