My Approach to Dog Training
I always encourage my clients to build good connection and communication skills with their dogs through structured walks, setting boundaries, and playing games to lay a solid foundation for dog training.
During my training sessions, I mostly use my energy, body language, touch, or very simple sound. One advantage to the “less sound is more” approach that I apply is that it automatically limits overexcitement. If a dog is in a hyperactive, overstimulated state to begin with, she will have a much harder time retaining anything you are trying to teach her. That’s why too much excited “Good boy, that’s a good boy!” praise from a trainer can be a less effective reward than the quiet reinforcement of happiness and approval.
The other advantage of being quiet is that I am communicating with a dog in a way that is much closer to the way they communicate with one another. I am always able to recognize the subtle signals they are sending me, and I respond by telling them with energy and body language.
Dogs are trying to communicate with us all the time, but too often we are not listening. By being aware of and responding to all the tiny, seemingly insignificant cues your dog is sending you, you are opening the door to a great possibility – the possibility of having an intimate relationship with her.
When I teach certain commands to a dog, I like to begin with two simple sounds – one to signify a behavior I like, and the other to call the attention to a behavior I don’t agree with. The important thing for me when I am training is to be consistent and have a goal in mind.
A dog does not come into this life wanting to be a leader. She looks for leadership and guidance, she looks for a kind yet firm hand that shows her the right ways to do things and rewards her with a nice touch, a smile, an acceptance into her pack. Learning her limitations is satisfying to a dog, because it’s in her program to internalize rules within a social structure.
A happy dog is a dog who clearly understands what behaviors will best ensure approval by the rest of her pack.