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!

From
the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Summer 2001
Training by the Book
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!

From
the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Spring 2001
Trainer's Rights...Or Trainer's Wrongs
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.

From
the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Winter 2000
To Pinch or Not To Pinch
With
so many different training techniques being used today,
how do you decide which one is right for you? There are
numerous sources to pull your information from - your
trainer, books and articles, seminars, the Internet -
and they will all offer a slightly different perspective.
In particular, I am referring to the controversial "ear
pinch" that is sometimes used to teach dogs to retrieve.
How
do you decide what is right for you… for your dog? How
will you handle the outcome, especially if you make the
wrong decision?
Why
do trainers perform the "ear pinch"? Users will
answer, "to get a reliable retrieve." But will
it? Let's weigh some of the odds.
What
is it? How does it work? The ear pinch is a form of correction.
Other forms of corrections may include a collar pop, the
retaking of the dumbbell, and/or a verbal marker. This
type of correction is generally used after the dog has
been taught to retrieve and has begun proofing exercises.
When, or if, the dog chooses not to retrieve the dumbbell,
pressure is applied to the dog's ear by the handler. This
correction tends to range from being very slight to fairly
firm. It is generally meant to be uncomfortable to the
dog, forcing the dog to rethink his actions of not returning
with the dumbbell as asked.
How
do you know how "hard to pinch"? At a recent
seminar, I experienced a "pinch". It was relatively
soft, certainly not hard enough to make me fear anything.
But was it hard enough to make the dog understand what
was being asked of it? Probably not. I do agree that a
lot of problems stem from Novice handlers applying too
much pressure. But even experienced handlers that prescribe
to this method seem to get a "yelp" now and
then. So if the pinch is hard enough to cause a cry of
pain, is it not hard enough to eventually send some dogs
into frenzy trying to avoid the pain? And, instead of
realizing that retrieving the dumbbell was all you really
wanted… they finally shut down and say "No way! I
don't like this game!" It is then you have a problem.
No,
this does not happen with every dog. I guess some dogs
have more pain tolerance than others, or a better work
ethic, or get better rewards when they complete the exercise…
or something! Some people are very successful at using
the "ear pinch" retrieve.
If
the ear pinch is properly done, it might make a more reliable
retriever. If it is improperly done, one might instill
fear of the dumbbell in the dog, possibly resulting in
a dog that is fearful of the dumbbell and maybe of performing
any obedience exercise.
What
about the "other" methods? One of the most common
being the collar pop. This is a relatively mild correction
and generally does not cause pain. But, does it really
create a 100% reliable retrieve?
Other
training methods advocate being totally positive… no corrections,
or at the most a verbal marker, such as "No,"
or "Uh-huh", used with lots of praise when the
dog corrects itself. Or, what about the handler that takes
the dumbbell and places it into the dog's mouth after
a refusal and offers praise. Do these alternatives create
a reliable retrieve?
I
guess one of the things that I am getting at is… is there
any 100% reliable method of guarantying a retrieve?
Tell
me… what is 100% reliable? Certainly not your car, your
appliances or computer. What about your spouse (significant
other), are they 100% reliable? Don't tell me they NEVER
forget to bring home the eggs when you had planned to
make a cake. What about you - are you so perfect that
you never make a mistake, forget something, or just plain
"goof-up"?
So
why, do you expect your dog never to make a mistake… to
be perfect 100% of the time? Because you spend valuable
money to enter shows? Or, are you going for a bigger title,
or more points? Or is being perfect in the ring one of
those things that just means the world to you? But… is
it worth the chance of ruining your dog?
No,
you may not ruin your dog. But you may create such a stressful
situation that you start to have problems… in training
and in the ring. Problems sometimes lead to confusion,
and confusion may eventually lead to your dog saying,
"I can't do it at all."
So
how will you train your dog to retrieve? Think long and
hard; evaluate and know your dog - what will make them
work, what will turn them off. If problems begin, can
you recognize them and stop or revise your methods?
There
are many methods to training - find the one that is right
for you and your dog. If it is not right - don't do it!
I have found that correcting problems, especially ones
that I have created, takes two to three times as long
as taking a different training approach would have… and
the reliability would be equally as good or better, because
the dog would want to please.

