Positive Based Training and Transformation
I used to say, “I believe there is a revolution coming in the field of working with animals”. These days I proclaim, “Welcome to the revolution!” If you haven’t already jumped aboard this bandwagon, what are you waiting for? Experience for yourself the joy and satisfaction that comes from helping the animals in your life to be happy, healthy and whole.
I recently took part in a pet fair in Parksville called Doggy Dayz. As I have formal training in only a few areas of training and healing animals, I was excited for the opportunity to see what else other people are doing. Would we have similar ideas? Would we disagree? My first impression when I walked into this room full of animal lovers was that this was going to be a nice place to spend my day. I checked out all the tables, networking when I had the chance. By the end of the day, my worries dissolved into a huge sigh of relief. Every one of the professionals I met that day is working with animals in a positive and compassionate way.
It thrills me to tell you that the field of working with animals has changed dramatically in the last decade. As global awareness rises and we increase our compassion for animals, training techniques that are dominance and punishment based are becoming less acceptable. I liken some of those practices to the blood-letting of the dark ages. One day we will look back on how our society has treated animals in the past and wonder, “How did we let that happen?”
But I need to be clear by saying that there is no judgement. All of us can only do our best and we can only do what we know. That’s why I am here to tell you what I know. I didn’t know that I could help animals with gentleness until I learned there was another way. Believe me, I have been there pinning my dog’s throat to the ground and growling. With tears streaming down my face, a voice was screaming inside my head, “What are you doing? You love this animal”. As I think back to those few classes I took many years ago, my heart is still filled with the nausea of regret. I know that fear and force did not stop my dog from being reactive to other dogs. In fact, it made him worse. And I also know that switching to positive based training techniques was the best choice I ever made for my dog and for myself.
I also include the word transformation in the title of this article because I believe that training is only part of helping animals to become balanced. Transformation can mean healing; it can mean growth. Let us consider that an animal (and a person) has aspects that are physical, emotional, mental, behavioural and spiritual. For an animal to be in balance (happy, healthy, well mannered), all of these aspects must be in relative balance. When one or more of these parts are in disharmony, the health and wellbeing of the whole is compromised. We can see how an injury to the body can cause emotional problems (fear) which can lead, over time, to behavioural concerns (barking or biting). To rectify any animal problem we have to see the individual as a whole and find the root source of the problem. What emotions lie underneath? What situation is causing this to happen? How is health being compromised? I find it so exciting to know that I can help an animal’s emotions by doing gentle work on the body. Or by shifting an animal’s posture, their behaviours can change. By asking an animal to perform a task, their state of mind can shift. Wow, this is powerful stuff!
In the words, photos and videos to follow, I will be sharing with you some of the skills and techniques that I have found to be successful. The techniques I use are only some of the options available. There are many talented professional pet people out there and it can be difficult to find what works best for you. When looking into something new I always ask myself the following questions: Is it humane? Is the animal learning? Is it successful? Would I feel 100% comfortable doing this with/to my animal? When you answer yes to all of these questions, go ahead and give it a try. If you like it, carry on. If you don’t, try something else.
So if you are looking to work with an animal in a deeper, more meaningful way, stay tuned for what’s to come. “Viva la revolution!”
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