Sunday, November 30, 2008

Rare Lazy Day with Doggies


Saturday, I enjoyed some well needed quiet time with my doggies. Although these are very active dogs, they seemed to enjoy it as well. All three of my dogs hung out with me watching Forgetting Sarah M (or something like that, which was mildly entertaining). We watched the Hulk(the second one, not sequel but the other making) which was okay. Not quite Spider Man....but okay.

The puppies all snuggled around me and each other. These quiet activities are especially important for my old girl, who feels out of the loop much of the time. She can't see or hear. She can walk on a very wobbly and limited basis. However, she gets up everyday with determination, and she sure as heck finds her food:) What she loves to do more than anything else these days, however, is be with her human and canine family. She gets very blue and vocal if we can't be around her. So, in the same way I carve out alone time with my young boys, I am sure that Jazz gets what she needs during the day as well. I have found that not allowing her to search out her terrain is not what Jazz wants . She wants to feel out her terrain, and figure out where things are on her own. So I try not to interfere as much as I want to sometimes. It's the thing that keeps her mentally stimulated during the day, and active enough to keep what little muscle tone she has left available to her.

Need to train your dog(s)? 207-361-4395 will put you in contact with Robin Rubin of Mannerly Mutts Dog Training. This Maine Dog Trainer will put you and your canine companion on the successful road to an enjoyable relationship for the both of you!!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Dear Cheryl of Doggie Bootcamp

From: "ROBIN RUBIN" View contact details To: cpanlilio@varunatv.com

Dear Cheryl,

I have read that Pat Miller has contacted you regarding Doggie
Bootcamp. I am hoping that you don't seriously listen to someone who
has publically stated that dogs not trained by her philosophy (as she
does not believe any other method works) should be dead instead of trained by "abusive methods". The members of Truly Dog Friendly include shaking penny cans and saying the word no as "abusive" or "aversive" techniques. This is her "Truly Dog Friendly" mantra, and she was very embarrassed when the following quote was made public.

"Not all pain-causing methods are prosecutable abuse, but the risk of
a dog with aggressive behaviors being abused by someone who uses pain
causing methods is high, so yes, given the choice, if it were my dog
who had an aggression problem and my only choices were to euthanize
or send it to someone who used pain-causing methods, I would choose
euthanasia for the dog's well-being. I think a gently death is
preferable to abuse." - Pat Miller

She is talking about at least two of my dogs that I have owned. Dogs that she thinks should be dead (in theory by her statement), because they were not particularly treat or toy motivated, and who made incredible pets and one dog that is working with me as my partner in business.

I personally witnessed her posting on the dog training certification
board on message number 421 and 430. In message number 7015 on Truly
Dog Friendly's message board, she once again confirms this quote AND
belief. As an owner of a couple of tough dogs, I train as gently as
I can, but saving the dog and teaching them the proper behavior and
obedience are so important to me. If you could also do this in a
responsible way on your program, this would be so enlightening for
people to see, and to know that their dogs do not need to be trained
by treats only. That training is not just the human having a "good
time", and how the food only philosophy can damage a dog beyond
repair, especially in certain personality types.

Pat Miller recommended that you use Jean Donaldson as a trainer.
First of all, she is not a trainer but a behaviorist. One that
rewards her dogs by allowing them to gratify themselves on her leg.
A Youtube video on her own channel shows this, and she feels
completely justified in showing this disturbing video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D5jaA4k4SdTg

Please don't take these people seriously, they have somehow
infiltrated the dog training world (it's been a marketing ploy by benignly redefining certain dog language postive, dog-friendly, et), but they are a bunch of fanatics. Note that the balance of them are behaviorists or veterinarians. There is a push by these people to take over market share. This is what this is all over, not their "caring" for the dogs, and certainly not dogs that aren't glorified stuffed toys. As long as the project is going to be managed and beneficial to dogs,I see no reason why it should be shelved or cancelled. I could point you towards some fine trainers that should be on such a show.

Jean Donaldson is a known supporter of the animal rights movement (different than animal welfare) whose mission is to end the domestic ownership of all animals. Period. The less dogs that can be handled by humans by misdirecting them to techniques not effective for all personalities, the less dogs that can be owned and trained responsibly by people.

Robin Katherine Rubin
Mannerly Mutts
http://www.mannerlymutts.com
http://mannerlymutts.blogspot.com (blog address)
York Beach, Maine USA
207-361-4395

IACP Professional Member #1942
E-Touch Seminar Attendance Certification
Bedrock Training Method Three Day Course Attendance Certificate
Companion Dog Title completed for Jack, CD.
Two legs completed for the future Companion Dog Title of Bri.

I do not support the following organizations: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Truly Dog Friendly (TDF), No Shock Collar Coalition (NSCC) and IPDTA (International Positive Dog Trainers Association).

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Written Parody of Pat Miller's Letter to Animal Planet Re Proposed Doggie Boot Camp Show


I can't copy Pat Miller's actual letter, which has recently been shared to me, that was sent off to a Cheryl at Varuna TV, cpanlilio@varunatv.com, for the new show called "Doggie Bootcamp". (the following is a parody of the letter that was shared with me)

Hey Cheryl,

I have concerns over the program in the works called Doggie Bootcamp show being considered for Animal Planet.

The more modern and scientific approach to dog training, which recognizes the very well researched fact that dogs like to eat, and the facial expressions of dogs, and guarantees that the owner feels good about themselves, of course and unless the training in this philosphy does not work and the dog needs to die due to not adhering to this philosophy. We do not need another "Dog Whisperer" even though the public is literally crying out for solutions that make sense, and may train their short term problem dogs into lovely companions. This is something the dog training world simply does not need.

Since people are too stupid to learn to use anything but treats and love, why not offer a program that goes over the same old thing. After all, their is always plan B, euthanansia, which is completely dog friendly when treats don't work.

