A Punishing Phone Call

I received an inquiry call this afternoon regarding training services for this persons brothers dog. The person that called is from out of state. She asked what type of training I offered, and what methods I use. I confirmed what my Web site says: positive reinforcement, reward based training. These are the highlights of the conversation:

• Caller: "Oh, you use treats."
• Me:"I use whatever the animal finds rewarding, whether it be food, toys, attention, games etc... You can use anything the animal finds motivating as a reward."
  
• Caller: "So do you use those electric collars? The ones that shock the dog?"
• Me: "No." (I was perplexed, she said she read my Web site)
• Caller: "Well, my brother has a pit bull who is getting more aggressive. And we've already tried the training with treats and that didn't work. So now we're going to go the other route. Do you know anyone who does that type of training in your area?"
• Me: "Uuhhh... --- No, I don't."

Okay, wow...wow. There were SO many words, statements, proclamations flying into my brain wanting to come out my mouth at one time, I didn't know where to start...so I just bit my tongue and remained professional. After all, it would be hypocritical of me to use positive punishment, especially against someone I was trying to convince not to use herself.

I find it appalling that in this day and age humans still resort to this type of treatment of animals, expecting that they would actually learn something and learn it well. Allow me to make two remarks about this type of "training":

• Violence begets violence
• There is nature vs nurture, but animals are a product of their environment.

By the sound of her voice, she was in no mood to have any type of argument. She had made her decision, and that was that. She certainly didn't want to get into some philosophical discussion on the humane treatment of animals, and the better way of training. Sure, it might take a little longer on our part, but in the long run it pays off really well.

I can almost guarantee one hundred percent that reward-based training didn't make this poorly misunderstood dog "aggressive". I wanted to ask what the brother (or whomever has been with the dog) was doing in between training sessions? Or, if they were using other methods along with the treats...

That's a big misconception too...trainers that use "treats" but then alpha roll the dog or collar correct or squirt them with water.... Hello??? That's like a spouse coming home, smacking their mate around, then buying them flowers! Talk about confusing...

My only hope is that she didn't find such a trainer...and that the next person she spoke with didn't bit their tongue.

This Inquisitive Canine Now Soaring Proudly With NOOZHAWK!

Wow! Talk about exciting and completely positively rewarding! My rambling, opinionated, common sense, and dare I say slightly smart-aleck mouth (and fingers) has proven to be an advantage once again! Yep, that's right! I'm expanding outside the world of blogging and adding the very informative, local, online news Web site Noozhawk to my ventures - in a new column called "Ask the Trainer"...

Since a young girl my mother had encouraged me to speak up, take risks, take a chance (as long as I was safe - nothing crazy or illegal mind you), and "go for it". She would say "What's the worst that could happen, someone might say no?" Well, I admit it sort of backfired in junior high when I asked a boy to a dance, but finally, after all these years, it worked for me! Someone said "yes"!

It all started when the very smart, business savvy, and open-minded Chris Donahue first made contact with me... Although he had called to inquire about something unrelated, I decided to take a chance and ask if he and the publisher/owner of Noozhawk Bill Macfayden, would be interested in a "dog behavior advice column"? I'd always wanted to take the Q&A moments from my everyday dog trainer/coach life, and put it out there for the whole world to see.

Along with my moms voice in my head, there were Lorrie Thomas's and Emilia Doerr's voices in my head too... they've encouraged me to "own my expertise" and "sell it!" - talk about great Web Marketing Therapy!

So thanks to all of them, and my desire to share my advice and opinions with the world, I am now the proud writer of the Noozhawk pet column "Ask the Trainer"! The column will run on Fridays and repeat Saturdays. If you have any specific training and behavior questions about your dog, or a dog you know, or a dog you're thinking of getting, please feel free to write to me - your question just might end up on Noozhawk!

Wishing you all the self confidence you need to own your expertise, in whatever you do!

Impulse Control Issues: this dog trainer has them too

Okay, so my lovely sidekick Poncho has totally busted me! He was just posting one of his great answers he adapted from our Noozhawk advice column, and mentioned the "Sees" incident, so I guess I need to come clean.

Yes, I admit it, similar to dogs and counter-surfing, I have impulse control issues too... Although, I've been able to restrain myself most of the time, once in awhile, my morals breakdown...as both my husband and dog have pointed out.

We were out and about on my husbands birthday - enjoying our time in Santa Barbara (Poncho wrote about this too), and I thought I'd stop for a Sees lollipop on our way home - this is my dessert...they last longer and taste good. I know, it was my hubby's birthday, but he wanted to be nice...and didn't mind stopping.

Now, just to make it clear, my husband doesn't like chocolate - or any candy for that matter. I know, at first I thought this was weird, but then I realized "more for me!" Anything he gets, he gives to me... Yea!!!

If you've ever been to Sees you know they give out samples - wow! Talk about positive reinforcement!!! HELLO??? How great is that!? And how smart are they!!! The perfect positive association, right? No wonder they do so well!

Anyway, I only buy the lollipops, nothing else, although my favorite treat there is the chocolate covered ginger...and hey I'll eat most every sample they give me - I don't though, not usually. But that day, yes, that day was different. Celebrating birthdays, outings to Santa Barbara, ran a lot over the weekend...I deserved it gosh darn-it. So I lied! Yes, me, the always responsible, always truthful, lied!

They were giving away the chocolate covered vanilla cream, which I took ever so easily, AND asked for a sample of the ginger...my favorite - saying it was for my husband who was outside with Poncho! OMG I totally used him as my excuse knowing full well that he wasn't going to taste one miniscule drop!

This wasn't pre-mediated... just impulsive on my part. I was going to wait until after dinner...but lo and behold there was a traffic jam, so to help with my mood in the car, I ate them...both of them! Once again, impulsive behavior... And ya know what? They were great! Totally hit the spot! It was worth every impulsive act, every lie, and every calorie!

Impulsive? Yes. Normal behaviors of humans? For many of us, yes. So there ya go Poncho, I confessed. As Poncho's dad has pointed out, my morals finally broke down... I guess we all have our moments...at least no one got hurt.