Dr Ian Dunbar

[Kelpie-i]

Hi LL

I think he said they were pups from 12 to 18 weeks (correct me if I'm wrong anybody).

[Rusky]

I really really wish he had come to Perth I am so jealous of you all. Was speaking to a chap tonight from Adelaide he said a few from his club had gone and enjoyed the seminar.

[Erny]

Dr. Ian Dunbar's seminar (NSW and Melbourne)

Some bulleted points on his views:

• You're right, Kelpie-i. He takes pups at 12 weeks of age.
  
• Agrees that socialisation of pups should start early (ie 8 weeks ... ). Agrees there are risks for disease, but these are so slight in comparison with the behavioural risks associated with an undersocialised dog, it isn't worth not socialising. Eg. Parvo .. can be trampled into the house from the soles of your shoes. Does suggest you leave your outdoor shoes outside pup's area. Parvo can be carried in the wind. (Eg. Dog poo dries, becomes powdery and molecules are carried in the wind). Reason for him not taking pups until 12 weeks is only a developmental one ... there are plenty of things that a puppy owner can be doing with their pup before they come to him. (Eg. Hand feeding, socialisation etc. etc.)
  
• Pups need to be taught to like food treats (if they don't already). Dog MUST enjoy food treats to train his way.
  
• Therefore, ALL food must be fed from the hand. First rule (under his regime) - throw away the dog bowl.
  
• Dogs learn fastest when "positive reinforcement" AND "positive punishment" is used. However, his "positive punishment" is use of voice tone.
  
• He doesn't think the 4 quadrants of dog training principals are clear - hence he sees the quadrant as only 2. IE +punishment and +reinforcement. I did understand what he was driving at, here, and I have previously pondered on the "fine line" between, say, Negative Reinforcement and Positive Punishment, when viewed from the dog's point of view. But to discuss the same would probably be the subject of another thread - and I'm not sure I'd be able to express myself particularly well in writing (although I'd give it a really good shot if need be. :rolleyes:)
  
• Because dogs learn faster using the combo of +reinforcement and +punishment, he has no room for "Clicker Training" techniques, which engage only +reinforcement. I definately agree with him there.
  
• Clicker training also doesn't comprise different tones that the voice can use to intone encouragement.
  
• Where a dog has already received/learnt value from engaging in undesirable behaviours (such as chasing live stock etc.) then to train the dog away from this, aversives would more than likely need to be introduced into training.
  
• Trains pups off leash - I like this idea too. Particularly because I see far too many people/handlers that have become leash dependant, rather than working their own body language and verbal skills to achieve results from their dog.
  
• Adolescent dogs which have not come up through his training regime, however, do need to be worked on lead.
  
• Although he doesn't talk in terms of the 4 quadrants, does agree that negative reinforcement has a huge impact on the dog. His concern is that handlers don't use it knowingly and with as deep an understanding of "the dog" as is necessary to avoid detrimental affect.
  

These are some of the things off the top of my head, that were covered throughout the seminars. I'll add more as I think of them. No doubt, I'll need to refer to my scribbly, illegible notes to remind me.

[MonElite]

Erny were you in Sydney last weekend (yesterday)????? at the seminar???

[Lablover]

Erny,

Good writeup. Sooooooooo, do you learn anything new?

[Erny]

Yes Myszka! All 3 days (Friday-Sunday). I didn't think I would be (didn't want to travel on my own - don't know Sydney and I have a tendancy to get lost ). But then a couple of colleagues said they were interested in going and we all went up together. Were you there, by chance?

Erny,

Good writeup. Sooooooooo, do you learn anything new?

Hi Lablover! :rolleyes: New? Hhhhhmmm ... not so much "new", but more a difference in perspective at some of the stuff I did know but didn't use as much as I might. So, from that point of view, I did 'learn' from it. Can't say as I can see how his logic would work for EVERY dog, though. Hey - but it's about tools for the tool box, as they say. And there were some really good ideas I got out of it in relation to puppy training.

Now I'm all ready for the K9/SAR Victorian workshop coming up sooooooon!

Edited March 6, 2006 by Erny

[Lablover]

Glad you had a great time.

Edited: Sorry incorrect reply. Hot from mowing the lawn!!!!!

Edited March 6, 2006 by Lablover