You may remember my now infamous quote, ""Not all pain-causing methods are prosecutable abuse, but the risk of a dog with aggressive behaviors being abused by someone who uses pain causing methods is high, so yes, given the choice, if it were my dog who had an aggression problem and my only choices were to euthanize or send it to someone who used pain-causing methods, I would choose euthanasia for the dog's well-being. I think a gently death is preferable to abuse." - Pat Miller You can find this posted on the Canine Professional Certification Board by my own hand in Yahoo groups in messages 421 and 430. I also reiterated what I said yet again on the Truly Dog Friendly board on message 7015 (that is unless someone finally deleted them). If the dogs on your program can not respond to treats and love only, then death is the most friendly choice for the dogs. Even a firm no can be unfriendly in my book. Best not to put a dog through any real kind of training program.

And forget these pesky trainers for goodness sake! You should recomend my philosophy for the owners to try at home, and if they get hurt because that personality does not respond to people who can not effectively and efficiently teach the dog commands, then death would be the next and most logical (and dog-friendly) step. Dog trainers do not understand the infinate complexity at throwing food at a situation. Or pretending to be a tree for months, perhaps years on end, so that they can take a walk with the dog. Trainers think freedom and exercise is fun for a dog, and helps even better than food with behavioral problems. Dogs such as this, that require work or exercise are better off dead. That way, people without a responsible and caring work ethic towards their dogs can be happy! It's not about the dog, it's about the people being able to have fur kids, that is as long as the fur kids conform to their ideals of what a stuffed dog that does no wrong should be. Course these poor people can't have real kids, as that would require discipline and teaching, as well as spending a heck of a lot of time with them, so they wouldn't become a mess. Society frowns, after all, on crating and leashing up your children.

I strongly suggest that you contact people such as Jean Donaldson who are high profile but not necessarily accomplished in dog training, and consider themselves behaviorists though they would like a piece of the training pie (by creating mass hysteria in an easily manipulated public sector), who allows her dogs the reward of sexual gratification on her leg. This is the example that I would enjoy your show showing to the general public. Any true dog lover would willingly provide this outlet for their dog. By redefining what reward can really be, you will be doing the public a true service.



Yours Truly and Woofs and Wags,

P. of Truly Dead Dogs

Monday, November 24, 2008

Got Homework? Part 2

Got homework, do I ever!! This period between now and February is notoriously slow. I actually seem to acquire my most problem and behaviorally challenged cases at this time of year. There is a Springer in Canada whose owners are deciding whether to bring him to Mannerly Mutts camp for some weeks. One Doberman puppy that is scheduled to start on the first week of December. He is not a behavioral case, just a normal puppy of my favorite breed ever.


In the meantime, I schedule marketing projects, my own dogs training, and any special items during this period of time. There is a nice young couple that is helping me with my video project for my online and written dog manual in the works, and to be launched next year. I am also keeping a diary of the work to prepare Jack and Bri for Open trials next year. It's really unfortunate to have short haired dogs in training during the coldest months of the year. It just happens that trials heat up again in the ME and NH area in the Spring though. There really is no getting around it. Summer is too busy to train (my dogs), although we did catch some trials during that period last year. The point is, the brunt of the training was already done previously with only maintenance work to be done. I wasn't really in it last year to compete point wise either. I just wanted everyone to qualify. This year, I want to be up there in points. That's not more stress on the dogs but more stress on me, as it is I that teach them LOL. If they are doing it wrong it's because I taught it wrong. Then there are the handler errors, which the dogs have zero control over.



In order to catch my errors, I have been video taping my exercises periodically. I also am hoping some of these come out well enough....eventually....to be part of my online training manual. This won't be a subscription service, but a convenient area where clients can pull up the lesson plan for that week as they continue to work. They will also be reminded of what the exercise should look like, and be able to keep notes on their own progress. I will most likely keep a video diary of my client's progress on a go forward basis as well.

There were a bunch of things that I fixed from Week 1 retrieve start. We are now on week two, but I refilmed the working of week 1's exercise. Before starting, your dog should be confined (crated) for two hours. After retrieving your dog, you warm him up on Novice heeling exercises until he is doing those reliably. After he is, the steps are to put your dog in a stay, open his mouth with your left hand (palm should be on top of his nose), present the article, say fetch just as the article is presented before his nose, then pop open his mouth and place the article behind his canines, say good boy and scratch under the chin (just a couple of seconds), then say give, and heel him away. You then restart the exercise. You do this for five repetitions twice a day. So 10 repetitions in all. After working, you quietly hang out for twenty minutes, and then allow your dog to relax in peace for an hour without anyone bothering. This is what lends a well trained dog a quiet, calm, and confident demeanor. This is my video diary of how week 1 was going:



On week 1, I would like for his auto sits to be much crisper and quicker. He was distracted by two dogs on property that he hadn't met, the people helping with the camera, and his brother Leon wandering around. Still, these are the distractions that we want him to be not distracted around. The wind blowing everything around was not helping him focus too much either.

On week 2 video, unfortunately Bri and Leon had both just gone up to Jack before we started. So he was very distracted with wanting to go off and play instead of work the five reps LOL. Hence, he was a bit resistant to opening his mouth.

On a couple of reps, I saw that I popped it in crooked. Also, the old I am moving before I say "heel" crept in there. I believe I had also forgotten to walk as if I was heeling in a trial at the beginning. Noting these things as we go along help me formulate my lesson plans, and help me build my skills to a higher level as well. Jack is also helped by me learning how to more simply and consistently show him the right way. Sloppiness or mixing up the steps or inconsistency will result in a dog that has been trained to do it wrong, because that is what he/she thinks you want.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Past Present and Future First Dogs


I have been getting requests from professionals in different fields of canine service and retail to join groups pleading with the Obamas to get a rescue dog/puppy. I have been reading blogs or messages on group boards of people who want to be the trainer to the presidents new dog. It's a subject that has the dog world's knickers in a twist. I bet President Elect Obama wishes he had kept the puppy promise to himself already.

