From the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Spring, 2005

Building Foundation Skills

by Mary Isenhour-Long

What does training your dog have to do with building a house? Not much, you say. Think again...

Whether you are building a house or training your dog, developing a good foundation is a must. If building a house, and you have a weak foundation, you chance having a crumbling structure. In dog training, developing a good foundation helps to solidify your training and keeps your dog on an upward track, throughout his training career and beyond.

In Beginner classes, we stress the importance of building skills one step at a time. It is important to make sure the dog understands the exercise before we add another element and make it harder. For example, the dog should know how to sit or down, before we start to ask it to stay. The same should happen as you decide to enter the world of competition. Your training should progress one step at a time. This does not imply that you should only train for Novice level; I love to teach skills for Open and Utility to my Novice dogs. The variation in training helps to keep obedience fun and exciting to both handlers and their dogs.

In building foundation skills for competition, heeling and attention should not be the only goal. My goal is to make training fun, and improve relationships, and create a “thinking” dog. Vary your heeling skills with doodle exercises, stationary & moving. Learn pivots and turns, work fronts and finishes, side passes, etc. All these exercises will come in handy should you enter the world of Rally. Maybe, add a little music to your training session, pick up the pace and try your hand at Freestyle. Most dogs tend to love the music and the exuberance of the handler when dancing.

Remember to start with “baby steps” when training new exercises. Of course it is fun and looks good to be able to do the finished exercise, but getting that foundation down will save you many future headaches. Say, for example, that you want to work on directed jumping. How many behaviors are “chained” together in this one exercise? 1) Marking a spot, 2) moving away from the handler to that specific spot, 3) turning around on command, and ,4) sitting, at a distance, 5) following signals to jump a specific jump, at a distance, 6) coming to sit in front of the handler, and finally, 7) the finish to heel position. Can all this be taught as one exercise? Probably. Should it be taught all at once? Probably not.

By breaking it down into the seven exercises and training those specific exercises individually, your dog will learn quicker, better, and be less likely to experience problems as you start to add distance or combine the exercises. Remember, dogs learn by consistent training and lots of repetitions. By training one element at a time, it is much easier to be consistent, and you will be repeating just one behavior, over and over, instead of one entire exercise.

As the dog learns, the behaviors start to be “chained together”. This may be as simple as putting the “mark” command in front of sending your dog to the mark... an exercise that progresses relatively quick once the dog understands to “mark”. It may be a while before I progress to putting the jumping together with the “go-out”, as these are like two separate exercises.
By being observant of how well your dog is responding to your training, you can advance at a level appropriate for both of you. Remember... the more solid a foundation, the better the outcome. A comfortable, confident and happy dog will give you a much nicer performance than that of a dog that is stressed, pushed too hard in their training, or one that is fearful of making a mistake. There is enough stress in the competition ring when you have a nice working dog - add stress, to an already stressful situation, and the results will only disappoint you.

One more thing to keep in mind is that all dogs are different and learn at a pace. All trainers are different, as well as how they train, how many times a week they train and the methods used. In a class situation, you can not compare yourself to your classmates. Train for your dog and your particular situation. Take your time, build that solid foundation and try not to skip steps. Every step that is skipped, starts to put little cracks, or big holes, in your foundation... which will come back to haunt you later. Train wise, train often... and have fun!

On a closing note: I wish to thank all that have supported me while at the Bon-Clyde Learning Center for these past eight+ years. I have enjoyed having you in my classes and hopefully guiding you and your dog on your chosen roads. I have enjoyed seeing and celebrating your many successes; and I have shared your disappointments in those unsuccessful moments. I hope that I have empowered you with my thoughts in keeping the faith and trying to enjoy the time that you share with your doggie companion and friend. As some may know, I have left this wonderful training facility, and am embarking on another adventure that I hope will be as rewarding as working at Bon-Clyde. Thank you all, for being the wonderful friends that you are, and good luck on your future training endeavors.

From the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Winter, 2005

Handler Woes

by Mary Isenhour-Long

Have you ever NQ’d your dog, or caused him to lose more points than necessary? Whether your sport is obedience, agility, tracking, herding, or whatever... many times, it is the things that we do as a handler that mess our dogs up, not necessarily the dog!

On our trip home from the ASCA Nationals, in Conyers, GA, a few weeks ago, I was “kicking” myself all the way home! Why? Because I did not handle my dog as well as I could have, and caused us to NQ in herding... which also blew our chances at an MVA (Most Versatile Aussie) qualification.

On Thursday night, before herding, with our agility and obedience scores, and our MVA conformation evaluation, we were ranked very high... I was on cloud nine! It didn’t take long for us to fall off that cloud on Friday... and the bad part was that I didn’t realize that I had really messed my dog up.

I guess, when you REALLY mess up a much desired goal, it seems to stand out a bit more, than when I may miscue a “sit” in obedience, or give an unclear or wrong signal in agility.

Have I quit “kicking” myself? Yes... I just had to remember that we are both Novice in this game. And, I had to remember that in the events where we were not so “novice” we did darn good! Rowdy & I qualified in Novice obedience, his very first time out, with a very respectable score (and one no-sit... we were “baiting to the judge”...oops!). Boo earned his best score ever in Novice obedience and completed his ASCA-CD with a 4th place win. We had some very nice agility runs, as well as making the cut in the Bred-By conformation class.

I enjoy knowing that out of 85 MVA participants, there were 34 qualifiers, and we still ranked #39. I know where I went wrong, and although I’m not sure how to fix it yet, I know I will give it another try on another day. I know that to become a better handler, one always has to work to higher goals.
I enjoyed a week of showing a couple wonderful Aussies, saw old friends that we haven’t seen in some time, and made lots of new friends. I enjoyed seeing other club members and friends winning their classes and events.
Don’t let “Handler Woes” get you down! This is not the first time I have “blown” an important event or goal - many years ago, I forgot to take a bag of treats (hanging) out of my pants pocket before going into the ring at the Gaines Regionals. Talk about disappointment! That’s Ok, I won’t do that again either.

