The Dog Training Myths Quietly Sabotaging Your Progress

Estimated reading time: 7 mins

You’ve exhausted what feels like all your resources…and yet your dog is still unable to walk down the street without having big feelings about things passing by. You’ve set aside time every day for training, read so much training advice online, and even spent hundreds–maybe even thousands of dollars on trainers who only got you part of the way. You’ve started to give up on your dog, and every night go to bed wondering where you went wrong.

But your dog’s behavior is not a moral failing on your part. You haven’t given up on them and are doing everything you can with the knowledge you have. Behavior is very complicated and there are so many things that affect it, and every animal is an individual. When we keep trying a thing and it’s not working, the answer isn’t to try harder. Sometimes the answer is to look outside the box (or in this case your mindset) and try something else.

We all know what happens when we assume things, we make an….well you know the rest. So here are a few of those assumptions that maybe once you adjust your thinking, you might be able to find progress that moves you forward.

Myth #1: It worked before, so it'll work again (or: It worked for someone else, so it’ll work for me, too)

One of the biggest arguments in the dog training world is “e-collars work.” A majority of trainers who follow the positive reinforcement/force free methodology are going to say they don’t. Yet there are 1000s of stories of people who use them for a variety of things and it does. I’ve heard the statement many times “my dog knows when they have the collar on not to do that.” Their experience is very real.

Yet we have to remember that every dog is an individual and what they find reinforcing and aversive are going to differ. Which means that the dog you have now might not react the same to the training plan you had for your dog growing up. Also individuals change as we age and life teaches us things. What worked for this specific dog at an adolescent stage of life can be entirely different when they are older (and maybe have chronic pain exacerbating their behavior challenges).

It’s not about what’s right or wrong or even what worked before will work again. Your behavior consultant should take the dog in front of them, ask the questions, make the assessment and use the plan that is going to cause the least amount of harm to meet your goals.

Myth #2: Real behavior work has to happen in person

I hear it all the time “but if we do it online you can’t see them barking and lunging on walks.” The thing is though-I don’t need to see them do the behavior to help you find solutions to solving the problem. And to be honest I don’t want them to be put into a situation where they NEED to bark and lunge on walks, because the whole point of you hiring me is to stop them from doing that.

When you’re walking your dog your brain is going a bunch of different directions. You’re trying to observe your surroundings, observe your dog’s body language, and remember your cues. Now add the pressure of your behavior consultant standing there watching you and giving you feedback. That’s enough to overwhelm anyone into their fight or flight mode.

When you’re working virtually with a client, sometimes you find a willing participant! Lucky for our goat clients, Hot Fudge and Sundae were reporting for duty.

Learning and communicating, one step at a time

I can teach you how to be successful without pressuring you in the moment. Important things like the environment and how you’re handling your dog can easily be captured with video that we can go back and watch together (when you are below your threshold and in your learning and thinking zone).

I have had clients tell me that going back and watching the video of themselves with me to give notes on is super helpful. They are then able to apply those skills much easier on the next walk. We’ve even been able to see body language signals that were missed in real time, which make you more aware for future walks. Plus, if you have a stranger danger kiddo-having me nearby is only going to make them escalate sooner and stall our progress because they’re worried about me.

Don’t get me wrong, in-person sessions have their place. For instance, when you’ve reached the stage in training that a second person is needed, it’s nice to have that dog aware person around to help. But for those folks that aren’t able to go to a trainer or have one that agrees with your methodologies within driving distance, online gives you more options to get the help you need. That’s why here at Pet Harmony we have consultants that help people all over the world via online training. We make it accessible for you to get help no matter what.

Myth #3: A certification means they know what they're doing

Dog training is an unregulated industry. There’s no requirement for formal education or even the need to get a certification to train dogs. Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer and then go out and take people’s money to “train” their dog. Even those of us who do seek out formal education and training have a variety of courses and certifications to choose from. These can range from a weekend long course to years of book work, and practical hands-on casework that requires testing and proof of knowledge and competency.

Now don’t get me wrong, even a weekend of learning is better than nothing. But when you’ve got big behavioral issues you’re dealing with, you want someone who can come and teach you how to work with your specific dog in your home. Not just the cookie cutter, this-is-how-you should-do-it-plan.

This is where it’s important for you to do your research on a particular trainer or behavior consultant. Reach out and ask them questions such as what methods of training do they use, have they worked with other dogs struggling with the same behaviors, where they got their education from, etc. Then when you do book with one, pay attention to their approach-do they ask more questions to dive deeper into the issues, or are they just giving you homework with no explanations. Your behavior consultant should work with you as a member of your dog’s team, not just the know-it-all in the room.

Myth #4: If the expert told you to do It, you should feel fine doing it

When your spidey senses start to tingle at a statement or a recommendation the trainer or consultant gives you, that’s a red flag that you should say something. A lot of discomfort comes from the unknown, and you should never feel pressured to do something that makes you uncomfortable. The suggestion might not be a red flag once you have a conversation about it, or maybe the conversation just waves that red flag higher in the sky and gives you the chance to say no you won’t be doing that. Emily and Tiffany cover this in episode #188 of the podcast!

Myth #5: If it didn't work with a trainer before, nothing will

Behavior consultants aren’t all the same. Trying with one person and not finding success isn’t a failure on anyone’s part. Not you, your dog, and maybe not even the consultant. We’re all working with the best information we have at the time. Just like going and getting a second opinion on a medical diagnosis from a human doctor, it can be refreshing to get another pet professional’s opinion on the plan for your dog.

A good behavior consultant will recognize their limits and either seek help from their community to help you, or even be open and honest with you and refer you to someone who is better suited for the job.

The spooky truth

There’s a reason these myths exist. Somewhere out there other people assume them to be true, and their lived experience gets shared and then others experience similar situations, and then the actual truth gets buried.

Here’s to harmony,

Beccy

Now What?

So when your training progress seems to come to a halt, pause and ask yourself what else might be going on. If you still can’t see where the bump is then check out our blog Recognizing Your Limits: How Pet Parents and Pros Know It’s Time to Refer Out. You can also book a call with us and see how we approach your dog’s behavior issues.

PS: Capitalism

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About the Author

Beccy Hughes, VSA-CDT, FFCP

Beccy Hughes is a trainer and behavior consultant with Pet Harmony.

After more than a decade working with a variety of species, from sea lions to parrots, and everything in between, Beccy found a love for helping pet parents navigate behavior challenges at home. Whether helping clients integrate two dogs or teaching pets skills to participate in their vet care, Beccy’s dedication to empathetic and sustainable plans means clients walk away with plans they can actually stick with.

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