I had to think a while before posting this video. Chris Brogan posted it as Are You Coaching or Just Bossing a few days ago and I was immediately drawn to it. But to compare a story like this to my little dog training practice seemed like a stretch. After rewatching it today, I decided to go ahead and share the video because the story is too compelling to not share.
Dog Training is coaching. An effective dog trainer coaches people on how to train their dogs. As a matter of fact, one of the best books on dog training as a profession is called Coaching People to Train Their Dogs.
I started out getting into dog training because of the dogs. I’ve always liked and empathized with animals, and dogs are by far my favorite. When I saw how a skilled trainer can really communicate with a dog and learned about the scientific basis for it, I was hooked.
As I worked to improve my skills I realized that simply connecting with people about their dogs (which is really easy considering I already do care about their dogs) isn’t enough. I have to teach them. When I am successful the results are amazing: I have helped someone better communicate with their dog. It is an amazing feeling and while I am still nervous comparing myself to a hero like Don Meyer, in a way I know how he feels.
Have you coached someone today? Try it. Don Meyer enjoyed it so much he just about rose from his deathbed to keep doing it.
