Recently, I was teaching a one-one online session and we got talking about the challenges we face by expecting too much, too soon. The problem with expecting perfection too soon from both ourself & our dog.

We watch a super talented team competing at a trial or at a farm loading a trailer and think, wow, I want that with my dog.

It’s easy to be swept away by visions of a flawless training session or seamless execution. Yet, the truth is that stock dog training, much like any skill, is a journey that thrives on patience and persistence.

The mantra to remember is: better to have messy action than none at all.

Embarking on the journey of training a stock dog is much like picking up a new hobby. Whether you’re learning to play golf, experimenting in the kitchen, or practising the piano, the initial steps are often marked by many, many mistakes.

Golfers may slice their first few swings; rookie cooks might burn more than a few dinners; pianists will hit many wrong notes before they start playing Mozart. What these activities share with stock training is the acceptance of imperfection in the early stages when we train each young dog.

In stock dog training, the expectation to achieve flawless commands and precision handling on the first go is unrealistic and often VERY counterproductive. Expecting your dog to master complex commands instantly can hinder progress and confidence for both the handler and the dog. Each and every dog you train will have different needs and you must adjust to progress as a trainer.

Improvement comes from consistent practice and learning from each attempt, no matter how messy. We have all heard the quote, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." (Lao Tzu).

Get out there and begin taking small steps. Eventually, these steps form the desired outcome. Your young dog is unlikely to be able to complete a lovely 200 yard outrun, right at the start, but after taking many small steps, making mistakes, and celebrating small victories, your dog will be that much closer to achieving the goal.

Messy action is where growth happens. Check out a training post all about "Embracing the Variability in Herding"! It’s in these moments of trial and error that both you and your dog learn to work together. This process will move more quickly if you find a competent trainer & mentor that you are comfortable working with, to support your training journey.

"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." – Zig Ziglar

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