Training Tuesday: I Tried That, It Didn’t Work

The six words your training coach never wants to hear.

This podcast and video are shared with permission from Susan Garrett's Shaped by Dog podcast series.

As a professional dog trainer, I can assure you there are six words that your dog training coach never wants to hear. You might think those words are "but he does it at home," and that's close, but they are actually, "I tried that and it didn't work." We're covering what's going on with those words for you, your dog and your coach and how to turn it around. Considering alternative dialogues promotes critical thinking and keeps communications open.

In the episode you'll hear:

• What to consider when your dog doesn't respond to training methods.
• Why anyone can call themselves a professional dog trainer.
• What Bob Bailey says about anyone being able to train anything given enough time.
• That when you say, "it didn't work," you might be shaping your coach.
• A better strategy that you can use to get great feedback.
• That none of us know what our dogs are thinking.
• Why you want a conversation based on intentionally clear statements and questions.
• What tactics help if you are the coach hearing "it doesn't work".
• Why dog trainers should consider their role and goal with students.
• That we need to be more intentional about the action we are taking.

Visit the website for the complete transcript of this podcast.

About Susan Garrett

Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behavior started at the University of Guelph where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in animal science. Since then she has developed into a pre-eminent canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most successful agility competitors of the last two decades. She has won multiple gold medals at national or world championship events with every dog she has ever owned over the past 30 years.

A natural teacher and an entertaining speaker, Susan is a leading educator of dog trainers. Her understanding of how to apply learning principles to practical and competitive dog training has made her a much sought-after speaker throughout North America and as far away as Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The Dog Writers Association of America named Susan’s book “Shaping Success” the 2005 "Dog Training and Behaviour Book of the Year." 

Read more about Susan and her training philosophy.