Seeing What Is Really Going On With Virtual Lessons

My virtual lessons are extremely popular. Assessing the dog and the handler is a crucial part of my practical lessons and I have been surprised how easy it is to do this via Zoom. Despite being miles away, I can still see what is really going on between them.

I’ve had virtual lessons with two Cocker Spaniels recently. The first is ten months old and totally in charge of the household. He has injured his owner by jumping up in her face. He is allowed all over the house and to chase deer on their land. His dominating relationship with the owner has resulted in the dog attacking her daughter – something I witnessed on a Zoom call.

The second Cocker is a two year old reactive and controlling male. He has made the family’s life such a misery that the wife and daughters no longer want him around. During the lesson he whined, hid under furniture, jumped on furniture then lunged and attacked the owner. I was very direct with the husband and asked him why he was tolerating this behaviour that was clearly putting his family at risk.

This dog is booked in for a further virtual lesson and I will then see them for practical input. There will be short term pain – the dog was very unhappy with the relocated crate on his first night. However, this is for long term gain – the next day he was much better behaved. They will be taking the dog on holiday with them and I have told them they will have to take the crate and enforce consistency.

Training a dominant dog is never easy. However, with my virtual lessons, my practical advice and effective methods are accessible for everyone.

Posted: August 5, 2020