My Journey with Humans

Last month I attended the Instructor Training Course at the Roundout Valley Animals for Adoption shelter in Accord, NY.  The instructors were Pia Silvani, a charter member of APDT, and Sue Sternberg, known for her “Assess a Pet” temperament testing for shelter dogs.  This is my story about the experience.  In typical "Helen" fashion, it's a bit lengthy but I hope it holds your interest to the end because that's my "happy ending."

The Course...

This is a 5-Day course that includes lectures, viewing of videos, working with shelter dogs, demonstrations of some training techniques by the instructors, teaching of group classes by each of the students and attendance in group classes with the shelter dog assigned to you.  The days were long, the breaks were short, the food was not gourmet but generally good, the coffee left something to be desired, the facility was awesome, the shelter dogs were even more awesome and the course was well-packed with info and practice.  It was a well-organized (by Dana Crevling of Dogs of Course) and well-run course focusing on positive reinforcement with much valuable information and hands-on practice for new trainers.  There is something for everyone but more seasoned trainers may find the value derived to be somewhat less than the price of admission… or will they?

My Motivation and Fears...

I had looked at this course every year for many, many years and always wanted to attend.  Timing, logistics and finances stood in my way until this year.  Over the years my needs and reasons for attending had changed and despite being one of the “more seasoned” trainers, I thought perhaps there was something to be gained.  I was right but what I gained was not so obvious to me at first and, lol, well, if you choose to continue reading, you’ll see. 

I wanted to learn how to be a better people-teacher.  I wanted to learn what I was doing wrong and what I needed to change when working with people.  I was hoping to pick up some fun new things I could do in group class to make it a more positive and interesting experience for the humans.  I was not looking for “how to teach [insert behavior here]” and I certainly wasn’t looking to review learning theory and the 4 quadrants of operant conditioning.  Oof!  Been there, done that – ad nauseum.  Don’t get me wrong, I firmly believe that understanding the 4 quadrants and knowing which quadrant you are in when training is essential for any trainer but this was not something I felt the need to review. 

 

I arrived at the facility with a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation.  Was this going to be fun and enlightening or was this going to be a snooze fest?  Were the other course students and I going to be on a par or were we going to be light years apart?  Would I get along with the human with whom I was to be partnered?  Uncertainty makes me very nervous.  One of the reasons why I love living and working with dogs is that I find them so much more predictable and reliable than humans and that gives me a sense of quiet certainty.

The Instructors...

These women have achieved success in their field without compromise – something worthy of admiration.  There is much to be learned in simply socializing with them, not to mention watching them work.

Pia Silvani has a huge presence that belies her diminutive stature.  She has a calm, quiet, confident manner and an approachable openness that made this student feel comfortable. 

Sue Sternberg has a self-deprecating humor that made her so endearing.  She is honest, down-to-earth and strong.  She doesn’t apologize for her beliefs or methods nor does she force them upon you.  She can agree to disagree with a smile.

Dana Crevling had things running like the best Swiss timepiece with her efficiency.  She was always happy to answer questions and give a helping hand.

There was a vastness of knowledge and experience in all three women that was, at times, almost intimidating but never quite.  These ladies share an obvious and enviable camaraderie, fondness and respect for one another. They all enjoyed a good laugh and often showed their humor and quick wit.  Together they were a powerful team and they made the experience not only educational but enjoyable.

Accentuate the Positive!

That’s what we were told to do.  We each had index cards with the name of every other person participating in the course on a card – about 30 cards in all.  During the course of the week we each had to write something positive about every other person and leave the card in an envelope marked with his/her name.  At the end we would all receive our envelopes with all the index cards with positive comments.  In addition, everyone provided positive comments for each of the two lessons we each had to teach as a group class instructor.

Really?  Um, and what does that do for me or everyone else for that matter?  How could I learn what I was doing wrong if no one would tell me?  How can I improve if my flaws and mistakes are not pointed out to me?   I was not happy about this exercise and I grudgingly participated in this throughout the week.

My Fellow Students...
Almost everyone in the course with only a couple of exceptions was nice.  So nice.  I mean, really, really, REALLY nice.  Sickeningly sweet nice.  Yikes!  My caustic, sardonic, critical self was not comfortable in this environment!  I was the proverbial fish out of water and I was drowning in niceness.  I raced back to my motel room the first night, called my hubby and bitched at him for about 30 minutes straight.  Ahhhh!  Having got all that bitchiness out of my system (my poor, poor hubby), I felt much better and was off to sleep early so I could be well-rested for my next long day.

The next day I felt I was beginning to adjust to all the pleasantness around me.  These ladies were even pleasant early in the morning before coffee!  Go figure.  Whatever.  I was starting to get into a groove of smiling and finding something nice to say.  That evening I fully intended to race back to my motel room and watch TV all night but I was handed a casual invitation to dinner by someone.  I had met this woman at the IAABC conference back in April and had chatted with her a bit over dinner back then.  I found her interesting and extremely intelligent and well, of course, nice.  Lol.  I didn’t know anyone else at the course and she was the closest thing to a familiar face so I decided to join her and whoever else for dinner.

The Amazing Women - You Know Who You Are...

THAT was the beginning of the game-changer for me.  I met some amazing women and had an awesome evening sharing stories and ideas.  I was in the company of some very well-educated women and I felt a little humbled and even intimidated by them.  These women were an assortment of PhDs and Masters Degrees with a background in everything from advertising to zoology.  They were fun, they were interesting, they had struggled and persevered, they were brutally honest and totally sincere.  We dined together each evening after that and one evening we hung out like teenagers drinking wine and laughing until the wee hours of the morning.

