Dog training can be made a bit easier if you look at it as simple problem solving. If you’ve been training and working with dogs in sports for a while, this may be old hat, but we have noticed many people not understanding how much trouble dogs have understanding things they are supposed to be doing. Maybe this quick lesson will help a few folks “click” better with their dogs.For us with our training and sports, it is all about solving a problem, and taking problems in small steps. Once we figured out this piece to training, things have gone better. Imagine teaching a child math. Give them a problem like 3+5+1+18= If the child is new to math, they have no idea how to tackle the problem. If you yell, tell them it is simple so they must be stupid, and keep demanding they solve it, the child won’t learn. The child will feel bad, and develop a fear of math and perhaps a fear you. The same is true with teaching dogs. You have to break the task up into small pieces, and then put them all together later.
Start with something simple like “sit”. A puppy has no idea what you are talking about when you look and say sit. Break it up into small pieces, saying the word, helping them get their furry behind on the floor, show lots of love and reward for each little accomplishment and they will learn so fast. Have you noticed how happy and proud your dog is after learning something new? I am always so proud when I find hides in nose work, there is no missing how proud I am! If you aren’t in the mood, or don’t have the time, don’t train.
Dogs of all ages love to learn new things and they will show you how proud them are with happy tail wags. If you are working on more advanced training in obedience or dog sports, think about why your dog isn’t “getting it”. Don’t keep doing the same thing over and over if it isn’t working. Take a step back to the basics to remind your dog what you expect of them and then teach them slowly. You will be amazed at how much quicker your dog learns.
We see too often people getting mad at their dogs who aren’t doing exactly what they are supposed to do. Remember too, puppies have a short attention span and should be taught in short, fun training sessions. Getting mad is not the right approach. Step back. Figure out why the dog is having a problem. Come up with a plan to help them better understand. Dog training is really just problem solving and team work.
I agree with all of the above. When i was getting my then 6 month old (now 3 yrs) Labrador Merlin to “roll over”, i broke it into little steps. First sit, lay down and then roll over. Sometimes now when i tell him to lie down, he rolls over lol.
Baby steps work best.
I like what you wrote and I totally agree…. and we all have to find our way to works with our pups… dogs are as different as humans and not all things we see in tv or read in books work for all dogs…but with tips and suggestions from friends we can build our own way to get a well trained and wee behaved dog :O)
But only if the dog feels like it…at least at our house.
What a great way to look at it! Humans can get frustrated too easily, and sometimes we need to sit back, take a breath, and try things differently. It’s not just you dogs that are proud, but we humans are so proud and happy when you get something right we’re trying to teach you. Training should be fun, and it’s up to us to make it that way.
If there is no fun, success is quite limited.
We have written about this many times. Sometimes you have to go backward to go forward.
The baby steps can be key, and even advanced dogs need the basics sometimes.
Wonderful advice, and you put so much thought and time into today’s blog. Almost 3 years ago when I was working on my CGC everyone got really frustrated with me because I would not do the “down.” Then one day mom was working with me at home, and I did it! You should have seen the look on her face, but she says it was the look on my face and my happy tail. I was telling her I could do it all the time, but I was not ready to show her I could do the “down.” I was so happy when I was finally ready to show her I could do it! XOXO, Sparkle
Madison in working on her CGC. Her problem is the same as Bailie’s not jumping on people. They are both so over friendly. We will see if she can pass.
So true, people need to realize what dogs understand. I think a lot of people need to be trained in teaching their dogs, before the train them. Nothing angers me more than an angry dog owner. All the dog is learning is fear.
You are correct. Mom does lose her temper now and then, but then we call it quits and try again later. If we keep going we all get more frustrated and nothing good is learned.
Excellent advice! Those short, successful sessions do wonders for a dog’s ability to “grasp” the concept of what you’re trying to teach them! And while they may not be as tiring as a nose work trial, they do help settle a “hyper” dog (like Ducky); or remind an older dog, like Shadow, of lessons learned long ago.
Exactly. Refreshing the basics in a quick session is always a good thing for any dog.
Very well said. Looked at from far away it seems like an impossibly complex problem to solve, but zooming in on small things helps make each problem much more manageable.
One step at a time. We dogs are trying to learn stuff you humans already know, so we need to be shown in steps.
pThat sure is wise when you look at it that way!
It works pretty well for us.
Great post! Sometimes we forget that dogs need a learning curve too!
So many dog owners just assume dogs learn quick and like humans, but it is a complex problem that should be solved in small steps a dog can understand.
Totally agree!
This is a great way of looking at things. I am so proud of your math skills too, Sweetie ♥ ♥ Your Basset, Bentley
Thank you, Bentley! Smalls steps work best with new things.
Great point Emma! This is a life lesson. It is true in so many instances. Great post!! your doodle friend Dash
Thank you my friends! TGIF!
Great points! When i run into trouble teaching a pup something, I try to think of how to make it simpler (by splitting it into smaller parts!).
If one learns in small steps it is so much easier to understand and not as scary as the whole big picture at once.
So very true!! Last month Dory learned how to give Mama her paw and Arty just loves learning new things!!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
That’s Pawsome! Learning new things is always fun.
Excellent post ~ and it makes perfect sense!
Not sure it will work for cats, though 😉
Mom was never good at math, what does that tell you? Love Dolly
LOL! My mom isn’t a fan of too much obedience and tends to like sports that let us just be dogs, so we understand!
Great advice Emma.
Simple but true.
Great post! You and your dog are communicating with a different language. Your dog wants to understand what you want him/her to do, but it takes some time and patience to make the objective clear to your canine. Be fair to give him/her plenty of time to understand what you expect from.
I totally agree that dog training is really simply just problem solving. Don’t make it too complicated! =D
Simple Math, I like it. Thanks for sharing