What “dog training” REALLY is.

"Obedience training" has long been synonymous with "dog training", but fully equipping a dog goes far beyond teaching a dog what certain words mean. It's...

- relationship building & human empowerment. Building our level of relevance. Becoming a trusted source of information the dog feels safe, secure, and comfortable looking to for guidance, what to do, and how to feel. What do we represent in the eyes and in the mind of the dog? How are we consistently showing up- stressed? On edge? Anxious? Frustrated? Angry or bitter? Too soft or passive?

- learning how to read and understand canine body language. Dogs are always sharing information with us, but most of what they're saying is misinterpreted or missed altogether. This enables us to respond most efficiently in moments calling for it, advocate, "parent", and allows the dog to have a voice.

- learning how to communicate clearly & effectively. We can't teach a dog anything (rules, boundaries, tricks, obedience cues, etc.) without understanding how to share information with them in an understandable way. Most humans are constantly sending mixed signals and messaging to dogs as our timing can be off, we don't understand how to use space, our body language is saying one thing.... our vocal inflection, pitch, and tone is saying another....how we're holding the leash is saying another.... our verbal cues can be saying another.... the energy we bring to the table is saying another (frustration, fear, nervousness, anxiety, stress, impatience, anger, etc.)... and so on.

- learning & providing for the dog's instinctual, individual, & breed-specific needs. This impacts it all: relationship and relevance building, the "whole dog" (mental, physical, emotional, energetic), state of mind, fulfillment and satisfaction, etc.

- obedience training. Attaching meaning to verbal cues and directives (actual *compliance* is developed through speaking to these other puzzle pieces).

- self-discipline & accountability. Our level of responsibility, consistency, follow-through, and commitment. How, if, and how-often we're stepping and showing up. Are we proactive, reactive, or passive?

- real world equipping. Developing positive and healthy associations, teaching "appropriate" choices, responses, and "manners", canine personal conduct and space-sharing, etc.

- state of mind conditioning. Anyone who's been following PackFit for a while knows I'm really big on conditioning state of mind, as this is a most influential piece in the overall behavioral puzzle. Conditioning *calm* and "appropriate" states of mind in various settings and circumstances (in-home, on a walk, out in public, in social settings, etc.). "Calm" is where responses happen versus reactions. Many people are unknowingly conditioning arousal, intensity, and problematic states of mind.

This is, of course, just a snapshot; but touches on the major players.