Volume XIV, Issue 2,
May 2010
Pages 12 & 13 <previous page next page>
Round Robin Training Conversation
Therapy dog, Scarlet with Henriette, who is 98 yrs old.
May moderator:
Susan Kamen Marsicano
Apu's Basenjis
I was happy to see this suggestion from Brenda Phillips on “Crate Games”, as it is a rather new and much touted training tool. Have you guys/the readers some other new ones to add?
"It's Yer Choice" and "Crate Games" developed by Susan Garrett.
Crate Games is a $30 DVD available from many places, including Clean Run – www.cleanrun.com
Crate Games for Self-Control & Motivation DVD
Say Yes! Dog Training
Author: Susan Garrett
Format: DVD, NTSC format
Running Time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Release Date: 2007
The much talked about DVD has finally arrived! Step-by-step training that is as easy as it is effective. Crate Games for Self-Control and Motivation features not only mature dogs but puppies as young as 9 weeks old learning:
* Focus and motivation for work
* How to relax in a crate even while another dog is working
* Self-control for a phenomenal sit-stay
* A speedy and dependable recall
* Distance skills for obedience or agility
* Confidence while being proofed during any tough distraction
* To keenly offer responses when being shaped
* And much more!
As you develop an amazing working relationship with your dog, you'll see why crate games are the cornerstone of Susan Garrett's unbelievably successful dog training program and why they are now being implemented in dog training schools all over the world.
Fernie dogwalk.
Yes, agility in the rain.
Another topic from Len Reddie: Who Leads?
Hello y'all,
I came across this item in my research, and would like to know how everyone walks their B? Does the person lead, or the B? I know that I get to choose the direction of the walks, but by now she knows where every other dog, cat, pony, wild rabbit, kangaroo, lizard lives, on all of the walks that we go on (there are seven different walks that I select from), so there are no surprises for her.
I look forward to comments on this aspect of walking the B, as mine gets between 1 and 1.5 hours of walking every morning - not trying to brag, just that it is good for me as well as the B.
Here is the quote: “Keep in mind it is not solely the act of heeling, but also that you as the human are making the decision for the dog to heel. How often do you walk? Do you MAKE your dog heel or does the dog heel when it pleases just because it gets tired? Just because a dog walks well on a lead, not pulling and for most of the walk walks beside the humans does not mean the humans are being pack leaders. It really is about who is making the decisions. Was your dog calm and in a submissive state of mind when you snapped on their lead? When you left your home who went out the doorway and/or gate first? You or the dog? Is the dog deciding to heel when it wishes, but pulling to the side to sniff or walk out in front when it pleases? Or is the human consciously making the dog heel? If the humans allow the dog to decide because after all he walks "pretty good", then the dog is making the calls and that is allowing your dog to be your leader. If it is all about who is making the decisions, can I decide to let my dog walk in front? No, since instinct tells a dog the leader leads the way, your decision to allow your dog to walk in front will be communicating to your dog that you are allowing him to be your leader.” Quote from here.
Susan K-M
The person "steers." "Lead" would be a wrong idea, as that would mean one of the pas de deux is out ahead of the other.
Len, you've walked with me & my dogs, & see that I think that is entirely recreational, so would not ask them to walk in heel position at the reservoir. If I need a dog to work for me, as in when we meet a worried child, I begin using words & body language that tell them that.
The Whole Dog Journal has a piece by Pat Miller on snapping a lead on to go for a walk in the April issue.
Anne McMillan
I walk my 3 on a 1-handled tri-lead, and except when they are EXHAUSTED, they lead! They don't drag me (unless they see a squirrel or cat), they walk 3-abreast right in front of me and I love the way the leash will find it's way through their little curly tails. We don't do anything formal, like showing or obedience, and I really don't care if they go through a door first or I do. When we get home they bolt through the door and run all over the house, thereby protecting me from burglars or evil spirits. I usually decide which street we go on, but I often don't care and let them pick, especially if Topper has a strong preference. Do they "rule" us? No, we all just get along in an easy-going, mutually respectful way. People are always commenting on how good they are, if I stop to chat they just stand, or sit, peacefully. Of course, they are 10, 12 and 14, not wild teenagers!
The article on Dominance in Dr. Patricia McConnell's Blog mentions this very topic, and that who leads really has nothing to do with dominance. Often the "Dominant male" of many species will be found in the middle of the group, with the younger "scouts" (my term, not hers) out front.
I agree if you have a wild pulling dog you need to exercise some control and leadership, but with some dogs it's OK to just let them go where they want, it is "their" walk, after all. My dogs know I'm the boss, but they also seem to know they sometimes get a vote, sometimes is the operative word.
