What is probably the most important aspect of dog training that I want all my students to understand? Conscientiousness…
First, that means seeing the training as a duty to be fulfilled. Accept the responsibility. Carry the load. Make a moral and practical decision to get trained, and to get your dog trained.
Second, that means doing the work well. Train until you and your dog can do the lessons skillfully.
And lastly, do the lessons thoroughly. Set an “end picture” of what you want and what is needed. Keep every appointment, as best you can. Do each exercise correctly and as assigned. And finish the program, get it all done.
As you can imagine, not all students approach the training with conscientiousness, and as a result, never get the kind of results that I would want them to achieve. Some don’t set important goals. Some do sloppy work, or take dangerous risks, and sometimes the dog, or a person gets harmed in some way. Some do a half baked effort in the lessons, doing the bare minimum, or not finishing the program, or finding excuses for why others or the dog are at fault for why things are not improving.
I am a “conscientiousness dog trainer and behaviorist.” I stick with what I set out to do. I live it and have made it a part of me. I try to inculcate the idea of conscientiousness in every lesson and in my entire approach. However, I’m only half of the effort. The other half is the student. They have to do their part.
I want you to do your part. Be “conscientiousness.”