I also chatted and shared with other fellow students during the day.  So many great people… the self-proclaimed “inexperienced” trainer who is taking her dog through competition obedience, the young girl attending veterinary school, a motorcycle “mama”, the horse-lovers, shelter workers, nurses, tennis enthusiasts, a history buff, social workers, a groomer, the one male student amongst a sea of estrogen, my partner who was sweet and kind and underestimated her own abilities, even a pole dancer and, of course, dog trainers.  We were diverse but we shared some common bonds – our love of dogs and our desire to improve.

The last day we all shared our thoughts about the facility, the course, our shelter dogs and each other.  We laughed, we cried, we hugged, received our envelopes and certificate and said our goodbyes.  I felt a sense of loss upon leaving.  I felt I had made some new wonderful friends but I knew that the inevitable effects of time, distance and life in general would quickly unravel those new and fragile bonds of friendship and I was greatly saddened by that thought.

All in all it was a great experience and I would highly recommend this course to “wanna be”, new and inexperienced trainers.  Seasoned trainers who are stuck in a rut or looking to change things up will probably find it worthwhile as well.  In other words, something for everyone.

What Was In It For ME?

When I got back home and got back to my routine, I realized that I still had some feedback that I hadn’t checked - my “accentuate the positive” envelope.  I opened the envelope and began to read my index cards.  Funny was the most common comment (I liked that) followed by outspoken (I just KNOW some of those people wanted to say “loudmouth”).  That’s ok; I know I’m a big mouth.  I spent my formative years being chastised and criticized for it and nothing has changed (further evidence that punishment does NOT work).  It’s taken me literally decades to accept that part of me, own it and stop apologizing for it.  I’m here, I’m loud, deal with it or move on!  Some other comments were honest, willing to share and good teacher.  I got to thinking, if I am funny, then maybe I should go for more fun and humor.  If I am honest, then maybe I should be more honest.  And then it hit me.

I had completely missed the point of the Accentuate the Positive exercise that I had SOOO resented the whole week!  I was being given the gift of training my brain to look for the good, the right, the accurate, instead of focusing on and correcting the mistakes.  DIRECTIONS instead of CORRECTIONS! 

Why it took so long to seep into my brain, I can’t say.  I guess I just couldn’t see the forest for the trees.  Or maybe that was just the way my journey had to go.  But there it was in my cards and the cards I had written for others.  Motivate by focusing on the good and build on that success.  Gosh, I do this every day, day in and day out with the dogs I teach – it’s simple, it’s easy and IT WORKS!  Yet, somehow, I left my human students behind on that trip.  I was caught up in “don’t”, “stop”, “no”, “not like that”… in other words, “error marking”.  It was an awful habit that I had trouble changing.  Why?  Because I was focusing on my own errors instead of what I did well!  Once I started looking at what I did well and looked to increase it, then there was less room for what I did wrong.  And, of course, practice makes perfect, so I began to get better at finding the positive in my human students.

It’s still a work in progress but I am finally moving in the right direction and as I make these changes in my teaching style, I find it, thankfully, becomes easier to do.  AND, my human students noticed and appreciated the changes.  Despite having always received exceptionally good feedback on my group classes (via anonymous feedback surveys), most people never continued past the Basic Manners.  This last group that graduated all gave me stellar feedback – so much so that I was almost in tears from how moved I felt.  Better yet, many of them are now continuing on with Better Basics.

The Forest and the Trees:

Was the ITC worth the price of admission?  You bet!  For me it wasn’t so much in the actual materials and specific lessons, good as they were. That was just the trees.  For me the value was in the experience as a whole – the forest.  My deepest and most sincere thanx to all the wonderful women and that one brave man in the course.  You were all my instructors and I am better for having met you all.   And to those very special women with whom I felt a particular bond… I hope we can share a meal (vegan because, yes, Mary, I’ve made the change), some stories and laugh thru the night once again.

Happy Tails!

All Choked Up for Attention

A few weeks ago I was getting my next set of group classes organized – fielding calls, answering questions, emailing info… you get the idea.  One potential class participant still sticks in my head causing me to wonder where it went off track.  I know exactly when it went off the rails and I think I know why… I just hope I’m wrong. 

The call came in from a woman who adopted an approximately 1 year old Shih Tzu.  She and her hubby already had another Shih Tzu that they purchased and trained as a puppy and now they wanted their newest family member to have his education as well – great!  I described my group class and curriculum and informed them that I did still have room in the weekend class they wanted to join.  Knowing that some folks have concerns, however unfounded, about Pitbulls, I “cautioned” them that the class already had a couple of larger dogs in it, specifically a couple of bully mixes. Fortunately, they were not at all bothered by this, in fact, they felt it was good to have a mix of breeds/sizes in a class.  It came out that they had attended a group class with their puppy that included large and small dogs and they had a wonderful experience.  I, of course, asked them why they didn’t return to where they had such a great experience and was informed that the training center had moved farther East, making the trip to and from much too long.   Well, that worked out nicely for me - yay!  The woman thanked me for my time and said she needed to speak with her hubby and would get back to me.

