Common mistakes in dog training - and how you can do better
Blog series: Growing together - modern dog training with heart and mind
Many dog owners only want the best for their four-legged friends - and that's often where the problem lies. Because well-intentioned is not automatically well done. In dog training, we repeatedly encounter the same misunderstandings, insecurities and well-intentioned but counterproductive behaviour. In this article, we take a look at typical mistakes in training and show you how you can use clarity, empathy and positive reinforcement to create a stable basis for a genuine partnership with your dog.
1. Unclear communication: ‘I want him to know what I mean
One of the most common mistakes in dog training is a lack of clarity. Many owners assume that the dog intuitively understands human language, gestures or expectations. But for your dog, our communication is initially like a foreign language.
Which is better:
Work with clear signals that you use consistently. Use simple commands, a calm voice and clear timing. The clearer your body language and statements are, the better your dog will be able to categorise them. Remember: consistency creates security.
2 Too much freedom too soon
‘He should be able to develop freely’ - a nice thought, but especially in the first months of life (and often beyond) dogs need clear structures and guidance. Too much freedom without guidance overwhelms many dogs, leads to insecurity and, in the worst case, to undesirable behaviour.
Which is better:
Freedom is something your dog is allowed to earn through trust and reliability. Give him a safe framework at the beginning in which he can learn what is desired. Leadership does not mean dominance, but providing orientation. Structures help your dog to find his way in our world.
3. Punishment instead of guidance
Punishment, especially in the heat of the moment, damages the relationship and trust. At best, they only make your dog cautious, not more cooperative - at worst, fearful or aggressive. Unfortunately, scolding, jerking on the lead or physical intervention are still used too often in everyday life.
Which is better:
Positive reinforcement has a more lasting effect, is fairer and promotes motivation. Praise desired behaviour, work with rewards, attention and joint successes. Your dog will learn that it's worth working with you - and that's what it's all about: Cooperation instead of confrontation.
4. inconsistency: one way today, one way tomorrow
One day the dog is allowed on the sofa, the next he's not. Today jumping up is cute, tomorrow it's annoying. Such ambiguities make it impossible for the dog to understand rules of behaviour. Consistency does not mean strictness, but reliability.
Which is better:
Decide on rules that you can really implement in everyday life - and then stick to them. Your consistency gives your dog guidance. The clearer you are, the more relaxed he will be in your everyday life.
5. Far too little training in everyday life
Many dog owners only train at dog school or at home in the living room - but everyday life is the real stage. If your dog can only ‘sit’ in a quiet environment, but not in the park or on the street, then generalisation is lacking.
Which is better:
Use your everyday life as a training field. Integrate short training sessions into walks, encounters or waiting times. In this way, your dog will learn to implement the learnt signals safely even under distraction. Repetition in different contexts is the key to real learning success.
Conclusion: Training means accompanying - with heart and mind
Modern dog training is based on trust, structure and positive reinforcement. Mistakes are part of it - it is crucial that we recognise them and learn from them. If you treat your dog with clarity, fairness and patience, he will respond to you with trust, a willingness to co-operate and a genuine bond.
If you're thinking: ‘That all sounds logical, but my dog has a mind of his own’, then you're not alone! In the next instalment of our ‘Growing together’ series, we take a look at what modern and species-appropriate dog training really means - beyond rigid rules or outdated theories. Stay tuned and grow with your dog - a little more every day.
