When setting training goals, expect pit stops and u-turns

From the desk of Chantal Mills, B.Ed., Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT), CPDT-KA, Fear-free certified

If you have a dog, chances are you also have training goals. Perhaps you have short-term, long-term or even lofty goals. Whether your goal is small or big and scary, planning and preparing for your adventure can only take you so far.

While preparing to welcome our new puppy Bug, I not only anxiously anticipated all the training fun we would have together, but I planned it all out.

I imagined him taking to the water with ease and eventually enjoying dock-diving. I visualized him being attentive and eager to learn in group classes. I readied my home for my new furry companion and dreamt of all of the adventures we would have together.

One of the day-to-day activities I was looking forward to was walking my son to school, with Bug in tow. My training plan was well mapped out with all the steps broken down into small achievable tasks.

What I didn’t anticipate was how overwhelmed Bug would be by loud noises. The rumble of a car would stop him in his tracks. He would try to run for cover if he heard a school bus. He would whine, cower anmd often ask to be picked up if a truck went by. Even our backyard became a scary place for him when louder vehicles drove past our house.

I had to revise the plan and start by helping him learn that buses, cars and loud motorcycles meant great things (like cheese) were about to rain from the sky. We started with just standing in the driveway, watching the world go by. Treats would appear after a loud vehicle would rumble by. When he was ready, we progressed to walking halfway to the mailbox and back. Then, we were able to enjoy a walk to the end of the block and back.

Today, Bug enjoys his morning walk to school and no longer tries to dash into the bushes to hide from the scary school buses.

Re-routing still gets you to your destination

Don’t be afraid to readjust and take baby steps. Had I forced Bug to walk, ignored his panic and willed him to “grow out of it”, I do not think I would have the same walking partner I now have. Bug wasn’t just unsure of the noisy vehicles, he was terrified of them.

My training plan for Bug also entailed taking him to puppy classes. At home he is a model stu-dent. He loves training and learns things in no time. The group classes did npt go as I had imag-ined they would. Bug was eager all right . . . eager to bark! He would quickly get over-stimulated in the group environment.

I re-calculated the plan, signed him up for a few private lessons on top of what I was already do-ing at home with him.

Slow is the new fast

Bug loves the water. He loves being in the kayak and is starting to get used to the paddle board. Bug is built to swim with his webbed feet and quick-dry fur.

Some of his siblings are already dock-diving and swimming confidently. He loves to retrieve and will fetch his toy when thrown in the shallow water. He is still learning to swim. We will get there and will have fun along the way. Forcing him will only cause setbacks. The training plan consists of small steps and great rewards.

You can encourage, entice and reinforce. You can do all you can to set your dog up for success. All dogs can learn. You may have to get creative.

You may have to become fluent in canine communication so that you can read your dog’s non verbal language. You will have to adapt your training so that it works with the individual dog in front of you. It’s ok to stay in the slow lane. The scenic route can be quite beautiful.

If you’ve set out achievable and realistic goals, don’t be surprised if some course-correction hap-pens along the way. Sometimes, the fastest route to get to your destination is the one that has a lot of pit stops and U-turns. Slow is the new fast. You will still get to your destination.

Chantal Mills is owner and head trainer of The Canine School.