september 2021 KPA CTP of the Month
After enrolling in the online Smart Reinforcement online course with Ken Ramirez, Vijay completed the DTP program in 2018 onsite at Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Her instructor was “the calm, understanding, and creative Laura VanArendonk Baugh.”
“The DTP program was a challenging journey from the very first day,” according to Vijay. She describes her progression through the program as like tugging on a stubborn, stuck door trying to open it. “You pull harder and harder and then… whoosh… it’s open!” Once “the door” opened, Vijay felt that information was just beamed in. The scientific explanations and descriptions helped Vijay comprehend the training concepts and philosophy. “Learning about breaking down the training, observation, data-collecting, and revising teaching plans helped me become a confident trainer, without me even realizing what had happened!”
Vijay believes that KPA has impacted her professional work by pushing her to “strive for more, search for more, and, at times, accept that there is nothing more.” She recalls working with a client and the client’s reactive dog. “My first encounter was systematic; I had a plan, a set-up.” The dog had never been exposed to positive reinforcement, but the first click captured the dog’s attention. According to Vijay, “reinforcement kept the dog’s attention.” As Vijay worked with the client and dog for several weeks, it became apparent that the client had received a good amount of training misinformation before meeting Vijay and positive training. “The changes in the dog’s personality and demeanor were heartwarming and humbling” to Vijay. Another highlight for Vijay was working with a dog and family that included an 8-year-old boy. Working with this family, Vijay was able to break down the learning for both the dog and the child. “The clicker mechanics and the science were my resources, but for the dog and the child they created a way to communicate.”
KPA pushes Vijay to 'strive for more, search for more, and, at times, accept that there is nothing more.'
Beginning as a volunteer puppy-raiser for Leader Dogs for the Blind, Vijay was then offered a puppy counselor position in one of the associated correctional facilities. Vijay was driven to improve her skills and approaches to training to not only work with the puppies but also with the inmates who were the puppy-raisers. She is proud that those handlers’ skills led to success. Two years ago, Vijay became the Prison Puppy Coordinator for Leader Dogs. “I enjoy every moment!”
Vijay has felt the positive effect of her KPA training education in her personal life as well. “The positive impact occurred without me realizing it.” Vijay found herself using specific words, such as “good” or “awesome,” and offering compliments. “It seems to me that more compliments, more smiles, more hugs, and more pieces of chocolate should be distributed for jobs done well,” she says. “I have been doing this for a while. The results make sense now.”
Since becoming a KPA CTP, Vijay has earned her TAGTeach Level 1 certification and is working on the next level. She has also received Fear Free Certification (FFCP). Vijay considers clicker training to be her “partner in teaching and learning.” Her personal goal is to keep learning—specifically about aggression, reactivity, and the discipline of schutzhund. “I would like to continue to teach and help my clients. As they learn, I grow and improve as a trainer and teacher.”