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After we took our puppy to her first puppy class, I wondered, what is it about the instructor that compelled her to be so focused and follow her every move. When our pup was used for demonstration, she was focused and attentive as if she had done this many times before. So I thought, what is it besides really good treats that she was sooooo drawn to. Well, it was confidence. The very experienced instructor was confident and knew exactly how to work with our pup to ensure success, and our puppy trusted the instructor 100%.
Confidence In The Home
With that observation, I reflected on my work with our puppy who is now a dog. How does she read me when I am working with her, or just being in her presence. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t see myself as a “Pack Leader”. I try to see myself as someone that she can trust and feels safe with. I see her as a part of the family, and I’m only one of the people, along with other people that she meets, who will help her to navigate this world with all of its expectations and surprises.
When we’re working on a skill or behavior with our dogs, we need to try to be confident and optimistic in their ability to learn it. This helps us to be calm, and to give our dogs the opportunity to execute the skill without fear. If what we’re doing is not effective for training, we’ll try something else. We don’t need to be reinforced for our coaching ability with our dogs by having them get it right the first time, or even the second time. Part of my canine centered coaching, is that I allow our dog to be an individual, and to provide insight into what the best pathway is to her success. Then we need to read that, and help her to get there.
Fake it till we make it
Dog confidence isn’t something that comes easy for many, and our dogs can tell when we’re unsure about something. The best training that we can provide for them, is clear, concise, and works to minimize stress and anxiety. So, even if I wasn’t confident in teaching a complex behavior for example, I need to present a calm and confident energy. Think about the trainer that you might have for your dog. How is their confidence? Try to emulate their apparent cool and collective demeaner, which will help to stay optimistic and stick to the game plan.
As a coach for over 20 years, my confidence is generally higher than some who might have difficulty with it. I’m able to set goals with our dog, and then set a plan that’s attainable to reach those goals. When coaching our dog’s, we can even use mental training skills. For example, if we’re not feeling sure of ourselves, we can use relaxation and even visualization to prevent anxiety from showing in our actions, which our dogs can read like a book.
Dog Confidence
When we are confident, we can also build confidence in our dogs. By starting with small skills that are easy for them to have success in. Throwing them into something they’re not ready for such as leaving them for 4 hours on the first day we get them, would only cause stress and anxiety. Generalization in training also allows our dog’s to be successful with their skills in different environments and locations, inside and outside of our home. This helps to build confidence in the skills, and in knowing what to do and when to do it.
Generalization is the ability to be successful with behaviors in different situations. Sitting is an easy one. Working on making sure our dog can sit any time we ask them to, regardless of where we are, is a very useful skill. If we only had him or her sit in the kitchen when they get fed, they might not be as quick to do it somewhere else. We’re often naturally having our dogs sit in different locations without thinking about it, so we’re actually unintentionally generalizing it.
Confidence vs Ego
During my coaching years, it was very important to me to keep my ego in check. I always reminded myself that number one, not everyone needs to know what I know, and number two I don’t know everything. I also don’t always have the answer, and I need to be kind to myself as I am to my dog in our coaching journey. And when I don’t know the answers, I need to be willing to research it or ask someone who does. That’s canine centered coaching.
