How do you apply pressure?
Pressure |
- the influence or effect of someone or something.
You can influence or have an effect on a dog’s behavior through sound, touch, taste, spatial awareness or presence. Or a combination of any of these.
In order to influence a dog to respond in the manner you wish them to respond, you have to be very good at applying the right amount of pressure (or influence), at the exact time needed, to create the behavioural outcome you are aiming for.
A key point to note, don’t see the word ‘pressure’ here and automatically assume a bad thing. Pressure is pressure. Whether a gentle embrace or a hard slap.
But also don’t assume that a gentle embrace is nice and a hard slap is mean. An embrace can be nice, but it can also be uncomfortable. A slap can be unpleasant but it can also be life-altering.
Everything is context specific.
A dog’s world can’t always be fairytales and rainbows. And it also can’t always be hammers and bricks.
Each dog has different emotional and physical thresholds. It is up to us to make sure we work those thresholds in a way that will benefit the dog.
At the end of the day the only thing that can damage a dog is us. Whether it’s through doing something or not doing something.
It is up to us to make sure we get it right.
Every time.
#dogtraining #dogtrainingadvice #creatingbehaviours #obedience #clearcanine
Dogs and being collar-wise.
Dogs being aware of training equipment they are wearing isn’t always a bad thing.
In fact, it shouldn’t be a problem.
And it applies to every training tool we use on our dogs.
While efforts can be made for a dog to ‘not know’ they are wearing a particular training tool, at some point they will know they have it on.
That’s not to say you can’t use a training tool discreetly and very effectively - dog none the wiser. When applied correctly.
But the issue stems when the dog’s behaviour is only ever reliable when the piece of equipment is on them. If this is the case, perhaps the tool has been used so excessively that the dog feels like they got a “Get out of jail” card when it came off. Or maybe the tool hasn’t been faded properly. Or else it has only ever been used to stop behaviours and nothing else. The list can go on.
A dog should never feel averse to your training tool/s of choice. The aim is to be as conservative as you can and as clear as you can. Ultimately the dog should feel like they are in control of the outcome of their behaviours.
It is our responsibility to set the building blocks for any tool we use on our dogs. The dog should always know there is an answer to the problem they are solving, and they should never be worried to solve that problem. No matter how small and simple, or how challenging it may be. No matter if tools are used to help them solve it. No matter WHAT tools are used.
Your dog should be happy to work on any equipment you choose to use on them.
As a result, I don’t have a problem with my dog knowing they have equipment on - whether it be a lead, a collar, an e-collar…whatever.
It is our job to prep them.
Once a dog understands that the tools you use on them pave a pathway to great things - to success - their whole perception changes. They go from feeling restricted to feeling liberated. And once a dog no longer feels bound, the tool isn’t their focus anymore.
You are.
#d
E-Collar - “Fury”
(Low level stimulation)
When applying low level stimulation on an e-collar a dog must never seem concerned to problem-solve a task they are asked to perform. There must never be panic or distress. The level of stimulation must always be applied at a dosage where a dog can clearly think and make decisions that will ultimately, and should, lead them to success.
Once a dog is literate in what the stimulation actually represents then, and only then, can the stimulation go higher.
Two things you must always be aware of in the use of ANY tool, including e-collars, is:
TIMING and DOSAGE.
Let me also make this clear.
Nothing you see in this video has been taught with the e-collar. Your dog must have a love for the work. They must feel empowered and in control. Once they reach this then they can be taught how to push that control even further into their reach.
In this video Fury is learning what turns the e-collar on and off. You will see towards the end of the video she gets stuck on the last command. After a few seconds I gave her a quick prompt to help her on her way and once she performed the command she was rewarded.
No drop in motivation. No panic. No distress.
This is how it should look.
* Working Level: 3
* Unit: Educator PE-900
* E-Collar Sound Box on to point out when I am using the stimulations button.
#ecollar #ecollartechnologies #motivation #dogtraining #considerthedog #clearcanine
If a dog isn’t taking food in a
training session, the food isn’t always the issue.
#motivation #dogtraining #obediencetraining #mood
Does your dog truly understand its Reward/Release Marker?
The Reward Marker signals to the dog that they have performed a desirable behaviour. It also serves as a termination/release cue - meaning the dog has permission to stop doing the behaviour and go to the directed reward source. They are allowed to move. In fact, they SHOULD move.
If a dog tends to stay put after being released from a behaviour there is a high chance this is a result of they way the release cue was initially conditioned and taught. More often than not movement is in fact what coaxes them out of position. Not the release cue at all. This is created when the marker cue and movement for reward are given at the same time.
For a true understanding of the marker cue, first a clear distinction between the cue and movement must be taught.
So how well does your dog understand it’s Reward Marker?
Test it out and see.
Take information in. Add to it. Adapt with it. Evolve with it.
How does your dog perceive the E-Collar?
How does your dog truly perceive the E-Collar?
You can condition an E-collar to mean different things to a dog depending on what purpose you use it for. So how does YOUR dog perceive it? Do you use it for motivation or aversion? Do you use it for both?
