Is your dog the only one who needs training? (Photo: woman high-fiving a Golden Retriever)
“It’s us that need to be trained,” says my new client to her husband. “Absolutely,” he says.
They are sitting on a couch with pens poised over notebooks, eager to learn how to help their dogs walk better on the leash, stop growling when they have bones, and how to stop them from counter surfing.
In my experience, clients who bring out the notepad see results faster than those who don’t. It’s not only the presence of the notepad, it’s that statement: “It’s us that need the training.”
“It’s us that need training.” (Photo: couple petting their dog)
Many of my clients have grown up with dogs who are a breeze. These dogs listened well, ignored other dogs while on leash, and never stole food from countertops.
Now in their adult years, they adopt their own dog. Sometimes this first dog is also a breeze. Then, two or three dogs down the line, they adopt a puppy or a rescue dog who requires a different set of training skills. These clients quickly realize that the training methods that worked on their previous dogs aren’t working. Rather than getting frustrated trying the same methods over and over, they ask for help.
They want to know WHY!
Why is this dog so nervous when we’ve had her from a puppy?
Why does she pull aggressively toward other dogs when she’s on a leash, but is friendly at the dog park?
Why won’t she listen to me? This one is also frequently paired with: She’ll do what I ask, but then just walk away a few seconds later and go back to the bad behaviour.
At Beyond Dog Training we go BEYOND training your dog. We train people. And we have a lot of fun doing it!
Learning with Beyond Dog Training is FUN! (Photo: woman cuddling two Dachshunds)
Our job is to make sure our clients understand the root cause of their dog’s behavioural issues and then provide them with the tools to change the behaviour.
This prevents training “solutions” that simply put a bandaid on barking (for example) and then two weeks later the bad behaviour bubbles up somewhere else.
By understanding WHY your dog is barking in the first place and learning more about her, you’ll strengthen the bond between the two of you that much more.
So, people training or dog training? Both, but in that order.
The best board-and-train businesses will tell you the exact same thing. They’ll take your dog for a few weeks (sometimes longer) and then they will train YOU how to maintain what they have taught your dog.
Owners who are taught how to keep up with the training program are the ones who succeed.
Don’t believe me? I just met a $10,000 Belgian Malinois currently on his second home. He had been sent to an expensive board and train facility and his owners simply expected him to be perfect afterward. When his behaviour became too much for them, they returned him to the breeder. Thankfully that breeder found him a new owner who was willing to work hard EVERY DAY to meet his physical and mental needs. I watched him play fetch and he was having the time of his life. Magic was already tired from our long hike, so she watched too.
Are you meeting your dog’s physical AND mental needs? (Photo: Belgian Malinois running in long grass)
Everyone is at a different place in their dog journey. Everyone’s learning style is different. Every dog is different.
You don’t need a notepad to succeed with us, only an open mind and a desire to learn.
We look forward to working with you and your dogs!
Alyssa
Photos by: Richard Brutyo @richardbrutyo (woman high-fiving a Golden Retriever,) Chewy @chewy (couple petting their dog,) Michael Tomaszewski @ralius (woman cuddling two Dachshunds,) Anthony Duran @fightmorefilms (Belgian Malinois running in long grass.)