MOTIVATION and PAYCHECKS

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What gets you to show up for work every day? Is it the paycheck? Would you still do what you do if you were not paid?

There have been countless studies that have shown that money can be a de-motivator, but it is seldom a good motivator. The paycheck might be what gets you to show up for work, but it is not what will make you excel. What will have you striving for excellence is interesting work, challenging work, meaningful work. You might excel because you are recognized and appreciated and because you have a sense of accomplishment.

How can we apply this to dog training? Dogs need a paycheck too! They want to know WHAT you want them to do and WHY they should do it.  When your dog is learning something new, he must understand what is being asked of him and why he is doing it.  The Paycheck, for a dog,  is a primary reinforcer. This means that patting him on the head and saying “Good Dog!” is NOT ENOUGH. Primary reinforcers used in training are usually high value treats. Just like money can be a de-motivator, the wrong reinforcer can also send your dog looking elsewhere for fulfillment. Kibble is NOT GOOD ENOUGH.  Your dog loves you, but you might as well come to terms now that he is still a selfish creature. Most of the time he is thinking WIFM (What’s in it For ME?).

You know that you will be paid for your work. Your boss does not have to dangle the paycheck in front of your nose to get you to do your job. Same goes when you are training your dog! You are not dangling the treat in front of the dog to “make him” do what you have asked. You are rewarding your dog with the paycheck and not leading your dog with it.

Help your dog excel by making the training fun, rewarding, challenging (but not discouraging). If you have a scent hound, put that nose to work! Hide-and-seek games are made for these dogs! If you have a herding dog, put those instincts to work! Does your dog like to jump? Use those talents!

Not only does your dog need a paycheck, but he also needs satisfying, motivating work.

 

A letter from Hailey

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Dear Andre and Chantal,
Thank you so much for training my people to help me become a better dog. I have made a lot of progress from the completely unsocialized dog who started classes in September.
I know I have a lot to learn, but I am on my way to being a great dog. My people say I am having more good days than not. I say I need to keep them on their toes, and mix things up a little:) Besides, I don’t understand their need for things like shoes!
My people say that your guidance to them has been invaluable. While I live with a behaviour analyst (trust me this is not always a good thing), she is used to teaching people, and wasn’t sure what to teach me using the principles of reinforcement, shaping etc. She says she now has a better understanding of what I should and shouldn’t be doing.
I am being forced to take a little break from my formal education. My people are going to be doing some travelling. While my “aunt “is happy to come and live with me and take care of us, she doesn’t drive so she said taking me to school is impossible (and the Lady says it is a lot to ask as well). My people promise that they will take me back in the late spring when travelling is behind them.
Thank you for all your help. I look forward to impressing you in a few months with all the extra wonderful things I can do!
Hailey

Doggy Playdates

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The benefits of Doggy Playdates are numerous. Most dogs are social creatures and love to play with other dogs. If your dog is a social animal, then he will certainly appreciate making new friends during a playdate. Playdates are also a great way to exercise your dog! Not only will Rover have a great time, but he will be a happy, tired (read: GOOD) dog!

The Ottawa Canine School offers Fun Friday Playdates regularly (and even more frequently during the Winter months). This Friday December 16th the Ottawa Canine School is hosting a small dog playdate, for dogs 25 lbs or less. And don’t worry, we do not Weigh In the dogs at the door and turn away those that had a few too many biscuits during this festive season. Puppies are welcome, as long as they are currently 25lbs or less and have had the required vaccines.

Have a pooch that would love a playdate but is not considered a small dog?  No worries!  We also have playdates for dogs of all sizes. Check the website, under Fun Fridays, for the schedule.

What can you expect at a doggy playdate? Well, first of all, to have a lot of fun! You can also expect to meet some new people, meet some new dogs, and see what your pooch thinks of the tunnel.

Drop in any time between 6:30 and 8pm. Most people arrive around 6:30pm though many do drop in later. There are gates set up at the entrance,which allows you to come in without being greeted by all the other dogs in the room! This also prevents your dog from being overwhelmed by a furry greeting committee. There is a trainer there at all times to supervize the dogs.

While the dogs have fun running around or exploring some agility equipment, humans are also encouraged to socialize, have some refreshments, and watch the dogs enjoy themselves. We have a great coffee/tea machine, a fridge stocked with water and other cold drinks (no beer, sorry) and some treats. This is all included in the $10.

