Maximizing Benefit from Relationship with a Canine Professional

Right now, training & behavior management is viewed by most owners as exactly the same as car service. You wait to get help until you see a problem. You can't fix a problem before it starts, can you? You just have to wait until it happens, or even make it happen, so you can "nip it in the bud". You get help, you get results or you don't, and then you go back or you try another professional if you have another problem. Just like car service, problems just stay the same until you fix them. Sometimes they even go away by themselves... Right? These common misconceptions are dangerous.

Teaching a dog is not like servicing your car
Canine behavior is not best addressed with a "snapshot" perspective. It is best addressed over time -- months & years is an appropriate time frame on which to evaluate the success or failure of your efforts. Because of the importance of the "long" view, the development of a relationship with a behavior professional should be considered as most similar to that one might cultivate with a doctor or psychologist.

Problem Prevention
The fact is that you CAN prevent problems. Preventing problems is significantly more effective at achieving long-term results. Nothing "buds" for you to "nip"!

Once an issue has "budded", the sooner it is diagnosed and treated, the less work (less time, less expense) it requires. Not only is it easier, but early intervention also has more lasting results. A related problem that professionals face is that many owners don't recognize "buds". We are contacted once the issue is in full bloom!

Adolescent Volatility
After your professional provides you some instruction, you should start seeing some results. However, many owners do not realize the volatility of adolescent behavior -- one day she's acting like a puppy, the next day, she's an intractable "teen". So, from the owner's perspective, this seems like a problem with the training advice, the technique, or the trainer. In fact, it's just par for the course.

This volatility is also responsible for the misconception that problem behaviors can just disappear. Often, owners are lead to believe that their adolescent is on the right track on the days when the dog is acting like a puppy. They love the dog and want to see those "good days" as signs that things are improving. In fact, they are using "selective vision" -- simply choosing to pay attention to what they want to see. It's sweet that these owners want to see the good in their dogs. It's unfortunate that this lovely sentiment often results in worsening behavior.

Economics
Owners can be reluctant to communicate openly and honestly with their professional because they want to save money, and they believe the professional is only motivated by selling more training. This CAN absolutely be true. I recently heard about a trainer who was selling agility training -- and the trainer had never competed in agility!

Select a pro who can provide references from experienced, knowledgeable participants in the dog community, not just from owners who may not realize that what they called "success" may not last, or that what worked for their dog won't necessarily work for yours. Owners who have selected poor trainers can even delude themselves into thinking that they made a good choice, simply because they don't want to admit the truth, that they made a mistake.

"Technique"
Some owners fail to report lack of results because they want to avoid hearing the trainer say, "I think you need to use [insert objectionable method]". The "objectionable method" can be anything from taking more walks, to using treats, a crate, a collar, a leash... I've heard objections to just about every teaching tool out there!

If you work with a professional who understands multiple techniques, there may be alternatives to use of whatever tool or technique you don't like. Of course, in the case of taking the dog to the correct potty spot when it has to go --there also may not be! "Ok, but what else can I try?" A cork? NO.

Human Learning
Humans don't like to admit that they failed to learn some or all of what the professional was teaching. Unfortunately, ego is not your friend when it comes to training dogs! I am continually puzzled at why humans expect themselves... and their dogs... to "get it" on the first time through. Learning research in humans has shown that it takes about EIGHT (8) repetitions of a brand-new concept for a human to actually retain it. Replacing an old, faulty idea takes TWENTY (20) repetitions. I have a very high IQ (not a big deal--you just come with it "from the factory" like having blue eyes), which means learning comes to me easily and naturally. Even I need at least 3 repetitions for something brand-new!

Part of the relationship you develop with your trainer should allow for you to follow-up and ask questions. Because answering questions takes part of the trainer's workday, many trainers need to charge you for their time in order to support themselves. This practice, unlike the agility or Schutzhund trainer who has never competed, is a fair one. Simply pay their fee, and/or schedule a lesson. It is not a good idea to seek out "free advice" once you have started with one technique. Switching techniques can result in confusion and additional stress to the dog, which is never helpful when you are addressing problems.

Keep In Contact
Providing your professional with continuing updates on your dog's behavior, whether good or bad, benefits you, your dog, and your professional. So, what should you say? Most dog professionals are dog lovers who love to hear about dogs.

Let them know specific details of what seems to be going right: your goal, what you are doing, how often, what equipment or tools you use, what you say. "Princess's walking is going well. We are taking 2 walks a day, every day, for twenty minutes each time. We are using the flat harness and the retractable leash. I don't talk to her on the walk at all, except when we step out the door, I say, 'Let's go'."

Also describe the details of what seems to be going wrong: what happens, how often, warning signs, what you have been doing with the dog, what you think may be happening. "Aggie's growling at the neighbor's dog when she comes over to visit. I correct it by using the shake can. I think he may be becoming aggressive."

Talk about specific lessons you worked on, and ask specific questions. "When we did the down stay, do I give the treats when the dog is laying on the floor or when he gets up?"