BARKS from the Guild November 2015

Š Can Stock Photo Inc./ksuksa

BARKS from the Guild

www.petprofessionalguild.com

Issue No. 15 / November 2015

CANINE Do Deaf Dogs Bark More?

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW PPG Summit Keynote Speaker Dr. Karen Overall

AVIAN The Power of Play

BEHAVIOR Improved Welfare for the Phobic Dog

CANINE Challenging the Breed Stereotype FELINE The Essence of Scratching

TRAINING The Click: The Start or The End?

CONSULTING Preventing Common Behavior Issues

Errorless Learning: Building the Super Learner TM

A Force-Free Publication from the Pet Professional Guild: By the Members for the Members

Every great partnership starts with a handshake.

We offer professional discounts, wholesale rates, custom branded items, and more.

www.sitstay.com

Come by and meet us and learn more at the 2015 Pet Professional Guild Educational Summit!

BARKS

from the Guild Published by the Pet Professional Guild 9122 Kenton Road, Wesley Chapel, FL 33545 Tel: 41 Dog-Train (413-648-7246) PetProfessionalGuild.com petprofessionalguild.com/BARKSfromtheGuild facebook.com/BARKSfromtheGuild Editor-in-Chief Susan Nilson barkseditor@PetProfessionalGuild.com Contributing Editors Jan Casey, Patience Fisher

Images © Can Stock Photo: canstockphoto.com (unless otherwise credited; uncredited images belong to PPG)

The Guild Steering Committee Fiona De Rosa, Diane Garrod, Debra Millikan, Susan Nilson, Anne Springer, Angelica Steinker, Niki Tudge, Catherine Zehner

BARKS from the Guild Published bi-monthly, BARKS from the Guild presents a collection of valuable business and technical articles as well as reviews and news stories pertinent to our industry. BARKS is the official publication of the Pet Professional Guild.

Submissions BARKS encourages the submission of original written materials.

Please contact the Editor-in-Chief for contributor guidelines prior to sending manuscripts or see: PetProfessionalGuild.com/Forcefreeindustrypublication Please submit all contributions via our submission form at: PetProfessionalGuild.com/BFTGcontent Membership Manager Rebekah King Membership@PetProfessionalGuild.com

Letters to the Editor To comment on an author’s work, or to let us know what topics you would like to see more of, contact the Editor-in-Chief via email putting BARKS in the subject line of your email. BARKS reserves the right to edit for length, grammar and clarity.

Advertising Please contact Niki Tudge at Admin@PetProfessionalGuild.com to obtain a copy of rates, ad specifications, format requirements and deadlines.

Advertising information is also available at: PetProfessionalGuild.com/AdvertisinginBARKS PPG does not endorse or guarantee any products, services or vendors mentioned in BARKS, nor can it be responsible for problems with vendors or their products and services. PPG reserves the right to reject, at its discretion, any advertising.

The Pet Professional Guild is a membership business league representing pet industry professionals who are committed to force-free training and pet care philosophies, practices and methods.

Pet Professional Guild members understand force-free to mean: No Shock, No Pain, No Choke, No Prong, No Fear, No Physical Force, No Physical Molding and No Compulsion-Based Methods.

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From the Editor

ovember is finally here which means it’s time for the PPG Summit. We will be tweeting live (#PPGSummit) during the three days and updating our public Facebook page throughout the event so be sure to follow and/or like us to stay in the loop.

See page 7 for all the links you’ll need to keep track.

The keynote speaker at the Summit will be renowned certified applied animal behaviorist, veterinarian and author, Dr. Karen Overall, who is featured in an exclusive interview this month.

Overall has plenty to say on the current status of behavior – or lack of it – on the curricula in the majority of veterinary schools and offers some useful advice for trainers and behavior consultants on working more effectively with veterinarians too.

Trainers often talk about setting up a dog for success, and our cover story this month features errorless learning in dog training, a methodology that strives to keep errors to a minimum by prompting behavior to elicit the desired outcome, versus trial and error learning. We consider what a dog is actually learning at every step of the process when being taught a new behavior and what emotion is attached to it, as well as investigate the role of frustration in the learning process and the impact of a chosen training method on a dog’s creativity and critical thinking.

This all segues neatly into our feature on clicker training which examines the common belief that the “click ends the behavior” and explains why it is not quite that straightforward. Our feature on noise phobic dogs delves into another commonly held belief, that a dog experiencing fear should not be comforted for risk of “reinforcing the fear,” and how we can best help these dogs. Other canine matters in this issue include the benefits of using Tellington TTouch® in a behavior modification program and the daily breed discrimination experienced by one proud Rottweiler owner as she takes her happy, affectionate boy on his journey towards becoming a therapy dog. We also explore the issue of whether deaf dogs bark more than their hearing counterparts and, if so, why, and discuss the importance of early socialization for dogs.

Our expanded feline section features the common practice of scratching, an essential behavior that does not always delight owners when it comes to their prized furniture, and explore another commonly held belief, that cats are fastidious eaters. In other species we feature pigs, ever more popular as pets, and birds and the importance of early prevention in terms of behavior problems, which goes in tandem with daily enrichment. Too many exotics are ending up in shelters, making problem prevention a top priority.

Elsewhere, in our business section we highlight the importance of compassion and understanding for our clients – both animal and human – and look into the essential differences between so-called whispering versus knowledge and critical thinking.

We also feature a special advertising section on page 63 for PPG members and supporters – be sure to check it out.

Once again a big thank you to all our contributors and readers - we look forward to meeting many of you at the Summit.

n Susan Nilso

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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CONTENTS