This indoor playdate is for socialized, friendly dogs. If your dog has a bite history, this is NOT the place for him! If you are not sure how your dog will handle the playdate, you can give it a try, but be prepared to leave. If your dog is not socialized and finds being in a room full of dogs stressful, we will ask you to take your pooch home. We want the dogs to have fun! 

This Friday we will have a special DOOR PRIZE – a lovely stuffed Doggy Stocking! $40 value. It has a Kong Toy, water/food bowl, bones, ar’ful good treats, and other great goodies!

If you have any questions about the Ottawa Canine School’s doggy playdates, please call (613) 296-3643 or email ottawak9school@yahoo.ca

PhoDOGraphy

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Saturday October 29th, the Ottawa Canine School hosted a Scary Saturday photo shoot with Brittany Veinot, the PhoDOGrapher (see more www.phodographer.ca).

Since I’m not into dressing up my dogs for Hallowe’en, I went for a simple photo shoot. It’s stressful enough for Hemingway the Great Dane to be photographed, thank you very much. Everest, as Brittany pointed out, could get photographed all day, every day. Hemi, however… well, not so much. We were able to get him in the doors, greet a few dogs, and focus for a wee moment.

These pics are just a preview. I still have to choose my background, and Brittany promises she can photoshop the Hemi Goober off my pant leg (in the 1st picture). I like the dogs in the 2nd picture, but my leaning over them just looks… awkward.

Dr. Ian Dunbar seminar in Toronto

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Dr. Dunbar

André Hurtubise, Dr. Ian Dunbar & Chantal Mills

André and I recently attended a three day seminar all about puppies, given by Dr. Ian Dunbar.. What an experience! Dr. Dunbar is a veterinarian, animal behaviourist and dog trainer. He is also a really funny, interesting and fascinating man who has a lot of great information to share.

André and I learned a lot during this conference and have already started making changes in our Puppy Kindergarten curriculum. The biggest change is that we will be offering a Puppy I class, for dogs 15 weeks old and under, and a Puppy II class, for dogs that are between 15 and 20 weeks old.

Our puppy classes will still be ongoing, which means that you can start any time. There is currently a Tuesday evening class, a Saturday morning class and a Sunday afternoon class. Those will all be Puppy II classes. We will be adding a Puppy I class Mondays and possibly Saturday afternoons. Keep your eye on the website, as changes will be coming soon!

 

 

Relinquishment

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Animal shelters are filled with dogs that are waiting for new homes. Many of those adoptables have been surrendered by their owners. I’ve always been interested in the factors that contribute to relinquishment. What makes someone decide that they just can’t keep their dog?

According to a study by Patronek et al,  the main factor is “not participating in dog obedience classes after acquisition”.  That makes a lot of sense to me, but I’m a dog trainer! Of course I believe in training! There must be other factors, since I know many adopted dogs that have obviously had training.

The study indicates that relinquishment is caused by a combination of factors, predominantly behavioral and physical. (Kidd, Kidd, & George, 1992; Miller, Staats, Partlo, & Rada, 1996;Patronek, Glickman, Beck, McCabe, & Ecker, 1996a, 1996b; Salman et al.,1998). Dogs that require a lot of care, and dogs that do not get enough veterinary care are at risk. I have heard many chilling stories of sick dogs being abandoned. The story that now comes to mind is one of an owner who was at the end of his rope with a very sick dog. He opened his front door to let the dog out, closed it, and never looked back. The dog was later found, near death. The dog’s owner could not be found, and in the end, this dog was adopted and now leads a happy, healthy life thanks not only to loving owners, but frequent trips to the vet and proper care.

Other factors linked to owners surrendering their dogs are:

  • owning a sexually intact dog
  • inappropriate care expectations
  • dogs having daily or weekly inappropriate elimination

Relinquishment is not associated with the degree of planning done prior to getting the dog.  Whether you have done hours of research or decide to get a dog on a whim, your dog is not at greater or lesser risk of being “returned”.

Basic training is important, good veterinary care is crucial and appropriate expectations are key.  Taking your dog to a Basic Obedience class (at the Ottawa Canine School!) can make your life with your dog much more pleasant.

I learned recently at a conference that most dogs are relinquished when they are between 6 and 10 months old.  I know this is a challenging time as a pet owner as I hear my clients tell me all about it. I also know that patience and training pay off, and that if you can make it through the “doggy teenage months’, then you are going to reap the rewards

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