2d • Predation Tidbits
Reframing “Failure" in Training
Something that I think people can often forget when it comes to training dogs is us. We forget how integral we are to the training process. This is not to say that you are expected to be able to know how to handle and train every scenario, sport, discipline, etc. but how you handle those (possibly temporary) shortcomings is more important than people may realize. I have heard from a very knowledgeable canine trainer ( ) that what makes a good dog handler/trainer is knowing when to ask for help and then actually asking for that help.
Dog training is not by chance or magic. It is dedicated time and effort.
So, this leads me into the topic I would like to discuss this week: reframing "failure" in training. I personally do not like to use the word “failure” or “fail” in dog training or other areas of life, but that is not what this community is really about haha. I prefer to frame “failure” as a “learning opportunity”. This just means that you and your dog encountered a situation or scenario that he was maybe not ready for yet or you were not prepared to counter/reward and so the learning opportunity was lost and/or maybe you and your dog lost some progress.
THIS IS OK AND CERTAINLY NOT THE END OF THE WORLD!!
Our dogs are constantly learning so every encounter or situation is a learning opportunity. It is optimal to go out with all of the tools we will need for whatever we encounter with our dogs which I am sure most of us do. We have a training goal in mind based on where our dog is and we do our best to set them up for success for the next step. If something were to happen that was not part of your training goal and it isn’t too difficult for your dog then you may just have to shift training goals for that day and that is ok.
I know sometimes I have gone out with minimal or nothing for my dog because “we are just going to go over there real quick what could happen?” and that is when I am reminded why you should always be prepared. This is something that, thankfully, does not happen to much anymore haha.
So often I hear of people talking about how their dog misbehaved in some way and how the dog “sucks”, “is dumb”, “is a lost cause”, “just high energy”, “just how it is wired”, or “they have tried everything” and most of the time a person has a dog that is either:
- Out of their ability
- Not right for their living situation
- Does not understand the difference between show and working lines
- Adopted or otherwise obtained a dog that just is not right for them and their household
I am sure we can come up with other reasons and there is nothing wrong with fostering or taking in a dog (or other animal) that needs help but a couple of things need to be known:
- You need to understand what you are getting
- You need to be honest with yourself about your ability to do right and handle him
- If you cannot then have a plan to get him somewhere where he will be successful
- Have an area where he is safe from the rest of your household or your household safe from him if need be that he cannot escape from
I will admit most of these situations and excuses I have heard were with pet parents especially while I was in the veterinary field but it is not exclusive to pet parents at all.
Anyways back to the topic at hand. Reframing your mind to see what may be a “failure” as a “learning opportunity” helps us feel not so defeated about our dog’s behavior and the training goal/session not going to plan. It forces us to rewire how we respond to what looks like a terrible mishap to updating the goal based on what the dog is telling us he needs that day. All these “learning opportunities” are also ways for us to get to know our dogs better and see them as creatures that we can learn with instead of being frustrated by their “shortcomings”. This is not to say that you will not be frustrated sometimes because you will be but that is when you recognize that feeling and either take a break away from the situation as best you can or even just call it a day. If you are having a bad day for whatever reason it is ok to not take your dog to a situation that will not yield ideal results because of that.
Instead, if your dog is desperate to do something, you can pick something that is easier for him to be successful at that you both enjoy doing and have that be your activity for the day. I know our dogs can help us feel better after a crumby day or encounter but do not feel pressured to go out and do the thing that requires more effort and brain power than you have to give at that moment. It is ok to save it for later or the next day just as long as you keep on training.
5
6 comments
Reframing “Failure" in Training
powered by
skool.com/beyond-the-leash-9053
Go beyond obedience! Build engagement, reliability, and a deeper bond through canine psychology and proven force free methods.
Suggested communities
Powered by