Contrasting Theories...?

I've been brushing up on my dog reading lately in preparation for my CGC class that will hopefully begin September 15th, and between reading, Inside of a Dog, Cesar's Rules, and The Loved Dog by Tamar Geller, I desperately needed to stop and point out a few things I seem to be maybe be missing.

So, everyone knows that it is no secret of mine that I adore Cesar Millan. His recipe for success is plain, simple, and has impressive results that bring to attention what most people do wrong with their dogs...essentially ignoring their doggy tendencies and how they generally see the world. Yet, so many people are overly critical, saying all his techniques are too harsh, and that his approach is cruel and overbearing. However, as has been researched by specialists in the dog area, many would probably be surprised to hear that over 70% of Millan's techniques are actually based on positive reinforcement. Additionally, over 90% of his "leadership" techniques are simply using posture, going through doors first, etc. Where things get notably controversial are when he does the "Alpha" roll-overs and "flooding" techniques...but whatever your stance on it, I think it's important to remember that these are used as absolute last resorts, and only for severely unhinged dogs that are left with no other options, quite often on death row. If an "alpha rollover" or "flooding" technique is what it takes and has proven success (which, we've seen time and time again, appears to be the case for those select dogs), then I feel that it outweighs the unspeakable alternative. People should also note that, because these dogs are so severe enough to be on television, putting your own dog in an "alpha rollover" for it growling at you over something minor is NOT a wise choice, especially when done without consultation. This is also the case for "flooding" a dog that has some kind of severe irrational fear; Cesar is a professional and knows when and if and how to do things at a specific time to make sure success is going to be the outcome for that particular dog. So, yes. It is probably a bad idea to do these things to your own pet, and there is probably a better method you could consult before such measures need to be taken.

What I'm having trouble with is the "differing" approach of Tamar Geller. If you google search Cesar Millan and Tamar Geller in the same search, you get all kinds of crazy posts of people arguing profusely against one or the other. Yet, to me, her so-called "Love" approach overlaps A LOT with everything I've been reading about her internet nemesis, Cesar Millan, as well as my other favorite trainer/author, Carol Lee Benjamin. According to Geller, the seven basic needs of a dog, not in any particular order are:

1. Sense of Security
2. Companionship
3. Understanding the Hierarchy
4. Surprises/Excitment
5. Food and Exercise
6. Mental Stimulation
7. Love and Connection

For Cesar, they are (in order):

1. Exercise (would also include excitement, mental stimulation, and connection in here, the way he does it.)
2. Discipline (there's your sense of security and understanding the hierarchy)
3. Affection (companionship/love).

I think what I like most and feel is the most important part of dog-ownership is the leadership aspect, first and foremost before anything else. Geller has an entire section on which she preaches this importance as well, citing each owner to "always be seen as the alpha, or leader-there must be no question about that!" Additionally, the way she illustrates being a good leader as she observed wolves/dogs describes a healthy balance of adults teaching their pups through play, as well as corrections via teeth barring, snarling, etc. but with a special emphasis on how none of the animals ever hurt one another or are otherwise cruel.

Um, hold up there...isn't this EXACTLY the same thing Cesar preaches as well? Even with his toughest cases where alpha-rolling occurs, I'd like it noted that NONE of the dogs he's worked with are ever hurt or touched without reason. By using the same techniques as a "momma dog," he mimics what would be seen in the wild; most of the time, a simple "Tsst" and snap of the fingers for effect, in replace of a natural snarl, performed at the appropriate moment in time suffices as a correction.

However, I suppose this is just the general trend of dog trainers; about the only thing two dog trainers can agree on is what a third is doing completely wrong. The fan-base seems to be more opposing though, as I believe I recall seeing an episode where Cesar solicits Geller's help with a particularly child-aggressive mixed breed, and the two considered one another respected friends (though, I will also write that I remember Geller not being fully successful with the dog, and it was Cesar in the end who had to step back in and fix the problem once and for all). People will be people I guess, and declare loyalty to one or another for various reasons. I am glad, at least, that the one I express loyalty for is open-minded, as I try to be, and is never one to criticize other experts, despite the flack he gets himself...he even went to Ian Dunbar's house to make peace and learn more about different training methods ;).

As for Inside of a Dog I'm only about half-way through. Much of it is very interesting to picture, such as how it must be to smell like a dog, or how poor their direct vision actually is. While I've enjoyed most if it, there are some occasional statements made in it that have bothered me that I'm yet exploring in other contexts. Specifically, Horowitz claims that stray dogs do not form packs; therefore, the "pack mentality" is watered down in dogs and not an effective tool in their day to day lives. Yet, there are several documentaries and news articles if you simply search, "Stray Dog Packs" that come up detailing what a problem it is, and how abandoned pets and others born on the streets form gang-like packs that wreck havoc on livestock and on-lookers. I've even witnessed pet dog "pack mentality" myself, as dogs from the same households escape from yard together, and keep together in specific formation as they roam (or as they attack my own dog, as seen in last month's post).

