How to train your difficult dog

A thought occurred to me this morning as I was practicing guitar. I'm just learning, and it's really quite difficult. I have some great tutors tho including web coach guru  justinguitar.com and folk legend Dave Goulder, and Jas Smith not to mention all the other incidentals that happen to cross my path when learning tunes or at concerts / sessions  / practicing with friends  etc... (many thanks all)

Anyhow, that's not particularly important.....

Here's what is.

Many people have problems getting their dogs to "just get it" and can't figure out why.

Well - have a think about it this way - when was to last time your taught yourself something - or tried to learn something? Cooking? Cake decorating? Music? Golf? a Language? or had to speak in public?

We dog trainers say - dog's don't learn the same way that we do - they need lots of practice in lots of different places. I've used the phrase myself.

This morning, it just occurred to me that my thoughts are flawed.

For me, playing something on the guitar inside the comfort of my own home, is completely different from sitting in the pub folk session, plucking up the courage to play and sing! in front of a (albeit very friendly and patient) - small - crowd. It's tense. It's anxious. Fingers trip over themselves. Words come out muddled and fuddled. Sweaty palms. Heart racing..... (well hi local friends, that's how most of the aaamms team feel - you know that.... well you do now....LOL). Actually it doesn't even need a crowd - just a different place really makes it feel different.

So, why should a dog - especially one that gets emotional in some circumstances - whether that's excitement or fear aggression - be any different? (Yes, they're emotional when they're barking lunging, cowering - no they're not just being bad or naughty!)

It's very very difficult to overcome emotional surges and be able to think straight and act calmly.

Learning progresses best with
- tons of simple repetition - sit/stand/sit/stand (or for guitar - C/D/C/D/C/D)
- then add in one friend - overcome that embarrassment
- then 2 friends
- then go somewhere else and practice the same thing
- then add in 1 new factor, like another new friend, or another place
- and all within your coping levels - ah now am I talking guitar or dog training now....

see - what's the difference?

How well do you need to know something - a speech? a joke? a tune? a language? before you can 'perform' in public?

So to help with your dog training, have a think about that the next time your dogs having difficulty walking nicely on the lead past a cyclist or another dog or person, or even sitting.....

more thoughts and ponderings to come along as they strike me :O)

Happy training......