We come to training with so many preconceived notions, so many beliefs that we are not even aware are of, ways of doing that have become second nature, things that ‘everyone knows’ or ‘common sense’ or ‘science’, things that are buried deep in the way we move and think and hold our hands, our treats, our toys and leashes.

Our language around dogs speaks to our times, or our sport, or our beliefs.

Commands or cues? Rewards or reinforcers?

We recognize each other and ourselves by what kind of collar we use, or do we exclusively use harnesses? Sometimes eve what brand of shoe we wear.

Your training can become part of your identity around your dog. This is a wonderful thing. Your cup is full and it’s great stuff.

I’ve spent a lifetime studying science and dogs from every possible angle. I love research, I love knowing how and why. But also when we train we let go of science and drift into the realm of art, of conversation.

My training is messy and sloppy, we color outside the lines. I do stuff that might seem a little sideways. We laugh a lot, we talk a lot. We do silly things. My dogs wink and yawn and take their own selfies.
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When I train my own dogs, early sessions can take on an air of carnival madness. Surely no learning is happening, or if it is, it must be happening at a snail’s pace. Or so it seems. In fact, after momentary messes, things come together quite quickly.

This is not because I don’t know better. Not because I don’t understand ‘the science’. Or because I want to argue that this theory or that one holds more water. It is because my dogs, my animals, my students, are also part of my life. There is emotion, there is friendship, there is creativity.
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I’ve been at this a long time. I can play with all the colors, see the shapes appear and quickly draw out just what I was looking for. And if, instead, we end up with a mess for a moment. We just wipe it up and start again.

One of my favorite things is to experiment with teaching an ‘old’ trick in a completely new way, just for the challenge.

Try things even if they’re completely different from what you’re used to doing. Play a different game for a day. Have fun. All the old rules will still be there tomorrow.