Dog Training Secrets (Part 1)

I’m going to tell you a dog training secret. 

This is not only for the benefit of other dog trainers, but for students looking for a dog trainer. So, here it is...  

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Oh, you already knew that secret?

I see a lot of dog trainers out there that treat others in the opposite manner.

What a turn off.

Do I have a temper? Of course, everyone does. But do I walk around with a chip on my shoulder and trying to provoke people to knock it off? Maybe a bit in my writing when debating some animal welfare issue, but not in how I deal with people directly. I'm not an angry person.

Yeah, we are all works in progress. 

I really try to be a nice guy to everyone. I’m definitely nicer to dogs than I am to people, but I’m trying… 

On the other hand, all of the above is addressed to those dog trainers that are just plain nasty, almost cruel. Your students aren’t there to be punching bags, and neither are their dogs. You see justifying statements like, "I know I'm smarter than everyone else, so that gives me the right to beat down all those lesser people whenever and however I feel the need to vent." Look at their pictures: never even a happy look on their faces, more like bared teeth... Some of this might be insecurity. But some of this is people who are actually very antisocial and aggressive.

There is no need for that. Who wants to be around that?

I spoke with someone yesterday looking for a new dog trainer. They recently signed up with another trainer, spent a lot of money, and the trust is already broken. 

Something is wrong, figure it out.

Dog training is a rough business. It can get under your skin. Figure it out. Don’t take that out on others.