Dogs…Keep That Spirit!

When dog owners seek out a trainer for their furry companion, they obviously want someone who will get the job done, but they also want someone who will tend to the family’s needs and ensure the dog reaches obedience AND happiness. No owner wants their dog to get training and then finish up completely drained of energy and life. Sure, maybe a few dogs could take the hyperactivity level down a notch, but what I mean by “energy and life” is the dog’s spirit – their canine liveliness and enjoyment of life.

When it comes to training dogs, I am not about full-on dominance or “breaking their spirit”. I do not condone any type of training that takes the vibrancy and joy of existence out of a dog’s personality. Many people are always worried about hiring a trainer because they have heard or had experience before where a dog just seemed to leave their lessons sans a soul, almost resembling a subservient machine. This is not what training should EVER be about.

With my Atlanta dog training programs, I create a controlled environment where both owner and dog can live with and progress in. The owner maintains his/her’s role as a leader and teaches their dog how to earn praise and reward – by making better decisions! When first starting the training, it is VERY common that the dog might display the following behaviors: stress, uncertainty, protest, or downright stubbornness. It is also possible that the dog maybe immediately show relief, excitement and happiness because they are now getting the direction they’ve been waiting for!

Either way, the dog’s reaction to an entirely brand new restructuring of their life can vary. Any negative reaction in the beginning, we always make sure to that we instill positive, reward-based training and set the dog up to succeed, bringing balance to the initial resentment. From there, we stay the course, maintain consistency so that dog becomes more comfortable with this new rewarding lifestyle. What appears to be initial confrontations and bitterness of the training is very normal. Think about it – say for example your parent or spouse brought in some big boot camp Army guy into your home (like you see in daytime television talk shows), having them tell you what you can and cannot do. Wouldn’t you be pretty upset and uncomfortable as well? The life you had before boot camp is now changing, and while change can be a good thing, sometimes it is hard to adjust to in the beginning.

And that’s why it is so important to assist in that adjustment. It’s not about dominating or forcing a dog to just do what we want. We want the dog to WANT to behave and make the better choice. We stick with them and shower them with patience and consistency as they get through the beginning stages of training. Every time I’ve had a client’s dog first react negatively to the training, they become more comfortable as each day passes. Because we’re there for them and because we want them to still be happy dogs. We just want them to make better decisions that lead to reward and an anxiety-free life!

No matter what the behavioral issues are, a dog’s spirit should always remain intact, during and after training. When a client brings their dog to me, I don’t want to send home a furry robot that obeys out of fear. I want to send back a dog that still has his/her free will, but is using it properly! I want a dog that thrives from the training and becomes more relaxed in his/her’s skin, while strengthening their self-confidence and their relationship with their families!

Questions about training? Are you looking for a trainer that takes into account your training goals and your dog’s needs and spirit? Call today at 800.649.7297 and schedule an initial consultation with us!