The Journey!

I have an amazing little Pug, CH Brenich Sharp Dressed Man, known to everyone as Sharpie. I like to refer to him as my Border Collie in Pug clothing. He would do anything I ask him to do, and do it with energy and enthusiasm.

With Sharpie by my side I embarked on the journey into K9 Nose Work. He took to it immediately! What Pug wouldn't? He got to find food and eat! A perfect sport for Pugs! We attended a 2 day seminar in Iowa and we were both hooked. I knew I wanted to teach this activity but I needed Sharpie's help to achieve that goal. 

I received my certification earlier this year but it wasn't until today that I realized just how much Sharpie has learned and just how much our partnership has taught me. Through the last 2 years he has learned to recognize 3 individual odors. Sharpie has learned to search vehicles, interior rooms, exterior locations, and containers for these odors. He has learned to tell me when he has found the hidden odor, in anticipation of his food reward. He has won an element In a trial, the first Pug in the history of the sport to do so. He has yet to get his initial title. We've competed at two trials. I failed him the first time, as nerves got the better of me and I called the first search too early. We passed the remaining three elements. The second trial we almost didn't compete as he was recovering from an eye injury. But he got the okay from the vet and although he wasn't as jazzed up as usual in the morning, he passed the afternoon elements with flying colors, even winning the exterior search in less than 10 seconds! He has proven that a Pug can do anything the owner is willing to teach.

More importantly he has taught me how to trust my dog. He has taught me to pay attention to the smallest of details as he searches. Details such as breathing patterns, body movements, ear positions, and tail positions. He has taught me patience. He has taught me humility. He has taught me that it isn't whether you pass, it's about having fun together.

His search style has helped me to be a better instructor for my students. He's taught me to think about the "why" if a search isn't easy. His ability to find the edge of the scent cone, affectionately known as the "Sharpie circle" to everyone who knows him in the sport, has taught others to really learn to watch their dog, and to stop worrying if they go slightly outside the search area. Sharpie has taught me to get creative when faced with each new problem we encounter together. Our experiences together have helped me be a better instructor so my students can be better trainers.

All of my initial Nose Work students have now passed their initial odor recognition test. Two have passed the second odor as well. One is competing at the same level as Sharpie and I. I've made some wonderful new friends, fellow instructors who are enjoying their own journeys, and fellow competitors who are having fun seeing what their own dogs can do. 

I owe it all to an amazing Pug who gives me 100% every time! Sharpie, thanks for letting me take this ride with you. You never cease to amaze me. We will enter another trial soon. And I promise to try not blow it again! Be patient with me. I am a human after all!

Unintended Consequences

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I have historically resisted going to the dentist. Fortunately for me I found a dentist that doesn't terrify me as much, so I've been pretty good about seeing him routinely for cleanings. I've had a tooth that for the last several years I've been told, at every visit, needs a crown. For a variety of reasons, excuses really, I've put that procedure off. What does that have to do with dog training? Well as many of you know I had a dental emergency last week. The Unintended consequences for the decision to put off the crown procedure were a fractured molar, bone infection, pain, swelling, surgery, and a bone graft. And yet to come, an implant.

Every training decision we make can have Unintended consequences as well. More often than not, the consequence is not a positive one. Many owners, in their efforts to "correct" one perceived bad behavior, are left with other behaviors that may be more harmful to the dog, the relationship, or innocent bystanders.

Here are some common scenarios we see every week in training:

Electronic stimulation collars: Why these are available in big box retailers, hardware stores, and elsewhere is beyond me. Most owners want to use them for one of two reasons - aggression/reactivity toward other dogs or failing to come when called. These collars deliver a pain stimulus at varying levels and durations when the owner pushes a button. The Unintended consequence?

Dog barks/lunges at other dog -ZAP! His perception is that the other dog now causes pain too! He is quite likely to be more reactive or react quicker the next time. What happens if the owner's timing is a little off and the instant the dog notices a child near the scary dog -ZAP! You guessed it! The dog now begins to fear children as well. 

Dog fails to come when called -ZAP! The dog doesn't know at that moment he is being corrected for not coming, especially when he's too busy chasing something. He either becomes desensitized to the pain, or worse yet, keeps running because the pain doesn't make sense! What if the owner's timing is off on that button? "FIDO COME!" Is repeated just a couple times, he is just turning after making the decision to head back to the owner -ZAP! Now coming when called is painful. Forget it now!

Underground containment systems: this is the biggest source of frustration for owners, and something I get called about on a weekly basis. The dog learns to stay within the boundaries or risk pain crossing through the barrier. While I will agree a dog safely in the yard is better than one risking being hit by a car, there are some Unintended consequences I see over and over-

Uncontrolled barking - territorial aggression, frustration at being unable to visit beyond the barrier, but still being able to see the entire neighborhood's activities, and boredom all lead to barking. Once a dog is barking in this situation is is very difficult to change unless the owner is willing to change how the dog is managed outside.

Aggression toward unfamiliar dogs - friendly breeds such as Golden Retriever and Labradors just want to play. Those that choose to test the fence, and receive several painful "lessons" , or break through the fence, now begin to associate the sight of unfamiliar dogs with pain. Pain is a powerful motivator. This quickly develops into full blown aggression for some dogs.

Destructive behaviors - owners often leave their dogs outside unattended to "have fun" and "play", or for exercise by themselves. Well guess what dogs do to amuse themselves? They dig up flower beds, they chew on siding or landscaping, and they run and bark at others in the neighborhood.

Physical punishment techniques for biting, etc: old school training techniques based on force and intimidation have sometimes devastating consequences. "Alpha rolls", "scruffing", or muzzle grabs can all cause fear based aggression toward owners or people in general. When a dog chooses to defend itself from these techniques, and a bite occurs, who gets the blame? Would you not defend yourself if someone you knew repeatedly grabbed you, pinned you down, or pinched you? We call this domestic abuse when it involves two humans.

"Walking" a puppy before he learns what impulse control is: all puppies need exercise and without it, there are other Unintended consequences such as destructive chewing. But allowing a puppy to pull its owner everywhere it wants to investigate, pull to greet people and other dogs, and jump up to say hello, leads to an adult dog with the same habits. He learns these behaviors work and then suddenly, one random day in the dog's life, suddenly these behaviors are not okay. Now, without rhyme or reason for many dogs, they might even be painful (I.e. Owner uses pinch/shock collar).

The message: train, don't complain. If you feel you have to change a behavior beware of the Unintended consequences you might end up with. Your goal should be to change the behavior in a humane way that makes sense to your dog. Otherwise it might be a more painful, more expensive consequence just like my tooth!