9 days of training

[loverocksalot]

So will be working on my lecture for the next 9 days.
So far this is what I have to cover. WOuld love input.
How am I an expert? Well I am not a training expert. But I am a Therapy Dog handler, My Dog holds Canine Good Citizen, American Temp Test and Therapy Dogs International titles. I occasionally volunteer at local shelters and I am a volunteer with The Real Pit bull a non for profit organization that promotes and educates R + training. Today I will share my experience and what worked for best for us. I assure you The things you learn about how I handle my dog, is safe to do at home with your dog at on a daily basis. However always consult with your vet prior to doing any exercises especially anything involving jumping as young dogs are not developed enough to jump.

Slide 2 with pics of me working with Rocky and a shelter dog. MY EXPERIENCE
I adopted Rocky from a shelter in 2005. I decided to get right into training, especially since I had adopted a Pit Bull. I wanted to have a well behaved dog. So right away I signed up for classes locally. Rocky was already a very good puppy and new how to sit, down and walk nice. The other dogs seemed to be naughty compared to Rocky and some of the trainer having them “check” their dogs for pulling ahead or pushing them into a down seemed to work and I did really like it. But since I did not have to do it and did not “check” Rocky as I was told too when he forged ahead, all seemed ok with me so we graduated and went on to the next class. This time Rocky was not seeming happy to go to class. Shortly in he would start whining and crying. (something he still does when bored or nervous). This class was a little more advanced and had different dogs in it. Again they seemed naughty. People complained about their dogs behaviors and this trainer showed how to fix the problem. It worked for the moment but I was disliking it. One of the lessons would be for the dog to stand stay for examination. Now getting Rocky to stand was our toughest comand. And stay was difficult too. Rocky was a very happy to see people jumpy puppy. Trainer went around doing what he called “examination” which is in the show dog world to stand stay while being touched. As trainer approached and reached out to touch Rocky, Rocky jumped on him. This man grabbed my sweet puppy by the collar and yelled OFF! You don’t do that. As he held Rocky’s collar tight in a choke hold Rocky turned and air snapped at him. This resulted in trainer grabbing the collar pulling him off the ground, choking and shaking Rocky yelling DON’T YOU DO THAT TO ME. I was horrified. After class I sat in the car and apologized to Rocky. Then I realized something. This man just taught my well behaved sweet puppy that when someone tries to pet you it can be a bad thing. I went home and confided in forum members who encouraged me not to go back. One girl who I am now friends with referred me to a trainer in NJ. I never went back to that other class again. This time sittinng in on a class that my friend referred me too, I liked what I saw. It was very different. They were using clickers to train and talking all happy and having a happy party when the puppy did what they wanted. So I signed up for the next class session. Which cost me double what the other classes cost and I had to drive close to an hour to get there. However it changed my life with my dog. Rocky turned out to enjoy clicker training and he was a fast learner. I am not an expert in training, I am an average stay at home mom who is passionate about raising good citizens. My dog included. He later passed canine good citizen at a year old then at 2 he took the American Temperament test passing that as well. Two years ago he passed the Therapy Dogs International test and is now a certified therapy dog. Today I am going to talk about positive training and how it has proven to work for me. I am advising you not to try any methods seen on tv that come with a disclaimer for you not to try this at home. Also I advise that before you do any training with your dog make sure they are cleared to be healthy and in good condition to begin training.
Next slide is a news clip on cesar milan does not show him in a good light. but leaves it up to audience to decide.
next I will explain
clicker and operant conditioning. and history
treats and pouch
then show paul owens video on marker training.
collars leashes and harness
Basics of Positive training. showing another short paul ownes video on getting paid.
Playing the magnet game and a short video clip of Paul Owens showing how to play it. Rocky and I will also demonstrate it throughout the program.
Unintentional Training
Problem Behaviors
Tricks and games
Inara and Rally
Oh and Suzi I want to ask permission to talk about Dharma too.
Some of the Bat stuff
And somewhere in there I am going to train my friend using negative methods and then switch to positive if we have time I might allow them to work in pairs to try it.
And more stuff too. I keep thinking of what I want forgetting and then remembering again. I have so many books my head is spinning. I also have some stuff from the training for idiots book I will likely add.
What do you think. Mary I would really like your input on it. Does anyone know how to upload a power point somewhere so it can be viewed?

[maryellen]

do you do any actual therapy work? like go to places? that really should be mentioned if you go to places to do therapy... or if you went places then you can say he is a therapy dog.. i say rufus is a retired therapy dog as he doesnt do therapy visits anymore if people ask. other wise it all sounds good, maybe have rocky do some of his tricks you taught him? that would be cool if he did his tricks in front of everyone..

