Recently, on one of the several dog-group email chat lists, a post came up that someone considered that to dogs, most people are just "Treat Bags". This got me thinking quite a bit. Are we?
Bottom line, we are if we LET ourselves be. IF we insist that dogs only learn and do things that we ask if they see the treat in line, then yes, we are only treat bags. I have let my Pug be this way. I have not worked with him enough to show him that he CAN work and have fun with the treat not in sight. Who's fault is that? Mine. For me, he was the 'house dog' who just worked for fun. I did not have a goal in mind for him - no shows or anything. He is a wonderful family dog. Could he be a show dog and really compete in freestyle, obedience, treibball? Yes - If I showed him how!
But, with Pippin and Geneveive (and Toby), dogs who I have trained in earnest with a goal in mind, I did show them that there is something special past the treat bag ... ME! We have worked together building a sound foundation called our RELATIONSHIP. Do I have that relationship with Pug? Yes I do. But, I have not shown Pug that the relationship can exists past the treat bag. With the others, I have.
In my classes, I have tried to always emphasised to my students that the basis of a great freestyle is the relationship between dog and handler, i.e. the two partners. While we may start teaching the moves to our dogs with treat lures, I try to take the treat away fairly quickly and move on to praise and partnership. We also do a lot of work at the beginning and during each class on partnership & attention with different exercises using play, praise and treat. There are some students who have a VERY HARD time letting go of that treat bag (like myself and Pug), claiming that their dog will only work for treats. And, in a sense they are right. At this point in time, Pug works great with the treats in sight. But, every dog can be re-taught or taught from the begining that the relationship is the praise. If we, the humans, let go of the treats, then the relationship has a great chance to build up.
How can we do this? I believe that each behavior is defined and confirmed. The 'confirmation' (or rewards) are a mix of treats, play and praise. The more we work, the less treat and more play and praise. By mixing the rewards, the relationship builds up from both parties. Pippin has also discovered that some of the moves (such as pushing the ball in Treibball) is in itself a great reward.
Today, for example, I am sick with a flu but needed to do something with him. So, I took out the ball and had him push it throughout the house. His main "work" was to line up properly (opposite of me) so he would push it in the right direction. I only clicked and rewarded on the line up - the push was its own reward. After about 10 min of pushing the ball around corners, hallways, in/out rooms, we played and he was totally happy. Was our relationship at all involved here - by all means. He listened, his reward was the push, play and praise. Very little cookie involved.
I would love to hear more discussion on this. What do you think?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
What is Enough Training?
School has started. I have started a new part-time job and I still substitute teach. I take care of house, kids and mom. What happens to my training time?
In summer, while I was recuperating, I had time to train. While I did not do much personal movement, Pippin and I trained several times a day, for about 20 min at a time. We also spent time playing ball and taking short walks. As I got better, the we went back to our Tolt Pipeline off-leash walks and ALL the dogs were real happy. But, then my time at home became short and not dog-available. YIKES! I can tell this has quite an effect on my little Pip here.
So, how do I balance this? I know many people have the same problem. I find that I will do some of my training on the walks. Yes, I carry the clicker (my tongue) and cookies with me. On the off-leash walks, I MUST be better than the squirrels, horses, other dogs, and other great things out there. So, currently, Pip gets lots of rewards for good COMES. The rewards will lessen over time, but re-enforcement is the key here. We also do some freestyle tricks, directional commands, and loose-leash work. This last one is the hardest. He sees another dog about 200yds away … and wants to RUN up to greet. Not every dog wants to be greeted this way. So, on goes the leash and we work attention and walking on a loose leash. Genny, Michette and Pug all have no issues here and stay with me. As we get closer, we ask the owner if the dogs want to play, and if the owner say’s “Yes” then they meet and then the leash goes off and they play. If it is a “no” then we move on. Pip is learning. Learning by practice and praise when doing it right. So, there is training on the walk.
But, of course, Pip wants more. How to fit it all in? At first, I didn’t. But now we play indoor games if I can’t get outdoors. Find the cookie in the cupcake tin that have toys in it: hide 2 or 3 cookies in 2 or 3 cups, cover all 12 with dog toys that fit, and let the dog search for the cookie! At first, start with a cookie in each cup, then reduce. This is Lots of FUN! Push the big ball around the house (Treibball). Pip is getting very good at lining up in the proper position and then pushing the ball around corners and out of jams! I decided to teach all the dogs to push the big ball. Small Freestyle moves as position placements (heel, strut, etc) in the living room.
Not sure if it is enough. In Pip’s eyes, no. But, when I watch him, he is learning. I am hoping that in a month or so, I can actually start DANCING with him! Then we will pick up the pace. Until now – we cuddle and do the best that we can.
In summer, while I was recuperating, I had time to train. While I did not do much personal movement, Pippin and I trained several times a day, for about 20 min at a time. We also spent time playing ball and taking short walks. As I got better, the we went back to our Tolt Pipeline off-leash walks and ALL the dogs were real happy. But, then my time at home became short and not dog-available. YIKES! I can tell this has quite an effect on my little Pip here.
So, how do I balance this? I know many people have the same problem. I find that I will do some of my training on the walks. Yes, I carry the clicker (my tongue) and cookies with me. On the off-leash walks, I MUST be better than the squirrels, horses, other dogs, and other great things out there. So, currently, Pip gets lots of rewards for good COMES. The rewards will lessen over time, but re-enforcement is the key here. We also do some freestyle tricks, directional commands, and loose-leash work. This last one is the hardest. He sees another dog about 200yds away … and wants to RUN up to greet. Not every dog wants to be greeted this way. So, on goes the leash and we work attention and walking on a loose leash. Genny, Michette and Pug all have no issues here and stay with me. As we get closer, we ask the owner if the dogs want to play, and if the owner say’s “Yes” then they meet and then the leash goes off and they play. If it is a “no” then we move on. Pip is learning. Learning by practice and praise when doing it right. So, there is training on the walk.
But, of course, Pip wants more. How to fit it all in? At first, I didn’t. But now we play indoor games if I can’t get outdoors. Find the cookie in the cupcake tin that have toys in it: hide 2 or 3 cookies in 2 or 3 cups, cover all 12 with dog toys that fit, and let the dog search for the cookie! At first, start with a cookie in each cup, then reduce. This is Lots of FUN! Push the big ball around the house (Treibball). Pip is getting very good at lining up in the proper position and then pushing the ball around corners and out of jams! I decided to teach all the dogs to push the big ball. Small Freestyle moves as position placements (heel, strut, etc) in the living room.
Not sure if it is enough. In Pip’s eyes, no. But, when I watch him, he is learning. I am hoping that in a month or so, I can actually start DANCING with him! Then we will pick up the pace. Until now – we cuddle and do the best that we can.
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