One of the number one things I have learned training dogs, being with dogs, learning about dogs, is that they come pre-trained. We break them, we give them bad habits. Through our body language and our responses to their actions we train them, mold their personalities into the range of behavior problems we see today.
I learned this the best with Gus, other then his retrieving he has never received formal training. I never treated him for heeling, never taught him to sit. He watched he learned and he met my expectations through other dogs. Effortless was how I trained him.
I tell my students walk into my classes 'I want you to have a clear image in your head of what you want your dog to be. If you feel it isn't possible, then your dog will never reach that level. As soon as you believe your dog will do the expected his behavior, he will.'
Effortless is how training should be. I expect my puppies to act like adults, I remember they are puppies but I treat them like adults. That way when they become an adult there aren't new rules or expectations. Their transition is effortless.
Whenever, I put my hands on a leash, my intentions are clear, my boundaries are clear. I am secure in who I am and what I am doing. The dog knows this and acts accordingly. If I do it right their is no fuss. I like to show people what their dog can do. They are not untrained but they haven't been expected to act that way.
This way when you are met with resistance you know immediately that something you asked was unclear. There is a stark difference between effortless and effort. If your always fighting your dog then you will never know. I preach softness is paramount to my students because no one understands how training could be effortless, once soft is mastered they can understand that training is effortless. Keep your training effortless too and you will start to read your dog better and your partnership can only grow.
~Happy Tails~
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