Control [maintain influence or authority over] is the handlers way of silently telling the dog to carry on with the lesson at hand, it is a stepping stone to perfecting the lesson. Control is viewed by the dog as pressure (negative motivation), there are different types and levels of control that can be suited for the specific character of your dog. An ideal Epagneul Breton is a companion dog, it naturally feels it’s under control by your presence. When additional control is introduced the dog will have a natural tendency to be uncomfortable (pressure), the path a handler takes to accomplish success with control may go up and down the level spectrum during the timeframe of perfecting the lesson.
Examples of control.
-check cord
-leash
-electronic collar
-confined area
The goal of control is to find a happy medium with the dog, initially positive socialization may be necessary prior to handler interaction. Maturity of the dog plays a role in how successful the control, it’s important when teaching an Epagneul Breton to identify the dogs mentality during the control to maintain a good attitude for learning.
Comfortability can be established with repetition and association of the control under positive conditions.