How Dog Training Works!

How Dog Training works!! (Advice For Trainers)

ANSWER #1:  It just does... if you practice at it. 

Dog training is not only a science, it is also an artform and an exercise. In many ways it comes close to
being in the discipline of martial arts, in my opinion.  How so? Well to begin with - you start with practice, you engage with the subject (usually a dog but often a human as well) and you may learn as you interact, on an individual basis. The learning really never stops and there are sometimes ill effects from assuming the reaction of your subject during training. I could go on about that comparison but for those of you not interested in martial arts, I digress.

  To say:  "if you do this...you will get that" is dangerous.  It is possible to be right much of the time when it comes to prescribing the needed discipline or structure for a dog and their human. ~However~  Dogs happen to be living creatures with emotions and a variety of habits that are natural and some that seem that they aren't so natural. In many cases I see dogs reveal human behaviors of their human handlers that are all but natural.
  When we speak of dogs remember that there is a great difference between the "wild" and the "domestic" dog. Most often, I am referring to the domestic dog but from the perspective that they have innate natures which come from the same psyche as the wild dog. So to what extent that you do "this to get that" comes up against a myriad of possibilities; from the history of the dog to the environment at hand, from the food they eat to health conditions and on and on...
  Dog Training is a dance. You know the moves but if you stay within the confines of what you have been taught then how can you excel? You have to experiment and you have to pay attention to the reactions of your partner (your dog). Oh yeah and practice. Practice what you know works on a broad basis and follow your instincts to create a new form.  That is how you really dance! Hence the artform.
  It is widely known that all packs are different. They are as different (if not more different) than football teams or biker gangs. Individual personalities make up the whole and that means individual behaviors AND individual reactions to your behaviors. All interactions are different. Hence the science.
  Dogs needs stimulation much the same as we as humans do. Physical AND mental. As their leaders we must find the challenge and help our pack to overcome them individually. Building confidence is a game that wild dogs engage in with their pups. It should be addressed from day one. Most dogs aim to please their leader or they will act as the leader themselves. Staying ahead of the curve (or your dog) both physically and mentally AND physically is a challenge but in order to train and gain respect as their leader...that is all you have to do.

ANSWER #2:  It doesn't.