A few days later the woman called back to tell me they were very interested in the class (awesome) and she asked how large my group classes were.  I informed her that I keep my classes small – no more than 6 and 8, only if I have an assistant.  I explained that in a larger class it would be impossible to give everyone some personalized attention and larger classes can easily become out-of-hand with barking and other issues.  (lol, another blog for another day – some of my group classes “gone wild”)  She promptly disagreed with me, saying in the classes she attended, there were 10 and 12 dogs and it was fabulous experience.  I asked how many trainers ran the class or if the trainer had any assistants and she told me no, just him.  Rather than argue with her that a 10 to 1 ratio is not the best idea and that she may have gotten “lucky” with the class she was in, I simply said, “He must have been a wonderful trainer” and let it go at that.  At this point I informed her that the class was filling quickly and that if she wanted to take the class, she needed to send in the registration and deposit.  She said she would.

Another few days passed and the woman calls me yet again.  She apologized for not sending in the registration right away but was putting it in the mail today with a deposit check.  (Yes, I still have old-fashioned mail-in registration forms.  I know, I know, I need to update my website for online registrations.  Hey, don’t bug me, I’ve been busy!)  She just wanted to double-check the address and she wanted to know what she would need for class.  I informed her that as soon as I received the registration, I would email her a confirmation along with the class info email -  “Group Class, What to Expect & What to Bring.”  To which she replied, “Great, I’ll be looking forward to it.  But, I guess I’ll need a training collar, right?”

Uh-oh

At this point, I go thru a series of ritualized aggression moves. (yes, I definitely empathize with dogs a bit too much.  I am the very opposite of anthropomorphizing) I freeze up, I begin to speak very softly and slowly and (thank dog she couldn’t see me!) my lip began to curl into a snarl.  I very quietly asked, “What do you mean by a training collar?”  As many of us trainers know, “training collar” is a euphemism for “choke chain” but I couldn’t be sure what she meant, hence the question.  She hesitated and said, “You know, a training collar.”  So now I’m pretty sure she thinks I’m an idiot of a trainer to not know what a training collar is so I said, “Well there are various types of ‘training collars’, do you mean a choke chain, a prong collar or an electronic collar?”  She said, “Oh no, not a prong or shock collar, I would never do that to my dog. But I was told that calling it a choke chain is inaccurate because that is not the purpose of the collar, it just gets the dog’s attention.” (Really?  Well, I guess it is at least in part true.  Put a choke chain on me… you’ll have my undivided attention, that’s for sure.  Ahhh, but take it off and I will not only ignore you, I’ll run like the wind away from you.) I said, “I don’t use those collars at all.  My method is to get the dog’s attention through motivation.  I prefer class participants to use a regular flat-buckle collar or, even better, a harness.”  To which she replied, “Alrighty then.  Thank you, goodbye.”  There was a definite tone to that ‘alrighty then’, a mix of condescending sarcasm blended with ‘I’m humoring you.’

Another few days elapsed and no registration showed up so I called her to check in to see if she had sent it.  She informed me that they had changed their minds. Since they had such a good experience the first time, they decided to make the trip to the other training center.  I wished her luck and success and hung up feeling so depressed.

I couldn’t figure what went wrong.  It certainly seemed to coincide with the “training collar” discussion.  I was very careful to not say anything negative about her having used one before. I just told her that I don’t use them and that I have a different method.  We had talked about positive reinforcement and rewards-based training in a previous conversation and she seemed to be on board with it.  So what the $@%& happened?!  My brain can’t wrap itself around the possibility that someone would object to NOT using a choke chain.  I certainly can’t get my head or heart around putting any dog on a choke chain but I do ‘get’ how folks with large or strong dogs THINK they need one.  But, seriously, a choke chain on a Shih Tzu? 

Is that why she didn’t join my class?  Because I wouldn’t let her put a choke chain on her 12-pound Shih Tzu?  It certainly seemed that way to me but I’ll never know for sure. It still bugs the you-know-what out of me.  I sincerely hope that Shih Tzu is none the worse for wear.  As for my class – it was a great group and they all graduated with flying colors last month.  And the strong Pitbull with the petite human, he wears a harness, he doesn’t pull and he can’t take his eyes off his human.  I’d say she earned his attention, not to mention his willingness to comply, because he thinks the sun rises and sets on her and that’s a beautiful thing to see.    

Chuck the Choke

Pass up the Prong
Skip the Shock
and
MOTIVATE instead of Dictate!

Happy Tails J

All Aboard for (a good) PK!

I only just finished up my PK classes a few weeks ago and the new ones are supposed to start in a week or so but no registrations!  I still hear from folks that they are told by their vets that they should keep their puppy away from other dogs until after they’ve had all their shots.  Some people are even told to keep the puppy indoors until that rabies shot.  This saddens me because I know that those puppies are not getting off to the best start in their lives with their humans.  They are very possibly a bundle of fears and behavior problems in the making.  Let’s add insult to injury… I know one vet that told my client she still had to wait a week after the last shot before taking her pup outside.  That pup, and a large-breed at that, spent 9 full weeks inside a small 3-room apartment before her first venture outside at the age of 17 weeks!  and to this day, 4 years later, she jumps at every sound and cringes when cars pass.

 

So what happens after that “magical” last set of shots?  People run their pups outdoors, to various houses, down busy streets, to the dog park and (finally) into group classes.  Not only is the puppy often overwhelmed and unable to cope, the human has no idea what s/he is doing and usually makes matters worse by forcing the puppy into situations s/he is simply not ready to handle and with absolutely no coping skills!

