There’s something worse than a dog that cheats a factor.
A dog that’s afraid to try.
I’ve seen it too many times—handlers who correct a dog for what they think is cheating, when in reality, the dog is simply negotiating an uneven space, trying to find the best way through. This misinterpretation can have long-term consequences on a dog’s confidence, turning an eager retriever into a hesitant one. Understanding the difference between these two behaviors is crucial for building a resilient and skilled working dog.
Cheating vs. Negotiating
Cheating is avoidance—a dog choosing the easy way out to dodge a challenge. This might mean running around an obstacle instead of going through it, avoiding water in favor of land, or taking a wide arc to miss thick cover.
Negotiating is problem-solving—a dog adjusting their path but still honoring the factor. This can look like angling slightly to maintain speed or adjusting position due to terrain inconsistencies, but still completing the challenge as intended.
The mistake?
Overcorrecting negotiation as if it were cheating.
What happens next? The dog learns that any deviation is “wrong,” so they hesitate, slow down, and second-guess every move. Their confidence drops. Their willingness to work decreases. And suddenly, they’re not just avoiding factors—they’re avoiding training itself. What once was a bold and determined retriever now hesitates at every step, fearing that even the smallest adjustment will lead to correction. This loss of confidence can be difficult to reverse, requiring extensive retraining to restore enthusiasm and trust in the process.
The Handler’s Role
The best retrievers aren’t robots. They are problem solvers. Your job isn’t to micromanage them—it’s to guide them. A well-trained retriever should be able to think critically, adapt to changing conditions, and make intelligent decisions without fear of retribution. As a handler, your responsibility is to create scenarios that teach the right lessons, ensuring that corrections are fair and meaningful.
Before correcting a dog for taking a different line, ask yourself:
Did the dog actually avoid the factor, or did they just adjust slightly? Look at their body language and intent—were they refusing, or were they problem-solving?
Was the adjustment reasonable for the conditions? (Terrain, wind, natural obstacles.) Sometimes a dog’s response to environmental conditions makes sense, even if it’s not the exact path you envisioned.
Did my setup unintentionally encourage the behavior? Poorly designed set-ups can unintentionally teach avoidance rather than reinforcing correct responses. Evaluate whether the issue is truly the dog’s decision-making or a flaw in the setup.
Has my dog shown a pattern of avoidance, or was this an isolated case? A consistent pattern of avoiding a challenge is different from a single instance of adaptation. Patterns require training adjustments; single moments may not.
A Real Example
I had an ongoing debate with another trainer about the fine line between cheating and negotiating. A handler corrected a dog that had slightly adjusted its route to avoid a minor cover change. I explained that forcing a dog into every factor, no matter how minor, could create a robotic, hesitant retriever rather than a thinking, problem-solving one. In contrast, when dogs understand that some adjustments are reasonable, they maintain both confidence and precision.
Training should reinforce understanding, not create uncertainty. Confidence comes from clarity—giving the dog the chance to work through challenges rather than fearing every small decision. A handler who allows some level of problem-solving will end up with a retriever that remains engaged and driven, rather than one that is tentative and unsure.
The Takeaway
A good retriever is more than just obedient. A great retriever is a thinker.
The key is knowing the difference between a smart decision and an avoidance tactic—and that starts with you. Dogs that can problem-solve without fear of constant correction will develop into confident, independent thinkers. Your role is to recognize when intervention is necessary and when allowing your dog to work through the challenge on their own will lead to greater long-term success. The best handlers build trust and clarity, ensuring their retrievers know when to follow instruction and when to use their instincts to get the job done.
Pat Burns
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