If you're starting the journey of looking into training your dog, here are the most important items to consider:
- What's the environment going to be?
- Who is conducting the training?
- What methodology, skills and tools are being implemented?
- How long and how often is training being done?
- How much support are you going to receive?
You'll traditionally be presented with two options: classroom training or boarding and training. Speaking as an in-home dog trainer for 17 years, both of these options come with their own set of problems relating to the items listed above. Let's explore them and talk about how Bark Busters Home Dog Training is different and unique.
The Problem with Group Dog Training Classes (and a Better Alternative)
Our environment as humans dictates our behavior and ability to learn. It's no different for your dog. Classroom training for humans can obviously be beneficial, but for dogs it’s a different story. Classroom training for dogs is often done in large groups in a distracted and noisy room. It's typically offered for puppies and general obedience, covering sit, stay and coming when called.
This distracted environment keeps dogs in what we refer to as the yellow or red zone with their adrenaline, making learning and focus difficult. If your dog falls behind in class, the trainer isn't going to stop the class to give you one on one attention. In other words, your dog gets left behind and the opportunity to learn disappears.
If you have a puppy, you won't be able to work on crate training, potty training or chewing, arguably the top most frustrating issues that puppy owners experience.
Boarding and training also has a distracted environment assuming there will be other dogs around. It's important to take into consideration that dogs learn by association. If they learn how to focus in a more sterile environment, will that translate to your home? Most likely not.
Dogs thrive on routine and structure as well. If they get used to a routine in a facility, how is that going to translate to your home and your daily life? In-home training gives your dog the best opportunity to learn. It's the most controllable environment and one where all the behavioral issues occur. It's where your smell is, where all the particular sights and sounds come from. This makes a big difference with how and when behaviors occur and how we can change it.
What Most Dog Owners Miss About Lasting Behavior Change
Your Dog Needs You in the Training Process
Both classroom training and board and training rely on the trainer to do most of the work with your dog, rather than you taking the lead. This is problematic. Dogs need to build trust and respect with their owner since they are their dog's best teacher and trainer.
When dogs go for boarding and training, the owner doesn't see their dog for weeks, if ever. Why should a trainer have a better relationship with your dog than you? An experienced trainer will show you how to do the exercises and then make sure you feel comfortable with how to do them with your dog. It's like having a personal trainer - they can give you a dedicated and proven program that will get you results but they cannot do the workout for you. They can and should however be there as a support system to coach you and communicate what to adjust or what to continue working on.
Lasting Behavior Change is Through Communication, Not Bribes or Fear
What skills and methodology are being used? Classroom training and board and training rely on certain items to change behavior in dogs. The truth is the only item you need is yourself. Your body language and your voice are plenty. That's all a dog has after all (and they see us as weird looking dogs!).
Classroom training relies on treats and positive reinforcement only and of course some dogs aren't food motivated. Is your dog really listening to you or is the food more of a bribe? If a relationship is built solely on food, is it a strong relationship? It's much better that a dog uses their brain to think rather than their stomach. Your dog should do what you’re asking them to do because your bond is stronger than anything else.
Boarding and training relies on the use of an electric shock collar or similar device. These aversive tools are not necessary to change behavior and are a by-product of a human way of thinking to solve dog behavior. Electric collars can damage dogs not only physically but emotionally, turning them more fearful or timid, increasing the likelihood of reactivity or worse.
They turn you into a leader your dog fears vs a leader your dog respects. Bark Busters methodology teaches you how to build a better relationship with your dog, not based on bribery and never based on physical discomfort or pain. Instead, we teach based on the science of how dogs think and act, getting dog owners to speak dog using body language, tone of voice and dog psychology.
Consistent Training at Home: The Key to Lasting Behavior
Most people don't have hours and hours to spend on training their dog each day. But the good news is you really only need 15 to 20 minutes daily to see behavioral change. We know based on observations into litters of puppies that dogs can change behavior within 6 to 8 weeks of consistent training. However, that's just to change one particular behavior in a dog. We still will need to ensure those behaviors become innate throughout your dog's life.
Classroom training therefore doesn't give you the time necessary to devote to solving your dog's behavioral issues. A few classes isn't going to be long enough to make a difference. Meanwhile, boarding and training is typically between 4 and 6 weeks with no support after that point. This can leave dog owners feeling stuck and frustrated after spending thousands of dollars thinking that someone else will train their dog for them.
Set the Foundation for Lifelong Results with Bark Busters
The truth is that life changes, whether it be our schedule, relationships, where we live, who we live with, what we do for work, etc. All of these things impact our ability and time to train our dogs and will inevitably cause more behavioral issues.
None of that however should put an end to solving your dog's behavioral problems or get in the way of the support that you and your dog need. You can't rush behavioral change. It comes with dedication and consistency.
This is why Bark Busters offers a Lifetime Support Guarantee Program to support any change that comes into your life and impacts your dogs training and behavior. We will work with you to meet your goals no matter what. Contact us today to start training.