Pets
Want A Pet Who Loves To Learn? Make Training Fun
NOTE: I have a new pet behavior blog located at http://www.SoMuchPETential.com/blog. Thanks!
I was at a friend’s house the other day who was telling me she wished her dog would come when she called. “He just wouldn’t listen,” she’d say.
I didn’t have to observe long to get a sense of at least one of the underlying explanations. I’ll paint a picture to see if you get a sense too. Her dog was outside having a perfectly good time where there is so much sensory stimulation outside – noises, smells, sights. She opened the door and called him in. He did come (this time) and the reaction he received upon coming was simply a nondescript voice saying ‘good boy Willy’.
“Hmmm,” I could visualize Willy saying to himself. “Big deal. Why should I give up my perfectly good time to come for THIS?”
I see that a lot actually. Pet owners being frustrated because their dogs won’t follow their ‘commands’ and blaming the dog. Part of the whole problem is our thinking about what we want our pet to do in terms of a ‘command’. That word alone connotes dominance and force, not a very motivating and encouraging way to learn.
I’m not going to get much into behavior analysis in this post but I do want to offer a suggestion. What if, instead of thinking about telling your dog to do a command, you think about how you can put the fun back in learning? You put the responsibility on yourself to make the behavior you want to teach, a behavior that is just super cool to do because what happens right after the behavior is so high value.
I tell people all the time how much our Sam loves to learn. The other day, in just a couple of five minute sessions, I taught him to scratch an itch on his nose. (Unfortunately Sam got adopted into a family with a very silly trainer.)
The truth is, Sam loves to learn because I’ve made it so much fun. (Well, I’m also very consistent in reinforcing the behavior I want to see but that is a separate topic for a separate column.) That time we share is really quality time together. When I’m initially teaching a behavior (usually through shaping), he loves the challenge of trying to figure out what he needs to do to get me to shout in my very animated voice, ‘GOOD BOY’, which is followed by a favorite treat. And when we are going through his repertoire of behaviors, he does each one so enthusiastically because we make it one great party.
To everyone who has a dumb or obstinate dog, I challenge you. Instead of holding your dog up to expectations, hold yourself up to creating an environment that fosters a love of learning.
Pets In Need of Greater Cincinnati Offers Veterinary Care
Pets bring us so much unconditional love. Their presence in our lives gives us joy when the world sometimes deals harsh blows. Their ever present companionship is a very special gift.
And that is why it is beyond hurt to see a family’s anguish when their financial challenges mean facing the reality that they simply cannot afford the expenses of a pet.
I love the idea of the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry that has helped thousands feed their pet. Now there is nonprofit Pets In Need of Greater Cincinnati. In partnership with the University of Cincinnati’s veterinary program, the organization is dedicated to providing basic veterinary care for income-qualified individuals who cannot afford to take their pets to private veterinarians (with a limit of three pets per household).
“Through Pets In Need, we are helping animals that might otherwise wind up in already over-crowded shelters because their families can’t afford to give them the care they need. And we are helping pet owners who want to do the right thing for their pets, but who may have to balance that with the need to feed and clothe their children, pay the rent and keep the lights burning at home. Pets In Need is dedicated to ensuring that it’s a choice no one in Greater Cincinnati ever will have to make again,” said Carol A. Sanger, president.
Beginning in February 2013, Pets In Need will offer regularly scheduled pet wellness clinics at its Lockland location (520 W. Wyoming Ave.; Cincinnati, OH 45215), where dogs and cats will be seen by licensed veterinarians and professional veterinary staff.
At a minimum, each animal will receive a routine health check-up, get their annual rabies and booster shots, and take home flea and tick medications, all at deeply discounted prices. Vouchers for low-cost spay/neuter also will be provided to PIN clients, and eligibility for follow-up care at Pets In Need will be contingent on having any unaltered animal spayed or neutered prior to their next visit. In addition, dental clinics will be offered several times a year as part of the PIN wellness program.
OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, November 4 from 2 to 5 pm
520 W Wyoming Ave
Cincinnati, Ohio 45215
Dr. Ian Dunbar Talks About Positive Dog Training on TED
NOTE: I have a new pet behavior blog located at http://www.SoMuchPETential.com/blog. Thanks!
Veterinarian, dog trainer, and animal behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar works to encourage better relationships with dogs — not to mention their friends and children, too. His Sirius Dog Training Company focuses on training puppies to be playful, yet well-behaved. His second organization, Animalin, promotes games for dogs and puppies at an international level.
He has also written numerous books, including How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks and The Good Little Dog Book. He has also hosted several award-winning videotapes on puppy and dog training.
Below is his TED Talk. Great information!
Listening Is One Of Our Greatest Skills
Susan Garrett’s Dog Training Tips From APDT Conference
NOTE: I have a new pet behavior blog located at http://www.SoMuchPETential.com/blog. Thanks!
Last weekend, hun
dreds of dog trainers (actually probably upwards of close to 1000) from across the country converged on Covington, Kentucky. It was the very first time that the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) has held its large annual conference here and I was fortunate to be among the attendees. I attended three of the five days. Not only did I learn a ton from some of the top and most respected professionals in the business, it was also an opportunity to meet highly skilled trainers who believe as I do in the power of positive reinforcement.
I’ll be writing about and referring to the conference in numerous posts.
Training Tips from Susan Garrett
What an amazing opportunity it was that the very first lecture I attended was a three hour presentation by Canada’s Susan Garrett, owner of Say Yes Dog Training, from whom I had taken an online course, the Five Minute Recall. Susan is one of the most successful dog agility competitors of the last decade. She is also a member of one of the fastest flyball teams in the world.
Susan gave us so much information. She also shared these tips for success:
Be the Keeper of the Joy.
“Training is just building joy for what I do want, while controlling access to reinforcement for what I don’t want. Be sure you build yourself into all reinforcement.”
Take regular reinforcement inventory. Ask yourself – where is the value?
Know where you are and where you would like to go. Develop an ‘it is what it is’ attitude.
“When I look at my dogs, all I see is greatness. It’s up to me to show the world.”
Let average or better be your guide.
Plan for failures and only reward responses that take you closer to your goals.
Use arousal to develop skills that are resistant to distraction.
Don’t train in a sterile environment. Deepen your dogs understanding of your cues and his responses by cranking up the excitement level. A brief game of tug or chase will break things up and keep him excited. Make your dog say to you, ‘don’t wanna don’t have to’ and work through it.
And remember…
The more time you put into your puppy in its first 12 months, the more joy you will get out of him for the next 16 years of life.
About APTDT
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) is a professional organization of individual trainers who are committed to becoming better trainers through education. The APDT is dedicated to building better trainers through education, promoting dog-friendly methods and encouraging their use. Our membership is composed of trainers from across the spectrum of training philosophies who have an interest in furthering their knowledge of positive training.
