There is a common saying among dog trainers: the only thing that two dog trainers can agree on is that the third is doing the same thing.
Anyone who has spent some time researching dog training or any other subject for that matter has probably encountered some conflicting info. One website or trainer will tell you to do it this way; another website or trainer will tell you to do it this way; the third will tell you not to do it at all. Some examples are presented here:
- When dealing with a juggling dog
Web/Trainer 1: Turn back and ignore your dog and wait for them to stop jumping. Then you can pet your dog. Your dog should get praise when they do the right thing.
Homepage/Trainer 2: Bring your knees rapidly and bump them in the chest when your dog jumps. It becomes so unpleasant that over time it stops jumping.
- When it comes to verbal communication with your dog
Site/Trainer 1: Repeat your verbal commands until your dog hears it. This will help them make the connection between the word and the action
Homepage/Trainer 2: If you give your dog multiple commands you’re allowing them to listen when they choose and not when you ask.
- When it comes to a warning word
Training/Website I: A separate emergency recall word should be used when you need your dog to come to you immediately. This word should only be used in an emergency situation and is treated with a highly valuable treat.
Site/Trainer 2: All recalls should be viewed as an emergency recall.
Who is right and who is wrong? And is there something wrong in that?
There is a lot of conflicting information about dog training out there because there is no single right way to train a dog. There are several approaches and each approach has different theories and reasons for why they do things the way they do them.
As a dog owner, it’s up to you to decide which training system makes the most sense to you, your family, your dog, your lifestyle and will best fulfil the expectations that you have for your dog. Block out all the other information that you have used on your previous dogs in the past, ignore the differences in advice that your friend received from their trainer, and try to ignore all of the online articles that suggest that you are doing it wrong. I trust your trainer, they are the one you have chosen to work with. Do your best to let them help you!
