You need to train the dog in front of you! But what does that really mean?
The essence of “train the dog in front of you” is about empathy, adaptability, and compassion—not justification for harsh methods.
It’s about meeting your dog where they are and guiding them toward learning in a way that prioritizes their physical and emotional well-being.
It’s a reminder to stay present, observe your dog’s behavior, and adapt in real time. Some of the key concepts that come along with training the dog in front of you are…
Observing your dog and adjusting your training plan to fit their learning style through capturing, luring, and shaping.
This requires finding what reinforcers motivate your dog to train and learn such as food, toys, play, sniffing, walks, or real life experiences.
As well as diving deeper into learning about dog body language, dog behavior, and the impact medical issues have on that behavior from reputable sources such as veterinary behaviorists, formally educated individuals in animal behavior, and certified dog trainers and behavior consultants.
Recognizing that each dog is unique, with their own preferences, fears, and motivators.
What works for one dog might not work for another.
You will need to be ready to adjust your approach based on your dog’s emotional and physical state at that moment. This means meeting your dog where they are, both emotionally and behaviorally. Along with building trust by listening to their body language and signals, training in the context of the current environment, distractions, and your dog’s energy level and stress threshold.
We urge you to get curious and asking more questions about your dog’s behavior such as:
Why is my dog doing xyz?
What do I want my dog to do instead?
How can I arrange the environment to set my dog up for success?
Is my dog experiencing any pain or discomfort?
Plus, refraining from comparing your dog to others or even to their past progress, and focusing instead on their needs and capabilities at that moment.
And the most important part…
Training the dog in front of you does not excuse the use of punishment and aversive tools.
It’s about tailoring training to your dog’s needs within an ethical framework that prioritizes your dog’s welfare and uses humane, science-based methods.
“Reward-based techniques should be used for teaching common training skills as well as to address unwanted behaviors. The application of aversive methods - which, by definition, rely on application of force, pain, or emotional or physical discomfort - should not be used in canine training or for the treatment of behavioral disorders.”
P.S. Enjoyed this article and want a little something extra?
Download our Big Feelings Dog Checklist to get practical, low-key tips you can start using right away to support your dog. It’s full of our favorite simple strategies to help your dog feel safer and more at ease.