From
the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Fall 2000
On the Road to Winning
Remember…
in The Wizard of Oz, how Dorothy and Toto followed the
yellow brick road to get to Oz? Although challenges and
obstacles confronted them, there was always that familiar
path looming before them.
A
lot of trainers preparing for Obedience competition may
feel that the path to winning is similar to the yellow
brick road - a nice easy path to follow - sprinkled with
a few challenges, here and there. Novice classes may be
misleading in that respect. Although it is not that easy
to qualify, Novice is a lot easier than Open or Utility.
Sometimes, a team hits the right combination and things
just work! But, then again… sometimes they don't.
Working
with Mixie these last few months - preparing her for the
Utility ring - has definitely been an "eye-opener"
for my training routine! That yellow brick road has taken
some sharp turns… and has even been "washed out"
in several places!
When
the familiar path disappears, how does one find direction
again? There are several ways that might get our training
back on track. One is to "back-track" - back
up several steps, make it easy for the dog to understand
what you are asking, and then slowly proceed forward again.
But what if that still doesn't work and the path remains
lost?
Here
is where we might need to map out a new course. How can
we still achieve the desired results, and make it so our
dog will understand? Do we change our training style,
our motivation efforts, or perhaps, our reinforcement
schedule? This knowledge is what makes some trainers more
effective than others.
As
a trainer, we want to be able to evaluate the problem
and come up with an alternative for solving the problem.
Also, we must be able to recognize when that solution
isn't working… then, the search must continue. For example:
Mixie has had the hardest time understanding signal exercises…
especially the "drop". Now, bear in mind that
she had to do a drop in Open, and still can - with signal
or verbal. So, what is it that is confusing her about
the Utility "drop" signal? I have backed up
several steps in her training… several times - didn't
work. I have "play" dropped her - worked, but
didn't transfer back into formal training. And due to
some past problems, I was hesitant to introduce corrections…
but decided that had to be the route that I needed to
take. The word "no" didn't seem to work, so
I've begun a light physical correction, or actually physically
"helping" her into the desired position. Now,
I also have to take into consideration that by doing this,
I might actually reverse my training and have her just
say, "forget it". Whew! Did you ever think that
dog training could be so complicated?
I
think that what we have to remember is that each dog follows
a different path, and that path may not be quite as easy
to follow as the yellow brick road was. As a trainer,
we have to analyze and examine our training methods, and
possibly reanalyze and reexamine them. When problems develop,
or when exercises are not quite "coming together"
as planned, we have to reevaluate our training program.
As
a novice trainer, this may be a difficult path to climb
- only because of the lack of experience and understanding
of how dogs think and react to certain situations, or
even understanding your own dog's temperament and personality.
Even experienced trainers sometimes stumble and have to
resort to pulling out a map. Remember, every dog will
follow a different path and that no one path will lead
you directly to Oz. There will always be problems and
pitfalls, but the good trainer follows their map, communicates,
builds bridges, and rejoices when the gates of "Oz"
appear on the horizon.

From
the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Summer 2000
If You Had Fun -- You Won!
How
true are these words for you?
A
few weeks ago, Mixie and I began our journey down the
road to Utility. Those wonderful folks in Winston-Salem,
NC hosted the show we attended. I went there with one
goal in mind - to have fun!
The
day started a bit stressful, as we were scheduled to be
the first dog in the ring, the first time out for us at
Utility level. I was secretly glad when another team asked
to go first to avoid later conflicts! Being back in the
show ring was exciting!
The
heeling pattern was "interesting" and during
this time, I discovered how distracted my dog could be…and
the signals…well, we did the drop that had me worried,
but "sit" - what's that? The good part is -
that once you NQ, then the rest is easy! Well, maybe not
easy, but definitely less stressful! Our article exercises
were 50% right; the gloves were great; moving stand….
okay, but we definitely have to proof for the judge rubbing
her ears (just a bit more on the right, please!); and
the directed jumping was again, 50% right (after a dumb
handler goof, she says "what bar?"). So, all
in all, we had a good day. We did what we set out to do
- to find out where we were in our training, what we need
to work on and proof for…. and most of all… as I replied
after being asked how we did… we had fun!
So,
why tell us, you say? Well, after our performance, while
sitting on the sidelines watching our friends take their
turn in the ring, I noticed a sign towards the back of
the gym. It read: "IF YOU HAD FUN, YOU WON!"
I
kept reading the small sign, obviously meant for the boys
and girls as they headed back to their locker rooms. It
was just so true! Not only for the school children, in
helping them to develop better sportsmanship… but for
all of us! It applies to dog training, horse showing,
football, basketball, or any competitive sport or activity.
Most people could use these few words as a guide to better
living, better playing, or just for having a better day.
Take
notice of how your day went - was it a good one? Did you
enjoy yourself? If your day was spent showing your dog
- decide on where you need to make improvements or make
changes to meet future goals…. and most of all, enjoy
what you are doing. Think about the good things that you
and your dog did; think about the time that you shared;
and remind yourself why you became involved in the sport
of showing dogs. If you had fun, YOU WON!
Just
a note: Make plans to attend our upcoming Obedience Seminars!
July 29, we host Janet Lewis, author of the super book,
"Smart Trainers, Brilliant Dogs." She will be
helping dog trainers make the best use of Motivational
Training. On September 9 & 10, we host a 2-day seminar
with AnneMarie Silverton, called The 5 Basic Elements
to take you from Novice to Utility. These should be excellent
seminars; A registration form is available in this newsletter
or call/email for brochure. Registration will be limited,
register early!

