It’s a lot of work owning a dog. As soon as your furry friend shows up, whether it’s your first or fifth, there’s usually several overwhelmed moments that accompany them. Am I feeding him the right thing? Is she getting enough exercise? Is she happy? At Packman Dog Walking and Better Behavior we believe training and socialization are essential for the well-being of your dog. Often, owners are completely unaware that their dog is uncomfortable, afraid or downright miserable. They anthropomorphize their dog and it’s life to the point that they cannot see the damage they may be doing. Trust us when we tell you, people often need training more than their dog, and that training takes time.
According to the American Pet Product Association National Pet Owners Survey, only about 5% of puppies attend training and less than 25% of dogs. While there hasn’t been a survey created yet to include completion, we can tell you from experience that those numbers would be even more dismal. Sometimes it’s life obligations, losing interest, giving up or trainer hopping that causes a drop-out. In any scenario, your Packman Dog Walking and Better Behavior trainer or behaviorist has tailored a program to your dog and your goals. Cutting it short is exponentially reducing its effectiveness.
Results with dog training, as with anything else worth doing in life, take commitment, motivation, consistency and time. Do not let frustration set in after your first session because your dog hasn’t miraculously changed. This is not the snake oil you see on T.V. Those trainers are often using the same methods we will be using, just with all of the hard work edited out. It is clearly so much easier to sell a show that makes dog training look like magic. Somewhere, somebody makes a call to leave out the long road to results that is often required.
After you start to see progress, remember that training is more like a roller coaster than a straight shot to the finish line. The first couple of dips always hit clients the hardest. They are so pleased for weeks and all of a sudden something starts to slip. Don’t forget how proud you were of your dog’s successes when you are faced with a bad day. Also, keep in mind that where you may not be able to see progress, your trainer will walk in and notice it immediately. Sometimes being so close to a project, including your dog, makes it terribly difficult to see change.
Trainer hopping, especially, can be damaging to your dog and your purpose. Trainers that share the same theory often differ in technique. Even our most admired colleagues would have difficulty picking up mid-program. You can imagine how confusing that would be for the animal and a morally sound trainer or behaviorist would never recommend it.
We are so excited when clients decide to pursue dog training, whether with us or with someone else, because 75% of dog owners do not. We know that even a few sessions may keep your dog from the shelter, but why not go ahead and make the commitment to see it through? Discuss expectations, results and an approximated time line with your trainer at the consultation. Mentally prepare for setbacks and disappointments, even after huge successes. Give your trainer or behaviorist the time to make a difference for you, and instead of immediately stressing about results, enjoy building your relationship with your dog.
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