Post on 03-Jul-2015
description
3 Simple Steps To Becoming
A Professional Dog Trainer,
Making A Difference In The
World AND Paying The Bills At
The Same Time.
By Sharon Bolt – Dog Behaviour Expert and Founder of Good Dogs! As featured on…
• BBC’s ‘Britain’s Most Embarrassing Pets’• The Chris Evans Show on BBC Radio 2
• GMTV • BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey
As interviewed in…The Independent, The Guardian and The Sunday People Newspapers
And has conducted training for…Battersea Dog’s and Cat’s Home
In my first slide show I explained how these lovely boys
dramatically changed my life and my career and I also
explained the first of the '3 Simple Steps To Becoming A
Professional Dog Trainer, Making A Difference In The
World And Paying The Bills At The Same Time’
To recap, the first step is about your mindset, beliefs and
expectations.
Today I’m going to talk about the second step which is:
Dog training knowledge and hands on experience.
So let’s get started...
First of all it’s important to learn a method that resonates
with you, one that is kind, humane and very effective.
It seems that the dog training world is divided Into ② groups :
Humane
Group s
Those that follow positive reinforcement techniques.
Those that follow Cesar Millan’s techniques.
My approach to dog training is exactly the same as I
approach all other areas of my life – I take the best of
what’s out there that resonates with me, plus add my
own experience and knowledge into the mix.
I’ll explain more...
I LOVE and use positive reinforcement techniques –
nothing feels better than giving praise or a treat to a dog
who has responded well to what you’ve asked.
It’s a great way to teach a dog commands such as sit,
down and stay and it’s also a fantastic way to create
positive associations in situations where a dog has
previously shown fear or uncertainty.
In my experience ONLY focusing on the dog is NOT the
answer.
BUT...
It’s true that there are a small percentage of dogs who
do not need leadership. Dogs (like people) have different
personalities, it’s not about the breed but about the
personality of the dog.
For example if a dog is naturally submissive by nature, is
happy to just ‘fit in’, likes to please, doesn’t challenge or
want any trouble then positive reinforcement techniques
on their own will work brilliantly in order to have a well
behaved dog.
That’s not the case for most dogs and without the owner
understanding how their dog sees the world, how THEY
think and how to tick THEIR boxes there is a crucial
missing link.
It’s essential that the owner understands their dog, what
THEIR needs are and how to meet THEIR expectations in
a kind and confident way.
It’s also good to remember that dogs are animals and
not human, they communicate non-verbally and have
different needs and expectations than our own.
Under s t a n d i n g y o ur d o gDogs are animals
Dogs read us by what we think and feel which is why it’s
so important that we try to be as balanced as possible
when we are around them.
Have you ever noticed that when you are stressed out
your dog’s behaviour gets worse?!
I often laugh and say ‘don’t
they know we’re only human!’
Dogs are naturally drawn to people (and other animals)
who demonstrate leadership qualities such as...
Decisiveness.
Strength.
Someone who is calm but firm (not a push over).
Someone who gives clear and concise directions.
Someone who communicates simply but effectively.
Someone who rewards when doing a good job.
Someone who is self assured and confident.
Someone who has presence and easily gains respect and trust.
They also have :
Strong , upright body language, which means their head is
held high, their chest is forward and shoulders relaxed.
They have :
An air of authority, pack leaders are almost regal like with
calmness and determination.
The qualities looked for in a pack leader are not
dissimilar to what we look for in a human leader.
Dog
If you work for a boss who panics and shouts in a crisis,
has a problem making decisions or communicates in a
way that leaves you confused and unsure then you have
little trust in this person for your well being.
If on the other hand you work for a boss who is calm and
confident, gives clear information and makes good
decisions you know you can trust in their leadership and
judgement and relax when they’re around to take care of
you.
The same is true for dogstoo.
Calm & Confident
Pack leaders are NOT aggressive or pushy but are calm,
confident and expect their directions to be followed. Dogs
don’t negotiate with higher ranking members but show
respect and a willingness to please, they also feel safe and
taken care of in the presence of the pack leader.
Additionally dogs are communicating non-verbally all the
time and demonstrate dominant and submissive signals.
For example :Dominant or challenging signals in dogs are shown by :
A large confident body posture - the head and the ears are
raised. They have large staring, often fixated eyes. They
have curled raised lips and a wrinkled muzzle and the tail
is high. The whole posture is upright and very strong.
challenging signals
Submissive signals are indicated by a lowered body, their
ears are back and their eyes are small and the tail is
lowered. They will avoid holding eye contact for very long
and will look away, sometimes turning their head and
other times their whole body.
Furthermore dogs have certain behaviours that calm
themselves, other dogs and you down!
One of the ways they do this is by sniffing the ground.
They often pretend they smell something really good. If
they do this around other dogs, it can encourage the
other dogs to do it too and take the focus of what could
have otherwise led to a possible conflict.
Another way they calm the situation is by yawning – they
often use this calming down mechanism when the
environment becomes stressed or if you pet them too
closely.
A third way dogs can choose to calm the situation is by
flickering their tongue in and out quickly. This signal is
often chosen when 2 dogs are approaching each other.
In conclusion, I don’t personally support the ‘bite’ or
‘pinning’ the dog down on their side techniques but I do
believe that being the pack leader, having a strong
positive mindset and focusing on the dog owner first are
essential ingredients to how balanced a dog is.
Focusing on the Dog Owner
An essential ingredient To a balanced dog
When you combine leadership with an understanding of
how a dog’s mind works PLUS positive reinforcement
techniques the results are not only staggering but are
fast and long lasting too.
Leadership Understanding a Dog’s mindPositive reinforcement techniques
Would you like to have the self-belief, the confidence,
the knowledge and hands on experience in order to have
your dream job and be a professional dog trainer?
Do you feel you are MEANT to work with dogs and
would like to make a BIG difference in the world? And
would you like to work the hours YOU want, have time
for you, your family and friends and PAY THE BILLS at
the same time?
If you’ve answered yes then what I’m going to tell you
next could be an amazing opportunity for you...
I've created 'The Rolls Royce of Dog Training and Mentoring'
Programme.
There are 2 parts to the programme :
The 5 Day Advanced Course plus a follow up bonus day.
Followed by an :
8 week business, coaching and mentoring boot camp.
This programme is jam packed full of ‘roll your sleeves up
and learn from the inside out’ hands on dog training
experiences.
Plus an 8 week business and mentoring on-line boot
camp where I show you step by step, using leading edge
technology, EXACTLY how you can fast track your way to
success.
This is only for people who are ready NOW to make a
HUGH positive difference in their lives.
There is an opening for a maximum of 6 people to work
closely with me in order to get the experience, mindset
and business knowledge needed in order to be
successful.
By application and invitation only.
A maximum of 6 places.
Places are assigned in the order that suitable applicants are received.
www.good-dogs.co.uk/howtobecomeadogtrainer
Complete the application form at the bottom of the page.
If it seems we're a good match and I feel I can help you
we'll have a telephone consultation, which is 100% free,
to see if we really are a good fit.