Why there is no single ‘right’ way to train or raise a dog
in the dog industry there are a lot of professionals that can all give different advice according to their teachings and personal experiences, and therefore this then dictates how they teach you or provide the context of their content. Now this content isn’t provided considering you and your best way of learning, and nor does it consider the dog in front of you. I can pretty much guarantee that a good dog professional in whichever expertise they are in will give you written advice based on no personal knowledge of yours, and once they have met or spoken to you, that advice will likely change as they are advising on real life vs theory.
So, as a dog owner, taking advice with a pinch of salt is highly recommended, but in an instance where you feel the advice is true to you, go ahead and take it on board but remember that there is always more to be had. Dog ownership differs from person to person, dog to dog, and even experience to experiences. 2 dogs of the same breed will differ in personality and therefore differ in their own ways of being. A GSD from 20 years ago will differ to a GSD bred in the last 5 years and therefore you must adapt to the changes that would have happened in the 15 years of difference. One show doesn’t fit all and never will as the smallest of things can change the route to a destination, as it is dependent on you and your personal way.
Factors that can affect your journey
- Your personal learning style
- Knowledge upon getting the dog
- Rescue vs Breeder origin
- If you are monotone
- The environment you are in
- Your experience with dogs
- Multi-person households
- And many more...
Just one of these can change the trajectory of your dog ownership journey, not to mention more than 1, and that’s the fun part of the journey.
You see, when talking about dogs, we are talking about a species that doesn’t speak English and doesn’t use words to project how it’s feeling, so we as humans need to consider this and make sure we are doing and communicating with our dog in a way that it understands, and we can keep consistent with. Using words that you will forget or using tones you distinguish clearly in all emotions triggered from life, isn’t a good idea. Find your way and stick to it until it works and then stick to it even more.