Why doesn’t my dog change after going to kindergarten for 2 years?

Is it the same even if you go to kindergarten?

Hello. I am a human bear trainer.

There is something I often hear during counseling.

“I’ve been to kindergarten for a long time, so why is it still the same?”
“I’ve met a lot of friends, and I think I’m more excited.”

Or, when you bring your dog to me, you say, “My dog went to kindergarten.” But I’m so excited that I can’t even say hello to the kids.

The bottom line of this question is this. It’s not the dog that’s the problem, it’s more likely that the direction is wrong. In fact, many kindergartens are run in the wrong direction, playing with puppies and taking pictures without professionalism. It is not a matter of qualifications for trainers; there are many people who work with children without studying or field experience.

Why things don’t change even after going to kindergarten

1. When you only “consume energy” but don’t learn “control”

Many kindergartens have this structure.

Run and play
Hangs out with other dogs
I returned home exhausted

It looks good on the outside.

But there is one thing missing here.

Failure to learn “how to let go of excitement”

So this happens.

Okay for kindergarten
Still in chaos at home
Explosions during walks, guests, and stimulation situations

In other words, it is a car without brakes.

2. In fact, when excitement is strengthened

I see this a lot.

Most kindergarten environments are very stimulating.

Multiple puppies
Continued play
High tension

If this is repeated, the dog learns like this.

“When you get excited, fun things happen”

So the result changes like this.

Runs when he sees another dog
Take it for a walk
Easy to climb at home

It’s not that the excitement has decreased, but the dog has become a better dog.

3. If the structure at home is the same

This is the most important.

Where do you spend a lot more time than kindergarten?

It’s home.

If this pattern is like this at home, it will never change.

Even if I get excited, I immediately go for a walk
Reacts when you bark
Continues to increase tension while playing
No rest practice

This is how puppies learn.

“It’s okay to be excited at home”

So, 365 days at home are stronger than 2 years of kindergarten.

4. If “calmness” has never been taught separately

Many guardians think this way.

“If you play a lot, you will calm down on your own”

Absolutely not.

Calmness is a skill that must be taught.

For example, you need something like this.

Rest on the mat
Wait
Pause before stimulus
Excited → Come down

What if I don’t learn this?

You will become a puppy that only climbs all your life.

5. In fact, it may not be excitement but “anxiety”

It looks like this to the guardian’s eyes.

“My child was so excited!”

But in reality, this is often the case.

Happy + Nervous
Expectation + frustration
Excitement + Anxiety

In this state

Go up faster
React louder
It comes down later

That makes it look more like a problem.

Then what should I do to change it?

1. Calmness must be taught separately

This is the first thing you need to do.

Teaching “how to rest”

Mat, wait, and pause are not optional, but mandatory.

2. Don’t let yourself get anything while excited

This is really important.

If you get excited → nothing happens
When calm → start walking, playing, interested

This rule requires the dog to change.

3. You need to change your routine at home first

Walking, playing, handling guests, everything

The structure should be changed to “calm → start”.

What the human bear really wants to say

Just because a puppy has been to kindergarten for a long time does not automatically mean that it will get better. Additionally, kindergartens with strong grouping or hierarchy also have side effects. These places seem to be controlled on the outside, but the dogs can only learn to notice, suppress, and jump on the bandwagon.

Puppies are animals that do not get better by playing a lot, but by learning proper control and excitementcontrol. It is not too late. Not “Why is he so excited?” but “Has this child ever learned how to get down?” Try changing this just once. From that moment on, your puppy becomes completely different.

Saramgom & Dogs

I went to kindergarten for 2 years, why doesn’t my dog change?