Hi-Tech in dog training

John, my husband, is looking for a “new” truck. He is looking in lots of different places just for the “right” truck at the “right” price.  He actually goes and drives a couple that appear to be promising. After one of those drives, he pronounces — in between giggles, that the one he just drove had a cassette player!!  What? No CD player? No bluetooth?  Airbags?  Clearly, he chose to pass on this beauty and continue looking.

As he dove daily into Consumer Reports, car dealership websites, and the like, we discussed perhaps prompted by the cassette player, which “bells and whistles” were  non-negotiable in the purchase of his truck.  It took us but just a few minutes for both to agree on the high-tech modern technologies that the truck needed to have.

I get that not everyone is interested in high-tech. Yet, high-tech is nearly but present in most people’s lives. We are past the point of expecting technologies of all sorts to go away.  As a matter of fact, most of these technologies have brought ample benefits.  Especially so, I would argue, when they are used appropriately. As I like to remind myself: the phone and computer are there for me; versus me for them.  This little reminder most often puts  me on track on how I choose to spend my time. Especially salient, I find unplugged and get uninterrupted time.

Technologies are everywhere.  Even in dog training.  A practice that has very much embraced them. Most trainers that are worth a client entrusting their precious pup to,  are using advance methods that are backed by hard science versus simplistic theories in explaining behavior and most importantly in shaping and modifying behavior.

So why is it then that there are still some folks out there — that almost religiously, continue to expect help from pros that subscribe to obsolete, simplistic models of “alpha” or “leader”?  Can you hear me yawning?

I guess we can blame our big mammalian brain! Our brain loves patterns.  We create patterns perhaps to better understand our environment(s) and keeping ourselves safe. We love to put stuff in categories -  such as the Border Collie, keeping everything neatly in place!  In effect, we must really make an effort to look beyond what appears to be “the facts” to dig deeper and to question claims.

Not only are scientific findings interesting, but I would argue they are also fair (to the species being studied) and very, very helpful to the ones doing the training.  There has been (and we can continue to add to these numbers) over 200 animals species studied. These studies are the foundations of much of what we know about animals and how they learn, relate, feel, etc.  But we still doubt the findings?

Besides the scientific findings, that are the tenets of the science of animal learning and cognition, there are also technologies that have made a big impact in the world of dogs and training.

One that comes to mind is, of course, the clicker. This is one of my ultimate favorite tools AND technologies.  It is a technology because there is much more in the background than the just “click” and “pay” modicum. There is quite a bit that one must understand regarding the science of animal learning if one wants to not only use the clicker (called an event marker) well: click first, pay second, etc.  But we must apply  what we know about how dogs learn  (or your species of choice) and then use the clicker anchored in this learning.

Another great technology is the head-halter.  Think of a head-halter as driving with power steering versus without. You still need to know how to drive the car, but the steering will be much easier.   The same is true for the head-halter.  It can surely aid folks whose dogs are powerful, rowdy on the leash or exhibit big displays of fear/aggression such as lunging at a passerby. However, due diligence must be in place to assure that the owner knows exactly how to use this piece of equipment for effectiveness and kindness to the dog, while the dog must be taught to enjoy wearing the halter because the owner or the trainer have taken the time in paring the halter with fun and positive stuff for the dog.  Enjoy is much better than “tolerate”… I have never liked “tolerating” itchy clothing. Yuck!

I would argue the same about crates.  They can be fabulous in providing dogs with the safety when riding in the car, the flexibility of leaving your dog in a hotel safely in their comfy crates and a personal place for your dog to hang out.  However, the notion that all dogs love crates because they are “den” animals is more fiction than fact. I would argue that all dogs must be taught that the crate is the place to be.  Some will take to it a lot easier for a myriad of reasons while others will never want to be near a crate.

These are but three examples that, in my opinion, have bridge living life with a dog with technologies that make existing with a dog  more pleasurable for the person, and when used appropriately, they can also be a bonus for the dog.

