[NAGDU] Softer Dogs?

Buddy Brannan buddy at brannan.name
Wed Mar 22 00:06:25 UTC 2017


I think the biggest problem is that a lot of people are doing it wrong, and that's what a lot of folks see. So you get these dogs that will absolutely period amen not task unless they know a treat is in the offing, and so we see dogs who are constantly having treats shoved in their faces. A dog that works like that tells me that one of two things is going on. Either 1) as I said, they're doing it wrong, or 2) the dog is not the right dog for the job. As Rox says, it's a tool, like other tools, and can be used correctly or incorrectly. I personally think that yes, use what works, and use a whole combination of things, because different things will work for different dogs and in different situations. Be flexible, be consistent, love your dog. 

--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: 814-860-3194 
Mobile: 814-431-0962
Email: buddy at brannan.name




> On Mar 21, 2017, at 7:11 PM, The Pawpower Pack via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> This is interesting because although I'm a clicker trainer, my current dog, Soleil the labradore and agent of chaos is NOT a soft dog by any means.  I live in New Orleans and need a dog who can work Mardi Gras— the season lasts almost a month— or other high stress situations  with confidence and not fall apart.  I need a dog who can be comfortable dealing with my idiotic hard-headedness and out hardhead me when necessary.  I have a feeling that it would take a very firm correction  to get Soleil's attention.  And yet she does so well with the clicker.  Learns new things quickly and her weird lab food issues aside— which have always been a thing, is the best guide dog I have ever had.  She is equal to Bristol who is my best dog and I never thought I'd find another who was so great.  
> I think that people should do what works.  I know there is an issue with treats that I don't quite understand. But treats are tools, just like a correction collar is a tool.  There are tools that I would prefer not to use and others have tools that I use that they wouldn't.  
> I can't speak to the program end because last day I was at one— like almost 20 years ago— it was still pretty physical. Meaning many corrections
> 
> 
> Rox and the kitchen Bitches: 
> Mill'E, Laveau, Soleil
> Pawpower4me at gmail.com
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Mar 21, 2017, at 5:03 PM, Bianka Brankovic via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi list,
>> 
>> my first two dogs were still trained with the training cart which is considered to be cruel by some people. Personally, I feel that the dogs that are trained with positive reinforcement tend to be more cooperative, it’s easier to work through little problems. My handling style has evolved a lot during the 15 or so years i have handled guide dogs. I am much softer with a dog now than I was in the beginning yet I have a much better grasp of my dog’s reactions and know my own limits better than I did at the beginning. This has hopefully lead to fewer handling mistakes. 
>> 
>> I do believe that if you find the right motivator you can train nearly any  dog with positive reinforcement. I feel though that the use of more sensitive dogs on the whole may have the down side that guide dogs are no longer as stress tolerant  and resilient  as they used to be. 
>> 
>> I feel it’s our responsibility as handlers to give honest feedback to the schools  about what works and what doesn’t, after all, schools are service providers. .. 
>> 
>> Best wishes,
>> 
>> bianka 
>> 
>> 
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