 

Of course, waiting until after the pup is 16 weeks (about the time the last shots are administered) does not guarantee a poorly adjusted dog but in my long experience that is very often the result.  On the other hand, a Puppy Kindergarten does not guarantee a balanced, well-adjusted dog.  Some PKs are, in my opinion, very poorly run and can actually do more harm than good.  I’ve seen some PKs and puppy playtimes in some of the big box stores and I know I am seeing future behavior modification clients.

 

There is a common misconception that socialization means throwing everything and anything at the puppy to get him “used to it” – yikes!  Well, I’m not a fan of snakes (sorry, I know, they are just another animal but they give me the creeps) and throwing me into a room full of them is NOT going to get me used to snakes.  Au contraire!  More likely, my fear and aversion will be increased.  Yet I see this done to puppies all the time and, sadly, by the very folks that doggie parents trust to guide and teach them how to raise their puppies – their “trainer.”  That’s right – “trainer”, not trainer.  Anyone can call herself a trainer, there is no regulation in the industry – ah but once again, I digress.  Let’s stick a pin in that bugaboo for another day J

 

On to the PK/PP (no, not pee pee, Puppy Playtime).  So what have I seen/heard?  I am so very glad you asked.  (Yes, I sometimes hear you in my head)  Puppies are left to fend for themselves in a play situation they are not prepared to handle in the name of socialization.  A fearful or shy puppy will not learn socialization when thrown in with a school-yard bully.  And, yes, there are pups that behave much like that school-yard bully you remember from the old days.  Those pups may not steal the shy pup’s milk money but they can, however unintentionally and unwittingly, steal a shy/fearful pup’s ability to gain confidence and to learn to interact with other pups.  Don’t believe the “trainer” that tells you to leave your pup to fend for himself or that providing comfort and reassurance and SAFETY will feed or reinforce the fear.  OMD how that expression annoys me!  Sorry, these folks don't understand learning and behavior and have no business training you or your pup.

 

A good PK will gently and gradually introduce your pup to sights, sounds, people and other pups in a manner that is not threatening or intimidating.  A good PK will let your pup move at his/her own pace and provide safety and security.  The shy or fearful pup is NEVER forced into any interaction.  That pup is permitted to find a safe corner or behind a gate from which to watch the other, more outgoing puppies play.  Perhaps that puppy’s human will be feeding treats or gently petting as the puppy watches.  The other puppies will be prevented from overwhelming that pup.  In my experience, in time that puppy’s natural curiosity and desire for social contact will emerge and s/he will make attempts to interact.  This is a crucial time for the pup and a good PK trainer will seek to make the interaction safe and gentle, perhaps with one other pup of similar disposition or with an older pup or dog that is gentle with shy puppies.

 

Another aspect of a good PK is introduction of many different people, again, never forcing a puppy to interact.  The people may wear hats, wigs, glasses, uniforms and carry strange objects.  Sound and object habituation is another important part of a PK.  But, where’s the training?  Shouldn’t a puppy be trained in a PK class?  Yes… and no.  Much of that depends on the age of the puppies in a PK class.  If the PK class is a socialization class designed for puppies as young as 8 weeks, then socialization and play should be the focus with only what I call “foundation” training as part of the curriculum.  Foundation behaviors that can pave the way for better, easier and faster basic training when the time is right.  Name response, choose me, hand-targeting, sit, call out of play, red light/green light (lol – no, not quite the game you remember but my own version of a foundation game with your pup.)  If the PK class is for older pups – over 14 weeks, then that is really more of a basic class since the window for the critical socialization period has already ended.  We have so little time to do what we can in that critical window.  A good PK can give your pup a huge advantage in life.  Don’t hesitate to find one and enroll your pup as early as possible.   As per the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - “Behavioral issues, not infectious diseases, are the number one cause of death for dogs under three years of age.” 

 

So, all aboard for a good PK and, please, let’s get our vets on board too!  Education is key and, for more information, check out the AVSAB Position Statement on Puppy Socialization.  If you are interested in seeing a good PK curriculum (WARNING, shameless self-promotion coming,) check out the Smarty Paws course outline for PK class for a program that starts your pup off on the right paw!  J

 

Now you KNOW!

 

Happy Tails J

Fallout – Real Risk or Rhetoric?

I can’t believe how long it has taken me to get back into a routine after hurricane Sandy.  Don’t get me wrong, I was one of the very fortunate ones on Long Island with no damage and losing power for only a couple of days.  Wish I could say the same for most of my family and many of my friends.  I am amazed at the resiliency and positivity of the people I know that were affected – truly in awe of some of them.  

 

With that, moving on to the business of dogs and all things dogs…Warning, it’s a long one.  Guess I’m making up for lost time J

 

I hear it over and over again from the “positive” training camp that punishment = fallout.  I also hear over and over from the traditional camp that fallout = “possie” rhetoric.  For every example of fallout from punishment there is an equal and opposite claim of “BS”.  So what’s the truth?  Truth being subjective, this is strictly my truth.

I firmly believe that positive punishment (adding an aversive) carries a very real risk of fallout.  That’s it, the smart thing to do is end the post here.  But, let’s be real, it’s me and oh how I love to ramble…

 

First, let me say that punishment does NOT guarantee fallout.  Behavior is not math so 1+2 does not always mean 3.  I’ve seen punishment work without fallout.  That said, I’ve also seen fallout first-hand and still see it regularly.  In my experience, it is a fact.  So, I am very careful about employing punishments and, when I do, I attempt to use only negative punishment (removing a positive reinforcer).  But, I never say never. There may be an appropriate time, place, situation and method of positive punishment that I may feel is necessary at some point.  I’m not a “humaniac” that is so closed-minded that I throw science out the window in the name of the fantasy that is known as “purely positive”.  Let’s face it, there is no such thing as “purely positive” – even the simple act of refusing to reinforce a behavior is a form of punishment.  Then of course, there is the latest buzz phrase “error less training” more on that another time but suffice it to say, that while ideals are great, they are all too often unattainable.

