What I learned from Dog Training that applies to Humans

After the pandemic reshaped our world, my wife swapped her lab coat for a leash, diving tail-first into dog behaviour and nutrition. Embracing her new passion, she quickly rose to become the secretary of the PPG of Australia (Pet Professional Guild). It's no shock – she dives into her pursuits with the zest of a Labrador at dinner time and the focus of a Border Collie wanting a ball thrown.

Living with three furry 'children' has introduced me to a world where "guardians" (not "owners") use treats and tricks instead of "because I said so, which is what I sometimes wanted to say to our children." Our home is a laboratory of positive reinforcement, and I've learned that a chicken from Woolies is the golden ticket to teaching new tricks, making friends and influencing dogs.

While my wife transforms canine chaos into order, I've been mulling over something. The joy and efficiency in how dogs learn, got me thinking about the human side of things – specifically, how we foster learning and growth and high performance in the workplace.

Sure, comparing employees to dogs might cause a few raised eyebrows (or hackles), but bear with me. The world of dog training, with its blend of evidence based, science and love, has more than a few lessons for the human arena.?

Let's break down the training methods, they might sound quite similar to some human ones:

- Balanced Training: It's the carrot-and-stick approach. Do well, get a treat; mess up, face a consequence. In the human world, this might look like bonuses versus performance reviews. Not the most innovative, but familiar.

- Force-Free Training: Here, it's all about high-value rewards. Think of it as the corporate equivalent of celebrating small wins and fostering a positive environment. It's about motivation, not intimidation.?

- Alpha Dog Training: Dominance and punishment lead the way here. Sadly, this is still seen in too many leadership styles – it's the antithesis of creating a nurturing workplace. Its also sees revolving doors and huge amounts of employee churn.

?Ever heard of the 4:1 ratio? It suggests that four positive reinforcements are needed to balance one negative. Dr. Dan Segal's research paints a vivid picture: "Yes" nurtures growth in the brain of areas that support emotional balance, resilience, insights and empathy- or as we know it emotional intelligence. Perhaps there's a nugget of wisdom here for the corporate world – focusing on what we want to see, rather than what we don’t.

?Dogs ripping up furniture? Often, it's not the dog but the environment that's the culprit. My wife will simply change the environment teach the dog parent and boom; the behaviour stops. This mirrors the workplace: a toxic atmosphere can stifle growth and innovation. Enter psychological safety – the corporate world's version of a force-free training environment.

?My wife employs "successive approximation" – rewarding each step towards the desired behavior. In human terms, it's about celebrating the journey, not just the destination. Dopamine – that sweet, sweet motivator – isn’t just for fetching sticks; it's the chemical that powers us through challenges, problems and roadblocks, craving rewards.

?So here I sit, rethinking rewards. Why praise someone for merely doing their job? Is that not what you are paid to do? Once I jumped off my boomer high horse. Because acknowledgment, encouragement, and those little "treats" along the way aren't just nice – they’re necessary. And it turns out, a simple "thank you" can be the most cost-effective motivator of all.

?As I once half-jokingly told my daughter, "All men are dogs." She proved me wrong by finding happiness with one. Maybe, just maybe, in learning and leading, we're not that different from our four-legged friends. And perhaps, in blending the wisdom of canine training with human development, we might just unearth the secret to a happier, more productive workplace.

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Who knew dogs could teach us so much about being better humans – and leaders? I’m off to chase a ball.

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