Still, I think it's important to read and research as much as possible about the things you're passionate about to gain a broader, more knowledgeable perspective. This is exactly what I'd like as I begin to teach class; I want to be able to have an answer as to why I believe what I believe, as well as different methods that may work for different dogs.

I want everyone to succeed and do what works for them and of course, what they are comfortable with.

To each their own; may we coexist in peace!

CGC and Rising Athletes!

Ferguson's Sit^

I've continued my research and found there to be a testing center about 10 minutes away. Fees for the test seem to vary from $5 to $15. I emailed the center and requested information on their fees and such that will likely determine how and when Ferg and I will head over to testing to make sure no money is wasted. There are a lot of other questions I have, as the official guide says that the evaluator may allow the dog to retry if a single item is not passed on the test. We'll see if this place is so generous. Hopefully they even get back to me.

Tomorrow, we shall practice down-staying on a long line, as well as recall and being left with a stranger (probably my dear friend, Sarah, whom Ferg has only had the pleasure of meeting a few times). As I've said before, if what happens is according to plan, Ferguson is usually fine with it, so it will just be a matter of introducing him to "the plan."

Ferguson's "Down-stay"

In other news, Ferguson and I have recently started the sport of roller blading together. Before anyone gets worried (yes, I am aware I have a potential 40 mph running machine with me), I am still able to correct Ferguson with ease, and always have been blading on the sidewalk next to grass, should I ever need to dead-weight him to stop him from running (also, with the laws of physics, if he ever started to suddenly run at a crazy speed burst, the increase would be too much too fast, and he would feel the jerk of my weight against him, and as soon as Ferg feels tension, he immediately stops what he is doing). I've bladed with other dogs much more difficult than Ferguson. He took to it very naturally, stays out of the way of the blades, and is very sensitive to any tension felt on the leash (as usual). Today was our second go-around, and he has already learned to be enthusiastic about the blades when I get them out. We were able to go for our full mile loop, but just barely...we were both quite tired after the experience, probably me more than him, as he never did more than trot along next to me.

What was wonderful though, was how exhausted Ferguson was afterwards, and how little he cared if I came or went room to room. He was perfectly content to lounge in his crate, maybe only opening his eyes if I came or went. He was not winded after our experience and did not excessively pant, but there was no doubt that he was done for the day. I know and knew of course, that it is never a good idea or fair to leave an unexercised dog alone, but the blading brought Ferguson to a new level of tiredness that our usual mile walks haven't brought out in him. I think we'll start implementing this in our alone training from now on, whenever I need to ask him to stay alone for more than an hour at a time.

Because the blading did so much, I even splurged and FINALLY bought the special bicycle attachment I'd seen years ago and longed to try. The item has very high ratings, and looks to be well-made and safe, with springing action to produce gradual tension if the dog pulls, not allowing them to jerk suddenly in another direction. Originally, I figured I would just wait and purchase it when I have a more active dog, as Ferguson really does not NEED this item as other dogs do. However, my plan for Eric's birthday is to buy him a bike, so if the item could help us exhaust Ferguson when we move and are trying to help him adjust (not kill him with running, just have him at a light jog and train him slowly to increase distance), I think it will be worth the money. Additionally, I can use it with all my future dogs I'm destined to have, but it can't hurt to have Ferguson use it every once in a while. I also love to bike ride, and it would be great to have him able to come along with me :).

My only concern is the message I'm potentially spreading to the world about greyhounds. To everyone: Trust me, it's more for me than him! He's just here for the company!!!! He's a real couch potato, I promise!!!

So, Ferguson and I are rising athletes. But, we are going to do it together, slowly, steadily, and safely, (yes, I wear big stupid bulky knee pads and wrist guards when we blade). I am kind of really excited about the bicycle leash, as I won't get quite as winded or sore. I'll be sure Ferguson doesn't have to do more than trot as well to keep it fun and appealing to him. I do think he likes a bit of challenge though ^_^. At least, that would contend with what Cesar Millan says in his most recent book I'm currently reading.

More to come tomorrow, I'm sure ^_^;.

Cesar Seminar...Cancelled?!

I'm heart-broken :(. Why Cesar, Why?!

I was about to go see my hero in person, and now he's apparently doing something else for charity on the same day.

I even brought back my Cesar book from my parent's house in hopes I could maybe get an autograph :'(

I don't think I've been this disappointed since I was three and I couldn't hug Barney when he came to visit our town.

*sighs*

My Blog on Dogs

While there are probably hundreds, even thousands of dog blogs on the Internet, or even blogger alone, I thought it was time to save my friend's some sanity by expressing my views, experiences, and dog knowledge on here, where people who actually care can read it and voluntarily be subject to my extensive dog-related lectures.

