I was asked (on base where we live) if i'd like to give a clicker class. They see me almost every day out there training with the dogs.
I know we are not the best, off post are much better and much more experienced people that already have trained people long before I was born.
However, everybody started to train people at one point. Nobody is born as a good and successful trainer and you usually have to work your way up. I am not sure if I should even charge any money for this but I was told I should.
However, I was talking to some Germans about it because I wanted to know about the tax. It would be a three month course with two different classes, each class would only hold six people because I want to be able to concentrate on each dog.
It would be a beginner class. It would be about socializing dogs, how you charge the clicker, how you can use the clicker with basic obedience and I would also try to give my view on people that leave their dogs behind once they pcs and that a dog needs a little more exercise than just to be taken out to take a dump and than back into the house.
However, the Germans went completely off on me how I could even think of giving a class.
First off I was asked to do this and sometimes it's hard to say no. One day I want to get the CCPDT license and for that I need to proof 300 hours of training dogs and people.
I may not be very experienced in training a Schutzhund but my dogs are not the first I taught basic obedience. I've been growing up with dogs my whole life, I've socialized dogs from the beginning of my childhood, I can read dogs, I can handle aggressive dogs. While I may ask questions on how to do it better is because I want to get a different view and see how others do it better because I do not want to stop learning.
If I can change one persons mentality towards dogs and teach them how to treat a dog the right way than the whole thing would be worth it.
One big difference I have seen between Americans and Germans is that Germans complain. They down-talk and criticize you rather than support you. It's a huge difference to what I've experienced on post so far.
On post I experienced that if you want something, if you work hard for it and if you show dedication that you will be supported simply because people admire your work and dedication and because they see that it's worth supporting you.
And since I was asked to give that class... why shouldn't I? It would be a great start and at one point I have to start and get on the job experience. I am not claiming to be the greatest trainer out there. I am simply a SAHW with too much time on my hand and putting that time into my dogs but if I can help people to teach their dogs basic commands like sit, down, stay and heel. Why shouldn't I give the class then?
Do I first have to be a World Schutzhund Champion before they admit that I can teach a dog to sit?
If I can show one person that it's worth to use positive reinforcement and how much fun it is to train the dogs and what you can teach a dog with positive re-inforcement, if I can show one person that Dog Chow isn't the food you want to feed a dog. Than it's all worth it!
I know we are not the best, off post are much better and much more experienced people that already have trained people long before I was born.
However, everybody started to train people at one point. Nobody is born as a good and successful trainer and you usually have to work your way up. I am not sure if I should even charge any money for this but I was told I should.
However, I was talking to some Germans about it because I wanted to know about the tax. It would be a three month course with two different classes, each class would only hold six people because I want to be able to concentrate on each dog.
It would be a beginner class. It would be about socializing dogs, how you charge the clicker, how you can use the clicker with basic obedience and I would also try to give my view on people that leave their dogs behind once they pcs and that a dog needs a little more exercise than just to be taken out to take a dump and than back into the house.
However, the Germans went completely off on me how I could even think of giving a class.
First off I was asked to do this and sometimes it's hard to say no. One day I want to get the CCPDT license and for that I need to proof 300 hours of training dogs and people.
I may not be very experienced in training a Schutzhund but my dogs are not the first I taught basic obedience. I've been growing up with dogs my whole life, I've socialized dogs from the beginning of my childhood, I can read dogs, I can handle aggressive dogs. While I may ask questions on how to do it better is because I want to get a different view and see how others do it better because I do not want to stop learning.
If I can change one persons mentality towards dogs and teach them how to treat a dog the right way than the whole thing would be worth it.
One big difference I have seen between Americans and Germans is that Germans complain. They down-talk and criticize you rather than support you. It's a huge difference to what I've experienced on post so far.
On post I experienced that if you want something, if you work hard for it and if you show dedication that you will be supported simply because people admire your work and dedication and because they see that it's worth supporting you.
And since I was asked to give that class... why shouldn't I? It would be a great start and at one point I have to start and get on the job experience. I am not claiming to be the greatest trainer out there. I am simply a SAHW with too much time on my hand and putting that time into my dogs but if I can help people to teach their dogs basic commands like sit, down, stay and heel. Why shouldn't I give the class then?
Do I first have to be a World Schutzhund Champion before they admit that I can teach a dog to sit?
If I can show one person that it's worth to use positive reinforcement and how much fun it is to train the dogs and what you can teach a dog with positive re-inforcement, if I can show one person that Dog Chow isn't the food you want to feed a dog. Than it's all worth it!
RANT OVER!
The Dog Handler
4 comments:
If I were there I would be taking your class I can tell you that. I'm sorry that they were rude, when people are like that it really does hurt. I think you should do it!! Don't worry about what they think, you were asked and congrats on that.
As a human trainer I say do it! You are totally right - you need to start somewhere. Your students are so lucky!
You definitely should do it! I am not sure where you guys are at here in Germany, we've been DESPERATE to find a trainer to help us with our dog, Bentley (he's a cocker spaniel and yes i know very hard to train) he can be some what aggressive if he gets ahold of something that he shouldn't have (say a meat package and when we try to take it from him he growls...that's the worst thing and thing i'm most concerned over) We love him, but I can't chance him biting one of our children. If we're on the same post I'd hire you!!! :) So far we've been told that there's only Germans and we want him trained in English. Frustrating.
Thank you so much for your comment. I'm so thankful I have an AWESOME GOD and know I'm never truly alone, just sometimes I feel lonely for that human connection that seems to only be on the surface lately with friends.
God bless
Christy,
have you tried to give him something instead? Like once you get the package from him that you give him a treat, or his favorite toy, or a bone? Like a reward that he's given you the package?
We are in Heidelberg, that is a long way from Bavaria.
I know what you mean that it only seems to be on the surface. I feel the same way. My husband is gone all the time and we all go our own ways and if I didn't had the dogs I'd be a very lonely person over here in Heidelberg.
God bless you too :)
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