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Setting Training Expectations
One of the biggest difficulties for us when we adopted our rescue puppy was setting training expectations. We had visions of what our previous dogs were like and wanted to see all the good things in our new fur baby. … Now. Not when she is 2 years old but basically as soon as her…
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Skill Acquisition
As a softball coach, skill acquisition depended on many factors including the developmental stage that the players were in. For example some skills could be too complex for an 8 year old who just began the sport than it would be for a 16 year old that has been playing for a while. The training…
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Humility
As a softball coach, as part of my not allowing my ego to guide my leadership, humility was my friend. I knew very well that I was not really experienced when I began so I needed to seek information. I wanted solid and science based information that was going to give my teams the best…
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Comparisons
One thing that we have a hard time not getting caught up in is comparisons. With many of our friends having dogs as well, we are constantly coming home after a visit and discussing how our dog is different from theirs. The thing is, every dog has their own strengths and weaknesses. There are so…
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Trust The Process
In coaching softball, the mantra was, trust the process and the outcome will take care of itself. When coaching athletes, we know the mechanics of skills and along with video analysis we can almost guarantee success for the players as long as we have a plan for the skill acquisition. In coaching our puppy Rylee,…
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Confidence
After we took Rylee to her first puppy class, I wondered, what is it about the instructor that compelled her to be so focused and follow her every move. When Rylee was used for demonstration, she was focused and attentive as if she had done this many times before. So I thought what is it…
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Puppy Skills Planning
Puppy skills planning for me as a coach, is setting up a pathway to success for Rylee. When we first got her, we simply followed along in our puppy classes, while diligently doing our homework between sessions. We didn’t actually have any specific direction that we were following. We did know that there were some…
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Goal Setting
This tool is useful for us as we coach Rylee into adulthood. By using goal setting, we can set a pathway to success for her as she is learning skills that will make her the good dog that she wants to be. An example is when we are working on her loose leash walking. We…
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Coaching Philosophy
My coaching philosophy as a softball coach was about the players, ethics, self direction and empowerment. Read more about it here. In relation to Rylee, our puppy, I would say that I am puppy centered and want to empower her to make good decisions when she grows up. Good decisions in our eyes anyway. I…
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Relaxation
Relaxation can come in many ways. The most common and quickest form is to simply take a breath and let all the air out as our shoulders come down. When we are working on training with Rylee, I try to take a breath before the training begins or before an event occurs that we are…