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Niki Tudge looks forward to networking at the PPG Summit NEWS, ADVOCACY, EDUCATION & EVENTS PPG Summit latest, PPG Singapore, PPGBI, the Cat Committee, webinars and workshops, with a special feature on PPG’s Support of National Puppy Mill Awareness Day, including some amazing rescue stories BUILDING THE ÂSUPER LEARNERÊ Kate Mallatratt compares the practices of connectionism, aka trial and error learning, and error reduced, or errorless, learning GROWTH BEYOND PREJUDICE Annie Phenix speaks to renowned veterinarian and certified applied animal behaviorist, Dr. Karen Overall THE CLICK STARTS THE BEHAVIOR Yvette Van Veen investigates the belief that the click ends the behavior THUNDER, LIGHTNING AND BAROMETRIC PRESSURE Carolyn Kocman looks into phobia related behaviors in dogs UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY OF TTOUCH® Deirdre Chitwood explains why the Tellington TTouch® Method can help behavior modification THE CHALLENGE OF BREED DISCRIMINATION Kym Iffert describes the prejudice she regularly encounters with her happy, affectionate Rottweiler WHY DO THEY BARK? Morag Heirs discusses the reasons deaf and/or visually-impaired dogs may bark more than others PREVENTING REACTIVITY TO CHILDREN Maureen Tay explains the importance of early socialization A FUTURE INVESTMENT Gail Radtke helps female offenders to manage dogs and babies in the home once released THE MANY FUNCTIONS OF SCRATCHING Jane Ehrlich outlines ways to redirect scratching to make it less problematic for owners FELINE BEHAVIOR UNMASKED Jane Ehrlich responds to commonly asked questions about cats FASTIDIOUS FOODIES Patience Fisher explores the common perception that cats are fussy eaters THINK OUTSIDE THE CAGE Amy Martin shares ideas to enhance the lives of captive parrots through play CREATING AND MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE Lara Joseph outlines the importance of preventing behavior problems GROW YOUR COMPASSION: BE PHENOMENOLOGICAL! Angelica Steinker investigates how to be more compassionate SETTING UP MILITARY FAMILIES FOR SUCCESS Amy Martin explains how professionals can go beyond the basics BEWARE THE SALES WHISPERER John Visconti discusses the essential differences between “whispering” versus knowledge and critical thinking MEMBER PROFILE: CANINE SUPERSTARS Featuring Dawn Goehring of Animal Biz in Hawaii PRODUCT REVIEW: HOME ALONE Camy Thumwood looks into the perils that pets face in an emergency and presents a viable solution

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FROM

THE

A Sense of Belonging

PRESIDENT

November is finally here and, after months and months of planning, Niki Tudge is all set for the PPG’s first-ever educational, force-free Summit in Tampa, Florida

Dear Fellow Force-Free Advocates,

So fall is upon us at last. I love fall in Florida, it rolls in so gently and makes all the outdoor hours much more pleasurable than our hot, wet summers. It is the ideal climate for dog training and I notice each year how my own dogs are more eager to go outside and their energy levels seem to hit a peak in the fresh, clear and warmish weather. We chose November for our PPG Summit because it is one of the best months of the year to visit Florida and will certainly be more pleasant for our attending pets.

As I write this from my office I am in the throes of the final logistical straight of the entire planning process, which entails an early arrival at the hotel to ensure everything is in order. I am as excited as I have been for several weeks. The planning has taken more than a year and numerous people are to be thanked for their efforts. However, as I sit here quietly to write this thinking of all the fabulous people I am looking forward to meeting, I am reminded of one of the more intimate benefits of being a PPG member as I reflect back on an experience I had a few weeks ago.

In late September I awoke to experience one of those days that seems to only bring about unpleasantness. It started early in the morning when I logged into Facebook while I finished my morning coffee. Immediately I was hit by snippiness on Facebook, graphic pictures of animal cruelty, criticism of PPG and its goals from those who choose not to join us, and the endless array of social media rants towards others about their ideas and philosophies. Social media, I thought – what’s so social about all of this?

I tend to keep my social media posts to business topics or casual renderings of what I am up to. I am very conscious of the fact that so often our social media posts are misinterpreted or misunderstood and this makes me very cautious. I am also quite an introverted, private individual. I make efforts each day to be a good person. I work hard not to judge people, not to make assumptions and not to partake in detrimental group think activities and behavior. I do not participate in Facebook groups and I do not comment, editorialize or cross-post things I deem mean or bullish. But on this particular day I felt the urge to silently scream out about the injustices I experience that really resonate with me personally, so I posted some of my private thoughts:

Today is one of those days when I get overwhelmed by the cruelty, purposeful nastiness, reactivity, lack of critical thinking, lack of empathy, lack of tolerance and willingness to understand and pure meanness shown by us to our fellow earth dwellers. I simply do not get it.

Today is one of those days I just want to hide away from it all knowing that my small and meaningful efforts cannot even create a hopeful ripple in the enormity of it all.

- Niki Tudge, Facebook Post, September 27, 2015

Almost immediately I regretted this post and logged back in to delete it. I was met with a big surprise when I began to read the responses on my wall and the numerous personal messages I began receiving, many from people I have very little contact with.

The comments immediately made me feel stronger, more capable, more motivated and more determined than ever to help our force-free movement flourish. I realized that the feelings I gained from fellow members, friends and colleagues were the intimate benefits of being a part of a larger purpose, being part of PPG. I was hit with an overwhelming sense of pride and thankfulness for everyone who works and pulls together to help us deliver our message each and every day. I was reminded that our guild key charter states that “by combining and coordinating our knowledge, efforts, skills, talents and passions to pursue a common purpose, we can accomplish far more together than any one of us could possibly accomplish alone” and I most certainly did not now feel alone.

So yes, as I sit here thinking about the final logistics for our PPG Summit I am even more energized to attend. I am excited to meet my social media friends whose words and posts over the last few years have inspired me to continue working hard for the benefit of our organization. I pause and realize that people I have shared long internet meetings with from around the globe I will soon be meeting in person and will have the opportunity to thank them, learn from them and share with them.

Collective efforts will ensure I intend to make my Summit the force-free movement about networking, getting to continues to flourish BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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FROM

THE

PRESIDENT

know my fellow PPGers. Because to know each other is to help and support one another and who doesn’t need that? We all need to be conscious of each other and what we need from each other so we can be mutually supportive as we work independently to spread our message. We need to be strong for one another, rally for one another and champion one another. We need to recognize that we are individuals with different opinions and thoughts who are working on and building our strategy. We still have a big task ahead of us and it will be a long road, a marathon not a sprint. That said, I will shortly be heading off to the Summit where I will be surrounded by energetic colleagues, an array of great educational sessions, plenty of time for networking, fun and games and, most of all, a wonderful sense of belonging. I hope to see you there.

Niki Tudge

President - Pet Professional Guild

Help Advocate for Force-Free Training and Pet Care!

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he Pet Professional Guild Apparel Store was opened in late August to fulfill a growing demand for t-shirts carrying the PPG logo. The store now offers an amazing range of products in a host of colors and sizes to ensure there is something for everyone.

