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Learn from Air Force Pilots - Improve your Training Sessions

There is one thing that Air Force Pilots learn to do as soon as they start flight school. They learn to do this, they perfect the way they do it, and they never stop doing it. This one concept is a major reason they are so good at what they do. Indeed, in such a risky profession, in which failure can mean catastrophe, one must do everything to perfect his skills. This one concept is called "debriefing".

What is "debriefing"? Debriefing is what pilots do at the end of each training flight or a mission. At the end of the flight, all the pilots sit together and discuss what was done, was the mission completed, and most importantly, what mistakes were made and how they can be avoided in future flight. At the end of this debriefing session, each pilot comes up with 2-3 main points that need to be improved in the next training flight or mission. These main points are being written down so the pilot can take a look at them prior to the next flight. By doing this, pilots keep getting better from one training flight to another, from one mission to another. It doesn't matter who you are. you can be a new pilot just out of flight school or the squadron commander, you will debrief your flight.

Importantly, during debriefing there are no ranks, a 2nd lieutenant can comment on the performance of a Lt. Colonel. Ego remains outside the door. The goal is to improve. It is OK to admit mistakes. It is actually expected of each pilot to say what he had done wrong, even if he/she is the only one who noticed it. Despite the highly competitive nature of pilots, the debriefing culture persists and rightfully so.

But wait, why am I talking about pilots? what does this have to do with dog training? In fact, everything!

In my opinion, everyone would benefit from using the concept of debriefing. We should take ourselves seriously as dog trainers and respect out profession. We should not leave anything to chance. At the end of each training session with our dogs, we should try and debrief. If we are together, we can get comments from our peers. If we are alone, we should videotape each session, watch the video, and find what can be done better. Then, after watching the video, we should have 2-3 points that we can improve in the next session. If you'd like you can start with one major comment. The most important comment if you will. The one thing that, after watching the video of your session, will improve your next session the most. Then, write it down in a training journal and read it before your next session (unless your next session is 5 minutes away and you still remember the comment)

If, for example, you look at a video of your last session, and see that out of two minutes of training, your dog lost focus for 30 seconds, you missed four clicks, and repeated one cue three times, you choose one of those and you make sure that you correct it in your next session. In this example, I would choose the lost focus and address it first. I will examine why I think the dog lost focus, decide on a way to change my next session so no loss of focus will occur. However, it is up to you to choose what you think is most important to you and to your learner.

It is very easy not to do it. It sometimes seems annoying. It may seem that you are dwelling on your mistakes. However, you must remember that the purpose of debriefing is not putting blame on anyone. The purpose is to improve. It is perfectly OK to make mistakes, we all do, and we will always do. It is a part of being human. But just because we make mistakes, doesn't mean that we shouldn't strive to improve.

I urge you to try and do this for a month or so. I am almost certain that this process will make you a better trainer. It makes better pilots and there is no reason it won't make better dog trainers. It definitely worked and still works for me.

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