At Whispering Peaks, we believe in training the dog that is in front of us and a balanced approach to dog training, rooted in building a strong bond with your best mate. Growing up horse-crazy but facing allergies, I shifted my passion to Kelpies and later embraced dog training after challenges with my own dogs, Jock, Pepsi, and Noisy.
Passed Dogs
At the age of 19, I ended up with a shy Jack Russel mix puppy named Jock. I was determined not to follow traditional dog training methods. Given Jock's sensitive nature, I had to rapidly grasp how to enhance a dog's self-assurance.
Pepsi was the reason why I believe that you should not always rely on food treats and instead focus on teaching a dog to value yourself over anything else.
Upon getting Pepsi, I realised that she did not place any value on food treats at all. She seemed to think that food was just what was put in her bowl at the end of the day. In the initial days of having Pepsi, who was 18 months old at the time, if I asked her to sit, she would not sit but instead cower, almost as if she was anticipating punishment. This behaviour speaks volumes about the abuse she endured by her previous owners.
During those initial days, I discovered that while Pepsi's biggest fear was punishment, her greatest joy came from my physical and verbal praise. As a result, her rewards shifted to me showering her with exaggerated praise, using an enthusiastic voice, plenty of pats, and engaging in some playtime, which essentially involved her running and jumping around me in sheer delight and excitement.
I had come to understand over time that Pepsi is an intelligent dog who enjoyed questioning commands. She was independent and liked to understand the reasons behind what was being asked of her. This was just her nature, and I learned to let go of my perfectionist tendencies and allow time for her to process commands. This meant that Pepsi was able to be the dog she was meant to be and I didn't need to ruin her personality to get her to do what I wanted her to do.
Noisy used to exhibit reactive behaviour towards individuals and other dogs. Whenever we walked her off leash in our peaceful neighbourhood, she would promptly approach them with a deep, assertive bark and growl, encircling them with her head held high to convey her unease. This conduct was directed at both familiar and unfamiliar people. Towards other dogs, she would rush at them to repel them.
Noisy's reactivity originated from anxiety stemming from inadequate breeding on my part. Due to a lack of trust towards individuals and other dogs since birth, it required time to develop her comfort and trust. Gradually, I managed to earn her trust in my ability to handle situations and was able to teach her to seek my guidance and reassurance instead of reacting immediately. I got Noisy to the point where I could use her with my client's dogs and trust that she would always make the right choices.
Dog Training Now
As a balanced trainer, I use gentle corrections like verbal cues and leash guidance to interrupt and/or redirect behaviour, always prioritising a calm and confident leadership role. This approach, influenced by my experience with horses and the pack animal theory, emphasises mutual respect and trust-building.
I've learned that fostering a relationship based on praise and positive reinforcement is key. Understanding each dog's unique personality and motivations, like Pepsi's preference for praise over treats, guides my training methods. Spending quality time together, even in quiet moments, strengthens our bond and promotes mental well-being for both of us.
Through this approach, my dogs have overcome challenges like reactivity and disobedience, becoming well-adjusted companions.
Join us at Whispering Peaks as we share more insights on dog training, mental health, and life with our four-legged friends. Subscribe to our blog and follow us on social media for tips, behind-the-scenes moments, and updates from our journey.
Reach out with any questions or thoughts – we're here to help you and your dog thrive. Until next time,
Whispering Peaks Dog Training
Comments