If you have a dog, chances are you’ve seen a dog training show. You’ve probably seen multiple, because watching the harrowing stories of Demon Dog to Angel Pup, or that one where they go on international adventures using their training to advance, is amazing!
I will be the first one to admit I watch A LOT of dog training shows. I’m also the first one to admit that the dog training industry and dogs in general, would probably be better without them.
Much like people start mangling their faces when the newest “beauty” trend pops up (looking at you soda bottle lips), people start mangling their dogs every time a new dog training show comes out.
I’m not going to call out any trainers specifically in this article so if that’s what you were looking for, sorry not sorry.
Here’s what I want dog owners to know about dog training TV shows…
1. It’s basically a reality show.
Meaning you don’t actually know what’s real and what Joe the Producer decided to add for entertainment value.
2. Most dogs can not be “fixed” in 30 to 45 minutes.
A lot of what dog training is, is creating a foundation for the dog and doing a ton of repetitions in a ton of different scenarios. This takes time.
3. Timing is critical.
One of the biggest things I see when owners decide to take the techniques from TV and try them on their own dogs is, their timing is horrible.
Don’t feel bad if you’ve done this, the trainers on TV rarely mention how important it is to time feedback correctly and even when they do, it takes a lot of practice.
4. It can lead to inconsistency in training.
If you constantly change your method of training based on what show you’re watching and the dog keeps getting worse, it’s because he’s confused.
There are tons of different methods out there and finding one that fits both you and your dog is important. If you aren’t consistent in training, your dog will never improve.
5. Aggressive dogs need a professional.
If you have a dog who bites people or other dogs, you likely need the help and guidance of a professional who has experience with that type of dog and can help you and your dog get where you want to be.
Be very cautious employing tactics seen on TV without proper supervision.
There you have it, how dog training shows can be misleading to owners.
Just remember if you choose to watch these shows that they’re for entertainment, not education, and take everything with a grain of salt.
