Sometimes dog owners complain that their dog doesn’t like training and will do anything to get out of a training session.
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But dogs love learning something new!
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And if your pet will try anything to avoid training, it means that either he/she is not feeling well, or the training process is organized incorrectly.
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One of the main reasons dogs “don’t like” training is that their owners ignore the stress signals that they demonstrate, and keep on demanding something from the dog. But remember: stressed dogs can’t really learn efficiently.
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So, what kind of signals should you pay attention to during a training session?
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1️⃣ Yawning.
2️⃣ Erection.
3️⃣ Tongue flicks (when a dog quickly licks his/her nose).
4️⃣ Vocalizations.
5️⃣ Dilated pupils or whale eye (when you can see the white of the eyes).
6️⃣ Urinating and defecation.
7️⃣ Excessive salivation.
8️⃣ Pinned ears.
9️⃣ Refusal to eat.
🔟 Shortness of breath.
1️⃣1️⃣ Scratching.
1️⃣2️⃣ Stretching.
1️⃣3️⃣ Looking to the side.
1️⃣4️⃣ Raising front paw.
1️⃣5️⃣ Smelling the ground, eating grass or snow.
1️⃣6️⃣ Shaking.
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What to do if you notice your dog is stressed?
Switch your dog’s attention to something simpler, something he/she knows and understands. Let your pet relax, take a break or finish the training session altogether. Your response depends on the situation.