There are PPG Logo and Proud Member apparel unisex t-shirts and hoodies, women’s fit t-shirts, premium quality organic t-shirts and polo-shirts. The younger generation is also catered for with the PPG Kids Help Advocate for Force-Free Training and Pet Care t-shirts and hoodies.

All the t-shirts and hoodies have the fun If You’re Going To Teach Me… Teach Me Force-Free! graphic on the back.

Trick dog champion Jambo models the PPG t-shirt, courtesy of his guardian, PPGBI membership manager, Louise Stapleton-Frappell The ‘Teach Me Force-Free’ graphic is displayed on the back of each t-shirt, polo shirt and hoodie

Niki Tudge is the founder of the PPG, www .petprofessionalguild.com, The DogSmith, www.dogsmith.com, a national dog training and pet-care license, and DogNostics Career College, www.dognosticselearning.com. Her professional credentials include: NADOI – Certified, AABPProfessional Dog Trainer, AABP- Professional Dog Behavior Consultant, Diploma Animal Behavior Technology, and Diploma Canine Behavior Science & Technology.

Place your order at the PPG Apparel Store: www.fabrily.com/stores/PetProfessionalGuildApparel

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING? Check PPG’s NEW Online Archive!

The PPG archive currently holds over 400 articles. All categories are represented including behavior, training, business, PPG news, book reviews, product reviews, member profiles and opinion.

If you want to research a particular species, categories currently covered are canine, feline, piscine, porcine, avian, equine, murine and leporine. www.petprofessionalguild.com /Guild-Archives

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BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

#PPGSummit: Follow the Force-Free Summit on Social Media!

The first-ever PPG Force-Free Summit is set to be an incredible learning and networking opportunity for all attendees. Keep an eye on PPG’s public Facebook page, www.facebook.com/PetProfessionalGuild and Twitter feed, www.twitter.com/PetGuild, as we will be posting pictures and presentation highlights as well as tweeting live from the event.

PPG Releases Online Summit Guide

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PG has released the official guide for its inaugural educational Summit, taking place in Tampa, Florida from November 11-13, 2015. The guide includes every detail visiting delegates might need to know, including a range of information on the local area, as well as the Summit schedule, presenter biographies, venues, accommodation and extra curricular activities. The guide has been designed to be environmentally friendly, and is thus only available online in pdf format.

PPG Launches Second Educational Handout

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he PPG Advocacy Committee has released its second educational initiative, The Myth of The Wagging Tail.

Designed to educate members of the general public that a wagging tail does not necessarily always guarantee friendliness or a happy mood state, the handout contains detailed descriptions of the possible variants, accompanied by a number of clear illustrations.

Here is a small excerpt: One of the most common misperceptions about dogs is the myth that a wagging tail means a dog is happy.

While dogs do indeed wag their tails when they are happy, they also use them to communicate various feelings. Dogs are a non-verbal species and, while barking can sometimes be used to communicate, they mostly rely on body language to “talk” to us and other animals. As such, they use many parts of their body such as eyes, ears, lips, musculature, and also their tails to transmit information.

Download the full PDF at: www.petprofessionalguild.com /Resources/Documents/Advocacy%20Handouts/Handout%202 %20Myth%20of%20Tail%20Waggin.pdf

NEWS

New T-Shirt Design for PPG Summit

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he inaugural PPG Summit taking place this month in Florida will have its own exclusive t-shirt design, courtesy of Denise O’Moore of Mighty Dog Graphics. The design features PPG’s new No Pain, No Force, No FearTM tagline, complete with an emphasis on the all important +R. PPG professional members can download the tagline artwork from www.petprofessionalguild.com /Graphic-Artwork for their own personal use. There is also a version with the PPG logo that can be downloaded from www.petprofessionalguild.com/PPGLogouse.

PPG Singapore Raises the Bar

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PG Singapore’s steering committee is currently hard at work developing localized owner-friendly educational materials, making sure they are also available in the Mandarin language, with the aim of helping to resolve some of the more common and simple community issues faced by pet owners and to educate them about more humane training options available.

Concurrently, the steering committee plans to implement a more formal mentoring and learning program to better support pet industry professionals and assist those who are keen to understand and provide pet care the force-free way.

As a cohesive organization representing force-free pet professionals, PPG Singapore will also work towards engaging with government authorities to push for higher industry standards across all pet care industries.

- Michelle Chan Steering Committee, PPG Singapore BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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NEWS

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nly a few days to go and I will be at PPG’s first ever ForceFree Summit. My journey will begin in Spain, from where I will fly to England in order to board a plane that will take me to Tampa, Florida. I have a strong feeling that the Summit is not just going to be an amazing educational event and chance to network with my peers, it is also going to create lasting memories for many people. There are three days packed full of presentations with more than 30 respected and renowned speakers. There are also at least three working LABS each day in which people can participate with their dogs.

The list of presenters is second to none and includes the names of many people that I have had the pleasure of interviewing on the PPG World Service e-radio show, www.petprofessionalguild.com/PPG-Broadcast.

PPG has introduced me to many fellow trainers and pet professionals I now consider to be friends. Unfortunately, the divide of the Atlantic Ocean has meant that I have not had the opportunity to meet them in person, but all that is about to change.

The Summit is drawing together force-free professionals from all around the globe, not just by providing an unprecedented opportunity to further individual education and network with likeminded professionals, it is also providing an opportunity to meet these people in person.

Tuesday, November 10 is registration day and will allow everyone to settle in and find their way around. The vendor exhi-

PPG Cat Committee Announces Webinars

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PG’s newly-formed Cat Committee has announced its first ever schedule of webinars focusing specifically on feline topics. The schedule commences in 2016 and topics currently set to be discussed include: January 2016 Low Stress Cat Handling with Paula Garber February 2016 Cat-To-Cat Introductions with Patience Fisher March 2016 Force-Free Nail Trims and Giving Medication with Janna Light April 2016 Organizing Kittengarten with Paula Garber May 2016 Cat Aggression Towards Humans with Jane Ehrlich “We hope to add more webinars at our next meeting,” said Cat Committee chair, Jane Ehrlich. “In the meantime, every member of PPG is cordially invited to join us for the webinars.

Many dog households have cats, and the idea of being a wellrounded behaviorist has to be, surely, the ideal one. Everyone is welcome.”

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BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

bition will open at 6 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m. the welcome cocktail party will start and off we go. On Wednesday, November 11, PPG president, Niki Tudge, will officially open the Summit with a welcoming speech, which will be followed by the keynote speaker, Dr. Karen Overall (also featured in an exclusive interview this month, see pages 20-23).

