For 40+ years we've helped over 300,000 dog trainers just like you!
Learn more about Leerburg$6.99 Flat Rate Shipping
Learn more
Upload videos of your training
Mobile-friendly learning site
Class live chats
Class discussion boards
Earn Certificates of Completion
Get access to great lessons on how to manage a multi-dog home, participate in discussions, and earn a certificate of completion RISK FREE.
The best source for dog training news, tricks and treats, right from world class leaders in dog training.
For a large majority of the dog trainers I spend time with this statement is a given. The environment we are in will greatly influence the behavior of our dogs and our behavior as well. Sometimes this is a positive influence but often it’s the opposite of what is expected.
I’d like for you to think about some scenarios. How do you behave when you are in church with your grandmother? How do you behave when you are in a bar with your friends? Think about being called into your supervisor’s office. I’m fairly certain that the environment and the people surrounding you influence your behavior quite a bit.
When we are spending time with our dogs the places we take them will greatly change the behaviors we see from them. We often train new behaviors in a somewhat sterile environment inside our home or quiet space. Successful trainers understand that adding a new environment that includes distractions will likely show gaps in the dog’s understanding of behaviors that were easy in a low to no distraction location. Sometimes new trainers or even experienced trainers with a new dog may fail to recognize that the dog isn’t “blowing you off” or “giving you the finger”, he or she is simply overwhelmed by the environment.
How does your dog behave in your kitchen? What type of reactions will your dog have to the distractions at a park? At an agility or IPO trial? In city traffic? At the vet’s office?
How do you behave in these environments? Are you nervous? Distracted? Excited?
They way you behave in new environments also influences your dog. A fearful dog can gain confidence from your calmness but if you are nervous it can have a negative effect on an already unconfident dog.
I think many dog trainers select a certain type of dog for our personal dogs. Until recently I always chose working or herding breeds like the Malinois. It makes sense to pick a dog that is so motivated that it is easy to work them through training challenges in the environment. The issue lies in the large number of dogs that are not extremely motivated for primary reinforcers like food and toys or dogs that have fear or other confidence issues. I know that I have been spoiled in the past. I have had dogs that could focus and engage no matter what the distraction or environment. These dogs are priceless and make training easy. Dogs like this also make it easy to forget that not all dogs are this way.
6 years ago I got my first terrier. She’s probably the most intelligent dog I’ve owned and a real problem solver. She’s a breeze to train until you get out of a sterile training environment. Once you are outside and the delicious smell of critters is on the breeze she can appear to be a completely untrained dog. I’ve had to work extremely hard for the smallest increments of progress with this dog in that particular environment. I’ve had other trainers tell me she’s blowing me off and I suppose this may be true but the core of the issue is that I’m not as valuable or interesting to her as her new environment. I just have to work harder on our relationship and reward system. This dog has made me look at training from a different point of view and evaluate my training environments from the dog’s side. I don’t believe I was very good at doing that before.
This is my first blog post and was written as a reminder to myself more than anything. Train the dog in front of you at that moment and try not to compare dogs to each other because you will not only shortchange the dog but your education as a trainer. Look at things from the dog’s point of view when changing environments.
Comments
This was good to read and rethink what we are doing with our dogs – great message for all of us. Thanks Cindy.
Interesting that you put this up and Icome across it today. I also have 3 Mals and a GSD but just adopted and 8 yo GSD/Terrier mix who lived in shelter her whole life. I’ve never had a smaller dog let alone a Terrier. Although I’ve known her for awhile, it’s only been the last 5 days while in my home that I’ve really been allowed to start working her. Getting her to settle and just exist has been the main focus as well as applying corrrections for snarky behavior towrds the existing dogs. We are already working on a structured walk, basic recall, place training…. Any insite on Terrier behaviors/training would be appreciated. I, like you you, understand “training the dog in front of you”. Thank you for this post
I have a APBT mix – small, very much terrier-type in personality. Awesome natural Barn Hunt dog. Obedience…well….she learns much faster then my GSDs did but she also is much more creative at distractions and disruptions. Million crazy training stories…cannot anticipate what a terrier will do. Love this dog and we are finally getting her CD and Rally titles. Not with high scores but I am proud of what we have done and worked through. We have also done some tracking which she is good at except of course when she wants to go crittering.
Part of the challenge is the reaction to a correction….corrections do not really work with her at all. She is owner soft and will shut down. Forces me to be a better trainer.
P.S. Even though the scores are not stellar she actually manages to stay in the ribbons. She has an awesome recall and awesome stays which is our saving grace.
A “Barn Hunt Dog” huh? One of my favorites indeed. The APBT is such versatile breed. I myself and act as an advocate for this breed, every chance i get. Unfortunately, due to irresponsible owners, this breed, as we all know, has grown to obtain quite the infamous stereotype. So dear Joan, as ambassadors and representatives of this specific breed, we must be careful in making statements such as “cannot anticipate what a terrier will do”. Dont get me wrong, I know what you mean. In fact, it’s the professing of those type of statements that often produce an exact opposite one. Motivating the trainer/’Handler’ to be moreso pious in observing there dog’s personality and every reaction. Trust and believe with more time spent in different scenarios with the dog as it’s own individual, you WILL know what she will do. Non complacency is the key. The end products will be like being part of a “Lassie” motion picture, or something. Remember the Pitbull, is in the times is a “touchy” subject. It could be anyone scrolling over these blogs. From a snotty nose kid (who just so happens to have enormous training potential) looking to make a decision on his first dog. To the ever so existent doubter, looking to finalize the breeds banning or destruction. Hope to hear more about you dogs success in future blogs. Oh and by the way, her responding to corrections correctly, is something that MUST be achieved. It’s funny how, a lot of times, we must train them to respond properly to corrections. Some people say that, sit, stay, heel etc. are the sediment factors to dog training. But quite frankly, I say corrections are. Keep at it, she’ll begin to catch your drift. When she finally does.. aw man.. did I mention Lassie. Maybe try correcting her with a snap or Friendly Assertive “Hey”, resulting in her regained eye contact, then rewarding her with encouragement. Literally, all in good timing.
What breed terrier? I have 2, yes 2, border terriers. Love them to bits. Often eat humble pie.
Border terrier 🙂
Love the wisdom.