Training a dog properly takes time, and we know that when you’re feeling tired and frustrated it can be tempting to use your hands to make your dog do what you want. Here’s why that approach does more harm than good.
Trust is everything
Remember that your dog makes choices using dog logic, and you are using human logic
Above all else, your dog needs to be able to trust that you have their best interests at heart. It may seem obvious that an unexpected swat could break that trust, but know that even innocent grabs can have the same effect.
Grabbing your dog by their body or collar to force them to move or stop might make sense to the human in the moment, but it’s jarring to the dog, and they won’t necessarily know why you’ve done it. In fact, it can make your dog wary of any contact. They may become less willing to follow your directions, because they won’t be able to anticipate whether or not they’ll be grabbed when they do.
Understanding your dog makes all the difference
Your dog does actually want to please you, they just can’t be successful until they’ve learned what you expect of them. Since dogs don’t think in the same way we do, we need to do the work to understand their logic, and lead them using techniques that make sense to them.
For example, they do not understand smacking or hitting when they haven’t followed your commands—they’ll only think you’re irrational and unpredictable. They will, however, understand when you encourage them to complete a behaviour with gentle encouragement and praise.
If your dog refuses to do something, you need to look at it from their perspective. Are they afraid that their movement will result in being grabbed? If you pick up a small dog instead of resolving the issue or teaching them a preferred behaviour, what have they actually learned? If you suddenly start manipulating your dog while they are doing something they believe to be appropriate, it’s logical to them you might grab them at other times, too. This type of confusion can be stressful for both of you, so it’s best to adopt a ‘hands-free’ philosophy when it comes to your training.
Fortunately, there are plenty of training techniques you can use that allow your dog to keep their feet on the floor, and their trust in you intact! If you need some one-on-one help, get in touch.
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