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Post by Brooke on Nov 2, 2004 22:34:06 GMT -5
I've come to the realization that the gift of patience, I have gods plenty of to work with animals... It's the owners I can't take. WHY is it so much harder to have the patience for them?? I never realized how much SMART ERthe canine species was compared to the human species until I started working on the people side of the spectrum. I guess this is more of a HUGE pat on the back for those of you who have the most incredible gift of training people. It is SO much harder than training the dogs.
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Post by Iluvmypup on Nov 3, 2004 8:43:27 GMT -5
Haha...that is SO true! I've found that I have to use positive reinforcement, the same as I do on the dogs, on the people as well. Instead of clicking and treating which might land me in the nuthouse , I just praise different things I catch them doing right. Maybe, for example, they're holding the leash right, or if I catch someone clicking at the exact moment they were supposed to. They get recognition for it. I'll even pull a budding dog trainer out of a group class to demonstrate to the rest how its to be done. AND, I've found that if you ever see someone doing something wrong, like bending over and asking the dog to stop doing what he's doing in a soft little voice, its better not to correct the person. Its better just to say, "You know, theres an even more effective way of getting your dog to stop...want me to show you?". Ahh..the joys of training people. ;D My friend (who uses prong collars..on the dogs, not the people, although it might come in handy sometimes ;D ) always jokes that she could probably train almost any dog, but people are impossible. You might want to check out this book...I'm planning on getting it soon, as I'm a big fan of the author. www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0966772636/ref=pd_qpf_gw/104-5958671-4690300
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Post by sibemom on Nov 5, 2004 5:15:30 GMT -5
I know the people can drive you nuts I guess I have come to the conclusion that if you can't get your point across to them, the dog has not got a chance so I try really hard to work on them first. Most of the ones I have been working with latly have been ok, but every once and awhile you get one of those "CLUELESS" individuals who blames everything on the dog. Those are the ones that get on my nerves. but it's all in the process, and yes the dogs are easy it's the owners that could use a seperate training class ;D
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Post by Aussienot on Nov 5, 2004 17:28:58 GMT -5
In my club the Instructor's Guidelines is to not single out any individual for criticism, and instruct the class generally. Instead of yelling out to Angela that her lead is too tight, you're supposed to halt the class, say that some of the handlers are not keeping loose leads, and review the Loose Lead tactic.
Yea, right.
I was training Finn in a class one night. The autocratic, demanding, and rather Prussian Instructor had gone over something really simple THREE Times. Each time he explained it clearly and demonstrated it.
The same people did it wrong three successive times. Finally he threw up his hands and said "I cannot teach you if you will not learn", and stormed off the field.
It wasn't the adult thing to do, but I was kind of empathetic.
I think my coping strategy as an Instructor is to offer the best help I can, and not take it personally if it's not followed. Not to say I don't occasionally daydream of bopping some of the handlers on the head at the tea break.
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