News
SPACE AVAILABLE in upcoming 3/11 6:30 PM GOOD MANNERS for REAL LIFE, see class page for details!!
**NEW DAYTIME CLASSES: 3/16 AND 3/18 at 10 AM: GOOD MANNERS and ADVANCED OBEDIENCE. See class schedule for full details, visit home page and click on classes.
**BREAKING RALLY NEWS**: Rally Advanced title earned in competition by Bridget CGC RN RA, at Academy of Dog Training, Bear DE., trial hosted by DE Valley Chinese Crested Club. A good morning all around, with score of 95/100 and second place for Look What 4 yo American Lab. Onwards and upwards now, with sights set on learing Rally Excellent skills and advancing in competition. Interested in rally lessons? Call 443-350-6820. Check out new Advanced Obedience Class on schedule!
**NEW CLASS** ADVANCED OBEDIENCE/OFF LEASH BEHAVIORS: Tuesday March 16th, Rainwood Kennels, Elkton MD. Especially for those who love to hike with their dogs. See class page for details.
On Jan. 8th KELLY GORMAN DUNBAR recognized BLOG of THE DOG TRAINER`S DOGS on TWITTER as a weekly mention, with the following comments: " excellent blog posts and tweets on practical use dog training. I love what you write, the info is good and you understand how to blog properly." This was indeed an honor to be recognized by an internationally known figure in dog training. Following is some history on Kelly Dunbar (married to Ian Dunbar) as quoted from www.abrionline.org. (click on typepad link to access THE DOG TRAINER`S DOGS )
Kelly is a cofounder and the executive editor of the Dog Star Daily, a dynamic, web-based, multi-media dog-training learning center.She is the President of Open Paw, a non-profit organization devoted to addressing the unwanted animal problem in a whole new way, arming communities worldwide with valuable user and animal friendly training and behavior information with the goal of keeping cats and dogs out of shelters by keeping them in their original homes. Kelly lectures internationally on the principles of Open Paw and consults for animal shelters regarding program implementation, layout, and staff-and-animal training protocols and procedures.She is a director of the Center for Applied Animal Behavior, a multi-faceted business that focuses on teaching people how to train their dogs to be the best canine citizens possible.Kelly is also a director for the K9 Games Corporation, a venture dedicated to bringing fun and games to the process of dog training in order to make it easy, entertaining, and accessible for all people, including children.
January is APDT NATIONAL TRAIN YOUR DOG MONTH!! American Pet Dog Trainers Association is the organization behind this national movement to educate pet owners and increase participation in dog-owner activities across the country. Take the challenge and enroll your own dog in a positive dog training class today! Learning can happen at any age for a dog. Even old dogs need cognitive challenges. Visit my facebook link on the home page for articles and links from top trainers around the country sharing information for this month, don`t miss out! If there was ever an opportunity to learn, this would be it! Be sure to also visit my TYPEPAD link from the home page for lots of The Dog Trainer`s Dogs Blog articles this month! Visit also www.apdt.com for full scoop!
NEW QUALIFYING PLACEMENT RALLY OBEDIENCE ADVANCED for Bridget CGC RN: On Nov. 27th, at the Point of Rocks MD Rally Obedience Trial, Bridget performed very well indeed to earn a qualifying score of 96/100, 3rd place, and second leg towards Rally Advanced title. As always, she was a happy happy dog in the ring, indeed a little on the rambunctious side, but she settled well after an overly energetic start to get the job done!!!! See new pics in the Hall of Fame rally album. Looks like it will be early January for us to seek that third leg and the advance title. In the meantime, RALLY NOVICE OBEDIENCE CLASSES are being offered on an ongoing basis Thursday evenings 8 PM, Rainwood Kennels, Elkton MD.
Instructor Leslie Fisher has a Rally-prep certificate from Ruth Chase of Coventry Dog School, and currently takes Rally Advanced classes at Academy of Dog Training; as well she is a Pat Miller Certified Trainer, with study in behavior modification, and Veterinary recommended.
**NEW SERVICE: WALK AND TRAIN: Just as the name implies, I will come to your home on a pre-arranged schedule to provide quality one-one quality walk/play and training time. Come home from work to a more relaxed and better mannered dog! Call 443-350-6820.
Leslie Fisher, PMCT, will be attending the Dr. Karen Overall seminar on Pharmacological Treatment for Troubled Canines, in Bethesda MD on Sunday November 15th, and expects to bring home a wealth of valuable information for ongoing work in behavioral consultations.
Rally Advanced Trial Results: In Salisbury MD on Saturday, Bridget CGC, RN earned the first leg towards a RA title, with a qualiying score of 90. This was also our first Advanced Trail, and I was very pleased with the attention and focus my girl gave to me, in what proved to be a very busy and distracting environment. Proofing behaviors in a wide variety of busy environments really pays off.
Saturday, trainer Leslie Fisher travels to Potomac MD for workshop on training shelter dogs. Looking forward to what promises to be a useful and informative workshop.
