What to do with Dog Training Disasters - Family - Pets

Dog training disasters can be anywhere on the scale from mildly annoying to downright dangerous. How we handle a dog training disaster can not only significantly affect the outcome of the training session, but may very well impact the health and safety of your dog.

One of the fastest ways to find yourself in one of these disasters is to assume that you can physically overpower your dog if need be. Unless you're working with a Dachshund or a Toy Poodle and the like you aren't likely going to be able to physically overpower him. More than that, no matter what breed or blend you are training, you're not going to be able to catch up to him in a full run unless he's blind or disabled. Being caught off guard and finding yourself being dragged down the street by your dog as he chases after something isn't fun. It also can cause physical injury to you, your dog, and perhaps whatever he thought he should chase.

Dogs give us control. They hand over control because they don't want it and it's been established that we are reasonably good leaders in their eyes. They will step up and take over the leadership of the pack if they feel it is necessary, but ultimately they prefer we have that position. We know this because we have seen the wondrous works of dogs like Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Mastiffs. The only reason that a dog of this size and strength isn't in control is because he doesn't want to be.

Check your embarrassment at the door. Even though chasing your dog from one end of the park to the other while he helps himself to that nice couple's picnic lunch, takes a soothing plunge in the water fountain, and shakes himself off right next to that woman with the beautiful white skirt can easily be interpreted as embarrassing, it's best to focus on the solution versus how you might feel. When we get embarrassed we often get angry. Getting your dog back under control when he knows you're angry is not a very effective tactic.

Keep your dog leashed. Work with him on all commands inside before working on them outside. Make sure your outside work is done in a confined area. Never call him to you so that you can punish him for something he did as this will not make coming to you worthwhile in his eyes. Practice daily, even when he is grown. Training disasters often happen because we start to gain confidence in the dog and we stop reinforcing the behaviors we really want.