Winry's Got More Than Looks!

She's got smarts! This video is literally the first time I ever tried any form of targeting with her. There are a few points that detail minor confusion (or boredom, if you can tell which), but I'm impressed with how fast she picked up on it!

I've been practicing a while with Ferguson, and while he's mostly got it, he doesn't seem to understand that me asking him to "touch" does not require him to sit or lay down on his side (his go-to tricks for appeasing me). So, this makes it a little harder.

In any case, Winry has proven herself quite capable! I look forward to continuing to work with her on fun stuff in the future ^_^.

A Seminar With Colleen Pelar

Today I was fortunate enough to attend a seminar by Colleen Pelar, author of Living With Kids and Dogs...Without Losing Your Mind . It was educational, and Colleen is a delight :). Much of her information was useful and innovative, but there was only one part of it that bothered me; She said that all dogs shake and stretch after any unpleasant event, and it is an involuntary behavior (though with training, you could make it voluntary). But...my dogs do this ALL the time!!! Every time we get up in the morning, like clockwork, the hounds will stretch, shake, and run down the stairs when all they were previously doing was laying on their beds all comfy...what's stressful about that? They also do it: After running, after playing, when I get home (for Ferg, this does make sense), after eating, after peeing, etc. Because I have a hard time believing that all of these things are stressful, I am going to take the word of the book Inside of a Dog that says that dogs shake/stretch to start/end activities of any kind. For my dogs at least, this sounds far more plausible.

Nonetheless, I'd recommend her book to anyone and everyone who has children, and will certainly apply said guidelines if/when I have my own children. It explains clearly how to manage your environment to avoid any incidents that could occur. Definitely worth the read: http://www.amazon.com/Living-Kids-Dogs-Without-Losing-Your/dp/1933562668/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326578869&sr=1-1

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!

Bird Catch

On Saturday, Ferguson and I went to visit our friends in Baltimore. I took him out to their small fenced yard for a potty break, but upon returning to the door, a bird that was maybe a foot away from Ferguson decided to sporadically move and jump in front of his face. Needless to say, the bird, whom we think was maybe learning to fly, will never master that skill.

I was impressed with Ferguson though. He grabbed it instinctively (I mean, come on, it was right in his face), but dropped it immediately and came back to me as soon as he was commanded to. Of course, it was probably too late for the bird, who was maybe still alive but not for long, but I was still pleased that I was able to override his instinctive predator mode as many greyhound sources say is impossible to.

So, good job, Ferguson, even though there was a casualty.

^ The mighty hunter.

Turkey Necks, Training, and...Certification?

My lifelong habit of not wanting to load pictures from my digital camera until I have a full "roll" is impacting the amount of blogging I could have been doing...

Ferguson and I are off work again, this time until Thursday...that's quite a break!  I'm not complaining though.  I enjoy the down-time.  And, if the weather is nice enough, I'm hoping to visit my friends at campus for the first time since I moved out in December, bringing along the big red dog.  I do really miss having the Guiding Eyes "Pup in Training" jackets, but we'll have to visit the old fashioned way of staying mostly outdoors.  However, we CAN go visit sonic burger ^_^. 

Over the weekend, my parents were nice enough to visit the local turkey farm in Thurmont, and got Ferguson 10 full necks for $16...they were absolutely huge, and double the size of the duck neck he got after New Years:

Because they were so huge, we decided to cut them in half and then freeze them (they were still 6-8 inches long even after being cut) so we now have enough for the next FIVE MONTHS, if he gets one every week.  He very much enjoyed his first one he got on Saturday night, and it still took him at least five minutes to eat, even when not given a full portion.  I don't think he felt the need to complain. 

As for free time, I've divided it between working with Ferguson (with both alone training and regular training) and researching dog training certification programs.  Ferguson continues to do really well with being alone, as we're up to five minutes or longer, especially if I use the back door and then come around the front (he doesn't really know I'm gone if I cheat and leave via the backdoor).  As for other training, it's often challenging.  I've mentioned in previous posts how I'd like Ferguson to become a good canine citizen, but sitting, for many greyhounds, is not exactly an easy feat. 

Ferguson's Sit

If I CAN get him to do it, it looks like this ^

And usually when we're practicing, he only sits because he's trying to lay down and I happen to catch him before he does it.  When we work on specific behaviors, I use a clicker with soft treats, but he doesn't really seem to get it yet.  So far, he knows, "down," "place" (to go lay on his bed), "kennel up," and "stay," while we're also working on "lay over."  My main problem is that he gets too..."nervous?" about it, and when I ask him to do something, like "sit," he offers other behaviors he knows, and quickly shuts down if I say "no..." and start again.  Apparently he doesn't do well under pressure, as fun as I try to make it : /.  I suppose it will just take practice and lots of patience, but I do feel bad when he just doesn't WANT to do it and I feel like I'm making him.  *sighs*

As for acquiring certification, there are SO many different organizations/groups that offer some type of "certification," but in Maryland, there is no official title to be held.  So far, I've found it rather frustrating.  Some require extensive official hands on work, or in-depth descriptions of official classes you've led before you can apply and request to take the exam.  However, on the practice exam I took, I got every question right, and feel like I could pass the actual exam without much trouble.  It's said that doing 10,000 hours of any activity will make you almost a pro at what you do, and I'm sure I've done perhaps three times that when it comes to dogs.  So, I may have to start "teaching" classes somehow, beyond casual consultations I've done in the past to help out friends of friends.  Another thing I can do in the meantime is apply to be a Good Canine Citizen examiner, which you get a nifty badge and certificate for.  This requires an application, $50, and a written test as well, though if the application is accepted, the written test can be repeatedly taken until it is passed.  I guess I'll work on that in the meantime. 

Having some type of official recognition would be great if I wanted to start my own business involving dogs, so it's something I will indeed do my best to pursue.  Until then, we'll have to work on getting Ferguson "obedience" training up to par (can't he just lay down during the "sit" parts of the test?).