Stage 4 Flashcards
Training purposes
- Protection
- Hunting
- War
- Sport
- Companionship
- Physical/Emotional Support
Dogs have been trained for
33,000 - 100,000 years
Modern war dogs began
when Germany opened school for war dogs in 1884
One important book on modern training was
written by Konrad Most in 1910
“Dog Training: A Manual”
advocated punishment like spike collars as well as praise
AKC developed list of official regulations and standards and introduced competitions
in between the world wars
Conrad Lorenz
Wrote “Man Meets Dog” in 1944
Proclaimed rigid “pack hierarchy” etc
William Koehler
Trained dogs for WW2
Used negative reinforcement and punishment
Ian Dunbar
Positive motivation
Lure-reward, off leash training techniques
Also created puppy classes
Founder of APDT
Karen Pryor
“Don’t Shoot the Dog”
Advocated operant conditioning
Introduced shaping and clicker training
Misconception about operant conditioning
That only “positive reinforcement’ quadrant is used
As ABC trainer you should be able to explain difference between
obedience training, problem solving, complex behavior modification, and activity training
Most owners want
combination of obedience and problem solving
Obedience training is not equal to
problem solving or behavior modification
Obedience training
- Teach dog to perform specific behaviors on cue
- Can then be used to prevent less desirable behaviors
- Learned behaviors can be used as DRAs
- Includes Sit, Sit-stay, Down, Down-stay, Focus, Release, Stand, Heel, Loose leash walking, come/recall
Problem Solving
-Elimination, management, or prevention of common behaviors that owners find undesirable
(“nuisance or “problem” behaviors)
-Sometimes owners don’t see behavior as problem - your job to point it out
-Clearly and calmly explain the problems that behavior could cause (could put on cue)
Nuisance behaviors include
House soiling Jumping Barking Digging Chewing Counter surfing Bolting Getting into garbage
Top reasons for rehoming
- Pet problems (46%)
- Aggression (32%)
- Destruction (29%)
Complex Behavior Modifaction
Solving behavior issues that are extremely difficult, complex
dog-dog aggression, dog-on-people aggression, separation anxiety, phobias, compulsions
Generally requires advanced knowledge and skill, input from vet
Referring dog is never a negative reflection on you
Difference between problem solving and complex behavior modification
Element for potential danger
If you’re not yet capable of handling certain problem
Refer to advanced trainer or vet who is board certified in animal behavior
Complex behavior issues
Resource guarding Redirected aggression Inter-species aggression Separation anxiety Generalized Anxiety Fear Aggression
Activity training
Teaching dog specific activity that demonstrates dog and owner’s skills
Includes: Agility, herding, flyball, tracking, diving dogs, rally, canine disc, lure coursing, hunting, cart pulling, sledding, shed hunting
AKC Family Dog Program
Under AKC umbrella, family dog offers range of programs that emphasize socializing and taching good manners
4 Canine Good Citizen
- AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
- Canine Good Citizen
- AKC Community Canine
- Urban CGC
AKC Star Puppy
- Must take 6 weeks of puppy or basic training class taught by AKC evaluator
- If pass all steps can enroll in S.T.A.R. program to receive certificate, gold medal, handbook
More about ASK Puppy
- Any puppy under 1 year can register (don’t need to be registered with AKC)
- Must complete 20 test steps
- Use of food/toys is allowed
- Owners must take AKC pledge
S.T.A.R. Puppy Test
- ) Show proof puppy is in care of vet
- ) Puppy appears healthy and active for breed
- ) Owner describes exercise plan
- ) Attends at least 6 classes
- ) Brings bags to class for cleanup
- ) Obtained some form of ID
For S.T.A.R. puppy, puppy must be
Free of aggression towards people Free of aggression towards other puppies Tolerates collar, harness, etc Owner can hold/hug puppy Puppy allows owner to take away treat or toy
Pre-CGC Test Behaviors
Allows petting by someone other than owner
Grooming - owner handles ears, paws, feet
Walks on leash - follows owner in straight line
Walks by other people
Sits on command (can use food)
Down on command
Comes to owner from 5 ft away
Reaction to distractions
Stays on leash w/ another person
AKC Canine Good Citizen
Rewards dogs with good behavior at home and in community
Stresses responsible pet ownership and good manners
Non-competitive 10 step CGC test
Open to all dogs regardless of breed
Owners must sign AKC CGC Responsible Owner Pledge
S.T.A.R. puppy not required but recommended
