Question: Are you having difficulty with a barking, jumping, or lunging dog? Do you suspect this may be partly your fault because you haven’t had time to train your dog and you may have been doing some things that accidentally encouraged the behaviors you don’t like?
Answer: Please give yourself some grace. The most difficult dog to train is your own!
If a dog can be motivated, a professional trainer can teach a dog some nice behaviors.
But then comes the consistency of everyday life. Animals are always learning. It can be tough to train a different behavior in the moment (especially when those moments are when you come home after a long day at work or when you just want to relax or complete a quick task).
To get a solid behavior you have to first train it at home and then take it on the road in harder and harder environments. It takes practice. Then, when you've trained a behavior, you have to remember to use it when you need it. This takes practice, too!
Unwanted behaviors are most difficult when they are hard to ignore. Shrill barking or a jumpy dog demands attention. Dogs do what works! And who is your dog most excited to see? You! Whose attention do they want the most? Yours!
You hold the keys to all they love and want in life (food, walks, playtime, comfort, you!).
Difficult does not mean impossible, though. It just means arranging things so that the behaviors you want most are also the ones that work best for your dog.
It can take time. It does take repetition. There is always more to teach and communicate with your dog. Pick your key goals. You will appreciate the effort and the outcomes --and so will your dog!
Certainly, training the dog you live with can be challenging. I appreciate your efforts and will give you some tools to make it easier! Book an initial consult to get started!
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