As far as the dog or puppy that they adopt, I only hope they choose one that is right for them and their family. This is a long term commitment, and not something to be taken lightly. Everyone needs to be ready to pitch in and be a part of that dog's life. I care mostly that this dog won't end up in rescue (imagine the scandal there) or given to a housekeeper or.... The family shouldn't be pressured into where to get the dog, but only to pick the correct dog for their situation.

I find the rescue situation especially alarming, since some misguided advice is to be sure it's a "pit mix" (note mix by the way) so people can know they can be nice dogs. Of course they are nice dogs!!! However, they need a bit of discipline and training. The wave of keep everything fun for the owner, rather than meet a dog's long term training needs, is what keeps Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) alive and well. Imagine a Pit mix bites the next reporter. The following blog, http://celiasue.wordpress.com/, that I enjoy for dog-friendly travel and marketing advice wants the family to pick a Dalmatian/Pit mix. Not that I am against that, but if that was the breed, I would say find a very qualified trainer who can prepare the pup for public life. Neither is considered a bomb proof personality in a dog. Neither breed is particularly hypoallergenic either, as the President Elect needs.

Next high profile behaviorists or dog trainers want to be the trainer to the President Elect's dog. I can't even imagine the amount of offers that he has most likely received. For a job like this, the trainer (note I didn't say behaviorist) needs to be well versed in obedience and how the ability to perform commands reliably leads to a confident, well adjusted dog, that will be in the public eye. Some of behaviorist Ian Dunbar's fans are calling for his submission to a possible line up of dog trainers. By the posting of his experience in obedience on his blog, http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/major-issue, and the belief that K9 Games will replace this valuable skill in the future, making obedience in either training or competition obsolete, I feel he is quite unqualified for such a position.
It's not that I don't like K9 games idea. I do, in fact it's being used in classes by accomplished trainers, such as Margot Wood, in their weekly group classes. Games of baseball, musical chairs, tic tac toe, are all used as a fun and competitive way to improve their skills in real life.
K9 games seems to focus more on a solitary dog performing in front of a crowd, which has it's place too. But obedience really does prepare, if the obedience trainer wants to prepare, for real life situations when you are very close to strange dogs and strange people for long periods of time.
The children nor President need to compete in obedience, it's important that their trainer is qualified to know what is involved in a public, strange, and busy environment for the dog and from the dog's perspective. JMO Because most behaviorists don't give any credence to the sport of obedience that has been around as the standard for awhile, or quit after qualifying with a CD on their own dog (ie not competing various breeds, and various dogs not owned by them OR training other people to handle their own dogs), they have no idea the beneficial properties that this has to the dog. Therefore, they can not properly instruct a client to more than be sure the human has fun, feed the dog, medicate them, or purely management techniques.

On a less serious and fun note, Time has a pictorial of different first dogs!!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Toxic or Harmful to Your Dogs


Talking about things that can harm your dogs, here is some more information.



Chocolate
Raisins or Grapes
Castor Beans
Anti Freeze (and other products you may use to de-ice in winter that contain anti freeze)
Caffeine
Garlic
Onion
Mushroom
Plants on the attached link http://www.dogpack.com/health/poisonplants.htm
Moth Balls
Broccoli
Raw Salmon
Too much Asprin & Asprin subsitutes (Tylenol) are always toxic http://www.school-for-champions.com/animalhealth/aspirin.htm
Below are some helpful links regarding this:
Poison Help Site
Various Toxins
Even More Toxins
Need your dog trained? Visit the http://www.mannerlymutts.com/ services page. Or contact me at 207-361-4395 in York Maine. Ask for Robin Rubin, Dog Trainer.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Xylitol=Poison to Your Dogs/Rescue Remedy Candies


I don't use Rescue Remedy in dog training. I know some people believe it works, but I think it's a bunch of hooey, and I am not willing to pay to find out right now. If I come across the spray or drops for free, well that might be another situation. Many of the Purely Positive type trainers use this product.


A situation has come up where the Pastilles or candies made by Rescue Remedy contain Xylitol in them. This is well known as very toxic to pets. It can be found also in some toothpaste, chewing gum, and sugarless candies. It's always wise to check the ingredients.




On this site, the inactive ingredients are listed as:


Inactive Ingredients:Sugar substitute (sorbitol, isomalt), gelling agent (gum arabic), natural flavor (black currant), citric acid, natural colors (extract of red cabbage, edler, black carrot), sweetener (xylitol), vegetable oil, glazing agent (vegetable oil, beeswax), sweetener (thaumatin)


Not safe for pets!!!! Yet the Organic Pharmacy lists them as such. I found out about this, due to a blog from a trainer that uses RR, and whose client did not have the drops or spray. The dogs got sick later on, and the label was checked for the ingredients.


Please remember to check your labels, just in case someone has gotten it wrong. Let them know their mistake as well.
Here is a link that shows other products that contain this:

Monday, November 17, 2008

Leon Beginning Play Retrieve



I am working Leon, pre knee surgery, with a play retrieve here. Missy is a nice young lady who was helping me be able to film this, and I was interested how he would do with someone else playing with him. Apparently with some french fries involved, this was not a problem for him!!

However, this is not a working retrieve. I am training my dog, Jack, on a working retrieve now. It will be interesting to note the differences as I go forward with both methods.

Leon has had to learn, how to pick it up, how to deliver certain toys to hand, then that different toys can be retrieved (and have their own problems as far as delivery), and then that other objects can be delivered for his clumsy owners or handlers, who just can't seem to grasp anything if it's flung or put into the hand clumsily LOL.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Tanner Gets His Nails Done


I have come to respect what silence and body language can do to shape dog behavior. Activity, is what I love the most, silence can be incredibly boring to me, and not fun. However, first and foremost in my mind is what best supports my client's and my own dogs. The art of silent calm interaction can make a quick end to oncoming behavioral problems such as fear or timidity, which can become an extreme. It is more likely that you are going to be bitten by a fearful dog, than a confident one. I also don't like to trap my or my client's dogs within a fearful period of their lives, especially since I know that trapping them there is completely unnecessary, and has more to do with the owner and the place they are in than their dog.

