Limited results with your training? Here's why

Stop me if this seems familiar. You've grabbed your dog and organized some training sheep in the field. Made a plan to work on a particular skill with your dog, so you can efficiently use your time.

Then.....Your dog blows all it's stops and the sheep are scattering everywhere. The dog AND sheep seem intent on destroying your best laid plans! Your dog doesn’t seem to be improving and you are wondering why you took up training stock dogs!

How does that make you feel? Do your frustration levels seem to be skyrocketing along with the feeling you are letting down your dog?

Before you become a disheartened trainer, read today’s training blog to learn more about why you do not see the mind-blowing results people on FaceBook seem to post.

Throughout my 30 years working with stock dogs, I have learned a thing or two about why people aren't getting the results with their dogs. Because honestly, I have walked every step of this journey.

Often it comes down to one of these 5 reasons. Knowing the what and why is often the first step in getting your dog to calmly walk the stock into the barn.

Reason #1. You Find Yourself Comparing yourself to others

You must have heard the quote, “comparison is the thief of joy, right? That's exactly what's happening when you measure your results against those of another handler.

Mel Robbins has a great post on why you should stop comparing yourself to others. Have a quick listen HERE

Last week, I had an inspiring monthly coaching call with 21 of our Bootcamp Academy members. The reason I find these gatherings so motivational is that during the process of analyzing various training videos and questions from the members, we are learning and growing from each other. This turns the “comparison” into productive, meaningful tools that can enhance the stock dog journey by saving time and energy. I know my positive energy levels go through the roof after these talks! We change the narrative.

Reason #2. Sometimes You Procrastinate

Now this is a judgment-free zone, so you can level with me on this.

Have you signed up for a training course, but haven’t found the time to actually watch the content? Have you gotten busy with “the rest of your life” and not found the time to head out to train?

I thought so. It's time to dig in and get things done. Even if you are snow-bound (as we are at the moment), you can do some online learning or training off the stock (re-calls, downs).

There's a nifty little post on 4 Key Points NOT to do while training that will get you motivated!

Reason #3. You don't understand your goals

In order to educate your dog on how to move the stock calmly & efficiently, you have to get clear on precisely this looks like. If you don't know, your dog will not understand your expectations.

I like to follow 3 simple guidelines:

• First, the dog must be committed & keen to move stock

• Second, the dog must learn to control his “chase” instinct

• Third, the dog must learn to self-regulate and adjust his pace while approaching the stock

Do you need a helping hand with achieving this goal? My work with Michelle’s dog Jac started at a similar place. Jac came to me in full “chase” mode and truly didn’t understand how the stock should be moved quietly. After four months, Jac is now moving cattle confidently from paddock to pasture.

Click here to learn about our Train For Transformation Series that specifically focuses on these 3 simple (yet elusive) guidelines.

Reason #4: You're not working smart enough

Whoa, hold your horses there…. I'm not saying you're not working hard enough!

When it comes to training our stock dogs, working smarter, not harder means using your time and energy wisely! Can you think of an area within your training session that could benefit from a fresh idea?

I know that when I did the same training exercise over and over again, it was really hard to move forward the way I needed to.

For example, the most common exercise I see handlers get stuck on is endlessly allowing their dogs to gather. Is this you? Your dog casts around the stock over and over….. Don’t get me wrong, balance work is critical, but staying stagnant won’t help your dog’s progress.

It wasn’t until I quit allowing my dog to circle and gather that I finally began to see change in my dog’s progress. Why? Because, for many dogs, gathering is the reward and the movement that increases their adrenaline. This then starts to diminish their ability to self-regulate their movement.

Once you tackle this, everything changes.

For example, I could do a small gather, turn my body, and try a few steps of a drive. Another idea would be to begin to add in off-balance flanks if your dog is ready.

So try to step back, be objective, and look at ways you can improve within each training session.. Your future self and dog will thank you.

Reason #5. You aren’t working with a trainer

Do you insist on doing things your own way?

Then you may be getting caught in some of the same training patterns that are not helping you and your dog progress.

Each year, I select a training skill that I would like to improve, and then spend some time learning from a selected trainer. This past season, I wanted to improve my technique while completing the International Shed, so I spend a half of day with Canadian World Team member, George Stambulic. He provided some great exercises for my dog that really improved my technique. I thanked him after I made the finals at the Western Canadian Championship as I completed the tricky international shed and placed 3rd overall (only a few points from winning!)

Perhaps it's time to hire a coach to take a closer look at where you may be going wrong and optimize it for your specific case. Here is a quick read all about selecting a trainer that’s the right fit for you. LINK HERE

Many people find that the money invested in a properly executed training program, taught by an expert, can not only save $, but also time and energy.

Key Takeaways

You may have noticed that all of these reasons for not achieving success with training your dog are problems that have more to do with your mind set.

At first, that may seem daunting to fix....however thankfully , I have experienced each and every one of these problems, so am able to share with you how to prevent these 5 reasons from setting you and your dog back.

Happy Training!

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