Check out sweet Hudson during his go home session. His dad drove all the way from Telluride to the Denver area to get training for his dog. That is some serious dedication. The family was completely open to learning not only about how to handle him differently, but how to improve his overall health. He will be getting a drastic diet change at home and more exercise now that they are not scared to take him out in public. They were shy to do so because a previous trainer had told him that he is a “serious dog that will be an issue for the rest of his life”. Oh man, if I had a dollar….
Hudson didn’t like strangers touching him on the top of his head, so he would kind of air snap at them. Of the thousands of dogs I’ve met in my career Hudson is hands-down one of the sweetest natured. By simply making a dog’s life more predictable through training and a structured lifestyle, these types of issues melt away. Hudson was uncomfortable with strangers approaching because #1, he was pulling in a harness with tension on it that fueled the stress of the situation and he was living in a world that was completely unpredictable. When we assume the role of being our dogs constant tour guide of life, we immediately take the pressure of “what is this person going to do to me” away from the dog.
Dogs are not here to physically unleash our emotions on, although that is what the average passerby seems to think. It’s up to the handler to say when it’s OK to touch the dog or not. If someone wants to interact with the dog, before they can do anything, go and head and put a piece of food in their hand and tell them to ask the dog to sit. It will immediately make the stranger focus on that task rather than having to touch the dog. And it gives the owner an actual moment or two to explain the dog’s needs. Then you can use that stranger to actually help with your dog’s training constructively. Clarity, predictability, and consistency is what Hudson’s family will be providing for him here on out. Good job buddy!
Flash Dog Training, LLC.
4300 Newcombe St.
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
720.598.5892