Behaviorists have scientifically shown that body language and attitude of the leader dogs positively affect the pack. You don't see dogs treating each other or squealing in high voices to calm other members down. You may occasionally see comfort, such as licking and being close to distressed member going on. Not that I put much clout in behaviorists that have also not trained thousands of dogs. A dog trainer that has lived 24/7, and trained that many dogs and their owners, is, essentially, the real dog behaviorist, unless they are ring training only.

The beginnings of classic or traditional training (as I define it as a wealth of knowledge in dogs, with a variety of methods and tools in it's tool box) normally deal with calm and assertive behavior of their leader. This is only the beginning, but it has a profound effect on the dog and is the foundation for training a dog for real world activity that includes freedom, enjoyment, and fun.

I fought this for a long time myself. How could something so mundane make that much of an impact on a dog? It wasn't active enough or fun enough for ME. Therefore, it must not work. Course since I am interested in anything dog training, I had to check it out for myself and become knowledgable about it. Not simply sit through lecture series or read a book, but hands on true knowledge. Now I am still a baby at this really, but I have been instructed under some of the best in their field of dog training and I might add behavior!! People who don't look at their dog under a microscope as simply eating and humping machines, by which their entire lives are defined. People who know how badly something can go, if you don't put the needs of the dog first and foremost in your training plan. People who also know that behaviorally challenged dogs are able to live and thrive with their loving families. People who actually work with these cases, and don't claim liability as a reason not to help clients with a specific breed or specific personality set. People who know how to teach trainers, clients, owners, et, AND are the very tops in dog training. They do exist no matter what others of a more fanatical sect may say, although not always easy to find.

Recently a young lady, interested in dog training, contacted me for a bit of direction in the business. Additionally, she let me know her Vizsla, Tanner, was having a bit of a problem with nail trimmings, and the noise of a dremel. It was getting worse instead of better. The young lady and her boyfriend came up one day with their two very nice dogs, who have some off leash skills already but need polishing et. Now normally on an obedience plan, you don't start with the symptom right away. However, the "sit on the dog" exercise, part of Margot Wood's Bedrock Training Method, is where my training always starts. It's a very simple exercise that uses no conflict or physical force on the handler's part, and instills the aura of calm quiet and assurance to the dog. Usually within the half an hour of the first day, you begin to see a change in the demeanor of the dog, although you aren't doing anything other than sitting with him (without acknowledgement, praise, or Dog forbid food to muddy the waters) and letting him choose between standing and lying down. Later on this becomes so helpful when you go places with him be it to your sisters house or the crowded obedience arena.

Shortly afterward, Tanner's nails were cut without any stress on his part. Not that day, but within a few days of the beginning training process. We didn't even try it that day, Tanner's work was done after a little loose leash work. It also starts the process of the dog learning that tension on the collar is not desireable for THEM, sans any jerking or pulling whatsoever. We combined this with someone holding the nail clippers and just opening and closing them around Tanner. The dremel wasn't at my house, so that was done afterwards. And voila, if someone the dog trusts and respects isn't afraid of the clippers and dremel, then Tanner becomes unfraid of the clippers and dremel. In nail clipping, it is also helpful if you clip them off with assurance and quickness, rather than dragging the moment out and appearing fearful yourself. This, as one can imagine, sends out the wrong vibe to the dog. You don't need to flood the dog, and sit on him on the floor and force him to have his nails clipped. This can go slowly, and I also usually use a paw command with my dogs as well.

These are not the directions to this exercise, but it's truly an amazing thing to see it's affect on dogs. If one is truly interested in behavior, and modifying behavior, you could only see the wisdom in this method once it has been tried.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Eliot Park Boat Basin/Winnie's Third Birthday

On November the 8th an event was held to provide funding for fence and fountains at the unofficial boat park at the Eliot Boat Basin in Maine. Bri, Leon, my husband, and I decided to tour the park a bit.














Less vendors and demonstrations than expected showed up, but it was a good time anyway. Here are some of the vendors that we saw as we wandered around talking to people.

Sit Pretty Dog had wonderful and unique dog collars.














KozyDawg had machine washable, microwavable, hot and cold packs called The K-9 Komforter. You can call Stephanie Gladys at 1-603-498-2239 if you are interested. Great idea for pets recovering from muscle trauma in their limbs.














Cozy Critter Covers by Rhonda were beautiful and reversible blanket coats of 100% polyester fleece. They will custom fit, and have any size you could want. 207-439-3359.














Nancy Hube does portraits in pastels and watercolors. 603-868-6081
















Rainbow Paws offers custom pet memorial cards and prints.



Usui Reiki Master and Teacher, Donna Tobey, of Portsmouth NH can be reached at peacefuleasyhealings@comcast.net. She does humans as well as other species of animals.

Ann-imals of York Maine was at the event.














The Cocheco Valley Humane Society of Dover NH was at the event as well. Their Humane Education program offers presentations specializing in children, school, and family.









Need help training your dog? Call Mannerly Mutts at 207-361-4395 or e-mail Robin Rubin, Maine Dog Trainer, at mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Don't Call Me Cookie


When we first moved to Maine, we took our dogs Jazz and Leon for a walk on Seapoint Beach in Kittery Maine. This is beach is not groomed, and a place people go to walk their dogs off leash (I think that's still the case, but laws might have been passed since). Most people in this area let their dogs off leash, and hope for a little bit of luck that their dogs come back to them.

As we are walking down the beach, dogs are greeting and playing everywhere. Most everyone looked pretty socially aware. This one dog, who is very rambunctious and perhaps a bit socially challenged, is coming up to dogs a bit rudely, but everyone remains in good spirits. We can't see the owner anywhere.

Then I hear someone shouting "cookie, cookie". This run away keeps right on playing, and just about every other dog but ours dashes to the cookie calling human LOL. Her dog did not so much decide coming was a good idea.

