Dog training is a mutually

diverse, deep conversation.

A level of language between dog trainers and clients.

by Sherry Clark

www.brainydog.com

​

We, dog trainers, do a good job.

Well, we do.

We meet our client's needs, understand dog behavior, and adapt our approach to unique situations. We’re skilled at refining dog performance through various exercises and know how important practice is.

​

​

Can we all train the same way?

Of course not.

We’re individuals with different beliefs, upbringings, mentors, and choices. We practice and teach the most effective exercises for our specialties and, probably, the ones we enjoy the most.

 

The information we have to pull exercises from is massive. Between traditional science and psychology, specialties, and our practice, there's a vast vocabulary to share with clients. Our glossary becomes even more colorful when we train, based on newer research, which shows that dogs understand abstract concepts (which probably explains why we say "dogs are smarter than we think").

 

But something's missing...

The most essential thing in life.

There’s a gap in our vocabulary between what clients want and what dogs need. A rich vocabulary is great, but the terms can overwhelm clients. Categorizing exercises by the source of information they came from doesn’t always align with what clients are looking for.

 

We need another level of language.

A natural language, one that’s common in diverse cultures and stands the test of time. This language should be a meaningful vocabulary that acts as a filter between available sources of training information and the exercises we apply to dogs.

​

Values can serve as this filter, guiding our actions to enhance the most essential aspect of life, which I'm saying is happiness.​

After all, clients want their dogs trained to make life better in some way. But what word describes what “better” means to the dog’s family?

 

We can ask clients:

What will you have more of once your dog is trained the way you want? Will you have more:

 

Love, Peace, Respect,

Understanding, Trust, or Freedom?

How can this increase your

Happiness?

​

This approach creates a clear, motivational image in our client's mind. It helps them imagine what value their dog needs to provide what they want. Now, at least, the client knows what they want.

 

Then, the dog:

Fill in the blanks. If your dog could say:

 

"I’d be willing to (stop or start) doing:

[blank behavior], if I had more

[love, peace, respect, understanding, trust, or freedom],"

Which would your dog choose?

​

Clients answer quickly because they think in a language of values. They know their definitions, their resources, and their dog. They also know what they’re willing to do (or not do).

 

The process sparks anticipation for positive results and motivates them to engage more deeply. By thinking in values, training becomes more meaningful.

​

Examples:

Love, Peace, Respect, Understanding.

 

If Trixie, a shelter dog, is shut down from a previous life, she could use some Love. We’ll focus on exercises that boost trust and bonding.

​

If Jake, a high-energy pet dog, is vaulting off the walls, he could use some Peace. We’ll practice calming exercises and maybe sport dog training.

​​

If Daisy, a former street dog, is guarding her food, she needs Respect so we don’t push her to the point of biting. We’ll work on building trust and resolving underlying conditions.

​

If Sandy, a puppy, hides during fireworks, she could use some Understanding to learn what noise is. Sandy can also build her resiliency to other fear-related challenges.

 

What exercises would you use for these challenges?

​

More examples:

Trust, Freedom, Happiness.

 

If Fluffy, a senior dog, is afraid of humans, we’ll work on building Trust. We’ll focus on confidence-building and independence, showing her that not all humans are bad.

​

If Rex, a sporting dog, loves to run, we'll focus on Freedom and safety. We'll teach Rex a solid, non-negotiable recall so he can run and stay out of trouble.

​

If Buddy, an emotional support dog, looks sad, we’ll increase his Happiness by checking all possible underlying conditions. We'll ensure his values (the components of happiness) are balanced and part of his life.

​

Which values would you associate with these challenges?

​

Thinking in values stimulates curiosity and sparks creativity.

How to start:

When we prioritize values before exercises, our minds take a different path to understanding the dog's mind. If we say the values out loud, the weaker ones will stand out. Focus on those values first. Choose exercises to increase them in a way that puts them in balance.

 

The hierarchy is:

​​

Happiness

Happiness is the result of balanced values.

​

Love, Peace, Respect,

Understanding, Trust, Freedom.

Values, the components of happiness, are used to filter exercises.

 

Science, psychology, ethology, education, experience, innovation, creativity, cognitive learning, operant conditioning, classical conditioning, social learning, neuroscience, relaxation, breed standards, kindness, our style etc, etc.

Information to pull exercises from.​

​

Dog trainers intend to help.

We’re here to make life better in some way.

If someone isn’t aligned with that, it might be time for them to move on. Dogs aren’t widgets—they’re thinking, feeling, sentient beings. Not all dogs thrive in all situations.

 

The rest of us can learn to be coaches to help some individuals find what they need without dealing directly with dogs. Mentoring in the dog world using our values is an appropriate method of self-regulation, hopefully without the need for legislation.

​

What about methods?

It’s important to remember that not all reward training makes dogs dependent, and not all corrections cause harm.

​

From my conversations with trainers, it's clear that we all have blind spots. We don't typically create the opportunity to see with our own eyes the positive changes in dogs trained with methods different from our own.

 

Understanding increases knowledge.

Curiosity is an effective tool when faced with opposition. It motivates us to choose to understand. As far as I know, we don't have access to a peaceful forum to increase understanding with those who train differently than we do. This is my hope for Values Based Dog Training.

​

We're all talented professionals and have great success. Still, it takes effort to look outside our bubble. Should we choose to do so, I'm confident we'll grow in a worthwhile way. Solid positive behaviors, such an emergency come-when-called, can be trained in several ways. All work and there may be differences in associated variables.

​

Change is a choice for dogs, and change should also be a choice for us. When we actively seek options, we naturally choose the most effective, pleasant, and respectful exercises that appear before us. There’s always a kinder way to achieve results.

 

It's a common challenge in our society to notice what's wrong before what's right. But that’s okay—we’re all doing our best, and there’s always more to learn.

​​

Can dog trainers lead the pack?

Absolutely.

We’re already doing this by sharing information, listening to each other, and staying curious about new ideas.

​

But let’s go deeper.

As trainers, we aren’t just teaching sit, stay, or fetch. We’re sculpting the connection between two species that have walked side by side for thousands of years. Each session, each moment, is a chance to honor a bond built on trust, love, mutual respect, and companionship.

​

Every time we work with a dog, we influence not only that animal’s life but also the lives of its human companions. We can create harmony, bring peace to homes, and soothe emotional wounds.

​

Think of times when a dog’s trust in humanity was restored or when a once-frightened animal found the courage to open its heart again because of your patience and kindness.

 

These aren’t just training successes—they’re victories in life. There are moments when we, as trainers, become a bridge between fear and love, chaos and peace.

​

We have a unique opportunity to increase values:

• We have access to dogs everywhere.

• Dogs are great subjects to work with and learn from.

• There’s always a human connected to the dogs we work with.

• We know that dog behavior and human behavior have a lot in common.

• We’re passionate, ethical, and guided by our values.

 

As trainers, we have a unique opportunity to practice our values and demonstrate conflict resolution techniques. Consider how many people are connected through dogs—the audience is enormous.

​

This can be a private thought experiment.

There’s no need to announce what we’re doing. Just think of an exercise you use and ask yourself which value it supports.

 

If it strengthens a value that promotes happiness and well-being, keep it. If it doesn't, toss it out and seek a new one.

​​​

What if it becomes a habit?

What if we can increase happiness simply by encouraging clients to practice values with their dogs?

​​

What if the side effect carries over to human-to-human interactions?

​

What if it's that easy?

​