A To Z Challenge - R Is For Reverse

If you or your dog is finding something difficult during training, reversing your progress - as disheartening as it may sound - can be incredibly useful in order to progress. Failing to understand something that is required of you can be really disheartening and confidence-knocking. If your dog cannot understand a certain task, going back to basics can help build his - and your - confidence back up again. For example, if you're teaching him a difficult trick and he fails to respond correctly, asking for an easier, more simple command for the meantime can help bring his confidence back up and help him to respond to you once again. If you're teaching him to roll over and he fails to understand how to roll all the way, go back a step and ask him to lie on his side. Building up to a difficult task is important for success and confidence, and if something is too difficult for your dog, you may have rushed into it. Of course, if a command is too physically demanding for your dog's build, you should definitely not continue teaching him it as it could cause him discomfort if he is pushed to a point of near impossibility. Look back at your progress and reverse if you feel it would benefit you and your dog.

Earl

Train your dog at his own comfortable pace, and if he is finding something challenging, never rush or push him beyond his comfort zone. Reverse your progress slightly and build his skills and confidence until he has the understanding and is capable of performing the required task to the full.

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