A few months ago I read the book, “Love Is All You Need: The Revolutionary Bond-Based Approach to Educating Your Dog”. The author is a service dog trainer with decades of experience.
I liked her philosophy and approach to training. Several things she wrote have stuck with me:
- Share your food with your dog. (Read the book for the story of how her child broke through with a seemingly “untrainable dog”).
- Put two hands on your dog.
With the first, she recommends sharing your food with your dog casually when you are eating. She talks about how this strengthens your connection. It’s a stark contrast to conventional trainers who preach “no table scraps”, “no reward for begging” etc.
I’ve been doing this with my dogs for decades. It’s never been a problem. I like sharing with my dogs and they do too.
The second one is about paying attention. When petting your dog, she says give your dog your undivided attention. Put away the phone, stop watching TV and put both hands on your dog to give your full attention to rubbing, scratching, massaging and bonding.
I’ve done this to some extent before reading her book because I recognize that “these are the good old days right now” and am always cognizant that death is coming. Even so, the phrase “Put Two Hands On Your Dog” has been etched into my brain. Whenever I snuggle up with my dogs on the sofa or in bed, I’ll hear these words echo in my head. I’ll put my book, iPad or phone to the side and will give my undivided attention and both hands to loving on my dog.
They absolutely love it.
You know what? So do I.