That said, I do believe that training can and should be accomplished  and behavior can and should be modified in a force-free way.  Why would I use a shock/prong/spray collar, a squirt in the face or a scary noise to suppress a behavior when I can first try to remove the trigger that causes the behavior or teach the dog an alternate and/or incompatible behavior AND remove the reinforcement for the problem behavior, thus allowing the dog to figure out that the behavior he likes but that I don’t is just not worth it AND a different behavior (one I DO like) is more rewarding?  Why wouldn’t I do it the more positive way?  Well, I would and do but I know why others don’t…

Because it takes more time.  Because it takes more effort.  Because it takes more thought than simply yelling, squirting, jerking or shocking the dog. Because humans (I’m convinced) are inherently punitive.  But if the punishers would just look beyond the momentary cessation of unwanted behavior, they would see that those punishments often don’t work, especially in the long-term.  If they did, one would not need to punish the same behavior over and over and over again.  Dogs are very bright and, when taught properly, learn very quickly.  If you are repeating the same “lesson” endlessly, the fault lies in your method, not your dog.

Traditional trainers claim that timing is what makes the punishment effective and that repetition is how the dog understands that it’s his own behavior causing the punishment and not something else – thus no risk of fallout.  Really?  True, timing is essential and a good trainer has timing.  An APO often does not.  When I work with a dog I also work with its human and leave them with the ability to practice and follow-thru on what I taught.  That is one reason for not teaching punishment techniques to my 2-legged students – I simply don’t trust punishments in the hands of a novice.  Now about that repetition… hmmm, so just how many reps of punishment does it take to cross the line from “teaching” to abusing?  Therein is my second problem with punishment and my number one reason for NOT choosing it myself.  If the punishment does not work in 1-2 attempts, it is abusive, period.  It’s like my friend who insists on poking me when she speaks to me.  Presumably she pokes me to emphasize a point but I’m not really sure why and I don’t care, I only know that I distance myself from her whenever possible.  One or two pokes I can deal with, but one or two pokes every time I see her or more than that is just plain annoying and, yes, painful.  Despite each individual poke being mild, the accumulation has left me sensitive and sore.  Blatant and forceful abuse?  Absolutely not.  And, yet, I still feel abused.  Now, her intent is NOT for me to distance myself from her but that is the fallout from her punishing behavior toward me.  Plus, ha ha, to this day, I have no idea why I’m being poked.  If I, the human with the larger cerebral cortex, can’t figure out why I’m being punished, how can one expect his/her dog to understand the concept any better?

Here’s some very real fallout for you – a while ago I accidentally rolled my desk chair over my little one when I pushed back to go into the credenza behind me.  I don’t even know how much of her foot I hit but, based on the little bit of blood by the split nail, I think I, fortunately, only got her toenail.  She screamed quite a bit and the sound went right thru me straight to my heart.  I honestly am not sure which of us was more upset.  This one stays near me all the time when I’m working in my office – she’ll lie under the desk or in the open crate on the side of my desk.  It took her 3 days to even consider entering the room again and she still wouldn’t go much farther than just in the doorway.  10 days after the incident, she still would only enter as far as the doorway.  I even took the chair out of the room to see if she would come in when the offensive object was removed.  No way.  She was avoiding the whole room – not just the object that punished her.  I began working on CC and it took me about a week or so to get her into the room and another week before she was comfortable enough to once again “hang” with me in the room.   So, despite the fact that the chair committed the offense, she had superstitiously decided the entire room was a bad, bad place.  She had connected the pain with the location, not the object that caused the pain or, fortunately, me.  If I were a punishment-based trainer attempting to teach my dog to be avoid chairs in that manner, it would have been an epic fail.  Don’t laugh, many “trainers” feel the best way to teach pups to avoid things is to make those things scary and/or painful.  (ah, so many thoughts, so little time)

In a scenario where a counter-surfer is punished for jumping up on the counter, the dog may learn that it’s her jumping that brings the punishment – but how many times must you repeat the punishment for the dog to figure it out?  Maybe she NEVER figures it out… maybe she thinks it’s the counter that’s causing the punishment, or the sink, or the cabinet door.  So, you may think you’ve effectively suppressed the behavior but then you remodel your kitchen or take her to another house and suddenly she’s back at it… fallout!  And, I might add, for those people who can’t keep their counter unrewarding, what is the likelihood that they can deliver the punishment 100% of the time?  If they can’t, then the behavior is being intermittently reinforced and made stronger than ever.  But that’s a blog for another day.

Yes, we “risk” the same superstitious connections with clicker training as well.  My dog may think that the click/treat she earned while training is brought on by the proximity of a person, object or sound or by the shirt I wear.  But, now here is where I agree with the traditional trainer about timing and repetition.  If I have good timing, the reward will be connected with the behavior.  If I have poor timing, then repetition will teach the dog that the reward is tied to her behavior.  Yes, even with poor timing, repetition allows for the dog to eventually figure out it’s not my shirt, it’s her behavior that brings the rewards. But, what is the risk of fallout there?  And where is the abuse in the repetition?  As far as I can tell, there is none!

