Why Obedience Isn’t Enough For Your Dog

The desire for obedience can be a curious conundrum. Many owners yearn for dogs who readily follow commands, yet feel frustrated by the constant need to "correct" or guide them. Yet, that's precisely what a purely obedience-based approach fosters – a dog reliant on external cues rather than equipped to make independent decisions.

While "Sit!" and "Stay!" might seem convenient, simply suppressing a dog's natural response in a stressful situation doesn't build confidence or address the underlying emotions. Imagine demanding a sit from a reactive dog encountering a trigger. This doesn't make them braver, it likely masks fear and creates internal pressure, potentially leading to bigger outbursts later. And simply stopping the forced sit won't solve the reactivity, as the dog's emotional state remains unaddressed. Effective training requires deeper understanding, not just obedience.

The key to dealing with a behaviour is understanding and addressing the emotion driving that behaviour. Instead of just managing symptoms, let's understand the cause:

In the world of dog training, it's common to focus on teaching a replacement behavior for an unwanted one. While these techniques can offer temporary solutions, they often miss the underlying message the dog is trying to communicate through its behavior.

Take the example of a dog who constantly bites on its leash during walks. A trainer might recommend requesting the dog to sit with a treat, which might distract the dog momentarily. But if the biting persists, we need to consider why the dog feels this urge in the first place. Biting on the leash may be caused by stress . Is the dog feeling overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the walk? Does it feel safe with you? Is the dog developmentally ready for the situation?

By understanding the root cause of the behavior, we can address it directly and empower the dog to feel confident and comfortable. Addressing the emotional needs behind the behavior will ultimately lead to a lasting solution, eliminating the need for constant management of the unwanted action. By focusing on understanding and addressing the root cause of unwanted behavior, we can actually achieve solutions.

The problem with imposing rigid postures like sits onto dogs is that we often ignore what these positions naturally signify. A dog sitting at home might seem effortless because it represents a state of complete comfort and security. But on a bustling street, with cars, people, and buses passing by, that same "sit" feels unnatural and vulnerable. Dogs understand postures in relation to their environment, and demanding a sit in a stressful situation doesn't address the underlying anxiety; it simply disrupts their natural communication.

Obedience might satisfy a fleeting desire for control, but it pales in comparison to the richness of a genuine bond. Forget outdated training manuals and prioritize understanding your dog's unique language. Focus on fostering their emotional intelligence, building confidence, and nurturing their natural development. This path, though less linear, leads to a connection far deeper than any command could ever forge. It's a journey of mutual respect, empathy, and shared adventures – the true essence of what makes owning a dog so remarkable.