Meeting of MAAPPPT at Pat Millers Peaceable Paws: On Friday October 16th, Pat Miller Certified Trainer, Leslie Fisher, travels back to Peaceable Paws for the quarterly meeting of Mid-Atlantic Association of Professional Positive Pet Trainers. This is a rapidly growing group of like-minded dog training professionals committed to high standards and positive methods. On the schedule: hike with dogs around farm fields, lunch with colleagues, fun and as always, discussion on how best to continue promoting positive dog training. Bridget, CGC RN and Doobie, Look What I Can Do! American Labs, will be attending as well!
This link from Pat Miller, on the MAAPPPT listserv, very useful for those wanting to brush up on their dog behavior terminology.
http://www.associationofanimalbehaviorprofessionals.com/glossary.html
Type here
BRIDGET CGC EARNS RALLY NOVICE (RN) TITLE AT BEL ALTON MD: On Saturday June 26th, after months of nursing a chronically ill dog, then setting training goals, all came to fruition when RALLY NOVICE (RN) title was earned by Bridget CGC, 3 yo Look What I Can Do! American Lab. I was never so proud of that smooth focused title run, score 94/100. It was such a great feeling to realize definite training goals, AND three for three qualifying scores. The next day Bridget gave me another wonderful performance and our best score yet of 96/100, despite some major doorway distractions on the front end of the run. We will contiinue to compete in Rally Novice A as we begin training in Rally Advanced classes. Look What I Can Do! AKC RALLY NOVICE CLASS at Rainwood Kennels, Elkton MD, begins July 8th at 8 PM, with maximum of 6 dogs per class. See website classes for full details or call 443-350-6820 for more information. We look forward to helping you get started on your own Rally path. Pics and video should soon be available on the Rally page.
SECOND QUALIFYING RALLY OBEDIENCE TRIAL for Bridget CGC RNQQ: On June 14, Look What I Can Do! American Lab Bridget competed in the Ludwig PA AKC Rally Novice Obedience Trial, and earned her second straight Rally Qualifying score. As always she tested me with some attention issues in a novel environment; I expect that will become better everytime we compete, which will be the weekend of June 26/27. Something is definitely learned from every Trial in terms of handling. Plans are afoot to begin sharing my experience with a Rally Novice class beginning in July at Rainwood Kennels in Elkton MD. See Classes for details.
SHOCK COLLARS: VETERINARY BEHAVIORISTS SPEAK OUT
Attached is a link to an excellent article, with quotes from well known local Veterinary Behaviorists, such as Dr. Karen Overall, regarding the use of electric shock collars. This is a wonderful trend, that organizations like AVSAB, and indivduals such as Dr. Overall, are providing their professional input on this important topic, to educate the public against the unecessary use of this aversive tool.
http://www.goodnewsforpets.com/Articles.asp?ID=147
BRIDGET CGC QUALIFIES AT FIRST AKC RALLY OBEDIENCE TRIAL: today, May 17th, at the Leesport Berk`s County Kennel Club Dog Show, Bridget CGC qualified on the first leg of her Rally journey, with a qualifying score of 87/100. She tested Look What I Can Do! owner/trainer Leslie Fisher, by wanting to investigate the new smells, but overall a decent qualifying performance was delivered, along with a second place ribbon.
5/10/2009
****NEW: (beginner) PRIVATE RALLY NOVICE A INSTRUCTION****
Are you thinking AKC Rally might be a great sport for you and your dog? Novice A (beginners) private lessons are now being offered in the 4,000 sq.foot training room at Rainwood Kennels, Elkton MD. Confused by what it is all about? At your first session, we will evaluate the skill level of your dog, and begin working on an appropriate plan of foundation Rally skills. Recommended background is completion of at least one basic Obedience class. Your dog should have a good response to basic cues for behaviors at this point. Also visit the AKC link below, to get the complete Rally scoop! There is also a link on the NEW Canine Good Citizen page, accessed from the top of the Home Page. There is a full set of Rally equipment on site at Rainwood Kennels. Call 443-350-6820.
NEW: MENTORING ABC ANIMAL BEHAVIORAL COLLEGE STUDENTS
Recently Leslie Fisher was interviewed by an area Coordinator from the ABC Dog Training School, and was contracted to begin mentoring ABC students in the final, hands on phase of their training. One student is already currently observing Good Manners Classes at Rainwood Kennels in Elkton, MD. Leslie views the mentoring process as a long term committment, in efforts to continue showing positive reinforcement training to be effective and permanent training solutions. Teaching and sharing knowledge is an activity greatly enjoyed by Leslie Fisher
RALLY NOVICE A PREP-COURSE CERTIFICATE
In April of 2009, Leslie Fisher and American Lab Bridget CGC, completed a series of private rally lessons with Ruth Chase of Coventry Dog School, Columbia MD. Sessions focused on precision for Novice Rally A skills, learning to walk a course, interpret signs and general handler skills. Bridget and I benefited enormously from the wonderful one-one time with Ruth Chase, a skilled observer, Trainer, and Competitor. Although a date is not yet established, Leslie Fisher does plan to begin instruction in AKC Rally Novice A during the summer of 2009, at Rainwood Kennels, Elkton MD. A brand new set of rally equipment is already on premises and being used.
