Why Obedience Isn’t the Purpose of Dog Training — Relationship Is

Dog training has long been defined by words like “obedience”, “commands”, and “control”. But as our understanding of animal psychology evolves, so too does our philosophy of training. At its best, training is not about making a dog obey — it is about creating a shared language of trust, clarity, and emotional connection.

Modern dog owners are increasingly recognising that the purpose of training is not simply to produce a compliant dog. It is to build a deep, reciprocal relationship that makes both dog and human feel secure and understood. Secure dog fields like Poundon Pastures offer the perfect space to focus on this kind of relationship-based learning, free from distractions and pressure.

1. 🐾 Training as a Form of Communication, Not Control

When we teach a dog to “sit” or “wait”, we are not issuing a command. We are communicating a request and offering the dog the chance to respond in a way that strengthens the connection. Unlike traditional dominance-based models, relationship-focused training is built on:

• Predictability

• Choice

• Consistency

• Empathy

  
  

Research in canine cognition (Bensky et al., 2013) shows that dogs are highly attuned to human cues, emotions, and intentions. They thrive not when they are controlled, but when they are engaged in meaningful interaction.

2. ❤️ The Bond Is the Foundation of Reliability

Dogs who feel safe and understood by their handlers are far more likely to respond with reliability and enthusiasm. This is not because they fear correction, but because they trust the interaction. Building this trust takes time, especially with rescue dogs, reactive individuals, or those with trauma histories.

One-hour sessions in a secure field allow both dog and human to practise communication in a peaceful, enclosed environment without the unpredictability of public spaces.

According to Blackwell et al. (2008), positive, relationship-centred training leads to more stable behavioural outcomes than aversive or purely reward-based systems alone.

3. 🧠 Emotional Safety Enables Learning

Dogs are emotional learners. If training is associated with fear, confusion, or pressure, the dog may learn the task but lose emotional connection. This can result in:

• Shutdown behaviour (learned helplessness)

• Avoidance

• Conflict-driven responses

• Superficial compliance without understanding

  
  

Secure, calm settings support emotional regulation, and make it easier for dogs to learn in a relaxed mental state. This kind of learning is not only more ethical but more durable.

4. 🐕‍🦺 Behaviour Is Feedback, Not Rebellion

When a dog pulls on the lead, barks at a trigger, or ignores recall, it is not “being bad” — it is communicating a need, discomfort, or distraction. Obedience-focused frameworks often pathologise these behaviours. Relationship-centred training asks:

• What is my dog telling me?

• Is my cue clear and consistent?

• Is the environment too overwhelming?

• Does my dog feel safe enough to respond?

  
  

Secure dog parks like Poundon Pastures allow us to ask these questions and adapt in real-time, without judgement or risk.

5. 👥 The Relationship Is the Goal

Ultimately, training is not a checklist of behaviours to master. It is a living process of developing mutual understanding. A dog who feels connected to their human:

• Checks in more naturally

• Recovers from stress more quickly

• Shows greater flexibility in new environments

• Feels safe enough to learn and grow

  
  

This is not just about obedience — it is about partnership. And partnerships thrive when both parties feel heard.

How Secure Fields Support Relationship-Based Training

A public dog park or busy pavement does not always offer the best space to build trust and communication. For many dogs, these environments are overstimulating, unpredictable, or even frightening.

At Poundon Pastures, we offer a quiet, enclosed, natural field where you and your dog can focus entirely on your connection. With hourly private bookings, there are no other dogs, cyclists, or passers-by to distract or overwhelm the session.

This peaceful setting allows you to:

• Practise recall, attention, and check-ins without pressure

• Deepen your bond through cooperative play or enrichment

• Observe your dog’s natural behaviours in a safe space

• Try new training techniques under relaxed conditions

  
  

Your dog is not a robot — and training is not about perfection. It is about partnership. Come and visit us soon to experience this for yourself - Book here

References

1. Bensky, M. K., Gosling, S. D., & Sinn, D. L. (2013). The world from a dog’s point of view: A review and synthesis of dog cognition research. Advances in the Study of Behavior, 45, 209–406.

2. Blackwell, E. J., Twells, C., Seawright, A., & Casey, R. A. (2008). The relationship between training methods and the occurrence of behaviour problems in a population of domestic dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 3(5), 207–217.

3. Horwitz, D. F., & Mills, D. S. (2009). BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine. British Small Animal Veterinary Association.