Then, there are the usual handler woes that we all tend to do occasionally such as miscue a halt in obedience, or mistimed a signal in agility. These small mistakes may cause your dog to not sit properly (or stand) or send your dog into a tunnel or over a wrong jump.
These “bobbles” tend to make us work harder and struggle to be a better handler, to give better directions and signals to our canine partners, and to create better working relationships as a team.

Take your disappointments and turn them into lessons! Enjoy your accomplishments that do go well and better luck next time!

From the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Fall, 2005

Hold on to Your Dreams

by Mary Isenhour-Long

Bon-Clyde is sad to announce that we are losing our long-time puppy class instructor for Thursday night’s class... Kay Bolton.

Kay has been involved with Bon-Clyde since 1992, when she first brought her Siberian Husky, Misha, to Beginner class. Misha and Kay progressed through the classes and were well on the way to competing when Misha had an accidental death.

About that time, Kay joined our teaching staff as an assistant for the puppy class. Shortly after that, she was moved into the instructor’s position. Her love of puppies and her natural teaching abilities made her a valuable asset to our training center.

Quickly bouncing back into the world of dog training, Kay started training her Sheltie she had acquired in 1994. Rusty is a perky sort of Sheltie, one that is full of energy and a pleasure to work. Kay was on the road to obedience competition once again.

Their first goal was to obtain a CD, and what a wonderful day it was, when that goal was realized. Kay and Rusty set out on the road for their CDX.
Well, along the way, life steps in sometimes and redirects your focus. Kay and her husband Neil, had two lovely children and started working on their careers. Never failing, Kay has been faithful to our puppy classes, even though that goal for a CDX seemed to move a bit further away.

As the children grew, extracurricular activities once again, postponed entry into the competition ring, although training still held a spot in their lives.
Kay and her family have also rescued a Lab/Dalmatian mix, Onyx. Onyx has matured into a nice dog, one the children can train, play with, and enjoy growing up with.

As time passes, it is inevitable that our dogs began to age. Although Rusty is still a spry, little Sheltie, an old injury was starting to cause some arthritis in his rear leg. Jumping was starting to be a painful experience.

With some time and a medication plan, Rusty was able to return to the show ring, but only 1 leg were they able to get towards their CDX.

As we all know, sometimes we have to make changes in our life to make improvements. When opportunity knocks, so to speak, we have to go, This is the case with Kay and Neil. A promotion at work, has made a move to Florida their next adventure in life.

We will all miss Kay and her family. We wish them well in their new life. We are envious of some lucky training center in Florida that is going to snap Kay up when she decides the time is right to pursue her obedience goals again. We wish her the best of luck, and many happy obedience titles to come!
In choosing our goals, we have to remember that life sometimes cheats us, especially in the short time that we have with our dogs. It may cheat us of our immediate dreams, but dreams should never die... just put on hold until a better day. Good luck and best wishes; may we cross paths one day in another obedience ring!

Let's Rally-On to the Competition Ring

by Mary Isenhour-Long

Starting in January, Rally Obedience became an official, titling event, for the AKC. Some clubs actually started showing on New Year’s Eve, where participants marathoned their way to a Rally Novice title. In other shows… Nashville, Charleston, Greenville… entries abound; people are rushing to get into the Rally classes on time!

So what is the big ruckus over Rally? Why is Rally, all of a sudden, doing something that competition obedience has failed to do in the last few years? What is this intrigue with Rally?

Is it the fact that Rally offers unlimited communication between handlers and their dogs? Or, perhaps the option to use praise, clapping hands, or signals, makes Rally appealing. What about the opportunity to repeat commands without penalty? What about the fact that Rally is less formal, not as strict as competition obedience?

I am sure that all of these factors add up to a big plus, one that is making Rally appeal, to more, and more people. But, will all these “pluses” for Rally carry over into the Competition Obedience ring? Will Rally participants be able to make the transition to a more formal atmosphere, one where participants are not encouraged to offer unlimited communication or extra commands? How will we encourage our students to prepare for that transition?

I think that the idea that Rally can fill a void between the CGC or agility and competition obedience is wonderful. It is a natural step up from the CGC and is something that most agility trained dogs could do with modest practice.
As a trainer, I love the exercises involved with Rally. They are super! Rally teaches fronts, finishes (both right and left), turns, pivots, sits, downs, stays, stands, and much more. The support of teamwork between the dog and handler is also appealing. By training for Rally, dogs and their handlers are practicing at a level that would allow a perfect entry into the world of Competition Obedience.

So, as instructors, how will we help our students progress to the world of formal obedience. Can we raise our expectations for students and help them to accept the challenge of less conversation, no second commands, and the formalities of the competition ring.

The advanced levels in Rally are off lead; that should not be a major problem, just a skill to be trained. The exercises taught for Rally are an excellent preparation for the simple Novice exercises. The promotion of teamwork is an element that serves all areas of competition from agility, to tracking, and obedience.

I remember, one time, Rowdy and I were running a Rally course at class. We were performing the exercises - smoothly, in tune with each other, and with great precision. It was such a good feeling to be working with his great desire and intensity. All of a sudden, about halfway through, someone said, “This is Rally, Mary, you can talk to your dog!”

There went the concentration and the moment! No, I didn’t need to talk; it would have just been unnecessary conversation. Dogs can learn to focus and perform with minimal assistance. I think, as our students progress in their abilities, then we should strive to help them progress to a level that will make entry into competition obedience easy and fun.

As a competitor, we need to always remember our novice exhibitors. They are the future of our sport; let’s support them and make them feel welcome in the challenging world of competition obedience. And… hey, maybe they will even let those of us that like formal obedience play in the Rally ring!

From the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Winter, 2005

With Sympathy

by Mary Isenhour-Long

Remember when you started training your (first) dog for basic obedience, competition obedience, agility, or such? Remember how hard it may have been for you to learn footwork patterns, proper body positions, or to recognize when your dog is doing the exercises right or wrong? In agility, for example, remember how confusing it was to learn the use of crosses, and how to perform them properly, at the correct time, in the correct spot?