This was pretty funny, and in talking to the lady, I found out the reason that she was calling "cookie" is that was her dogs name. When they selected the name, they figured dogs come for cookies, so call her Cookie. Only one little problem, they deadened the word forever for her, because not only does she associate that word with not with cookies, freedom is almost always the better reward anyway:)

Friday, November 7, 2008

Bush's Dog Barney, Be Aware of Dog Body Language

Please be aware of what your dog's body language is telling you as their owner/handler. Strangers or others not familiar with dog body language may dart forward unknowingly in a dog's face like this. An owner/handler is responsible for keeping both the dog and strangers (or people unfamiliar with dogs) safe. I always warn people not to pet the dog, and am prepared to block them if they look not to be listening to me. Many of my client's dogs are overcoming issues of fear et, and taking them out into public is key for them, BUT not if they do not feel safe with me. For instance if I just allowed a stranger to dart forward at them.

Most dogs come to accept handling quite readily, but even dogs that are very social have their off days. The behaviorally challenged can not be pushed into acceptance, and if they are giving clear signals to be left alone, be sure to let people, that are near you, know not to pet them.




Got behavioral problems? Or just a dog that won't listen. Call Robin Rubin at Mannerly Mutts, 207-361-4395. You can also e-mail mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Potential Client Question Springers Are All The "Rage"


I recently had an inquiry into a behavioral problem involving an English Springer. Sadly they are located in Canada. That's a bit too far for me to commute. As much as I would like to help them over the phone and e-mail, it's virtually impossible to diagnose a case over phone, e-mail, or video. It's really a hands on process.

This is a dog that went through some medical items and resulting pain because of them. This was initially diagnosed as Springer Rage (the dog is an English Springer), but further examination showed other medical problems. Springer Rage is a condition that is much like a seizure. It may have a trigger, but it's not something generally predictable in nature. Much like epilepsy lights shown or something else that misfires in their brain cause an UNSTOPPABLE reaction. For instance, were you to drag the dog off, the dog would attack everything and anything in their path without discretion. It's a very unusual and sad behavior for which options may not be readily available to deal with it. Generally if you know what the triggers are (ie resource guarding et) consistently, then it's most likely not Springer Rage. "Triggers are some guarding, friction sound such as a hand brushing dust off furniture, he cannot be petted on the head and will only tolerate playful hand pats."

The three year old English Springer (male) was eventually diagnosed with food allergies and a thyroid condition. Thyroid conditions pretty commonly cause learned aggression on the dog's part. The owners have been bitten, they have grandchildren that are not allowed near the dog, and the trainer that helped them find the physical problems, have been bitten.

Again, I have not seen the dog. What I believe MAY have happened here was that you had a dog in a lot of discomfort. Now the problem has been found and the dog is on medications, one being Prozac (I should note here that there are some side effects in Prozac that might not be dealing well with the dog, or maybe they are calming him down enough for some interaction. Anyhow, if no improvement comes with a drug or the drug is deadening reality, this could also be causing a flight or fight response). The dog has most likely bitten the trainer and his owners because a relationship (most likely) needs to be set up from scratch to promote safety, trust, and respect in the dog. You really have to think of this as a new feral dog coming into your house almost, and not as if you have made positive steps in the relationship as yet, even though this dog has been there for three years.

The trainer is most likely inadvertently pushing the dog too far, even though it would be considered in a "positive" way. To this dog people may equal pain, and pain for a long time previously!! Even though they are people he may love, he does not understand that his physical condition caused him pain. He needs to relearn, and we are assuming the painful medical condition has been treated appropriately.

In cases like this, Board and Train with a trainer (or behaviorist with measurable training and behavior modification experience) experienced and successful in treating aggression. And also more importantly are aware of how to avoid being bitten, but at the same time map out a plan for successfully getting hands that can shape a dog into obedience positions, and then use that obedience and training plan to teach a new behavior pattern that includes trust (in their safety away from pain) and respect.

Unfortunately this does not come cheap. With a dog like this, I am probably going to be with them six hours a day in various scenarios. Two hours will be formal training, and others will be training in a real life setting so that they can get out and about and learn about socialization and rules (like do not bite the trainer LOL). I only ever charge for two hours a day plus boarding, and it's serious hard work especially with a behavioral case. I do not charge more or less for a well behaved dog vs an aggressive dog. The reason why is that it's equally hard to well train a well behaved dog (ie ignore their cute play antics to get some work done and focus) as it is to train an aggressive (I would rather eat you right now) dog. Occasionally I do come across a dog that takes quite a bit more work, but I consider that the cost of my education. Hannah and Kate, two Springers from three years ago, exhausted the heck out of me for the three weeks that they were here. Now they are the two easiest dogs to take care of, and are trusted with any number of dogs that come here.

It is more difficult to treat a case that comes here in Board and Train that comes from a local owner, than one that is more than an hour away. I prefer to be a little closer to be available for hands on backup when needed. I have gotten lucky enough to provide that encouragement over the phone in other cases, or by having them come back down with their dog to demonstrate additional skills.
In any case, this is a long term prescription for the dog, and it's not "all fixed" when the Board and Train is over, although it now provides a plan and basis for the owners to go forward with the proven (seen with the owners own eyes) improvement in the ability of their dog to cope long term. That being said, this can all be undone if owners choose just not to accept the prescription long term, even though they acknowledge the improvement.
In clients that have behaviorally challenged dog, a trainer needs to be careful that the owner thinks they are going to be able to do anything for the dog, but in fact might lack the time or patience necessary even if they are given the answer. A direct conversation needs to happen between a trainer and owner that puts everyone on the same page going forward. Still this will not predict the future actions of the owner, and the trainer has to be reconciled to that. This is why some trainers will not take every owners dog. Trainers loose a huge chunk of themselves to their charges. A piece of our heart goes back out with every dog, although they are not our own. A relationship has been forged built on trust and respect. Luckily, most dog owners who have come this far are looking for an actual answer to their problem. They may have a learning curve to climb, but they will try as best they can to live up to your expectations of them. Some owners treat their dog more like a car engine that must be fixed by certain parts and time only on the trainers part. This is just not feasible.

