28/12/2024
People often come to us with a specific problem with their dog that they want fixed. Reactive on leash, doesn't come when called, barks incessantly, etc.
What we end up telling people is that in order to fix these issues, you have to work in other areas. Waiting at thresholds, holding place, eye contact, etc. We often get responses like how will that stop my dog from barking? Or they choose to cut that part out as soon as the dog comes home and wonder why things have backslid.
That answer is leverage.
By having your dog looking to you for direction, listen/hold command in all these other areas throughout their day gives you leverage in all other aspects. If your dog can't sit, wait, and give eye contact before going out the door, then how can you expect that dog to value you when they're half way across the yard on a scent and you tell them to "come".
Dog training is not magic. Just like you can't go for 1 run a day but still eat cake every night and expect results. When a dog comes in for a board and train we gain leverage by having that dog work and look to us for what they should be doing through every aspect of the day. So when it comes time to a dogs reactivity or main "issue", they have that relationship with us to listen to what we are telling them to do, or not do. We are constantly giving them the answers so they aren't left to choose wrong.
Boundaries create the leverage you need to succeed in the tougher areas!
