You know that inspirational saying, “Dance like no one is watching?” Well, I think you should train your dog like no one is watching you. I can’t speak to the dancing. The only time I appear to be able to dance like no one is watching is when an inappropriate amount of alcohol is involved – or at least that’s what my friends tell me. I don’t recall such a thing, but I’m assured it’s true.
Who cares if someone is watching?
However, I do know that people watching (or even feeling like people might be watching) has been known to hamper my dog training. I am acutely, painfully aware of what people might think of me when I’m out alone with a dog, working on training. I’m even self-conscious when I’m in a more private environment and there is only an outside chance of someone watching me.
It was so bad at one point that the trainer I consider my mentor was poking fun at me for my interactions with the dog I was working with. She basically told me that no one could hear me, let alone the dog whose attention I was trying to attract. Apparently whispering to a dog in a high, inaudible voice does not gain their attention? Who knew!
Get silly and have fun!
I’ve figured out how to let loose a lot more since then. It used to be that if my dog was reactive to other dogs, turning fast and walking the other direction while acting all goofy and happy was about more than my ego could handle. Working on loose leash walking and having to change directions so many times I was getting dizzy? Forget about it! Too embarrassing!
I’ve learned, though, that getting silly with my training is the best thing I can do for me and the dog with which I am working. If I need to sing a crazy song, dance a wild jig, and completely ignore the person walking past us, that’s what I do! If the person who passes me thinks I’ve lost it, that’s okay. I’m busy. I’ve got work to do and a dog to help.
It’s all tricks – even the hard stuff!
There’s a saying in dog training: “It’s all tricks.” I think this is the perfect perspective. No matter how difficult the behavior is that you are working with your dog on, the fact is that you are just teaching a new response, a trick, to replace that original behavior. If you don’t mind being a little silly when teaching a trick like roll over, why not be a little silly while teaching a trick like a quick turn around when you see another dog?
If I’m with a dog, my first priority is the dog. If the dog responds better when I am dancing that crazy jig while talking loud nonsense, who cares what other people think? Focus on your dog when you are training. Your dog likes you focused, energetic and loud? Then do that! If your neighbor thinks you’re a loon, who cares? That relationship with your dog is so much more important.
No matter how hard the task, take time to have fun!
Dance like no one is watching and train your dog like no one is watching. Life is more fun that way. Training is more fun that way. And in the end, do you really care what that random stranger thinks of you? Or do you care that your dog is engaged and learning and having a good time? That’s really the most important thing, right?
We have a tendency to take ourselves and our work so seriously that it leaves no room for play. Play is not frivolous. Being silly is necessary. It let’s us enjoy the process. Don’t take everything so seriously. Sing your dog the “we’re walking the other direction before you start barking” song, laugh when you make a mistake while working on something, and remember – it’s all tricks. Have fun!
Your Turn: Is self-consciousness keeping you from enjoying a learning process? Have your dogs ever actually seen you enjoy a training session? How can you train like no one is watching?