Positive thinking can truly transform your dog training experience. When you approach training with an optimistic mindset and a supportive attitude, you create a space where learning becomes fun and rewarding for both you and your dog. At OneMind Dogs, we believe in seeing the world from your dog’s perspective, and this principle extends to staying positive throughout your training journey. OneMind Dogs Instructor Le-Ann Elgie shares how you can make positivity the cornerstone of your sessions and bring out the best in your partnership.
Words, self-talk, and inner thoughts
Your words, self-talk, and inner thoughts matter. Keep them positive, proactive, and goal-oriented. Your thoughts should inspire positive visualizations, affirmations, and associations. Take time daily to reflect on the great things about your dog, your training, and yourself as a handler. Repeating these positive scripts regularly helps build a foundation of motivation and enthusiasm. For example:
- *”I am good at…”
- “We are great at…”
- “We can do…”
- “It is exciting when…”
- “Our strengths are…”
- “Our greatest moments are…”*
By focusing on these affirmations and small wins—no matter how big or small—you’ll naturally build confidence and energy to keep going. Think of it as cheering yourself on just as much as you cheer for your dog! Learn more strategies in our Mental Training online course.
Be present in the training moment
When you step into a training session, leave behind any negative thoughts or outside stress. Be fully in the moment with your dog and focus on the good you see in each moment. There is always something to praise, so make it your mission to find and celebrate those small successes.
Tips for staying positive during training
- Recognize and Praise Success: Recognize each success in training and mentally rehearse all of the successes after your training session. This can be part of your positive daily affirmations!Adjust for Challenges: If something feels hard, don’t get stuck—adjust your sails. Break the skill into smaller steps to help your dog succeed.
- Play Often: Reinforce your dog frequently! Play with your dog often in training as this isrelaxing and fun for both of you and creates a positive training experience.
- Keep Sessions Short and Focused: Short, positive sessions leave you and your dog wanting more!
Reinforcement matters
Think about how you’re using reinforcement during training:
- Are rewards timely and directly linked to the behavior you’re training?
- Are you pairing verbal praise and positive body language with rewards?
- What types of reinforcement does your dog love most? Treats, play, toys?
Frequently analyzing and improving your reinforcement techniques creates more success and joy for your dog in every training session.
Set realistic and positive goals
Goal-setting keeps your training positive and productive. When creating goals, use affirmative statements like “I can” and “I will” to inspire action and success. Visualize what you want to happen in training, and you’ll be amazed how it starts to come together.
Steps for effective goal setting:
- Focus on Strengths: Recognize what you and your dog are already good at and build on it.
- Break Goals Into Steps: Create small, sequential steps that lead to your big goals.
- Celebrate Progress: Reinforce and celebrate each success, no matter how small.
- Reflect and Journal: After each session, write down your successes, accomplishments, and happy moments. Identify challenges, then look at them proactively. For example: “What can I adjust to help us succeed next time?”
Positive body language
Dogs are experts at reading our emotions and body language, so make sure yours is sending a message of positivity! Relax, smile, and keep your movements calm and confident. Here’s how:
- Smile and Breathe: Smiling relieves tension and spreads positivity. Taking deep breaths can help you relax and shift your mindset.
- Stay Loose and Relaxed: Keep your shoulders soft, hands relaxed, and posture confident.
- Be Aware of Emotions: Your dog feels your energy. Stay positive, and they’ll reflect it back to you.
Self-care for a positive attitude
To bring your best self to training, take care of you. Prioritize rest, healthy food, exercise, and time to relax. Feeling good in your own body and mind makes it much easier to stay positive and present for your dog.
Build a positive bond outside of training
The magic doesn’t just happen in training. Spend quality time with your dog outside of sessions—walk together, explore new places, hike, play, or just relax. These shared moments build trust and create a joyful partnership that carries over into your training.
Final thoughts
Positive thinking doesn’t just improve your training—it strengthens the bond between you and your dog. At OneMind Dogs, we believe that seeing the world from your dog’s perspective helps you build that bond while creating a fun and rewarding training environment. By staying present, celebrating successes, and approaching challenges proactively, you’ll set both yourself and your dog up for success.
Want to take your mindset to the next level? Check out our Mental Training Course to learn tools and strategies that keep your training sessions positive, focused, and productive.
Start today: focus on the wins, smile through challenges, and enjoy every step of your training journey with your best friend!
