Training Frustrations

A reminder that everyone gets frustrated with their dog's training.  Below are highlights for me to remember but check out the article (Whole Dog Journal) for full details.

To get past the frustration in the heat of the moment

1.  Relax and remember to breathe. 
Pause, take deep breathes, relax and fix your body posture.
2.  Pay attention to your dog's behavior. 
Your dog will probably sense when your stress levels are rising.  Yawning, lip licking, sniffing the ground, and averting their gaze are behaviors dogs use with each other to reduce stress and defuse potential conflict.
3.  It's okay to stop. 
You don't always have to keep going to "end it with success" because your dog is still going to learn.  If it's just not going well, stop.  But avoid continually having sessions where the dog shuts down before you end the session.
4.  Remember how forgiving and patient your dog is of you.

To avoid/lessen frustration

1.  Take notes.
Baby steps!  Take notes and you have proof your dog is getting better.
2.  The magic of management.
Prevent your dog from doing what you don't want him to do.
3.  It's not personal - but you do need to own it.
Dogs aren't trying to be vindictive.  It's more likely that you are giving him mixed signals and confusing him.