I still haven’t decided which presentations I will attend as I don’t want to miss any of them. Thankfully, I don’t need to worry too much, as if I miss a presentation in the morning, I can attend it in the afternoon. The schedule has been meticulously planned to make sure that nobody misses out.

I have no doubt that the entertainment will be just as memorable as the presentations. There is everything from a treasure hunt, to a treat-throwing contest, to the Splash Dinner by the pool. I have to admit to being slightly worried that PPG president Niki Tudge has challenged me to a game of “hairnet” skittles. I have heard on the grapevine that she has even found time in her busy schedule to get in a few practice sessions...

The goals of the Summit are threefold: • To help build awareness of PPG as a first class organization and to build a stronger collaboration of force-free pet professionals.

• To help support and build communication and networking opportunities with the veterinary community and veterinary educators.

• To provide a highly interactive and fun educational format for all that attend.

I am certain it will surpass all expectations and I will update you all in the next edition of BARKS.

- Louise Stapleton-Frappell CTDI PCT-A Membership Manager, PPG British Isles PPG has launched a new webinar schedule featuring all things feline

© Can Stock Photo/Mik122

Update from PPG British Isles

To see the schedule and sign up for a PPG webinar, go to: www.petprofessionalguild.com/GuildScheduledEvents

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f you haven’t already tuned in, make a note to listen to the PPG Radio Show, www.petprofessionalguild.com/PPG-Broadcast, on the first Sunday of every month at 12 noon (EST). There is an incredible line-up of guests and the show is always educational and fun. Here is the current line-up (subject to change):

Sunday, November 1, 2015 - 12 noon (EST) Guests include: Gabrielle Dunne, regional coordinator for Doggone Safe, UK and Ireland Ken McCort, Four Paws Training Center Jacqueline Munera, Positive Cattitudes Register at: www.attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5357442241486338306 Sunday, December 6, 2015 - 12 noon (EST) Guests include: Morag Heirs, dog trainer and regular BARKS contributor Daniel Antolec, PPG Advocacy Committee chair Jill Breitner, Dog Decoder app and the importance of understanding canine communication Register at: www.attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7079251062304496130

National Puppy Mill Awareness Day

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ational Puppy Mill Awareness Day took place on September 27, 2015 and PPG partnered with renowned dog trainer, television personality and PPG Special Counsel member,Victoria Stilwell, in an effort to highlight the plight of hundreds of thousands of dogs held in puppy mills nationwide.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a puppy mill is a “large-scale commercial dog breeding operation where profit is given priority over the wellbeing of the dogs.” The National Puppy Mill Project states that there are currently 800,000 adult breeding dogs “suffering in puppy mills.” The organization’s website says it is “legal to confine adult breeding dogs to small, wire-bottomed cages, only 6 inches longer than the dog on all sides, often stacked on top of other cages, for life. They live in overcrowded, squalid conditions, neglected, starved and left sick and injured without medical care or relief from overwhelming pain. Most females are bred as frequently as possible, with no recovery time in between litters, and when they are no longer able to ‘produce’ they are discarded like garbage. Recent studies confirm that dogs confined in puppy mills for breeding purposes demonstrate impaired health and diminished welfare and carry emotional scars for years.”

Stilwell recently released a video detailing a large puppy mill bust by Cherokee County Animal Shelter and Cherokee County Marshal's Office in Georgia that she was involved in last year.

“The puppy mill had been operating since the 1980s but fortunately all dogs and puppies were rescued from the horrific facility and were cared for at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter until they were ready for rescue or adoption,” said Stilwell.

“Many pregnant females gave birth shortly after the bust, raising the final total of rescued dogs even further. The owners of the

Sunday, January 3 - 12 Noon (EST) Teresa McKeon, TAGteach Diana Nichols Pappert, “Do Animals Think?”; how genetics and the environment influence behavior.

Yvette Van Veen, Animal Behavior Consultant Register at: www.attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5664984442108947457 Sunday, February 7 - 12 noon (EST) Helen Phillips, PPG Special Counsel member Register at: www.attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5019930657185988866

© Can Stock Photo /damedeeso

PPG World Service Radio Show Schedule

NEWS

You can submit a question for any of the guests here: www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/m37XVZeJ2cL3p0e7lD puppy mill plead guilty to 25 charges of animal cruelty and were sentenced to 25 consecutive years of probation.”

“Dogs who come from backgrounds such as those in puppy mills are often deprived of human attention and environmental and mental enrichment, are poorly socialized, have grown up in deplorable conditions and may well carry emotional scars as a result,” said Niki Tudge, PPG’s founder and president. “Some dogs adapt to their new lives quite quickly while others may need some help. While it may be time consuming to rehabilitate them, it is almost always possible once one has an understanding of the dog’s emotional state and how to modify his behavior. This is why force-free, positive, humane training that is scientifically sound is so important. Dogs who are fearful and/or anxious can be prone to aggressive behavior because they have no other benchmark.

This is where qualified, highly educated and experienced PPG trainers and behavior consultants can help new pet guardians work through any potential issues and put a plan in place to build a dog’s confidence levels to help him integrate into family life and our human world in general.”

To raise awareness, PPG asked members to share photos and stories of dogs rescued from puppy mills. Enjoy some of the incredible stories on pages 10-11.

Resources

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/puppy-mills Humane Society of the United States: www.humanesociety.org /issues/puppy_mills The National Puppy Mill Project: www.nationalpuppymillproject.org Video Victoria Stilwell in Georgia Puppy Mill Bust: www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3WL6Cz4oKA&feature=youtu.be BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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ADVOCACY

National Puppy Mill Awareness Day

PPG supported Special Counsel member Victoria Stilwell’s efforts to raise awareness of the plight of the hundred thousand plus dogs suffering in puppy mills across the US, and PPG members and supporters also shared some of their incredible rescue stories

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nfortunately, rough collie Nancy’s owner had passed away, leaving Nancy, another elderly rough collie and a border collie to fend for themselves. The social services were eventually contacted and the police had to break into the house, a frightening process for the dogs, who were by then covered in urine and feces. Other than that we had no more Nancy took a long time to recover from her ordeal but details. The dogs were taken to a pound, is now winning rosettes which, however kind the carers are, usually feature cold concrete runs with metal gates that are noisy for sensitive breeds. Fortunately a representative of Rescue Animals in Need (RAIN) visited the pound, spotted the dogs, and had them transferred to rescue kennels while the breed rescues were contacted. The carers in the rescue kennels named them as not even their names were known.

