Yes, Training Should be Fun!

Recently, I have had several clients say the same phrase after a training session.

“This was actually really fun!” The dogs like to say this too, with their open mouthed grins and wagging tails, eyes bright with excitement.

It’s a bit bittersweet to me. I am always happy when my clients find the fun in training with their dogs, of course. My goal in every session is to break training down in such a way that both the dogs and humans understand and enjoy the process. And there are times, to be sure, where training isn’t exactly fun for the human side of the leash. I don’t expect everyone to love the endless repetitions of new skills, or the slow progress that can come when working through fears.

My sadness, rather, comes from the expectations many of my clients have about what dog training is like: hardly ever fun. Many expect to be scolded for their own behavior, a litany of perceived transgressions ranging from letting their dog sleep on the bed, to indulging them in a free treat once in a while. They expect that their dog will be scolded too, or that they will be compelled to dole out harsh punishments for any misstep. Some have even experienced this before, with other professionals they have hired to help.

Our understanding of the science behind training and behavior change has come a long way over the past few decades. We now know how to change dog (and human!) behavior in painless, collaborative ways. There is no need to settle for training that isn’t fun for either end of the leash; in fact, we know that punishment based methods are inherently harmful to welfare, and don’t produce better results than reward-based training (in fact, the results are often worse when using pain and fear).

If you also have a negative impression of training, I encourage you to seek out humane, force-free professionals. Look for certifications that confirm education and a commitment to force-free practices, including CTC, KPA-CTP, or Fear Free Certified. Know that there are kind, and yes, even fun, ways to work through any challenge you may have with your dog.