Challening - basic obedience highly recommended
CGC resolutions passed by 47 states
Required by many therapy dog groups and some home owner’s insurance
CGC Test Facts
Designed to evaluate dog’s behavior in every day situations
No wining/losing against
Must complete all 10 test items
CGC Test Items
1.) Accepting friendly stranger
Show no sign of resentment shyness, must not break position
2.) Sitting politely for petting
Owner may talk to dog
Dog may stand
3.) Appearance and grooming
Evaluator inspects dog, combs/brushes, examines ears, picks up feet
Owner may talk to and praise dog
4.) Walk
Must be a right turn, left turn, about turn with at least one stop and another stop at the end
5.) Walking through crowd
Dog/owner pass close to several people
May show some interest but should continue to walk without over exuberance shyness or resentment
6 Sit and Down on command, stay in place
Responds to sit and down and stays in position
May not force dog but may tough lightly
Tells dog “stay”, walks to end of line and returns
Dog must stay in place until evaluator instructs owner to release
7.) Coming when called
Owner walks ten feet from dog, turns and calls dog
8.) Reaction to another dog
2 owners and dog approach from 20 feet, stop, shake hands, continue for about ten feet
Dog should show no more than casual interest
9.) Reaction to distraction
Evaluator presents 2 distractions (dropping chair, rolling dolly, etc)
May express natural curiosity, be slightly startled, but should not run away, panic, bark or show aggression
Owner may talk, praise
10.) Supervised separation
Dog can be left with trusted person and retain good manners
Evaluator takes dog, moves out of sight
Dog doesn’t have to stay in position but should not continually bark ,whine, pace or show anything more than mild agitation
Rules during CGC prep classes
Can use treat pouch, specialty collars, clickers Verbal praise No harsh corrections No extra equipment or bribery Pass or Fail
What’s next after CGC
AKC Community Canine
Tested in real life situations
AKC Urban CGC
Well behaved on noisy streets, on public transportation, etc
React appropriately to urban noises, ignore food on sidewalk, etc
Additional programs include AKC Trick Dog, AKC Therapy Dog, AKC Fit Dog, and CGC-Ready
Becoming CGC Evaluator
- at least 18
- Have at least 2 years experience working full time with dogs in professional/educational capacity
- Experience w/ variety of breeds
- Not currently suspended from AKC privileges
AKC Canine Partner’s Program
- opens events to mixed breeds
- similar benefits including official certificate and participation in Agility, AKC Rally, AKC Scent Work, AKC Fast CAT, Obedience, Tracking
Working Dogs (Types)
Service, Emotional, Therapy
Some things service dogs help with
Guiding visually impaired people, alerting owner to low blood sugar/seizures, helping people w/ limited mobility , helping w/ mental illness
Johann Wilhelm Klein
Published first manual for guide dogs in 1819
in 1929
First American guide dog school opened (The Seeing Eye)
Service Animals
Dogs who are individually trained to do work/perform tasks for people with disabilities
Can assist with variety of disabilities including psychiatric
Service Animal Laws
Businesses must allow service animals to accompany those with disabilities
No documentation required, cannot ask to demonstrate work
Registration/Certificate not required
May only ask for removal of dog if dog is out of control and cannot be subdued or isnt housebroken
Or if presence would fundamentally alter nature of goods and services
Religious institutions exempt
Must be leashed/tethered unless it would interfere with work
Pet fees do not apply
Service animals on airplanes
DOT requires airlines to allow service animals at no cost
Air Carrier Access Act further protect service animals
US Dept HUD
Requires housing to provide ppl w/ disabilities reasonable accommadations
No Pet rules do not apply to service animals
May ask for documentation of disability and how dog provides assistance
if dog breed is banned, exception must be made unless animal is direct threat
Assistance Dogs International
Coalition for improving, training, placement, and use of assistance dogs
Psychiatric service dog versus emotional support dog
Service dog specifically trained to perform task
Emotional support dogs not covered by ADA
Not protected from being asked to leave businesses
Fair Housing Act
protects ESAs
someone w/ emotional support dog would be exempt from no pet policy at apartment
might need to provide documentation
US Air Carrier Access Act
ESAs must be allowed to accompany owners in cabin
