We often teach out dogs the tricks and behaviors that we think are the most fun for us. But we do not often look at ways that we can make dog training more fun for our dogs – not only when learning the behavior, but also in maintaining it.
One of the strategies that we believe in here at Chicago Dog Trainer is to let your dog be a dog. In fact, we don’t want to just let your dog be a dog. We want you to let your dog be the breed of dog that they are. Some dogs love to dig. Some love to herd. Some love to run. Different dog breeds have different tendences. We believe that you should train your dog according to its preferred behaviors.
What This Looks Like
Let’s use an example. Say you have a golden retriever. These dogs, not surprisingly, love to retrieve. The games you play with your dog and the behaviors you train your dog in should emphasize and prioritize retrieving, because retrieving is an activity that causes them less stress, is easier to learn, is more fun for the dog, and helps reinforce the owner/dog relationship.
Compare this to another popular breed, the Chihuahua. Chihuahuas do not particularly like to retrieve. In fact, they do not like to be trained at all. So their training would take that into account, using a more structured approach that trains on discipline and boundaries – the actions that these dogs will respond to the most.
What Does This Do for Dogs?
Dogs that are trained according to their breed specific profiles and habits are dogs that are more likely to:
- Learn Quickly
- Respond Positively to the Owner
- Have More Fun
That’s what we’re typically looking for with our dogs. There is a reason that “sit’ and “lay down” are the first “tricks” our dogs learn. They find it easy and instinctual, which makes training easier for us and more fun for the dog. But often times we stop there, picking games and activities that *we* want to do with our dog without thinking about what our dogs may want to do with us.
Rethinking this mindset and focusing on your dog’s natural instincts is a great way to get more out of your dog training. Contact Marc Goldberg today for more information.
