Kick the Crutch
If you had recovered from a broken leg, would you still use your crutches? I certainly hope not.
So what does that have to do with your dog?
A lot of owners keep leaning on management long after the dog has already been taught what is expected. At some point, the crutch has to go.
Have you done leash training?
Have you practiced structured walk bys with other dogs?
Have you worked on manners, such as:
Jumping on people
Counter surfing
Barking
Sitting while you speak with someone on the walking path
If the answer is yes, then it is time to correct.
There comes a point when, if you have trained for those situations, it is time to hold your dog responsible. Otherwise, the issue will never fully go away. The guilt of punishing our dogs pulls on our heartstrings like no other. I get it. Believe me, I do. I do not wish to correct dogs, but at some point, it becomes a must.
Nobody enjoys correction for the sake of correction. But avoiding it altogether does not help your dog. It only keeps them stuck.
Think about it this way: would you drive 60 mph through a school zone? No. Aside from the fact that it is incredibly dangerous, if a cop saw you doing that, it could lead to a major ticket, a suspended license, or worse.
Does the thought of that add stress when you go through a school zone? Personally, I do not even think about that scenario when I am in a school zone. That is because I would never want to harm anyone, and I also do not want to deal with the consequences.
Your dog is no different in principle. Their responsibilities are different, of course, but that does not mean they should not be held accountable for what they have already learned. Being cute does not cancel responsibility.
So put the excuses away.
Here is my challenge to you: pick one scenario that drives you nuts and work on that only.
Assess how it went.
Ask yourself what you could have done differently.
Notice where your dog starts to heighten.
Address it there before adding anything else to the equation.
Do not try to fix everything at once. Get clear. Get consistent. Hold your dog accountable for what they know.
If you are struggling to break down a situation, please feel free to email me at YourEveryDayK9@gmail.com. Your progress is important to us.
Have a great day!
Cheers,
Chris Fiels