Skill Set
Training
a New Take on
Working With Clients and Their Dogs
By Renea L. Dahms RMT
© 2009, Renea L. Dahms All Rights Reserved
In 1995,
when I began volunteering as a training assistant, classes were held by local
AKC all-breed dog clubs and focused primarily on competitive obedience skills, taught
as if the students were going to be performing them as such. Very little was
done toward practical application of the skills or in owner education.
Typical
scheduled classes run from four to ten weeks in length with a set curriculum or
list of skills to be taught in the class each week. Students arrive at class
and are introduced to a skill, which they work on for a few minutes and are
then introduced to another skill. This process follows for the duration of the
class, with work on last week’s skills then an introduction to yet more skills.
All students are then to work each week on the skills as they are being done in
class, with the idea they will go home and improve upon them for the next
class.
While this
theory of class structure may lend itself well to those working toward titles
and degrees in competitive dog sports, it does not work well for the average
pet owner who struggles with correct timing, keeping an unruly dog on task and
attempting to listen to the instructor. Many times they are so lacking in the
foundation skills that it becomes difficult to work more advanced skills.
To combat
these issues, I began utilizing a skill set training program. The idea is to
break down training into components, which are worked on each week. Where the
traditional class would have students work on many skills each week, the skill
set classes work on specific small sets of skills and only those skills each
week. Students move up upon showing proficiency to the next set of skills,
where they will remain until again showing proficiency.
Scheduling
for skill sets can be done in a variety of ways, currently our facility runs
this program continuously, with exceptions such as holidays, but does not work
on a set start and end date. One evening is dedicated to this program with
skill sets running each hour progressively. Students purchase a set number of
sessions to use, and can continue to purchase sessions throughout the year.
The number
of sessions a student will spend in a skill set is dependant upon both the
student’s abilities and the instructor’s recommendations to move to the next
level. By purchasing blocks of sessions, the student can make classes as time
allows. Students may choose to come every other week, giving themselves time to
work on skills in more real world settings between sessions.
There are
many benefits to this system for the student, the dog and instructors.
By
purchasing blocks of sessions, students are able to come as their schedule
allows and will not lose out on any instruction time as they use what they
purchase. Students have mentioned how appealing this is, especially when family
obligations are in competition for valuable time.
Eliminating
the one-size fits all training concept allows students to concentrate more time
and effort on a few skills at a time, thereby becoming more confident in
working with their dog, as well as becoming more proficient. Time is allowed for
students to better understand how to work with their dog at achieving a smaller
set of goals, and gaining a better sense of accomplishment.
Having an
open-ended class structure lessens performance anxiety, as there is no “graduation”
looming ahead. Accomplishments are felt with each successful session. There is
no more all or nothing for students. When a student is having difficulty with a skill,
concentration remains on that skill versus moving along to the next scheduled
activity.
The
progression of skills will allow students to gain control of their dog with
more foundation skills versus attempting to get a dog that lunges, pulls and
pays no attention to heel in a matter of a few weeks. It sets up more realistic
expectations, which lends itself to greater training success.
The skill sets are as follows:
Skill Set One: Attention/Focus,
Combat Jumping, Default Positions & Leave It/Take It/Trade.
Skill Set
One covers very basic behaviors that allow the handler to gain and keep control
of his/her dog. Should the handler opt to discontinue training after this skill
set, they will have a relatively well mannered dog that will be easier to train
and work with overall. I have discovered from previous experience with pet dog
owners this skill set is highly sought after and is excellent foundation work
for further training.
Skill Set Two: Loose Leash Work, Rock
Solid Recall, Wait & Settle.
Skill
Set Two covers behaviors that work with one another (loose leash- recalls and
wait-settle), and flows well from skill set one. The additional behaviors will
allow the handler greater control both in and out of the home. They will also
allow for more interactions with his/her dog in public settings.
The
remaining three sets flow easily from the skills attained in the first two
sets, but are more advanced skills a handler can live without should he/she opt
to discontinue training at this point. The first two skill sets will set up
success in attaining a well behaved and well mannered dog by most pet owner
standards.
Skill Set Three: Perfect Sits/Downs,
Stay & Heeling.
Skill Set Four: Off-lead Work,
Door-Dashing and Threshold Manners.
Skill Set Five: Dealing with
Distractions and Proofing.
Skill Set
Training lends itself well to other training goals, such as agility, Rally or
competitive obedience as skills are broken down into components, with a strong
foundation as the main goal in early sets.
Agility for
example is a sport requiring speed as well as proficient performance of an
obstacle. In traditional classes, students would meet weekly for a prescribed
number of weeks and work through a checklist of agility equipment, putting all
together from the beginning. As skill sets, it can be broken down.
Agility
skill sets can look like this:
Skill Set One: Foundation
Training-contact obstacles
Skill Set Two: Foundation
Training-jumps/weaves/tunnels
Skill Set Three: Simple Sequencing
Skill Set Four: Understanding crosses
and other more complicated course running skills.
Skill set
four can also be broken down into more skill sets, with one being only crosses
(front or back crossing on the course) and the other set(s) to work on
maneuvering the course with other more advanced skills (i.e. gamblers runs,
working ahead and away from the handler etc.).
Essentially, the more learning objectives are broken down into components, the easier they become to master. Learning is like a ladder where the goal is to reach the top. The arrangement and distance between the rungs can be the difference between great success and just getting there.