ADOPT A DOG: PAWS FOR LIFE INC., Chesapeake City MD, has dogs needing loving forever homes. Adopted dogs can make some of the best pets, with their unconditional love. Visit the website at www.pawsforlife.org to see the available dogs with pictures and history. In particular, Cocoa has been there long term, and is a sweet girl with good learning capability. The same goes for Sparky, who is a young playful Lab/Beagle mix. If you are looking for another dog, consider adopting a homeless dog into a loving and stable family.
Cesar Millan The Dog Whisperer: Veterinarians Concerned About Outdated and Confrontational Advice
In an article written by Timothy Kim for the VIN News Services (5FEB09), an
on-line resource for veterinarians, representatives of the American
Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) have expressed concern about
dog training advice given by Cesar Millan, on his reality TV show, The Dog
Whisperer. The AVSAB is so concerned that they have issued an official
statement (Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior
Modification of Animals - http://tiny.
pervasive influence of Millan's show.
In their position statement the AVSAB demonstrates that the dominance theory
which is the core of Millan's approach, has been rejected by animal behavior
experts and can actually cause serious fear aggression in dogs. In the
article, Dr. Laurie Bergman, of Norristown, Pa., a member of AVSAB's
executive board was quoted as saying "We had been moving away from dominance
theory and punitive training techniques for a while, but, unfortunately,
Cesar Millan has brought it back."
Dominance theory has typically been presented as the reason for a dog's
misbehavior. Its basic premise is that the dog is a pack animal like a wolf
and all packs are ruled by the dominant alpha male. Millan essentially
believes that in order to counter a dog's misbehavior, or as he sees it a
"grab for power," a person must be the dominant alpha male and must use
force and coercion to get the dog to behave and submit.
The article describes Millan as using a number of assertive techniques
".negative-reinforc
its back, a submissive position) and flooding (the dog is exposed to
something that causes it anxiety and is not allowed to escape, to
desensitize it). He also has been shown choking a dog on the end of a leash
until it fell onto its side, gasping for air." These techniques are of great
concern to the AVSAB which has also adopted a position statement on the use
of punishment for training animals (http://tiny.
The theory of dominance hierarchy was set into motion in 1922 by Thorleif
Schjelderup-
Monks of New Skete with their publication of How to Be Your Dog's Best
Friend. This now very dated book, takes the premise that if we want the best
relationship with our dog then we should treat them like an adult wolf would
treat a wolf puppy, at least according to the Monk's understanding of that
scenario. Many of their key recommendations focus on fear and physical
punishment.
Thanks to the work of Dr. L. David Mech, a senior scientist with the U.S.
Geological Survey, we now know that dominance theory does not apply to
wolves in a natural, wild (non-captive) environment (Alpha Status,
Dominance, and Division of Labor in Wolf Packs) (http://tiny.
Research by Dr. Ray and Lorna Coppinger (DOGS: A New Understanding of Canine
Origin, Behavior, and Evolution (Scribner, NY, 2001; Univ. Chicago Press,
2002) has helped us understand that while closely related to the wolf a dog
is not a hunter or a pack animal. Dogs are primarily scavengers and when
living feral often live alone or in very loose groups.
So what does all of this mean? It means that the dominance theory spouted
for years by many in the dog community is a poor model for describing wolf
behavior and is an even worse model for training your dog. Unfortunately,
just like there is still a Flat Earth Society there are still those like
Cesar Millan, who hang on to a dog training model that is erroneous and
based on creating confrontation and fear.
The AVSAB is not the first to question Millan's techniques. On February 23,
2006 the New York Times quoted Dr. Nicholas Dodman [veterinary behaviorist
and director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University] as saying
''My college thinks it [The Dog Whisperer - Cesar Millan] is a travesty.
We've written to National Geographic Channel and told them they have put dog
training back 20 years.'' Later that same year the American Humane
Association stated "The training tactics featured on Cesar Millan's "The Dog
Whisperer" program are inhumane, outdated and improper"
Kim's article concludes with a statement by Dr. Sophia Yin, a member of the
AVSAB executive board, warning dog guardians to avoid dog trainers and
others who: continually tell owners that they have to be the "alpha," warn
owners not to use rewards too much, and uses pinch collars or shock collars
on dogs in a training class. "The AVSAB recommends that veterinarians not
refer clients to trainers or behavior consultants who coach and advocate
dominance hierarchy theory and the subsequent confrontational training that
follows from it."
CLIENT REVIEW: "
"GREAT PLACE!!
Leslie has mastered the art of "clicker training". She is able to transfer this knowledge to others with remarkable skill. I have trained dogs for 25 years...and it is my opinion that an owner and dog can make great progress if the techniques used are not punitive and are well illustrated. This describes the "Look What I Can Do! training class to a T! There are many trainers that are still stuck on the old punishment based methods that will undoubtedly lead some dogs down the road to a dismal fate. I see prong collars being sold to people by pet store sales persons that have no more training expertise than a fence post. Yet they are fitting these collars and sending people out to undoubtedly end up with a fearful...and even worse agressive dog.
Do yourself a favor...resist the macho yank and jerk methods so popular many years ago...Positive reinforcement clicker training is the most effective and most likely to produce a well adjusted family pet."
