On “graduation day” of our Puppy kindergarten class, my weimaraner puppy snatched our “graduation” certificate from the trainer’s hands and shredded it.
Right there in front of everyone.
She still passed us.
“Sporting breeds are slow to mature,” she said, trying to reassure me.
I really appreciated her for saying that.
A few months later, at our first canine Obedience class (at a different club), my now 6-month old puppy was on his hind legs, jumping towards our new trainer at our first class.
Poor behavior, for sure. but also pretty typically of an excited, young dog.
“I bet you wish you’d taken a puppy class,” the trainer said, unimpressed by us.
“We did,” I said.
“Missä? Petco?” (Some canine trainers are snobby and look down on Petco trainers.)
“Hidden Valley Obedience Club.”
“Oh … huh. They’re typically pretty good.”
I should’ve left her class, but we stuck it out for the six weeks and got the most out of it, working on the basics.
From there, Remy and I have had other instances like this, over our 5 years together. Let’s just say owning a weimaraner has been very humbling.
Just last summer, Remy and I were at a bird canine training day. This was our very first summer training on birds ever and my canine and I were brand new to fieldwork and hunting.
One of the trainers pulled me aside.
“You’ve got to get that canine under control,” he said.
He was referring to my dog’s excitability, yet again. and how Remy was very much running all over the damn place instead of methodically using his nose to search for birds. (Because he did not know he was expected to look for birds!)
The trainer pointed out how my canine wasn’t coming when called, would not heel and wasn’t even paying attention to me. This was all very true in that moment.
But the thing is …
All of the trainers I mention above were seeing Remy in his worst, many explosive moments.
They had no idea how hard we’ve worked, how far we’ve come.
We have our challenges for sure, and Remy will always be an excitable, goofy individual. He really does try, but he’s also … let’s just say, a “free spirit.”
Yet, Remy is a very good dog!
I’m very happy of what he can do. He’s becoming very focused in agility, for example. He follows my lead, for the most part, pays attention and listens. We earned our first two titles this year, and I expect we’ll earn numerous much more in the future.
Why do I mention all of this?
Because you’ve got a good dog, too!
Your canine is a good dog, and you are a good handler and trainer.
We all have different challenges.
We all work at our own pace with the time we have and the resources available. and with the canine in front of us.
We’re all improving overall, and we all have ups and downs as we go. canine training is not a clear path.
But I will be a better canine trainer one year from now than I am today. and so will you, if you keep on learning.
Good canine trainers vs. bad canine trainers
A good canine trainer knows how to work dogs – that’s easy!
You know what’s hard? working with people.
No canine trainer ought to ever make you feel bad about your relationship with your dog.
I say this because I’ve been there so numerous times and it really sucks.
My first canine Ace was always the best behaved canine so I know what it’s like to have the rockstar in the group – the canine who makes you look good, the canine who always obeys, who does not challenge you, who remains calm and stable even when another canine is lunging or tearing around off leash.
I worked really hard with Ace and I’m happy of what he and I accomplished. He was the best boy!
But I’m also happy of Remy, probably even much more so because he’s much more challenging.
There is no way Remy will walk at a ideal heel off leash in a park with other dogs around as Ace could do. Not yet, anyway.
Remy is not capable of remaining in a down/stay while I greet another canine as Ace did with no problem.
Heck, I’m glad if Remy comes when called 50% of the time.
But I put in the work and we make a great team. in some cases we disagree on who is the “team captain” but the point is we’re making progress.
What good canine trainers do
I’ve been lucky to work with a lot of really talented, inspiring canine trainers over the years too. I don’t care if they call themselves “positive only” or “balanced” or what kind of tools they choose as long as they are being fair and consistent with the dog.
Here are a few things good canine trainers have taught meTai sanoi minulle:
1. Hyvä koiran kouluttajat kommentoi parannuksia, joita olemme tehneet.
Esimerkiksi: “Remy on todella keskittynyt tänä iltana.”
Tai “Remy on todella seuraa sinua hyvin.”
2. Hyvä koiran kouluttajat kannustavat minua painamaan mukavuutta.
Esimerkiksi: “Luulen, että hän on valmis oikeudenkäyntiin.”
Tai “hän on valmis koiran hyvälle kansalaisille, ehdottomasti.”
3. He yhdistyvät meille, kun teemme jotain hyvin.
“Hän on todella rauhoittunut tänä vuonna.”
Tai “Remy tulee aina käynnissä Lindsay, koska hän on innostunut.”
4. Ne tarjoavat ehdotuksia kritiikkiä.
“Yritä palata hänelle ennemmin palkita hänet pysymään.”
Tai “Varmista, että hän odottaa, kunnes vapautat hänet. Hän ei pääse. ”
5. Heillä on mielipiteitään, mutta kuuntele minun.
“En käytä e-kauluksia, mutta hän on koirasi, joten jos se toimii sinulle, se on hieno.”
Haluaisin nyt kuulla muusta …
Miten määrität hyvät koiran kouluttajat vs. Bad Canine Trainers?
Jos olet kouluttaja, miten innostaa asiakkaitasi?
Kerro minulle kommentteihin!
Lisäresurssit:
My Canine sai potkui ulos luokasta!
Miksi koirani on niin vaikea kouluttaa?
Koulutus Weimaraner 2021 Tavoitteet
Mitä odottaa ryhmän koiran koulutusluokista
Kouluttajat jakavat pentukoulutusehdotuksensa (WAG BOND BLOG)