Mannerly Mutts does not discriminate in dog breeds or tempermants. Need your well mannered puppy or behaviorally challenged adult dog trained, call Robin Rubin at 207-361-4395 or e-mail, mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Logan and the Death of the Exercise Ball


This WAS one of the favorite toys to play with (supervised only of course-you wouldn't want a dog to ingest this), but it finally met it's demise.
Logan proudly sits with his kill for the day. Looks pretty pleased with himself, doesn't he?

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Part of Yesterdays Homework

This is Jack's repetitions of Week 1 Day 1 using The Koehler Method of Open Obedience Book as my method of choice for a working retrieve. Check out the bruise on my chin, this is what happens when you don't get dinner on the table top on time (kidding, my husband does all the cooking). Actually this is what happens when you trip carrying your elderly dog down the stairs, and fall on the concrete mudroom floor with no other thought than avoiding your dog hitting it instead. Let's just say that my chin took the brunt of the force, and I am lucky that I have all my teeth and not shattered chin.

It is not only Jack's homework here, but I am trying to create my presentation skills, which in the future will take out the "ums" and my fashion sense will improve once I am ready to commit anything to a permanent sort of tape for my clients. You will notice also that Jack is also a little freaked out by the tripod LOL, and that I can not count when forced to concentrate on the fact that I am being videod.

Regarding Jack's mild freaked out state. I am not going to highlight this for him, as something he should be concerned about. He is not in an overloaded state, as he is used to the fact that sometimes we need to work where there is something that he is not familiar with. He also knows that I am not going to make a big deal that he is scared, and therefore reinforce that state of being. I will go into my treat methology at another time, and my protocol for when I use treats and when I do not. Hopefully, I will remember to talk about fear, stress, and the use of treats involved. For now though, this is a state of being that will disappear as he gets used to the scary three legged thing now on the porch. If I highlight it, I will freeze him there.

Monday, November 3, 2008

GOT HOMEWORK?


Do you and your dog have homework to do today? Well, I do everyday. I mean how can I possibly convince my clients they need to work every day (or six days in my case), if I and my dogs are not an example of this? I do take time off for if I get sick, vacation, or for my recent sprained ankle. When I do not have time (outside of being sick et) I see my training totally suffer,because I have become lax and lazy. Unlike a regular old dog owner though, this is my business. My dogs and I are ambassadors for what can be done in dog training, or we try to be anyway . There are those days.

I also have to be sure the training plan fits into the schedule of a "normal person" and not someone as Abby Normal as I am. That works because you don't want your dog to have to punch in on a time clock overly long either. It's all about balance. You don't want to do too little, you don't want to do too much and burn either human or dog out. You want it to be enjoyable, yet you also want to get real work done during your session, or I do anyway. A dog trainer is always honing their skills, and always aware that there is more improvement to be made, especially since you are leading future and current dog owners and trainers.

All of this homework and educational experience is self prescribed, being that top training people in the industry have become "out of style" in their quest for excellence. Don't get me wrong, they aren't exactly hurting for business either. Dog owners with common sense and a quest to really provide the best life for their dogs, recognize quality and rare education. These people haven't been asked to follow the circuit group that is supporting another business model of training. One that I believe is dangerous, as it degrades quality time and teaching the language for your dog into something "not fun" because it does not go fast enough to the next "trick". Instead of recognizing the real life skills that can open up a whole new world to dog owner and dog, if they wish that. I have needed to research, dig up, dust off, and re-discover some of the better trainers in the country thru due diligence. Sadly, due to the success of convincing people that traditional training is evil, what has happened as these people stick close to home and have less costly travel to places that have made up stories about them anyway. Talk about a thankless job!! On the other hand, what has happened is the training experience in this area has become very one sided, and no longer the proud profession that dog training certainly can be. It's become a glorified feel good festival, with like minded trainers stroking each other and murmuring encouragingly as our rights as dog owners are torn right from us. Not to mention the illegal search and seizure of dogs that has been happening in certain parts of the United States due to legislation that is promoted by the Animal Rights groups. In Albuquerque NM it's very close to illegal to leave your house and go anywhere without your dog on a leash. Many times that means even in your own yard!! Rights of owners are flying out the window, and it's our fault as our standards are low for training. There are so many excuses and mantras out there for why not to train your dog (and I will go over these in another blog).

Writing this very article is homework in itself that I need to accomplish every day. Additionally, I have dogs to train that aren't being paid for by other people. I train them for my own personal knowledge. I am also practicing my presentation skills in a visible way not only for a future video, but to see me as I might appear to clients. Jack and I have finished most of our training for the day. We did 10 repetitions of Week 1 and Day 1 of the retrieve exercises from the Open Obedience book by William Koehler. We had been on Week 2, when I discovered that I had missed two steps. My bad!! In the interest of teaching others, and spending efficient and effective time with my dog, I need to be as detailed as possible, and push for that same excellence in my students. I am also not in any rush, the next trial isn't until February 2009. We have plenty of time to perfect this as much as possible, and hopefully not only get the title but hammer home some better scores. Bri and I will be going over basically the same exercises as Jack today. I have revisited the foundation with both of them in the Koehler Method of Dog Training by William Koehler, realizing that my poor scores are probably reflective of not expecting really excellent work on my part. I see so many things that I can do better now, and are really not any big deal to do. My dogs only do exactly what I taught them to do LOL. I take full responsibility for our errors in trial. I am so proud of my dogs when in there. I cried the very first time Jack and I qualified for a leg. To me that was such an achievement for the both of us. It goes right up there with my wedding day and graduation from college.