For some of us, this may have been several years ago; for others, it may be right now. If it has been years, then you are probably pretty comfortable with your handling skills; no longer do you have to put forth a ton of brainpower to get that nice about turn, or a smooth, front cross. We tend to forget about all the unsuccessful tries that we struggled with until they actually felt and looked good.

Well, start in a new training venue, and all those insecurities return! I have worked previous dogs that I have owned, in lower level herding exercises without much problem. Jasper and Gypsy were excellent in the herding game and were very easy and fun to work… they possessed such a natural talent for the sport. I have actually worked dogs other than my own with success in the herding arena. Ginger and I have gotten an HT, a PT, and hope to work on her started title, as well.

But with Rowdy, that’s another story altogether! Rowdy and I have been trying to learn to herd, for several years, actually. To see us, you would not know it. We were at a herding seminar last weekend -- during the weekend, my thoughts reflected back to my classes. Rowdy reminds me of so many students' dogs. He is a high drive, energetic dog, that doesn' t have but about two cents worth of control when on stock! I am just plain lost with him… I always seem to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time, doing the wrong thing!

In obedience or agility, I love a challenge. I can handle it; I know the "ropes" well enough to at least get a handle on the dog. But, put me in something that I know very little about, with a dog that wants to explode… then things just don't go as smooth.

So how does just a basic "sit" become a challenge... add a flock of sheep. The distraction of a toy, treat or another person becomes a tiny thorn in comparison to the distraction of a flock of furry, fast-moving, meals-on-wheels, sheep. The final word is that I still need more control, I have to have respect on the herding field. The same as in any other venue, except, I pretty much, have that respect and control in the other areas.

I have been reminded of what some of my student's experiences are in classes... and, I sympathize with them. The good part is that I know what has to be done. I am not real sure how the best way to go about doing it for my particular dog, but I will figure it out.

We have made improvements, and have come a long way since Rowdy was introduced to his most favorite of all pastimes... herding sheep. Although we still struggle, and our runs looked similar to the runs that first time dogs and handlers were exhibiting at the seminar... we are showing signs of improvement! And that is where I gather the inspiration to continue in our herding training.

We have gone from run, split, chase, and eat, to a more controlled fetch, very crooked movement, extreme directional changes, and sometimes a stop. I have seen an experienced handler run him through a started course. I know he can do it -- it is I that is a large part of his problem. When will he do it? When we get our act together; when I earn his respect on the herding field, as in obedience and agility; and when we start to work together as a team and can overcome the excitement of a few furry beasts as distractions.

For all you beginners and novices entering the wonderful world of dog training... don't give up. Learn to recognize the small improvements in your training. Figure out where your problems are and concentrate on fixing them. Most of all... practice, practice, practice, and don't give up on your dreams and hopes. And remember... I am with sympathy.

From the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Winter, 2004

Good Trainers, Great Trainers...

Good trainers fix problems. Great Trainers never get to them.
Ted Turner

What is meant by the phrase "Good trainers fix problems. Great Trainers never get to them"? Up until reading this, I had never really thought about it. I have always felt I was a "good trainer"; now, that is not enough. I must raise my training sights higher… I want to be a GREAT Trainer!

As with most things in life, evolution occurs - an idea or thought starts to take shape, a course is plotted, and new ideas start to flow. I feel that is what happened with my training methods.

I know what can happen with poor training, or training methods that do not suit a particular dog. I know what can happen when I determine my goals based on my agenda, not my dog's agenda. I know how to do a lot of things that I would prefer not to know or do anymore. Actually, I guess I do like having that knowledge so I can be aware of it when I see things my students don't see in their dogs and their relationship.

A few years ago, I knew I was not comfortable with previous training methods I had used with my other dogs. Not that they were that bad, I just knew that I wanted something better with my young puppy.

But, I was unsure of exactly what road would take me where I wanted to go.

But, as more time evolved, the path started to take shape and ideas started to form. As I read books and related articles, everything started to make more sense as I studied for my new challenge. My ultimate goal was to "keep that chalkboard clean" from mistakes in our training.

That road continues to widen and get clearer as we travel, Rowdy and I. He will be three years old in a short time and I am pleased with our progress. Although I battle daily with the "adolescent little boy syndrome", I am winning the battle (I think!) and so far, we have not had to "fix" any problems. He is a far way from perfect, especially when compared with other dogs of his age… but then, I remember that he is not like most other dogs. He is in a class of his own and deserves a customized training plan.

I am amazed at how deep our relationship has developed. Although, sometimes, it is very hard for me to tell! I feel that maturity will play a most important part in our training and in building our relationship. My new motto… Build the relationship and the training will come.

As for being that GREAT trainer… I'm working on it!

From the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Fall, 2003

When the Student Is Ready, the Teacher Will Appear

A good friend of mine, gave me the most wonderful gift last Christmas… a book, written by Sheila Booth, Purely Positive Training.

While reading the Introduction, one statement really stood out to me… “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” Booth was talking about her young Belgian Malinois, that “appeared with an agenda all his own, and enough drive and character for three dogs.”

Oh, how this statement reminded me of my young Aussie, Rowdy. You may remember him from earlier articles. And better yet… how true the statement! For the past 2 and one-half years, Rowdy and I have been working on relationship; working on building that partnership and respect that is so necessary for competition obedience, or any sport that requires teamwork, for that matter.

The book promotes that positive training brings out the best in the dog. As quoted from Patty Ruzzo, “We don’t want to put the obedience into the dog, we want to bring it out of the dog.”

What a strong statement! The theory is to first, establish a relationship with the dog. Sound simple? Not necessarily so! Only in the last few months have I seen my relationship with Rowdy really start to develop. I am starting to see that he is learning to trust me, respect me, and wants to do what he is being asked to do.

Booth also states, that “communication and cooperation are the building blocks of a good relationship.” She states that developing the “proper relationship is just as important as proper training.”

