I’ve had a long, dry spell of melancholy. Which explains my lack of posting and checking in here on the blog. These bouts are few and far between, but when I hit a skid into a training funk, it’s best for me to keep my mouth closed…or my hands quiet on the blog.
There are several contributing factors to this funk. Briefly:
- uneducated veterinarians (few and far between, thankfully) who provide outdated, inaccurate information to their clients about dog behavior
- dog owners who are unwilling to listen to facts or to reason
- dog owners who only want to hear the easy answer — even if it isn’t the right answer
Add to storm above that my sweet Baby Caysun’s going to be leaving us in two weeks [and there’s no replacement pup on the radar yet] and you’ve got one big, emotional, grumpy, and frustrated trainer on your hands.
I’ve started [and finished and deleted] blog posts about all the things I listed above. I’ve made it my life’s ambition to walk the clicker training walk, though, and found that almost all of the posts I wrote were not in the clicker training frame of mind. So I simply went silent.
The good news is that my funk has stabilized. I think I’ve hit rock bottom. The only place to go from here is UP! We’re stealing away with the dogs this weekend to my parents place on Lake Anna. It’ll be sweet Baby Caysun’s swan song — her last trip to the lake with us (I’m tearing up even thinking about it…) and I’m taking my shiny, new, fancy camera to get lots of pictures of that sweet girl. And video. And even underwater video with our cool GoPro camera! I’ll post lots of pics and video upon our return.
If you’ve got an uplifting story about your dog, please leave me a comment! I need a little good news long about now…
Sorry you will be losing Caysun. She sounds so wonderful. I don’t know how you do it—bond and fall in love and then give away. It says a lot about you and your willingness to give to others.
I don’t have a Lizzie story but I have a good story that might help cheer you up. I’ve started up a new program at Your Dog’s Friend called the Foster Dog Alliance. We started our pilot group a few weeks ago. Basically, people who foster for rescues and shelters are eligible to pay $60 to have access to up to three training classes a week (Beth and I are offering them), access to a website with helpful links, and access to advice via email or phone at any time. They bring foster dogs until they are adopted out and then can bring in new fosters, etc.
So here’s the cool part. We have number of people in our pilot group who have been using “corrections” and other non-clickerly approaches to training. All of them have embraced a new way of training and are making great progress with their dogs. AND they enjoy it! It’s thrilling to watch. So look at the good you have done. You put two KPA grads out there who are able to reach out to people who work with many dogs year in and year out. That’s something to celebrate!
Ah, Sarah…music to my ears! I love what you’re doing! I tell people all the time how impressive you and your accomplishments are! I think fondly of our workshops! It’s so gratifying to hear of all the good that you, Beth, and Your Dog’s Friend (http://www.yourdogsfriend.info) are doing! THANK YOU!
I bet a Haiku update would cheer you up! She has pink feets (and a pink tail), but even cuter than that is this -> We have a special place to go walking where she can be off leash. She never goes more than 10 feet from me, checks in frequently and comes bounding over whenever I call her. Often she runs back to me just for fun!
She used to hate getting her feet wet, but a few years ago I took her to a quiet lake and clicked her for just looking at the water. Didn’t do much after that (it was winter) but ever since I have a dog that loves splashing in the water! I think tomorrow we’re going to go wading. Still trying to teach her to like swimming…
Laurie – You will have such fun at Lake Anna. I always love seeing your photos from there. I grew up on a lake and your photos bring back great memories. I’m having similar issues with outdated vet advice. It’s a long, slow climb, but we’ll get there! Keep on keeping’ on!
Well just 8 months out of a shelter my fractious boy Cody and I started a journey together. We entered the Karen Pryor Academy. With your guidance he saw me through that and has been helping me ever since. Now he’s a demo dog in classes and a neutral dog for behavior modification for other dogs. In just a couple of weeks he’ll be a demo dog in a new prison program. All of this because he (I believe) is just plain awesome and you are an awesome instructor.
Sorry to hear that Caysun is going so soon. Here is some good news- after taking a little KPA break Pagan and I are back in the swing of things and guess what? Training is getting easier! I’m not saying that we are rocking these ridiculously hard assignments, :-), but I find we are communicating better than ever, I am less stressed about him “getting it”, and we are always having fun. So thanks for the great great teaching you are giving us. We really appreciate it.
Watching and learning from you from a distance (I’m the gal in the Seattle area who wants you to open a branch office)I am so grateful for your wisdom, and blessed by your humor. Rex, age 4 1/2 has been with us two years since rescue. Incredibly leash reactive at first (smell a dog 4 blocks away? Barkbarkbarklungesnarlbark!)we can now sort-of pass another dog across the street and just kind of go, “oh, yeah. A dog. What kind of thing are we gonna do about it?” I have great hopes for my boy, and know the secret lies with me, deepening my skills and passing peace and smiliness down the leash. You have helped us so much!
