Leaders Can “Treat Them Like Dogs”- Ideas From Behavior Training Dogs at the Shelter That Makes Your Team or Organization Better

These principles in dog training are to help the dogs live a better life and find their forever home. If you are a leader of a team or group it is to help your people live a better life and improve your organization. Since leaving everyday coaching I have been volunteering at Foothills Animal Shelter in Golden, CO. The shelter has some great education programs to help volunteers help the dogs at the shelter. The classes I have been involved in were taught to us by Carol K, Tommy M and Allie M, all of whom do an excellent job of making you more comfortable and confident at getting the pups ready to leave the shelter for a great life in their new environment. While in these courses it struck me how much some of the principles would carryover to all leaders that want to improve those they lead.

1. Communication should be clear, consistent and concise- whatever you are saying or the actions you are taking must be the same every time for that action or verbalization or signal. This is how learning occurs about what to expect whether for dogs or people. If sometimes it means something different this is how confusion occurs for pups and peeps.
2. Have high value treats ready! Learn the kinds of treats that work with this particular dog? What motivates this dog to do what will get the pup adopted and he will stay in their forever home? For a leader what motivates each individual member of your group? Have high value treats ready for your dogs to get the behaviors you’re after and do the same thing for the people you lead! Some need only vocal praise and some need high value treats (cheese, hot dogs, chicken). Find what your people need to motivate them to perform as an individual and for your team/group to be better.
3. The dog learns that you care about them and enrich their lives as you work with them and spend time and energy giving them agency. As a leader of a team or group if your people know you care about them and want to enhance their lives makes it easier for them to follow your lead and motivates them to work hard for the team.

The biggest factor in this case of “Treating Them Like Dogs” means you care and want their lives to be better and that is what great leaders make clear to their dogs and their people!