From
the Bon-Clyde Bark-A-Long newsletter, Spring 2000
The Evolution of Training Methods
(And,
Mistakes We Make Along The Way)
When
I first began training dogs, life seemed so simple. If
you wanted the dog to sit... do this; if you wanted the
dog to down… do that.
Then,
as we got more involved in training, we started to want
more from the dog. Now, we not only wanted a sit, we wanted
a straight sit. No longer is just walking calmly on the
leash acceptable, we now call it heeling and work to make
it “just so perfect”. From there, we seem to want more,
and more, and more!
Then,
we entered the competition arena. In those earlier years,
the competition seemed more “relaxed”; the desire for
“the perfect 200” was only a bit of a dream in most competitors’
minds. But then, as more and more competitors sought higher
and higher scores, the criteria changed. Now, when we
train, we analyze why and how to make our training easier,
better, more precise, more fun, more motivational, etc.
Seems like there are a multitude of training methods offered
these days!
Have
you ever thought of why you change training methods? Think
about it. This is sort of where my article begins – Why
and how have I changed “my” training methods?
Generally,
I change or revise my training methods when I see one
I like, or one that might work better for my dogs and
me. I don’t “throw away” the other methods; what works
best for me might not work for others. I just keep these
ideas in my “bag of tricks”, in case I need to pull one
out!
Another
reason for changing methods is after we make a mistake
in our training. When problems begin to occur in our training
program, we begin to search for answers. Our answers generally
come in the form of a new method – perhaps more motivational,
gentler, or more exciting. The point is, our methods tend
to change over time, and a lot of time they come after
we make mistakes or have problems.
I
think this really hit “home” with me about two years ago.
I was showing Mixie. We had completed our requirements
for our CDX – and had gotten really good scores, good
enough to carry us back to the regional if we wanted to
go. Well, I tossed this about and decided that I would
rather go ahead and try for our UD in hopes of getting
this final title before having one last litter of puppies.
Well,
to make a long story short, when show time rolled around,
we were not ready to try for our UD… our Utility training
was not coming together as planned. So, just to keep her
in competition, I entered her in Open B. That performance
was definitely one to remember. My high scoring CDX dog
NQ’d on every exercise except the heeling, and it was
awful! Good gracious! What was going on?
Mixie
was trying her best, but could not seem to get her act
together. That show really made me think! Talk about analyzing…
there was a lot of analyzing of that performance! Was
it due to the fact that it was stormy? Was it the building?
Was it me?
Turned
out, that’s exactly what it was! ME! In my valiant efforts
to fine-tune her for Utility, I created an environment
of stress and frustration. My dog was confused and basically
had “shut down” on me.
This
problem is slowly being corrected. The road to change
has been a long one. I have changed methods, changed my
attitude, and changed my expectations for this dog. I
do not push her to meet “my” timelines. I accept the fact
that she is trying her best and I reward each and every
effort that she gives me in preparation towards this final
goal.
Today,
we are now preparing for the Utility ring again. This
time, we have a much better attitude and are quite optimistic
about completing our requirements this year. Our road
has been rocky. Three steps forward and two steps back,
so it seems. But the challenge to rebuild this dog, and
her confidence, has been so rewarding. I now see things
in other people’s dogs – potential training problems –
which come from not “reading” their dog correctly or wanting
too much, too soon. The lessons that I learned were invaluable,
but almost at the expense of turning off one of the most
wonderful dogs that I have ever owned, much less shown.
The
progress that we have made is important to me. It has
made me reevaluate my methods, it has made me a more observant
instructor, and hopefully a better person in all of my
dogs' eyes.
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