A Very Well-Trained Wrecking Ball

“He’s very well-trained, but he doesn’t have any manners,” I said, laughing, to my friend as Mulligan happily galloped toward her. She was visiting our house for the first time. Fortunately, she also had a sense of humor about Mulligan’s exuberance. Mulligan bounced in place, he barked, and in a feat of agility usually displayed in dogs far younger, he managed to jump up and land a sloppy kiss on her face while she was standing. 

You might not believe me, given the story I’ve just told, but Mulligan actually *is* what people other than me would call “a very well-trained dog.” He understands at least 75 words, most of which are cues for behaviors. Some of his learned behaviors are fairly complex. For example, he has learned to open a suitcase, put five toys in it, and close the suitcase. 

It might surprise you to learn that Mulligan has experienced a number of behavior concerns throughout his life. From generalized anxiety, barking and lunging on leash at dogs and people and cars, to fear of strangers, sound sensitivity, body handling issues and more, Mulligan and I have been through it. When you’ve got a laundry list of behavior concerns, especially concerns that are serious, dangerous, or compromise your or your dog’s quality of life, it can be hard (and sometimes impossible) to enjoy life with your dog. Mulligan’s behavior concerns have been improved with force-free, positive-reinforcement based training, behavior modification (desensitization and counterconditioning), management and environmental arrangement, and medication. We’ve worked hard, but we’ve also been extraordinarily lucky. 

So, knowing about Mulligan’s behavior concerns, why have I taught him so many behaviors that are best labeled as tricks? 

There is no shortage of views and arguments about which behaviors to teach-or not teach-to your dog, and why. Sometimes, these views and their arguments are less about what to teach, and more about how or when to teach certain behaviors. One view I encounter with some regularity is that one shouldn’t teach tricks until any behavior concerns have been resolved or “fixed,” or until the dog has considerable obedience-type skills.

Here’s the real talk. We all have different priorities when it comes to training our dogs. It’s a good practice to set goals and priorities, especially when we are stretched thin on time, energy, and resources. Because our dogs are individuals, we have to consider their individual needs and interests in their training. In addition, we have to consider our own needs as individual humans who live with our dogs, and our own individual training preferences and abilities. Our priorities, needs, preferences, and abilities can change over time, too. 

It’s a good practice to prioritize modifying, changing, or managing those behaviors that compromise safety or quality of life. But, aside from that, there is no right, ultimate, or perfect order of priorities. 

I’m here today to tell you that you can teach your dog tricks whenever you want, if that’s something you and your dog will enjoy. You can teach your dog the most ridiculous, silly, useless stuff in the world. It’s okay, as long as you and your friend are having fun together. Really, it’s okay.   

I teach Mulligan tricks because it makes both of us happy. Sure, it might be nice for him to be a little less of a barking wrecking ball when visitors come over. But, I far prefer his exuberance and enthusiasm for making new friends to his former wariness and reactivity toward strangers. 

Things like tricks and scentwork take priority for us because training is a main source of enrichment, bonding, fun, and entertainment for us. And, he is eleven and a half years old and navigating a rare form of leukemia. “Fun” is a perfectly fine priority. 

XOXO, Joan and Mulligan

P.S. An excerpt of this blog post was featured in a roundup published by My Fantastic Friend, entitled “We Give You Permission.” Check it out here!