Congratulations! You’re about to start one of the best journeys of your life – with your best friend! You’ll learn new skills that will improve your life now and forever after. You’ll gain a new perspective on your dog and every other dog you meet. And you’ll be able to enjoy the time you spend with your dog even more.
Everybody’s training journey is different. Just as no two people are the same, no two dogs are, either. The 2-Minute-Trainer system adapts to whatever meets your current need and will evolve for every dog that comes into your life. The objective is to move from whatever “chaos and mayhem” prevails now, to a place of peace and harmony.
There’s no deadline or time table. Your commitment is a few minutes, most days. You can do this. And, bit by bit, perhaps so gradually you don’t even notice, you and your dog will get there. Fido will bark once and run to his “Place” when the doorbell rings. Or Spot will “sit” when your aunt comes over. You’ll actually see him choose to make that good decision. And you’ll practically burst with pride. You’re on your way!
7 Steps on the Journey
Step 1: Chaos & Mayhem
It’s where you are now – the “stepping off” point that inspired you to make a positive change in your life. That’s a good thing. Keep in mind that, starting now, you’ll never feel as helpless, or out-of-control as you did before. You’re not alone now. You won’t be subject to judgment or criticism. When you know better, you do better. You’re doing better – celebrate that!
Step 2 – Break it down (Divide and Conquer)
One of Hope’s great weaknesses is ice cream. Chocolate ice cream. There’s absolutely no doubt she could easily devour a whole pint in a single sitting. But even if she wanted to, gave herself permission to, and had every intention of eating that whole pint – it can’t happen. It simply will not fit in her mouth.
The answer? One spoon at a time.
Most of the things we want our dogs to learn have lots of “parts.” If you tell your dog to “sit,” how long does he/she have to comply? What if you’re not in the usual place? What if you move? What if you have treats in your hand? Or no treats? What if your dog is outside? Or on your left instead of your right? If there’s an airplane over head? If a truck is going down the street?
Many people are amazed that all of these things can make a difference to dogs. In our training classes, students will tell us “Oh, my dog knows ‘sit.’’ So we’ll take the dog’s leash, tell the owner to stand a few feet away, and ask them to tell their dog to sit. Usually the dog looks at their owner like they’ve never heard the word before.
We’re absolutely sure the dog does know sit, in its own home, where it’s comfortable, and there are no distractions.
So each piece of a new skill has to be taught, then “tested.” Change the circumstances, and keep teaching.
Step 3: Learning how to learn – and teach
Some people are surprised by how much thinking is involved in dog training. Yes, you could say “sit,” shove on your dog’s rear end, and, eventually, your dog would learn the command “sit.” And we know some old-time obedience people who prefer to force their dog’s behavior rather than teach it.
If that’s you – we’re sorry. We can’t help. 2-Minute-Training doesn’t take much of your time, but the results aren’t instantaneous. The teaching is more fun. The learning is more thorough, but it doesn’t happen overnight.
Every behavior or “trick” you want your dog to know has lots of parts. We train each of those parts and then put them together. It may be a speedy process, especially once your dog catches on to the method. Most do – quickly. Because they love being with you. Because you keep each little session fast and fun. And because there are treats!
Step 4 – Learning the alphabet
Let’s be honest. Your dog knows how to sit. He or she also knows how to lie down. What your dog may not know is the word for it. Our job is giving them the vocabulary so they know what the word means. Dogs are capable of learning several hundred words – but only if they’re motivated to do it.
When you were a baby, before you were able to speak, your parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles/older siblings were always talking to you. They said the names of all the objects around you, pointed out all kinds of things on every outing, named every food that went into your mouth. They counted your fingers and toes, read books to you, recited poems, played word and counting games. They were building your vocabulary long before you had any use for it.
We need to do the same for our dogs. That’s why, when you see your dog sitting, you say “good sit!” “that’s sit!” Dogs are able to make those connections.
Step 5 – Paying the piper
Your dog will learn there are consequences for every decision. Good decisions result in more fun, more treats, more play, and happiness – for both of you. Bad decisions will result in nothing.
We don’t “punish” dogs in 2-Minute-Training. There are no corrections, no yanking on the dog, no smacking the dog, no yelling at the dog. The worst thing that happens is a session ends prematurely, or the dog gets a “time out.” Mostly, we just try again, after an “oopsie, that’s not it!”
Research has shown that positive reinforcement is a great way to train dogs. Everybody has a good time, and the same or better results are achieved. We teach dogs how to handle stress, how to make good decisions, how to cope with the world. We don’t intimidate them into conforming with the rules – we teach them to understand them.
Step 6 – Dealing with distractions
We have a saying in competition Obedience – every dog is a champion in the kitchen. But sometimes you want to enjoy a cup of coffee at a sidewalk cafe, with your dog lying calmly at your side, rather than at your kitchen table. Venturing out into the wider world is part of the plan. Teach the behavior, then take it on the road.
Hope’s Torque is an extremely exuberant dog. He loves meeting new people and dogs and will run up to say “hi!” He’s conquered his nuttiness in familiar situations, and even in competition venues. But he’s still a nut job in the waiting room at the vet’s office. So Hope brings a toy and lets him carry it around. So far she’s managing the behavior, while she teaches the improved behavior she wants.
While you and your dog are learning, you will learn how to manage your current situation so chaos doesn’t rear its ugly head. And it’s okay to not be in “training mode” all the time. If you know something’s coming up that your dog doesn’t have manners to cope with – it’s okay to put him/her in his crate with a frozen-yogurt Kong when the plumber comes to fix the toilet.
Avoiding bad behavior is just as important as creating good ones. You’ll learn to think ahead and manage situations better, because you’ll see them from your dog’s perspective.
Step 7 – Unicorns, rainbows, and lollipops
If you can think of it – you can train your dog to do it! As long as your dog is physically able to perform a behavior, once you’re on board with the 2-Minute-Trainer system, you’ll be able to train your dog to do it! Put away toys? No problem! Fetch your tablet? Absolutely! (Although it may have dog spit on it.) Accompany you to that sidewalk cafe? For sure! Greet guests politely? Piece of cake!
You’ll look forward to your little training sessions – they’ll be one of the highlights of your day. You and your dog will know each other better, enjoy each other more, and live your best lives together.