I don't remember being taught how to prioritise. I assume a lot of the time, we just absorb how to do it, assuming we are around people who do it well. If we aren't, we either make a conscious effort to learn it later, or we just continue to struggle away, not doing it well.
Ultimately we still either deliberately or accidentally prioritise.
This article discusses some ideas about life domains. In some domains of our lives, we might do a great job of prioritising. In others, not so much.
This is why some people who are incredibly brilliant in their work places or with other people, can be incredibly average at dog ownership. They just haven't prioritised that learning.
For example: If you think you want a 'smart' dog, (one that will learn quickly), you will need to prioritise your own learning about how to teach that dog. Otherwise they will very quickly learn things you don't want them to learn because your teaching is limited or unclear. They'll bore easily and find their own entertainment. A dog who learns slowly might be a better fit.
Emotionally sensitive dogs will be more affected by stern words and rough handling. There are plenty of ads where people have realised the dog is 'too soft for me'. It's not just about the dog though is it? The ad could equally be worded 'I'm too hard for the dog'.
What we do affects what the dog does and how they feel. When we're too 'hard' for that dog, they can become nervous and distrustful around us. They become reluctant to do anything which might risk 'hard' consequences.
Sometimes they become unwilling to do anything at all. This is 'shut down' or 'learned helplessness'. It shows up when the dog feels completely helpless because nothing they do seems to work. (It happens with other animals too, including humans.)
Emotions affect behaviour and behaviour affects emotions.
I urge you to always factor your dog's emotional state into your training.
Prioritise getting the emotional state you want as well as the behaviour you want.
If you don't know how, prioritise learning that. I can help. Please get in touch.
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