documentation and training records - Page 1

Just an interest, how many of you actually write out a training plan, with goals and definable criteria to meet? Do you keep written records of each dogs training? How did you learn the majority of what you have learned? Was it from books (reading and then doing) or from watching others (observing and then copying). Or was it a combination? Has anyone ever trained completely from a book description with success?

You're kidding, right? I have always "meant" to keep training journals, advise my students to do so, but... Much of what I have learned was gleaned the hard way: Ignoring good advice from experienced trainers, (I was so smart... LOL) making stupid mistakes and regretting some of them later. But I guess most was learned from paying attention to other people and attending a lot of seminars, with and/or without dogs entered, attending events, going to Germany to train with good people there... Very-little-to-none from books despite being an avid reader. There are some good videos out, but you can't ask a question to a video tape. Asking questions is important! SS

Training with and in schutzhund clubs where everyone shares, can see the mistakes made, the goals achieved, etc., really hands-on is the only way to learn. You can learn from anyone and everyone, if only what NOT to do. You cannot learn to read a dog from a book and that ability is critical. You need exposure to many dogs, and people willing to help you learn, in order to do it. Training with experienced people, including (perhaps especially) the ones who are not self-proclaimed top competitors is the only way to really learn hands-on. I have had a deep personal relationship with books since I was 4. Barnes and Noble gets more out of me every month than anyone other than the mortgage company. But, being a voracious reader does not help with training. :-)