Words matter

Words matter

I’m sitting outside on this beautiful day thinking hard about tracking class.  I’ll start with me.  Often, when you come off the track, I share my opinion….and my suggestions for what to do next.  This results in the dog being dissed as we talk about what everyone learned.  My first attempt at a solution:  I’d like one of the TD people to follow along next to me as my scribe—writing down my comments as the team tracks.  This will allow us to discuss it after the dog has been properly rewarded and loved, and is back in the car.  I may (may) also try using the voice memo feature on my phone as I watch the track.  And, again, video of the track will be indescribably helpful—this will allow the handler to hear me in real time, and look at my comments, as they review the track.

IF I talk to you as you are tracking….it’s information. Please, don’t turn back to me….keep your eyes on your dogs at all times!

As an instructor, I am always trying to improve the learning experience for my students.  

I want to encourage a positive learning environment.

I want to encourage YOU to be positive in class.  Words matter.  As we kick off this second session, I challenge you to be more positive - both in your attitude and in the words you chose.  Surely you can be positive for the four hours that you are in class - enjoying your dog, the weather and your tracking friends.

Additionally, I want YOU to be able to observe and understand both the positive aspects of your lesson/track and the areas needing improvement.

To this end, I am committed to recording a minimum of three positive (awesome/thrilling/mind blowing!) observations of you and your dog's track AND recording areas needing improvement.  Beginning next week, I might try having avolunteer 'scribe' walking with me to write down my observations so that I can hand the document to you. This document can then be used to plan your homework.

So now, here is YOUR challenge:

 At the end of your track (or perhaps back at the vehicles afterward), YOU will be asked to give me three positive thoughts about your track.  Then you will be asked to share specific areas needing improvement.  Discussion will follow.

Teaching you to see the positives and the negatives of your performance and your dog's performance is important to your future in this sport.  

Teaching you to understand the positives and negatives of your performance and your dog's performance is essential to IMPROVING.

I have emailed you each a document I’d like everyone to use in class.  I suggest you make several copies to have in your tracking bag, as I’m going to require having and using a blank form for each class.  Hopefully you will find it helpful enough to use it for training.

Before we discuss my thoughts on the track, I will expect you to identify three things your dog did well.  Next we will discuss what you’d like to improve—and I’d like it in terms that are helpful in setting up your next session—ie, “the first turn sucked” is not helpful;  ”I need to address his skill on the first turn,” gives you clear direction as to what to do next time out.

Let’s  avoid cheerleading, simply saying “he did great, or that looked great” is not educational.  Feedback should be specific, so that it can be acted upon.  Finally, it is imperativethat the handler tells us what went well, or needs improvement, not the gallery.

Let’s try this for the next three weeks and then discuss it.  I suspect everyone will see more progress if they use the form to it’s full potential.