Anger Management

Have you ever tried to learn from someone who was angry?

It's not much fun. My dogs will confirm.

I was working with my dogs today, training some new behaviors, when I found myself getting frusrated, impatient, and (dare I say it…), angry.

I immediately put the clicker and the food down, released the dog, and went into a different room to take a break.

The dogs all followed me for which I was grateful. It meant they didn't take my frustration personally. I don't know why I was frustrated, perhaps it's this silly sinus infection I'm dealing with. Or the meds that I'm on to fight it. Or this dratted grey, cold, and rainy weather. Or that I have 101 things to get done.

Whatever the reason, I stopped training. It's not productive, it's not fun, it's not efficient to train when you're angry.

I wasn't mad at the dog, I was simply frustrated. But the poor dog doesn't know that my actions aren't directed toward him any more than the cashier can't know that you were short with her because you just had a run-in with a co-worker.

So make sure training is always fun. For everyone: you and the dog. If either of you is getting frustrated, it's so easy to step away. Simply put the clicker down and go do something else. It works wonders for the training, for you, for the dog, for your relationship.