Training the Whole Dog: Why a Holistic Approach Matters

Learning Through Experience

I have been a dog trainer for over a decade. I went to school to learn about dogs, worked in places taking care of other people’s dogs, owned dogs of my own, and of course,I have trained dogs one on one with their owners. I am not the trainer I started off as. I am better. Why? Because with each dog I work with, I learn a little bit more. More about behavior, more about people, and more about dogs. A trainer I know once said ‘if you hire a trainer who brags about getting bit all the time, then they’re probably not that good to begin with.’ I remember when I first started, every bite I received I felt was a badge of honor. I had survived crossing paths with an ornery pup who eventually yielded to my training and strength, and I had the scar to prove it! What I eventually realized, though, was that if dogs keep biting you, it means YOU are doing something wrong (most of the time). It means you are not reading the situation appropriately, you are pushing the dog too far too soon, you are putting too much pressure on the dog, and almost always the result is a toothy retort.

From Ego to Understanding

My training approach started off as ‘I am the boss and you will do it my way.’ While I had the best intentions and thought that this attitude showed confidence, the more dogs I worked with and the more I was humbled, I began to realize that I wasn’t showing confidence. I was operating off of ego. I think this is normal for any young person just starting off and trying to make a name for themselves. They want to prove that they are the best! But, when it comes to dogs, they don’t care if you are the best. They simply want to know if you understand them. And if the first thing you bring to the table is a huge plate of ego, they will serve you up a big can of whoopass every time.

The Whole Dog Approach

As the years progressed, my training approach evolved. I began to focus less on the issues I was being hired to resolve, and more on the dog as a whole. This is called The Whole Dog Approach. Nine times out of ten, a behavioral issue is just a symptom of an overall problem. When you pinpoint what the actual problem is, the behavior issue tends to resolve itself. I became a trainer who went from fixing the immediate issue, to a trainer who eliminated issues by turning all my attention to the actual problem. Dog barks when being left alone? Yes you could just correct the barking, but if you don’t determine the cause of the barking, the problem will NEVER go away. You will, in effect, just be putting a bandaid on problems that you are constantly having to manage.

Why Investment Matters

Not every dog trainer operates off of The Whole Dog Approach. As you could probably imagine, trainers that take the time to dissect the ‘why’ behind a problem and come up with an individualized training program for your dog specifically, charge a premium for their services. I have worked with countless clients who spent good money for dog training at big box pet stores, only to be disappointed. I understand working on a budget. But some things are worth the investment. These clients at the end of the day spent hundreds of dollars more than they had too simply because a smaller price tag was more appealing. As the old saying goes, ‘you get what you pay for!’

Choosing the Right Trainer

Budgets are important! This is why I offer small programs to choose from as well as virtual training. But, the reason a trainer like myself charges what they do, is because they’ve spent years honing their craft. And they have the scars (hopefully only a few) and the knowledge to prove it! When you are doing your trainer research, find a trainer who is transparent: has their prices clearly listed on their website, tells you about themselves right from the start, has reviews available for you to read, and gives you a sense that they can help you based on the information they provide. For example, if a trainer’s website indicates that they specialize in puppy training and agility, chances are, they cannot help you with your leash reactive pup. A trainers website should give you a sense about what they do and how they can help you right from the start. And last but not least, make sure they operate off of a Whole Dog Approach.

Thriving Together

A good dog trainer can clearly answer your questions,outline a training program that you understand, will explain how they can help you meet your training goals, and should be able to see beyond the behavioral issue. As the owner, it is crucial for you to understand just how beneficial a whole dog training approach is to you and your dog. These trainers will also charge what they are worth. So ask yourself, do you want to just survive with your dog and their ‘quirks’ or do you want to thrive together?