When it comes to training high-tech, we must also pay attention to the thinking behind the practice.  No, not all training is the same.  Yes, dogs are individuals and as such they do have preferences and dislikes but to claim that any dog choose to be pushed around, scared of hurt is plain stupid!

We owe it to our dogs — the ones we claim to be wo[men]’s best friend, to really understand them as a species first and as an individual second.  Not only is this crucial for anyone giving advise about dog behavior, ethology and training but even for dog owners.

Truly, it is time for all of us involved to get our heads out of the sand and educate ourselves in reputable, science-based methods of animal learning as well as  the understanding of canine ethology, instead of simplifying the  factual known nature of our dogs just because we are too lazy to dive deeper.  I guess our brain make us do this!

Appeal to the masses

One of my clients emailed me wanting to know if I have seen or used the “technique” in the picture (see below) to keep [a] dog under control and if so he wanted to know what I thought about it.

He and his wife had attended a crowed art fair and saw many pet guardians using the technique on their dogs. Here was my response: “I have not seen the technique below or used it. Nothing "wrong" with the harness but I am not crazy about having the lead under the dog's belly… How uncomfortable that must be! No wonder the dog remains still (and the person can control the dog better).

The other reason why I don't like this is because even though some dogs might not mind it, others might find it quite aversive and now the dog is stressed and potentially creating negative associations with people around, other dogs or whatever is going on in the environment...

In my mind, this technique is a good example of appeal to the masses: it spreads around because people see other people doing it and because of that it sort of becomes "acceptable."

Unfortunately, not too many people take a second look and think about the implications for the dog as you are. In my book, this type of restrain is not right or appropriate. If someone needs to keep the dog closer to them as to preventing the dog from interacting with other dogs, etc. then a shorter leash - versus a six foot and holding the dog tightly is the way to go. There is always a clicker and treats (or other reinforcements) to have the dog focus on the owner and not in the environment."

After our interaction I got to thinking: why is that we are always trying to control our dogs? I get that sometimes it is necessary to do so for their own safety, safety of others or because the law requires that we do so. However, aren’t we taking this a bit too far?

As with any training technique or advice, we must get into the habit of thinking about the pros and cons of the advice or the technique; instead of just responding by inertia. As I mentioned to my client, not one size fits all.

Every dog is an individual and every situation must be assessed individually as well. Unfortunately, many a times our solution to a problem or situation, for example -restraining a dog, does not take into consideration the consequences for the animal.

I know, I know, we are all super busy, we are tired and what is worse, we have been conditioned to expect instant results with the least amount of effort.

Back to Basics

Coming when called is such an important behavior -  especially when certain distractions are present that I am putting on the breaks of letting Deuce run free (off-leash) until he is more keen in giving me his attention – eye contact on a regular basis no matter what is going on around us!

I have found that some dogs are hyper- stimulate by their environment that they kind of truly “forget” that someone actually drove them to the beach or the trail and they would be happy as clams if they could just be dropped-off and picked-up when they are done… many hours later. Not the dog’s fault really, just being a
dog… following their noses religiously, making sure they leave their mark on every single shrub and chasing after anything that moves. The bottom line however is that whatever behavior one reinforces…the more of that behavior will be [come] the “default” behavior. This applies just the same to cracking the difficult nut of having your dog return to you when you want or need him to.

I teach recall classes (come when called) at least twice a year because they are fun, I have a great place to do so and people really know they need to have their dog and them learn the skills to become successful at this. So these days, Deuce is being put through the same program I teach. It also makes me feel good that
I am keeping it real by evaluating where Deuce needs more help and more training AND in moving forward with the training.

What it has been reinforcing for me is that in just two outings he is beginning to “get it”. Now he is beginning to realize that I actually chose the trail and took him and Rio there. I take his glances as his “acknowledgment” that I was the one with the brilliant idea of taking a hike and the one with the clicker, the treats and tug toy.

One of my biggest challenges here is Deuce’s over-stimulation and curiosity of his surroundings that even the best treats are second best. So sticking to a good dose of common sense and learning theory (how animals learn) is of the utmost important. I must very carefully plan our sessions/outings and control his environment to a “t”. In other words: no free lunches until he has been handsomely reinforced for minding me and coming back when called at rocket speed.

