This was a fascinating discussion with Chirag Patel, Debby McMullen, Laurie Williams, Jordan Shelley, and Michael Shikashio in this vulnerable, open-forum conversation. Like many dog professionals, they have all used aversive tools in the past and now train using positive reinforcement and an empowered approach instead.
Change is hard, and it's not linear. It takes time to see how ideas fit in with what we already know of the world. One of my missions is to help the culture shift toward being-centered care for dogs, where they are respected as individuals. I am still learning; this is a journey that I continue to find further steps to go on.
Having been on this road for over 2 decades, I know that I am imperfect and I am more patient with people not having the exact same beliefs as me. We are all coming with different data, different worldviews. At the same time, I believe it's urgent that all professional dog trainers and behaviorists become fluent in the tools and mindsets that build relationship and let go of punishment-based techniques and aversive tools.
Even 'positive dog trainers' can shift their mindset more toward empowerment. We are always learning. I decided to bring this group of trainers/behaviorists together because they have bravely shifted their training style toward collaboration instead of punishment, and that's not a simple thing for a professional to do. It takes a lot of courage. And it also feels so good to shift (eventually).
Not everyone is able to face the grief and hard truths that come up when it becomes clear that empowerment-based dog training works. When we really realize that it is effective and preferable, we also understand that we have done things in the name of training that were not necessary; we've done harm. But these well-known trainers have done the reckoning it takes to learn.
If you still use prong collars, slip/choke chains, electronic collars, alpha rolls, dominance, tsssst noises, 'taps,' or even head collars, my goal is for this to be a safe space for you to be curious about what's possible, without fear that we will try to get you to feel shame. We do the best we can with the information we have.
If you already consider yourself a positive or empowerment-based trainer, or a dog coach or mediator, this class will be helpful for you too, to see ways to invite someone to learn in a way that can be received - and what ways are likely to just build resistance. And perhaps you'll find that you also have some room to shift to a more collaborative way of helping dogs and people live in community together. I'm still learning on that, too!
Recorded live Sep 20, 2023.
Suitable for dog trainers, behaviorists, families with dogs, shelter workers, or anyone who wants to help dogs.
Our intention is to keep this a shame-free zone, as shame gets in the way of real change. Disagree? Consider our Empathy webinar with Karen Faith.
"What changed your mind?"
"What changed when you shifted away from using aversive tools?"
"How can we encourage kindness in training?"
"What were the roadblocks to change? What was the hardest thing about changing? ""
"What's your goal when working with dogs? How has that changed?"
"What's your growth edge now?"
This webinar and all of the other classes in the school are included with a Diamond Membership All Access Pass. For one low price per month, you get access to all of our emotionally enriching dog courses. See if Diamond is right for you.
Already a Diamond? You're already enrolled in this webinar, at no extra charge. Just log in and refresh this page, and you'll see a Start Learning or Resume Learning button on the top.
This is a must watch webinar! In a contentious world this is an amazingly kind, thoughtful, and informative talk between deep thinking professionals. Thank...
Read MoreThis is a must watch webinar! In a contentious world this is an amazingly kind, thoughtful, and informative talk between deep thinking professionals. Thank you Grisha for putting this together. So needed!!
Read LessHearing about top trainers' experiences as they transitioned from using aversive training methods to empowering methods was heartening. As someone whose been...
Read MoreHearing about top trainers' experiences as they transitioned from using aversive training methods to empowering methods was heartening. As someone whose been training dogs from a very young age onward (I'm turning 60 soon), I especially resonated with the idea of grieving and forgiving ourselves for "not knowing what we didn't know" during the age of aversive methods. And dealing with people using the same positive mindset that we apply to our dogs is very necessary if we are to succeed in gaining buy in. Thank you for bringing that to the surface! I really enjoyed this panel discussion!
Read LessI loved this webinar- from start to finish it had me turning cogs in my brain and seeing things from so many different perspectives all at once - the main th...