Airline personal might require documentation - medical professional stating needing for ESA and existence of disability (not specific diagnosis)
Therapy Dogs
- Volunteer dog/handler teams visit hospitals,
- Elaine Smith credited with idea (late 1970’s)
Therapy Dogs Internation
- Have over 24,000 teams
- Go w/ handlers to variety of locations - schools, hospitals, retirement homes, etc
Benefits of therapy animals
- Decreased blood pressure
- -Better cardiovascular health
- Relieving stress
- Providing relaxation through petting
- Reduced depression
- Socialization
- Reduced anxiety
- Help children overcome speech/emotional disorders
- Motivation for faster recovery
- Reducing loneliness
Therapy dog requirements
-Correct temperament
-Responsible and tactful handler
-Can be registered with therapy dog organization
following training and testing
-Must have calm and inviting demeanor while remaining unaffected by strangers/stimuli
-Given tests to evaluate temperament and obedience
-Even friendly jumping could be hazardous
-Often have liability insurance
Therapy dog primary duties
Visiting hospitals, assisted living facilities
Hospices, homeless/womens shelters, rehab facilities
in home patients, areas recovering from natural disasters and traumatic events
Therapy dog laws
Not covered by service animal laws
Don’t have same privileges
Can’t accompany handler to places where pets are off limits
Pretending therapy dog is service animal is serious crime
Not covered under fair housing act
No laws requiring registration/ceritifcation
Therapy dog should match needs of facility including:
Senior Living Communities Schools Hospitals Family Courts Special Education Programs Libraries Dental Offices Disaster Relief
Therapy dog requirements
- Calm
- Non-Reactive
- Well-groomed
- Healthy
- Accepting of physical contact
- Waits for invitation to approach
- Well-trained
Breeds suited for therapy:
Chihuahua, toy poodle, french bulldog
Golden retriever, Lab, German shepherd
Therapy dog temperament testing
- Different pressures of petting
- Touching tail, paws, ears
- Person approaching, talking to handler
- Noise sensitivity
- Visual stimulus
- Some organizations provide temperament testing (American Temperamant Testing Society)
Many organizations require CGC and basic obedience cues such as
- Loose leash walking
- Recall
- Sit, Sit-Stay
- Down, Down-Stay
- Stand
- Focus
- Release
- Heel
Therapy dogs must get accustomed to
Strange objects
- Medical equipment
- Varying voices/tones
- Vacuum cleaners
- Overhead announcements
- Different floor surfaces
- Elevators
- Stairs
- Children
- Other pets
- Always positive
- Don’t force dog into uncomfortable situations
Handler requirements
- There to act as dog’s protector
- Responsibility: focus on your dog’s interest
- Should be outgoing, friendly, energetic
- Handler interacts with friendly conversation and instructions when necessary
- Might need background check, submit application, attend orientation, health screening
- Always arrive on time
- Skipping appointments could damage reputation
Ann Howie
4 components that help strengthen bond between therapy dog and handler Speak conversationally Stay in Touch Keep your Eyes on your dog Maintain close proximity
Therapy dog certification
- US has no law requiring certification
- Most organizations do require certification
- Online businesses sell therapy dog ‘registration’
- Look for one that requires team testing, provides member support and liability insurance
- Therapy Dogs International
- Alliance of Therapy Dogs
- Pet Partners
Therapy dog certifcation testing
Usually requires approaching and interacting with stranger, loose leash walking, obedience cues, reactions to distractions and other dogs
- Some only require initial test, some every few years
- Might need proof of vaccinations and other health tests
- Evaluators must be well versed in canine behavior
- Often choose experienced dog trainers to become evaluators
Therapy dog initial visit
- Research venues
- Choose one where dog will succeed
- Should have relaxed body posture at all times
- Arrange dog free first visit
Therapy dog visit advice
- Dog should be groomed
- Eat, pee, and poop before visit
- When first meeting person/group, tell them how to appropriately pet dog
- Most visits mostly invlove being with dog and petting but could also add
- tricks
- obedience cues
- fetch
- loose leash walking
- brushing
- Give dog breaks
- Plenty of water
Visit evaluatiosn
Before: watch how dog reacts as you prepare for visit
During: Should be engaged, calm, accepting of physical contact, without signs of stress
After: Is he more tired? Has his eating changed?