March 19, 2009 by Karen in Charlestown, MD
ARTICLE QUESTIONING CORRECTION BASED DOG TRAINING: Positive reinforcement dog training continues to make progress, as demonstrated by this great article questioning the need to use forceful methods of training. First posted on Peaceable Paws Interns List, owned by Pat Miller.
Meeting of MAAPPPT, Truly Friendly Dog Trainers:
On Friday Jan. 23, Pat Miller Certified Trainer, Leslie Fisher, attended the quarterly meeting of MAA PPPT (Mid-Atlantic Association of Professional Positive Pet Trainers) , in Montgomery County MD. The meeting was hosted by Ruth Chase, owner of Coventry School of Dog Training. Trainers from around the Mid-Atlantic region were present with their dogs, including our own Pat Miller, with her sweet Bonnie. The purpose to MAAPPT is to promote and educate methods of dog training that are dog friendly and educate on the pitfalls on correction based methods of training, including the use of choke, prong and electric shock collars. All members of the groups are committed to Positive Reinforcement Dog Training.
Leslie Fisher travelled to the the meeting with two of her own dogs, outstandingly durable 15 year old Billie Bob, and nearly 3 year old Bridget, American Lab and dog on a mission. Alls dogs present were off leash and all played well together during the entire meeting, which consisted of a tour of Ruth Chases` wonderful facility, lunch, great discussion, and practice at a Rally Course. It is wonderful getting together with like-minded trainers and reminscing and sharing thoughts on current events in the dog training field. After the Fisher dogs and Trainer got a taste of Rally, there may be plans to begin some Rally training at the Cecil County home base Rainwood Kennels, home of Look What I Can Do! Dog Training.A wide variety of services are provided by the latter: Level 1 Good Manners Classes are currently forming. Look What I Can Do! serves all of Cecil County MD, Elkton MD, Bear and Newark DE, Havre deGrace and Bel Air MD, as well as the following locales of PA: New London, Oxford, Jennersville, West Grove, Avondale, Lincoln University.
Client Review:Anxious Great Dane
Leslie came to our house and helped us find ways to keep our anxious great dane calm. Using positive reinforcement and lots of things to keep him busy, we can again leave the house and not come home to a destroyed crate or chewed up sofa. Leslie's took the time to fully listen to his issues and observe him in his home environment. She kept an open mind and gave us lots of suggestions. She was great to work with!!!
AVSAB POSITION STATEMENT: ON THE USE OF DOMINANCE THEORY IN BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION OF ANIMALS.
Below is an excerpt directly from the AVSAP website. To see the article in its entirety, go to http://www.avsabonline/images/stories/position_statements/dominance%20statement.pdf
This is good news for trainers committed to using entirely positive methods of dog training. Look What I Can Do! is a member of www.trulyfriendlydogtraining.com There is a list of trainers by state at this site.
• Despite the fact that advances in behaviorresearch have modified our understanding of social hierarchies in wolves, many animal trainers continue to base their training methods on outdated perceptions of dominance theory. (Refer to Myths About Dominance)• Dominance is defined as a relationship between individual animals that is established by force/aggression and submission,to determine who has priority access to multiple resources such as food, preferred resting spots, and mates (Bernstein 1981; Drews 1993). Most undesirable behaviors in our pets are not related to priority access to resources; rather, they are due to accidental rewarding of the undesirable behavior.• The AVSAB recommends that veterinarians not refer clients to trainers or behavior consultants who coach and advocate dominance hierarchy theory and the subsequent confrontational training that follows from it.• Instead, the AVSAB emphasizes that animal training, behavior prevention strategies, and behavior modification programs should follow the scientifically based guidelines of positive reinforcement, operant conditioning, classical conditioning, desensitization,and counter conditioning.• The AVSAB recommends that veterinariansidentify and refer clients only to trainers and behavior consultants who understand the principles of learning theory and who focus on reinforcing desirable behaviors and removing the reinforcement for undesirable behaviors.
Look What I Can Do! Instructor is a Pat Miller Certified Trainer, and serves Elkton MD, all of Cecil County, Newark and Beaer DE, Havre de Grace and Bel Air Md as well as PA locales of Oxford, West Grove, Avondale, Lincoln University and Landenberg.
MAGAZINE COVER FOR GOOD MANNERS GRADUATE: Recently I learned that adorable and personable Bigley, owned by Jeff and Melissa Massey, had captured the hearts of the folks at Baltimore Dog Magazine. This Terrier with the Titan sized heart had his very own photo shoot and article. See www.baltimoredogmagazine.com for full details. I might add, Bigley began his young life with Look What I Can Do! Puppy Socialization, then in succession, Good Manners Level 1 and Level 2. Early training certainly never hurts. With that in mind, a NEW PUPPY CONSULT would be a perfect Christmas Gift. Personalized instruction on everything puppy in the comfort of your own home. Get that puppy off on the right paw, with Veterinary recommended training. Call 443-350-6820 for details.
Look What I CAn Do! serves all of Cecil County MD, Newark and Bear DE, Havre de Grace and Bel Air in Harford County MD, and in PA the areas of Oxford, Westgrove, Nottingham, Lincoln University and Avondale.
Leslie Fisher is a Pat Miller Certified Trainer.
