Yesterday I went for a walk with two calm, well behaved and obedient dogs. The big surprise for me that these were MY DOGS, you know, the same ones that I used to wake up in the morning and worry where I was going to take them. Diesel used to bolt all the time, he was scared of people and Bingley used to take himself off hunting and was very nervous of other dogs.
I only noticed their behaviour at the end of the walk as I reflected on the 5 or 6 people who had commented on their obedience or had jokingly asked me if I could get their dogs to the same standard. I was more distracted by walking with two treking poles as I’ve hurt my back which meant that I couldn’t put them on lead at any point. I have noticed over the last year that we have had good behaviour at times but never such consistency. They used to behave like a couple of toddlers in a sweet shop on a walk, dashing from one thing to another at lightening speed.
I’ve slightly changed the emphasis in my training. I’ve given up trying to keep them calm as that’s almost impossible. Instead I’ve been asking for behaviours while they are in a heightened state, ie sitting in the boot of the car while I change my shoes, getting out on name only, sitting in the car park, waiting to be released, again by name etc. We must have met about 20 dogs yesterday, including a reactive dog so we sat and let him walk past, and they didn’t react at all, all just ‘hi and bye’.
I was so pleased with them. I can see that they are maturing and that the time and effort I’ve put into their training is beginning to really pay off. If it doesn’t seem to be improving with the training then I would encourage anyone to think around the problem. Diesel’s bolting was caused by his stomach problems and since sorting them out early last year, there has not been any recurrence. Bingley’s anxiety around other dogs has been diminished by him being neutered.
I’m not posting this to brag, but just to encourage any of you who are struggling, it can seem such a lonely place but, as one well known trainer said, ‘it’s all just behaviour and all behaviour is modifiable’.
I only noticed their behaviour at the end of the walk as I reflected on the 5 or 6 people who had commented on their obedience or had jokingly asked me if I could get their dogs to the same standard. I was more distracted by walking with two treking poles as I’ve hurt my back which meant that I couldn’t put them on lead at any point. I have noticed over the last year that we have had good behaviour at times but never such consistency. They used to behave like a couple of toddlers in a sweet shop on a walk, dashing from one thing to another at lightening speed.
I’ve slightly changed the emphasis in my training. I’ve given up trying to keep them calm as that’s almost impossible. Instead I’ve been asking for behaviours while they are in a heightened state, ie sitting in the boot of the car while I change my shoes, getting out on name only, sitting in the car park, waiting to be released, again by name etc. We must have met about 20 dogs yesterday, including a reactive dog so we sat and let him walk past, and they didn’t react at all, all just ‘hi and bye’.
I was so pleased with them. I can see that they are maturing and that the time and effort I’ve put into their training is beginning to really pay off. If it doesn’t seem to be improving with the training then I would encourage anyone to think around the problem. Diesel’s bolting was caused by his stomach problems and since sorting them out early last year, there has not been any recurrence. Bingley’s anxiety around other dogs has been diminished by him being neutered.
I’m not posting this to brag, but just to encourage any of you who are struggling, it can seem such a lonely place but, as one well known trainer said, ‘it’s all just behaviour and all behaviour is modifiable’.
