New Stuff is HARD!

Originally posted 12/17/2022

When was the last time you learned something new?

I can remember years ago, learning how to snowboard. It took a few winter seasons and LOTS of falling (more falling down and bruises than I’d like to admit). There were moments when I sat on the mountain, tears streaming down my face (and freezing to my goggles), as I watched others so effortlessly glide down the mountain, that I wanted to give up – throw in the towel and be done with it. I was bruised all over and feeling like I was never going to “get it”.

If I had given up in the beginning, I would have never felt the speed and wind whip by my face as I cruise down Colorado’s beautiful mountain peaks. Learning to snowboard was hard! But it got easier as I developed the muscle coordination, muscle memory, balance, and skills required.

Learning to snowboard required these things:

Determination
Persistence
Motivation
Patience
Consistency
Humility
Commitment

Now, at this point, you may be wondering, Meg – what the heck does snowboarding have to do with dog training? Rest assured; I am getting there!

Learning new skills is HARD. Dog training is no different. It is a brand-new skill for most people. My job is to teach you these new skills – communication, leash mechanics, etc. and I know it is NOT easy. I challenge you to think back on the last time you learned something new – a new hobby, new language, a skill for your job – why were your successfully able to master your new skill OR why were you not able to master it?

Training your dog requires determination, persistence, motivation, patience, consistency, humility & commitment.

Determination to stick with it, even when things are hard. Heel not going as well as you thought it was? Is your dog struggling to sit-stay with distractions. Keep at it! If you persevere, both you and your dog will develop the skills! Think about your goals for dog training – especially after a particularly tough walk or not so great training session – use that as motivation. Think about the dog you could have in the future – the dog that you can take out in public, the dog that behaves when guests come over, the dog that has great leash manners.  

Patience is HUGE – be patient with both yourself AND your dog as you are BOTH learners. It takes time to learn new things.

Commit to yourself, your dog, and your dog training goals and I PROMISE you will see results and the light at the end of the tunnel.

My partner picked up snowboarding much quicker than I did. He watched some YouTube videos and spent two days when he was in high school teaching himself how to ride. 

As with everything in life, humans (and dogs!) learn at different paces. Some will pick up dog training skills relatively easily; for others it will take constant practice and WORK to make progress. I remember feeling jealous of how quickly my partner was able to learn and of how easy he made it look while he was teaching me – the same feeling I would imagine many of you feel when Jordan, Jen or I demonstrate skills with one of our own dogs or work with your dog. Just remember, we too, were once new learners and it took time, patience, consistency, determination, and perseverance to get where we are today. 

And guess what? My learning is not yet over, and neither is yours!

You’ve got this! 

Now get out there and train your dog! 

Meghan Poinsett is a lead trainer and canine behavior consultant at Front Range K9 Academy in Wheat Ridge, CO. She can be reached at:  k9counselor.com