Training Smart: Adding Fun To Your Obedience Training

What To Do When Things Go Wrong

Let's talk about stress!

It's easy to add stress to ourselves and to our dogs. We want something so badly or we can't hide our disappointment if our dog misses a cue or makes a mistake. We often freeze in the ring when things don't go as planned.

Be there for your dog and help them as you would (should) in training. Training is trialing and trialing is training.

When our dogs make mistakes (and they will) and sense our disappointment or feel pressure, the more those exercises become stressful and cause their responses to become inconsistent.

There are certain exercises that are more delicate when it comes to stress.

The ones that stand out to me in obedience are exams, stays, signals, and scent articles. We must strive to never show disappointment and be aware of what could squash momentum or speed or attitude. I'd rather lose a few points for a more engaged and happy dog, verses adding pressure and risk affecting their future ring performance. 

One of my favorite quotes is from Amy Cook "Every time you teach your dog what to do, you are teaching him how to feel." 

Think about that. Really think what that means.

Each Dog And Each Journey Is Unique

Now let's talk about dogs. Some dogs just "have it all" – the biddability, focus, drive, accuracy.

Others may bring you more challenges, or more challenges compared to what you might have worked with before. We also get dogs during different chapters in our lives. The time we may have been able to spend with one dog might not be the same with the next dog. Or now we have more time to devote to our training and goals than we had in the past. This is life. Embrace the ebb and flow of training!! All dogs take us on a different journey!

As we gain experience as a handler, each new dog becomes a little easier. You know what it takes to get to a certain point and what is required. You have the confidence that you will get to that end point and know that disappointment is not part of the equation. You'll find you spend less time (less thought) on some things and have more time (more energy) to try new things or improve in other areas. 

Choosing Training Methods

We need to progress and get things done with our skill training!

We need to set goals and not let ALL.THE.WAYS get in our way of reaching our goals. There are so many great ways to train obedience skills. Don't get paralysis with all the methods.

Find one that makes sense to you. Find a trainer that makes sense to you. Blend a bit as you go as there are always nice little gems from everyone!

A key component I have found to improve my relationship and training bond with my dogs is to do a little something fun and short EVERY day. By adding games, increasing the fun factor, and mixing things up, you'll gain the motivation part needed to support the many years you have a head for training and competing! 

This is the layout I have selected for my Obedience Starter Games class offered this term at FDSA - daily games to keep you and your dog progressing toward your obedience skills goals!