Dog training advice I’d give my past self
If I could do it all over...
Here’s what I’d tell myself if I could go back in time and train my Australian cattle dog over from the beginning.
My forever disclaimer: I am not a professional trainer. This is a list from some personal journaling—it’s not meant to be all encompassing! All our interactions with our dogs and individual things to work on will look different
Prioritize clear reward markers and consistent windows of opportunity first
Read more about my ideal dog training timeline here.
Keep your hand out of the treat pouch before you mark!
And don’t dip your head like a chicken when you mark
When adding a verbal, say the word, wait a second, then lure into position
Help your dog learn to work independently from you
Don’t drag food-based training sessions out too long
And jackpot frequently—and randomly—to build motivation
Always keep the hope stronger than the struggle
Advocate advocate advocate, even when you think it’s no big deal
Spend more time just watching the world in new environments
Don’t correct precision at the expense of enthusiasm
Focus on understanding leash pressure more than a defined heel position
Build an early foundation of body awareness
Think about using play to develop essential skills—not just as a reward or merely to tire her out
If you’re frustrated, don’t push it
A tired dog isn’t automatically a fulfilled dog
Make things fun! Be silly! Laugh hard!
Visual Instagram post version
