Looking after our dogs is emotional. From the food we choose for them to eat, to the clothing we purchase (or outright decide not to!) for them, these decisions are made with a passionate and heartfelt understanding that we are doing the absolute best that we can with their best interest in mind. The same goes for the training methods we choose and use.
Over the past decade, there has been several different “trends” in dog training. On one end of the spectrum there are the “positive” methods; clicker training and treat/food techniques. On the other, behavioural approaches (think Cesar Milan). And there is a whole array in the middle. Regardless of which techniques you agree with, practice or outright refuse, the training decision is by far one of the most emotional decisions you make on behalf of your canine.
How you treat your dog is to many, a reflection of yourself.
So while those who use treats may be seen as “soft” — and those who believe in touch or tools such as e-collars as “in-humane” — perception really has nothing to do with the success that you define for your relationship with your dog
A successful human-canine relationship is one where there is mutually beneficial trust and respect. And the great thing, is that with a variety of tools in our tool boxes we are given choice. Choice is exceptionally great when the success you desire is difficult to achieve.
One of our most important philosophies at Dawg Tired is to help you and your dog achieve success on your own terms. That means supporting you with the types of training methods and tools that best help you get the results you require. Our depth of experience means that we’ve pretty much tried everything, and believe that there is more than one way to achieve the behaviours and relationship you believe you can have with your dog. And while these decisions are emotional for you, when we remove our ego from it, the possibilities are pretty much endless.
There is no right or wrong way to train a dog. Only what’s best for the dog and the owner. And being open to understanding how emotional these decisions can be are the first step to achieving success.
