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Home / Dog Blog / The Mechanics of Dog Training

The Mechanics of Dog Training

April 16, 2013 by Russell Hartstein CDBC, CPDT Leave a Comment

Dog obedience sport training

The Sport of Dog Training

When I was a child, I wasn’t thinking about owning a dog training and pet service business in Los Angeles California. I wanted to play basketball just like Michael Jordan; I would watch him jump so high, run so fast, expertly shoot a ball from 30 feet away (nothing but net) into a little basket 10 feet high, all while running and being chased by others.

Over time, I watched enough basketball games and knew the rules to know exactly what I was supposed to do when I got on the court. I finally was going to practice what I “knew” in my first game, but everything fell apart.

I arrived at the basketball court, with my new, fresh high-tops, Air Jordan basketball sneakers, a brand new basketball I received for my birthday and I was all set, right? Wrong. No one told me that the physiological mechanics of running, timing, speed, consistency, quickness, coordination, balance, strength, conditioning, and innate ability were all conditional to my success.

How hard could it be to throw a ball into a basket? Well, it turns out there are reasons there are very few Michael Jordans in the world. Many sports are conceptually understood by folks but very difficult to implement successfully without great practice, dedication, drive, and determination. Dog training is no different.

 

Teaching Dog Training

For the same reason why you can’t read an article or watch a dog training video and become a great dog trainer (or expect your dog to change) is the same reason you can’t watch a basketball game or read a book about basketball and become a great player.

As the well-known trainer Bob Bailey says, “Training is simple but not easy.” The principles are very straightforward and simple, but applying them in practice is very difficult. Teaching and coaching pet parents about dog training are no different.

When I teach and educate dog trainers and dog parents about how, when, how fast, what time, consistency, cues (verbal and physical), leash handling, prosodic and inflection of speech, body language, stimuli to be aware of, and how to perform certain behaviors, many times this information is understood cognitively but takes lots of practice when they try and put it all together.

Many times I hear a gasp, or a wow when my clients exasperatedly say, “you made that look so easy, how can I possibly do this?” Well, like any sport, dog training takes practice, consistency, patience, repetition, and awareness of one’s body, energy, mind, and abilities in addition to understanding your dog’s abilities and limitations.

Every animal on earth is unique. Many parents want their child to go to an Ivy League school but very few do. Remember the dictum/proverb, “Man makes plans, and God laughs.” The same goes for our four-legged family members. Your “plans” for your dog to be the next obedience champion may not be in the cards.  But it is important to get the most out of your child or in this case, your pet. Otherwise, it would be a shame to waste all of that talent and potential.

 

Dog Training Knowledge Vs. Ability

Because the dog training industry is completely unregulated, many claim to be dog trainers as there are expert basketball aficionados. But how many incredible certified dog training professionals have the ability, perspicacity, and skill set to teach, coach, explain and make it all come together by performing the exact methods and bring out the best in their clients as well?

Not many, which may be why you most likely do not know who Stacey King is and why you do know who Michael Jordan is. They both played on the same championship team for three years but ask a kid who Stacey King is, and it is like you asked him Newton’s laws of motion on variable-mass systems.

The mechanics and skills of each dog trainer are as different as the skills and mechanics of each basketball player. How well a dog trainer teaches both species who are both beginners how to communicate,  but also who can produce a result in the most humane, ethical, efficient way while using fear-free positive reinforcement dog training techniques is what differentiates one dog trainer from another. Just as important is the pet parent’s ability to reproduce the behavior results that the dog trainer elicited.

What good would it do for a dog trainer to be able to communicate perfectly with your pup if you couldn’t?

Certifications do not a trainer make! This is simply the primary starting point at which to begin a search. Just as all lawyers are not great not all certified trainers are great. In fact, many certified dog trainers are flat-out terrible. Back to my basketball analogy, just as any potential coach or player would need to know the rules, concepts, theory, drills, practices, history, nuances, and be in shape physically and mentally so does a certified professional dog trainer.

Simply being a knowledgeable statistician and basketball aficionado does not mean you are an incredible basketball player. And being an incredible player doesn’t magically make you a qualified teacher. With dog training, not only should you be a wonderful teacher but an even better doer!

In this profession you are teaching two different species, upping the game for any professional, regardless of their certification level. However, that would not dissuade me from beginning my search here.

Dog Training Consistency

If At First You Don’t Succeed, Try Again.

Do not get discouraged when you first attempt to train your dog or to follow your dog trainer’s instructions; practice makes perfect. If everyone got stultified and gave up after their first attempt at a sport, they would never receive the joy and fulfillment that comes with improvement, drive, dedication, success, and self-growth.

Try to be as open and amenable as possible. Choose your dog trainer wisely, as you would research a doctor or college for your child. It pays to perform due diligence about your educator and coach because this will set the stage for you and your pup for your dog’s life.

Keep up the great work, and there are no losers when you are trying your best. Your dog, society, and we appreciate your efforts very much. Fun Paw Care has a deep reverence for responsible, caring pet parents.

We are certified dog training and behavior experts and have been successfully helping parents with all dog obedience and behavior problems for decades! Fill out this short form for an expert certified dog behaviorist and trainer to help you with your puppy and dog’s training and behavior problems today.

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Home / Dog Blog / The Mechanics of Dog Training

Dr. Jane Goodall

Russell is a gifted trainer. Thank you for your dedication and compassion for training and helping homeless dogs.

TED Talks Founders, Vanessa Wurman, & family

…Russell is sweet and very effective when handling my very different dogs and I have seen amazing dog training and behavior results since their introduction. If you are looking for someone who has the utmost respect for your animal, is prompt and courteous, and values education and safety above all else, Fun Paw Care is the last place you need to look.

Steve Guttenberg

Russell is not only one of my dearest friends, but the guru of dog training, behavior and all things dog!

Alan Faena & Ximena Caminos

Thank you so much Russell for your help and dog magic!

With gratitude

Naomi Campbell & Vladislav Doronin

Thank you for all of your help and the best dog training…Brilliant! Love and Light

Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union

Thank you so much for your dog training and behavior services. We really appreciate your generous dog training donation to our event and foundation.

The Bee Gees, Barry Gibb & family

You are so impressive; I cannot believe how much you know about dogs and how fast the dogs are learning. Thank you for training our dogs and helping us!

Dr. Mike Tenzer, VCA Animal Hospital

I’ve not seen a trainer with his level of experience and ability in my almost 20 years of practice in South Florida. For the people and pets that make up the VCA Animal Hospital family, there’s no one we trust more with dog training, care and behavior issues than Russell and Fun Paw Care…

Dr. Lori Walter

As a veterinarian I have known Russell for some years… His dedication, professionalism, depth of knowledge and passion for animals are evident…The techniques he utilizes and teaches are clear and effective… I am over the moon to have his help and will not hesitate to recommend Fun Paw Care to all my clients, family and friends.

Gabrielle Anwar & Shareef Malnik

Wow, Russell is proof that you don’t need to have a heavy hand for dogs to learn quickly. You’re amazing, we’re converted! Thank you so much, for your help.

Dr. Carol K. & Lulabelle

What an amazing change you have made in our lives and the lives of our little Pekinese, Lulabelle!! We had many trainers over the last 3 years before meeting you. We consider it a miracle that we met you…

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