Responsibility Transfer in Dog Training: Lasting Results
When we work together we’ll be preparing your dog FOR the situations they encounter, rather than IN that situation.
This is important to break the cycle of behaviour and to enable you both to be in your best states for learning.
When do we get to go back into the situation, you might wonder?
I think there are two possible answers:
Gradually - and only when your dog is ready.
Never - if you realise that the situation or activity serves neither you, nor your dog - why put yourselves in that situation again?
The path to transitioning skills into real life will be unique to every dog.
Here are some key principles:
Take it slowly
Perhaps you are working with your dog to help them be calmer around something they find particularly scary or exciting.
Start by teaching your dog in the familiar environs of home, then move into your garden, before taking it on the road on quiet walks and then G R A D U A L L Y introducing the scary or exciting thing – but only when your dog is ready. Use your lead to keep them safe.
You will know when they are ready to move on because they won’t react in the place where they are.
The level of distraction (how exciting or scary the thing is), how close you go towards it and how long you stay there for, all contribute to the level of difficulty for your dog - these are the dials that you can tweak to help them make progress.
Visualising a personal space zone around your dog that gradually reduces can help here.
Stay there for a while
The key is to take things slowly, acknowledge the great progress you are making and, for results that stick, be happy to stay there for a while before moving on to really help your dog feel confident.
Release the pressure often
As you progress you can even take a step back to release the pressure, so your dog doesn’t think they are always going to be pushed forwards towards the scary or exciting thing. This can also reassure them that they have a choice to move further away if they want to.
Your dog will show you when they are ready to move on and they will also tell you when you’ve gone too far. In this scenario - don’t worry - just take a step back and stay there for a while.
The responsibility for your dog’s choices gradually transfers from you to your dog as you progress. You will always have responsibility for being vigilant and on the lookout for the unexpected, since we cannot control the environment.
Bella would ignore most birds and small critters but the crow of a pheasant, or song of a skylark put us on high alert in new places and the lead wnet on. Scarlet is just starting to get a taste for them now!
On a positive note, this can be a great way to become more present with your dog and connect with nature and the environment around you.
Take it slowly
Stay there for a while
Release the pressure often
