the power of positive ...

I was looking at the mandate,mission statement, etc of the Pet Professional Guild the other day. Lots of really great stuff in there. It got me thinking. My life with dogs horses and people have continually reinforced the power of positive. Learners rarely, if ever, make mistakes out of spite, a desire to "get you", or because they want to be wrong.

Mistakes get made. Much more frequently than recognized  playing working with animals most of the mistakes are human in nature. In human teaching the same is true though perhaps even less discussed. If a class of 14 year olds is over exhausted or over excited it is probably not a great time to introduce a new concept - far better to review and reinforce something most students are close to understanding.  (Same holds true in animal land but somehow seems easier for one handler to adapt for one animal- though I have watched drilling that was planned and therefore "had to be done" even though it wasn't likely the best/smartest move.)

Two key components I believe any educator, handler, or trainer truly trying to be positive, in any setting with any species needs to embrace, beyond the guiding principles of groups like the Guild, are  be FLEXIBLE and PATIENT.

Flexible captures the need to be able to adapt to the learner in front of you.We are all individuals after all! Being flexible means planning (you have to have something to adapt) but being able to asses, regroup and change things as needed. When something works well not presuming that is the only way to do it, or that method will work as well in all situations. Flexiblity also implies an ability to stretch - adding more things to a toolbox as needed; pushing yourself for more; delving into subjects wholly. Considering the person/dog equation and work in a framework that is comfortable while pushing boundaries. If expectations are too high and you are getting frustrated work with a trainer or training buddy. Note the things that are positive- often if there is frustration you may not even realize there are things going well. If things are stagnating work with a trainer/training buddy - challenge yourselves, change things up. Balance is a key component to  flexibility.

Patience really is a virtue in education and training. It's a tough one to internalize but so critical to being able to enjoy the journey. Without a patient attitude I cannot understand how playing training can be any fun. Patience allows ongoing assessment that is honest and critical of where you are and where you should be aiming next. If you need to regroup and step back with patience you will be able to see it's part of the journey. Without it you may be disappointed or angry about a perceived set back.

My Brain Might Just Explode

Just finished a great weekend of learning and have LOTS to share but this representation of something Sally taught me a long long time made so much sense to me I had start with this chart.

If you consider your dog and then consider you  you will see that you could add scores for a total. Our presenter this weekend suggested that we strive for 11 as our ideal score.

We were looking at this chart in reference to drive level but it would work in many different ways. Precision, obedience, activity level, even house training vigilance could benefit through consideration of the scale. Let me explain. Wyn is a 10 in house training, I can very happily sit at 1 and wait for him to ask me to go out. In a new place he will go to whatever door we came in to ask to go out. He understands house training and has demonstrated this in many different ways. Yen has moved up to being about a 3 now. She'd prefer to potty outside (usually) but if I don't watch for her to get active, think about how long since she's been out, think of how recently she ate or drank - so an 8 on the scale- she has no issue with sneaking away to find a spot to do her business. In a strange place she would likely revert to being a 1 and I would tether her to me (a 10).

Not sure if you should let your dog off leash? Look at the scale. How's your recall?

So many uses. So easy to understand.

Building a work ethic ....

What could I learn from Sally and her marvelous work ethic?

Persist, Focus and Do it must be her mantras.

Persist.

Sally fundamentally believes that there is always a way to get it done. She'll take a break and do something else but she doesn't forget the assigned task and she doesn't worry too much about it. She knows it'll happen eventually.  She clearly demonstrates that she understands she has to take care of herself in order to work as hard as she does. She's hard on herself;  leaping off decks and letting herself get too hot before stopping are two examples,  but when it's time for a break she makes it clear that a breather is in order. She will work past the time she wants to quit but if she goes too much longer the quality of work starts to suffer. In a human context  knowing when to stop is an important aspect of keeping a strong willingness to work. Building time for fun, breaks, a change is essential to being able to maintain drive.  Balancing that sometimes adding 20 minutes, or "just one more unit" of work past when you'd like to stop can get an awful lot accomplished.

Focus.

When Sally knows what the task at hand is virtually nothing can interfere with her desire to get the job done ( a job I think she should do or a job she thinks she should do - either way works for her). She's demonstrated that time, and time again. I, on the other hand, have been working on this post since before filming Saving Dinah finished July 21.  She takes time to build to 100 % focus. She needs to know the job at hand, have what she needs to do it available, and warm up a little. Whatever she is doing she gives it her all once warmed up. Again, and again and again if needed (back to that persistence thing!)

Do it

Sally's deadline is always pretty immediate - if a job needs doing she does it. She relies on humans for priorities and deadlines, in exchange she gives enthusiasm to motivate getting it done! She has no issue with using a break to work on something else then returning to the original task with renewed vigor. She isn't afraid to make a mistake and have to try something another way or maybe even have a complete redo of the task.

She puts many people (me included) to shame with her work ethic. I'm taking a page from her book for the next week!

Friday Night Musings ...

Still feeling pretty good about the intention demonstrated last weekend. Ran hard, ran fast and had fun.

A replicable feeling I know

screening homes for the baby and hating every minute of it
fully expect she'll be gone as early as Sunday

that mental management thing ... again

I've been doing some coaching lately in sports that are not in my comfort zone ... one of my responsibilities at work is now the co-curricular program at the school (events that take place outside the classroom). Trying to get up to speed fast involves a steep learning curve so I'm tackling it by being assistant coach to the junior boys basketball team. That way I can see exactly what the coaches need to do first hand. Why basketball  you ask?

