PDTE 2016 July Newsletter

Report:
First unit of IDTE, UK
Je-an Shields, United Kingdom
“Turid’s no nonsense approach
really appeals to me. She can
wade through the waffle, with
just one aim – allowing a dog
to be a dog, and seeing it’s
true potential. This isn’t done
in a fluffy, airy fairy way, but
it’s simplicity is priceless.
Iconsider myself very lucky to
be an associate member of the
PDTE, and am working towards
full membership. The ethics are ones I
value dearly, and it’s great to read the
blogs and get lots of tips from fellow
members. It’s really important to have
the support of like-minded people.
As if that’s not good enough, I am
absolutely elated to be doing the
Photo Credit: Karen Webb, UK
IDTE (International Dog Trainer
Education) with Turid!!
I first met Turid at a seminar in
Staffordshire last September, where
Karen Webb briefly popped in
to talk about the up and coming
education. After the first day of the
seminar, I knew it was something I
really wanted to do, but at the time, I
wasn’t sure if it was achievable.
After a lot of badgering from Karen,
an opportunity presented itself, in the
guise of a cancellation, and I jumped
at the chance!!
The first unit covered some of what
was discussed in the seminar, and
put it freshly back in my mind. I have
also learnt a lot of new stuff, and have
already been putting it into practise,
not just as part of my homework, but
with clients as well. The results speak
for themselves.
Turid talked about creating an
enriched environment, and we had a
practical demonstration with some of
the student’s dogs. It was fascinating
to see how differently the dogs
interacted with the objects. One dog
didn’t go near them, and it helps to
provide a bigger picture of what is
actually going on in the emotions of
the dog.
I’ve done this with a couple of dogs,
as part of my homework, and I’ve
learnt so much more about them,
which helps to give you a clearer
direction of where to go next, with
their rehabilitation/training.
Turid’s no nonsense approach really
appeals to me. In her decades of
experience, I’m sure she’s seen it all,
and can wade through the waffle, with
just one aim – allowing a dog to be
a dog, and seeing it’s true potential.
This isn’t done in a fluffy, airy fairy
way, but it’s simplicity is priceless. As
humans, we seem to be obsessed with
the idea that we have to do as much
as possible to make a change, but her
methods blow this blind philosophy
out of the water!!
I am so excited about the journey I’ve
begun, it’s very thought provoking,
it makes you put yourself under
the microscope, and question what
you do, why you do it, if it’s actually
necessary, and does it really work.
I’ve already made changes to the
relationship I have with my own
dogs, and with the dogs I work with.
It’s deepened our connection, and I
feel that we are all a lot happier and
relaxed. After all, it’s it’s about the
dogs, as it should be.
It’s been a few years since I’ve
been in education, and I feel very
fortunate to be under the tutelage of
the incomparable Turid Rugaas, and
such a lovely group of students.
The venue is great, the dog pods
are a stroke of genius, and the food
provided is totally scrummy!!
None of this would be possible
without Karen and Alan Webb, who
have worked tirelessly to put this
together. Last but not least, a huge
thank you to Winkie Spears for
overseeing things too. I’ve really
learnt a lot from your input.
Here’s to the next seventeen months!
They’re going to be incredible!!
Photo Credit: Karen Webb, UK
Dog pods to help the dogs relax during the theory sessions at IDTE, United Kingdom
Photo Credit: Je-an Shields, UK
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