Knowledge is Power – Atlanta Dog Trainer Blog
“I don’t know what you did, but my dog has been so much better since you were here!”
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that statement from clients when I arrive to begin training, after having done a behavior consultation a few days prior. Has it been a hundred times? Triple that? It’s unbelievably common!
Our behavior consultations are extremely informative. We typically spend a few hours with a dog and its family, while observing the dog and its interaction with its family. Usually, we’ll also go out for a short walk in the neighborhood to see the dog’s behavior outside the home, surrounded by more distractions. After doing all this, we’ll explain exactly what’s going on with the dog, what the issues are, and exactly how to remedy the situation. We’ll come up with a detailed training plan, then set an appointment to return for training.
But… we don’t do any actual dog training in a behavior consultation. So, why do we always hear that the dog is better, when all we did is meet him/her and explain what’s going on?
My theory is, that by empowering the family with the knowledge of exactly what is going on with their pet’s behavior, and explaining that it’s genuinely fixable: essentially showing them the light at the end of the tunnel, it changes the relationship dynamic between the dog and human, causing the dog’s overall anxiety to lower.
This is why I always stress to people that dog training isn’t about doing commands or cute parlor tricks. It’s about creating a relationship with your pet based on trust, understanding, and mutual respect. Not only do we wish to modify a dog’s behavior, but we also want to bring peace and lessen anxiety in the household, and that includes both dog and owner. We aim to guide the owner to guide the dog, to lead the dog to a life of not only obedience, but happiness!
With our training, we take the approach “Decisions, Not Dominance” for a very good reason. Think about it – why do most people get dogs? It could be for sport, sensory guidance, guarding, hunting, or maybe someone wants to show off their dog’s groomed beauty and marvelous agility at a national competition. Ultimately though, the typical aspect of having a dog that most owners and families desire is the companionship and unconditional emotional support.
A dog owner might be able to completely “dominate” a dog and have that dog listen to every word uttered, but there’s a higher risk of the dog developing anxiety or a heavy fear of the owner. The dog may act obediently, but it may be only based on fear, not trust and respect. If a dog owner wishes to have a healthy, trusting relationship with their dog, they cannot follow a recipe strictly composed of dominance and punishment tactics. Instead, an owner should strive for a balance: giving praise and reward when the dog does well, setting the dog up for success as much as the owner can, consequently directing the dog toward positivity and to better decision-making. It is not necessary to have an “alpha”, but rather an educated, assertive leader that understands what is best for themselves and the dog.
Still, whether it is a dominance-based training or “purely” positive reinforcement training, when many dog owners accept that they must hire a trainer to treat their dog’s behavioral problems, one of the greatest fears they have is the future state of their dog’s will, or “spirit”. At our consultations, I always give great detail on my training and what customized plan we would create for that specific client and dog. Because it is a logical fear, showing a deep tenderness and compassion for their canine family member, I always assure the owner that during every single moment of training, I always take into account a dog’s free will and how we never want to take that away from the dog. Having free will and a lively spirit is part of being a dog, and the dog should be a dog, not a soulless machine! Even with just discussing this topic, I instantly see changes in the client’s body language and tone of voice – more relaxed, and now more ready to help the dog.
It is startling the difference it makes when the owner simply shows a little bit of confidence and determination to help their dog. Many owners are determined, but are not confident, whether it is over their own abilities, their doubts on the trainer, or their heartbreaking fear that their dog might be totally helpless; the dog being doomed for a long life of emotional suffering, or a short life in a shelter. This is why we have our initial behavioral consultations before signing any contracts or working with the dog. We meet the owner and dog, talk over and witness the issues firsthand in the home, discuss what the owner wants to achieve with the dog, and determine what is the best course of action to take with the training. We also address any questions or concerns the owner may have, be it about the training itself, or whether or not the dog is just another lost cause, destined to be another failed statistic.
As a trainer, I follow a commitment-based philosophy, meaning essentially that if the owner follows through and commits to helping their dog (no matter how hard and bumpy the path may seem), I stick with them until their training goals are met, exhausting every possibility to bring long-lasting harmony for the owner and dog. If it’s at the consultation or during training, it is my duty to not only prescribe the best training program for the family, but also to assist them through any hurdles they might face during the training. Be it confusion over a training exercise or a paralyzing sense of self-doubt and hopelessness, once an owner overcomes these obstacles, it will not only positively impact their mind and behavior, but also their dog’s!
With the clients and their dogs, the training and instruction is based on their personalities, lifestyles, issues, learning pace, and goals. Sometimes clients need gentle reminders to be assertive: Lead your dog! Show him/her what the better choice is! One of the major and most important things I will consistently say to every client (both at the consultation and through training) is this: Don’t give up – Change is possible!