Devon, a Thai Ridgeback, is being trained for his Novice trial in February 2009 as well. My daycare looks to me for entertainment during the day that can take the form of trick training, play fetching, ET. Knowing about their behavior and pack mentality, and continuing my education on this allows such an unleashed and free atmosphere to continue.

I love my job, and I love my work even when it's homework. What work have you done with your dog today?

Want to train your dog? Call Robin Rubin at Mannerly Mutts Dog Training at 207-361-4395. Or e-mail at mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

A Tale of Two Fetch Methods


I have two dogs. One is a well bred puppy from Pamelot Kennels in Georgia. His temperament and drive are stellar. Sadly he came with knees that did were off in their alignment, causing Anterior Cruciate tears. There is surgery to repair this, one knee has been done, and the other knee is about to be done as well. Right now, he is unable to compete in obedience, and though the surgery will improve Leon's movement immensely, it may never loosen up his knees enough to sit comfortably for long periods of time. We will see in about next spring of 2009 when he is recovered.

Jack was puppy store bred (most likely meaning from mills), and tore his way through a few homes quite readily before finding himself at Doberman Rescue. Because he did not warm up quick enough with treats and love, he went through two more homes before he was "returned" yet again. Jack had not yet found the person who truly loved him, for well him. His loyalty, goofiness, clown ways, athletic ability, hunting ability, intelligence, had all gone unnoticed, because he was a difficult boy. I actually do feel sorry for the owners that he went through, that had no idea how to nurture and grow this personality into a partner. My point is, he is a different dog than Leon. I love him for who he is, the same as I love Leon.

With Leon, you can relax and have him run with other dogs, kids, bunnies, butterflies whatever. He should have been my demo dog and competition partner, as he is most suited temperament wise to it. I would have had a lot less work to do. On the other hand, I love the challenge, and Jack loves the work. I have to be very diligent and expect better than I can give in my training regime with Jack. It's more important to him and his mental health than it is to me. Sure, I could simply separate him more from life and not deal with it. "Oh him, that's my socially and behaviorally challenged dog, poor thing, we don't let him out with others". Or we could say "sorry he went after your dog, but dogs will be dogs". We do neither of those things and take our responsibility to Jack very seriously. We also take our responsibility to dog issues, the overall health of dog ownership long term, and the long term health and enjoyment of Jack's life to him.

My way may not seem very fun to you. To me, I enjoy training, the patience, the consistency, the long term improvement it provides to the life of the dog. For me, that's fun. Seeing clients again sitting on a couch with their two dogs that were fighting last year, and knowing that one of those dogs was being considered to be put asleep. Seeing those pictures, and knowing I trained for the real life that dog was going to be living, is the best reward and fun that I can have. The fact that my boarders are all training client based, and I see my old friends often that I formed a very careful bond of partnership with, also priceless. We are able to hang out in a non training environment thanks to the work and maintenance that has gone on with newly informed owners. These dogs were all helped by both my very differently temperamented dogs as well. My success is shared with their partnership with me. It does not always come easily.

Leon still needs something to occupy him whether he is injured or in recovery. I won't allow him to re-injure himself when surgery comes, but there are plenty of on the floor games to play when he is awake and restless. We went through this before last Spring. Recently, since I have been training Jack using the Open Koehler book for retrieve and all the open exercises, I thought what fun it would be to train Leon alternately to pick things up his clumsy owner drops.

These sort of commands are a bit different than recall, heel, or stationary commands. Those commands can stop serious injury to yourself and stop your dog from injuring or killing himself inadvertently. Not just if your near traffic, but the open woods can provide all sorts of dangers (barbed wire, bears, deer---believe it or not can be aggressive during mating season, unexpected terrain with holes in it, et); and so your dog MUST obey. Also, although many behaviorists or people that follow the Purely Positive Political movement don't understand how well developed and reliable commands such as these help in behavior modification, they are the basis of being able to redirect your dog to more appropriate behavior, with your help and partnership, of course. So these commands are not necessarily something your dog needs to learn in a rush, or be stopped from not listening to them regardless.

Leon has begun with picking up his ringy and sticky toys. Once he learned get meant, well pick it up, it was on to the trickier part of having Leon bring back the object. Why is it tricky? Well, I play the chase game with him a lot, as I have known for some time the possibility of him competing will be remote (oh this will be a good pun later for what I have started him doing). So all this time throwing things and picking them up have been followed by a rousing game of chase by me and by the other dogs. There are a couple of ways that I can do this. If he is engaged very much, then if I run away from him he will follow, I slow down, turn say give and be sure the stick or whatever ends up in my hand. Then I throw and we do all over again. Now sometimes, there are other distractions where we are that make his concentration iffy on the job at hand. At those points, introducing treats renews the interest in the game. Like I said with Leon, there is no danger that he is going to start giving anyone any sideways looks as the treats start to flow. Also nice that everyone else involved can join in on the treats (except Jack and Devon who I will speak about at another time).

It's wise to start any training program one on one first. That way you eliminate as many distractions as you need to, but are able to engage the dog. Leon and I did something new today. I started to introduce him to the concept of picking up not toys, but whatever his clumsy owner might drop (like a remote, book et). I started out with different toys first. First the ball, then the bone, then the ring et. Once he learned it was the same rules for each toy (that is I go get it, then I need to not just fling it at my owner but drop it in her hand--I pretend I am blind and close my eyes so I don't cheat----and then comes out my reward). Then I started dropping or throwing the remote. I also started doing this from different positions (standing, sitting et). So now I have revised the criteria of the task to be a bit more complicated. It took Leon a little while to find the best way to pick up the remote, and then longer for him to realize flinging it at me was not what I was looking for LOL. I help and give hints along the way, but try to avoid learned helplessness (that is the act of directing him every minute, letting him take the initiative).

With daycare clients, if I am training, they normally want to be involved. It's nice because with a dog like Leon, you can relax and make a line of dogs and let everyone learn a task for the day. Daycare gets bored if they are left to their own devices. You really shouldn't just leave them in the same room or yard everyday, if your goal is to truly entertain them for the day. A little training on a new trick, combined to a walk to the creek for a swim, and you have suddenly snoozing doggies. So training with Leon is about a thousand times different than training with Jack.

