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The Human Factor
However successful you are at training your own dog it does not follow that you can pass on that knowledge to other people. Communication is key to being a dog trainer. Dealing with people is much like training your dog. You have to have endless patience and the people in your class have to have some respect for you, but also like you, if at all possible. As with dogs, people respond well to being praised. Although you have to keep order in the class, shouting is not an option. As with children being beaten at school, so it is with pupils in your class. You cannot learn if you are frightened or intimidated.
One of the problems with a class as opposed to a one to one is that keeping an eye on everyone is difficult. There has to be a lot of individual attention and this sometimes causes other pupils to lose concentration, get bored or start talking to each other. Explain to the class that they will learn much from watching other dogs and their owners. You can always tell a dedicated owner by the fact that they will do this without being told.
Social interaction between the pupils is an important part of training, as it makes training a more enjoyable pastime and friendships can be formed, but encourage them to do their talking before or after the class. Social interaction between the dogs is not to be encouraged, at least not during the class.
If someone has to be taken to task, they should be talked to away from the rest of the class, as humiliating someone just means they will walk away.
Some banter from the trainer is never a bad thing, once the trainer has established some sort of rapport with the class and has an idea which of the pupils respond well to it.
Lastly, remember that you were a beginner once yourself and BE PATIENT AND PLEASANT!!
Caroline Woods
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