While in university studying Education for Primary children, I realized that everything I was studying about learning theory and behaviour modification in regards to human children applied to dogs as well. It became increasingly clear, that my dogs and my students learned in developmental steps akin to ‘scaffolding’. The more I learned about Education philosophy for children the more I learned about dog training. And of course, the reverse was true. The more I learned about training dogs, the more I understood developmental learning theory with children. (And yes, I did use a clicker in my classroom with great success!) I have been a teacher of humans and dogs for over 25 years and I believe in setting up positive environments where students can discover and experience the learning on their own. This meaningful method applies to dog training as well, especially in Nose Work!
I love Nose Work because the dogs get to be the leaders. As humans, we have to learn what they are telling us about the search and how to support them. You will notice that the dogs really enjoy this! Their humans are finally rewarding them for something they truly enjoy and are good at! In Nose Work, the dogs learn in developmental steps and the handlers do as well. Each step brings a new confidence to the dog and slowly but surely the handler learns what the dog is sharing about the scent picture. I have students that have been long time obedience and agility competitors that are amazed at how much there is to learn in this new dog sport. And how the learning just continues!
Back to philosophy ............
To me, using kindness is paramount because I believe that training is really about communication and relationship. To put things in perspective, I will ask people that I am helping if they would do that (a certain training method) to a child. I really do believe that dogs deserve as much kindness and patience as we give to children. I feel it is important not to betray the trust of our canine partners as they have proven to me time and again that they are always trying to do their best for us. I believe this to be true even with the 'tough' breeds. When I got my high drive Australian Cattle Dog 14 years ago, many trainers advised me that I would need to be hard on him because of his breed. I didn't believe it then and I still don't. 60 titles with no aversives or corrections. He also became an amazing therapy dog that helped special needs children everyday in my primary classroom. All due to a relationship based on trust.
And as for the titles, it is the journey to the title that has the most meaning and value. The title is just the icing on a rather large delicious cake that doesn’t even require that icing. But without it, you don’t grow as a team as much as you would if you have the goal of that title. And of course the dog doesn’t care about the title. But I think dogs do care about all the quality time they get to spend with their human. In turn, the two species learn to communicate a little better and have a whole lot of fun in the process. With that perspective, it seems that working towards titles is really about having fun with your dog! And that is really what my training philosophy is: making baby steps towards your goal with many celebrations on the way.
I love Nose Work because the dogs get to be the leaders. As humans, we have to learn what they are telling us about the search and how to support them. You will notice that the dogs really enjoy this! Their humans are finally rewarding them for something they truly enjoy and are good at! In Nose Work, the dogs learn in developmental steps and the handlers do as well. Each step brings a new confidence to the dog and slowly but surely the handler learns what the dog is sharing about the scent picture. I have students that have been long time obedience and agility competitors that are amazed at how much there is to learn in this new dog sport. And how the learning just continues!
Back to philosophy ............
To me, using kindness is paramount because I believe that training is really about communication and relationship. To put things in perspective, I will ask people that I am helping if they would do that (a certain training method) to a child. I really do believe that dogs deserve as much kindness and patience as we give to children. I feel it is important not to betray the trust of our canine partners as they have proven to me time and again that they are always trying to do their best for us. I believe this to be true even with the 'tough' breeds. When I got my high drive Australian Cattle Dog 14 years ago, many trainers advised me that I would need to be hard on him because of his breed. I didn't believe it then and I still don't. 60 titles with no aversives or corrections. He also became an amazing therapy dog that helped special needs children everyday in my primary classroom. All due to a relationship based on trust.
And as for the titles, it is the journey to the title that has the most meaning and value. The title is just the icing on a rather large delicious cake that doesn’t even require that icing. But without it, you don’t grow as a team as much as you would if you have the goal of that title. And of course the dog doesn’t care about the title. But I think dogs do care about all the quality time they get to spend with their human. In turn, the two species learn to communicate a little better and have a whole lot of fun in the process. With that perspective, it seems that working towards titles is really about having fun with your dog! And that is really what my training philosophy is: making baby steps towards your goal with many celebrations on the way.