Understanding & Teaching Self Control

Unique to Suzanne Clothier's training philosophy is this concept: Self control is the foundation that must exist before learning can begin. Just as human children must learn self control before they can focus and benefit from education, dogs must also learn to inhibit their impulsive behaviors. At the heart of a majority of training difficulties is a lack of self control. When self control is taught as a specific exercise, attentiveness and enjoyment of learning follows. Yet oddly, no other trainer discusses self control as a concept that can and should be taught to every dog. Instead of literally forcing the dog to learn, Clothier believes that by teaching self control, the dog is positioned to learn and succeed - no matter what's going on around him.

This booklet looks at the physiological states which interfere with learning, and offers practical, easy to follow guidelines for teaching your dog self control. From that balanced, calm state, everything else that follows is easy, and truly humane training is possible.