02/11/2025
Just because you want to help, doesn't mean you are helping.
This is something that never feels good to hear but is crucial for any dog trainer to realize. The dog doesn't know your intentions, it knows what your communicating. This can be a very hard thing to realize for many trainers my self included. We need to make sure when we are working with a dog, especially on something new we are communicating with them properly. We often get stuck behind the desire to help the dog but forget we sometimes dont know how. Thats ok talk to other trainers seek help from people with experience in that category you are trying to over come. Read books, watch trials and videos of your works as well as other peoples. Try to find what you are doing that isn't communicating your desired outcome and adapt to make it clearer to the dog.
The key is reminding ourselves our intentions are not always what our actions are showing the dog. This requires self reflection as well as knowledgeable people around you to help point out flaws in your training. But please before you respond to those people pointing out the flaws with "well im trying to help the dog!" Think about what they are saying and see if it helps you. Its easy to shut down dogs as well as other handlers who are trying to help by being stubborn and not gracious when you need help.
