This week’s topic in our Never Shock a Puppy campaign is barking. And, if you’ve ever seen those border collie t-shirts that say, “Welcome to the BARK side,” you know I speak from experience. Some dogs, some breeds, simply bark more than others.
This week’s topic in our Never Shock a Puppy campaign is how to teach loose leash walking. Because it’s completely aggravating to have a dog who is terrible on leash, it is no surprise that so many people turn to shock collars, choke collars, or pinch collars to feel like they have some control. I disagree with those tools and methods, of course.
This second week in our Never Shock a Puppy campaign, we’re talking about the Top 5 Reasons People Turn to Shock Collars. It’s the last of our foundation posts before we begin addressing each situation in turn and offering alternative training ideas.
You’ve surely heard the tale of James and the Giant Peach. Well, today let me tell the the story of Ginko and the Giant Pile of Peach Pits.
Imagine my excitement to learn that someone is offering Treibball classes at the county fairgrounds, not hideously far from us. We mentioned this new ball herding sport briefly a while back. Goodness knows we have zero time for something new, but I had hopes.
Typically, Lilly can tell from my morning routine whether or NOT I have time for a long walk. Sure, I’ve accidentally fooled her before, as told in Signs Point to Yes, but usually she knows or at least waits (somewhat) patiently until she has enough information. This process, including how she can guilt me into walking even when I’m short on time, inspired this story told in photos from Saturday morning.
Because we’ve had less than zero luck trying to use BAT (behavior adjustment training) in the real world with dogs (because the ones we run into have their own issues), I tried doing a little BAT work with Lilly and this one black-and-white horse who loves to run out and follow us (along the fence line) on our walks.
When we’re teaching or shaping a new dog behavior, many of use the click/treat strategy that marks the behavior (click or verbal marker like YES!) just before we reward the behavior (with food or a toy). Dogs need to know every time they get it right … at first. Later, we introduce more intermittent reinforecments, where the dog doesn’t know which correct response will earn a reward. We’re told that a variable reinforcement pattern is the MOST motivating one out there.
Do not faint. We actually have dog training news to report. For the FIRST time since February 3, Lilly and I went to our advanced pet dog training class (drop-in) last Sunday. It’s a miracle. I know.
The quest to stay somewhat sane, more than healthy, and not to flabby includes eeking out time to take Lilly for our usual 3-mile walk as often as I can muster. Last week, while we stood roadside as two cars passed us (one each direction), Lilly up and killed a poor little ground squirrel. I felt terrible.
