Why Imperfect Training Can Be A (Very) Good Thing
Sometimes it seems like the easiest thing to do is not train at all. To hit pause and stare – waiting for perfect inspiration. But perfect inaction is dangerous – it can give us an easy out. We can't train if our mechanics aren't perfect, if reinforcement isn't prepared, if we don't have a faultless vision of what our criteria is.
Making mistakes sucks, no doubt, but from mistakes and feedback come learning and growth – and those are two Very Good Things.
But – and this is a BIG but, dogs are forgiving, resilient and adaptable creatures. We are better (at least in the R+ realm) to take imperfect, positive, action than to stall for long. Even latent learning (if that's what you want to call it) can't happen in a void.
Training doesn't have to be lengthy; drills don't always need to be new or complicated. Doing something matters when you feel stuck. Habit begets habit … so if training matters to you, get yourself ready and get going!
How to Overcome Overwhelm — And Train!
Have your treats ready ahead of time, have a plan. Video your session or take notes afterwards. Pick a path and see where it gets you. (It's quite ok to change direction later!)
Pick a minimum number of sessions, frame them as "at least" (for example I will train "at least" every third day) and see where you get. Set a timer to tell you when to get going and predetermine how long you want to train for. 25 minutes of your avoidance/displacement behaviour followed by 5-10 minutes of training is a reasonable distribution to start with. If you need more or less of either activity that's just fine. Adjust as needed.
Still feeling stuck? Well luckily for you help is at hand. Registration for FDSA classes is open until August 15. Selecting a bronze (or silver, or gold) class to give you a structured training plan forward is a fine solution.
If you are feeling really lost and unable to move forward — and perhaps can't quite get a handle on why — All In Your Head is running this term and it takes a very close look at the human end of the leash. Touching on personality, nerves, planning and more, it has an active study group with a super (and smart!) Teaching Assistant to help if you get stuck. (The TAs are making a huge difference to bronze students – they provide support and motivation in a concrete and useful way.)
Don't suffer alone. Don't suffer in silence. Don't suffer at all. Make a plan, get support and get training!!
Andrea Harrison is passionate about all species, including dogs and humans! Having lived with dogs her whole life, Andrea was an early convert to positive training for people and dogs. She has taken this message to the media many times, including appearances on many TV shows and news programs, as well as print and radio.
Active as a foster home since 1994, Andrea has had many opportunities to work with dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperament types. She has experience working with a wide variety of people as an educator and counsellor for over 20 years! She has worked with people of all ages on being successful and reducing anxiety and stress using her training in counselling, personality typing, and experiences. Differentiating learning experiences for her students has always been a priority for her.
Her competitive canine addiction is agility though she enjoys training and teaching nosework as well. Andrea and her dogs have many titles between them, with placements in Regional and National competitions with her rock star Brody (pictured with Andrea). Her super star dog Sally is the canine lead in the feature film “Saving Dinah" and Andrea was the animal talent coordinator for the film. She also has experience animal wrangling for television.
Andrea's personal site: andreaharrison.ca
Author's recent posts
The Science of Play: Playing Your Way to Success
March 17, 202010 Habits of Mindful Dog Trainers
December 11, 2019Feeling Stuck? How to Overcome Overwhelm and Get Training!
August 13, 2019
