Episode 26: Interview with Crystal Wing

In this episode of the Canine Connection podcast, hosts Petra and Laurie welcome Crystal Wing, a former high school art teacher turned dog trainer. Crystal shares her journey of transitioning from teaching to dog training, emphasizing the importance of following one's passion and the challenges of finding safety and comfort in change. The conversation explores the significance of creativity, curiosity, and observation in dog training, as well as the application of art principles to enhance training techniques. Crystal introduces the Six C's framework for understanding dog behavior and discusses the importance of being present in the moment during training sessions. The episode concludes with insights on embracing mistakes as learning opportunities and valuing information over judgment in the training process. In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the emotional aspects of dog training, emphasizing the importance of emotional awareness, overcoming judgment, and fostering curiosity. They discuss how societal expectations can weigh heavily on trainers and the need to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process. The conversation highlights the significance of observation and analysis in understanding dog behavior, as well as the role of confidence and self-perception in effective training. Ultimately, the speakers advocate for a shift from judgment to curiosity, encouraging trainers to focus on the process rather than perfection. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Crystal Wing 01:11 Transitioning from Teaching to Dog Training 03:56 The Importance of Taking Risks 07:43 Finding Safety and Comfort in Change 11:04 Creativity in Dog Training 16:15 Curiosity as a Tool for Creativity 21:36 The Role of Critical Analysis in Training 28:32 Staying Present and Mindful in Training 29:44 Mindfulness and Sensory Awareness 31:32 The Importance of Paying Attention to Dogs 33:08 Video Analysis in Dog Training 35:45 Mastering One Skill at a Time 36:37 Compassion in Training 38:46 Curiosity and Continuous Learning 41:14 Shifting from Judgment to Curiosity 44:19 Emotional Awareness in Training 46:13 The Role of Mistakes in Learning 49:31 Creating a Weightless Training Environment 52:00 Embracing Nervousness and Uncertainty 54:10 The Art of Observation in Dog Training 01:02:12 Understanding Dog Communication 01:05:09 The Importance of Intent and Confidence 01:09:21 Building Skills: Curiosity, Creativity, and Confidence 01:13:05 The Impact of Self-Perception on Training 01:15:40 Generosity in Observations and Learning 01:18:08 Innovative Teaching Techniques for Better Understanding FOLLOW US: https://www.youtube.com/@canineconnectionpod https://www.facebook.com/canineconnectionpodcast PETRA: https://www.facebook.com/petrafordtrainer/ www.petrasdogresourcecenter.com LAURIE: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.strimavicius https://www.facebook.com/groups/trainme2025