I am enjoying applying these principles to Rowdy’s training. I can see that my relationship with him is going to be very special, as it continues to develop and grow. The time that I spend with him is “quality time”; we are learning to speak the same language, learning how to respect one another.
I find myself anticipating his future training and can hardly wait to begin training for the show ring. But… I find that the longer I wait, the more responsive he is becoming in our relationship. I have to remind myself to wait, as I see the “obedience emerging” in our relationship. Wait… for it can only get better. Wait… there is plenty of time to compete; let’s just enjoy our relationship for a while longer.

From the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Spring, 2003

On Your Mark, Get Ready...Show

As the spring show season approaches, I have students asking, "Do you think I will be ready to show?" That is a good question. How do you decide if you are ready to hit the obedience ring?

Are your decisions based on how well your dog does or on how big of a hurry you are to get into the ring? Entering the show ring can be exciting for some… and for others, it's a very nerve-wracking place to be.

I think, for those wanting to show for the first time, with their first obedience trained dog, it is an exciting challenge. But, if that first show experience does not go as well as planned, it can be a great disappointment as well as a deterrent for that person to go back into the ring.

For example, I know of one student that worked very hard to train her dog and was excited about entering her first show. The dog was working well, but needed more distraction work, more off-lead work, and to be trained in different locations. I suggested that she enter a show & go first, to get a true picture on how the dog was going to react. Well, the dog and handler had a hard time and did not do as well as she had hoped for. The whole experience left her in a big state of disappointment.

It is this type of "let-down" that seems to turn the new obedience exhibitors "off" about showing. I guess the general thought was that there had been a lot of hard work and training put into this dog all ready, and if they still had so much more that needed training, then perhaps it wasn't worth it.

So what makes training for a CD (or UD, for that matter) worth it? For me, I guess it is the love of dog training and being able to compete in a sport with my best friend. It is the challenge of producing a good working dog that enjoys what they are doing. Of course, I like getting nice scores and titles, but the joy of showing a dog that enjoys the sport makes those ribbons or titles mean so much more.

Is the road to earning a title a "rocky" one? It sure can be! As a "green" competitor, with my first dog, it was "a little rough", to say the least. With my second dog, the road was long and winding; and with my third and forth dogs, the road was "rocky" as the mountain that I live on!

I guess my road hasn't been as bad as some… which is good. My first show ring experience was good; I was scared to death, but my dog held his own. I knew I could do it, and get better at it as I went. By not hitting that "rocky" trail until later, I had not lost my desire to compete. By then, my desire turned to learning how to overcome these conflicts and obstacles.

So… how does a person know when to show? When it feels right, when it looks good, and when you know you can do it. If all three ingredients are present, I'd say "go for it!"

If there is a weakness in your performance, and you are willing to accept the fact that you may or may not qualify, then "go for it!" Use it as a lesson in training; learn what you need to work on to improve. Use the trial as a formal "practice session" - as if they all aren't?

Better yet… find a "Show & Go" or a match… the cost is much better and corrections can usually be made.

Train with a friend; that always gave me motivation to try harder. Train in different places, with different people… and most of all… enjoy the relationship that you can develop with your dog. Enjoy the time that you spend together and let him enjoy it as well.

From the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Winter, 2002

Just Have Fun

For those that have ever shown someone else's dog in obedience or agility, you know that it sometimes can be quite stressful! How will the dog show? Will it even stay in the ring with you? Will it become stressed and look for it's "Mom" or "Dad"? Will it act like it's never been trained, or will it make you "shine"?

Having shown several dogs for people, believe me, I know all of the above! I have had dogs decide they cannot stay in the ring with me, I have had dogs to say, "this is pretty stressful, but I will try," and I've had one dog in obedience that actually won HIT Aussie, twice!

Of course, when showing, one always wants to do the best they possibly can… but with someone else's dog, you want to make your run even better! This tends to put a fair amount of pressure on the handler!

This fall, I started showing a Collie in obedience. With the little training that we have done, she is very good. Our first show was coming up in a couple weeks and I know this dog is capable of doing some really nice work…but I also felt that we were a bit "green" to do our very best. Here is where the handler gets caught between "a rock and a hard place", so to speak. How much did the owner expect? Did she want what I know we are capable of (with a little more training under our belts), or would she be happy with just qualifying? How would she handle an NQ if we failed an exercise?

I think the nicest thing that this particular owner said to me a couple weeks before the show was, "just go and have fun!" These five words meant so much to me! They removed a lot of the stress and pressure of entering the show ring - whether obedience or agility!

Of course, I try to do my absolute best with other people's dogs…probably more so than with my own dogs. But then again, I know my own dogs better, and I only have me to disappoint when things go bad. I really hate to see owners disappointed that their dog knocked a bar, missed a contact, or went down on a sit stay, etc. I have to know that I did my absolute best to get that particular dog through the agility course or obedience exercises - and hope that the owner will appreciate it, whether we win or lose.
So what has this got to do with you? "I don't show other people's dogs", you may say.

It has to do with enjoying what you do. Before you show, tell yourself, "just go and have fun!" Supposably, we are into dog showing because we enjoy it; creating a stressful environment before you show does not lend itself to having fun!

I see handlers and their dogs, in the weeks before a show, start to stress. The dogs start to sense it and the pressure is on! Only two more weeks to fix the fronts, only one more week to get our heeling better… oh gosh, now we are not taking our dumbbell! But, what generally happens is just the opposite! The fronts get worse, the heeling falls apart, and the retrieve is non-existent! Why? Because we practice too hard and put more stress on our dogs than necessary. The day of the show, both you and the dog are a mess!

But, what if you kept the mindset, "I'm just going to have fun!" If your dog is not working to your expectations, then by all means do not enter him in a show! Generally, if one enters a show, the thinking should be, "we are pretty good, let's give it a try!" or "let's just see where we are in our training." That means you should not start raising your criteria, you should not start practicing six days a week if you usually do three, and you should not push your dog beyond what they are capable of giving you at that time!

So what happened at the show? It was beautiful! Not super-perfect in the precision department yet…but beautiful. The dog was with me, she was happy and animated, not worried and stressed. She stayed with me throughout the exercises and gave it her absolute best! Me… I tried to be relaxed, keep my mind focused on the dog and give it our best shot. In the end, we won a 3rd place with a score of 192! Not too shabby for our first try!