About me: I'm Kini (or Jenny, if we're friends). I am a junior in college at UMBC studying English and looking towards a graduate degree in ESL. So what do you know about dogs?

Well. I have been around dogs as long as I can remember. But when I really got involved and made training dogs part of my everyday life was five and half years ago when a puppy named Yarmouth was born. I became a volunteer puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind in 2004, and suddenly found myself neck deep in numerous theories, methods, and ideas of dog training from GEB. Yarmouth was exceptional at finding ways to prove their theories and my previous knowledge less-than-successful, so I began to do my own research to make Yarmouth the dog I knew he could be: a trainable, reliable partner for a blind person in need.

The answer to finding what made Yarmouth tick was revealed in Carol Lee Benjamin's book, Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence. Inside, it explained the basic psychology that all dogs relate to (we must have an alpha, we must be a pack, we must keep harmony to survive, we must do something productive in our act of surviving) etc. Not a day after I started to practice her techniques, Yarmouth was suddenly a different dog, as if we were finally speaking the same language! As a puppy, he was still his goofy self, but at the drop of a hat, when asked to do something, he did it with great enthusiasm. With Benjamin's techniques as the basis of Yarmouth's training, he was then able to fulfill and successfully adhere to GEB's training program, at that time, a mixture of positive reinforcement and basic leadership.

When Yarmouth was placed in the Home Training program with a gentlemen from New York in 2006, my family and I went up to see him before he left for good in his new life. I left the Guide Dog School that day with a new bundle of fur to train, Godiva (or as her blind person now calls her, "Miss America on Four Paws"). With Godiva, it was love at first lick, literally. Never before have I found a dog I bonded with so closely, that understood my every move and expression. Starting from the beginning with Carol Benjamin's techniques, Godiva was a perfect angel, never behaving badly a day in her life. It was when Godiva was around six months old that I found my next love in dog books, Cesar's Way, and in it, I found my new hero.

Cesar speaks in plain language, explaining what dogs really need and why, and how they are misinterpreted in American Society that actually tends to reinforce bad behavior. In his theory, there are no bad dogs. Just uninformed people that unintentionally make them or allow them to exhibit various unwanted behaviors. Dogs need exercise, discipline, and then affection, in that order! Since dogs are not humans and don't see the world in the same light, being treated as humans sends them the wrong message, where they act out and become unruly beings. My favorite example of this is putting yourself in the position of living in a world where everyone treats you as if you are a chimpanzee. When you want to read a book, they throw you a banana. When you want to have a conversation, they make funny faces at you and laugh. When you think there is danger, they yell at you or shove you in a back room. By addressing dogs as dogs, the beings they are, they become free from this type of frustration, and will gladly pay their respects to you, being grateful for every moment of understanding. Never again have I approached or worked with a dog with any other mindset, ensuring the best possible outcome for the both of us.

Godiva left me in August of 2007, and shortly graduated thereafter with Bill Hadden in March of 2008, one of the greatest men I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. At 81, Bill is still spry, being a "roaring lion" for his local lions club in Lynchburg VA. Godiva lives with he and his wife Jackie, along with Bills previous guide dog, Sandy, living a very happy life. It was only last week that my father and I met them in Shepherdstown WV for lunch, and I'm proud to say that Godiva never ceases to remember me.

Even after Godiva, I continued training dogs for friends, friends of friends, and neighbors, (clients, if you will) and continued dog sitting long and short term for fellow GEB members. By the time my next GEB dog came to me, I had worked with close to a hundred dogs, having gained a lot of experience and positive reputation through my results. Gerta, Godiva's half sister, arrived in late July of 2008 at 10 weeks old, where I "started" her before returning back to college. Gerta was picked up by an experienced couple that had raised 5 other dogs for GEB, and we continue to co-raise her, me taking her whenever I have breaks and am back home for an extended time. Gerta will be spending another Christmas with me this December before she returns to GEB to take her In For Training Test in January, which we're all expecting her to pass with flying colors. Gerta is even on brood watch as Godiva once was, an honor given only to the top 10% of dogs in the GEB program.

So with all this experience, why don't you want to do a career with dogs? There is nothing I think I would like better than spending my days with dogs, walking with them, interacting with them, ensuring their mental balance. But alas, it can hardly be said that there is any demand for such positions. While doggie day-care services are becoming more prominent, it's a business gamble to buy a facility and depend on clients, acquire liscences, and the only way to make a living off of it would be to manage or own the place. For now, my only goal in life is to do something I equally enjoy (hopefully such as teaching foreign children English) and to help any dogs I can along the way, likely fostering some as well as rescuing my own. We can never know, after all, what the future holds. Like dogs do every day, sometimes it's best to just live in the moment and wait for what comes next.