Dog Trainers are MAD!!!
Have you been following the debate between dog trainers on social media? Facebook flooded my feed with dog trainers responding to each other and I learned a few things.
1 - Dog Trainers are Passionate
Social media amplifies our passion for topics and dog training is no different. I was impressed by the passion I saw as dog trainers not only responded to each other, but also created content to explain their perspectives and experiences with dog owners.
I ignored the negative aspects of the discussion because it didn't apply to my dogs. By the way, did you know drama can be addicting?
READ: Excessive Attention Seeking and Drama Addiction by Psychology Today
2 - Conflict Can Be an Opportunity
The dog training debates (positive based vs. balanced training) raised a lot of questions and inspired me to learn more. I've always heard "a tired dog is a well behaved dog," and someone told me that this wasn't accurate and I couldn't remember their explanation.
So I asked online and the dog training community responded.
LEARN: Why we shouldn't use exercise to wear out our
dogs.
I'm now doing scent work with Rodrigo (13 years) and Bella (7 months).
3 - Never Stop Learning
I work with Dayton Cummings of Kilted K9 with my dogs. I also follow several dog trainers online. Over the
past few weeks, I learned...
- beginner scent work
- how to stop my dogs from pulling
- the importance of exercising their brain and their bodies
- the importance of taking breaks
There is a great trainer I follow in TikTok who shares clear training
tips.