Nancy was very stressed and did not lift her head up for weeks. She was also in season and nine weeks later had to have an emergency operation as she developed an open pyometra. Recovery, with being older and with her thin skin, took a while and she developed a seroma on her wound site. She collapsed a few times, her gums were white and we were very worried. However, a year later she has changed from a stressed, quiet dog to a playful, naughty one who plays with a squeaky ball, runs in the fields with her household friend, a young flat coat retriever, and has won rosettes at companion shows in the veteran and fun classes.

- Stephanie Presdee

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his is Gracie Bell. When she arrived at our home a little over a year ago she had a broken femur, a broken tibia, and a broken occipital bone.

Her former human was sentenced to 1 year for animal cruelty. We were only supposed to rehab her, help her It was a long road for Gracie with her fear of humans and Bell to overcome her fears then set her up to be adopted.

As you can see we did the first two but I decided immediately that she was meant for us and our family. Her road has been long and her struggle huge but she overcame all her fears and actually likes people now, and she can play and run with all our other dogs too. She is wonderful and that is why her name was changed to Gracie. I am blessed to have her in my life.

- Jennifer Hirakawa

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BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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obie was rescued from a back yard in 2001 and was my first dog. She is the Kelpie mix second from the left. She started my dog journey. She cost nothing, and was worth millions. Bailey, my red merle Aussie, came to us from Aussie Rescue at 10 months of age. She had already had five homes and is now 10.

Gizmo, the little Jack-achi, was a weekend foster from the Humane Society where I was a volunteer executive director. Lara, the red merle border collie on the far left, was a three year fearful dog rehab case I fostered who never left.

Four rescue dogs with a happy ending

- Niki Tudge

ast Thanksgiving, after hearing about a dog chained to a trailer that was about to be hauled away, I stopped to see the dog, Mo. His owner had been in a nursing home for six months, never to get out, and neighbors had been giving Mo food and water. His hips were atrophied so badly he could barely walk. Once we got home, I saw that he was unable to sit. The vet was unable to palpate them to check him out since he was in so much pain he screamed at her slight touch. I don't think either of us expected him to last more than a month before having to be put down due Mo had been chained to a trailer and could barely walk to pain, but now he has enthusiasm for life, lots of affection for me, Bella and the chickens and is pain-free. Mo is a miracle senior.

After living on a chain for I dread to think how long, this 15 year old is finally enjoying life as a house dog.

- Tamra Temple

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his is Hoppy. He is now four Hoppy’s back leg had to be amputated years old. He was rescued at 10 weeks old from a puppy mill.

One of his back legs was infected and barely hanging on; it had to be amputated right after being rescued.

I adopted him at five months old after he had been returned twice due to resource guarding and his “hyper personality.” He is the happiest dog you will ever meet. He now goes into schools and helps teach students about pet responsibility, bite prevention and, of course, that people or animals with disabilities should not be discriminated against.

- Dawn Goehring

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Doobie needed complete rehabilitation after his rescue from a puppy mill

oobie, now 10, was one of 54 labradors taken from a West Virginia puppy mill. He was four years old and required complete rehabilitation. He was able to pass his Certified Therapy Dog test a year ago. He is the best ever.

- Leslie Clifton

am the very proud guardian to Daisy, a puppy farm rescue dog, who was rescued along with approximately 140 other dogs here in South Australia. The dogs lived in disgusting filth, had no bedding and were on dirt floors where they would also have their puppies. Many of the dogs were pregnant or had young pups and some were whelping in the vans as they were being moved. Due to the high number of dogs, the Adelaide RSPCA put out a call for foster homes and through my work as a vet tech, we, as a clinic, offered to take one pregnant bitch, a miniature schnauzer. She was sad and scared, curled up right at the back of her cage not wanting to interact with me in any way. I offered to take her home, where I already had one Chihuahua, Minnie. Every day I would take this little girl home and the next day I would bring her back to work with me. She would sit on the car seat strapped in and just close her eyes to the world.

At home I had got her a dog playpen and she would live in that, with the door open just in case she wanted to come out.

When I took her out into the garden, she looked amazed and did lots of sniffing and took her first tentative steps onto the grass. After about a week, she would follow Minnie around.

Everywhere Minnie went, Daisy was not far behind and from then on, she did not want to stay in her play pen. Daisy was

I

ADVOCACY

adopted Poppy and Jasmine (beagle/terrier mixes) from the Teller County Regional Animal Shelter in Colorado in March of 2009, after a puppy mill in Kansas was shut down. They were just five months old.

It took many months Physically they were in to rebuild Poppy and Jasmine’s confidence pretty good health considering the circumstances. Mentally, however, we had a lot of work to do. It took nearly six weeks of daily positive reinforcement, counterconditioning, a little patience and a lot of love for them to accept human contact from me. It took another month or so to accept contact from my husband. Then the real work began of learning how to walk on a leash, travel in the car without anxiety, desensitize to common household noises, potty training, and building confidence to interact with new dogs and new people. It was a long road to recovery but today I could not be prouder of my two girls, who are the types of dogs that I can take anywhere and do anything with. I will be forever grateful to the people instrumental in their rescue and to Poppy and Jasmine who were willing to forgive and forget and bring our family unconditional love, joy and laughter every day.

- Nikki Finn-Loudenslager

slowly learning that I wasn’t all that scary and when Minnie would come over for attention, Daisy started to as well. She couldn’t cope with too much attention but was gaining confidence daily. About a week and a half after I first had Daisy, I rang the RSPCA and asked if I could keep her. They said yes, as long as she got desexed and the pups went to the RSPCA. Daisy is doing so well now. She can walk alongside me down a fairly busy road without getting frightened of the cars and trucks, which took about 16 months of desensitization and counterconditioning. We still have a long way to go, and I know she will never be a ‘normal’ dog. She still has what I call meltdowns, where she feels overwhelmed and will just stop, so we get out of where we are and what we are doing and just relax. I am now able to preempt this. She still cannot be in the middle of lots of people or dogs, is very frightened of children under about 12 years old, gets very unsettled when other dogs bark, or loud people are around. So we manage the environDaisy concentrates on a ment as much as possible. game, but certain sensory stimuli still unsettle her - Mandy Jones

For more information on Victoria Stilwell and National Puppy Mill Awareness Day, see News story on page 9 BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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EDUCATION

Chicken Clicker Camp with Terry Ryan A Four-Day Chicken Clicker Camp in Tampa, Florida

L

Saturday, April 30, 2016 - 9 a.m. - Tuesday, May 3, 2016 - 4 p.m. (EDT) Working and Auditor Spots Available

earn shaping, targeting and discrimination skills at our fourday chicken camp with renowned dog trainer, Terry Ryan.