For instance, Jack is now possessive of the dumbbell (for a short time while we revisit his foundation), because although it's very deliberate work for a working retrieve, it's work Jack likes. Now if you combined it with treats at this point while his pupils dialate for the joy yet guarding of his new job, you are about to create a disaster and get someone or something injured. Making sure his eye contact remains on you, and not the dog that is not even thinking about the dumbbell but wandering in your direction, is very important. It's real important, because in the Spring when he is retrieving it unleashed over jumps, he can't be thinking of the owner and dog looking on with interest at HIS job. Jack has a lot of things that he thought were his. At one point, he started thinking the daycare human owners that came here were his, to the point that he started eyeing up their dogs if they approached their own owners (a solid place command is very helpful for this sort of behavior combined with a whole training plan). Every six months or so, it's something different, and then that's improved. Jack is a work in progress that is more complex than your average dog. Yet, he does want to please, and will work for those good boys. He really wants and needs to understand what the human thinks is "good" and what the human finds unacceptable. He doesn't understand that I find it unacceptable mostly for his own safety. It's up to me to let him know what I will not tolerate.

Anyhow, method two goes slower and is much more deliberate and time consuming in creating each step. Assuming you do your homework and do it right, there is no reason to be "harsh" on the dog (this usually happens when someone hasn't done their homework and wants to rush off to the "fun" part, and therefore overtaxes their dog, gets frustrated and deals with them harshly). In fact, it's a very gentle method whose results create confidence and assurance in a dog. Even with a dog of as many dominant traits as a Jackie has, his confidence has to come from the fact that I have his back, and with our good partnership I will not let him be put in an untenable position. Sometimes, easier said than done sometimes. I am more apt to now communicate to owners, that it's not okay for their dog to rudely run up to my dog. That the fact that he hasn't done anything about it, has to do with training not a particularly patient temperament. Don't forget, he could be thinking about protecting me too!! It's my job to let him know, not only will I not force him to deal with a dog that will make him uncomfortable, but he doesn't need to worry about me as I will protect myself. This means coming out of your shell, and communicating to people, no it's not just dogs being dogs. You need to be responsible and in control. Even if a dog is on a flexi or leash, you are not in control if you allow your dog to drag you everywhere, or you are forced to drop the leash. Those actions are not okay with me, because you are putting me and my dog in danger.

Although Leon is not likely to reacte, I also don't want a dog being rough with him and taking advantage of his good nature. Dogs should not be dashing up to each other unless permission is given by the owner. A dog should be under voice control both off and on the leash. This is why I raise my standard all the time, and dog owners should be raising their standards of responsibility and training as well.

Any how method two first starts with the gentle insertion of the dumbbell. The Open Koehler book is contigent upon you having completed your Novice work. So if you are working with a squirming dog that is not calm and collected, then you are going about following any sort of Koehler method all wrong. You have not done your homework. Some people believe a calm and confident dog has been beaten into this mold, rather than recognizing a calm and trusting dog that has been lovingly molded. The beginning of the retrieve starts with you opening your dogs mouth, and placing the dumbbell behind the dogs teeth, right where you are going to want it at the end of the training:) You lovingly praise your dog for letting you open his mouth and put the dumbbell in. Steps that name the commands (I use take and out) and just the starting point of the whole process are done with care and love. Method one of play fetching leaves large gaping holes in the process that would bite me later on working. Method two is slower, but works out an even more lovely relationship of partnership and an incredibly reliable retrieve. Although it may be "fun" to start the jump now, this method is reliant upon the building of the language ever step of the way. So starting the jump now would be selfish on the owners part, and muddy up the process of showing your dog efficiently, effectively, and lovingly what you want. It's the difference between using this as a reliable command, and using the other as a play command.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Jack's Platform for President


1) Dogs need work to do. **All beginning owners of our species or owners that never learned to communicate with us with previous relatives,should need to go into a remedial obedience program to learn how to communicate with us.** We require our human partners to teach us the language that let's us know what skills you WANT us to perform, otherwise we may get busy doing the ones you DON'T want us to learn.
2) We need your attention and exercise everyday!! Think about how bored you become sometimes being left in front of the tv. But If I came over and said, hey let's go to the fair, you would probably bounce up with excitement. So would I, but read Platform 1 first before bringing me. Otherwise, I am apt to infringe on others rights and enjoyment. Not because I am bad, but because I have no idea what you want. No hablo ingles (or something like that).
3) Legislating the industry is not the answer for certifying trainers. However, training organizations that hand out certifications should need to conform (and are starting to) to the tests already out there by long standing organizations involved with our species, training, and the promotion of health and standards in our breeds. Encouragement of organizations shown to promote the well being and advanced comprehension of language taught, should be the organizations leading the way to trainer certification. Also, we are living breathing beings, a multiple choice questionnaire is not the way to go. Experience demonstrated both in action and writing needs to be examined before a certification can be done. (This should also be over viewed by trainers or behaviorists that have trained dogs to a skill level that is measured, who have been in the business with all it's changes in the last 20-30 years, and still enjoy their accomplishments in the profession as an ongoing process)
4) Those attacking other methods belonging to a professional organization such as the APDT, and breaking the Code of Conduct therefore, should be brought to task for their conduct. If violating the COC more than once (so we are assuming they are not therefor knowledgeable about it), they should be banned from the organization of the COC that they just violated. However, we need to make it necessary for professional dog training organizations to enforce their COC, therefore, as their protocols are designed and without prejudice towards "personal friends". These are not businesses but non-profit organizations that should be either going by the beliefs of their members or changing their promotion, marketing, and COC to those members that are driving the organization. An organization, in other words, can't claim to be open to all methods when they are promoting the opposite and allowing their membership to use inflammatory language about other methods or tools.