NEW PUPPY CONSULTS: Those little furry bundles of joy quickly develop bad habits. Early training is the way to go. Planning on a new addition to the family over the Holidays? You might want to consider a New Puppy Consult with Look What I Can Do! Dog Training. Why bother? Because you will learn all the do`s and don`ts concerning baby puppies, and receive a great practical education. Covered in a one and one-half hour home visit are:
Crate Training, Potty Training. Preventing Mouthiness, Importance of Socialization, Leadership, beginning behaviors and much more. Once enlisted you are also eligible for continuing email support. Pictured is American Lab Buddy, one of many Look What I Can Do! furriends that began puppy training early. Learning practical day to day interactions to prevent many common mistakes in puppy handling is a lifetime investment towards Good Dog Behavior. Follow-up with a Look What I Can Do! class, taught at Rainwood Kennels in Elkton MD, or continue with private lessons in your home.
Look What I Can Do! serves Cecil County MD, Bear and Newark DE, Havre de Grace and Bel Air MD, and Oxford, New London, West Grove and Lincoln Universtity PA.
Visit www.lookwhaticandodogtraining.com for a full list of services. Call 443-350-6820 with questions.
Instructor Leslie Fisher is a Pat Miller Certified Trainer and is committed to Positive Dog Training Methods.
Pat Miller and regional MAAPPPT members meet Oct. 31st at Rainwood Kennels Elkton MD.
!3 members of the Mid- Atlantic Association of Professional Positive Pet Trainers met for a quarterly regional meeting: this is a group dedicated to truly positive dog training. Our agenda included dicusission of the new trend of Pet Rental Businesses, all in agreement that such a life could only be detrimental in the long run to a dog. We had some fun working with the dogs using clickers to shape some new behaviors with various props. Look at pics in the Peaceable Paws album. There was discussion of Ethics for Dog Trainers and an enjoyable lunch, joined by Dexter Thompson, on a lunch break from Circuit Court. All in all it was a very enjoyable day and a chance to meet some new colleagues and renew ties with others.
Pat Miller and regional MAAPPPT members meet Oct. 31st at Rainwood Kennels Elkton MD.
!3 members of the Mid- Atlantic Association of Professional Positive Pet Trainers met for a quarterly regional meeting: this is a group dedicated to truly positive dog training. Our agenda included dicusission of the new trend of Pet Rental Businesses, all in agreement that such a life could only be detrimental in the long run to a dog. We had some fun working with the dogs using clickers to shape some new behaviors with various props. Look at pics in the Peaceable Paws album. There was discussion of Ethics for Dog Trainers and an enjoyable lunch, joined by Dexter Thompson, on a lunch break from Circuit Court. All in all it was a very enjoyable day and a chance to meet some new colleagues and renew ties with others.
APDT CONFERENCE LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY ATTENDED BY LOOK WHAT I CAN DO! October 15-19 marked the dates of the 2008 annual conference of the American Pet Dog Trainers Association (APDT), and Look What I Can Do! Instructor Leslie Fisher was present for her first conference. Over 1,000 dog trainers nationwide and worldwide converged upon Louisville for this event. Well known British dog trainer and a founder of the APDT Ian Dunbar was present as a speaker, as well as fellow Brit Victoria Stillwell, who has become known for her positive dog training series on TV. Clarissa Von Reinhardt represent Germany. A host of talented and positive trainers from across the nation also presented, including some of my personal favorites, Dr. Patricia McConnell, Dr. Karen London, and Sarah Kalnajs CPDT, CDBC. Present also were a slew of Peacable Paws Interns, taught by our own Pat Miller, gathered to gain more knowledge in our chosen field. The action was non-stop, with a trade show open during non-lecture times. It was exhausting but in a wonderful way. I am already looking forward to my next conference.
Great information on Dog Obesity Problems: from a post on www.trulydogfriendly.com
Just as obesity impacts humans, dogs also suffer from many health related problems due to obesity. Read on, and find out how to help your furry friend.
An article in the September 2008 Pet Product News has reported that 43
percent of dogs and 53 percent of cats meeting the standard for being
overweight and 10 percent of dogs and 19 percent of cats met the criteria
for being classified as obese. The study (http://tinyurl.
conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention
(http://www.petobesi
years and 282 cats' ages 1 to 21 years. The classifications were made by
veterinary healthcare providers from 98 small animal clinics.
FAIRY TALE DOG MYTHS: BY JEAN DONALDSON
Jean Donaldson, Director of the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, reknowned advocate for positive dog training and author of such classics as The Culture Clash, provides this extremely dead-on analysis and rebuttal of common canine myths. Read on! (www.dogwise.com for her books. )
Fairy tales
Provided by: Jean Donaldson, Dogs in Canada
The Top 10 dog behaviour myths
There are a lot of myths about dog behaviour so I whittled it down to
ones that were pervasive and that made myth criteria, which are:
a) there is no (zero) scientific evidence supporting the contention;
b) there is scientific evidence against the contention and/or
scientific evidence supporting alternatives.