From the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Summer, 2002
I Own A Social Idiot

Excuse me, you may say? Yes… I own a social idiot. He is my bouncing baby boy, Rowdy, that is now about a year and a half old and weighs 55 pounds! So how did he get to be a "social idiot"?

Besides the fact that it occurs very naturally for him, it's because he hasn't quite mastered the art of self-control. Rowdy is the kind of dog that people either seek training help in desperation, relinquish to the outdoors, or take to the animal shelter or the behaviorist. That is, unless you happen to be a crazy dog trainer!

Watching the "puppy" in this dog is a tremendous joy for me. He is enthusiastic, energetic, sharp as a tack, and as anyone who has ever seen me wrestling this boy through the training center knows… quite a handful! But, I LOVE IT! If I had to describe my "perfect" dog, he would be it - aside from the fact that he's a black tri male, not a red female… but color and sex are minor preferences.

So far, he has handled every chore with gusto. Agility - he loves it! He's going to be fast and fairly accurate. He has been bounding over puppy equipment and now big dog equipment with ease, handling sequences, and teaching me an awful lot!

His gusto for herding is another example of him being a social idiot, I'm afraid. His very first attempt was his best… from here we went downhill. I guess we really haven't gone downhill, we just haven't made many steps up the hill though. Once he turned on, getting him tuned in became the problem. Here is where I need that self-control… mine and his!
He has been introduced to tracking and conformation, both of which he enjoys, but we haven't really started pursuing seriously. Although, pulling on leash is a natural, so maybe I should work on my tracking more!
But what about his obedience work… I'm sure he could use some, you think! Well, remember that "clean slate" I wrote about several issues ago? Well… it's still pretty clean. We are working obedience, just not formally. He comes when called reasonably well, although he still needs distraction work. He is working stays in different places - herding is the absolute hardest. We are learning signals, directed jumping, fronts, finishes, and the retrieve... but he still has problems walking on a loose leash. I have made a few marks and they have been good ones. They are careful marks… planned. As of yet, I have not had to erase anything, and this is how I want our training to progress.

There are some "fresh" ideas coming of age in the dog training game. I like what I am seeing. The recent seminars we have had, and books I am reading, reinforce these notions. The main focus is to learn to recognize what your dog is trying to teach you, to help us try to teach them. This type of dog training goes much deeper than just training the dog to do specific exercises. It relies on an understanding of the dog and using this "understanding" to get the desired results.

There are ways to have a wonderfully trained dog without force or stress. And, if it means that it takes a bit longer, so what! Let me tell you - it takes a heck of a lot longer to "fix" training mistakes than to it does to get it right the first time!

The key to this kind of training is to develop a "relationship" with your dog, first. And this is where we are in our training. A "relationship" you say? Yes. A mutual respect, a partnership... something that I've not taken the time to build in past dogs that I've trained. With other dogs, I have always just started training, figuring the relationship would come… but I have found, that is not necessarily so. With him, I want to develop a relationship first, where he will want to learn and enjoy training and showing… not just perform because I've asked him to do it. I want him to enjoy working with me, no matter what we are doing ("with me" is the key word here… he enjoys working… but I want to be a large part of that enjoyment, not just the fact that we are herding sheep or running and jumping in agility). When we develop that kind of relationship, then, we will be ready to begin our training for competition obedience.

Taking a kinder, more understanding, approach to training excites me. Learning what makes this dog tick is a challenge, one that I hope to use to the utmost when we do begin our formal obedience training. By then, we will understand each other; he will know me like I hope to know him. Then…and only then, we will become a team.

So, having a social idiot is my choice right now. He is learning self-control… slowly. It's like molding a piece of clay, sometimes the clay is pliable and molds freely, and at other times, the sculpting is a slow process, one of painstaking care and love. I feel that's where I am with Rowdy. One day… it will all come together, into the masterpiece that it is capable of becoming.

From the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Spring, 2002
Reading Your Dog

I heard a comment the other day that really started me thinking. A friend remarked that another person was, "good at reading dogs." My first thought was… what a great compliment; I also had a hope that I, too, was good at reading dogs. This is where the thinking began….

Does being able to read a dog well, mean that one will always offer the best solution? In other words: It's not always finding the right diagnosis that is the problem, it's prescribing the right medicine to get it cured that gets "tricky". Sometimes, a "doctor" will go through "several courses of action" before a "cure" is found. Yes, there are basic guidelines to be followed, but sometimes, a slightly different approach makes a great deal of difference in the outcome.

Being in my position (working at a large training center) gives me a lot of insight to the different training methods in use. We have many trainers that visit our center - giving seminars, teaching classes, taking classes, as well as attending independent work sessions. I see people just happy to have an obedient pet to those working on OTCH's in obedience and competing at World Team level in agility. All of these trainers develop a slightly different philosophy in their techniques and methods.

One of the differences, I am seeing, is in the extent of corrections used in finding that "cure". A good example that I've noticed lately is between agility and obedience. In agility, the dog is given extreme latitude in his learning process. In other words, if the dog makes a mistake, the correction might be an, "Uh-uh", or "Oops!", and retry the exercise. Rarely, is the dog ever physically forced to do an exercise. Guidance and motivation are the keys to success in the agility ring. Why all this careful shaping? To help keep the agility dog happy, motivated, confident, and willing to work.

In obedience, we see another set of training tools. Maybe it's the word - obedience - defined as: obeying a request, command, etc.; submissive to control; dutiful… that creates this difference. I'm speaking of the degree of physical control that is used in obedience training - not only as a correction, but also in the different training methods. Why is this - to keep the dogs happy, motivated, confident, and willing to work?

If the dog does not perform to desired expectations, usually there is some act of physical force or correction from the trainer, hoping to let the dog know that this is not acceptable behavior. This form of correction can run from a simple "Uh-uh", or a collar scruff, to forcing the dog to do the desired task through some degree of physical manipulation.

