If the mindset is only “the dog needs training”, any training program will fail.

I learned this lesson (among countless others) many years ago with my game changer dog, Lobo. After bouncing from trainer to trainer to help me resolve some significant behavioral issues that developed directly after my divorce, there were 3 massive pieces to the equation each and every trainer missed: 1) the fact that "obedience training" does not resolve "behavioral issues" (every trainer harped on "obedience training" with him; a well-trained dog does not directly translate into a well-behaved dog), 2) the state of mind aspect, and 3) the human ingredient: the part I played in the development and influencing of his behaviors.

I spent thousands of dollars trying to find the help we needed, and he even went through a 2 week board and train program as a last ditch effort. While he responded well at the board and train... he quickly reverted back to his problematic behaviors as soon as he returned to me. *massive clue here*

Every single training program we entered into failed due to our collective level of thinking (mine and the trainers'): it was Lobo with the problem, Lobo who needed training, and Lobo who needed "fixing". Because of this, we were doomed from the start (you can read "Lobo's Story" here: http://packfit.net/lobos-story/).

There are two ends of the leash; both needing to be educated and equipped. Both needing an understanding of the other. What most refer to as "dog training" is, in fact, mostly human training. Why? Because we are their primary source of information. Dogs look to us for their cues, guidance, directives, and how to feel about their surroundings and in any given situation. When they're not, this signals a major disconnect, a breakdown in relationship, and is exactly when problems start to arise.

It is our role and responsibility to teach, lead, guide, advocate, meet needs, and manage state of mind; and our commitment to help them feel safe, secure, comfortable, and protected in this (far-from-instinctual) world of ours. But we can't provide this for them if we're not equipped and educated ourselves, and if we're not aware of the type of information we're sending out (body language, energy, through the leash, vocal inflection... we say far more without using words at all). Everything we do~ how we're holding ourselves, the type of energy we bring into each space, our vocal pitch and tone, etc, is a message. It's our part of a conversation that's taking place. Becoming more aware of the type of information we're sending out is key; and dogs will either trust this... or they won't.

"Bad dogs" aren't born, they're created (usually through what we don't know, and what we're doing and not doing). When complications arise, they're usually the result of disconnection, frustration, anxiety, needs not being provided for, not feeling advocated for, voids in their self and world concepts, and so on. Behaviors are manners of expression and are cries for help. If a well-trained, well-behaved dog is what we're looking for, we'd better be willing to own the part we play in the dynamic (takes two) and be willing to "get trained" ourselves. If we don't, no amount of "dog training" will fix this. There are two ends of the leash; and one's level of accountability and commitment directly impacts the other's quality of life in every way.