A lesson to be learned
Often times, when we are talking about animal training our speech is filled with phrases and terminology of how we have managed to alter that animal's behavior into a certain direction.
And that's how it should be; Knowing the theory behind behavior management thoroughly is a key element for success - for the trainer to reach aimed goals as well as for the animal under her or his care, it quarantines also a better welfare for the animal.
When we are sharing our experiences we are hopefully giving advise to someone else of practicalities which are good but also at the same time those which are leading into not so good progress. Actually unsuccessful stories often times are more enlightening than the one's with perfect solution. So, fortunately we all make mistakes and we should share those as well.
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| - Sharing is caring - |
Sharing is caring !
So while we are making mistakes we also are learning a whole lot of valuable information. I can admit that during my 30 plus years of animal training experiences I've made quite a bunch of mistake with a note to myself; "never again!" or "..a different approach next time."
When I'm tutoring or lecturing other trainers & animal care people on animal behavior management I do always remind them animals are kind of learning machines - as learning happens all the time; whether we want it or not - it happens intentionally or imperceptibly.
So mistakes happen - that's life. Fortunately lots of things can be fixed later. This one applies to animal behavior but also with equal value to our behavior as animal trainers or caretakers. So I'm challenging you to think; when was the last time you shared some failure in you training program?
When shared, those experiences can be like an apples of gold in settings of silver to someone else. In short - I guess sometimes the best lessons as well as the very first lesson to be learned is that we learn through mistakes and we may learn more for the future in any similar situation.
Interacting or a relationship?
Which would you prefer to talk about of the times you spend with animals under your care?
The ideal idea when we are working or just "hanging" with animals is to create an intimate atmosphere and a common language to be able to communicate with each other. More often it is for us following, reading and listening to the animals - learning how to read all small nuances animals are expressing to us through their behavior. Something you just cannot learn form any textbook.
We are definitely interacting with our animals but when does it go beyond interaction? Where is the line when it becomes relationship type of time together?
..or is that considered to be way too much of antropomophized term or thinking?
I've heard quite a few times that we should not humanize too much animals, but if we're trying to make a good life with animals under our care - why not? I fully agree that when we are analyzing the behavior or the "forces" that are making the animal act in a certain way; It is the time not to humanize animal's - You need to analyze the behavior or find the environmental stimulus which is / are making the animal behave in that certain way. Sometimes one can hear wordings, like" Well it's Barky - that's how he behaves..." To be honest, I've done the same.
This however has been one of the moments which were not so very successful.
There is nothing really wrong to think this way ..BUT ..at the same time we are blocking possibilities for both ourselves as well as for the animals in question to have any success or progress in it's training or behavior modification. If our thinking is negative for the success of the end result we are not really giving a fair chance for the animal to be successful. What we are executing is called self fulfilling prophesy, a prediction that causes itself to become true. In other words the expectations of behavioral progress can lead to a behavior or lack of progress which confirms the expectations for that individual in our mind.
So I guess the second lesson to be learned is to give equal possibility for each animal for a success. We, as trainers or animal care people, should be enablers for them to be successful in any given task. This of course is easier to achieve if we manage to create a supportive relationship with the animal.
Exciting and relaxing moments in a good balance
Many times finding the right balance in training situation is a key factor in creating a encouraging interaction with your animal. Also it is one of the fundamentals when we are thinking of all stimulus the animal is exposed to, how to find the right, hopefully positive, reinforcements which would over rule all other "forces" in it's environment. Our aim is to find those tools (stimulus) to be used to balance the behavior management in the way that we are guiding animals behavior in the wanted direction.
Training can create some very exciting moments and it gives a thrust of endorphins not only to animals but also us, when we are being successful together. What would be a better achievement to us than a goal achieved - we'd be full of "runners-high". This is one of the best positive reinforcements for both of us - a chemical reinforcement of a good feeling.
On the other hand we do need some quiet times also - time to relax. It is a well know fact that a relaxing time spend with ie. domestic animals is comforting to us; it can lower our blood pressure and make our hear beat slower. So - when we are encountering animal with this respect - wouldn't our effect on them be the same? It is a welfare factor of our cohabitation.
Many animals are used in therapy-type of purposes for example for elderly people, disabled people or children. Personally I don't very much like the use of the word "therapy" in these kind of situations as it is relating that there would be some kind of clinical healing or therapy involved. As to me it is just something that has been kind of programmed to us; closeness with another living creature in a relaxed way is comforting. With animals it is rather easy as they feel often times pleased of the attention and are not judging any of us because of our appearance therefore making it easy to approach them. Many studies demonstrate a detrimental effect of negative human animal relationship on animals and humans. This convinces me on the effect of a positive relationship creating good quality of life and welfare for both of us.
So the third lesson to be learned is that time with animals under our care is giving them as well as to us some thrilling feelings and relaxing moments. These are not kind of concrete reinforcements or material matters to count - it is something the body generates, something that is very innate for both of us when successful.
There is always a new possibility
I still want to bring on one value. As I've been involved with the animal training in many occasions it has influenced me and kind of addressed the beauty of being with animals.
Imagine you are having a training session with you animal and you have some success, but also some things are not really going the way you had anticipated (which is quite normal). You may have missed some good bridges (ie. click on a perfect performance) or the animal has kind of utterly misunderstood your cues on the direction you'd like it to get to. As you finish you're not really content with the overall result.
What happens the next time we're working on that same goal?
It is critical on what kind of emotion we will bring to that next training session. If it is somewhat preconceived we are not really giving a fair chance for the animal to be successful. Remember we are supposed to be enablers for our animals to achieve a good result. Therefore I believe that we'd need to somehow clear our mind of the past events but at the same time remember what has happened and use that information for a new solution to be encouraging for the animal.
As I type and read this - it sounds awful lot like forgiveness.
That I believe is and has been for me the most valuable lesson I've learned whilst working and spending time with animals. We do need that kind of talent with animals but above all in our every day life.
What would be your treasured catch?
Sincerely
Kai Mattsson
Meritime Consulting
https://www.facebook.com/Meritime-345171735503394
p.s. If you look at the words I wrote in bold - isn't those the kind of characteristics we need also in parenthood or in any other relationship? When I started my career as a young dolphin trainer, this was one of the most memorable teaching I got from my tutor: A good trainer has those same (good) tool for parenting.
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