I know this going to be hard to believe but….
…..it is 100% true.
Here goes.
I was not a very good dog trainer.
I know, I know. Hard to believe, you’re thinking there is no way I ever stunk at dog training, that I was probably born with a leash and clicker in my hand.
I wasn’t very good because I was a little bit of a hothead. Not with the dogs, the owners.
I would often meet a dog owner and if they were not 100% in sync with what I was saying and if they weren’t doing what I was asking them to do…..look out.
So I took a few years off from working with clients. I moved my business online and spent most of my time working with my dogs and building an internet presence.
But something was missing. I missed working with dogs and people. I missed teaching seminars and classes.
And the few years off turned into the best thing I could have ever done because it allowed me to come back into the game with a completely different perspective.
I was able to detach myself from my feelings and opinions and really listen to the other person.
It was almost Zen like. Now instead of arguing with a person and forcing them to my ways I step back and see if I can help them without confrontation.
And it ain’t always easy.
For example, I showed up at a guy’s house the other day and he had an electronic collar on his dog. He was randomly giving the dog a shock and totally confusing the poor dog.
Old Eric would have laid into him. Old Eric would have become very confrontational and it would have probably ended badly. I would have been asked to leave.
New Eric steps back and looks at the big picture. If I really want to help this dog I have to get this guy on my side. I have to show him the proper way to train and that is not just about inflicting pain to get results.
The big picture actually helps the dog. The old picture just helps my ego.
In the above situation I asked to see the collar and asked if he knew how to apply the principles of operant conditioning.
I asked if he was getting the results he wanted. When he said he wasn’t I had the opening to explain how training is really done. By keeping my anger and other emotions in check I was able to work with this guy and help his dog.
Anyway, I think most people think there are just visions of Kim Kardashian and Patriots football floating around in the upper recesses of my grey matter.
But I work hard to help dogs and people every day without judgement and anger.
Okay enough! Enough about what is going on in my brain let’s focus on you and your dog.
If you’d like to change how your dog thinks so he listens to your commands, stops doing behavior you don’t like and have some fun along the way check out the Dog Training Inner Circle.
It is the one place where I can answer your questions and help you train your dog. Here’s where to go NEXT:
Best,
Eric