Yes, we all live in the real world and, sometimes, sadly, need real world fixes.  It’s a matter of knowing your client – 2 and 4 legged.  Long before I introduce the sledgehammer, if ever, I will try other things and desperately seek to educate my clients in alternate, gentler methods.  

I firmly believe that superstitious connections and fallout are very definite and real risks in punishment-based training, not rhetoric.  Fallout is not always huge or obvious, it can be subtle and it happens more often than folks realize.  Dogs have trouble generalizing and, yet, have an uncanny knack for escalating their own fears.  When it comes to fears, dogs corner the market on generalizations.  JMHO

So, let’s not add to those fears with punishments.  Let’s keep those Happy Tails and give

DIRECTIONS, NOT Corrections!

To Blog or Not To Blog?

Ok, so I was feeling uninspired and disappointed by the underwhelming response to my last blog post.  Let’s face it, despite my love of humor and good times, my writing skills demonstrate a decided lack of such leading me to ruminate on whether I should bother to blog again.  Dare I bore the public with my pontifications on training and behavior in my lackluster, humorless writing style? Maybe I’m just rusty and need to push myself, get in a “groove”, exercise my cerebral cortex and then maybe I will improve.  Then again, maybe not.

I enviously read many blogs and articles and dream of being able to coin a phrase, turn a word and cleverly make my point as do so many others.  I live in a great time when anyone with a two-bit opinion and a computer can have her voice heard.  Ah, but SHOULD that voice be heard?  And would anyone read far enough into this mind-numbing droning of words to get to my point? Alas, I suspect not, so why bother?

Suddenly, INSPIRATION! Amazing that is was in the form of a pint-sized entity whose name sounds like a wound acquired while raiding a beehive for its golden nectar.  Yes, I suspect you know of what I speak and imagine my surprise to learn of the existence of this heretofore unknown entity of which I was blissfully unaware.  Having heard the name this morning and, being as curious as a cat dog, I immediately Googled it and now that which has been seen and heard can, sadly, never be UNseen or UNheard.  (oh the horror, the horror!) The images and sounds are forever burned into my poor, overexposed brain.  BUT, one must give credit where credit is due.  For, I thought if this child can be asked to share her self-proclaimed redneck opinion on the presidential candidates and be given a nationally televised forum to do so, then, certainly, I am entitled to post my thoughts and ramblings on that which I am knowledgeable and educated.  If not for the silliness of this beauty-queen wannabe, I would have remained silent.

While I vehemently resist the idea that I need to "redneck-cognize", I do realize this diminutive blonde and all that goes with her is probably found to be far more entertaining than little big, old me, but I vow to make a better effort in the future.  With that, on to the post (no, the former is NOT the post and, no, I will not be discussing reality tv and its assorted “stars”.  If you thought that’s where I was going, you may want to leave now)

In my last post, “Are You Really a “Positive”Trainer?”, I was discussing the Humane Hierarchy and several times mentioned “more on that later”.  Here is one of those “laters”...

Steps 5 and 6 on the Humane Hierarchy

5.  Negative Punishment, Extinction and Negative Reinforcement

Yes, despite the fact that these three things are different, they are “lumped” together on the Humane Hierarchy…

a. Negative Punishment – Sounds really bad, right?  Well, not as bad as one might think and certainly better than Negative Reinforcement, IMO.  When using NP, the trainer contingently withdraws a positive reinforcer to reduce the probability that the problem behavior will occur. NP creates stress thru disappointment but is more humane than introducing an aversive.  Many “positive” trainers use NP in conjunction with PR.  I’m sure you’ve heard it before with the jumping puppy – turn your back.  That’s an example of NP because, in theory, you are removing the reinforcer (your attention) for jumping by turning your back to the puppy.  Lol – how well does that really work?  Not well at all.

b. Extinction ‐ No, we’re not talking about dinosaurs but I’m very happy when some behaviors go the way of the dinosaur.  When using extinction, the trainer permanently removes the maintaining reinforcer to suppress the behavior or reduce it to baseline levels.  This is very stressful for the dog as triggers are still present and the dog is repeatedly subjected to its trigger in the absence of alternative behaviors or distractions or even the information that can be learned from negative punishment, leaving the dog little or no way to “cope” with the trigger.  A good example of this is doorbell desensitization for dogs that “go crazy” when the doorbell rings.  Why? Because the doorbell signals visitors and that’s the reinforcer.  Ring the doorbell all day long and never answer the door and eventually the dog gives up on the behavior because the reinforce is no longer there at all.  Of course, it doesn’t take much for the dog to reacquire the behavior once you again begin to answer the door.

c. Negative Reinforcement ‐ When using negative reinforcement, the trainer contingently withdraws an aversive antecedent stimulus to increase the probability that the right behavior will occur.  NR is very stressful/invasive for the dog as it first requires the introduction of an aversive.  A choke chain supposedly operates using NR and, yes, it does but only AFTER the positive punishment.  A pulling dog is punished by the choke chain tightening around his neck.  If the dog stops pulling, his “nice walking” is reinforced by the relief of pressure from the choke chain.

6.   Positive Punishment – the LAST Resort when ALL other Options have Failed

Positive? - sounds better than it is.  Positive within this context does not mean good – it means to add something. 

