Training Tales

How many times have your heard or have said yourself, “My dog knows what he did”?
Sorry to nix the myth but it is highly unlikely that a dog makes a conscious decision thinking, “ I know what you want, but I won’t do it.” It has been noted by scientific studies that only ape, monkeys and humans are the only mammals that are able to be devious and plan actions. What’s in it for a dog to be “bad?” A dog’s non-compliance, not unlike a person’s, may be for a good reason. There is usually a logical, reasonable, understandable cause for a dog’s seeming “disobedience.” Let me use some analogies to understand this more:

Inattention: A person was driving a car and was changing a CD, checking the rearview mirror, or talking on the phone and didn’t see the light change.

Dog thought: Momentarily distracted, the dog missed the cue. In a ring situation, perhaps the wind blew a tent flap outside the ring and attracted the dog’s attention. Unpredictable distractions happen in real-life, too.

A mechanical/physical problem: The accelerator didn’t respond; the car stalled.

Dog thought: Something physical interrupted compliance. What if on his way toward you, your dog is stung by a bee? Or suddenly gets a stomach cramp, twists his toe or suffers some other physical discomfort? Chances are, you might not even know it happened. This category includes the dog reacting slowly because he is simply not physically capable of a faster response.

Danger: A car on the cross street is barreling toward the intersection, and clearly isn’t slowing to a stop. If you move, you know you’ll be hit, so you ignore both the green light and driver behind you leaning on his horn.

Dog thought: Something the dog perceives as dangerous prevents her response. Perhaps, in order to get to you, your dog has to pass by another dog that is clearly, unmistakably sending an evil eye message, “Don’t you dare come one step closer.”

Overriding instinct. You’re a young, healthy unattached man sitting at a red light. Standing on the corner of the intersection is a bevy of attractive women. The light turns green…but you wouldn’t know it.

Dog thought: Any powerful, hard-wired instinct that kicks in.

Insufficient practice: You’re driving a standard shift, stopped at the top of a steep hill with a car right on your rear. You’re not very skilled yet and you know you’re going to roll back when you take your foot off the brake.

Dog thought: Your dog is in a situation beyond their abilities. They haven’t had sufficient practice and training to comply under the circumstances.

Now that you are getting the idea, don’t be so quick to yell at your dog if they don’t respond. In fact, yelling only makes things worse and proves to them that you are not in control. If you speak to them firmly but calmly you will get a better response. Your body language, and your inter sense of control will pass through to your dog.
Working with your dog and not against them will create a deeper bond that will last forever.