K9 ACADEMY Pt. 2

In the Field/Field Notes

TRIP 1

1. Jottings

2. Descriptive Info

• Date: Nov 5th

• Time: 11am-12pm

• Place of Observation: K9 Academy

• Actions: Beginner, Level One, Basic Obedience Training for Dogs

• Behaviours:

• Humans- anxious, focused, attentive, serious, dutiful

• Dogs- anxious, inattentive, curious, subdued, bored, playful, increasingly obedient

• Conversations: Anesh and Sarah facilitating small exercises, giving instructions to both humans and dogs, positive regard and feedback for both

3. Sensory Impressions:

o hard to notice anything beside the putrid smell of dog pee that pervades the space. Once nose is adjusted, I notice the physical environment. The class is held inside a covered, white, tented dome-like structure with bright green AstroTurf covering the concrete ground. The smooth white tent material, held up by steel bars, contrasts the prickly, overly saturated “grass.”

o The space is wide and open, with enough room for about 8-10 dogs and their owners to move around comfortably.

o Sound of Anesh’s clear, loud and instructive voice dominates the soundscape. Occasional dog barks and whimpers and humans talking to dogs, Good boy, sit, etc.

4. Words, phrases, summaries of conversations and insider language:

• Sit, Good Girl, Good Boy, Stay.

• Anesh speaking from perspective of dog- getting in the brain of a dog.

• Using analogies to make the teaching more clear- compares dog’s tendency towards excessive sniffing on walks to human’s excessive use of social media and television. Both things leave us distracted and anxious.

5. Rituals, sequence of events:

o Owners and Dogs enter space and find a spot to call theirs.

o Anesh introduces the class goals and starts with small group or individual exercises for the owners to try with their dog.

o Anesh and Sara observe and give feedback to each participant.

o Anesh gives talk to entire group- themes are- the perils of sniffing and the importance of proper leash training

o Gets owners to walk their dogs out of the training space, one by one.

o All owners walk dogs in a line, get to try the techniques.

6. Analysis

Thoughts/Ideas: Dogs and humans aren’t that different. Mom responds well to positive regard.

Guiding questions:

o Is the possibility of forging a deeper bond and more stable connection with dogs stronger when the proper training, structure and supports are in place?

o What makes a learning environment feel inclusive, warm, and comfortable?

o Is obedience school effective?

o Will I let my guard down and start to love Kia?

o Can I become a dog lover or even a future dog owner?

o Can the principles of dog training also be used to effectively discipline children or even adults? I’d love to find a way to control my grass sniffing, I mean, social media addiction.

o Will I be a ble to discern the difference between a trained and untrained dog?

o What would happen if I. made a film about an unruly child whose parents send her to Dog Obedience School in a last ditch effort to discipline their child?

Concerns as you are making observations-

o Will they know I’m an outsider? Will I get in trouble if they discover I’m there to observe for a assignment, rather than actively participate?

o Am I being too obvious by taking photos and videos?

o Are they onto me?

Links between descriptive info and larger things you are learning about how culture works:

o Connections between language, tone and behaviours.

o Importance of healthy parameters, boundaries and discipline to generating feelings of safety, support and love

Questions for subsequent visits-

o How do these themes connect with my thesis?

o If I build a rapport with Anesh, would he let me film some of my thesis film here?

o Wll I be able to notice positive changed by the next class.

o Will my heart open up and let Kia in?

o Will I surrender to my boyfriend’s requests to get a dog?

connections and conclusions

o Dogs and humans aren’t that different

o A lot of potential

o The warmth of a particular learning environment hinges on the people in positions of power and leadership. Smiling, positive regard, clear language, friendly yet firm tones are effective and conducive to human and animal growth.

7. Reflections of a Personal Nature

o What was it like for me to be doing this research- Surprisingly and overwhelmingly fun, enlivening, heart expanding. Moments of paranoia about my role as an observer. I’m sure if I told the Anesh what I was really doing there and why, he’d be alright with it, but, it didn’t seem necessary.

o What felt comfortable/uncomfortable- Although the physical space was cold and not particularly cozy, the energetic environment of the class was full of warmth and comfort. Anesh and Sarach created a friendly and safe environment with their smiles, attentive engagement, respect and inclusion for everyone in the space (including me, who was conspicuously on the sidelines, looking in and taking notes and photos)

o Being on the peripheray, in an observational role felt uncomfortable. Even though don’y think I was doing anything ethically aggregious, I still felt I was being deceptive when I told Anesh that the reason I came with my mom (the informant) is because I sometimes take care of Kia when mom needs help and I was eager to learn new strategies.

8. Future Action

o Take notes and write reflections

o Take more polaroid photos of the space (interior and exterior)

o Actually go inside the training space and participate in the class.

o Think about how observations connect to personal history and future film ideas.