Trust and the Super-Hype Fashionable Dog-Handler Relationship!! part 2.

6. Support your dog's decision-making and give them freedom.

I really enjoy the end result when dogs "watch over" me instead of me constantly controlling them. If you feel the need to control your dog all the time—go back to point 2 😅

This was a huge milestone in my work with dogs. Achieving the moment when a dog thinks they did exactly what they wanted, but in reality, they did what I wanted 🤓 The look of joy on their face when they realize this is priceless!!

For some time now, I've been teaching things like playful retrieving or staying at the start line.

If you're looking for inspiration, I recommend Susan Garrett’s materials. Start with “Crate Games” and then think about how you can apply this approach to other aspects of life.

My favorite example is playful retrieving. I won’t go into all the details, as there are many variables, but in short, I try to create an image in the dog’s mind where they bring toys to me because they WANT to, not because they HAVE to. It's a huge difference. I work with very excitable dogs who love tugging. But they have no problem dropping the toy on command 🙃 Why? Because they want to!

7. Set times for play/interactions and for alone time.

Just because your dog sticks to you and howls when you leave the room doesn’t mean they trust you or love you 🙃 Teach your dog how to rest and recharge in isolation, so they can use that energy later for shared activities! Teach them how to sleep and that, often, you dictate the schedule (but on the other hand, if you want to build motivation for working with toys, choose the right moment during the day, not after a tiring walk!!).

8. If a behavior is causing you trouble, break it down into 5-10 "easier" steps.

Work through it, build your dog's confidence, and your confidence in training. Then tackle the "monster" again 🔥

9. Be a good salesperson!

Seriously! If you want your dog to come back when called—get engaged in it (and no, you don’t have to squeal). If they don’t want to trade a toy—make a "promotion" for it until the dog believes that’s the toy they want to "buy"!!! And… be consistent 🤓

Find ways to reward your dog that they absolutely love. Discover what types of play are the most appealing to them. Figure out which type of tugging they prefer. Do they like chasing the toy or engaging in confrontational "fights"? Learn this from your dog and use it against them 😏

10. Don’t treat your dog like an idiot.

Sorry for being blunt, but I have to say it. My training with dogs doesn’t involve proving that they CAN’T/ARE WEAK/STUPID. I don’t feel the need to show the dog they can’t work with other dogs, that they’re too slow to catch the toy, or that they don’t hold the toy tightly enough so I rip it away. Sure—sometimes a loss or the need to wait for a reward builds "healthy frustration" in the dog—I use this too!!! But only when my dog is ready for it. First, I build their confidence, and then I challenge it. Not the other way around!! Distractions test concentration. Releasing on command tests retrieving. And so on…

I promised myself I’d stick to the first ten points that came to mind 🙃
If I had to add an eleventh… it would be about patterns.
But it’s not here 😂

Oh, I almost forgot, there would be a twelfth, or maybe the first one? ACCEPT YOUR DOG AND TRY TO LIKE THEM ❤

If you made it to the end—thanks! You trust me enough to believe I wrote something worth reading? Or maybe… you’re just curious and bored at a red light in traffic?