As I have expressed in many past blogs, the experience of working with dogs- especially my own becomes a parallel process with my own learning, my flexibility, frustration and yes, elation.

Most importantly, regardless of what I am feeling at the time of training it is super important that I remain focused on the process. This is how we move forward. How we get results. Reminding myself that the process of learning is never just linear (from point “A” to “B” to…) without turns, stops and hills is essential. Sort of two steps forward, one backwards and more discovery and challenges. What I am doing with Deuce is relatively straight-forward: No off-leash romps until… we improve Mr. and click every single time he
choose or I ask him for eye contact, followed by a reward of walk (and explore within the constraints of a longish leash) or a piece of a very tasty and novel treat. Sure enough two outings and his eye contact is becoming a default response… the key to moving forward, investigating and some food.

As Deuce offers this behavior more regularly I call him for a quick recall followed by a quick release… because really, who wants to hang out next to mom when you are young, handsome and restless? So I get it and I let him go.

About Husbands (Or Wives) and Going Back to Kindergarten

Once in a while I get a “day-off” from walking Laika and Deuce. This is great because my morning routine slows down. I can concentrate on doing some yoga or jumping full swing into emails or writing a post for my blogs.

A couple of days ago I got my “day off”.  John, my husband, along with the dogs in tow went out the door. With this arrangement, there is also another ritual that I perform: As John is walking in the door with happy dogs and in search for their water bowl, I ask: How did it go? It did not take long to condition John to respond with exactly the information I am looking for.

This morning his response was: back to kindergarten with Deuce. While I am not 100% surprised by his response, he now has my full attention (even in downward facing dog) and I ask that he elaborates. He replies, Deuce is getting in the habit of not listening and just darting towards the neighbor’s house so I am putting him on a leash now.

Mmmm, too bad I think, because as they were leaving that AM, I asked John to work with Deuce-who was being walked on an empty stomach – with his recall (called when call) using roasted chicken. I asked John if he had been able to practice any of this and his answer was: yes, I called him to me while he remained on the leash clicked and rewarded him for coming.

Ahh brilliant! I thought… this is what 12 years of marriage can do to your husband! What I mean is that John is NOT in the behavioral sciences (even though he has a very high emotional IQ :)) he is in the solar industry… way far from having to treats dogs for performing a requested behavior or understanding in depth-learning theory.

Okay, I get it. You might be more interested in why John is willing to work so hard with Deuce when that is what I do. And in addition he came up with such an appropriate way of teaching him what he must learn at this stage. The answer… to John and his willingness to adhere to MY program, deserves its own post so for now, I am going back to Deuce.

Back to Kindergarten (BTK) is a concept that I learned when I was getting my chops as a trainer at the San Francisco Academy for Dog Training. In essence, if the dog that you are training (or the precious border collie that is now YOUR dog) :) is in the acquisition stage of learning a new behavior and fails i.e.: has yet not fully learned what you want him to learn, you make things easier for him… you find a baby step that the dog can perform with accuracy so that you can reward that.

From that BTK step you begin to build once again a continuation of baby steps that will ensure that your dog will not only learn better, BUT it also it removes a lot of the stress and frustration the dog might experience if one is not careful and asks repetitively for behaviors that dog cannot perform consistently.

Since Deuce is an adolescent (and the clown of the family) he chooses to explore the wide-world in front of him instead of coming to John or myself when on our daily walks, it is important that we request his attention and that we set it up so that he can give it to us. For now his recall is from the length of the leash and off leash in only certain areas. We also pay big time attention to eye contact or waiting defined by: do not move forward from where you are.

Every day is a new opportunity for learning,  we must learn to be flexible with our dogs and acknowledge that today for this behavior I need to be smart, to be flexible and go back to kindergarten. Doing so takes know-how, understanding that tiny-steps will solidify a final behavior and LOTS of patience! Not bad for one day of learning!