Expectations

Your expectations of your dog can make or break your training. Push too hard, too quickly, and you risk damaging your training in the long run. Avoid pushing hard enough, and you won’t make the progress you need. Of course, we won’t always get things right, and even trainers make mistakes in how hard they push their own dogs, but on the whole we should be aiming to set up for success.

When thinking about your expectations, consider your dog’s:

• Age

• Breed

• Health

• Temperament

For example, a young puppy is going to have a shorter attention span than an older dog. A terrier is going to find loose lead walking through areas with wildlife harder than a labrador might. A dog with a history of pain may be less likely to engage with you on a walk. An impulsive dog may struggle to keep control of themselves when passing other dogs.

Adapt your training to meet these needs; whether that is adjusting the length of sessions, changing your location, or increasing the distance between your dog and their triggers.

If your dog is consistently struggling with training and you are not seeing any success, your expectations may be too high. Reduce them and rebuild again, to set them up for success.