The First Step in Dog Training: The One Thing Most People Miss

There is one thing we check with every single dog we start working with—no matter the age, breed, or issues they’re having. Without doing this, we won’t be able to make any real progress in your dog’s training…

Health!

How is your dog feeling?

Think about it: how much can you learn or grow if you’re feeling like garbage? A dog can’t tell you if they aren’t feeling well, and often you won’t notice something is wrong until the symptoms are obvious. Dogs are predators and, by nature, they hide their ailments for as long as possible.

This can be simple to figure out, or it might involve sorting through several layers. There are a lot of factors to consider. Is your dog on medications that is making them foggy or unfocused? Are they in chronic pain? Imagine trying to learn something new with a throbbing toothache. Are they eating the right food and the right amount? We know we feel a lot better after a good meal than we do after McDonald’s. Are they getting enough exercise—or maybe too much for their age?

Keeping your dog in good health, of course, includes regular vet care, a quality diet, proper grooming, and hygiene. But sometimes a good dog trainer might suggest something that seems a little out of the ordinary—like an allergy test or a change in food. Skipping a check on your dog’s health and assuming they’re fine can drastically affect any training protocol you try. It should always be the first assessment.

Here are a few things to watch for:

Is your dog drinking more or less than usual? Eating or sleeping more or less? Are they scratching more than normal? Have you noticed any changes in urine color or stool consistency? Are they more lethargic, showing a slight limp, or moving less fluidly when walking or running? What about sudden, unexplained behavior changes? These are just a few signs that could point to underlying health issues.

Here is an example.

We had an emergency foster land at the Kinfolk HQ a while back. His previous foster was struggling with him because he was lunging, growling, and trying to bite. Fair struggle! He arrived here with that same energy! We put him to bed, and the next morning he came out of his crate with a big stretch, tail wagging, happy as can be! Quite the contrast from the previous day… we saw that he had thrown up three socks and half of a stuffed animal. Thank goodness he was able to get that out. No wonder he was so cranky! Now, this is a pretty extreme example. But it’s a good illustration of how an upset tummy made people think that this little guy was an aggressive dog.

Before you dive into fixing any unwanted behavior, make sure your dog is feeling their best. Health should always be the first checkpoint—it’s amazing how often physical discomfort is at the root of what looks like a “training issue.” A dog who’s uncomfortable can’t focus, can’t learn, and won’t be at their best. So, do a quick health audit before anything else. You can’t expect calm behavior from a dog who feels like a mess. Even the best training plan can’t compete with a tummy ache or a headache!