Read MoreI loved this webinar- from start to finish it had me turning cogs in my brain and seeing things from so many different perspectives all at once - the main thing I came away with, is that judgement and condemnation change nothing and possibly worse than that, can even make things worse by closing the door to a trainer or client learning new things and that for those contemplating change, our support and acceptance of them and taking the time to show how a technique is done and affording them the time to learn how to do it is so very important as they journey forward - it was a wonderful delve into understanding how kindness changed the lives of all of these wonderful trainers and in a sense started them out on an amazing R+journey of discovery - I would love if we could have another webinar with the panelists who all spoke so honestly from their hearts and through what they said, each one of them touched my heart also - my heartfelt thanks to all of them and to Grisha for hosting this awesome webinar - it has left me with a lot to think about and also has left me wanting to hear more- ❤️
Read LessI found this to be very interesting, and brought back many memories. I'm not a professional trainer, so many of my experiences were different, but the learni...
Read MoreI found this to be very interesting, and brought back many memories. I'm not a professional trainer, so many of my experiences were different, but the learning process of changing were very similar. I guess you would rate me a semi-crossover trainer. I believe that the pairing of handler and dog determine the tools and type of training. And the purpose. I'm sure there is not enough room here to explain these 2 statements, but I would like to at some time as I think they are not things/situations that are typically brought up, or perhaps won't even engender much interest.
Read LessI really enjoyed this discussion! I found the conversation to be really engaging and so great to hear about people's experiences that were very much like min...
Read MoreI really enjoyed this discussion! I found the conversation to be really engaging and so great to hear about people's experiences that were very much like mine. It made me feel connected to the whole positive focus training all over again.
Read LessPlease keep reading to get the most out of this webinar.
You'll get streaming access to the recording and links to further resources.
The recording has an automated session transcript.
We post video recordings of webinars within 24 hours of the live session. You are free to watch the recording as many times as you like.
2 CCPDT CEUs and 2 IAABC CEUs
Attendees are also eligible to continue the conversation in the Grisha Stewart Learner Support Facebook Group.
Diamond members can also post in the special group for Diamonds
Chirag Patel, BSc(Hons), CPBZC, DipCABT
Debby McMullen, CDBC
Jordan Shelley
It's your choice: buy this online session individually or get it (and a lot more) for FREE as a Diamond Member.
Laurie Williams CCUI CDTI
Michael Shikashio, CDBC
Grisha Stewart MA, CPDT-KA, KPACTP
Here's an interview with Grisha & Laurie on Marika Bell's podcast about the panel discussion!
To hear this panel's stories of switching was enlightening. It gave me much to think about and gave me new ways to deal with potential clients and other trai...
Read MoreTo hear this panel's stories of switching was enlightening. It gave me much to think about and gave me new ways to deal with potential clients and other trainers that I'd not thought about before. Loved it!
Read LessThank you all SO much for this! As someone who was yearning to talk to a crossover trainer but didn't know where to turn, this webinar popped up at just the ...
Read MoreThank you all SO much for this! As someone who was yearning to talk to a crossover trainer but didn't know where to turn, this webinar popped up at just the right time. I am so grateful to be able to listen to the experiences and wisdom of others as they made this shift. Grisha, I am especially grateful for your question about grief at the end. I have several dogs who passed before I started my crossover training journey, and I am indeed grieving some of ways I interacted with them and the training we did together. I so deeply appreciate you putting that into words.
Read LessHaving dogs since 1982 : I did not know better, so I did it but that was not what I wanted to do with my dogs! I want a partnership, a friendship, fun, laug...
Read MoreHaving dogs since 1982 : I did not know better, so I did it but that was not what I wanted to do with my dogs! I want a partnership, a friendship, fun, laughter, cuddles. I want a confident look when I call my dog back and not avoidance because they fear some punition. Having had all sorts of inputs during the years, I'm sadly fighting against myself each time I get frustrated or angry about something my dogs do and I don't like. This discussion shows that it's perhaps not always easy but it's the right path!
Read LessIt's your choice: buy this online session individually or get it (and a lot more) for FREE as a Diamond Member.
If you choose to purchase a Diamond membership, it will go for a month from the start date and then renew automatically each month after that. You can easily cancel renewal at any time and your access to the content will just expire on your renewal date.
Already a Diamond?
You're already enrolled in this webinar, at no extra charge. Just log in and refresh this page, and you'll see a Start Learning or Resume Learning button on the top.
Scholarships!
The cost of education should not be a barrier. If the requested contributions are beyond your financial means, but you believe you will benefit from attending this webinar, please check out our Diamond membership scholarship program. Scholarships are for 6 months of education at the Academy, including this webinar.
Scholarships do take time to process, so please be patient. If you apply within a week of the webinar, you may need to watch the recording instead of the live event.