- Every visit should have evaluation
- If dog exhibits stress, take it slow, don’t force uncomfortable situation
- If stress continues - cancel
Temperament and Personality
Nature vs Nurture
Temperament: Genetic predisposition
Personality: Predisposition influenced by environment and genetics
Temperament
- Characteristics dog is born with
- Similar to traits: both are innate but temperament refers more to emotionality
- Not the same as personality - personality is shaped by environment
- Temperament affects personality and both affect behavior
- Most breed standards include temperament
Personality facts
Predisposition influenced by experience and genetics
Accumulated factors during puppy’s socialization periods
-Reactions to stimuli during fear periods
-Many different theories on personality types
-Divided into 5-10 distinct types
Amanda Jones created
Dog personality questionnaire
Personality definition
Characteristic patterns of behavior, emotions, and thoughts determined by biological and environmental factors
5 General Personality types
- Confident - Dominant, self-willed, stubborn
- Independent - Aloof, self directed, accepting
- Outgoing - Responsive, eager, moldable, excitable
- Sensitive - Insecure, timid, shy, fearful, nervous, submissive
- Aggressive - Combative, dominant
Personality types are comprised of several
traits (timid, stubborn, nervous, hyper, etc)
Identifying personality is important because
Dog could be mislabeled - won’t receive appropriate training
Could be rehomed or abandoned
To assess dog’s history, ask:
- What age did they leave litter?
- Did you meet dam and sire? What were they like?
- Was dog bred by responsible breeder? Adopted? Pet store?
- How did you socialize?
- Has dog ever lived in other home?
- Do you have other dogs? If so how does dog behave around them?
- Do you have small children? How does dog behave around them?
- Has dog ever bitten? If so what happened?
- What makes your dog happy?
- What is your dog’s daily exercise like?
- Does dog engage in mental enrichment?
- Is dog crate trained?
- Where does dog spend most of his day?
- What does dog do when he meets people or new dogs?
- Any important medical factors?
Reactive dogs
Those who overreact to particular situations Improper socialization and/or genetics Could have specific triggers Fear is usually the cause Not the same as aggression
Behaviorally healthy dog
Friendly or at least tolerant of both people and dogs
Should be able to be left alone
Not excessively destructive
Trainer to eliminate only in desired areas
Not a nuisance to community
Doesn’t bark excessively
Visiting vet
- Give small treats often
- Non threatening posture
- Approach from side, avoid direct eye contact
- If dog displays fearful body language, drop treats on floor
- Unruly dogs: ask to sit or other behavior for a treat
- Ignore undesirable behavior
- Don’t push dog into position
- Dogs who refuse treat are probably highly stressed
- Highly stressed/reactive dogs should be shown to exam room right away
Behavior Drives
Genetically determined instincts that cause dog’s behavior
How much emphasis dog puts on particular behaviors
Drives are innate, somewhat consistent within breeds
Purebred dogs bred for specific drives (terriers - digging, herding dogs herding, pointers pointing)
5 Drives
Social drive Food drive Prey drive Play drive Defense drive
Social drive
Innate friendliness and desire for companionship with humans and dogs
3 categories: Highly social, Neutral (Positive Neutral or Negative Neutral), Antisocial
Food drive
Willingness to offer behavior in exchange for food
Simplest motivator for training
Owners might grasp withholding food as negative punishment
Prey drive
Dog’s eagerness to chase and catch object or play tug of war
Might need to limit access to favorite toy to boost drive
Play Drive
Dogs play for variety of reasons (social interaction, practice hunting) and in variety of ways
Usually too distracting/difficult to use as effective reward
High play drive can be challenging unless you have 2 dogs
Defense Drive
Occurs when dog feels need to protect himself
Often occurs when subjected to harsh training methods
Dogs w/ low threshold for defense are poor choice for punishment
Situation could escalate quickly and become dangerous
Forces dog to choose fight or flight
Operant conditioning program is best choice
Traits and Trainability
Traits combine to facilitate or complicate process of training
Example: low food motivation, high independence
Must find dog’s “currency”
Noticing traits helps develop individual plan for dog
If dog becomes too difficult, refer to vet or specialized trainer
Training Philosophies: 4 Categories
- Force free
- Positive Reinforcement
- Balanced
- Compulsion
Force free trainers
- Only use positive reinforcement, typically food reward
- Believe punishment is unnecessary and even abusive
- Never use pain, intimidation, threats, force, or coercion
Positive Reinforcement Trainers
Use positive reinforcement
Use LIMA
prefer to reward alternate behaviors (DRA)
Includes majority of trainers include clicker trainers and ABC trainers
Prefer body harnesses, flat buckle collars, martingale, or head halters
Hands off approach - never pain, intimidation, threats, force, or coercion
Balanced trainers
Use positive reinforcement when introducing new behaviors Negative punishment (withholding reward) and positive punishment used when dogs do not comply during fluency, generalization, and maintenance Use all types of equipment including choke chains, pinch, and E collars
