| There is a lot of hype on the internet about dog | | | | same mistake just reinforces the mistake. |
| training that claim to be the secret way to train a | | | | Maybe it is time to accept that your dog is not the |
| dog. | | | | kind of dog that can be off leash. I know, I know. |
| Training a dog takes time. But in our fast paced | | | | We all pictured one of those great Hollywood dogs |
| world, we don't have time. We want to believe that | | | | when we fell in love with our first dog. But really, |
| it could work fast. | | | | those dogs are few and far between. |
| Sure, you can teach your dog to sit in one day. But | | | | On the other hand, one of the great things about |
| then what? According to the secret training methods | | | | having dog trouble is being able to share stories with |
| that is training, your dog sat for you 1 time, or | | | | other dog people. That is what owning a dog is really |
| maybe 10 times in one day. | | | | about. |
| What happens down the road? | | | | Before you write your dog off to some doggie |
| This is where that kind of dog training starts to fail. | | | | rescue, consider for a moment what you are |
| How does it fail? It does not consider what happens | | | | expecting of your dog. To quote my husband (and |
| three months from that day, or five years from that | | | | of course it's not his) You are only as good as your |
| day. | | | | weakest link. |
| You go home from the training lessons walking on air | | | | Before you make your dog wrong take one of those |
| because you and your dog just learned how to sit | | | | painful looks in the mirror, and find your weak spot. |
| and then two years later you are struggling with your | | | | Contrary to popular belief, bad behavior problems did |
| dog pulling on a leash. | | | | not happen overnight. They were not created |
| And you think to yourself this was the perfect dog | | | | overnight and they will not be broken overnight. It is |
| at 3 months of age what happened? | | | | like any relationship, you have to work at it, and you |
| It is what did not happen that is the problem. You | | | | have to constantly adjust the rules as your |
| were not told that dog training would be an | | | | relationship grows. |
| everyday thing. | | | | Ever argue with your spouse? Lover? Best Friend? It |
| I still leash train my dog Kyra...and she's 11 years old! | | | | does not mean...well it does not mean anything. It is |
| Every so often I think she will walk on a leash just | | | | just an argument. |
| fine without the gentle leader, and we end up in a | | | | Same holds true for the dog. If you always yell at |
| pulling game the entire walk. She pulls, I correct, she | | | | your dog to GET OVER HERE! You and your dog are |
| walks great for awhile and then pulls, I correct. I | | | | having an argument, and you need to find a way to |
| wonder why I even tried to leave the gentle leader | | | | solve it. |
| home. | | | | Trying to be more of something is a not a solution. |
| And my dog Larry, he's great on a leash, in fact he | | | | More alpha dog, more demanding, or more confining |
| never pulls. But just when we think he has gotten | | | | because whatever you are doing in the first place to |
| over his fear of...well, everything...we make some | | | | get the behavior, you do not need more of. |
| sudden move and he hits the pavement with fear in | | | | Instead, ride the horse the way its going so to |
| his eyes. Ah, two steps forward and one back. | | | | speak. If your dog won't get over here then do not |
| If you are frustrated with your dog, you are just a | | | | put your dog in a position where they will have to |
| normal dog owner. No one told you that you would | | | | get over here. |
| have to train your dog every day of his life. | | | | No, its not simple. |
| Dog training is like anything you want to be good | | | | Dog training is not simple. |
| at...perfect practice makes perfect. | | | | Its doable and possible, but not simple. So do not |
| If you and your dog continually have the same | | | | believe you will be able to train your dog in one day, |
| argument such as GET OVER HERE! You are stuck in | | | | unless you believe a day is a lifetime. |
| a rut. I hate to say it, but repeatedly making the | | | | |