The most important part of dog training

In three days, one of our younger males, Blitzen, will go to his new forever home with a big family with young children in Minnesota.

I am SO happy for him to finally be able to enjoy the good life with a devoted family.

Today, Jay and I worked with him to prepare for his big transition on Saturday.

Being a kennel dog for much of his young life means spending quality time with humans is limited, so the fundamental aspect of dog training can slip by as the busy days come and go.

A dog that mostly grows up with other dogs can easily develop the mistaken idea that…

humans cannot communicate well with dogs.

These furry, four-legged ones can begin to believe that humans are, in fact, dumb and unable to understand the canine culture and language.

Kennel dogs can fall into a “confirmation bias” trap, looking for anything that proves the theory that “humans are ignorant” is correct.

The way to counter this false notion is what lies behind the most important part of dog training.

Blitzen is just now beginning to come to terms with this as he starts his new life, leaving his predominantly canine home behind and entering into a human one.

Blitzen has been on a leash, on walks through the forest, and in a car many times before, but he has never truly been able to learn that humans provide happiness.

That humans can give him something more than a dog can.

And this “something more” is the most important part of dog training.

For without it, a dog will not be able to truly bond with humans.

Many dogs around the world live their entire lives without grasping this fundamental idea.

It breaks my heart when I see that a dog has turned off his mind and no longer communicates with his people.

Especially an extremely intelligent dog, like our DireWolf Dogs.

Dogs that do this have come to terms with their lot in life.

To these dogs, humans are feeding, walking, hugging machines, but nothing more.

This has been Blitzen’s understanding up until today.

Because of the number of dogs we take care of, sometimes a young dog in our kennels hasn’t learned the most important part of dog training yet.

And before he travels to his new home, it is something he will come to finally understand.

I will make sure of it.

Because I will set up scenarios (or problems to solve) that Blitzen must accomplish, kind of life trust exercises for dogs, where he will open up his eyes to what humankind can be in his life if he lets them in.

And then, it will be up to his new family to continue to build upon this initial work so that Blitzen doesn’t fall back into a place where he is no longer willing to believe humans CAN listen to him and his desires.

The most important part of dog training is…

RELATIONSHIP.

Not just “I love you, and you love me”, but a true relationship built on bonded trust.

And that type of relationship must be earned.

It can only be earned through experiences where both human and dog work together to understand and respect one another.

One of the only books on dog training to articulate this type of relationship is a book by world renowned dog trainer, Suzanne Clothier, entitled “Bones Would Rain From the Sky”.

If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it.

The many stories in the book illustrate perfectly how to reach a dog’s mind that has turned it off because it doesn’t believe humans can hear.

Blitzen has begun this journey.

I know he will find love and happiness in his new home.

It is my hope that all of our American Dirus dogs eventually find their forever homes with families who see them, listen to them, and develop a bonded trusting relationship like no other.

If you believe your family has the ability to provide a welcoming home for one of our older dogs, we have a few waiting patiently.

Click the link to learn more about them:

https://direwolfdogs.com/dogs-for-sale/adults/

A few puppies remain from the Monster Movie litter. Rodan, Mothra, and Balrog have high temperament scores; a sign they will be excellent communicators seeking a loving home that understands their generous, giving souls.

https://direwolfdogs.com/dogs-for-sale/puppies/

Email me and we’ll discuss your options.

The DireWolf Express is leaving around August 9th. After that, you’ll have to wait on puppy transportation until the fall.

Enjoy this beautiful summer day.

Jennifer Stoeckl is the co-founder of the Dire Wolf Project, founder of the DireWolf Guardians American Dirus Dog Training Program, and owner/operator of DireWolf Dogs of Vallecito. She lives in the beautiful inland northwest among the Ponderosa pine forests with her pack of American Dirus dogs.