You're Bringing Soldier Energy to a General (The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything)

 You're bringing soldier energy to a general (and it's not working).

I see it all the time. And I started off doing this! It was a HUGE mistake I made when training my first Aussies, decades ago now, Saffy. I taught her traditionally, that she must follow my commands, because I wanted her to do competitive obedience. Well, she did a couple of competitions, but she gave me excellent feedback of what she thought of my commands!

Handlers who are calm, clear, and directive — the perfect energy for a Malinois who just wants orders — trying to train an Aussie who needs creativity, excitement, and co-creation.

Or handlers who are high-energy, playful, and spontaneous — perfect for an Aussie — trying to train a Malinois who desperately needs a calm, regulated leader.

And then they wonder why their dog "won't listen."

The Malinois get high as a kite stuck in over-arousal and then launches himself at anything or anyone and becomes, well, dangerous. The Aussie who refuses to get off the sofa or just doesn't recall.

Your dog isn't stubborn.

You're just showing up as the wrong version of yourself for what THEY need.

Let me tell you about my two dogs, and the massive mindset shift I had to make to bring out the best in both of them.

The Mindset Minefield: Aussies vs Malinois

The change in mindset needed for these two VERY different kinds of dogs is HUGE!

Meet Rumi, My Malinois: The Eager Soldier

Rumi is a soldier through and through. He wants to take orders! He's so easy to train in that he just wants to do-do-do, go-go-go. He is happiest when running, jumping or biting. Preferably all three at the same time. With absolutely no regard for his own life. And zero regard for any 'stop' or stationary type bevaviour.

Malinois love clarity, boundaries, clear guidance — like any good soldier. They make TERRIBLE decisions on their own, and choices are not something they're good at. They find all of life so thrilling and want to be a part of everything. They want to do everything you're doing, and in fact will have probably done it by the time you've even thought about it!

Meet Gracie, My Aussie: The Creative General

Aussies are co-collaborators, co-conspirators and generals! They love to be in charge. They attach themselves physically to you — they're known as velcro dogs for a reason. Their favourite hobby? Explosive shouting, which is the start of everything fun in their world.

Aussies love to think, they love to be creative, they love to problem-solve.

The Mindset Shift Required

Having a creative thinker of a dog means that I have to be a really intelligent, creative trainer. I need to work out a hundred reasons why it's a good idea for Gracie to do this exercise. Then I expect some kick-back and side eye as she reads the small print, and decides whether it's truly for her. And then we can engage in persuasion to finish the task.

She needs everything set out so she can consider her options, weigh them up, and then decide.

My Expectations: The Biggest Difference

When I work Gracie, I have to be feeling creative. I have to be feeling a bit 'high' — high excitement, high arousal — to get the most out of her. I cannot ever have the expectation that she is a soldier and will just 'do' because I say so. She needs to be a co-creator, an equal partner. And if she feels like she has the agency? The sky is the limit!

I have never known of an Aussie trained with force to excel in obedience, rally or any non-reinforcing dog sport. They will of course love to do herding, agility, or shouting, because they love these for themselves. But training an Aussie to do obedience? That's jujitsu! It needs a mindset of someone full of joy, with zero expectations or pressure, who is high on life, and is looking for a comedy partner for a routine. And this is what I personally LOVE to do. I love to play the huge mindset mindfield of 'playing' obedience at the top level with Aussies. I've won more CC's (championship wins) with Aussies than anyone else (not so humble brag!) and got awarded top obedience scores and top obedience trophy in the FCI IGP qualifiers with my Aussie, beating a whole field full of GSD's and Malinois. And Gracie is yet again qualified for Crufts obedience championships 2026, where she's yet again, the only non-collie female to be competing. So I just LOVE the mindset needed for working an Aussie in top level obedience. The fun, the excitement, and the zero pressure and expectations. They are masters at improving our mindset!

Do they care if you're happy? Only if that means good things for them!

Working With Rumi: The Calm Leader

With Rumi, I need to have a very regulated nervous system. Any hint of me feeling edgy will have him going way over the edge. I need to be the calm, cool leader to bring out his best. He doesn't want to see his general feeling flustered or in a state of fight or flight. He needs to know that his general is calm and ready to give him his orders!

He could be trained in any method because he just wants to do — he wouldn't mind any method that gave him the clarity to act. But I like to think that he appreciates a general who values kindness and connection, and in fact I see that he makes extra efforts to please me. He LOVES to please, to see me happy. He lives for my smiling face and the ball, well that really is his whole world made up.

The Beautiful Challenge

Swapping between these two mindsets, these two personalities, is SUCH fun! It makes me a way more creative trainer, but it's also given me a huge new level of conscious mastery of my nervous system.

I need to consciously get into arousal, light-hearted fun mode for Gracie.

I need to consciously get calm, clear and connected for Rumi.

Having them both is truly the best of all worlds. I have my light-hearted comedy clown who reminds me that life is a fun adventure. I have my Mr Serious and on alert, who reminds me to also be a kind leader in life.

Conclusion: What Version of You Does Your Dog Need?

Here's what I've learned:

Your dog's personality is demanding a different version of you.

And until you learn to shift your mindset and energy to match what they need, you'll keep hitting the same wall.

If you have a soldier (like a Malinois some collies or any dog who thrives on clarity and direction), they need you to be calm, regulated, and clear. They need a leader who won't get flustered, who can give them the structure they crave.

If you have a general (like an Aussie, some Rottweilers, many poodles or any creative thinker), they need you to be playful, creative, and collaborative. They need a partner who makes training feel like a fun adventure, not a drill.

The method you use matters less than the energy you bring.

So ask yourself:

What kind of dog do you have?

And what version of yourself do they need you to be?

Because once you figure that out, everything changes.

💬  I'd love to hear from you — what breed do you have? Do you have a Mal or an Aussie and are yours like mine? And what mindset shift have you had to make to bring out the best in them?