Yet

Written By Jennifer Masters, MA, MS, RVT, KPA CTP
Luna a black with white Great Dane enjoying a loose leash walk along with Dove a chocolate Labrador Retriever.

Luna and Dove enjoy a life of adventure filled with many walks because of their loose leash walking skills!

As a dog trainer, I often hear, “My dog can’t learn to walk nicely on a leash”.

I also hear, “I’m not as good of a dog trainer as you. I will never be able to get my dog to stay in one place, let alone walk decently on a leash”.

Even though Luna is considered a senior dog at 7.5 years of age, she lives for her walks! She is a fun walking companion!

I have been training with dogs for over 40 years, so I would not expect a layperson to be able to train dogs to the level that I do, but I often have people compare their knowledge, skills, and abilities to mine. Dog training is not a magic trick. No dog trainer is special. The difference between a professional dog trainer and an individual that wants to learn how to train with their dog is the amount of time I have put into building my knowledge, skills, and abilities, well time and lots and lots of money! When I hear people talking about their dogs and/or their lack of ability training with their dogs, I recognize those words as coming from someone with a fixed mindset.

Basically, a fixed mindset is someone that doesn’t want the challenge of learning something new. Fear seems at the root cause of a fixed mindset—mainly the fear of looking stupid. The fixed mindset is more worried about what others think of them than embracing vulnerability and eagerly learning something new.

Luna’s nickname is the ‘Big Sassy Beast’. She is very ornery and loves to steal Dove’s toys when were are out walking!

People that have a growth mindset like a challenge. They not only believe, but know through experience that they will get better and smarter through doing the work! Sorry to state the obvious, but there is no magic wand you wave to have a perfect challenge-free relationship with your dog.

When I first started studying mindset I had it in my mind that you were either or, but like most things in life mindset is on a spectrum. You are not either or and in some instances you might have a fixed mindset and other ones you have an amazing growth mindset.

I would like to point out that even giant breed dogs can learn loose leash walking skills to enjoy the walking life with their people.! Luna is 180 pounds!! I like to say, “Big and small, lets walk with them all”!

The important part with mindset is awareness. Once you learn about mindset and learn to recognize if you are stuck in a fixed mindset you can learn to shift your mindset through reframing your thoughts and actions. If you are constantly saying can’t in your relationship with your dog, whether it is about what your dog can’t do or what you can’t do, then you can learn to recognize that you are in a fixed mindset which is the first step. You can be completely honest with yourself and instead of writing down, “My dog can’t learn to walk nicely on a leash.” you can replace the can’t with won’t. The new sentence would then say, “My dog won’t learn to walk nicely on a leash”. Won’t implies a lack of willingness to do something. I would then ask why is that and you can then honestly reply because I am not willing to put in the work for us to develop a life-long loose leash walking skill.

If that is your complete truth, then at least you are being honest with yourself.

My sweet Luna used to be petrified of water, but the more we went on training walks the more her confidence grew until she was capable of wading in the lake! She still won’t swim, but she does like to remind me she is not a lab! ;)

I don’t really believe that most people don’t have the willingness to do the work, though. I believe most people are stuck and for some reason they think they need to know dog training to the level of a professional and since they don’t then there is no hope. Please give yourself a break and be open to learning for the sake of your relationship with your dog. I am not a guru by any means, so please don’t put me on a pedestal, but I can help you and your dog grow your relationship. All I need from you is the willingness to learn from me and then to do the work with your dog so you both can grow together!

Willingness can help you shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. It is in the growth mindset that the true magic happens and it happens because you are willing to accept the challenges and to do the work. It means you truly are committed to training with your dog for the long game!

Luna after getting a refreshing drink during our hot and humid walk!

So instead of saying, “My dog can’t learn to walk nicely on a leash”. And reject the notion that you won’t do the work. Just add one word and it can take you from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. That word is yet! So from now on say, “My dog can’t learn to walk nicely on a leash, yet”. Isn’t it amazing how one small word can shift a whole mindset. It has the potential to change the whole relationship with your dog because it shows you are accepting the challenge wholeheartedly and have truly committed to your dog.

Now that is clever indeed!

Clever training always,

Jennifer

Dove and Luna enjoying the coolish breeze coming off the lake!



**If this article has sparked your curiosity about mindsets I would highly recommend reading Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.’s book titled, Mindset: The new psychology of success. She is the godmother of the psychology of mindset. It was being introduced to her work that started my mindshift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset-granted it is something I continue to work on. Moving away from the world of can’t to yet has been amazing! I hope you join me on this journey because not only will it revolutionize your life with your dog, it has the potential to change your whole world!

Dove would like you to see how training together not only allows her to enjoy fun walks, but also a great time retrieving her dummy!








Jennifer Masters, MA, MS, RVT, KPA CTP

I LOVE DOGS!!!

Dogs leave me in awe constantly. The dog-human connection fascinates me. Training with dogs lights me up inside! There is no better connection in life than that between a dog and their person in sync. Teaching others to train with their dogs is an honor. Watching the person open up to seeing the potential in their dog is the purpose.

I have committed my life to dogs. I study dogs through self-directed learning and through formal educational programs.

I have attended three schools for dog trainers and completed numerous continuing education opportunities about dog training and behavior over the years.

I have been a credentialed veterinary technician for over 23 years.

I completed a BS in Business Administration with the sole focus of opening a dog training business.

I completed a MA in Applied Psychology to be able to better help the human side of the leash!

I recently completed an MS in Adult Learning and Leadership to learn how to create dog training programs and curriculum that benefit not only the dog, but their humans, also!

My commitment to dogs and their people is that I will continue to increase my knowledgebase so I can provide them with access to the best dog training and behavior education possible. I will also share my own perspective on dogs and the lives we share with them.

Above all else, my best teachers have been dogs, mine and others. I have learned so much while training with dogs. How to focus and give my full attention to another as the dog gives theirs back, that is the essence of the dog-human connection. When two beings are training together and communication is flowing subtly, there is true magic in those moments. Also, in the day to day of our life together when time seems to stand still I become open to the lessons they have to teach. Lessons of how to listen to others and how to just be together. Our relationships with our dogs is about togetherness, whether training with our dogs or about simply being with our dogs. Our time together might be fleeting, but it is oh so precious. Dogs taught me these things and so much more. I am filled with so much gratitude for dogs and the lessons they so willing offer to teach me.

I hope you join me on learning about and with dogs!

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