Let’s Talk Training: Advice We Can’t Forget
Words of wisdom with a lasting impact.
The importance of trainers cannot be overstated, and for many, a trainer’s advice has a lasting impact. Recently we asked visitors on our social media platforms to share the best training advice they had received; below is the feedback we received.
Some of the most common themes for memorable advice include trusting your dog and/or trusting your training, having fun, and reminders to praise your dog often. When mistakes happen on course, it is clear that many trainers agree that the handler’s best strategy is to look to themselves to correct the issue — as Robin Puryear said, “The dog is never wrong — you need to work on you — eye contact — PRAISE OFTEN.” This was echoed by Mary Beth Sanchez’s trainer’s most memorable advice: “The handler is at fault 99% of the time when things don’t go right.” Mary Beth added that “in the few years I’ve been doing this, I’ve come to see he (her trainer) was absolutely right.”
Susan Mann said regardless of your sport, “They are our pets and companions first and foremost.” She recalled that once when she mentioned how “spicy” her puppy was, her trainer responded, “Look for the sweetness,” and that changed Mann’s entire attitude and relationship.
Top training tips
Kelly Rogers Gautreau: Watch your dog! Sounds so simple but hard for some to do... as I read this post, I heard Lo (Lauri Baker) yelling in my head, “WATCH YOUR DOG!”
Ellen Nathalie: You don’t have to finish a training session on a good note. You can just finish and give them a hug. They are not here forever.
Lisa Voss Potts: If you train a skill in class, you can use that skill when you show your dog at trials. This is actually advice I give to people, not advice I have received. People think it’s brilliant.
Amy Carlson: Keep your focus on the dog’s line around 5’ in front of the dog.
Susan Mottice: Always train when your dog is in drive.
Bojaxs Brielle: Know your Dog! Run the Dog you have!
Kelly White: Connection, connection, connection! If you are not connected to your dog, you are both running your own courses.
Pascale Burnet: “Be the GPS and Flagman to your dog while running a course,” Susan Garrett—I think of it every time I train.
Erin Embrey: REWARD! If the dog goes in the tunnel, he will come out!
Trish Densten: Most recently, “You run, he runs.” My dog’s speed 100% depends on my speed. I hear this in my head constantly at trials now.
Lauralyn Bateson Johnson: Foundation, foundation, foundation.
Leo Clem: Do your job so the dog can do his.
Charise Gremaux: Work every obstacle.
Kristin Sharp: “My goal is to always bring out the best in my dog. The trophies were an outcome of my goal.” Advice from Susan Garrett. Always strive to bring out the best in your dog.
Kathi Tagliamonte: Don’t let your personal disappointment show to your dog.They see it, and they think they did something wrong even if you’re only unhappy with yourself.
Heather Venkat: So many good ones: Keep your eyes on your dog’s line, not on your dog; give timely cues -- cue the next obstacle so your dog knows what they are doing next.…
Judy Davis: Have confidence!
Unexpected trainer feedback makes its mark.
Trainers have a way with words that can leave a lasting impression. Sometimes humor reaches us in a way nothing else does. For example, “Why is your dog asking so many questions?” helped Joyce Gauthier deliver more timely cues.
Kristin Wolter shared, “Stacy Leah Winkler once told me to keep my sh-t together — I still remember to try eight years later so it just have been good advice. Mimi Elliott Fountain remembered, “Don’t be a moose... MOVE!” And Michelle Lennon, “BE QUIET.” Kerry Stevens was impacted by, “There can only be one crazy on the course … stay calm and be patient.”
Bottom line – Don’t forget to enjoy it.
Amid all the hard work, don’t forget the fun. “Most important…have fun,” said Mary Heilman-Asmus. “Because there are people in the world dying, and you are lucky enough to be out here playing with your dog. When you sprinkle in gratefulness, everything changes. Your mistakes don’t matter that much, nervousness can be laughed at, hard work becomes a privilege, and you cherish all the moments.”
Michael Gooch shared short and sweet advice: “Enjoy your dog. Life is short.”