Summary of Your Four-Day Camp

With the help of a variety of chickens we will work on the mechanical skills involved with effective delivery for reinforcement.

Exercises include observing and recording behavior on a simple ethogram. We will also explore how chickens acquire, store and process information. The student’s understanding of the concepts of applied behavior analysis will be developed. There will be several target exercises that relate well to the training of any species. Through visual discrimination tasks, we will work on fluency, latency and problem solving. No experience is needed.

Why Attend a Chicken Camp To Improve Your Dog Training Skills?

Firstly, you do not have bad or good chicken training habits because you have (probably) never trained a chicken before, thus avoiding the baggage often taken to dog training workshops.

Training a chicken is a stretch and a boost to your mechanical skills. The average chicken is faster than the average dog, giving Chickens do not give their trainers a second chance as dogs often do

Key Topics Covered: s Mechanical Skills - Drills for Coordination, Timing, Observation. s Umwelt - How Individuals Acquire, Process, Store Information. s Selection, Identification and Effective Marking (Use of Bridge) of Training Criteria. s Reinforcement: Rate/Schedule/Value/Delivery/Quantity, 80 percent Rule, Premack Principle. s Capturing and Shaping Behaviors. s Criteria Selection and Identification. s Goal Setting.

Greta Tudge, PPG Chicken Camp faculty member and s Task Analysis. entertainment director s Lateral Thinking Techniques.

Video:Terry Ryan explains why chicken camps are so effective for dog trainers: www.youtu.be/dHajEz8NOt4 CEUs: CCPDT 21/IAABC 25/KPA 21/PPG 24 More information and online registration: www.petprofessionalguild.com/event-1914871

T

© Can Stock Photo/cynoclub

you a chance to improve your coordination and timing.

Chickens will freeze or fly away if they do not like the way you are training them. Unlike dogs, you will know immediately if you are taking advantage of a chicken or pushing too hard, too fast. Chickens do not give their trainers a second chance as dogs so often do. Each working spot student will be partnered with another human and a chicken to train. You will take turns training your chicken and helping to coach your partner.

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BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

Looking for Something?

Check PPG’s Online Archive First!

he PPG archive currently holds over 400 articles. All categories are represented including behavior, training, business, PPG news, book reviews, product reviews, member profiles and opinion. If you want to search on a particular species, categories currently covered are canine, feline, piscine, porcine, avian, equine, murine and leporine.

Within each category, every article has been assigned a broad range of keywords, so you can research just about anything, e.g. counterconditioning, enrichment, empathy, cat litter box problems, the canine brain, harnesses, barrier frustration, vocal parrots, stationing pigs, puppy mills or clicker training, to name just a few. If you are looking for a specific author, then you can find articles that way too. Every entry has a direct link to the original source. www.petprofessionalguild.com /Guild-Archives

EDUCATION PPG Workshops and Webinars Workshops A Four-Day Chicken Clicker Camp with Terry Ryan (Tampa, FL) Saturday, April 30, 2016 - 9 a.m. (EDT) Tuesday, May 3, 2016 4 p.m. (EDT)

Details of all upcoming workshops can be found at: www.petprofessionalguild.com/Workshops.

Š Can Stock Photo/damedeeso

Live Webinars How To Teach Your Dog a Solid Recall with Alexandra Santos Thursday, November 5, 2015 - 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (EST) Learn How to Reduce Stress in Dogs During Grooming with Michelle Martiya Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (EST) Learn How to Live with A Thunder Phobic Dog with Tonya Wilhelm Thursday, December 3, 2015 - 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. (EST) Case Study:The Curious Case of Hemingway the Bunny with Emily Cassell Wednesday, December 9, 2015 - 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. (EST) Canine Cognitive Dysfunction: What Dog Trainers and Owners Need To Know with Eileen Anderson Monday, December 14, 2015 - 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. (EST) Learn about Platform Training for Dogs with Michele Pouliot Friday, January 15, 2016 - 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (EST) Business Smarts - Hands on Business Coaching for Pet Professionals facilitated by Niki Tudge Monday, January 18, 2016 - 5 p.m. - (EST) Monday, April 25, 2016 - 6 p.m. (EDT) The Use and Application of Training Mechanics to Help Develop Impulse Control with Jolein van Weperen Saturday, March 12, 2016 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. (EST)

Details of all upcoming webinars can be found at: www.petprofessionalguild.com /GuildScheduledEvents A recording is made available within 48 hours of all PPG webinars.

See also page 8 for details of the new feline webinar series to be launched in 2016.

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

13

COVER STORY

Building the ‘Super Learner’

Kate Mallatratt compares the practices of connectionism, aka trial and error learning, and error reduced – or

errorless – learning, and

wonders which method may ultimately be the most

beneficial to our dogs in terms of creativity and critical thinking

Mabel has been taught a “sleepy” behavior by combining the training modalities of luring and targeting an object (see inset, top right).The food lure, which is quickly faded, explains the downward head movement and a small target mat (not seen) achieves consistent chin placement. In a merge behavior (main picture) the “sleepy” behavior is transferred to a new object by placing the same chin target with which it was first taught, on the die. A paw touch with duration to the die can be added to form a merge of two behaviors (see inset, bottom right).

O

I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.

ne of my behavior colleagues posed a very interesting question recently, “If you always set your dog up for success and aim for errorless learning, are you not stunting your dog’s ability for critical thinking, limiting his opportunity to enjoy problem solving and shortening his fuse for frustration?”

This excellent question raises several more in my mind: Can learning truly be 100 percent errorless? Does setting up a learning environment for a successful outcome really have a detrimental effect on a dog’s learning ability? Do mistakes actually benefit the dog? Does avoiding errors mean a dog is less robust to face life’s challenges? What does a ‘mistake’ mean to a dog? We learn 14

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

- Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

avoidance from our errors because we understand the concept of a mistake and its negativity, but what do our dogs learn from their ‘mistakes’? Does trial and error only learning limit the behavior repertoire of our dogs?

