[nagdu] What's up with all the scavenging anyhow?

[Raven Tolliver]

Positive reinforcement training should be a mandatory part of guide
dog class. This is because to understand how it works, you typically
learn a handful about psychology, and by learning this, you improve
your communication skills with both people and animals. In my opinion,
there are more drawbacks to not learning it, than there are
disadvantages to learning it.
As an aside, clicker training and treat training are not the same
thing. I've trained a number of dogs with the clicker without using
treats, and I used play, praise, or petting instead. I've also done
positive reinforcement training without the clicker. Some dogs find
the clicker incredibly startling or distracting, so I just use the
word "yes" instead, click my tongue, or tap my thigh.
The goal is to reward good behavior, ignore bad behavior, thereby
increasing good behavior and reducing bad behavior. When undesirable
behavior isn't rewarded, the dog will naturally stop the behavior,
because it yields no benefit.
Unfortunately, one of the first things many guide dog schools talk
about and hammer home is the use of the leash correction. They talk
far more about this than positive reinforcement, and they fail to
adequately and accurately demonstrate how positive reinforcement can
motivate and train a dog to perform almost any task. And there's my
problem.
Leash corrections are not inherently bad. My problem with leash
corrections is how often they are used, the reasons they are used for
primarily, and the fact that people are taught to punish their dog
before they are taught a myriad of other methods  that could refocus
their dog just as easily.
I find it problematic because I think it is disrespectful to dogs. I
wouldn't want someone to slap me just because they tried to get my
attention a couple times, and I didn't understand, agree with, or do
what they wanted. So no, I don't do that to my dog.
My second day of my current job, my mentor showed me how to clean dog
runs, but I wasn't doing it correctly. She kept showing me
hand-over-hand what she wanted, but when she let go, I still wasn't
doing it the way she showed me. So should she have slapped me or
grabbed my shirt collar and yanked on me because I wasn't doing what
she asked? As a biased party, I'm going to say no. Not because that
would hurt, but because that would be incredibly disrespectful. And
slapping me wouldn't make me enjoy my job or enjoy working around her.
Yes, I would try my best to do what she wanted, but only because I
wouldn't want to get assaulted again.
And I feel the same way about the dogs I work with. Dogs are extremely
forgiving and loyal creatures, even if they goof up some times. They
love us unconditionally, and deserve our unconditional respect and
loyalty in return. They are creatures who do not reason on the level
that we do. They can't think in retrospect, or reflect upon their
actions. They don't have the capacity to just shut off all of their
instincts and drives, just as all people don't. They act out of
selfish desires sometimes, just like we do.
And I don't think a leash correction is the solution to this problem,
or should even be taught as a default trouble-shooting technique.
If you can't get a dog to do something without force, it is because of
a failure to adequately communicate on your part, not because the dog
is not listening.
Another problem with leash corrections is that people usually correct
out of frustration and anger, rather than with a sincere heart of
keeping the dog in check. There is usually negative emotions wrapped
up in correcting with the leash, and so this causes dogs to behave out
of stress, fear and alarm. I don't want this for any of the dogs I
work with. I don't want to make them stressed, fearful or alarmed. I
don't want to get angry or frustrated with them, or even show them
that I have such feelings. If I get frustrated, it's time to either do
a walking meditation, or stop. I refuse to work or train a dog if I am
frustrated. This stresses out the dog, increases my level of stress,
and creates an unproductive situation. Because what happens if I give
a leash correction, and the dog keeps acting a fool? I just keep
correcting and punishing until I finally get it in my head that we're
getting nowhere, so I've dropped that technique. No more frustration,
and no more leash corrections.

When you focus on the good, your desires and your dog's desires, and
how you can capitalize on your dog's desires to motivate them to want
what you want, you don't have to focus on untraining or correcting bad
behaviors. Think of the saying: "You bring about what you think
about." And this is true. Try your best to focus on what you want your
dog to do, rather than what you don't want them to do. If you are
always worried about scavenging, or dog distractions, or whatever your
dog's kryptonite is, you only increase your dog's stress, worsening
the situation. This is easier said than done, I know from personal
experience. But this definitely works. We set up our dogs for success
by focusing on what we envision to be successful behavior.

This is my unpopular opinion, and that's fine. This is something I've
come to understand because I had to work in a place where positive
punishment was forbidden, and I had to sign a contract affirming that
I would not use physically aversive techniques. I'm gonna bet most dog
handlers are not ever put in that situation, so it will be difficult
for many people to grasp.
But I am eternally grateful I was put in that position because it
established a solid foundation for my beliefs and values surrounding
dog training and canine care. My relationship with my own dog has
improved tremendously, and working with him is now very fluid. And I
have acquired a great deal of patience and understanding from that
job.
-- 
Raven
Founder of 1AM Editing & Research
www.1am-editing.com

You are valuable because of your potential, not because of what you
have or what you do.

Naturally-reared guide dogs
https://groups.google.com/d/forum/nrguidedogs

On 7/2/15, Debby Phillips via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> You know, folks talk negatively about leash corrections.  They DO
> NOT HURT THE DOG.  It's a reminder to pay attention, and it's
> only if verbal doesn't work.  I'm sick of hearing how terrible we
> are if we give leash corrections.  Pfui.  To not discipline a dog
> and to not show leadership when it's needed is a crime.  Being
> consistent, fair, loving, kind, praising for good work, using
> verbal correction totally works.  If leash corrections are
> necessary they DO NOT break the spirit of a dog.  I've had eight,
> and none of them have hated me, not worked for me, and have
> responded well.  You all do as you like, but I'm here to tell you
> that if Nova needs a leash correction, that's what will happen.
> Then she will focus on me and her work again, and will get
> praise.  nova doesn't like to be in trouble, so usually verbal
> works well with her, but not always, and when it doesn't, I will
> not be afraid to use what works.  Yup, I'm old school, but I'm
> thankful for the great training that I've had.    Debby and Nova
>
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