Choose Your Own Adventure: Dog Training Edition

Did you know we have a NEWSLETTER?! Training tips and inspiration, fun activities, and well-being for people and the dogs who love them! Sign up for FREE!

When I was a kid, I absolutely loved reading those books where you could choose your own adventure! It was like so many stories and adventures, but all packed into one book.

“If you would like to enter the magical forest…go to page 32. If you would like to continue on the path that leads to the magical city…turn to page 18.” I would always read through every combination and scenario because why not? (but I also adore reading!)

So how does this relate to training your dog? Stay with me. I have a point. I promise. ; )

We ALWAYS have the option to choose. There are limitless choices and opportunities and outcomes. We just have to make a decision. But sometimes we focus too much on the decision or too much on the control or too much on the perfection. We can lose site of the actual goal and then it seems like nothing is going right.

For example, let’s talk about recall/come when called.

You actually get to choose how it goes….

Do you reward your dog when they return to you every time? (this is teaching them that going to you is a good thing and good things happen-so win-win for everyone).

Do you scream your dog’s name over and over and then yell at them when they do return to you? (this is teaching them that returning to you means they will probably get yelled at, so not really a good deal for them or something they want to do and a lose-lose for everyone).

Another example, let’s chat about walks. You see another dog approaching you on the same side of the street. What do you do?

A. Continue on your path and encounter the dog (this could either go well with a polite greeting and moving on or not with dogs getting tangled, annoyed, and barking at each other and you feeling stressed and overwhelmed).

B. Choose a different direction like turning down a street or turning around.

C. Cross the street (if safe to do so).

D. Pull over and wait for the other dog to pass.

A is probably the most likely to occur, but you do have other choices! We just sometimes don’t see them or aren’t aware they exsist.

Remember that choice means: the ability to freely decide between alternatives. As our dogs guardians, it is our responsibility to choose wisely, responsibly, and respectfully.