Last Minute Jitters − 22 April, 2008

So I signed up to teach a class at my dog training club tonight, and truth be told, I am nervous. I am nervous because this first class is being offered to instructors only – my peers – my equals. Usually I teach one-on-one or a small group class and my students are usually less knowledgeable than I am, so it’s fun for me to impart knowledge – I’ve been where they are and I remember going through the same difficulties. But my class tonight are people who have been training for many years – in several cases, many more years than I have been, earning many more titles and having instructed many more students than I have. And they are here to hear what I have to say. It’s a little daunting, to say the least.
I am flattered that this first class is thought so highly of that it is being offered to instructors only, but at the same time, I think they will be the more challenging audience for me, as well. Perhaps the “lay” person would ask more questions, but I think the knowledgeable student will actually question me more – question my knowledge, my sources and my resources.
I am sure some of them will be doubtful and even disbelieving, whereas the lay person would automatically accept my teaching as gospel. I am sure some of them will have their eyes opened and use what I teach them – that is why I am doing this in the first place – and if nothing else, I would like to stimulate interest in expanding their knowledge and education on how dogs behave and learn. It can only help them in their chosen hobby or profession of training dogs. Most of all, I hope it trickles down and helps the students of these instructors – that now they will be able to recognize certain behavioral signals and modify training to suit the needs of that particular dog and handler.
The main reason I wanted to teach this class was due to all the mis-read, mis-diagnosed and ignored cues that dogs were displaying in the various classes our club offers – from basic to advanced. The students were told to “correct” (read: punish) certain behaviors that, to me, were clearly behavioral signals showing submission, confusion, appeasing cues. This breaks down the trust between dog and handler and sooner or later the dog “shuts down.” It has tried communicating in the only way it knows how, and the human has repeatedly punished it, so it finally gives up. This breaks my heart, and if people really knew what they were doing, they wouldn’t do it. We are supposed to be the smarter species, aren’t we? So I felt it was time to open some eyes. Obviously, very few of the instructors further their knowledge with the latest books and videos on dog training and behavior – perhaps they think they “know it all” and there is nothing someone else can teach them – I am glad that at least a few of them have opted to listen to what I have to share.
So wish me luck – I hope I do my material justice and open a few minds and eyes, and most of all, I hope I help a few dogs.

Posted on April 22, 2008. and has been viewed 47 times.