Why Does My Dog Listen Better In Front Of The Trainer?
Have you ever felt like your dog listens better or more frequently when your dog’s trainer is around?
One of the most significant differences between time in front of your trainer (or with the trainer) and at home is consistency. In general, clients are prepared to set their dog up for success when they know they are going to be doing a “training session” or group class. Trainers are prepared to set the dog up for success all of the time. This means that even when we are on the couch, our tools (leash, collar, treats etc.) are on the dog or within arms reach whenever we are with the dog. Being prepared consistently to help your dog is especially important in the beginning of training as your dog is building confidence and trust.
Not only is being prepared to be consistent the recipe for success, it’s the most fair to the dog!
For example, if the leash is only on the dog for about an hour a day, is it “fair” to hold the dog accountable for behaviors or attitudes that may have been slipping the rest of the time they are not on leash? Is it fair that you are asking your dog to behave in front of other dogs on a walk when you let him drag you barking up to the dog park or act crazy towards dogs through the fence or windows? Would it be fair if you could be late to work without consequence some days but other days you get written up or even fired?!
In order to be fair to our dogs, we must be consistent.
One of the reasons our Board and Train Programs are so popular and successful is because when we are working with the dogs one on one or in a group, we are always aware of the behavior opportunities of each dog and have our tools ready to motivate and teach consistently. Now that does not mean we exist constantly on pins and needles with leashes, remotes and treats flying all over the place. In fact we promote a very relaxed environment so that learning can be fluid and productive. How we cultivate that relaxed environment is in the preparation.
A great quote by Brian Tracey says, “Every minute you spend in planning saves 10 minutes in execution; this gives you a 1,000 percent Return on Energy!”
The nature of dogs as living, breathing and thinking creatures affords different dynamics of behavior with varied individual responses. We must recognize the opportunities our dogs have as individuals and prepare ourselves to be able to help them in the moment to have success.
The first thing you must do to prepare for success is to be honestly aware of your dog.
For those of you with families, it is parallel to parenting. If you are not able to watch a young child, you can not keep them safe and teach them in the moment. Young children do not understand many rules, boundaries or even words! In order to make sure that they have happy, healthy experiences, and learn what is expected of them, parents need to be actively aware of where their young children are and what they are doing. Additionally, you will teach the same lesson multiple times to the child! Think back: How many repetitions did it take you to tie your shoes? How many times did mom ask you to back away from the hot oven when there were cookies baking? How many times have you been asked to stop biting your nails? Was it harder to focus on tasks in front of your friends or alone at home? Did you learn the exact same way as your siblings or friends?
Like children, dogs are individuals. Many clients have heard me say that my sister and I had the same breeders, the same trainers and were raised in the same kennel; but we couldn’t be more different. If we were both asked to clean our room one of us would enthusiastically go make military corners on the bed, and the other would have a tantrum, followed by throwing toys, followed by an eventual half hearted attempt to clean the room. You can determine which sibling was which.
As we teach our individual children, and as we teach our individual dogs, we use different tools to help us guide, coach and motivate so that learning can take place. Just like in the learning phase for children, there is no place for confrontation in the learning phase of dog training.
In order for our tools to be effective and helpful for our dogs they must be used accurately, consistently and very importantly, with good timing.
If you are going to have good timing and success with your dog at the park, on a walk, in the kitchen, answering the door or in any imaginable scenario, you must be prepared to anticipate their behavior and have your dog set up for success. For example, when our trainer’s are working with a dog, or especially multiple dogs, they have cell phones, computers and iPads away. Dog trainer’s don’t walk dogs looking at the new construction going up or texting. We walk watching the dogs so that we can be proactive before the dog is able to fail.
Another example is if I know that every time I sit on my couch my puppy will try to jump on me, I am going to “sit” my puppy before I sit down, and even have a leash on her to support her understanding and rewardable success. In time my puppy will understand that when I go to sit down the opportunity for her comes from sitting politely so she will begin offering the behavior. To help her understand this without frustration or confusion, I must be prepared to help her find the rewardable behavior every time.
Inevitably there will be no one approach or tool that works for each dog consistently. What we do as dog trainer’s is give you the owner many pictures, tools, ideas and solutions so that you can trouble shoot in the moment successfully. Since dog’s are so dynamic, your ability to adjust to their needs in the moment is what drives their success. Having a professional show you the different ways to accomplish your goals with your dog allows you to have confidence that you will be able to successfully redirect attention and unwanted behaviors in the moment.
So, if you want your dog to perform for you like they do with us, be aware, be observant, and use your tools consistently. Set your dog up to be a success!
We hope this helps and until next time: Sit Means Sit!
– Alexa Kehoe
Sit Means Sit Chicago Owner/Head Trainer