Ever had that moment when your dog completely ignores you because he’s spotted a squirrel? Or maybe your Golden Retriever becomes an Olympic-level counter surfer the moment you turn your back? We’ve all been there, but here’s the million-dollar question: In those moments, are you training your dog, or just managing the situation?
The Critical Difference
Training happens when:
- Your dog is responsive to you
- They’re in what I call the “Think & Learn Zone” (TLZ)
- You have control of both your dog AND the environment
- Your dog can process information and learn new skills
Management happens when:
- Your dog’s attention is elsewhere
- If you let go of the leash or equipment, your dog would be gone
- You’re physically controlling your dog’s body, not engaging their mind
- You have limited control over the environment
Here’s a simple way to think about it: If you’re hanging onto your dog’s body, it’s because you’ve lost his mind! (That phrase is so good we put it on t-shirts!)
Why It Matters
Understanding this difference is crucial because these two approaches require completely different strategies. When my client’s reactive dog D was fixated on other dogs, physically pulling him away was management. But when the handler said “Let’s go” and he willingly turned and came with her despite the distraction, that was training.
These states aren’t permanent. Dogs slip in and out of them, which is where confusion arises. Your dog might be beautifully trained at home, but throw in a squirrel parade with 42 bushy-tailed critters having a party in a tree, and suddenly you’re in management mode!
Next time you’re working with your dog, ask yourself: “Is my dog in the Think & Learn Zone right now?” If not, you need to manage first, and then find a way back to where training can happen.
Remember: See. The. Dog. Not the dog you wish you had, not the dog you think you should have, but the actual dog right in front of you in that moment. When you do that, you’ll make much better decisions about whether you’re training or managing, and both you and your dog will be happier for it!
This post is based on concepts from Suzanne Clothier’s “Training vs. Management” webinar. You can enjoy that webinar, along with three others in Suzanne’s Summer School Series starting in July!
This four webinar series will feature “Anatomy of Attention: When VAN ran over DAN and other Tales”, “Distractions and . . . SQUIRREL! Using them in Training”, “Training vs. Management” and “What’s the Problem?”, only available in the RCT Reference Collection or this series.
Summer presents unique challenges for dog training. The world explodes with distractions – squirrels dart across paths, children play in yards, and barbecue scents waft through the air. Rather than fighting an uphill battle, what if you could turn these summer challenges into training opportunities?
Suzanne Clothier’s Summer School Series brings together four essential webinars that will revolutionize how you approach training during these distraction-rich months.