1) Dogs are naturally pack animals with a clear social order. This
one busts coming out of the gate as free-ranging dogs (pariahs, semi-
feral populations, dingoes, etc.) don't form packs. As someone who
spent years solemnly repeating that dogs were pack animals, it was
sobering to find out that dogs form loose, amorphous, transitory
associations with other dogs.
2) If you let dogs exit doorways ahead of you, you're letting them be
dominant. There is not only no evidence for this, there is no
evidence that the behaviour of going through a doorway has any social
significance whatsoever. In order to lend this idea any plausibility,
it would need to be ruled out that rapid doorway exit is not simply a
function of their motivation to get to whatever is on the other side
combined with their higher ambulation speed.
3) In multi-dog households, "support the hierarchy" by giving
presumed dominant animals patting, treats, etc., first, before giving
the same attention to presumed subordinate animals. There is no
evidence that this has any impact on inter-dog relations, or any type
of aggression. In fact, if one dog were roughing up another, the laws
governing Pavlovian conditioning would dictate an opposite tack:
Teach aggressive dogs that other dogs receiving scarce resources
predicts that they are about to receive some. If so practised, the
tough dog develops a happy emotional response to other dogs getting
stuff – a helpful piece of training, indeed. No valuable conditioning
effects are achieved by giving the presumed higher-ranking dog
goodies first.
4) Dogs have an innate desire to please. This concept has never been
operationally defined, let alone tested. A vast preponderance of
evidence, however, suggests that dogs, like all properly functioning
animals, are motivated by food, water, sex, and like many animals, by
play and access to bonded relationships, especially after an absence.
They're also, like all animals, motivated by fear and pain, and these
are the inevitable tools of those who eschew the use of food, play,
etc., however much they cloak their coercion and collar-tightening in
desire to please rhetoric.
5) Rewards are bribes and thus compromise relationships. Related to
4), the idea that behaviour should just, in the words of Susan
Friedman, Ph.D., "flow like a fountain" without need of consequences,
is opposed by more than 60 years of unequivocal evidence that
behaviour is, again to quote Friedman, "a tool to produce
consequences.
behaviour, and rewards are given after. And, a mountain of evidence
from decades of research in pure and applied settings has
demonstrated over and over that positive reinforcement – i.e.,
rewards – make relationships better, never worse.
6) If you pat your dog when he's afraid, you're rewarding the fear.
Fear is an emotional state – a reaction to the presence or
anticipation of something highly aversive. It is not an attempt at
manipulation. If terrorists enter a bank and order everybody down on
the floor, the people will exhibit fearful behaviour. If I then give
a bank customer on the floor a compliment, 20 bucks or chocolates, is
this going to make them more afraid of terrorists next time? It's
stunningly narcissistic to imagine that a dog's fearful behaviour is
somehow directed at us (along with his enthusiastic door-dashing)
7) Punish dogs for growling or else they'll become aggressive. Ian
Dunbar calls this "removing the ticker from the time bomb." Dogs
growl because something upsetting them is too close. If you punish
them for informing us of this, they are still upset but now not
letting us know, thus allowing scary things to get closer and
possibly end up bitten. Much better to make the dog comfortable
around what he's growling at so he's not motivated to make it go away.
8) Playing tug makes dogs aggressive. There is no evidence that this
is so. The only study ever done, by Borchelt and Goodloe, found no
correlation between playing tug and the incidence of aggression
directed at either family members or strangers. Tug is, in fact, a
cooperative behaviour directed at simulated prey: the toy.
9) If you give dogs chew toys, they'll learn to chew everything. This
is a Pandora's box type of argument that, once again, has zero
evidence to support it. Dogs are excellent discriminators and readily
learn with minimal training to distinguish their toys from forbidden
items. The argument is also logically flawed as chewing is
a `hydraulic' behaviour that waxes and wanes, depending on
satiation/deprivati
chew objects are like zoo animals in barren cages. Unless there is
good compensation with other enrichment activities, there is a
welfare issue here.
10) You can't modify "genetic" behaviour. All behaviour – and I mean
all – is a product of a complex interplay between genes and the
environment. And while some behaviours require less learning than
others, or no learning at all, their modifiability varies as much as
does the modifiability of behaviours that are primarily learned.
Inaugural Meeting of MID-ATLANTIC ASSOCIATION of POSITIVE PROFESSIONAL PET TRAINERS
On Friday July 11th, I travelled with fellow Delaware Dog Trainer Holly Miller back home to Pat Millers` Peaceable Paws, for the inaugural meeting of the MAAPPPT. Which, by the way, stands for Mid-Atlantic Association of Professional Positive Pet Trainers. I will give a prize to anyone who can say that right the first time! Plans are for this group of like minded positive dog trainers to meet quarterly, in the Mid-Atlantic region. As I had a wonderful time, it will be my goal to attend meetings even if it entails some further travel. If you are a positive dog trainer who does not use aversive equipment of choke, prong, or electric SHOCK collars, I will soon be posting contact information for membership to the group.
It was great to be back at Peaceable Paws. We began with a hike over the scenic fields of the farm, with all the dogs off leash. They were all wonderfully behaved. Bridget must have galloped 20 miles, forging out ahead, then constantly running back to check in. All this accomplished with positive training methods. She also demonstrated her agility by scaling an enormous round hay bale.
