In young horses we call time off “letting them soak”. Training young dogs we can also use this method and this terminology. But why?

I think when we give too much too fast the young brain gets full. Often times the result is being naughty. We’ve been working hard and being good, then one day everything just goes to shit. You have a rough session or two and you both are at the breaking point. With some youngsters it seems they offload excess information with bad behavior. It’s almost like they’ve gotten so much information that all they can drum up is chapter 1.. which if you’re in chapter 3, it usually reverts back to a mess. When young dogs get confused or overmatched, they typically revert to the beginning. That beginning may be breaking a stay and busting thru because the sheep ran off, worrying them. It may be simple disrespect from the dog to the handler causing the youngster to blow the commands off. It may simply be too much information too soon. When I see things really go south I analyze why is the dog just being an ass? Is this to hard? Are the sheep making the dog feel over matched? In scenario 1.. dog being an ass, I’ll turn up the heat and correct the behavior.

In scenario 2 ..is the work to hard.. I’ll try my best to turn things around and for a bit I will let the dog do what it’s good at.. giving the mind a break.

In scenario 3.. dog overmatched by the sheep.. I’ll typically call it a day and next time use more suitable sheep for the dog I’m training.

In any and all instances after a hard day of bad work, or mediocre work I let them soak. Think about the bad, think about the good. I don’t leave them off long, but I will do 24 hours. After 24 hours in the think tank, (their normal house) they usually come back with a free mind, a lesson learned and a new attitude!

Don’t keep grinding the axe, know when to say when! Sometimes we need soak time as much as they do!