The Most Important Part of Dog Training
There are many different schools of dog training ranging from the gentleness of clicker training all the way to the hard-core techniques of obedience training. All these schools don’t mention the the most important part of interacting with any animal.
What is this key ingredient? The most important part of training any animal is the relationship you establish with it. This isn’t usually mentioned because it isn’t actually a training issue. Training methodologies are a body of techniques you can use to achieve a specific end. The relationship with the dog lies below the level that training books usually go to.
When it comes right down to it, the question of what kind of relationship you have with your dog determines everything else and foreshadows what your level of success will be. Why should the dog care what you want it to do? Is your dog happy to work, or does he fear you. The answers to these questions will ultimately decide whether you will achieve what you want with your pet.
This truth is something that my little westie terrier taught me. Get the mind working, the tail wagging and the eyes bright. If you can achieve that, almost any techniques will work for you.