Training methods range from letting the dog "figure out" what is expected, to physically "assisting" the dog to understand what is being asked of him. There are a relatively few persons that never have used any sort of correction or physical guidance in their training. I guess I'm trying to boil this article down to the fact that no matter how well we "read" dogs, if we apply the wrong treatment, then we might as well have misdiagnosed the problem.

Let's look at it from another perspective. What if you were training a bird, a cat, or a horse? Better yet, what about elephants or lions? Let me assure you that you do not teach an elephant to sit by pushing down on his rear end. Nor would you train a lion to retrieve by "forcing" him to take the dumbbell. So how do people train these animals? With patience, rewards and motivation, earning their respect and creating the desire to work! Now, you tell me what happened that made dog training so different?

So… in rethinking my philosophy on being good at reading dogs… I don't just want to be good at reading dogs. I think that anyone training their dog should practice reading their own dogs. What method will your dog respond to the best? What is your ultimate goal for this dog? What kind of relationship do you hope to develop? Be aware of "early warning" signs that a particular method may not be "right" for your dog.

Now that I think about it, maybe I would rather have someone say about me… "She's just a darn good trainer!"

From the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Winter 2001
Where Have All the Obedience Trainers Gone?

Attend most any dog show today, and you will notice a decline in obedience competitors. At a recent show, there was only one Novice A entry, a couple Open A entries, and a handful of Utility A people. Yes, there was a fair entry in Open B and Utility B, but most of these guys have been around for a while.

Agility trials have given a lot of people another outlet to have fun with their dog, and because of either poor training methods, or lack of motivation in their earlier obedience lessons… these people are now leaving the obedience arena. Obedience is not something they want, or feel they need to pursue.

What about other dog sports? Flyball, freestyle, herding, tracking, lure coursing… how much obedience is needed to enjoy these sports?

In years past, people started taking basic obedience courses, liked the bond that developed between them and their dog, and continued their training on into competition. At that time, obedience was the mainstay of dog competitions.

When agility jumped into the picture, a whole new world opened up! Former obedience enthusiasts entered the agility ring. They did well and advanced fast… but remember, we are working with well-trained obedience dogs. How do we know this? Read the catalogs! Dog's names and titles are always listed. We had champions, dogs with multiple obedience titles, and handlers that knew how to get the most out of their dogs.

Obedience has slowly diminished in its importance as other avenues open up in the dog-training field. We occasionally have people that want only to take agility training. Or, they may have come to us after previously taken agility training elsewhere, wanting to join our classes. Sometimes, these dogs have little control and less basic obedience. In my experience, an out of control dog is not fun in agility - they're frustrating! Television makes agility seem so easy and fun… why do we need to train the dog to do anything except jumps, tunnels, and weaves?

What about herding? Why would a dog need to know basic obedience when they just need to do what comes naturally? Ever tried to stop a dog from chasing stock? Even my "trained" dogs are hard to pull off a fast moving herd of sheep, horses, or anything with four legs that is exciting (cats, for example).

My previous exposure to herding WAS with trained dogs. I am now starting to work my puppy (now 8 months old) on sheep, and let me tell you - there IS a difference! Not only is he having to learn to "work", he is having to practice his "down", "stay", "easy", and his "come" commands. If he had a better obedience background, things would be so much easier.

And, don't tell me there's no obedience involved in freestyle! All that wonderful precision and grace is not accomplished without the benefit of knowing obedience! Actually, freestyle dogs must know many maneuvers and behaviors… more than any utility dog must learn. The difference… it's more relaxed, more exciting, and more fun, basically…. and, you can talk to your dog!

OK… so, flyball, tracking, or lure coursing doesn't require a lot of obedience, unless of course, your dog decides to make up his or her own course!

Now, on the other hand…. Rally obedience seems to draw a crowd. This hybridized version of obedience with an agility flavor may bring a few people back to the obedience ring. Why? It's more fun than standard obedience - the handler may praise, prompt, and pursue the winding course.

So, why can't obedience be fun? It can be! All it takes is a bit of creative training and the love of having your dog respond to your requests. A well-trained dog is a pleasure to own, whether you ever enter the show ring or not! Competition, as well as household obedience can be enjoyable! The bond that develops between dog and handler is wonderful! If you should decide to enter the obedience ring, it does not have to be a scary place; nor does training have to be boring. A good run-thru can be fun, and a win is the icing on the cake! Obedience is not just heeling, sits, and downs! Obedience is an exercise in teamwork and precision; it gives us a chance to really get in tune with our dogs and strive to be the type of trainer your dog would be proud of!

From the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Fall 2001
Starting with a Clean Slate

Have you ever had something new, and so precious to you, that you didn't want to use it for fear of messing it up? I'm feeling like that again.

It has been eight years since I have had a puppy (aside from my husband's JRT…who is not really "mine"), and here I am… with a little "bundle of joy". "Rowdy" is now five months old and a "blast". But… he is also a "little terror"!

Someone warned me to be careful what I named him… he might live up to it! Well… they were right! "Rowdy" is the type of puppy that we get calls about everyday at the center… the kind that usually dominates the beginner and puppy classes. You know… the ones that jump, bark, nip, and rarely mind. In the past, most of my puppies where on their way to passing a CGC test at this age… so why is "Rowdy" different?

That's a hard question to answer. I have actually been working on the nipping problem since day one. He learned fairly quickly that I was not something to herd; my legs are quit grateful. But, as much as he really tries, it is really hard not to nip noses and mouth fingers.

Jumping… it's impossible to keep four feet on the ground. But, I consider it progress that he just jumps straight up most of the time, and not on me. He learned the command "sit" in minutes. But, he just has a hard time settling down enough to hear the command, much less actually do the act… unless of course, there are cookies in the deal.

Barking… he loves it! Bark at the cat. Bark at other dogs. Bark at me. Bark at possible playmates. Bark because he can. "Quiet" occurs only when he's eating cookies.

Refusing to come when called… this is a fairly new game. And of course it usually happens when I do not have cookies in the pocket. I'm learning real quickly… just go and get him.