A relaxed group then mingled and enjoyed lunch. Dogs continued to be off leash and did great.
There was discussion on a definition of "positive", geared towards formulating a mission statement.
A great brainstorming session on a variety of training issues was extrememly useful, and great to learn how other trainers thought. We can all take away a little something from each other.
As dog trainers committed to ongoing education, we discussed the new book OH BEHAVE, by Jean Donaldson, a top writer in the positive dog training field. My input was that I felt Donaldson is at her best when discussing the human tendency to anthropormorphize their dogs. ( giving human attributes, such a vengefulness.) Speaking of books, I brought back autographed copies of How To Play With Your Dog, by Pat Miller, for clients and of course have my own copy as well.
I came away feeling wonderful and committed to the field of positive dog training, and was happy to have made connections with like minded trainers from around the region.
OFFICIAL VETERINARY STATEMENT: PUPPY SOCIALIZATION
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has formally stated their postion on early PUPPY SOCIALIZATION , as reported on the Peaceable Paws yahoo Intern List, viewed at
http://tinyurl.
This is great news for dog trainers, as Veterinary Doctors are sometimes reluctant to recommend early socialization due to "incomplete vaccinations." As the article implies, the benefits of early socialization far outweigh the risks of disease. When all puppies are vaccinated early and properly, along with proper husbandry and trainers requesting proof of vaccination, risks are minimized. Look What I Can Do! currently offers PUPPY SOCIALIZATION classes for ages 8 wks to 16 wks at Rainwood Kennels, every Saturday morning at 9 AM. If your veterinary is uncomfortable recommending such a class, please feel free to copy the article for their perusal. Good common sense, such as not bringing a sick puppy to class, and consulting with trainer and Vet on this matter, also safeguard against health issues. I look forward to seeing you and your puppy on Saturday mornings! Classes are great fun.
Canine Good Citizen: Look What I Can Do! Lab Breezes Through
At the Newark DE Canine Carnival today, after finishing up a volunteer stint serving food, Bridget and I went to check out the CGC test site. Bridget is my young but trusty Lab, and assistant dog for my Group Classes. We found the site to be uncrowded and enough time left to get on the schedule for the Canine Good Citizen testing. This is something I have been wanting to accomplish with Bridget for awhile now. She did not let me down, and breezed through all 10 test items with not a problem. She even made an impressive leap up onto the table for exam of teeth, ears etc. Apparently most dogs fail in the 3 minute owner absence segment, but Bridget handled that like a seasoned veteran. The tester commented that "your dog did a beautiful job, and you are a wonderful trainer." That was very kind of her to acknowledge our accomplishment this way.
In my Good Manners Classes, I am always working towards behaviors that will be part of the CGC testing, should an owner decide to pursue that. In the near future, there will be Good Manners Level 2, with even more advanced behaviors towards CGC testing. I hope many of my clients will pursue this; it is a great feeling of accomplishment
Reactive Dogs Learning Calm in the Countryside
This past week I spent three very active and enjoyable days working as a Camp Counsellor at Peacable Paws Reactive Rover Camp. This is a specialty camp taught by Pat Miller for dogs that, well, don`t like other dogs too well, for whatever the reason. Usually, signs of aggression are fear related, where reactive dogs want the scary thing(the other dog) to go away, so there is much barking, lunging and growling. Some dogs have a problem with other dogs intruding into their space. Others experience leash frustration, at not being able to get to the other dog. There are many reasons why a show of aggression might be present.
Campers learned all this and much more over the course of the three days. My job was to direct and escort dogs from location to location on the farm, using walkie talkies to coordinate movement;these were a group of dogs that did not need another appearing suddenly. I also accompanied the dog owners on hikes about the farm, to give the dogs much needed exercise to aid in the implementation of the program. An exercised dog is a calmer dog. Also, I worked directly with dogs and owners both singly, in pairs or a group of three, supervising counter-conditioning set-ups.
Basically, the latter is using food in association with a trigger (other dogs) to replace the negative emotion with a positive emotion. (Yay, that dog makes food happen). All six dogs showed great progress and owners left hopeful and with a plan. Visit www.peaceablepaws.com to investigate a camp for your Reactive Rover. I came away with much more to offer my clients and their own reactive dogs. The three days were a great experience and a great supplement to my dog training education.
Leslie Fisher
Pat MIller Certified Trainer
Affiliate Peaceable Paws
Look What I Can Do! Pat Miller Certified Dog Trainer
Prominent Dog Trainers often offer Certification upon completion of their Academies, such as Karen Pryor, nationally known Clicker Trainer, for her Academies. Recently, well known Positive Dog Trainer and Author Pat Miller, from Hagerstown Maryland, began offering Trainers Certification for any Intern who had graduated from all three for her Internships.
For myself, this was wonderful news, as I completed my third Internship, Instructors Level 2, in November of 2007. Now, I am proud to say, that I am a Pat Miller Certified Dog Trainer. Pat Miller has high standards and her Interns go on to become successful Dog Trainers. When you go to a Pat Miller Academy, you work hard and gain a wealth of information. I went to Pat, on a mission to become a Dog Trainer; I am in that place now and delighted to be both an Affiliate of Peaceable Paws and Certified as well. I am proud to be associated with someone who is so well respected and has such high standards.
