Performance Coaching For Canine Professionals

Sometimes, trainers are faced with particularly challenging cases. It may even be a case that you would be reluctant to take on without having the proper support. I find working though case studies to be one of the most powerful ways to help trainers expand their skills, grow their confidence, and add new “tools” to their tool box. If the case is a board and train, we will generally meet twice per week, and if it is private lessons, we will often meet once per week (between each client session). At the outset of the case we will develop an overall training plan (this is one of the most important things,) and set expectations for how the process may unfold. I will give you specific suggestions for training steps. In between meetings I will often ask you to video parts of the process so I can give feedback and we can make any adjustments to the training plan. Additionally we often pair these meetings with my recorded material on Consider the Dog to help you learn new techniques.

I addition to developing and adding to your dog training techniques, we will focus heavily on processes. This means learning how to properly assess each individual case, how to set specific training goals not only for the case as a whole, but also for each individual session, how to trouble shoot, and how to ensure that the client is learning and achieving the best possible outcome. This is the real meat and potatoes. Many trainers I work with have no shortage of techniques and methods, what they are lacking is process. Often behavior is improperly assessed and training plans are lacking. There is no magical technique or method. I will will teach you to think like like the top 1% of trainers in world.

In addition to case studies, many trainers seek to expand their skills more generally. I work with many newer trainers, for instance, who want to gain confidence working with aggression or reactivity but need more guidance. Some trainers want to improve their skills with a new tool such as the remote collar, and others find themselves too dependent on such tools and want to develop a broader toolbox to offer their clients. Many experienced trainers still struggle with imposter syndrome and have doubts about certain aspects of their training.

In these cases, we often use a combination of case studies, recorded material, focused dialogue, and question-and-answer periods. I will give you specific homework, and I will review video of your work. Gaining confidence in a new area of training takes time, and the virtual format is particularly powerful. Rather than only working together over a few days at a seminar or shadow program, we will work together for weeks or even months as you gain experience with your expanded skill set.

Have you ever felt unsure about what to cover at each private lesson? Have you doubted the day-by-day planning and management of your board and trains? Have you modeled a group class after a friend or mentor only to find that it just didn’t feel right? Or perhaps you are looking to start one of these programs and want to ensure you are delivering a service that sets you apart from your competitors.

A well structured class or program will not only amplify your results, it will allow you to better leverage your time, and lead to improved client follow through and satisfaction. I’ve spent a great deal of time mastering the art of creating efficient and highly effective training programs. Doing so allowed me to build a consistent and highly profitable business, while giving me the freedom to travel and spend time with loved ones.

In our profession, we need to be masters of training two animals: Dogs and humans. You have likely experienced that humans can often be the biggest challenge. Many of my clients simply want to provide the best service to their customers and realize that being an excellent human-teacher is crucial to achieve that goal. However others come to me frustrated after a string of particularly difficult customers. Most commonly trainers complain of clients not following though at home, but also clients who push back, don’t listen or focus during lessons, or simply just don’t “get it.” 

At my training center, my team and I put as much care and attention into the art of training and modifying human behavior as we did the art of training dogs. This includes the way we spend the time during lessons, the language we use, ensuring the effective use of positive reinforcement (for the human), and perhaps most importantly, asking the right questions so we can develop a lesson plan that uniquely serves the customers goals. This is both an art and a science and I am passionate about helping trainers master this crucial skill.