[loverocksalot]

Yeah I will do tricks. I am also going to show how he can go to his spot lay down and relax all without saying a verbal command. Oh and I might add NILIF. some things will depend on the audience to top it off I just found out a friggen meeting about where our kids might go to High school has just been set up for same night. darn it I just cant get a break with these programs always something going on and then people cancel. Before the announcement of that I had about 18 signed up so far.
I do not have a regular therapy visit program. I have done programs at library and have been fighting for past two years to get a reading session going at the library but I am starting to think the children's programer has a pit bull problem. She said she had to make sure none of the kids in story time are allergic to dogs first. I have to talk with the library director to see if I can do a program where parents sign there kids up to come in one on one or a small group. I do street therapy from time to time. I only re registered him this year to attempt a reading group again. And so I still have insurance to do programs at the library. So I usually tell people I am doing non traditional therapy like when a local marine was killed I took Rocky dressed in his therapy gear to the parade. Rocky and I also stood outside the church on the day of the funeral which actually sobbing people stopped and smiled and petted him. He was even seen on the news as the procession passed. That is about all we have done. We went to nursing home a few times. Rocky would do best with children or veterans just have not gotten the venue yet.

[pitbullmamaliz]

I'm so honored to have Inara included in there!

Sounds like it will be a well-rounded, informative presentation. :-)

[maryellen]

just make sure that the therapy groups dont need a certain number of visits, i know B & B wanted a certain number of visits to keep the therapy title so just be careful..

you can do schools with reading programs. i know Walnut Ridge in Vernon loved when rufus came to do the reading program, and they knew he was part pit bull cause i told them.. vernon is not that far from you so check them out, and the local elementary schools near you too

[loverocksalot]

WOW I cant stress more the importance of flat out asking or visiting a class for yourself. As part of my prep I visited a local training school which I actually found out about on here from a couple of members. It was not horrible but based on the website of the school I was a bit fooled here is why.
acadogtraining.com/
I incorporate humane training techniques that encourage appropriate behavior through such positive reinforcement as food, attention, play, or praise and I ignore undesirable responses or withhold rewards until the dog behaves appropriately.

Now what I observed was a few things that struck me. First I observed first a therapy class then basic 1 training. This class was week before test on both.
First notice was a shy dog looked like Vizsla (not sure spelling) he was wearing a rope type choke. Confused at that. He seemed so shy and laid back plus handler has 3 other therapy dogs at home. In TDI no type of training collars are allowed. In fact one test spot I did not take Rocky because not even martingale was allowed. Now in the class they were not being trained just practicing for the test. I was watching some of the handlers who I assume have taken classes there pop the leash in order to get their dog to sit.
So I stayed for next class. In between I tried talking with trainer. I was wearing my RPB t shirt and I expected her to be getting out her treat bag. So I showed her my new bag and she showed (clicker in show through pocket). Figured this might start conversation. Not so much at all. Now the dogs started coming in. First dog wearing an easy walk harness so I was like maybe I misjudged. Until trainer began talking with the handler about the girls brothers dog that would be coming in and how it is time for brothers dog to downgrade let me go get the chokes. She went and got a bag of choke collars. I was thinking about how I would exit because I did not want to waste any more time there but still I was curious to see what would be done with that choke. So I hung. Other dogs came in I think all wearing flat collars. Then I was compelled to stay when a young female pit bull came in wearing an obviously new head halti. Then came in the brothers dog looked like a golden mix wearing both a prong and a choker. Trainer was so excited about the new pink strangle collar. She had them remove the prong and start using choke instructing how to keep it up high. Now I was staying to see what the heck and hoping this pit bull owner would notice my shirt. I am very confused about the use of the strangle collar as there was no collar corrections involved just keeping it up high which as far as I could see did nothing nor was necessary this dog probably would be just as well on a front clip harness. Supposedly this dog came a long way. but the dog was so excited about treats and very playful. As for ignoring the unwanted as stated on website. Telling people to push dog into a sit is not that at all in my opinion. Second for basic 1 I think they were doing things way ahead like things to work on in intermediate. Some of the dogs were still needing to be lured into downs and sits. This has nothing to do with anything just something that we never did in the positive clicker training class- At the end the dogs were let loose 2 or 3 at a time to play with one another. Glad I did not bring Rocky with me he would have had a fit.
So the girl with pit bull did notice my shirt and I did get a chance to tell her that I use the front clip harness. She responded would not hold back her dog and they tried the pinch but did not work. that was it for conversation everyone was leaving and I was not impressed at all. So I said thank you to the trainer who apologized that she forgot I was there and told me to email or call her tomorrow. SH8t I was hopeful it is only 15 min away. She does afternoon classes and rally and agility and such. I need a part time job. I am f'd for ss and medicare I have 20 yrs to worry but because I have been stay at home mom for 20 yrs gvt is screwing me if I dont work soon. I want something like this. Do you think I could do a few private lessons and charge real cheap rates since I dont feel that qualified. But after seeing with my own eyes, I could handle basic stuff. I thought of applying at pet smart or something but my local petsmart does not even carry clickers or treat bags so that says something right there. Plus I figure if I work there I have to sell people chokers if they want them. IDK So far all I have to refer people too around here is Dee from the hikes. At least an hour drive from here and she does not have a place yet. Or to pam dennison www.positivedogs.com/ which is at least hour and hour and 20 min which I think is well worth it but who has time in their lives especially people with families. However she is doing online classes using her book which is an awesome idea. There are a couple of local people doing classes at the vet and one at a high school. I am going to send them emails and flat out ask exactly what they do and do they use any type of training collars or forceful training.

