It’s not personal
It’s not personal: A Holistic Approach to struggling gundogs
Introduction:
Loose leash walking problems, gundog won’t recall, not listening to you? You’re not alone if you’ve ever felt like your gundog is pulling you into frustration (or onto the pavement!). But here’s an important truth: your gundog isn’t doing this to you. They’re doing it because they’re not coping, haven’t learned all the appropriate training steps yet, or are feeling overwhelmed or similar.
In this blog, we’ll explore why challenges arise, why it’s so easy to take them personally, and how to shift your mindset to create lasting change. Plus, I’ll share actionable tips to help you transform those walks into calm, connected experiences.
Why It’s Not About You
When your gundog is doing something wrong, it’s natural to think they’re ignoring you or misbehaving on purpose. But gundogs don’t act out of spite, they act based on their emotions, instincts, and training (or lack thereof).
Ask yourself:
- Is my gundog overwhelmed by something in the environment (a loud lorry, a bird flying past)?
- Do they know what I expect of them at this moment?
- Are they physically and mentally ready to be or to stay focused?
Often, behaviours are a sign that your gundog is struggling with one of these factors.
The Emotional Trap
As owners, we tend to take things personally. When your gundog pulls, you might think:
- “Why don’t they listen to me?”
- “Am I a bad owner?”
- “Are they doing this just to wind me up?”
These thoughts spiral into frustration, which only makes the situation worse. Your energy shifts, your handling becomes tenser, and your gundog picks up on that stress, creating a feedback loop.
Mindset Shift: From Frustration to Curiosity
The first step to breaking the cycle is recognising it’s not about you. It’s about your gundog and what they need in that moment. Instead of frustration, try curiosity:
- “What’s causing this behaviour?”
- “How can I help my gundog feel calmer or more focused?”
- “How can I make this easier for them?”
This shift in mindset not only helps you approach the situation with empathy but also empowers you to make changes that benefit both you and your gundog.
Practical Tips
1️⃣ Understand Their Triggers
For instance: Does your gundog pull when a bird flies past? When a lorry rumbles by? These are triggers, and identifying them is key to helping your gundog cope. Practice in quieter environments first, gradually introducing distractions as their confidence grows.
2️⃣Use the PAWS™ Method
Pause. Wait. Start again.
When your gundog begins to show signs that it is not coping, stop immediately. Stand still, centre yourself by focusing on your breath, take this time out to use mindfulness to become really present in yourself and as you do this you will see your gundog relax when you see this you can start again, slowly. This breaks the cycle of ever increasing struggles for both you and your gundog in these moments..
3️⃣ Reframe the situation for yourself
Once you have noticed the issues at play you can start to reframe them, so move from taking things personally or judging your gundogs behaviour to compassionate understanding which then allows you to support your gundog and help them to cope and change.
4️⃣ If you are struggling then keep things short and sweet
Be kind to yourself if you are finding things hard, you can’t support your gundog when you are running on empty so skip the walk or training session if you know you won’t cope, do some other fun things with your gundog to have quality time together without the pressure. You’ll then feel refreshed enough to come back the next day for a bigger win!
5️⃣ Check your energy
Regularly check in on your own feelings, your gundog feels your emotions and reacts to them. If you’re frustrated, they sense it. Take a deep breath, relax your shoulders, and then decide on the next step for you both.
6️⃣ Be Patient
Training takes time but takes even more time if your gundog isn’t emotionally centred and balanced when it takes place. Celebrate small victories and remember that progress isn’t linear. Setbacks are part of the process, not a sign of failure.
When Emotions Take Over
One of the most valuable things you can do is reflect on how your emotions affect your training. Ask yourself:
- “Am I taking this behaviour personally?”
- “What feelings does this trigger in me and why?”
- “How can I shift my mindset to better support my gundog?”
By identifying these patterns, you’ll become a more mindful and effective trainer.
Final thoughts
By understanding your gundogs feelings, staying calm, and shifting your mindset, you’ll not only solve your training problems but also deepen your connection.
Take time today to reflect on where you might be taking things personally and how you can turn frustration into compassion. Your gundog will thank you, and so will your future self!
Content Disclaimer
The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article. Nina Fotara T/as Confident Canine disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article.
