In this episode of the Canine Connection podcast, hosts Petra and Laurie welcome Crystal Wing, a former high school art teacher turned dog trainer. Crystal shares her journey of transitioning from teaching to dog training, emphasizing the importance of following one's passion and the challenges of finding safety and comfort in change. The conversation explores the significance of creativity, curiosity, and observation in dog training, as well as the application of art principles to enhance training techniques. Crystal introduces the Six C's framework for understanding dog behavior and discusses the importance of being present in the moment during training sessions. The episode concludes with insights on embracing mistakes as learning opportunities and valuing information over judgment in the training process. In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the emotional aspects of dog training, emphasizing the importance of emotional awareness, overcoming judgment, and fostering curiosity. They discuss how societal expectations can weigh heavily on trainers and the need to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process. The conversation highlights the significance of observation and analysis in understanding dog behavior, as well as the role of confidence and self-perception in effective training. Ultimately, the speakers advocate for a shift from judgment to curiosity, encouraging trainers to focus on the process rather than perfection.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Crystal Wing

01:11 Transitioning from Teaching to Dog Training

03:56 The Importance of Taking Risks

07:43 Finding Safety and Comfort in Change

11:04 Creativity in Dog Training

16:15 Curiosity as a Tool for Creativity

21:36 The Role of Critical Analysis in Training

28:32 Staying Present and Mindful in Training

29:44 Mindfulness and Sensory Awareness

31:32 The Importance of Paying Attention to Dogs

33:08 Video Analysis in Dog Training

35:45 Mastering One Skill at a Time

36:37 Compassion in Training

38:46 Curiosity and Continuous Learning

41:14 Shifting from Judgment to Curiosity

44:19 Emotional Awareness in Training

46:13 The Role of Mistakes in Learning

49:31 Creating a Weightless Training Environment

52:00 Embracing Nervousness and Uncertainty

54:10 The Art of Observation in Dog Training

01:02:12 Understanding Dog Communication

01:05:09 The Importance of Intent and Confidence

01:09:21 Building Skills: Curiosity, Creativity, and Confidence

01:13:05 The Impact of Self-Perception on Training

01:15:40 Generosity in Observations and Learning

01:18:08 Innovative Teaching Techniques for Better Understanding

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PETRA:

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www.petrasdogresourcecenter.com

LAURIE:

https://www.facebook.com/laurie.strimavicius

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In this episode of the Canine Connection podcast, Petra and Laurie dive into the concept of variable reinforcement in dog training. They discuss the importance of unpredictability in reinforcement, how to recognize and address struggles in dogs, and the role of cookies in training. The conversation emphasizes building confidence through challenges, creating self-reinforcing behaviors, and the need for mindfulness in reinforcement strategies. They also explore the impact of predictability on performance and provide practical strategies for implementing a variable reinforcement schedule. The episode concludes with insights on teaching through confidence and the importance of planning in training sessions.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Understanding Variable Reinforcement

02:43 The Importance of Unpredictability in Training

05:51 The Role of Struggle in Learning

08:26 Building Confidence Through Variable Reinforcement

11:11 Creating Self-Reinforcing Behaviors

14:05 Mindfulness in Reinforcement

16:55 The Power of Surprise in Training

19:57 Managing Expectations in Training

22:40 The Balance of Reinforcement

25:22 Teaching Through Tricks

28:18 The Mindset Shift in Training

31:02 Using Praise as Reinforcement

33:50 Planning Your Reinforcement Schedule

36:33 Avoiding Predictability in Training

39:28 Encouraging Persistence in Dogs

42:13 The Journey to Variable Reinforcement

45:03 Final Thoughts on Training Mindfulness

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PETRA:

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www.petrasdogresourcecenter.com

LAURIE:

https://www.facebook.com/laurie.strimavicius

https://www.facebook.com/groups/trainme2025

In this episode of the Canine Connection podcast, Laurie and Petra interview Laura Holder, a conservation dog handler who discusses her unique work with dogs in environmental conservation. Laura shares her journey from corporate America to training dogs for various detection tasks, including bumblebee nest detection and turtle monitoring. The conversation explores the importance of understanding dog behavior, the challenges of fieldwork, and the benefits of nose work for building confidence in dogs. Listeners will gain insights into the collaborative nature of conservation projects and the vital role that dogs play in protecting endangered species. In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the fascinating world of dog training, focusing on the incredible memory and unique personalities of dogs. They discuss the importance of observing dog behavior, innovative training techniques in nose work, and the role of breed in shaping a dog's abilities. The conversation also touches on the mental management required in dog training and the balance between passion and professionalism in the field. Listeners are encouraged to appreciate their dogs as teachers and to observe not only their own dogs but others as well to enhance their training skills.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Conservation with Dogs

02:11 Laura's Journey into Dog Training

03:23 The Role of Conservation Dogs

05:13 Ernie's Conservation Work

07:21 Training Dogs for Multiple Species

09:13 Verifying Bumblebee Nests

11:06 Planning Field Work with Dogs

12:29 Field Work Dynamics

13:32 Weather Challenges in Conservation Work

15:27 Energy Management for Working Dogs

17:10 Teaching Dogs to Range

19:31 Self-Taught Skills in Conservation

21:28 Reading Your Dog's Behavior

23:46 The Humbling Nature of Nose Work

25:38 Encouraging Independent Problem Solving

27:20 Building Confidence in Dogs

28:50 Handling Dog Stress in Training

30:34 Resilience in Dog Training

32:21 The Benefits of Nose Work

34:42 Integrating Nose Work with Other Sports

36:40 Final Thoughts on Training and Conservation

40:31 The Incredible Memory of Dogs

42:46 Understanding Dog Personalities in Training

44:38 The Importance of Observing Dog Behavior

48:44 Innovative Training Techniques in Nose Work

54:27 The Role of Breed in Dog Training

59:07 Managing Expectations and Mental Resilience

01:06:07 Balancing Passion and Professionalism

01:13:37 The Journey of Self-Awareness in Dog Training

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PETRA:

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LAURIE:

https://www.facebook.com/laurie.strimavicius

https://www.facebook.com/groups/trainme2025