subject: It's More Important To Train The People Than To Train The Dog [print this page] There are literally thousands of books about how to best train us dogs. (Yes, I am a ten year old yellow Labrador.) So how is it really possible that most owners still don't understand the single factor that's crucial to their success? Training a dog is much more about the owners than it is the dog. (I've always known it wasn't actually my fault!)
Owners Aren't Consistent
Here's the difficulty. Most owners do not know anything about how to train us. You all think that if you get mad at the dog about something a few times that it instantly means we'll stop doing it... Even though the following few times it happens... we are not getting in trouble.
Here is an example about my favourite subject. Food. If there's food on the counter and I am getting in trouble for grabbing it the first 4 times I try it but not the next time... I am thinking it might be worth it to snatch it again and hope it'll be one of the times I do not get in trouble.
It isn't about the dog... it's about the trainer... and the degree of consistency of that person. If I am getting in trouble each single time I attempt to take food off the counter, ultimately I will stop it. But if there's a small chance I'll get away with it I will likely keep doing it. It does not work if I only get in trouble sometimes, or most of the time. It has to be every single time.
People Are Really Lazy
This is the key reason many people fail at the training process. They're just too lazy to do it properly. Our veterinarian once said (well, she said it many times because boss is kind of slow kind of a slow learner... and is sort of lazy). "Never give an order you're not ready to enforce." As a dog I'm not a giant fan of this, but it really does work.
Once I know that I must do what the boss says... Then I surrender and begin to do it.
You have to convince me that when I am doing something bad, you're going to really get off the couch to stop me. If you're just going to holler at me (after do something), I'd still do it. You have to stop me every single time I do what you do not want me to. Not most of the it happens... Every single time.
A Shortcut That I Believe Is Cheating
Since we all know the most difficult problem with training a dog is the human being consistent and not being lazy, this is a technique to cheat a touch. When you're paying attention to the dog, and you are prepared to enforce the rules, I... we learn a lot faster.
Set The Dog Up For Failure
As an example if you're having issues keeping the dog off the kitchen counters, intentionally put some food at the fringe of the counter. Make sure it's simply within the dog's reach. Then stay nearby and concentrate on the dog's actions so you can correct them right away when they begin to snatch it. If the dog barks when visitors arive, have your friends come over when you are prepared and ready for stop the dog's bad behaviour instantly.
Have I discussed yet that owner is more vital in this equation than the dog? If you pay attention and are always, always, always consistent in what behavior correct, any dog can comprehend what you want them to.
Did You Actually Teach Them What Was Not OK?
Does your dog do something that they should not be doing? Did you actually TEACH them that they should not do it? Telling them does not count, you've got to teach them what is ok and what is not ok.
Oh... And you have to be really, really consistent about it... Did i mention that yet? I know I said it a few times, but if you're as slow as my boss is, I need say it a few times!!
