Correction: Such a
negative word for such a positive result “Go correct your dog!” When trainers usually talk to
their students about a correction, the students sometimes feel intimidated.
They tend to act like they understand the word, but avoid using the action.
Students are worried that a correction will mean that they have to be in
conflict with the dog. They think it means they must be mean. They worry that
the dog might not like them, or they might damage their relationship with
their dog. That is where the student is
wrong. A correction is simply getting the dog to make a different choice.
Sometimes that choice is also wrong, so another correction is in order. A
correction is used until the correct choice is made. Now, when a trainer or handler
has a very good relationship, sometimes the correction can be very subtle. It
doesn’t have to be harsh, loud, physical or aggressive. It can be as simple
as saying “no” in a calm voice. These are the types of corrections that we
are striving for. One that the dog does not feel threatened, and the person
does not feel the need to dominate. Now, not all corrections go so
easily. Sometimes the dog feels the need to challenge the correction, or does
not feel the need to make a different choice. This is when the trainer needs
to increase the correction, or change the correction to something that is
more suitable. Many times I have had
experienced dog trainers not know how to effectively give a correction. They
mimic or copy another trainer’s corrections, and expect those to work for
them. Occasionally they do. But many times, the correction is too severe or
too light to be effective to make the dog make a different choice. Just like
we need to adjust how we have a conversation with some of our friends, many
times we need to adjust in how we give a particular dog a correction. Some dogs need a very firm
correction. They must know that there is no other option, but to make the right
choice. Other dogs would “melt” with this type of correction. The dog might
not understand why the trainer is mad at them. They might actually get worse
as this type correction goes on. To be fair to the dog, once the
dog makes a different choice, we need to take the pressure off. They then
will learn that corrections are not bad and that you are not angry with them.
They can start to understand that they just need to make a different choice.
Hopefully, as a trainer, we have made that choice very obvious. The type of dog that I enjoy to
train is one that understands corrections. It freely agrees to change, and is
happy in doing so. Part of making that a success, is learning to recognize
that the dog is ready to change, and you are ready to go on with the lesson.
If you want to fight or dominate, when your dog has agreed to change, then
you are not being fair to the dog, and most likely you can lose the lesson
and their respect. Training your dog cannot happen
without proper corrections. So when I train, I look for places that I can
correct my dog. A good training session revolves around me being able to
challenge my dog, and the dog responding to instruction and corrections. A
training session where I don’t have to correct my dog, doesn’t lead too much actual
training. So when you are thinking about
training, and how you are going to teach your dog, think about the
communication of your corrections. Remember that corrections are positively
the best way to instruct your dog in what you need from them. The word sounds
a bit negative, but the response is very positive. |
