Dog Training is a People BusinessDog training is a People Business. – Martin Deeley I
hear it said many times by dog professionals - although we do it because we love dogs, this
really is a people business. As professionals we place the emphasis of our
work and our learning on the dog, when in fact, to be successful we have to
obtain the trust, confidence and acceptance of the owners. We have to build on
this by developing in the owner a belief in us and our abilities. It is not the
dog that selects the professional that is going to work with him, it is the owner.
It is not ourselves that train and handle the dog but their owners. So
often when we meet the owners and discuss their problems we hear within their
words reasons why we will fail with their dogs. We do not read the human
problems and think how we can effectively tutor the owners to train their dogs.
We recognize the words and
attitudes of owners and may become defeatist before we start. It is almost as
though we are looking for reasons we can use in the future for why they did not
put their dog with us, or for our failing at what we were teaching them to do. We
say it is a people business yet we do not treat it as such. We may be able to
train dogs but we have problems coaching the owners to train their dog. You
have heard it all before, from trainers about owners – “She
was a Yes but….person. Just would not listen” “He
seemed to think the dog would be trained by just listening to my words.” “They
never followed through with the training.” “The
dog was good with me but they just were not clear with their commands when they
were at home.” “They
refused to use the equipment I recommended.” “They
want an ‘off the shelf’ dog – one that comes trained and obedient.” “Today
people are like that, they want it perfect and they want it now.” The
list can go on forever and we can all add new excuses every day. Yet these
attitudes we read in owners, are signs and clues which will help us to develop
a successful coaching approach. Each
owner is an individual with individual behaviors, fears, emotions, experiences,
beliefs and opinions; just like ourselves. We have to respect that and either
work within these parameters, or, create an atmosphere of change to enable them
to develop and accept what we wish to do for the benefit of their dog. We have
to be positive in our approaches and get owners realizing that together we can succeed. Dog
training in particular should be renamed ‘Coaching Owners to train their dogs’.
This is very true where dogs and their owners come in for lessons either as
individuals or part of a group. We are training people to train their dogs, and
although in class we may teach the dog the beginnings of a behavior, it is the
homework the owner does that will make the difference between a well or badly
behaved dog. Even if we do board
and train the big problem comes if the owners do not continue with the training
in the way we did it. It is the training of the owner that makes the
difference. Most
dogs are young when they come in for training. Changing their behavior is not
all that difficult in most instances. Owners however already have at least 20
years of their own personal in grained behaviors and words when they come to
us. They are not natural dog trainers. All their behaviors, feelings, and opinions
are well entrenched and so habitual, comfortable or believed that getting them
to change can be very hard work indeed. People use words and movements they are
secure with. When we want to change them, it becomes as difficult as stopping a
chocoholic reaching for a Hershey’s Kiss. They are no different from ourselves.
If we have to learn a new language or new dance steps for example, it takes
time, understanding and clear instruction with a motivation to learn that comes
from a good tutor. As
professionals we must develop interpersonal skills, good ‘bed side’ manners,
motivational approaches and human behavior modification approaches for the
owners. Unless we can get owners to do correctly what we ask, then even the
best of our dog training skills can fly out the window. It is not each of us as
individuals training the dog, but the owner during every minute of every day. As a teacher of many years, both of people and dogs I have had a philosophy and approach which can help with this. It is ‘Put yourself in their shoes.” Try to understand where they are coming from, relate to their problems and help them to overcome these by realizing that they are not average people – they are unique. Every person like every dog is an individual and different. If, while doing this, you can make your guidance fun and inspirational then you are one big step towards helping the dog. Success will come from thinking of yourself not as a dog trainer but as a ‘dog owners coach’. Martin Deeeley - www.floridadogtrainer.com www.internationaldogschool.com Last Updated: Monday, June 28, 2010
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