inline5 Walkies! Deliver a great first meeting

When I train my dogs, there are some rules for keeping them engaged:

  • Know my desired outcome.
  • Have a plan for how to achieve it …
  • … but be flexible, and adapt to their moods.
  • Make it fun.
  • Keep it interesting.
  • Always be present-focused, alert and observe their body language.
  • Be patient.
  • Finish while they're still keen.

A pretty good blueprint for your next meeting, yes?

And, with dogs (though not humans!), I train them while they're hungry. They're more alert then. Though, as the session progresses, they become increasingly distracted by their next event – a bowl of delicious dry biscuits. So I end ...

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