How the role of a professional dog handler is similar to that of a life coach?
I was raised with animals (literally!). I have a uniquely developed skill that allows me to sense energy in an animal and know how to respond instantaneously. I receive a very quick, thorough energetic imprint of what drives or motivates an animal. It’s similar to when animals meet in the wild and they stare at or circle each other… they are reading energy and feeling each other out. This is how animals communicate. Knowing how to communicate like an animal is a necessary characteristic of any successful animal trainer. Animal trainers develop these skills because animals can’t speak in words and this is the only form of communication available to us. We read language and we sense energy. This is how we know where we stand with an animal.
Probably the most important thing in any relationship is trust. I have always known how to sense what an animal is feeling. As a trainer, I learned to sense areas where an animal was fearful or felt lacking, and quickly determine the best course of action to help the animal feel safe, cared for, and protected. It is essential that trust be established in order for an animal to open up and feel safe. In order to do that sometimes I need to project big energy so the animal can sense that I am powerful and strong and that the animal would be safe because no one would dare challenge me and therefore by extension him/her. Other times I need to make my energy soft, small, and unthreatening so that the animal can feel safe and unthreatened. There are a variety of ways to establish trust and safety when working with animals. I am at my best when I am working on instinct. My reactions are instantaneous. There is no time for thought, I simply act. When a professional dog handler truly becomes in-tuned with an animal they become one, you lose sense of where the person ends and the animal begins, they just move in unison.
As a professional dog handler I build confidence in an animal. I do this first and foremost by establishing trust and mutual respect. I also always set out to make it fun. I have very clear boundaries. I am consistent. I follow through. Each time a dog gets something right, I reward them and their confidence builds. My moto is “Set them up for success.” In order to do this, I sense how far I can push an animal before it is too much, or they lose focus, or confidence. I tune-in and sense, can I push them a little further, or would it be best if I simply end the session quickly? I believe my ability to sense this will help me sense energetically when I may be able to go a little deeper with a client or when it is best to simple ease up and move on.
For almost 40 years, I have been teaching and encouraging animals to be their most confident self. The role of a professional dog handler is similar to that of a life coach. We are coaching and training animals to instill confidence in them so that they may project their energy outward in the show ring and draw in the attention of the judge and spectators. My ability to sense energy, establish rapport, and help build-up inner vitality helps my dogs shine their light that much brighter in the world. It is my hope and intention to have a similar effect with the people that I provide life coaching for.
About the Author
Kelly Lyn Marquis is nationally acclaimed all breed professional dog show handler, professional writer, and certified business and life coach. She helps professionals eliminate their passion detractors, reclaim their passion and live to their highest potential. Claim a complimentary life coaching session with Kelly today at (603) 770-5607 or email Kelly @ winall.us.
Looking are searching for: life coach near me, life coach Manchester, NH, life coach Boston, MA or life coaching anywhere in the world? Please know that I work with clients all over the country and world by phone or Zoom.us. You can reach me, Kelly Lyn Marquis, at (603) 770-5607 or Kelly @ Winall.us