The Power of Commitment: How My 5-Lesson Probationary Program Sets You Up for Successs

October 14, 2024

In dog training, the dog trainer should never be more invested in the success of the dog than the dog owner for meaningful progress to occur. This is where the idea of “skin in the game” comes into play. But it goes deeper than just showing up for lessons. As a dog owner coach, my role is to work with the humans and canines in front of me—exactly how they manifest—to establish effective communication and to later help both ends of the leash. This blog will explain how my 5-lesson probationary program ensures that both you, your dog, and I are fully committed to achieving real results. By understanding this approach, you’ll see why it’s essential for all of us to have “skin in the game.”

 

What is the 5-lesson probationary program anyway?

At Perth Canine Craft, we believe that a strong client-coach relationship is key to successful dog training. That’s why we’ve introduced a 5-Lesson Probationary Program—5x weekly/fortnightly lessons designed to give both you and us the opportunity to assess if we’re a good fit before committing to a long-term plan to help you with your dog.

 

Starting with the relationship between the trainer/coach and the client/studant

In dog training, “skin in the game” means that both the trainer and the owner are equally responsible for the process. My 5-lesson probationary program gives us the time to build rapport, develop communication, and see real progress. This mutual investment sets the foundation for success because it ensures that we are both accountable. It’s not just about attending a few lessons—it’s about committing to the journey together and working towards a shared goal of building a stronger, more communicative relationship between you and your dog.

By putting in the effort, practising regularly, and engaging fully in the process, you, your dog, and I will achieve real, lasting results.

The Trainer’s Commitment: What I Bring to the Table

“Skin in the game” isn’t just a catchy phrase—it represents a real commitment from both the trainer and the client. For me as your trainer, it means investing my time, knowledge, and energy into the process and journey together with you and your dog. Every dog and every owner is different, and this requires me to adapt my approach to meet your unique needs. My reputation and the quality of my service are on the line, so I make sure that the program I deliver is tailored, thoughtful, and practical.

The 5-lesson probationary program gives me the opportunity to see you and your dog in various states of mind, across different days, and in different situations. This time is crucial because it allows me to observe how your dog behaves under different circumstances and how you, as the owner, interact with them. With this deeper understanding, I can provide coaching that resonates with both ends of the leash.

 

The Owner’s Role: Active Participation is Key

As the dog owner, your “skin in the game” means more than simply attending lessons. You’re responsible for practising what we cover between sessions, dedicating time and energy to reinforce the training outside of our lessons. Your financial investment reflects your commitment to making a meaningful change, but that investment goes beyond money—it’s about the time and effort you put in when we’re not working together.

Training doesn’t end when the session is over. It’s a continuous process that requires your involvement to make it stick. By practising between lessons and being consistent in your efforts, you’re ensuring that both you and your dog progress. This commitment shows that you are as invested. And feedback is also part of the formula – I can’t help if I don’t know something is not working because you didn’t do homework or it is just not working.

 

Start with how to help the client/student and their dog

When working with dogs, there are essential foundations we need to establish before we can see significant progress—just like learning your ABCs and 1,2,3s before tackling more advanced topics in education. These basics provide the groundwork for effective communication and trust with your dog.

At Perth Canine Craft, we focus on key “windows of opportunity” to develop these skills:

  • Engage on cue: Teaching your dog to focus when asked.
  • Relax on cue: Helping your dog calm down when needed.
  • Go be a dog on cue: Allowing them to explore and be a dog (within reason).

In addition to these, we use:

  • “Leave it”: Essential for impulse control.
  • Markers: Used to provide clear feedback during learning.
  • Food chase/luring games: To keep training fun and motivating (Creating resilience in our dogs).
  • Shaping games: Encouraging your dog to think and problem-solve.
  • Play and leash management: Helping your dog navigate the world with confidence.
  • Short- and long-term confinement areas: Teaching independence and balance at home.
  • Teach dogs they have power of choice: They are free to make any choice they want, but they are not free of the consequences.

These foundational skills create a strong framework for easier living with your dog while you both get to know each other better. Starting with these makes everything else fall into place smoothly.

 

The Dog’s Role: Why Every Dog Has ‘Skin in the Game’

Your dog is not just a passive participant in the training process—they also have “skin in the game.” Dogs learn and adapt based on the cues they receive from you and the environment (you are part of their environment), so their engagement in the process is crucial. The 5-lesson probationary program is designed to give your dog the chance to learn in different situations, helping them adapt to new behaviours and understand expectations more clearly.

Through consistent practice and reinforcement, your dog will start to form stronger communication with you. Their progress is directly tied to the commitment you and I both put into the process.

 

Progress Starts with Commitment

In dog training, “skin in the game” means that both the trainer and the owner are equally responsible for the process. My 5-lesson probationary program gives us the time to build rapport, develop communication, and see real progress. This mutual investment sets the foundation for success because it ensures that we are both accountable. It’s not just about attending a few lessons—it’s about committing to the journey together and working towards a shared goal of building a stronger, more communicative relationship between you and your dog.

By putting in the effort, practising regularly, and engaging fully in the process, you, your dog, and I will achieve real, lasting results.

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