The concept of nearly errorless learning was introduced by psychologist B. F. Skinner (1904 – 1990) in the 1930s. It is a teaching methodology that strives to keep errors to a minimum by prompting behavior to elicit the desired outcome. The opposite of errorless learning is trial and error learning, where learning happens from both mistakes and successes. American psychologist E. L. Thorndike (1874 – 1949) is credited with the concept of trial and error learning or connectionism, where

COVER STORY there is a direct connection between stimulus and response. This is how Mother Nature teaches and it can, at times, be a harsh and punishing way of learning.

Jump forward to the present day and Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs brought us microshaping, a highly refined form of error reduced learning that sets up the dog for success every step of the way. She showed the world the art of breaking down behaviors into miniscule parts that are taught individually, and then pieced back together to produce behaviors that are robust, error free and of consistently good quality. She taught us how targets can be used to successfully teach new behaviors to minimize errors and, most importantly, showed us that microshaped behaviors taught through error reduced learning are the product of happy, engaged learners (see pictures, right).

Most of us think of clicker training as positive – but is it always? Traditional clicker training is trial and error learning: the dog keeps trying until he hits upon the correct behavior, learning that the absence of the click means no reward – an error – and click means success. Horse clicker trainer Alex Kurland talks of “the click that teaches.” But what does it teach? As we reach for our clicker, we should ask ourselves some key questions: What is our dog learning at every step of the process when being taught a new behavior? What emotion is attached to the behavior? How many errors is our dog making? Is the dog happy, engaged, motivated and focused or is frustration driving new behaviors and if it is, does it matter? Yes, it matters because frustration affects behavior and learning. The behavior rate might be as high as 80-90 percent errors against 80-90 percent successes in errorless learning. How many times can a dog fail before he gives up? It depends on the dog, but surely there must be a better way of communicating? We often see the fallout of trial and error learning during free shaping when frustration levels rise. Dogs may revert to learned helplessness after cycling through their repertoire of known behaviors, or walk out of sessions, lie down, give up and bark through the sheer frustration of not understanding what is being asked of them. Even if the dog finally hits on the correct behavior, much to the trainer’s delight, the learning process for the dog has been a struggle and joyless.

What is frustration? According to the Oxford Dictionary of Animal Behavior, frustration can be described as, “A state of motivation that arises in situations in which the consequences of behavior are less than those that the animal has been led to expect on the basis of past experience…Frustration involves an element of expectancy…” According to this definition there must be an element of disappointment involved too. Disappointment leads to stress and anxiety. But how much frustration and disappointment is too much? It depends on the individual learner and their learning history. I am sure that at times I disappoint my dogs but it is not something I would intentionally want to do.

New behaviors can be born out of frustration just as they can be driven by puzzle solving in a ‘safe’ learning environment. However, the disappointment ‘label’ that might be attached to a behavior where the underlying motivation is frustration is not a positive learning mindset. While Fluffy may not inflict serious harm on you if she becomes frustrated, a larger captive zoo animal might – and I would not wish to be on the receiving end of a

A behavior taught through error reduced learning is like a jigsaw, where a complex behavior is broken down into many pieces, individually taught. Each piece fits together flawlessly.The ‘ring a bell’ behavior was taught errorlessly by first teaching paw placement on a temporary target, next placing the temporary target on the desk bell and finally fading the temporary target to achieve accurate paw placement.

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

15

COVER STORY First learning sticks: 11 years on Border collie Merlin’s default behavior when facing uncertainty in a training session is still a paw wave, the very first behavior he learned

frustrated adult male sea lion or elephant.

Let us now move into the training room with our dog, our clicker and our treats. What effect might these two methodologies – connectionism and error reduced learning have on the learning of a behavior? First, let us teach our dog to touch his nose to a fly swatter target through trial and error learning.

Imagine a scenario where in the previous training lesson you had been teaching a paw touch to a cone and the most recent reinforcement history is the dog using his paw. Roll forward to a new training session when you present a novel nose-touch target to your dog with no instructions. Based on the most recent learning history, what is likely to happen? A paw swipe of course.Yes, we can extinguish this behavior but the problem is that the first behavior associated with an object is often remembered; first learning sticks and it can be hard to eliminate that behavior association. The very first behavior I taught my blue merle Border collie over 10 years ago was a paw wave; to this day if he becomes confused in a training session, this is the behavior he offers me (see photo, top left).

As trainers, we often unintentionally build behavior chains.

Thrilled that our dog has offered the correct behavior, we click without a moment’s consideration for what has happened before the correct behavior. Consider the nose touch to the fly swatter behavior we are teaching through trial and error learning. Because of previous learning history, we have established that a paw touch is likely, but what if the correct behavior of a nose touch follows the incorrect behavior of a paw touch? We click the correct behavior of nose touch, reinforce this behavior, and then present the target for a repeat. Lo and behold, we have another paw touch followed by a nose touch. We have inadvertently built 16

BARKS from the Guild/November2015

Teaching cross paws is made easier when explaining to Phoebe where she should place her left paw through the use of a target mat

a paw touch g nose touch chain. This is because the wanted behavior follows the unwanted behavior. Behaviors do not happen in isolation and chains easily become reinforced. The clever dog outwits us. Some experienced dogs who have performed a correct behavior a number of consecutive times will occasionally ‘test the waters’ with an erroneous behavior as if to proof their learning.

In terms of training, would you rather your dog makes eight errors out of the 10 behaviors he offers when learning a new behavior, or would you prefer he offers eight correct behaviors making just two errors? The fact he makes so many errors is often down to our own lack of communication and inability to explain exactly what we want to a non-English speaker. For instance, if I put out 10 chairs without instructing you where to sit, the odds of you picking the right chair I had in mind are one in ten. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Right! Well done, have a biscuit - chocolate of course. How many times could we play this game of getting it wrong before it damages our relationship, connection and friendship? Choice is reinforcing; too much choice is overwhelming.

If you want to reduce errors, you must include an instruction manual. This means that to set up a successful learning environment, the teacher must consider how he can reduce the choices for the dog. Even if we achieve the same behavior outcome through trial and error learning as error reduced learning, consider the impact that eight erroneous paw taps might have on the final behavior outcome, or indeed sitting down and standing up six times before finally finding the correct chair.You would really feel you had earned your cookie! The paw tap might be executed with increased vigor so a gentle controlled paw tap

becomes a swipe, and a careful sit on the chair might turn into a heavy slam down on the chair. Behaviors driven when frustration is the motivation have an increased and less controlled ‘energy.’