So why is this puppy so different from any other puppy that I've had, or the puppies that we get in class? It's not that I don't know what to do to solve the problem, it's that I don't want to do it! My corrections with him at this time are relatively mild - probably at least one-half as mild as I might do with any other dog. Am I creating a monster? Probably. Is he going to be the best dog I ever trained? Definitely!

After knowing what can happen by over-correcting and over-training a dog, I guess I am reluctant to overdo anything! Mixie "fell-apart" after over-training and getting her back on track has taken over four years! Jasper said, "I don't think I want to do this any more." Willie was where I learned the most, as he wasn't trained properly to begin with and looked at me with those big sad eyes and said… "There has to be a better way."

"Rowdy" has big plans in his future. I want to preserve that wild and goofy attitude for not only the breed ring, but to keep the fun in agility and obedience. So… in the process, I am holding onto my "clean slate" as long as possible. I want to put my chalk marks on it, but in doing so, I don't want to chance messing up my "perfect" slate. I am content to look at my perfect, blank slate for a long while. As always, we learn from our past… mistakes as well as successes.

I know what I want in this puppy. I know how to get it. From past mistakes, I will build my plans for the future. If it means that I have a rowdy, rambunctious, silly puppy… then so is it! I am a dog trainer; I can handle it! "Rowdy's" life is slowly being shaped into what I want in a dog. He is having fun - with me, with other dogs, with new adventures. Everything in his life now is very positive… and will remain so. I have seen what too much negative influence will do to a dog. So, in contrast, let's see what will happen with an infusion of positive!

Am I making a monster? Yes… but a good one! I want him to remain bold and bossy; but on the same note, he must learn to respect me, and my wishes. He will. Not today, nor this week… probably not this month. But, he will - over a period of time. I will slowly start to make marks on my "clean slate". Marks that I am sure of, that I am confident will not mar my perfect surface. My marks will guide him in a positive direction, one that will never need erasing.

My precious clean slate will remain in all its glory. It will eventually have many marks upon it, but they will be very carefully planned. For, as you know, once you try to erase a bad mark on a chalkboard, you get smudges. Smudges can ruin that perfect clean slate, and if there get to be too many smudges, one has to wash the board. But, remember, a washing can never bring back that perfect, clean slate to its original condition.

Mark your marks count when training. Your ultimate goal is to end with a slate as clean and neat as to one you start with!

With so many dog-training books on the market… if you had to choose just one, which one would it be? Or, if you are training a dog, or teaching a dog training class, which method would you use?

  Why do I ask? As some of you may know, we have been invited to Pennsylvania this summer to present a 2-day Instructor’s Training Seminar. In preparing for this honor, I have been trying to sort through my thoughts and think about all the things that we should be sharing with seminar participants. As I get involved with this task, my thoughts constantly roam to “how can we tell these participants in two days, what has taken us years to learn?” Yes, we can give a general guideline for basic principles and techniques, but dog training requires more than principles and techniques.

  As an instructor, dog training involves public speaking or communication skills… an instructor needs to be able to clearly give instructions and help students to comprehend what is being taught. To do this, one has to understand how people learn. What can you do to make learning as simple and effective as possible to a beginner class?

But wait! Even if the instructor is a good speaker, it helps if they know what they are teaching. This is where the hard part comes in. Not only should the instructor know their subject, but they should also know dogs. One of the most important abilities of an instructor is to be able to “read” dogs. In learning to “read” dogs, an instructor has to be aware of behavior tendencies or “drives”; how dogs learn; effective techniques to turn problems into solutions. And not every dog reads the same book, or, in other words… every dog will be different. So now you are beginning to see how hard it might be to say that any particular method would work for all dogs.

     Just like humans, dogs have different intelligence levels, different motivations, different fears or stresses… so no one dog training method is ideal. A good instructor is a thinking instructor. If Fluffy is still not doing the down after 3-4 weeks of class, then it’s time to come up with a new plan! If Rowdy is still dragging his handler around by the leash after week 4-5, then what else can we suggest to change the undesirable behavior? And the big question – is it the dog or the handler?

     How does an instructor handle problem dogs or difficult students? Sometimes, I wonder if the instructor even knows that there’s a problem! These “problem” students are usually the ones that fail to complete the class… and the problem may not lie entirely with the student! An attentive instructor tries to notice who may be “failing” in class and offer extra assistance or other suggestions to help the student. 

     It also helps to understand that one, six or eight-week class may not give you “Lassie”. Handlers should be aware that a well-trained dog requires years of training and patience. This is one reason that training centers usually offer different levels of classes… to allow students to continue their instruction while the dog and handler reach the desired level of training. Handlers need to learn how to incorporate their newfound knowledge into every-day situations… not just the training session or class.

     There’s a lot to think about when you train dogs… and this is only the start of it. Other topics to discuss would include classroom techniques, motivational training methods, how to shape behaviors, recognizing and solving problems, and helping people to maintain good training habits after class.

     One area that I have been encountering more and more recently is the problem of aggression. This can be fear, dominant, or possession aggression, etc… against people, dogs, or both. Aggression is a tricky chapter in any book. Of course, we don’t want to get bit… nor do we want our students or their dogs to be put in a dangerous situation. So how do you handle the situation? Acknowledgement is a major step in solving the problem. Understanding and recognizing aggression is invaluable. Private lessons are a good start if the trainer feels comfortable; the non-class setting will lend itself to a more relaxed dog and handler. Trainer knowledge of the different types of aggression and how they may be solved is a hard area to cover. Some dogs are best referred to an animal behaviorist.

     So, how does one become a good dog trainer? Read… lots of books, not just one or two. Attend seminars… be aware of the different training methods used, see for yourself how well they work and on what type of dog. The Internet is a valuable resource for obtaining knowledge… there are articles on everything from puppy training, problem solving, to advanced training in obedience or agility, and more. Expand your knowledge, test your skills, store this information in the back of your mind, and most of all enjoy what you are doing. A confident instructor or a motivated trainer makes a great impression on students and other trainers. Have fun, keep it simple, and always do your best! 