Compulsion trainers
You have to be 'alpha' and show dog who is boss Dog is corrected if he doesn't do behavior immediately Positive punishment (and negative punishment and flooding) followed by praise Many refuse to use treats - see it as bribery Deprive dogs of making choices Use pain, intimidation, threats and coercion Primary motivation: avoid correction Use choke chains, pinch, and prong collars
Dog training industry regulations
Unregulated
Trainers can use creative terms (“animal behaviorist”)
No behaviorists, physiologists, master dog trainers in training industry
Correct term is Dog Trainer
Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB)
Earned bachelor’s degree in either biology or psychology, and PhD in animal behavior
Broad understanding of animal behavior principles including Learning theory, Comparative Psychology, Ethology, Experimental Psychology, and Physiology
Focus on research pertaining to animal behavior
Focus on behavior issues such as reactivity, aggression, separation anxiety, compulsions
Veterinary Behaviorists (DACVB)
- Achieved board certification in Veterinary Behavior
- Knowledgeable in all aspects of animal behavior
- Required to stay current on scientific findings
- Most trainers don’t have depth or breadth of DACVB
- Work with dogs with fear, anxiety, aggression, reactivity, compulsions
- Can identify medical issues, prescribe medication
- Have access to network of trainers who specialize in aggression, etc
ABC Certified Dog Trainers
Do no condemn nor denigrate those with different beliefs
Completed program that follows LIMA and humane hierarchy
ABC CDT philosophy
Negative reinforcement and positive punishment may only be used after exhausting all other options
Must understand consequences and be ready to address them to prevent damage to dog
ABC does promote or encourage negative reinforcement or positive punishment
However, may be times when behavior limits need to be established with negative reinforcement or positive punishment
ABC philosophy: Neg reinforcement, Pos Punishment should only be used
- ) Dog has clear understanding of request
- )All other methods are exhausted
- ) Training program’s effectiveness is in jeopardy
Negative punishment
Removal of something valued
Dog must understand what caused it
Most dogs consider withholding reinforcer a punishment
Dog should learn “let me try something else”
Using lots of positive reinforcement ensures this
If neg punishment overused, dog will become frustrated because he doesnt understand
Extinction vs Negative Punishment
Extinction = not rewarding previously rewarded behavior
Not adding or subtracting a stimulus
Environmental punishment
Technically positive punishment
Involves modification of environment
Dog associates punishment w/ environmental factors like location
Usually aversive - dog might become afraid of area
Not the same as -managing- environment
Rearranging antecedents does not teach dog anything
Antecedent arrangement examples
- Installing fence dog can’t jump over
- Putting forbidden items where dog can’t get them
- Placing visual barrier to prevent dogs from fighting
- Closing curtains to prevent barking out window
- Using gate to prevent dog from exiting
- Crate training puppy to prevent chewing
- Closing closet door to prevent chewing on shoes
Positive punishment
Very controversial
Vitally important dog understands his actions caused correction
Must administer punishment as behavior is happening
Impossible to know if dog understands
Could exacerbate fear and reactivity
Correction examples
-“Shock” collars
-Leash correction w/ limited slip or choke collar
-Stepping on leash to prevent jumping/running away
(Doesn’t work on easily excitable dogs, can make behavior much worse, can damage neck and make aggression worse)
-Squirting water
-Only works if dog finds it unpleasant and is unaware of its presence
-If dog is frightened, stop immediately
-Pinch collar correction
-considered ‘self-correcting’
-dog knows when collar is on and adjusts behavior accordingly
-Extended pressure is not safe or helpful
-Front-clip harnesses and head halters work much better
Verbal/Auditory interrupter
- Uses sound to cue dog to stop
- Valuable only when dog is rewarded for stopping
Negative reinforcement
Removal of something unpleasant Example: Release collar pressure Stop electricity from E-collar Releasing downward pressure as dog assumes down
Why punishment is still popular
Punishment is perceived to work
-Although it might inhibit behavior, it is only inhibited around punisher
Punishment is used on people (speeding tickets, jail, etc)
Act of punishing can be rewarding to punisher
Bribing
Showing dog something he values prior to request
Capturing
Waiting for dog to do particular action, then rewarding him
Luring
Tempting dog w/ something he values into a new behavior
Molding
Physically placing dog in desired position
No Reward Marker
Tells dog “That’s not what I’m looking for”
Withholding reinforcer does same exact thing
Proofing
Reinforcing dog’s ability to consistently perform behavior in a variety of situations
Punishment
Anything that decreases probability of behavior
Reinforcement
Anything that increases the probability of behavior
Reward
Stimulus that reinforces response
Gives dog something he values which was hidden until behavior was performed
Shaping
Modifying existing behavior by reward any progress made toward desired goal