Here is a video showing my dog Fury on an E-collar after the conditioning stage. I want to make it very clear that I don’t have her under any commands here. She’s offering behaviours because she really loves to work with me, which is something that you should already have established with your dog before you introduce anything like an ecollar - the dog must love to be with you and also be mentally ready. So don’t look at her actions here, look at her behaviour. I simply want to show you what her state of mind is when she feels the stimulation on the collar. If you watch closely when I apply the stim she starts to look for the food reward.
Once your dog understands this you can start prepping them for the next stage of their learning.
The "Are you ready?" cue.
A cue that elicits excitement in a dog.
Also one of the most overused.
This is a snippet of content from my new online course that will be available soon.
Teaching a dog duration in behaviour - Time Vs Stability
#trainingmadeeasy
Our Group Class attendees have been smashing their training week after week, challenging themselves constantly and striving for bigger and bigger goals. From our Elite Puppy class to our Competition Obedience class, everyone should be proud of their progress. Some lovely faces were missing this day but we will feature you in the next reel ✨🐶
Mouse 🐭
If you know this dog you will know how outwardly focused she is. Nothing breaks her external focus. Nothing.
Liz, her dedicated owner, has tried for a long time (years) to work on getting Mouse’s engagement in any outside environment. Food worked for short stints but could be short lived. And play…well that was non-existent. Mouse had never wanted to play in any outside environment. Even with the most tempting of toys.
Until now.
I always talk about why it is important to know and learn about the dogs we are working with. This is why.
Mouse went from never wanting to play outside to engaging with her owner in a completely new environment. I know how hard Liz has worked on this and the fruits of her labour are finally starting to flourish 🍒
This wasn’t a result of any specific type of reward. We looked to the dog for the answer.
Drawing on what we know of Mouse and what Mouse understands, we were able to very quickly unlock this beautiful transformation.
Liz has never given up on this dog and I couldn’t be prouder of where they are standing today 💖 You’re amazing Liz ✨
For those that were there watching they know how big of a deal this is. And I’m so glad we were able to catch it on film 💕
We have the lovely Storm in for boarding again while his family are having a short trip interstate.
Storm may be only 6mths old but boy does he have some power behind him! This guy would pull like a freight train.
BUT, it’s not a response of strength in return that wins the battle. It’s technique, self presence and intent.
Walking is an integral part of a dog’s life. Not only does it strengthen the body but it also calms the mind.
And with a calm mind comes a rational thinking dog.
The two most important skills you need to have when training a dog.
The two most important skills you need to have when training a dog.
Anna and “Tito”
2 x owner updates from Anna and “Tito” - a private lesson client from a couple of weeks ago.
*1) Immediately after our lesson:
“Hey! I just want to say a massive thank you for everything you said yesterday ( I wrote pages full of notes) we did a nice little session just now on the park outside the house and he was on top form people came past he looked at them and straight back to me and carried on with the “yes” I can tell with time and work this is going to work 😆😆 Also he is knackered after that”
*2) Three weeks later:
“Hey! A lovely update for you. He’s sooo much better for example this mornings walk, we past several runners and builders and not one bark or fixation towards them. And a lady stopped next to me (in her car) and put her window down started talking to me and the whole time he just stood there patiently in silence!!!
He still has his off days but we all do and he’s come on so much 🤍🤍”
Change can be fast.
If you know what to look for.
A week prior to Anna getting in touch with me she had recently welcomed into her home a beautiful, big 2yr old Rottie X Bandog named “Tito”. Tito was struggling with confidence around people. He was anxious, would bark and be wary of strangers.
Something that needs to be understood when working with dogs is the actual dog. Like truly understanding them. That comes with observation and respect of WHO that dog is. When we embrace WHO the dog is, that’s when big change happens. Anna understands this. And because of that we have been able to make effective progress very quickly.
Something I focus on a lot with owners is establishing a very strong communication system and showing owners how to bring the best out of their dogs via genuine interaction. Not constant bribery. Not monkey drills. But genuine, clean interaction. Show the dog what you want. Show the dog what you don’t want. Fair and consistent handling that shows the dog how to self regulate and how to just be.
So m
“In The Details”
1-day intensive workshop
@thecaninecampus
📍Canberra, ACT
Sunday 17th March, 2024
Get your tix! Link in bio.
Getting to know Pippin
An important part of training a dog is not just the training itself. It’s getting to know the dog.
Like really getting to know them.
Who are they when all the bells and whistles of training are removed?
What do they like?
What don’t they like?
What drives their emotion? Their behaviours?
You have to look at the whole picture.
Pippin is struggling with the idea of keeping still when exciting things are happening around him. I mean, he’s a 10mth old dog. I would expect no less. And neither do I want to. He’s a young dog with plenty of life and lots of exuberance. He should never lose that.
But before I can show Pippin what is expected of him we must first connect. Once we have a connection, that’s when the cooperation begins.
#BoardandTrain
What’s your criteria?
Didn’t think it was possible to fix long term, messy obedience?
Think again.
It can be done. And you’ll be surprised just what little changes you need to make it happen.
Book tix for your Canberra spot here:
“In The Details”
@thecaninecampus
March 17th 2024
https://www.thecaninecampus.com.au/events/sharonika-williamson-in-the-details
Last chance.
Doors closing, please stand clear 🚝
What’s your finish style?
#igp #igptraining #igpdogsport #precision #speed #finishstrong
