Frustration is defined as: The feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially
because of inability to change or achieve something.
If you are anything like me frustration
is most likely one of the top five words in your canine training vocabulary, (If you are being honest with yourself).
I would like to talk about, “frustration,” and how it can be a good and bad thing.
I have found people in general don’t like to seek advice to further their knowledge when they become frustrated.
Why is this you may ask? Simple, we are prideful, think we already know the answer, possibly too arrogant, or simply don’t
know who to seek for advice about the particular issue which is being experienced. Earlier in this article series I told you of a quote I love which was told to me by my wife, “frustration
begins where knowledge ends.” Keep that in mind as you read through this.
When
you reach the level of frustration it is important to take a step back and ask the following questions. Why am I frustrated? What am I trying
to accomplish? Is what I am doing (in training) allowing me to accomplish the desired results? Am I causing the problem? These are just a few, self-diagnostic questions you should always ask yourself
when trying to accomplish something with a canine. It is imperative to always look objectively into your training and live
deployments with critical thinking in mind. Successful canine training and live deployments, is completed through constant self-evaluations
of both yourself and canine. Often times we make excuses for our canine or our mistakes when working, however to truly succeed
is to remain humble and be willing to SEE and EMBRACE those things which can be improved upon.
Frustration
(It’s a good thing)
How, you may ask? Well that would be the question. It is a good thing if you have the ability to realize you are frustrated and seek advice and ways
to fix the frustration (Problem). If you have the ability to realize you are frustrated it is your first step in admitting your knowledge
in this particular area of canine training is lacking. Anyone who works with a canine will at some point become frustrated. Realizing the
frustration and working to gain knowledge and experience to quell the frustration is key in becoming a master at your canine
handling / training skill.
As stated, frustration is a good thing! The reason for this is, if you get to
the point where you are frustrated and want to FIX the frustration, you will have to do so through knowledge gained. Fixing frustration
often involves addional instruction for yourself, and your canine team, through a trainer or fellow canine hander who has
the keys to unlock these previously locked boxes of knowledge to you.
Harnessing this new found knowledge will only increase your effectiveness
as a trainer or a canine team. BE WILLING TO ASK FOR HELP!
Frustration
(It’s a bad thing)
People in general are prideful. This is not a bad thing; it makes us who we are. The problem with this is often times
canine handlers and trainers are experiencing frustration with a canine over something small and do not seek advice on how
to fix the problem. None of us have seen EVERY potential problem which can be experienced in canine handling or training. It is important
to understand even the best trainers and instructors, including many in the ASCT organization NEVER stop learning. Things are constantly
changing and new information is always becoming available. Sometimes we find it difficult to learn something new from a handler
or trainer who may be newer into the canine field than we are.
I find fault in this type of thinking, as the only way to curb your
frustration with respect to canine training and handling is to learn everything you can from everyone you can, no matter their
knowledge or skill level.
If
you are not able or refuse to do a self-diagnostic on yourself when it comes to canine handling or training you are at the
pinnacle of failure. Frustration will only increase and multiply itself into other areas of your training if not dealt
with at the most infant stages. Ensure you have a support structure in place as we talked about earlier in this article series.
Feel free to call these trainers, and handlers and discuss what is going on which may be causing you concerns.
If you ask any trainer or handler you respect, 100 percent
of them will credit others in their canine career for knowledge gained and experience given towards the success of their respective
careers. As I mentioned above, frustration is very prevalent in my canine career but this is not a bad thing! I have experienced
and continue to experience frustration because I continue to gain knowledge and push my training to the limit. We are all only
as good as our last deployment. Always work to be better on the next!
Adam
