As I launch my new podcast radio show, I have to tell you that I agonized over a name. I wanted something that would both inform potential listeners of the subject matter, while making a statement about my philosophy. Of course, one has to accomplish that while paying attention to uniqueness and availability. It’s a tough job.
My podcast is about dog training for the average pet dog owner and will be infused with my deep respect for the animals I share my life with. I wanted to veer away from the “pack leader” mentality and leave behind the current trend of setting dogs up as a force to be triumphed over.
After spending a lot of time thinking about words, I remembered how often I’d been told to treat fellow trainers (of like or un-like minds) with “positive regard”. Hmmm. Regard…Rover.
“Cookie-slinging weenies!”
“Punishment trainers!”
“Posi-Nazis!”
“Jerk trainers!”
Know what these epithets have in common? For one thing, they’ve all been slung around the internet with the intention of disparaging other trainers. They also all show the ignorance of the person spewing them.
MORE RECYCLING: A very similar version of this article appears on my own blog. I thought it germaine (=relevant, I'm so chronically nerdy!) to the discussion taking place here about non-aversive punishment. Visit my blog "that dog whisperer lady" at http://mswhisperer.blogspot.com
On Friday I received a frantic call from the director of Family Housing at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Friday asking if I was certified to administer the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. I answered yes, but asked him to explain the urgency. Apparently, the U.S.M.C. recently (August 11) issued a corpswide ban on Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, wolf hybrids, and any mixes of those breeds from all Marine Corps bases, to include base housing. I guess this shouldn't really come as a surprise. The Army issued the same ban earlier in the year, and separate military bases have been implementing their own bans here and there as a result. So now, even though they carry the nickname Devil Dogs, the U.S.M.C. is not extending their Semper Fi motto to the family pet .... if it's of a certain breed, that is.
Leadership is a grossly misunderstood concept. Leadership is often associated with words like “dominance”, “alpha”, “authority”, “respect”, and “challenge”. Rarely, if ever, is it associated with the word “trust”. Which may explain the tremendous lack of demonstrated leadership present in today’s human society!
Leadership is a role that requires the earning of trust from followers. Trust cannot be demanded. Force (the tool of the Dominator) creates resistance. Trust can only be given, not taken. Leadership, unlike "dominance", requires followers to CHOOSE to follow. Trust is broken in a heartbeat, but repaired, re-earned, only over a long period of time--not hours, but days, weeks, even months or years. Sometimes, it's irreparably broken.
