I want to introduce you to Fenway, our 2 year-old West Highland Terrier.
His previous owner had to rehome him a year ago, and we drove all the way from Asheville, NC to Indiana to get him. We fondly refer to him as our little Mid-Westie!
He is our first family dog, and my very first pet ever. I know! I really missed out on this growing up! He is an amazingly wonderful dog and we all adore him.
Not long after we got him, we enrolled him in a behavioral training school, which we quickly learned is really all about changing the human’s behavior!😊
In those classes, positive reinforcement was our main focus. This reinforcement was specific and immediate, so instead of saying “good job” or “good boy” after following a direction to “sit”, for example, we were instructed to say “good sit.” If the direction was “stay” and he stayed, then I would tell him “good stay,” and so on.
This way, he knew specifically what was seen as successful and got to feel good about it.
What was also important was how I said it.
I needed to provide these follow-up statements in an uplifting, higher-toned voice that genuinely demonstrated my happiness regarding his behavior. As I continued this approach, I saw much success and a growing bond.
In retrospect, I realized that what I had learned was essentially a form of affirmations. Affirmations is the A in the OARS of Motivational Interviewing.
Affirmations are statements that recognize client strengths, and acknowledge behaviors that lead in the direction of positive change, no matter how big or small.
When given with sincerity, they build confidence and foster a positive connection. Affirmations feel good to give and to receive and we all need them…even our pets! I am proud to say Fenway graduated from both basic and intermediate training with honors! 😊
Motivational Interviewing Tip of the Week: I invite you to look for opportunities, big or small, to affirm client efforts in the direction of positive change. What strengths are they displaying? What can you genuinely affirm?
Thanks for spending this time with me,
~ Chris Miles
