How can we keep the divisiveness in the dog training world from hurting us?
Training a dog effectively requires patience, consistency, and a willingness to adapt to every dog as an individual. Most dog trainers are open to learning from each dog - understanding that different breeds, ages, and individual personalities may require different approaches - only to staunchly refuse to learn from one another.
The incivility inherent in the “Trainer War” causes more harm than we may realize. Continuous conflict increases stress hormones, and by allowing ourselves to be jolted into fight or flight, we may actually be damaging our health.
Disputes over tools and training methods may, ironically, actually be causing the opposite of what the combatants intend:
Instead of inspiring change, they can cause “the other side” to become even more entrenched.
By squashing respectful dialogue, learning and cooperation stop. Engaging in circular arguments only increases frustration, which can contribute to burnout. And our very public squabbles affect the reputation of the entire industry.
So what's a passionate professional to do?
Epistemic Humility: A way for dog trainers to increase their own resilience, nurture constructive discussion, and build a culture of ethical responsibility.
Definitions:
Epistemic (adjective): Relating to knowledge or to the degree of its validation.
Humility (noun): A modest view of one's own importance; humbleness.
Epistemic humility is the recognition and acknowledgment of the limits of one's knowledge. Being aware that our understanding might be flawed, incomplete, or subject to revision due to new evidence is what keeps us open to learning.
Epistemic humility is considered an important virtue in both personal development and collaborative endeavors. Whether we are conducting scientific research or studying and modifying animal behavior, fostering an environment of mutual respect and open dialogue facilitates the collaboration necessary for ongoing learning and discovery.
“New ways of looking at things create more innovation than new ways of doing things!” - Dr. Melanie Uhde, Canine Decoded
By embracing epistemic humility, dog trainers can reduce personal stress, become better at resolving conflict, and perhaps even end the dog trainer war.
Here’s how epistemic humility can be applied by dog trainers to relieve their own stress, nurture healthy professional relationships, and promote healing in the dog world:
1. Acknowledge Expertise: Encourage all parties to recognize the expertise and experience of others. Each dog trainer may have valuable insights and methods that can contribute to a broader understanding of effective training techniques.
2. Open Dialogue: Foster an environment where open dialogue is encouraged. Create opportunities for trainers to share their methods, successes, and challenges without fear of judgment or dismissal.
3. Admit Uncertainty: Promote the admission that no single trainer has all the answers. Dog behavior is complex, and what works for one dog may not work for another. Acknowledging variability can help reduce interpersonal conflict and lead to greater sharing, even if you ultimately agree to disagree.
4. Focus on Common Goals: Redirect conversations toward common goals, such as the well-being and effective training of dogs. No matter what labels dog trainers identify with, most DO intersect and are clustered in the middle of a Venn diagram. Highlight shared values and objectives to unite trainers in their efforts rather than divide them over differences.
5. Encourage Learning: Motivate yourself and other trainers to continually learn and adapt, especially if you are passionate about a specific tool or training method. Emphasize the importance of staying updated with the latest research, novel ideas, or new approaches that could enhance training outcomes and animal welfare.
6. Model Humility: When influential trainers demonstrate openness and a willingness to learn from others, it sets a positive example for the rest of the community. Encourage mentors and colleagues to do the same by being the change you want to see in the world.
7. Facilitate Collaboration: Encourage collaborative efforts, such as joint training sessions, workshops, or research projects. Working together on practical tasks can build respect and understanding among trainers.
8. Promote Respectful Disagreement: Constructive criticism and respectful debate can lead to better outcomes than heated arguments or dismissive behavior, and are more likely to provide a catalyst to change.
epistemic humility can help dog trainers move beyond and be above conflict, with grace.
Maintaining an open mind and humble attitude can do more than just help us preserve a healthy outlook for our own benefit.
By emphasizing mutual respect, continuous learning, and a shared commitment to finding best practices, we can co-create a more peaceful world for ourselves and others in the canine industry.
Epistemic humility helps us uplift dogs, their owners, and each other, and creates ripples of kindness throughout the dog training world. 💗🐾
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