Remember, a couple years ago, when there was an incident where a dog trainer injured a dog - after it attempted to bite - by “stringing” the dog up on a leash and choke chain, “swung” it around in the air, and then “slammed” to the ground? The story made it’s way through the training clubs, associations, and eventually ended up in court. Even though there was evidence and expert testimony, the trainer was found ‘not guilty’ of animal cruelty. How could this be? According to the judge, the technique used was clearly defined in a training book, and in the dog-training world, there are “no standardized guidelines that trainers are obliged to follow.”

Around this time, the American Humane Association (AHA) formed a task force, made up of dog trainers, veterinarians, animal behaviorists, and other animal career professionals. The job of this committee was to create a standard or guideline for dog trainers; to create a public awareness and assist dog owners in finding humane trainers; and to develop a curriculum to professionally train these “humane dog trainers.”

Although the projected January 2000 publication date was not meet, excerpts of the guidelines were published in the May 2000 issue of DVM Newsmagazine… before some of the committee members had seen the final version or given their final approval. This is where the “fur started flying”, so to speak.

How would readers interpret these guidelines? Would the general public think that dog trainers were a “bad lot” and in need of rehabilitation? Would it harm the images of all dog trainers? And the hard question: how would one describe exactly what is humane… and if one does not adhere to these exact guidelines, are they inhumane? Or, would these guidelines open up a whole new “can of worms” and subject trainers to more legal actions and lawsuits?

The concept of having guidelines to train by has its merit, but let’s think about it a bit. Just like people, all dogs are not the same… there are differences in temperaments, attitudes, and physical and social factors. Methods that work extremely well for one dog might not work with another dog. A “soft”, sensitive dog might never need more than an occasional verbal reprimand or a raise in voice level. But then, there is always that “tough”, dominant dog that may not respond to such a light touch.

With the evolution of dog training methods over the past twenty years, I feel there is an onslaught of positive, motivational training methods on the market. Anyone consistently involved with training cannot help but to be exposed to new methods, but are all trainers open to these new suggestions and different training techniques… especially when what they have been doing seems to work? Some frown at the use of clickers, others cringe at the mention of using a prong collar. So, while click and treat trainers patiently wait for the appropriate response to happen, the trainer that incorporates aversives into their training sessions may be getting quicker results… but to what extent are these training techniques considered to change from “humane” to “inhumane”?

Here are some excerpts from these proposed guidelines – see how you interpret them. “The following techniques or tools are harmful and cruel and should never be used as training techniques:… any frequent, prolonged or excessive use of aversives (who sets the limit for excessive use, how does one decide?) …repeated electrical stimulation (this could refer to shock collars, invisible fencing, scat mats, or bark collars that so many of our general public now uses)… using devices or hands to pinch or squeeze sensitive parts of a dog’s body” (there go those prong collars, and no more public ear pinches!).

There is another part about using crates only for a short-term management tool – what about those folks that have their dogs sleep in a crate every night? Are these people acting inhumanely? What about this line? “Humane dog trainers and instructors should strive to eliminate the use of aversives in their training.”

So… who, and how will it be decided, exactly what or how much is considered humane or inhumane. Apparently many of the descriptions are vague and leave the deciding factor up to the interpretation of the individual. Here’s another thought – these deciding individuals will not necessarily be our fellow competitors or advanced level students. The people that will undoubtedly be affected by these guidelines will be those seeking basic obedience… the bread and butter of most training centers and clubs. These are the average pet owners… that most likely want something more from their dog or have a problem. If it’s a problem, they want a fix for the problem, quickly. If owners cannot fix the problem or acclimate the dog into their lives, the result will probably be more dogs relinquished to shelters and humane societies. I guess that we’ll have to take a wait and see attitude as to where this road will take us in the future.

A lot of this information was gathered from recent editions of the “Aussie Times”, The Official Publication of the Australian Shepherd Club of America, Inc. in Sandy Case’s “Obedience Hotline”. I have not been able to find the actual Guidelines, so I have to rely on other sources for my information. I did find a reference to the Guidelines on the Off Lead website. One letter, written by Jan Gribble, M.A., titled, “A Second Look at the American Humane Association Humane Dog Training Project,” takes a look at several aspects that are causing concern among dog trainers. Also there, is a statement from the American Humane Association.

In their statement, the AHA admit that the project is not yet finished, and is still being reviewed by experts in the field of dog training. They are also calling the article in the DVM Newsmagazine, “premature” and “a misunderstanding about the internal workings of the committee process.”

     These two letters can be found on the Off Lead website at http://www.off-lead.com. Check them out for more information.

In conclusion, I tend to think about what type of dog trainer I am, and how I feel about this subject. Sandy Case concluded her article quite nicely and said it probably better than I could have. She writes, “If asked what kind of dog trainer I am, I would have to say “eclectic.” I take things I find to work well, and to be within my philosophy of dog training, and “borrow” shamelessly. I am not above discarding one fairly successful training technique for another I find to be more successful. But I remember early advice about going to seminars… be sure you don’t come down with a bad case of “seminaritis” where one discards all the successful strategies learned in the past to follow the latest trend or the hottest new guru… until the next seminar, where you can start all over again!

She remarks about the previously mentioned guidelines in a later paragraph, “Probably the most important question in a dog’s mind is “who’s in charge?” and much of their energy and actions are spent in answering that question. Operant conditioning makes it possible to train certain behaviors without ever answering that question. It’s a nice, effective, low stress learning method and works great with dogs as long as the “pack order” between them and the human members if their family are correctly and well-established.”

“Unfortunately, this technique is highly attractive to people who want to able to get their dogs to “do things” without ever having to put themselves in the position of being “the boss” or “hurting their dog’s feelings”. Combined with a dog of normal to high ambition, this sort of wimpy ownership can be a recipe for disaster. And, of course, the overly conservative person would have one believe that any effort to make a dog do something it doesn’t want to, any corrections or forcible training is abusive, exploitive, and cruel.”

Is this the road we want our training programs to follow? How will we appease the public and still give them the results they expect? Where will our training programs be in the next 5 years? Think about it.