So in my search for help in training Rogue I seem to be running into alot of conflicting opinions. I’ve always known that there are a million and one different opinions on the best way to train a dog, but I’ve always been able to sort out what I thought was the best option for me and my dogs. I’ve never found myself quite so confused about what to think.
For example:
In dealing with shy dogs it used to be pretty commonly accepted that if you petted or consoled or treated them when they were exhibiting signs of fear that you were rewarding and reinforcing the fear itself. Well, that kind of makes sense to me. However, now it’s being said that because the dog is in such a fearful state of mind, it’s not possible for you to reinforce the fear because they aren’t processing/learning in that frame of mind, (which certainly seems true too), their brain is too busy reacting. Well, that kind of makes sense too. Hmmm…
Another example:
Some people say that at a certain point the dog just needs to work through the fear and find out that nothing bad happens to them, even though it makes them uncomfortable at the time. The other school of thought now is that you should not force the issue, or you will make it worse. They say that the dog should choose for themselves when they are ready to face these fears. I’ve always leaned towards the idea that eventually you have to work through your fears, (as long as they aren’t harmful), whether you want to or not. I don’t honestly see a time when she would choose to face things on her own that she’s learned in the first year and a half of her life to avoid. Course, I’ve never had a dog that has issues like Rogue.
Those are just a few of things that I’ve been trying to sort out lately. I do know that for the first time in my life, I have a dog that needs more than just training to overcome her obstacles. I soo hope that these new Flower Essences and diet supplements we got yesterday help her to be better able to process the training that we’re doing at the same time. If not though, we’ll try something else. We’re not going to give up, and I’m going to enjoy each small bit of progress that we make together. Rescuing a dog is always an interesting journey. I doubt that I’ll ever have another dog that will challenge me quite like her though…
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