If you’ve been reading Keep the Tail Wagging for a while, then you may know that we have three dogs; they’re all sleeping around me like a Bermuda Triangle of black dog hair as I type.
I consider myself a fantastic dog owner and Fur Mom, but I’m not perfect and I’ve made several mistakes with our dogs. As the New Year approaches, I’ve decided to be more open and honest about who I am. It’s good to purge and it might help someone else.
So here goes…
5 Huge Dog Training Mistakes I’ve Made as a Dog Owner
Dog Training Mistake # 1 – Allow the Dogs to Control the Walk
When Rodrigo and Sydney were puppies, it was exciting watching them discover their new world so I didn’t mind if a 1 mile walk took an hour while they stopped to sniff every blade of grass or engage in an impromptu play session on the Centennial Trail.
This was cute and manageable when they were puppies. It became a pain in the butt when the two of them outweighed me and truly controlled the walk.
I took control of the walk by walking. I didn’t allow them to stop me. I didn’t stop to see what was holding them up. I just kept walking, only stopping for a potty break. What I love about dogs is that they live in the moment so bad habits they developed as a result of poor training, were quickly reversed.
Dog Training Mistake #2 – Stopped Clipping Sydney’s Nails
I was using the wrong nail clippers and that lead to Sydney hating the chore of having her nails clipped. It became such an ordeal that I stopped clipping her nails. Fortunately, I didn’t allow her nails to grow too long. But I did invest in a new Dog Nail Clipper
I learned that I can’t feed into their fears; instead I reward them for being brave while paying attention to make sure that I’m not overlooking a problem.
Come on! They’re so little and cute and they’re just trying to kiss us! Jeez!
Jeez is right! Rodrigo and Sydney weight about 70 pounds each; it blows when they jump on me, at the same time, with muddy paws, when I’m wearing my favorite Old Navy cords (they’re off white). So I started ignoring them when they would jump and then giving them tons of love when the paws landed on the floor. It didn’t take long at all to stop the jumping.
It’s taken longer for Blue to “get it,” but he’s getting there.
Dog Training Mistake #4 – Always Using Treats When Training
Sydney packed on the weight last winter. We went on fewer walks so I started doing more training sessions in doors. And Sydney is a food motivated dog. You’d be amazed at how many sits I can get out of her for the right amount of cookies.
So I traded in the treats with tons of love and Sydney lost her weight and I learned that our dogs are equally motivated by affection and praise. I’m saving money, getting even better (and more consistent) behavior from our dogs, and they’re healthy and happy.
Dog Training Mistake #5 – Allowing Everyone Else to Tell Me What to Do
Getting advice from others is great, but allowing everyone to tell you how to raise your dogs isn’t so great. I had people quoting Cesar Milan, quoting Victoria Stillwell, telling me about positive reinforcement dog training, and the importance of being the Alpha. My head was spinning and I had no idea what to do. I just wanted to raise happy, well behaved dogs.
I finally learned to smile, because everyone means well, and started to listen to our dog trainer, who got us started on the right track with our dogs. She’d be proud of us today. I hope.
So now it’s Your turn! What dog training mistake have you made with your dog(s)?
January 15, 2013 at 12:22 pm
I made the similar mistake as in your #1. I used a retractable lead on Maya in her first year or two. As a result, her walking manners were atrocious. By the time I started teaching her properly, she was already an adult and set in her ways. It took several months, probably almost a year, to break most of the bad walking habits. She is mostly good until she sees another dog or person. Even then, she is okay unless I am walking both her and my other dog Pierson at the same time.
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Dawn recently published..Welcome the New Ruff Rider Roadie Dog Car Harness
Twitter: naturebydawn
January 16, 2013 at 12:14 am
Actually, in “Inside of a Dog”, Alexandra Horowitz promotes letting the dog control the walk; at least some of the time. It’s a very interesting book. She also recommends specifically going for “sniff walks.”
With JD, who has the tendency drag us towards what he wants to sniff, I won’t let him, call him to me, and then, when he comes and sits, I take him to the spot he wanted to sniff as a reward (as long as he’s not pulling). Which seems like a great idea to me. Worked well for getting him to come; so far hasn’t done anything for his pulling …
With Jasmine, I started letting her control the walks after her knee injuries. Suddenly, her life of freedom had changed abruptly. Instead of romping around free and sniffing whatever she wanted, she was bound to a leash. All taken away at once. It was too sad. So while restricting her movement, I figured I could at least let her go about anywhere she wanted and let her sniff what she wanted, because that was SAFE for her legs to do. It’s been that way ever since, when she’s on the leash.
Interestingly, unlike JD, she hardly ever pulls. And when she really wants to go somewhere I don’t want her to, I just stop, letting her know we ain’t going that way and wait for her to comply.
OK, I admit it, I’m not much of a trainer at all. In theory, maybe. But for four years now I’ve been so busy tending to her health, training took a back seat. It’s a miracle she ever actually does anything she’s asked.
At this stage, particularly with the recent events–the December disc injury, and now the weekend’s what at first looked like an elbow problem but now starting to look related to the neck also–I just want her to be safe and happy. So we’re just about at the point where anything goes as long as it is safe.
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Jana Rade recently published..Trusting Your Instincts May Save Your Dog’s Life: Brandy’s Story
Twitter: DawgBlogger
January 16, 2013 at 4:55 pm
Cool! Then I’m not 100% wrong or alone in this one. I like to let the dogs run the show sometimes; the walk is just as much for them as it is for me.
Twitter: thefurmom
January 16, 2013 at 8:25 pm
Plus I think that there are more than one way of doing things. As long as it works for the owner and the dog, that’s what matters.
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Jana Rade recently published..Tackling The Veterinary Terminology: Suffixes (-rrhea)
Twitter: DawgBlogger
February 20, 2013 at 11:34 am
“Smooth seas never made a skilled mariner”
An old English proverb I love the opportunity to quote!
It is our mistakes that help us to grow and to evolve. Any trainer who says they haven’t left a dog with some issues or hangups either hasn’t trained enough dogs or is a liar.
We all make mistakes. I find my mistakes however, have created the most meaningful and profound opportunities to learn, grow, and become even happier with the relationships I have had with dogs.
Great Post!
KD
Twitter: kdmathews1
February 20, 2013 at 1:41 pm
Thanks, KD
I still make mistakes and my dogs let me know it. I try not to beat myself up for it, because I’m a work in progress and it’s never the end of the world. I know they love me and I adore them and we’re having a blast figuring each other out!
Twitter: thefurmom