Training Time

Do any of you have a pet? I have a two-year old dog named Oreo. Oreo is an anxious little fellow and after the fireworks from the New Year celebration last year he has really struggled with anxiety over noises. He stopped wanting to walk except for just around the house, he would shake and bark when he heard any loud noises and was not living his best life. I tried everything I knew to help and decided it was time to have someone help me train him.

During our training I have come to find that dogs can teach us many things about learning. Here are a few:

Consistency is key.

“Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over time.” – John C. Maxwell

• Dogs learn best through repetition and consistency. If you want to teach your dog a new trick or behavior, it is important to practice it regularly and consistently. For Oreo it is even ensuring that the commands or words are consistent. With that consistency he understands what is expected and can succeed.

• The same goes for human learning - if we want to learn a new skill or concept, we need to practice it regularly and consistently.

Positive reinforcement works.

"The way positive reinforcement is carried out is more important than the amount." - B.F. Skinner

• Like most dogs, Oreo is fan of rewards such as treats (did you say cheese 🙂), praise, and attention when he has followed a command, or he has exhibited especially good behavior.

• The same principle can be applied to human learning. Positive feedback and encouragement can help motivate us to continue learning and improve our performance. A quick acknowledgement of a good idea, or a presentation well-done means so much coming from those you support and admire.

Repetition builds confidence and reduces stress.

“Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment.” -Zig Ziglar

• Repetition helps Oreo understand what is expected and what he will receive upon completing his task. When he hears the command of heel, sit, etc., he knows what he is expected to do in order to earn his reward.

• Remember how difficult it was to learn to ride your bike for the first time? Anxiety, fear of falling, and self-doubt. But with more practice, you grew adept and confident. That is because repeating an activity builds confidence, it becomes a habit and almost second nature.

Patience and persistence are essential.

"The two most powerful warriors are patience and time." - Leo Tolstoy

• Training a dog can be a challenging and time-consuming process, requiring patience and persistence. I have found when I take the time and ensure my attention is all on Oreo, he is successful, and the next lesson is a little easier. Some days he wants to play versus focus and that is OK, we all do. But he knows his reward is only going to come if he follows directions.

• For humans, learning new skills or concepts can be a slow and frustrating process. It is important to stay patient and persistent, and eventually you will see the results. I know for me, I often get frustrated when I am trying to learn something, but many times when I reflect, I realize I did not put in the time and I was not consistent in my training.

Communication is key.

“A teacher is only as effective as his ability to understand where his student is.”― Abraham Hicks

• As I have been training Oreo, I have learned to listen. When we think of listening to our dogs, what we really mean is observe. As I have spent more time, and watched him as we have trained, it has helped me to understand his language. I can see when he is anxious, what his sneeze is for, or his bark is about.

• As humans when we really see other and understand why someone is who they are, it allows us to better understand how to reach them, and help.

Celebrate your accomplishments.

“Acknowledge all of your small victories. They will eventually add up to something great.” – Kara Goucher

• Accept praise – Have you ever seen a dog turn down a pat on the head, a kind word, or a scratch on the back? Dogs teach us to graciously and happily accept praise from others. They show you how great it feels to accomplish the seemingly insurmountable task.

• When someone compliments you, accept that compliment, and celebrate the win. It is hard to accept praise, and I know I struggled with it for years. I had someone very wise point out this weakness. They suggested I simply say thank you, or you are kind. Acknowledging the praise and celebrating the win is important for the teacher and the student.

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure." - Colin Powell

Training is hard work! We need to remember to give the trainee regular time and attention, set clear expectations, opportunities to practice the new behaviors and skills, praise and reward them when they do well, and redirect them when they need a little improvement.

Until next time….-Leigh