With PP, the trainer contingently delivers an aversive consequence to reduce the probability that the problem behavior will occur.  Positive punishment is determined by the dog.  What one dog may find punishing, another may find fun.  Introducing an aversive to decrease/suppress a behavior is extremely invasive and stressful to the dog and, very often, downright INhumane.  I don’t believe there is ever any need to use physical pain of any kind.  I don’t believe in nor have I ever found the need for choke, prong or shock collars, physical force or intimidation.  Don’t get me wrong, there may be a time and a place for the proper use of PP.  Yes, I am committed to positive training but I refuse to become one of the many “humaniacs” that rewards-based training seems to have created. Don’t get me started on the whole NRM debate!  Hmmm… now THAT’s a post for another day, for sure!

I believe in respecting and humanely educating my beloved pets. I hope to increase awareness among pet-owners and help them achieve a bond with their pets based on mutual respect, trust and affection.  In so doing, I…

Train withOUT Pain!

Happy Tails!

Are You Really a "Positive" Trainer?

First off, when I say “trainer”, I mean ANY person teaching and working with a dog, not just professional trainers.  The most influential “trainer” in a dog’s life is usually the owner(s).

So, what makes a trainer a “positive’ one?  Well, obviously, simply proclaiming you are one thing or the other does NOT make you either.  If that were the case, I would be smart, sassy, funny and, oh yeah, skinny.  Claims are not necessarily based in any kind of reality.  In dog training and in life, actions speak louder than words.  You can “talk the talk” all you want but you need to “walk the walk”.

A client of mine recently took his puppy to a PK group class at the local big box store.  I had mixed feelings about this but since I was not currently running a PK class, I had nothing else to offer him in the way of a group – my bad.  I advised him to make sure that it was a positive, rewards-based program that focused on proper socialization and basic manners.  My client told me that the big-box trainer assured him the program was rewards-based and all positive.  Ok, great!  The following week I was so very happy to hear that my client’s pup was the “star of the show” (his words), doing everything so wonderfully in class and garnering many accolades from the trainer and fellow students.  Yay!  I didn’t need to hear that to be validated, but it was really nice for my client to get validation from a third party.  He was happy, so that made me happy.  Not to mention that it didn’t hurt me in the area of client buy-in.  Oops, guess I mentioned it :)

Then my client told me how his puppy was terrified when the puppies were let off-leash to play and all the other puppies seemed to target her… uh oh.  Understandably concerned for his puppy’s mental state, my client scooped up his puppy to spare her the trauma and was informed by the trainer “that was the worst thing you could have done”… clunk, the first shoe falls.  The trainer carried a squirt bottle with water (at least I hope it was only water) and asked the puppy owners if he could squirt their pups for barking… BOOM, that was the second shoe falling and a cement one at that!

 

Is this trainer the positive, rewards-based trainer as he CLAIMED to be?  Not by my definition.  He may use rewards in teaching but his first response to a NORMAL and PREDICTABLE puppy behavior (barking) was to punish it!  His method for dog-to-dog socialization was to allow multiple exuberant, playful puppies to descend upon a frightened one. Telling my client that picking up his puppy was the wrong thing to do implies that the trainer believes that a frightened puppy must learn how to deal by toughing it out.  Really?  Since when does anyone learn under stress, fear and duress?  If a child felt bullied at school, would this trainer tell the parents to let the child tough it out?    But, I’m making a short story rather long so, more on what I would have done another time and moving on…

So, again, what is a positive trainer?  There are many phrases bandied about – dog friendly, force-free, rewards-based, science-based – the list is extensive.  They all sound good and, indeed, in theory they are.  But it’s the practice that counts.

IMO, a dog-friendly, force-free, rewards-based trainer follows the “Humane Hierarchy” with heavy emphasis on the first four steps in that order.  A trainer should look at every situation or problem and attempt to solve by going through the steps of the Humane Hierarchy. That’s it, pure and simple.  What is the “Humane Hierarchy”?  Oh, I am SOO glad you asked!  Let’s take a look at the first four steps and leave the rest to another day…

1 - Physical well-being of the dog.  Physical needs and well-being must be considered and addressed first and foremost.  You do not train a dog in physical discomfort or pain. 

Seems obvious, right?  Or is it?  Let’s look at that terrified puppy in group class.  Yes, that was an emotional state but what happens to a body under stress?  Elevated blood pressure and heart rate and increased adrenaline, to name a few things.  Was that puppy’s physical needs being considered when the trainer said my client should have left his puppy on the floor to fend for herself? That is a resounding NO.  I am glad my client followed his heart and his gut and sought to lessen his puppy’s anxiety by removing her from the situation in which she felt threatened.  How would I have handled that event in a group class?  lol – that’s a post for another day J

2 – Controlling Antecedents aka managing the dog’s environment to eliminate stimuli/triggers that can lead to undesirable behaviors.

If one can AVOID a problem behavior by removing the “cause”, why not?  That is the least stressful and least invasive way to shape desirable behaviors.  My favorite example is the shoe-chewing puppy.  Remove the shoes – problem solved!  Why bother trying to teach something else or, heaven forbid, punish a normal puppy behavior?  Take away the antecedent and the problem is gone.  AND, guess what?  That which your puppy does not get to do when s/he is a pup, is that which s/he is NOT likely to do as an adult.  My pups never saw a shoe other than the ones on my feet when they were young.  Now, shoes strewn about the floor have no meaning or interest for them.  Problem solved BEFORE it started.

3 - Positive Reinforcement

Use PR to teach your dog as many desirable behaviors as possible.  Teach your dog that the behaviors you prefer are fabulous because they are very rewarding.  If you fill your dog’s brain and life with the behaviors you like, there is little or no room in his/her brain and life for the behaviors you don’t like!