Leslie Fisher
Affiliate Peaceable Paws
Pat Miller Certified Dog Trainer
Member APDT
LOOK WHAT I CAN DO! AFFILIATES WITH PEACEABLE PAWS!!
Previously I reported on my week at Peaceable Paws, attending a Level 2 Instructors Internship, taught by nationally known Dog Trainer Pat Miller, and author, also, of two Positive Dog Training Books.
Addtionally, I am delighted to announce, that as a result of meeting testing criteria for the Internship, I will be taking advantage of an official Afilliation with Peaceable Paws. This means, amongst other things, that I can use the name Peaceable Paws in all my advertising, with the weight it carries of being linked to a nationally known Dog Trainer. I have completed three Internships with Pat Miller now, and feel she has guided me to the place I am in right now, successfully maintaining a new Dog Training business. I am extremely proud to have met criteria for Affiliate.
For my clients, I will have use of articles written by Pat Miller, and will be able to offer booklets at a reduced cost, that I will probably give as gifts to my clients. There are other benefits of Affiliation as well that I won`t go into, but I just wanted to pass along the wonderful news. I will be writing about this in my December newsletter as well. Please email me if you would like to receive this newsletter.
LEVEL 2 INSTRUCTORS PEACEABLE PAWS COMPLETED!
The week went so quickly at Peaceable Paws, and was tiring, but in a good stimulating way, and extremely fulfilling. My goals of learning how to become a more efficient Instructor for my dog training clients were completely met. I think it only rained twice, which was great, and the scenery on the farm was beautiful. We hiked with the shelter dogs every morning before we worked with them and it was such a great experience getting to know them. Of course all of us who worked with the dogs hope they find really great homes. It will help that they learned so many great behaviors in just 6 short days. Dogs are truly amazing in how quickly they can learn. I don`t think any of these dogs had really had any previous training. I believe every one of them learned how to "Down" on verbal cue in the 6 days.
In general, we had three Instructing sessions every day, where Interns rotated on teaching certain behaviors to the others and their dogs. It is very different knowing you are being judged by your peers, but of course we phrased all our suggestions in positive terms so no one ended up feeling badly. That`s why we were there, to learn and grow as Instructors, and how to better reach our clients. Then we had a one to one coaching session each day as well, mimicking a private Instructing session. Of course we had book work too and a number of quizzes and a final exam. We were very well rounded students and Pat Miller did a great job teaching the course. Highly recommended.
Making friends with the other Interns was quite special; my roomate Tracy from Georgia and I shared some moments of hysterical laughters as we studied. We all learned a lot about each other, were there for each other and very supportive of each other. The goodbyes the last day were emotional and lots of hugs were exchanged. Loading up the dogs for the last time was extremely bittersweet; they had learned so much and really connected with us, but their fates are uncertain. Daisy, the Shepherd/Chow mix I worked with, finally walked right up to the van on the last day. Every other day she ran in the other direction. That really tore me up. She was such a great dog, quizzical, bright and eager to learn, and had some great vocalizations!
I hope you enjoyed learning a little about my week!
On June 30, 2007, Leslie successfully completed Level 2 BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION ACADEMY, instructed by Pat Miller at the Peaceable Paws farm in Fairplay, MD. This intensive and hands on training course prepared Dog Trainers to provide clients with comprehensive Behavior Modification Consults. At a consult, topics covered would be, in regards to the issue, education, managemet, causes, expectations, goals and a plan. During this week, Leslie worked closely with her English Labrador Talley to identify behavioral triggers and implement a plan of desensitization and counter-conditioning for fear-related aggression. Experience and knowledge gained during this week are proving to be invaluable as added services provided by Look What I Can Do! Dog Training. Keep posted for news of my level 2 Instructors Academy in November!
Leslie Fisher graduates from the Peaceable Paws Level 1 Intern Academy, an intensive 45-hour dog training and behavior program. The knowledge acquired here from great Instructor and Mentor Pat Miller gave me the confidence to open Look What I Can Do! Dog Training in December of 2006.
Leslie becomes an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, by first submitting an application for approval to the AKC, then passing an on-line test. I have clients who have completed Good Manners Level 1 and are now pursing the CGC certificate.
Leslie travels to Matawan NJ for a 3 day seminar with Nicole Wilde: Fearful Dogs, Sarah Kalnajs: Body Language and Behavioral Assessments and Dr. Roger Abrantes: Case Studies in Dog Behavior.
Leslie attends a hands on training seminar with her English Lab Talley, with former marine mammal trainer Kathy Sdao. We learned a lot about the use of verbal cues and installing behavioral chains. Talley did great! She now does a "Wowza", which is a combination twirl to the right and immediate down at the end.
"Given his Malamute heritage, Bunky was never happier or more content than while laying on a hill of snow. I`m glad he was so happy."
Leslie
and Daisy, a Shepherd/Chow mix from a local shelter, at Peaceable Paws,
Instructors Internship Level 2.
Graduating Class of
Instructors Interns Level 2 and Instructor, Peaceable Paws, November
2007.