Today I had an "ah ha" moment.
Last week a client asked me a question that I have answered many times over the past years. The question was, "How come my dog doesn't listen to me as much now as he used to when he was under 5 months old?" My answer is, for many reasons: the pup has had more life experience (age) and has gained confidence, not enough positive feedback,inconsistency in teaching, something missing in the relationship,frustrated, confused, testing boundaries......
So my "ah ha" moment happened while walking my own dog Blossom (which brings me much serenity and joy because she is a wonderful dog and listens well).
I remembered that when I first was becoming a dog trainer, I was like a sponge and learned so much so fast. I was fascinated with dogs and their behaviour. While going to dog training school, I went routinely and was on time for every class, I enjoyed seeing positive results in the dogs that I worked with. More importantly I was being rewarded by owners who worked hard to be, fair, consistent and who listened to their dogs and were continuing to teach. All of the things I have to do to be a good instructor! except I needed to listen to the owners as well.
Last year while at a conference I saw a very well know dog behaviourist, who I was excited to listen to. While she went on with her presentation I stopped listening, why? Because she was saying things that were inconsistent with many of the top behaviourists as well as her earlier works. I had been following her protocols for years now and found that I had wonderful results so now I was confused. I was ready to be a sponge and learn more but she left me frustrated to a point that I actually left the room. So at that point I stopped learning, even though I didn't agree with her I could still have stayed and learned why she felt this way. So I went back in to the room and finished listening to her speak, I saw that I wasn't the only one that had left as there were many chairs empty that were filled before.
We were confused, frustrated and my own confidence in teaching was in question.
Even as a dog trainer, I need to be confident in what I tell people because it is such a huge responsibility for their dogs life.
I never want to be a know it all but sometimes we stop listening because we are unsure and need to have clarification on issues. The same with our dogs, when we are not clear or consistent they shut down and stop listening. As a dog owner, it is our responsibility to make sure that we give positive feed back for good behaviours and take the time each day to work with the dog. We need to listen to them and work even harder to figure out why the dog is confused or frustrated. Make a plan and have set goals to work towards and go for it. Having fun and teaching through play is very effective and helps to create a bond of trust and leadership.
Woofs for now!
D