Fixing the Whole Dog: Why Training Alone is Not Enough

 As dog owners, it can be a distressing and frustrating experience when our furry companions exhibit behavioural issues. It is essential to understand that just like humans, dogs also experience emotions like anxiety, fear, and stress, which can manifest as problematic behaviour.

To effectively train and manage our dogs, identifying the root cause of the behaviour is crucial. For instance, if your dog is exhibiting destructive behaviour, they may be experiencing stress or anxiety. On the other hand, if your dog is growling or snapping at other dogs or people, they may be feeling fearful or in physical pain. Unfortunately, many dog parents tend to rely on punishment or food-based training methods without addressing the underlying cause of the behaviour. While these methods may produce short-term results, they do not provide a long-term solution. In fact, using punishment can even worsen the behaviour and increase the probability of different issues arising.

Dogs do not misbehave out of spite or stubbornness. There is always a reason behind their behaviour, and it is up to us as responsible dog parents to identify and address that reason.

Our goal should be to fix the whole dog, not just the behaviour. We often come across quick-fixing trainers on the internet with fancy techniques and tools, managing to stop the behaviours in one session. But the question remains, is the dog fixed? Is the human now a competent dog parent that can live happily ever after with their dog?

Problems either get better or worse, and only relying on training is like putting a bandage over a bullet wound. While the bandage may stop the bleeding, it does not prevent the bleeding from getting worse or other issues from popping up.

So what do we do now? Looks like you’re still reading this, so you’re in need of taking action somewhere right?

To learn how to identify underlying issues and how to help the whole dog, it is you that needs the training and to the dog. This is why I have created MK9Plus, which offers everything qualified dog trainers know and everything you need to become the parent your dog dreams of having.