How to earn your dog’s trust
What’s the difference between a dog that obeys because they are pushed into it, and a dog that obeys because they want to?
Mutual Trust.
Why is mutual trust in training essential? Because a dog that trusts their handler is going to live a longer, happier life. This is just a fact. Stressed dogs do not live nearly as long as happy dogs.
So… how do you recognize a dog and handler that don’t trust each other? Well, often you’ll see the dog make a decision, and the handler tries to correct it. This dog doesn’t trust their handler to understand the environment and keep them safe, so they do not listen to their handler. Sometimes they pull, sometimes they bark, sometimes they stop completely and won’t move. It puts a lot of pressure on the dog, and typically these dogs don’t enjoy their walks nearly as much. Usually the handler doesn’t enjoy the walks much either. Sometimes they stop walking the dog completely. We don’t want this!
How do you recognize a dog and handler with mutual trust? Well it’s most obviously expressed through the eyes. A dog that trusts their handler will look at them with admiration and adoration. They will have loose, joyful body language and quick, focused responses. They will stay close by unless cued to go far away. They don’t need to pull, because they know where the best place to be is: right next to their loving handler, focused and happy to walk at their pace.
It takes a lot of work, consistency and patience to earn your dog’s trust and it doesn’t happen overnight, it can take years. Remember, most dogs aren’t emotionally mature until at least 3 years of age.
Here are 3 important tips for earning your dog’s respect:
1. BE CONSISTENT! Say what you mean. Don’t mix up your cues. Keep your timing clean. Have a reliable schedule. Listen to your dog when they alert you and follow up with them. Spend at least 10 minutes a day training them and having a conversation with them.
2. REFRESH OLD CUES! Practicing leash skills in the house works WONDERS for the confidence of both the handler and the dog. Don’t be afraid to warm up before your walks!
3. TRUST YOUR DOG! Be patient and kind with your dog. They have good days and bad days just like us. They’re actually quite a bit more sensitive than us and often can tell when something is wrong. Don’t assume your dog is barking at nothing. It’s never nothing.
FINALLY: If you’re curious about your dog’s specific communication style and would like to learn how to talk to your dog and teach them new cues from scratch, book a consultation! No need to worry about breed or age restrictions! Any dog or human can learn how to communicate with each other through Frankly Fun Dog Training.
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