EMBRACE FAILURE!

Say What???

We live in a society of perfection.  We have selfie apps that remove your blemishes and make you look thinner.  We have an edit option and auto correct that hopefully keeps us from revealing our lack of spelling and good grammar.  We are flooded with images of successful people doing amazing things.

And then, there's us.  And our dog.

Personally, I have learned to embrace mistakes because it's like a big fat sign that says "HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON!"  One walk through the park with my dog, and I'm painfully clear where I have not spent enough time training.  But hey!  That takes all the guess work out of it!

So, your dog acts like a blooming idiot in public.  He barks.  Or he lunges.  Or he pulls to the point that he gags himself.  So you just stay home.

Most people don't have any idea how to correct bad behavior, and even if they did, they are so afraid of "what people would think" that they keep their dog within the confines of their own home and pray no one ever comes over.

I recently took a very reactive dog to the dog park for training.  I kept him on leash and minded my own business.  A few dogs wouldn't leave us alone and I had to correct the dog I was working to keep him safe.  One owner snatched his very rude dog up and stomped away shouting "WE'LL JUST GO!"

I couldn't blame him.  He didn't know the circumstances at all.  If the roles were reversed, I'm sure I would have thought "What kind of idiot brings a dog like that to the dog park???"  I had a GREAT session with the dog there, but I went home literally sick at my stomach after the way people looked at me.  I was so glad I wasn't wearing anything that identified myself!  I was clearly the most hated person at the dog park.

So, I feel your pain.  And I have some advice for you...

1.  Learn from a Behavior Modification Specialist how to correct your problems.  General dog trainers are wonderful, but are often only experienced with the positive side of teaching behaviors, not correcting them.  Make sure you work with someone who has experience in behavior modification.

2.  Practice successfully.  Train your dog to respond to redirection when there is NO challenge.  Develop a clear communication of expectations and the reward/consequence system.  Do this in your house or yard with no one else around.

3.  Once you have accomplished teaching your dog to obey you, regardless of distractions, then set out and seek challenges.  Your attitude is reflected and amplified in your dog.  So if you see a dog, or squirrel or bike coming toward you and think to yourself "Oh. Crap" your dog will definitely pick up on that and go into defense mode.  He will want to defend you both from whatever made your mood change.

4.  Train a loose leash walk that does not transmit tension.  Keep your eyes up and embrace a challenge.  Try this thought process: "Oh good!  A dog (or squirrel or bike) is coming!  That will give me a real life opportunity to practice!"
  Then carry out your training plan.
If the dog makes a mistake- GOOD!  It gives you an opportunity to let him know that was not right.  Then let him try again!

5.  Distance is your friend-  if you can make your dog sit or stand quietly (I require them to sit) 500 feet away from whatever his trigger is, you have been successful!  Celebrate and reward!!!
Maybe tomorrow your goal can be 400 feet.  But for today- he did good!  Be happy with that and build from there.

Your dog may never be friendly with all dogs or people.  But let your goal be obedience- at any distance and in any form.  And if you fail, take note of what went wrong, and be conscientious about what you need to work on more.  Don't quit!  Limiting your dog's activity and experiences will not make him better.  It will make him worse.  Why should his life be small and boring just because you don't feel up to the challenge of teaching him how to navigate a world that is HUGE and FUN!!!

Now get out there!!!