Skip to main content

Control freak?

Love is - letting go of the outcome
Are you a control freak?  Do you train to control or do you do it because it is where there is an excuse not to be in control? (-:
 
Imagine that lion trainer forcing that circus lion into the corner with a whip and a chair.  Days of old.  Imagine that dog being yanked into position using a choke chain.  Hearts are cold.
Imagine the horse being spurred into a gallop and bitted into a stop.  Souls are sold.
These used to be accepted training methods.  In some instances, they still may be practised.
These are not what we consider training at all.  True training is something much more harmonious.  We have all dreamed of being Dr Doolittle.  Of talking to animals.  Truth be told – it’s possible.  Using true training. 
I love it when I hear new information about animal training.  When I am challenged to think in new ways.  I love to be challenged.  And I really love it when I notice that I am being challenged because then I know that objectivity is heading into the space.  Being challenged means that we are looking at it – more and more – from the animal’s point of view.
It is truly exciting when we learn to train for the first time.  Problem is, that most of us are taught to look at things from our point of view.  And this is vital.  Unless we know what tools we are applying, we are uncertain of what we are doing.  For example, negative reinforcement is not when the animal moves away from us.  It is when we move away from the animal.  If we think it is them doing the moving – then it is them doing the training.  Communication blurs.  Responses become reactive.Having said that – it should be us doing the training yes.  But it cannot happen if we are not aware.  Look.  See.  What is happening? – not just in if they are sitting or touching the ball or laying out the way you want them to, but – how is their attitude?  Are they anxious in that pose?  Complacent?  Are they thinking, or are you doing the thinking for them?  When we start to see this – the countenance – then things get real.  Then we have relationship!!
And when things get real, they get wonderful.  Because when we see this, we are starting to see the training from the animal’s point of view.  We are starting to let them choose their responses and we are simply guiding the process.
A good trainer is not a doer.  It is a guide.  Stepping aside and letting them move and choose – choose to be in relationship with a gem of a guide – who is having as much fun as they are.
PS.  Caution.  This does not mean do whatever and hope for the best.  All the lessons we learned are still valid.  Step by step.  Going back a step when things get unclear.  Focussing on what we want.  Etc etc.

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for connecting💕

Popular posts from this blog

In memory of my mother

My mum passed when I was 23. I never really had the opportunity to come back home to a respectful relationship with her after my teenage rebellious tribulations and assaults on her goodwill. So this blog is to honour and thank her for her contribution to my love for  nature.  She was an avid bird watcher and had dreams of travelling through the bush. I have many memories of her being fascinated by animals on our weekend getaways to the Kruger National Park.  My first memory of her was her riding a horse called Thunder. That is a beautiful memory and the name of the horse is as mystical and awe inspiring as her impact on who I am in relationship with animals.  She was fearless. And always confident that all would be well. She had faith in my animal relationships always. As a very young child I was given the task on many occasions to hand rear orphan wildlife and pets. She never micro managed the process but would offer helpful insight that came naturally to her.  The animals in our home

Reflections and projections

When they judge or throw stones (the people) - grace makes us the blank screen or the still water onto which they can see themselves and take personal account for their actions. When we train animals can we be that clear. So as to wisely be and act rather than contest and fight for what we want🥰

South American Penguin update - Promises

> > Dear PenguinPromises > > The penguins are now back home in the colony after their month long feeding trip. > They have had a very relaxing time just floating in the water and recovering > their weight after the exhausting period of chick-rearing. > > Whilst they were away the penguins did not spend much time swimming, except for > when they were hungry and decided to go fishing. Most of their time was spent > bobbing up and down in the water, rising and falling with each passing wave. > Sometimes the waves can be huge, and floating out in the open ocean can be like > being on a roller coaster. I can say that from personal experience of using inflatable > launches to reach offshore penguin colonies. > > I often visit the Rockhopper colony on Isla Pinguino which is about 40 km offshore > from Puerto Deseado in open ocean. Even in what fisherman would call good weather, > going over the peak of each wav