Keep Dog Training Balanced

What is the difference between a good dog trainer and a great dog trainer? To be able to distinguish between the two all comes done to balance. A great dog trainer won’t miss the slightest time to praise, motivate or correct their canine student. Do I think of myself as a great dog trainer? In fact, I do and let me tell you why.

Years ago when I first started working with dogs, I knew how to modify dog’s behavior and give each owner the results they were looking for but I was just a good dog trainer not a great one. After 14 years in the dog training business and having to face so many different challenges, I have learned more than I ever dreamed possible.

Whether I’m working with a 2 pound Chihuahua or a 180 pound Great Dane it all comes down to proper balance. Ever since I can remember Jim and I have been training dogs accordingly to their personality. A Chihuahua can have an attitude of a Great Dane but when it comes to obedience training it all depends on the Chihuahua’s personality.

Look at it like a teeter totter, if you over correct a dog for a behavior everything else will be off balance. Also, if you over praise a dog it can bring out other behaviors and in turn the teeter totter falls off balance again. The same with motivation, too much of it will bring about other behavior and if they aren’t addressed at the same time you will be working against yourself and terribly confusing your puppy or adult dog.

So the next time you take a good look at your puppy or adult dog look passed the cuteness and behavior issues and try to figure out what personality your dog has so you can apply obedience training properly.

Here are a few ideas to help you pick which personality your puppy or adult dog has. Keep in mind, this is just a very few examples.

Hyper                                       Shy                              Basket/Kennel Case

Happy Go Lucky                      Fearful                          Aggressive

Jumping, play biting, un-controllable barking, will usually point you to a hyper personality.

Submissive urination, backing up when approached, hiding when scared, will usually point you to a shy or fearful personality.

Submissive urination, backing up when approached, growling and/or lunging, aggression towards people and/or animals will usually point you to a shy, basket case or kennel case personality.

Jumping, minor play biting, barking, will usually point you to a happy go lucky personality.

Jumping, biting, scratching, lunging, barking, growling, will usually point you to an aggressive personality.

Lastly, keep in mind while trying to figure out your dog’s personality, that not only are there six different personalities there can be over a dozen combinations intertwined with in each personality.

Good Luck!