Why does my dog ... ?
I often get asked why does my dog ....? And most of the time trying to work it out without actually seeing the dog, the environment, what the owner does is impossible.
Dogs, while the same, are also incredibly different. The same behaviour can present for different reasons in different dogs. It is like asking 3 different people why they don't like peppers. They all don't like peppers, but the underlying reasons for each person could be very different! And dogs are the same.
Why does my dog not recall? Could be a motivation problem, could be an innate, hardwired behaviour, it could be because they have been told off for not coming back fast enough, something could be worrying them. Without assessing the situation I may not be able to tell you how to resolve it.
As dog trainers when we tell you that we can't advise without seeing your dog, we aren't saying it to make you book sessions, we are saying it because we genuinely can't say without assessing it. We want to be able to give you the advice and support that will resolve the problem, not give you advice that could make the situation worse. If we give the wrong advice then the issue could get worse, or confuse the dog, or just not work, and as dog lovers we don't want that.
If there was a one size fits all approach to modifying a dogs behaviour then training would be easy for everyone, and all of the information you can find would be exactly the same. But as you probably know, there is a lot of information out there, which is confusing. Some of the information and advice is great, but equally some of it is bad.
There is a huge trend in balanced trainers spreading misinformation about force free trainers. They will tell you we can't train without treats, that we can't resolve issues, that they have "fixed" dogs that force free trainers couldn't. They say they have fixed a dogs reactivity in just 1 session!! It looks impressive, it looks like they are a training wizard.
But the reality is so very different. They don't look at the why. Why is the dog dong x behaviour?? Why does the dog feel they have to take that action?? What is causing the dog to behave like that? How is the dog feeling? Their approach is one size fits all! A dog, is a dog, is a dog!
All of those things have an impact on behaviour. If you don't look at that, if you don't factor in what is going on in the dogs head, are you ever going to really resolve it? Yes, the outward behaviour may be solved with a balanced trainer, but what has the dog learned? Have you actually resolved the issue that has made the dog behave that way, or has the dog learned that displaying the behaviour equals a punishment they don't like, meaning they stop displaying the behaviour?
It doesn't resolve the underlying issue and reason the dog has for behaving that way, it doesn't actually help the dog. Yes, the unwanted behaviour is gone, but the issue is still there. And as humans we understand that we can supress issues, but only for so long. Eventually the behaviour will come out again, and usually worse because it has been supressed for so long!
By understanding what is going on for the dog, by helping them, by changing how they are feeling, we can make a change in behaviour that is in the best interest of the dog, and therefore you. The dog chooses to behave in a way that aligns with our expectations, we understand what and why the dog is feeling how they are, and we can support and reward our dog for meeting our expectation. That is a win win.
There is no quick fix in dog training, because they are sentient beings, they feel, they think, they react, just as we do. We need to treat them with respect, empathy and dignity. This is why I won't offer advice without seeing your dog. I want to armed with all the factors that are influencing behaviour. I want to make sure that your dog is being helped in the right way for them! Which means it will have an outcome which is right for you!
So beware of anyone who says they can fix your dog in 1 session, who does anything to your dog which you wouldn't do with a person, who gets instant results. That isn't how dog training works. You are teaching new skills to your dog. Your dog isn't a robot, learning new skills takes an adjustment period. But when they have learned new skills and are enjoying them, then that is behaviour that lasts their whole lifetime.
I started training because I love dogs, because how they behave is fascinating to me, because I struggled with my own dogs. I want to help pet dog owners enjoy their dogs, have a fun, enriching and happy life together. I love my dogs more than anything in the world. I want what is best for my dogs, I want them to feel happy, secure, loved and cherished. That is what motivates me to help you with your dogs.