List of 100

Continuing on our problem solving quest...

Problem: In what ways might I improve class (training) so both the dogs and I will enjoy what we are working on and I will remain enthusiastic about reaching my goals.

Step 3: Analyze the Problem

Let's try the List of 100 way...

100 Ways to make class fun for the dogs...

1. Use a variety of cookies
2. Have action activities
3. Less quiet/down time
4. Keep the lesson understandable
5. Reduce frustration
6. Don't do the same thing every day
7. Don't do anything for too long
8. Be organized before I start
9. Keep the waiting dog waiting for less time
10. Include activities they enjoy
11. Hold class in various locations
12. Use different props
13. Make the exercises look different
14. Include games they like
15. Include fetch
16. Include tug
17. Include some competition
18. Go outside
19. Add water (for Zachary)
20. Add scenting (for Beau)
21. Reduce distractions
22. Include interaction with me
23. Rapid motions
24. ... like spins
25. ... or chasing
26. Add finding things
27. Include out people in the family
28. Shorter training for a particular thing but more time overall
29. Swap the dogs more frequently
30. Train them together
31. Include toys
32. Have a toy box just for training time
33. Have a special reward at the end of training
34. Train with a friend
35. Train at the pet store
36. Train in the park
37. Rent Wendy's yard
38. Try many different warm-up activities
39. Break "boring" stuff into bits and work on them separately
40. Understand what I'm training before I try to train it
41. Have stations in various rooms of the house and moving from station to station during one training session
42. Turn on lively music (Stars and Stripes forever!)
43. Include things they already know how to do
44. Include things "just for fun" (tricks)
45. Don't try to do too many things at once
46. Don't let the camera slow things down
47. Incorporate more of what I want to train in everyday activities
48. Have son do some training
49. Break it up into morning, afternoon, and evening sessions (2-3 minutes each)
50. Ask for behaviors right before something they want (like a walk)
51. Figure out their learning style (is there a list of dog learning styles?) and try to accommodate them
52. Spread out things they don't like so we aren't working on more than one at a time
53. Be enthused about things they don't like (maybe it'll be contagious)
54. Come up with creative distractions
55. ... creative training methods
56. ... try different approaches to explaining something to them
57. Keep track of what works and what doesn't (to avoid the first and do more of the later.
58. Check YouTube for ideas about making training fun
59. Don't get upset when things don't go well
60. Don't wrap my self-worth up in their success/failure
61. Don't focus on the negative, focus on the positive
62. Create a sign that says "My Dogs are the Best" and hang it up where I can see it when class starts
63. Create a class room
64. Throw a party when they succeed
65. Include "harder" things so they have to think
66. Include thinking games
67. Challenge their minds
68. Include problem solving (ball in the box) activities
69. Try to make a game for every activity
70. Make games that work on bits of boring things
71. Take a day off and do nothing but fun/known things
72. Create a freestyle "routine" to work on heeling (ie: to music)
73. Bring in outside things to augment training
74. If something isn't working, stop doing it
75. If something is working, do more of it
76. Ask other people how they keep training fun
77. Find a training partner for Zachary
78. Give the non-working dog something to do while waiting
79. Show more enthusiasm for small successes
80. Be genuine with praise
81. Work with their instincts
82. ... figure out what their instincts really are!
83. Watch how they play together and see if I can use some of those behaviors during training time
84. Be more fun to be around during training
85. Stick with at least 5 days a week
86. Don't blame them if they don't learn something - it's the instructors fault
87. Incorporate more "life" rewards
88. Include training of behaviors that will allow them to do things they would really enjoy
89. Fun in contagious - figure out what I enjoy and include that too
90. Remember that they want to please - it's my job to see they are successful
91. Punt early if something is obviously not working
92. Don't give up on something too soon, give it time to work
93. Push through "the wall" (90% done, and holding)
94. Finish behaviors so they can show them off - they love the attention!
95. Show off things trained to family - they love the attention!
96. Have a "recital" once a week for family - they love the attention!
97. Don't be the teacher you hated in school
98. Do be the teacher you loved in school
99. Don't compare the dogs
100. Don't try to train them the same way
101. Discover what motivates them, and use it
102. Discover what is demotivating, and avoid it