Not for any great abiding love of the sport. More because the coach is amazing  and talented. And that works just fine for all of us.

How can I contribute to this team? It's not through attending all practices (some start at 7:30 am and Sam's daycare doesn't open til 8 am).  It's not through my mad bball skillz. It is partly by doing doing paperwork. It's partly by attending practice when I can. I also think it can be about teaching them the mental side of playing sports.

What key elements can I distill for the team from my knowledge base?

• if ain't fun ~ recalculate
• know your team -train weaknesses, play strengths
• know yourself - what helps you be in the right head space?
• be fit enough to be able to keep your mind on
• what is your right head space? are nerves useful for you - or do they interfere?

Now figuring out how to teach  all this 15 year old boys who have only really played street ball to this point presents its whole own challenge!

Keeping it real ... and some rambling ...

Run Sally

Balancing my natural optimism, pragmatism and realism (in life not just agility) can feel like a bit of a juggling act. I don't want to be pollyanna-ish (from the World English dictionary: Pollyanna:n. a person who is constantly or excessively optimistic) and annoy those around me but by nature I'm pretty take it as it comes and make the best of what you have. That isn't to say I can't be plunged into a funk or completely situationally overwhelmed but I can often get my groove back reasonably quickly. I'm very very fortunate that way - and believe me, I do appreciate that!

Animals ground me. They give me an outlet for emotion that is non judgemental and positive. They allow me to be entirely true to who I am (or think I am) which allows me to rehearse being true to me. That means I can bring that sense out when something is difficult. I have a bit of a reputation at work for speaking my mind no matter who I am addressing (apparently Superintendents are rarely told they don't quite get an issue and then educated about it- whoops!).

Brody keeps me real.

When I reflected on the brand that is Susan Garrett last month I left something out. I left it out on purpose because while this blog feels private (or shared in a small circle now)  it is very public. I also have not gone to Say Yes because there are people who would pay to attend the same workshop as me in the hopes that Susan would go after me publicly. They think that would be entertaining to watch as I am not easily intimidated. I didn't include this info in my last post as I don't know SG personally at all and had no clue if she knew there was a perception of her that included a yelling, losing it side. She wrote a post last night that makes it obvious she does know she has this side so I can include it as a further demonstration of my mixed up personality.

I am a great believer in capturing a good feeling and holding it so you can bring it back when you need it. I use this technique in life and agility often. I am also quite committed to the notion that you can and should plan interactions. Rehearse and visualize success but be prepared to adapt if need be. Stands me in good stead doing lawn agility and in the classroom.

Agility NOW please - enough talking - more action!

Quiz will be leaving us this week. It's taking some deep pulls from my fatalistic what will be will be side to be OK with this. She is going to a fabulous home that is part of the larger extended family of the rescue I work with so all is good but will Sally and I ever miss her. (The boys not quite so much).

Have been paid some very nice compliments during and since Nationals including "you have more just plain fun with your dogs than anyone I know!" from a fabulous handler/judge running fabulous dogs. That means more to me than just about anything*. I hope the dogs have fun with me too!

Pay somebody a compliment today - you may never know the power you give them!


Speaking of which - I am very proud of Sally's sister Sophie. She ran steeplechase at Nationals and did a heck of a job in a very distracting new environment staying right with her mom! They both were a pleasure to watch and be with. Nancy -you've done me proud! And I can promise you neither Brody nor Sally would have made it nearly as far in the weave ole challange either!!


* including being, forgive me, NATIONALLY ranked! Still blows me away!

the head game ...

Sally wondering if the tour plans are REAL this time


As I look at planning the comeback tour I realize there are some parts of this game I can do quite well already.

Nerves aren't a problem for me - though they may flare up on the comeback tour!
Nor do I get frustrated with the dog when things go wrong (myself - that's another matter.
I compete against myself not against other people - as long as every run is better than the one before I am quite happy.

There are things that I will always need to work on too:

Running with intention can be problematic for me at times - I don't always care enough - awful eh?

It is POURING rain here - and there is a driving wind - I woke up and thought - if I had agility today I would NOT go - what a bad bad attitude - however it is my attitude and one I will have to learn to live with.

Keeping what matters to me at the top of my mind can be tough too - think about the dog first. It's not what I see modelled so it's easy to let slip - but when it does slip I get quite upset with myself so it's important to think MY WAY.

Learning the more complicated masters courses was challenging at first - I suspect that will be challenging again.

What do you value?

Food above everything? Being warm and cosy?

perhaps a sheepy tug toy on a bungee cord?

if so you'd relate well to either Sally, Thea or Brody. They are so different to each other it's astounding! (In case you are new to this blog - Sally is the toy worshipper, Brody thinks anything is worth doing if you get paid in food, and Thea is all about creature comforts!)

I was working Sally a little today with the fleecy and wow - talk about a motivator .. I had to actually alternate with kibble as she was TOO ON.. especially with the little bit of table work we did. Ran the 2x2 a couple of times - BAM WHAM flying through them - tomorrow I'll have to get 6 poles up for both Brody and Sally if the weather holds ... Sally's enthusiasm motivates me!

We worked wait - she wants the fleecy so badly she'll even let me tug with Hank with it and hold her stay ... AMAZING.. or maybe she's finally growing up?

It was fun to work a little .. actually great!