SheltieChe
Forums Sage
10 things your trainer won´t tell you
- Thread starter SheltieChe
- Start date
It is a great article, but I suspect (once again) that my perspective on the import of the elements listed will be different than others who read the article. All but two of the "things" listed are no brainers to me and quite frankly are on target. The problem I would have with a trainer re them is this: If I was paying a training professional and later found that he/she harbored such thoughts about me and my pet, but for some reason neglected/failed to tell me, I would have serious doubts about his/her fitness as a trainer in other areas.
I did take some issue with:
#5. Your dog is not your baby, he is your dog. The fact that I may or may not treat my pet as a member of my family only becomes a training issue if my treatment of him impedes training methods or our improvement, that should be pointed out by the trainer. If I treat my pet like a 3 headed alien, but we perform to acceptable levels, it's our business.
Bonus #11. We hate your dogs name. What??? If I change my dog's name from Spot to "Your dog's name, Junior" he will suddenly start learning faster? How does that effect training? I particularly enjoyed the parting shot of the Bonus #11 section about names. "Two syllables makes the best names." What makes a trainer any better at choosing a dog's name than anyone else?
Believe it or not, I really did enjoy the rest of the article. Thanks for posting.
Ha. I am laughing as much at Jeff's reply as the article. Actually, after a few moments, I am just actually laughing at Jeff's reply and kind of shaking my head at the article as counterproductive once the overall aftertaste appeared on my palate. I don't think that article encouraged anyone to actually go to a trainer. I mean, I am all for sarcasm, but that sounds like trainers are judgemental jerks who secretly hate you and your little dog too. I know that is not true. I mean, I think people should spend time training their dogs and this article kind of leaves a sense of "why bother"? They don't like me and they can't or won't help with any problems we have". Maybe an article spinning a positive light on trainng would have been better.
BTW -- the owner of the dog school I attend is Melody. Hoping she likes my dog's name (Melody). However, when I called my dog wiggly-piggly which is her nickname you could hear that went over like a lead balloon.
BTW -- the owner of the dog school I attend is Melody. Hoping she likes my dog's name (Melody). However, when I called my dog wiggly-piggly which is her nickname you could hear that went over like a lead balloon.
Chris
Premium Member
I have to admit, the tone of the article didn't sit well with me. The only thing missing from most of the ten items was, "...Assh*le."
When I took Beckon to training classes, I made one mistake. I agreed to use a prong collar. I would never do that again, and I apologized to Beckers when I learned better. Happily, he has a huge ruff and I never popped the leash hard. Never had to. So I would add, "If the trainer insists you do something you feel is not right, politely refuse."
When I took Beckon to training classes, I made one mistake. I agreed to use a prong collar. I would never do that again, and I apologized to Beckers when I learned better. Happily, he has a huge ruff and I never popped the leash hard. Never had to. So I would add, "If the trainer insists you do something you feel is not right, politely refuse."
Believe it or not, I kind of get the overall point I think the author is trying to make. I agree that the perceived attitude of the author, well - - (big pause) sucks, but I try to disregard that sort of thing in pursuit of what he/she is trying to say. Obviously I found #5 and #11 so over the top that even a pea brained country boy such as myself had to comment. But, to be honest, the article actually jumped the shark (for me) in the title.
I think of it this way. I mean, I take my puppy, my baby boy (with all due respect paid to those that dislike me treating my pup like a human) to a PROFESSIONAL trainer. I invest my time, my money and my blood sweat and tears to go the the trainer for expert guidance and this PROFESSIONAL trainer gladly takes my money but withholds information that he/she feels is essential for the performance of me and my teammate. SAY WHAT??????
Obviously I am having a bit of fun with my answers here, but my brain was tweaked when I read "trainer won't tell you" in the title.
I think of it this way. I mean, I take my puppy, my baby boy (with all due respect paid to those that dislike me treating my pup like a human) to a PROFESSIONAL trainer. I invest my time, my money and my blood sweat and tears to go the the trainer for expert guidance and this PROFESSIONAL trainer gladly takes my money but withholds information that he/she feels is essential for the performance of me and my teammate. SAY WHAT??????
Obviously I am having a bit of fun with my answers here, but my brain was tweaked when I read "trainer won't tell you" in the title.
BTW, I forgot to mention. I am sitting in front of the TV with remote in hand - flipping from NASCAR to the NFL Combine. I have my laptop fired up but not doing any real work, just scanning SN and playing on the internet. I am in man cave heaven! The only thing that would make things better would be to have a fluffy little bi-blue curled up sleeping at my feet (but I'm still working on that).
Caro
Moderator
What I hate is she uses the word "we" - she is not speaking for me, or many of the trainers I know. Does she think it makes her gripes more legitimate by pretending it applies to all dog trainers.
So what about the gear people use, you job as a trainer is to educate and assist them in their equipment choices.
As for practising at home - the homework I give caters to real life so it's easy to practice, I'm not a fan of trainers who expect their class to duplicate the artificial training environment out of class and complain when they don't.
Your dog is not your baby? Honestly I've never had anyone come to class who treats a dog like a baby. I get so sick of hearing people saying this. I do expect people to treat their dog like family.
Wow, comment #11 is so self righteous.
So what about the gear people use, you job as a trainer is to educate and assist them in their equipment choices.
As for practising at home - the homework I give caters to real life so it's easy to practice, I'm not a fan of trainers who expect their class to duplicate the artificial training environment out of class and complain when they don't.
Your dog is not your baby? Honestly I've never had anyone come to class who treats a dog like a baby. I get so sick of hearing people saying this. I do expect people to treat their dog like family.
Wow, comment #11 is so self righteous.
Calliesmom
Moderator
Oh no!!! I just realized that the call name I have picked out for my future pup has more than 2 syllables!!
Fear not- you can have a multisyllable call name, as long as it ends in the ie sound
- like Cranberrywhich frequently gets shortened to Cran
sitting in front of tv (Olympics though), laptop also on...
fluffy little biblue is not snuggled up anywhere close but is running around playing with his hedgehog toy
