Obviously the smaller the class , the more opportunities for personalized instruction . Utilizing a class assistant affords the primary instructor the opportunity to offer individual attention ( either by the assistant or primary instructor ) to those that need it . I move around during class and try to make eye contact with students . I ask if everyone can hear me . I try to change where everyone sits as the session progresses . That puts them next to different teams equaling different distractions and some weeks closer to me . – Jamie McKay
Carol S . Skalky , CPDT-KA East Norriton , PA csskalky @ gmail . com For teams who are doing well and therefore don ’ t require as much personal attention , one thing I ’ ve done is asked them to demonstrate how to execute the learned behavior for the rest of the class ; of course , I would first ask them privately if they were comfortable doing this . If they ’ re agreeable to demonstrating , you can use this opportunity to tweak their execution style , ask them what challenges they faced or any “ tricks ” they may have used for the outcome
If they aren ’ t comfortable demonstrating , you can always spend one-on-one time fine-tuning their handling / training and / or add in a twist or challenge to the particular behavior being taught / learned ( e . g ., for teaching a down , show them how to build some duration or distance ). We always want our group class students to feel included and that they ’ re getting their money ’ s worth .
Jamie McKay , CPDT KSA www . McKay9 . com The instructor may not have control over how many teams are enrolled as that may be predetermined by the business or training club that schedules and offers the classes . Obviously the smaller the class , the more opportunities for personalized instruction . Utilizing a class assistant affords the primary instructor the opportunity to offer individual attention ( either by the assistant or primary instructor ) to those that need it . I move around during class and try to make eye contact with students . I ask if everyone can hear me . I try to change where everyone sits as the session progresses . That puts them next to different teams equaling different distractions and some weeks closer to me .
I ’ ve been “ guilty ” of giving more of my class time to teams that are struggling . I let students know they are free to email me after class and communicate any concerns they have even if they are not concerns that are relevant to the rest of the class . I try to respond promptly .
I am available for private sessions at a discounted rate for those that are enrolled in my classes . I bring treats and a toy ( s ) to class should a student forget theirs or need something a bit higher value to help with distraction rather than leaving them hanging . When I introduce a new cue , I ’ ll invite teams who have already trained the skill to demonstrate and show off for the class . It ’ s helpful to the rest of the class to view the new skill . It helps me out as well as I currently don ’ t have a demo dog . I try to make a point of instructing those handlers on how to advance the skill . At other times , I try to catch those teams ( as well as those struggling ) doing something right and compliment them ! While we are all there for the dogs their humans need a cookie , too !
While I generally try to demo with student ’ s dogs that are comfortable with me and doing well in class , I will occasionally ask if I can use a dog that may be struggling in class to demo . That is of course if the dog is comfortable with me . It can help a student to see that their dog can do it or when things backfire that things don ’ t always go perfectly for me . I do run the risk of a student feeling like they can ’ t get it right if their dog doesn ’ t respond to their training in the same way , but I try to be encouraging when that happens . I had that happen to me in a seminar with a well-known presenter , but I felt encouraged that my dog was capable of the skills and knew I would have to up my game !
Jamie McKay , CPDT-KSA , gained her early experience at the Humane Society of Westchester teaching safe handling skills to volunteers to enhance the adoptability of shelter dogs . Jamie teaches group classes at Port Chester Obedience Training Club in New York . She is a Canine Good Citizen evaluator and competes in agility and rally obedience . Jamie and her husband ,
Stephen , CPDT-KSA , own McKay9 Dog Training , LLC .
The APDT Chronicle of the Dog | Winter 2022 57