4 - Differential Reinforcement of Alternate Behaviors.  That’s a mouthful.  Basically what this means is to make a different behavior more rewarding than another behavior.

So, you have a “problem” behavior that is not solved by addressing a physical need and the antecedent (trigger) cannot be removed. Many people go straight to punishment with a problem behavior.  In general, we humans tend to be very punitive – something with which I struggle daily both in myself and those around me.  The truly positive trainer seeks to redirect the dog to a different behavior in the presence of the trigger.  It takes more time and effort but, in the end, produces better results.  IMO, punishment often fails and, when it succeeds, it is very stressful on the dog.  Why, you ask?  Hmmm… yet another post for another day.

 

There’s more to the hierarchy, steps 5 and 6, to be explored another day.  The first four are what, IMO, should fill a trainer’s toolbox leaving little or no room for 5 and 6. 

In short (although I suspect the dog has long since dashed that door),  a positive trainer is one that chooses to be PROactive, rather than REactive, choosing first and foremost to avoid problems, teach desired behaviors and redirect unwanted behaviors.  In other words…

Directions, not corrections!

 

HAPPY TAILS!

Fourth of July Safety Tips

Fourth of July Safety Tips

• Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where your dog can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.

• Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

• Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin and, if ingested, can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.

• Keep your dog on his normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pooch indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older dogs who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. Foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes & raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.

• Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions. Intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.

• Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.

• Never use fireworks around pets! Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious pets. Even unused fireworks can pose a danger; many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.

• Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for your pets. Please resist the urge to take the furkids to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.

NOW YOU KNOW – BE SMART, BE SAFE!

HAPPY TAILS!

Summer Safety for Your Dog

Summer is coming and “THE HEAT IS ON!” Helpful tips to keep your favorite Fido safe and comfortable when the mercury rises.

In summertime dogs (and cats) can suffer from the same problems that humans do - overheating, dehydration and even sunburn. By taking some simple precautions, you can enjoy the season and keep your pooch happy and healthy.

- A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must; add to that a test for heartworm, if your dog isn't on year-round preventive medication.
- Do parasites pester your pooch? Ask your veterinarian to recommend a safe, effective flea and tick control program.
- NEVER leave your dog alone in a vehicle! Hyperthermia (overheating) can be fatal. A parked automobile becomes a furnace in hot weather. Even with the windows open, temperatures within the vehicle can soar to over 120 in no time. Parking in the shade is not the answer. While the shade of a nice tree may offer some protection, don’t forget, the sun shifts during the day and a car originally parked in the shade may end up in full sun.
- NEVER walk or play with Fido in the height of the sun. The right time for playtime is in the cooler early morning or evening but NOT after a meal or when the weather is humid.
- Street smarts: When the temperature is high or the sun is strong, don’t let your dog stand on hot asphalt. His or her body can heat up quickly and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum. An easy way to check the asphalt is with the back of your hand. If it’s uncomfortable for you, it’s too hot for Fido.
- Street smarts: When walking your dog, avoid areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals.
- Street smarts: Be alert for coolant or other automotive fluid leaking from vehicles and keep Rover away. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste but ingesting just a small amount can be fatal. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect that your animal has been poisoned.
- Always carry a thermos filled with cold, fresh water when traveling with your pet.
- Provide fresh water and plenty of shade for animals kept outdoors; a properly constructed & vented doghouse will serve well. Canopies and canopy tents are another way to offer shade for your pet. Add a small wading pool with 2-3 inches of water to give your dog another cooling option.
- Bring your dog (or cat) inside during the hotter part of the day to rest in a cool part of the house. Cellars and basements are excellent for a cool reprieve without air-conditioning.
- Be especially sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather.
- Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs such as Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus, as well as those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
- Good grooming can stave off summer skin problems, especially for dogs with heavy coats. Trimming the hair to a one-inch length helps prevent overheating. NEVER shave your pooch down to the skin - it robs Rover of his natural sun protection.
- Do NOT apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.
- Having a backyard barbecue? Always keep matches, lighter fluid, citronella candles and insect coils out of Rover’s reach.
- Please make sure that there are no open, unscreened windows or doors in your home through which animals can fall or jump.

Stay alert for signs of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting and/or drooling, lethargy, weakness, red tongue and elevated body temperature.

WATER SAFETY
For many families, summertime means swimming time. If your pooch will be joining you on your waterhole adventures, please follow these tips:


- A day at the beach is a no-no, unless you can guarantee a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water for your companion.
- Salty dogs should be rinsed off after a dip in the ocean.
- DON’T ASSUME all dogs can swim! Some dogs are NOT good swimmers and longhaired dogs may struggle against the weight of their soaked hair to keep afloat. If water sports are a big part of your family, please introduce your dog to water gradually and consider using canine flotation devices.
- Do NOT leave pets unsupervised around a pool. Too many unsupervised dogs have met with tragedy around the pool. Even the best swimmers are at risk if unsupervised.
- Rinse your pool-swimming pooch with fresh water after a dip – chlorine and other chemicals can irritate the skin if not thoroughly rinsed off.
- Try not to let your dog drink pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that can cause GI upset.
- Make sure all pets wear flotation devices on boats.


Be smart and consider your pet when making your summertime plans. Think ahead and be prepared by stocking a “doggy bag” with food, cool fresh water, bowls, flotation device, first-aid kit, towels, umbrella, leash and toys and you will be prepared for almost anything!

NOW YOU KNOW!

HAPPY TAILS!