When Not To Teach Dogs

funny adorable spaniel dog on green lawn — Photo by Harry Cooke on Pexels.com

We know that to teach dogs to get along in our human world is beneficial and a good idea.

We also know to teach dogs using reward-based, Fun Not Fear® methods and avoid aversives and punishment.

However, what we do not always know is that sometimes it’s best to not teach dogs right there and then.

There are many situations when it might not be advisable to teach dogs, especially when we are considering the welfare of the dog. Ensuring training is a positive experience for both you and your dog is really important.

Here are a few scenarios where not teaching dogs might be a better plan:

When the Dog is Sick or Injured
If your dog isn’t feeling well, give them time to rest.

Teaching activities can be physically and mentally hard work, and an unwell dog might not feel much like joining in. Much like us when we feel rough. Better to spend that time consulting a vet.
During Stressful Times or Anxiety: If your dog is having high levels of stress or anxiety, address this first.

Call in a behaviourist to get some advice on dealing with any mental struggles they may be having.

Focus on creating a safe and relaxing environment for your floofer. If your dog feels safe and secure, they will be more open to your teaching, resulting in faster learning.
After a Large Meal: Just like humans, dogs get that “food coma” feeling and need time to digest their meal.

They may not be able to concentrate on your teaching. Engaging in vigorous training activities too soon after eating can be uncomfortable and, in even lead to health issues such as bloat, especially in larger breeds.
In Unsuitable Environments: It’s important to start your training in a quiet and controlled setting where your dog can focus on you and the cues you are teaching.

Nervous or anxious dogs are extra sensitive, making this even more important for them. If you are doing desensitisation work, calmness is essential for starting your protocols.

Once they have mastered a behaviour in a calm environment, you can gradually introduce more distractions.

In some behavioural support sessions, rain, and weather extremes may not be ideal. We strive to create a conducive environment for the dog’s success. Being in sub-optimal weather can affect how our dog is feeling, be quite uncomfortable, and affect their responses to stimuli. Very hot or cold weather can be dangerous, and teaching is best left until conditions are better.
When the Dog is Showing Signs of Fatigue: Dogs, like people, can become tired, or bored,or frustrated and lose concentration.

It’s important to watch for signs of fatigue during teaching sessions and give your dog plenty of breaks. Keeping sessions short and fun will help maintain their enthusiasm for learning.

Instead of conducting long, intensive teaching sessions, try teaching for a few minutes at a time, multiple times a day.
When You’re Not in the Right Mood: Your mindset can really affect your dog, and also your patience levels with them.

Dogs are often highly attuned to human’s emotions and if they feel something is “off” they might not absorb your teaching so easily.

When you’re feeling frustrated, impatient, or angry, it’s better to leave it and come back to teaching when you’re in a better, calmer mood.

Teaching should be a wonderful experience for both of you, creating a bond of trust and mutual respect, and if you are not in the right space, it can become quite the opposite, very quickly.

Remember, the aim is to ensure that learning is always a positive, fun, and rewarding experience for your dog, aligning with the Fun Not Fear® philosophy. Choose the right moments to teach, and skip the wrong ones. Be sure both you and your dog are in the best state of mind and health, and you will achieve great things together.