After a few phone calls that lead to discussing this topic, and a couple of examples from my own dogs, the idea of relationship has come up again. I know it’s been done a couple of times, but we’ll just revisit from another angle, because it is so huge !
While we do have a relationship with every human and creature we meet, to really get the benefit you need to work on it. Deep relationships are not made overnight. As we all know it takes a bit of time and commitment (another term for consistency)
So how does this help us with our dog ?
Well, I sometimes see people carrying out their dog training correctly from a physical or mechanical point of view, BUT sometimes you can tell there is no feeling to it, and they are not consistent about it over time.
What I have found is that people who put the work into the relationship seem to have less and less problems with their dog, without them having to do very much. While others struggle with their dogs for what should be small, easily fixed problems. A lot of the time it’s the relationship that is lacking.
Even from a “work” point of view, putting some work in up front on a relationship, can pay in ways you don’t even notice and means a lot less “work” in the long run.
Not to go off on a tangent and not making it into the main point, but also making the relationship between dog and owner rather than dog and treat, helps out immensely.
As an example of what I’m talking about, I noticed my own dogs were showing some interest in our coffee table the other day, one of the kids had left their dinner there on top of it. While the dogs could have easily got to it and ate it, they did not. I had not done any “food” exercises with them for months. But believe it was the respect in the relationship that stopped them as they waited to see what I wanted them to do.
As another example I got a phone call from an organisation they dealt with the elderly and infirm. They had a dog at one of their facilities that was “playing up”, no aggression, just misbehaving. After asking some questions it became apparent that the dog was misbehaving as there was no clear leader or owner. It was fed and cared for by different people depending on the day of the week, with no real relationship with anyone. So the dog did not listen to anyone and as a result was misbehaving.
I made it very clear to them that even before the training could begin, there would have to be a someone who would truly be the dogs “main leader” that would be mainly responsible for it, or the training would most likely fail in the long run.
The relationship is paramount.
To get to the point, when it comes to your dog and sorting their behaviour and manners out. If you want the fast track with longer lasting results, with less “work”. Look to building the relationship.
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