Part 5: Owners Need Coaching Too, Not Just Dogs
Dog training isn’t just about getting a dog to sit, stay, or follow commands on cue, it’s about creating lasting change in a dog’s behavior. But this change is impossible to maintain if the owner isn’t actively involved in the process. While many trainers can produce impressive results with dogs during a session, their true job isn’t done unless they can also teach the owner how to achieve the same outcomes when they’re on their own. This is where effective dog trainers rise above the rest: they train the owner to become a trainer, “train the trainer”.
The Missing Link: Coaching the Owner
Many trainers focus heavily on what happens in the training session itself, and while these controlled environments allow the dog to respond well, they can fall apart when the dog returns home. Why? Because the owner often hasn’t been equipped with the tools or understanding needed to recreate those results. This is the crucial step many trainers miss, transferring their knowledge and techniques to the dog’s handler.
A great trainer isn’t just good with dogs, they’re just as skilled at educating humans. After all, it’s the owner who spends the majority of time with the dog, not the trainer. If the owner doesn’t understand how to elicit the same behavior or fails to reinforce training correctly, the results will diminish quickly, leading to frustration for both the dog and owner.
Owners as Part of the Training Equation
Dogs, much like people, respond differently based on who’s handling them. What works for a trainer, with their experience and calm demeanor, might not work for the owner unless they’ve been coached properly. For training to stick, owners need to be trained too, so they can carry the same confidence, consistency, and clarity that the dog is used to from the trainer.
A large part of the training process is getting the owner to understand their role in the dog’s life. This includes teaching them how to:
1. Read their dog’s behavior: Understanding the dog’s signals and body language is critical. Is the dog anxious? Frustrated? Distracted? A trainer might notice subtle cues that the owner misses. Teaching the owner to read these signs allows them to respond appropriately and prevent issues before they escalate.
2. Reinforce commands: Dogs thrive on consistency. A command isn’t a one-time request, it’s something that needs to be repeated and reinforced over time. Trainers need to teach owners how to properly give commands, using the same body language and tone every time, so the dog doesn’t become confused.
3. Create structure and routine: Dogs are creatures of habit. A consistent routine at home reinforces what is learned during formal training sessions. This means the trainer must guide the owner on how to create an environment where rules are clear, expectations are set, and consistency is the norm. Without this structure, a dog can quickly revert to undesirable behaviors. Owners must carve out time daily in order to work their dogs and build that relationship.
Overcoming the Owner's
One of the biggest challenges in dog training is often not the dog, it’s the owner. Many people struggle with patience, consistency, or confidence when it comes to handling their dog. This is where a skilled trainer becomes invaluable, not just as a dog trainer but as a coach for the owner. They must help the owner overcome their limitations, whether that’s fear, inconsistency, or lack of knowledge, so they can become a confident leader for their dog.
For instance, an owner might be nervous about using certain training tools or hesitant to enforce boundaries, which the dog picks up on immediately. A great trainer will work with the owner to help them understand the importance of these boundaries and how to enforce them effectively without feeling guilty or uncomfortable. This empowers the owner to be a stronger, more consistent leader for their dog.
Empowering Owners
The ultimate goal of any dog trainer should be to empower the owner to manage their dog’s behavior independently. The most valuable trainers know that their work isn’t just about getting the dog to perform during the session, it’s about leaving the owner with the skills and confidence they need to continue the training long after the professional is gone.
This means providing owners with practical strategies, tools, and insights to maintain and build on the training foundation:
Education on canine psychology: Owners need to understand “why” their dog behaves the way they do. When they grasp the psychology behind the dog’s actions, whether it’s anxiety, fear, or excitement, they can better manage situations and reinforce positive behaviors.
Clear and practical instructions: Trainers should provide owners with step-by-step guidance they can follow at home, including how to address common challenges and setbacks that might arise in daily life.
Consistency in communication: Helping owners develop a consistent approach to their dog, whether it’s with commands, corrections, or rewards, is key to long-term success. Mixed signals only confuse the dog, which is why teaching consistency is critical.
In the end, a well-trained dog is one thing, but a well-educated owner is what guarantees that the training will last. When the trainer takes the time to coach the owner, helping them understand the “why” behind their dog’s actions and how to guide their dog with confidence, the relationship between dog and handler improves dramatically. That’s where the real magic of dog training happens, not in the session itself, but in the everyday life that follows.
Conclusion:
Dog training is about more than just getting a dog to follow commands in the presence of a professional. It’s about empowering the dog’s handler to maintain and enhance that training long after the sessions end. By coaching the owner to understand their role, read their dog’s behavior, and create a consistent environment, trainers set the stage for lasting success.
The true mark of a great dog trainer isn’t just how well they work with dogs, but how well they coach and support the people who care for them. After all, a dog’s behavior will only be as strong as the owner’s ability to lead them. Empowering the owner is the final, and perhaps most important, step in the dog training process.