[RealPitBull]

CA, liking the outline. Like I said in the other thread, I'd remove mention of operant conditioning and talk of quadrants.

[loverocksalot]

OK but I have a feeling it will come up. I was going to show what the outcome of the use of clicker training was for us. By having Rocky do the box game and go to his spot lay down relax. Was all from shaping something Rocky absolutely loves.
Oh and I forgot I want to show Pam Dennisons vidios of training the pig. It works for the pig and I find it funny to watch them put a harness on the pig. LOL It seems more effective to watch them train a pig with it. Therapy pig training !

[loverocksalot]

Not sure if I posted this already but here is therapy pig training week 1
!

[michele5611]

I think you have a lot of really good ideas and have no doubt that it will be great!

I think it is a wise decision to try not discuss the mechanics, principals, technical aspects of training per se. I like the idea of presenting the lecture as more of a lecture based on your experience with Rocky and general training info. Think it is important to discuss the different types of training in a very rudimentary way-just sort of the basics.

Mary is correct when she says that people will start asking you all sorts of training questions. Whenever Mary and have a RBP table I tend to do a lot of the talking and interacting with people with regards to nutrition and pit bull basics however, as soon as I get a training question I defer to Mary as I am not a certified trainer and do not feel it is appropriate to really give out training information. I will tell them I use positive training and explain briefly what the difference between the different types of training is but I do not go into operant conditioning ,etc. Also a lot of these people have limited and basic knowledge of training in general and I certainly don’t want to confuse them or give them an incorrect technique.

Showing them what you have done with Rocky and presenting it in a way that hey this is my experience and what I did and worked for me as opposed to not making it a formal training lecture (not saying this is what you are doing) will make it easier for you and also make it a more relaxed presentation for you! Can’t mess up or forget talking about what your already know!

In any event I can’t wait to hear all about it! Make sure you get someone to take lots of pics! I know Rocky will shine as well.

[loverocksalot]

Thanks guys. I actually just spoke with Pam Dennison on the phone and I will be referring people to her online class and book. As well as the Paul Owens DVD where they can find help for most of those questions they may have. I can handle the usual stuff like food stealing. Running out the door. Jumping on people that sort of stuff. My plan is rather to show how to avoid that kind of stuff by giving some scenarios on what can be done daily to encourage the behavior you want as opposed too "correcting" a behavior.

[loverocksalot]

She is moving her facility in a month was hopeful it would be closer to me but makes no difference in distance.
Washington NJ

[drewsthepits]

Sounds like a lecture I would love to see, I am sure it will be enjoyable. Sounds like you'e had some bad luck with scheduling but I definitely hope people come and see cuz I think you have a lot to offer. The P+* training( i think its referred to) is the way to go and you'd be surprised how few people really use it.
Even me, now, I am still trying to stop little things like leash-corrections because it's what a paid trainer taught me to do with my first two dogs. People NEED to hear from you and the methods you use, it will help a lot of dogs.
Anyway if you are ever in the shore area monmouth/ocean doing that stuff please let me know!

[maryellen]

washington is closer then belvidere ...

[loverocksalot]

True but for me it only makes like a 4 min difference. Still an hour and a half. Thank You Drew I think you are doing awesome with your pup. I will admit I too have found myself on occasion yanking back the leash. And it has been a long while since I was in that type of class. I was looking through The complete idiots guide to Positive Dog Training. Chapter 13 talks of loose leash walking and Heel. I have been doing it all wrong. Its no wonder Rocky reverted with that. It sure is work I tell ya. But should last a lifetime.

[loverocksalot]

Just found out I have at least 2 people who are coming that dont even have dogs. They signed up because they heard how great the other programs were and they just want to meet Rocky. I told them it's fine they dont have dogs because they might be able to use some of the ideas to teach their cats tricks.

[catstina]

That's great to hear, CA! Glad Rocky has made such an impression on people!

[loverocksalot]

Thanks 3 days left to work on it. Something I should be doing instead of looking at forum and facebook. LOL

[catstina]

LOL, there is always time to procrastinate!

[suziriot]

Wow, this sounds like an awesome presentation. You're going to be great Carolann!!!