How Has Your Training Changed Over The Years?

[Lablover]

Yogibear,

I was thinking more in the line of theory discussion, we could call it "How to think like a dog" of something along those lines, LOL.

We would try to have the best available like search and rescue, customs and other high level trainers.

[Sayreovi]

Lablover: If you do decide to organise a day i would like to come, i dont have many ideas but would love to learn more

[pawsaroundoz]

Hi Lablover and m-j and all

Hey, why not we have a bit of a meet/discussion about the how/what/when/where when i come down Lablover?

My thoughts were along the lines of a little bit of 'trial' type stuff if people are triallers - but using whatever you use ie clickers, food, toys...use what works, and no actual 'Instructors', just helping each other out....then break for play time or a communal walk or whatever...maybe coffee and snacks (for the people!! )

When I lived in Sunshine I used to spend Wednesday morning at an informal Obedience get together - we were all triallers and of the 5-6 regulars, 3 were judges or had multiple UD dogs.....but we used food, we laughed, we had kids join us at school holidays, a disabled man when he was on holidays, it was all very friendly and fun! After training was through those that could shared a joint dog walk and we all enjoyed that too!

I have been wondering if any of the DoL'ers have been to Mornington Peninsula Community Dog Club? The 'ads' they have in Vicdog sound good, and whilst in Vic in a few months time I should very much like to join them for a day! If they will allow me to.

Have fun this week-end everyone, Carlin and I will!

Annie and Carlin

[Lablover]

Annie,

When will you be in Victoria again? BTW after the nationals, are you planning on entering any retriever trials in Victoria?

[yogibear]

Hi lablover

sounds a bit theoretical for me lol sorry im not into sitting and listening id rather be out training and playing with the dogs if you guys plana laid back training day then yes i would be in it

yb

[pawsaroundoz]

Yogi

I think anyone interested insetting this sort of FUN training should at least get together once or twice even - just to work out what we as a group want to do and how best to do it.

After that it would be all real stuff - I am not nuts about the theoretical stuff either!

The thing is if a few of us got together and did self help fun obedience it could catch on in a big way with others....I have met lots of people over the years who love training but have had bad experiances at formal obedience clubs as they have no intention of trialling- they want to train and have FUN.

Lablover,

All being well with my mate Bob, I shall be heading down into Victoria after the Nats for a 3-4 week break....probably won't enter any retrieving trials but may well come to one or two!! Imagine that, go to a Ret. Trial to watch, ohh the luxury!

Annie and Carlin

[m-j]

When I posted I was actually thinking of a hypothetical class and what would you/people like in a training class What has been suggested is a great idea, unfortunately I wouldn't be able to come on a regular basis because of the distance, but I would definately try to make the occasional one.

cheers

M-J

[pawsaroundoz]

Hi M-J

Oh, now I feel a bit guilty coz we sort of hi jacked your first post, sorry.

Ok so you couldn't get down to Victoria, I will only be back down there for a few wekks this time...

But what is stopping you and some of your friends or other local interested doggy people, who will soon become your friends!, from doing something similer?

My 'perfect' dog training session? Hmmm, meet at a suitable location with maybe 6-10 other dog thinking folk - no one there on a 'power trip', all sharing ideas, trying different ways to acheive the result/s we want for our dog/s.

Because everyone would be there to share and learn we could take it in turns to 'lead' the group.

After a while a good socialisation break - share some goodies have a chat about what we enjoyed, what we had problems with - decide what we would like to do or work on next week... thats just my idea, others may have a totally different idea!

Annie and Carlin

[m-j]

Oh, now I feel a bit guilty coz we sort of hi jacked your first post, sorry.

Please don't I probably should have started a new topic:)

I do have people I walk with but the comp obedience, comp anything community is small here. I'm always looking for new ideas as far as training goes and a trip to Melbourne has benefits for the family also. These sound like the type of "class" I would like to attend.

cheers

M-J

[NaturallyWild]

There is a dog club in melbourne that already does all of this. Called The Kintala Club. Founded by David Weston (Association of Gentle Modern Dog Training). At the start of the day there is a free romp for all dogs (40 dogs all off lead is a sight to see). Then the training side begins with most of the dogs still off lead. They are purely positive trainers concentrating on food rewarding (also clickers along with that). You can visit their web site at www.kintala.com.au. enjoy.

[Pippi]

Hmmmm 40 dogs off lead.... what do they do with any that may be a little reactive or aggressive to other dogs, or are they unwelcome? :D

[Kelpie-i]

Hmmmm 40 dogs off lead.... what do they do with any that may be a little reactive or aggressive to other dogs, or are they unwelcome

Agree...good for some dogs, but unfortunately does not help the owner who has a dog with aggression issues.

I know for a fact that they turn away people with problematic dogs.

I'm not so sure they use motivational based training methods either, just purely food rewards.

[MonElite]

Are you able to take a photo and post it for us, it must be a thrill to see so many dogs behaving so well together.

[espinay2]

  I'm not so sure they use motivational based training methods either, just purely food rewards.

Not sure what you are trying to refer to here. The use of food IS a form of motivational training.

The Westons club and their books 'Gentle Modern Method' and others on dealing with problems etc are very interesting and very easy to read and follow. I remember when they first came out. They were a big leap ahead at the time in regards to clubs teaching purely along motivational lines and seeking a different outcome and environment to the one many clubs offered. They have managed to keep to certain ideals in their training methods which I think is great (overuse and reliance on the lead in training can be difficult to instil in new and uncoordinated handlers and to overcome if you dont have the facility to remove it as a crutch. There are ways, but not nearly as effective as removing it altogether), although I will agree they are not a club that is likely to be good for every dog. But that is ok, as there are other clubs out there as well that may be better suited to their needs (just as there are different schools whose methods may suit different students).

[Kavik]

I have their 'Dog Problems: The Modern Gentle Cure' book. Has good information about PREVENTING some problems but little to do once you have a problem, especially aggression. It is good to say socialise, but does not say that even then problems can arise from a bad experience or individual personality as the dog grows older. I socialised Zoe to buggery and she turned out dog aggressive.

IMO 40 dogs off lead is way too risky. I wouldn't do it even with Diesel, who is the best with other dogs I've ever had, non-confrontational, backs away if the dog is too much for him, comes to me if unsure. Too much of a chance for a bad experience, and for it to go very wrong if one dog goes down.

[Kelpie-i]

Kavik, I totally agree, 40 off lead dogs is waaaay too risky, it only takes one doesn't it.!

Not sure what you are trying to refer to here. The use of food IS a form of motivational training. 

The Westons club and their books 'Gentle Modern Method' and others on dealing with problems etc are very interesting and very easy to read and follow. I remember when they first came out. They were a big leap ahead at the time in regards to clubs teaching purely along motivational lines

Espinay2, I suppose "motivational" based training can have different meanings to different people. If you mean "motivational" based usng food rewards then I cannot comment on whether Kintala were the pioneers of this method.

However, earlier on in the thread comments were made about using toys and games which is the "motivational" method I was referring to. This method was first used by the Volhards in the 1970's and was shunned upon by other conventional "Khoeler" method trainers as it was sort of "left field" and they didn't understand the concept of it. Nowadays the modern meaning of motivational training is merely the layman term of working with the dog in prey drive.

[smisch]

Well, Even though I only just got my own dog I've been walking them for ages, I feel that my training has changed I mean before I went to pieces as soon as the dog growled or another dog growled at it, but now I can regain control and deal with the problem, I love the experience I've gained!