Thinking of you and your funk (I know well this cloud which has lurked over you) and especially your very special time now with Caysun.
hugs across the states,
Jeanne & Rex
I can understand how you feel. I used to feel that way when I worked at the vet clinic. It’s why I had to find another field to go into and why I could never do training as a career. Those of you who do it amaze me!
I’m sure Caysun will enjoy the time at the lake (especially in this heat). It must be hard letting go of each one.
I’m very late. And hoping you’ve started climbing back from the pits even as you get ready to send Caysun off to training.
You get so discouraged because you care so much. So take some solace from caring enough about important things to feel bad sometimes.
Yes, there are lots of crazy people out there looking for reinforcement of what they already believe. But I’m so thankful for trainers who help us build better relationships with our dogs. Our trainer Russ is constantly reminding us to take our pace from Honey and to always nurture the relationship.
I have a very good dog. But I’m very thankful for the trainers who invest so much of themselves in teaching us. Thank you.
You’ll miss Caysun so much but he will make such a difference in someone’s life. Keep focused on the lake week — recharging is much needed near the end of the long hot summer months.
Some good news — our boxer boy Beau (rescued three years ago when he was about 3-4 yrs old) is finally settling down. He had severe separation anxiety (and I work at home so we had to work hard to get him over that) and was severely leash aggressive (he was a bait dog and hated being leashed).
He goes with me lots of places where dogs are welcome. He never lunges anymore. He barks at other big dogs but not little dogs and not people. He loves to sit and wait for people we meet to invite him for hugs and kisses. He’s done well in Home Depot, Lowes, our dog-friendly mall, and many, many campgrounds. He doesn’t like being startled and will regress if someone “sneaks up” on him. But if he sees someone coming, he does okay.
He’s not trained as a service dog but he works at home and out doing mobility/balance tasks. I have disabilities that often require assistance walking and he’s been wonderful. He always was great in the house and now I can count on him to help me out in dog-friendly places. I never take him to stores or restaurants where dogs are not welcome because he’s not “formally trained” as a service dog.
We wondered for a long time (over a year) if we’d made a horrible mistake taking in this huge 100 lb rescue dog. But with lots of patience (years!!) and consistent training, he’s come a very long way. He’s still devoted to me because we are together 24/7 but he also loves his daily long walks with hubby (because I can’t do that with him) and we can leave him at home with our other dogs for up to about 4-5 hours and he’s okay.
I have to say thank you for all the great information and inspiration I’ve gotten from your blog and newsletters. The long, 3-year adjustment has definitely been worth it — we love our boxer boy and he’s got a great life now.
Laurie: I was walking Caly on the Damascus bike path the other day and it occurred to me that she was paying attention to me. Walking past people, other dogs and bikes with only the occasional squirrel break. With your help Caly is an amazing dog. You took us when no one wanted to help me train “a bully breed” Caly is a pit mix but a big marshmallow at heart.
Next month we will have our 1st anniversary with Caly and she truly is an amazing dog.
Oh, sweet Caly! I think about her a lot. What a sweet girl. Your note made my day! Thanks for sharing. And send my kisses to Caly!
Separation anxiety is a tough one, for sure. Good for you for your persistence and dedication. And thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, it cheers me up. 🙂
Aw. Jeanne, thanks so much. I really appreciate your taking the time to leave a comment. I love your word “smiliness!” It’s a great one! 🙂 Woofs to Rex!
Yay Pagan! Yay Laura! Looking forward to this weekend. It’s nice to be around other people who get it. 😉
Oh sweet Cody! I am in awe of the relationship and teamwork between you and Cody. Keep up the good work. I’d love to come down to visit you and Lisa and the pups and learn about that cool prison program.
Sweet pink Haiku feets! I’m already cheerier! 🙂 Keep on clicking — you just might get her in the water past those cute pink feets!
Oh Laurie:
I took Caly in the car to the park and it started to rain 🙁 So I decided to take her to Petsmart for a treat instead. Today was an adoption day and I was hesitant to take her into the store. It was a huge test for her and me. OH MY GOLLY, she walked right passed the dogs/people/noise into the store which was very quiet (everything was outside) Caly looked at me, sat down and waited – I was so excited she got a treat, a new ball and a new collar (hot pink) I can say thank you every day for giving me the tools but it wouldn’t be enough for the life we have with Caly (the best dog in the world)