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A Tale of Two Selves In the first of a two-part article, Niki Tudge explains how pet professionals can learn to enjoy more success with their virtual or live training programs by implementing motivational interviewing and commitment strategies
Motivational Interviewing works on the principle that people experience ambivalence about change and that it is normal for there to be a disconnect between the client’s own stated goals and their actual behavior © Can Stock Photo / kgtoh
P
rofessional pet trainers have every right to expect that what they learn in certification programs will also fully prepare them to manage their clients through the necessary behavior change to support a successful pet training program. While new protocols and training methods may emerge, or new re search may alter our understanding of how best to approach pet train ing sessions, the premise is that the core knowledge and skills required by a professional are covered in most available educational programs. Although professionals may be satisfied with the skill and knowledge they receive through their certification process, by their own admission, they may also be left unsure of how best to approach and create behav ior change programs when it comes to their twolegged clients. Further complicating matters is the disconnect between the apparently idealis tic application of behavior change programs and the practical realities of working “in the trenches” with real people. The reality is that, broadly speaking, the educational courses and programs professionals attend cannot possibly prepare them to work with the human side of the leash as well.
The personal trainer who is equipped with the indispensable skills of behavior change is not only better prepared to face a variety of clients, but also to inspire powerful change within them – Claire Dorotik‐Nana (2019) 54
BARKS from the Guild/May 2021
In our industry, a successful training program also requires a pet’s guardians to make changes to their own behavior and living environ ment. But this part of the requisite skill set is frequently omitted from professional curriculums. As a result, we appear to be missing the mark on an industrywide scale when it comes to providing the necessary education to support pet professionals in their need to change human behavior. While they may be armed with the relevant academic knowledge and skills then, their success as people trainers is actually predicated on changing their clients’ personal behavior in their interactions with their pets. And what they need and what has been provided through their education may be two different things entirely. Pet professionals need uptodate, evidencebased and innovative approaches to changing human behavior, not only for their individual case success but also to promote the humane and ethical side of pet training. The ready availability of accurate information, education, and train ing for both professionals and guardians has also seen the spread of problematic – and even dangerous – misinformation via poorly re searched television shows, punitive “personality” trainers and illin formed educational forums. And so we need to, in fact we must, question how effective we are, not only in changing an individual client’s behavior, but also the culture of punishment and outdated train ing approaches in the longterm.
