Confidence And Training

[Brennan's Mum]

Just thought I'd start a separate thread on confidence in training. We all know it's important to have, but sometimes it doesn't present itself.

I had a really good Skype call with a trainer friend in the USA who told me that ''It's not enough to just follow what your behaviourist tells you, you need to COPY your behaviourists attitude''. Since then, when working with Brennan on our behaviour modification I have been telling myself 'I am as good a trainer as my behaviourist'-- of course it's not true, but I have noticed a difference in myself-- my body language changes, I put on the attitude that I have 'dealt with this' many times before'. I have found my reaction to any reaction from Brennan has been better-- It doesn't 'faze me' as much, and I just carry on moving, cool, calm, and collected.

So what are some more tips for improving your confidence? I'd love to know what other people do/have done, what works for you.So far all I can think of are;

Make sure you are comfortable in what you are doing--don't be afraid to ask for assistance until you KNOW what you are doing is right.

Remember to set small goals and build on from there. I tell myself that I would not just jump into running a marathon, I'd build it up slowly, so why should I ask my dog to do xxx behaviour when there are millions of small behaviours in between to achieve.

Keep a record of small successes. I find this is really helpful for me. They may be small, but if they are changes for the better then I am happy with them.

Edited August 21, 2011 by Brennan's Mum

[Weasels]

Remember to set small goals and build on from there. I tell myself that I would not just jump into running a marathon, I'd build it up slowly, so why should I ask my dog to do xxx behaviour when there are millions of small behaviours in between to achieve.

This

I believe that, for my boy at least, confidence comes mostly from understanding clearly what I want from him. If he's not getting it, it's time to go back and break it down.

The weasel was a very nervous 9-month old when I adopted him, and very sensitive to attitude. I HAD to keep everything very positive or he'd run off/shut down. He is doing much better now, and if I do have to give him a quick vocal correction (if he's about to get into/cause trouble) I immediately go back to very positive when he does the right thing.

ETA- sorry I just re-read and realised you were talking about handler confidence rather than handlee confidence - stupid weekend brain!

Still I think they are interrelated - we train as a team, and the smoother things go, the better everyone feels at the end

Edited August 21, 2011 by Weasels