You might even forget your usual polite table manners and snatch the cookie through exasperation and frustration. The underlying learning process is very different when teaching through trial and error learning versus error reduced learning and, most importantly, there is an emotional cost to the animal that impacts the behavior. Stress also inhibits learning.

Let us consider the same behavior taught though error reduced learning. How can paw taps be minimized? Firstly, food can be rubbed onto the fly swatter to encourage a sniff, fading the food scent quickly after two or three correct responses to the stimulus. Next place the fly swatter very close to the dog’s nose and, given recent learning history, he is very likely to sniff it (see photo, bottom right). Placing the target at nose height ensures he does not have to locate the object or step forward for the touch. Remember the jigsaw earlier? By teaching through error reduced learning, the behavior is broken down into components and each micro behavior is taught one at a time. Later the difficulty can be increased by introducing a new location, placing the object farther away so that the dog has to move forward to touch it, and varying the height of presentation. This generalization, when we make small changes to the learning surroundings to avoid environmental dependency, makes a behavior more robust and able to be performed anywhere. Between nose touches, remove the fly swatter so that there is full control of the visual cue and behaviors are not unintentionally re-cued while the dog is eating or when he (or we) is (are) not ready. Take the utmost care how food treats are delivered to set the dog up for a repeat of the behavior, and use food rewards to encourage the dog to approach the target from different directions depending on where the food is placed or thrown. This attention to details gives the dog clues about what is wanted, improves communication and reduces frustration. When teaching a behavior through error reduced learning always consider learning history, what errors are likely to be made and put in place plans to avoid mistakes.

Once the perfect behavior is exhibited in a fluent and confident manner, now is the time to name it.

A common error is to add a cue to a substandard, error laden behavior.Verbally repeating a cue several times does not improve the behavior quality, response to cue nor reduce errors. Rushing to add a cue to behavior in the belief that the behavior quality will improve with repetition is not good practice.

Combine training modalities to reduce errors. Rather than put different training techniques into boxes, allow them to overlap in order to give clear instructions.

Consider first luring a “sleepy” be-

COVER STORY

havior and marking the head movement with a click and treat.

Next fade the lure and add in a chin target. Having already explained to the dog what movement is required during the initial luring, a head drop is likely. Fade the target using the ‘new cue/old cue’ protocol and add the final cue to the finished behavior (see cover photo and main photo on page 12).

What do dogs learn from practicing mistakes? We attach negative emotions to errors, but dogs do not view them with the same negative bias. The absence of the click that often accompanies an error is, or should be, just information with no emotional strings attached. However, long periods of silence with no click places a negative connotation on the absence of the click for the dog. One of the problems with practicing mistakes is that we strengthen the erroneous behavior. What is practiced becomes muscle memory, written into the resulting behavior. Muscle memory is not something that happens to the muscles, but the brain. It is the ‘hard wiring’ that comes from repetition. Repeating erroneous behaviors only serves to build and strengthen neural pathways. Old habits die hard.

When aiming for error reduced learning, the dog’s choices are limited by setting up the learning environment in favor of him choosing the wanted behavior. This often means that the dog learns very quickly. Teachers need to be ready with the next puzzle-solving challenge for the star ‘pupil’ and be mindful of not holding him back because of lack of forward planning. Error reduced learning places a lot of emphasis on the skill of the teacher to support the super learner. Are you ready for the challenge?

Rather than stifle a dog’s “critical thinking,” look for other ways to teach these skills. For example, Laurence teaches us that error reduced learning requires the teacher to develop a new mindset. A star music pupil reaching the level of grade 3 piano very quickly, needs a teacher who thinks ahead and is ready with grade 4 and grade 5 pieces. It would be detrimental to his growth to ask him to remain at grade 3 and never reach his true potential. So it is with our dogs. Rather than stunting their ability A nose touch to an object can be taught by rubbing scent on the target to encourage investigation with the nose rather than paw

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

17

COVER STORY

Some behaviors that require exquisite precision, accuracy and coordination, such as rings on a pole and nesting cups, lend themselves perfectly to error reduced teaching

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BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

for critical thinking, forward thinking and lesson planning is required to make the training puzzle harder to challenge mental capabilities. If elementary grade 1 was a nose touch to a target, grade 6 might be a merge of three behaviors with grade 8 incorporating concepts such as identifying matching pairs of objects or choosing the largest or smallest object out of a range. Degree level might be balancing stacking cups one on top of the other, a behavior requiring extreme precision, accuracy and coordination.

Teachers need to avoid stunting a dog's growth by prohibiting them from wasting vital time and energy on making, practicing and strengthening mistakes. Imagine if all that energy was channelled into problem solving, the sky would be the limit.

Maybe it is our own personal experiences of life’s rich tapestry with its ups and downs that makes it easier to associate with trial and error learning than error reduced learning. Some behaviors would be very difficult indeed to teach to our dogs through trial and error learning, especially those that require precise accuracy and placement of objects such as nesting cups inside each other or placing a hoop on a pole. In everyday life, some behaviors we learn are highly unsuitable for trial and error learning. It would be downright dangerous to learn to drive a car through trial and error learning, for example. Most of us have benefited from error reduced learning during driving lessons and we adequately learn the skills. It is wrong to cherry pick only ‘dangerous’ behaviors for error reduced learning; how much would we benefit if this methodology seeped into all our learning and teaching as far as possible?

Rather than stifle a dog’s “critical thinking,” look for other ways to teach these skills. For example, critical thinking and creativity can be encouraged by setting up a learning environment that explores free thinking and encourages novel behaviors. By placing lots of objects on a blanket, encouraging interaction with each of these and reinforcing ‘try anything,’ a dog can get creative in a safe learning environment. Over time the dog begins to understand the concept of try anything and new behaviors emerge, such as merges that have not been taught. Objects can be grouped together that encourage partnerships, such as a ball placed next to a bucket or a toy next to a box. The set-up of the environment, with lots of objects on a blanket, explains to the dog that the training session is a creative one.

Dogs solve problems every day. Frustration is part of everyday life; dogs cannot avoid it. Some will deal with it better than others, due to character, personality, genetic predisposition and learning history. Dogs experience frustration when they are refused access, when they are having fun on a walk and it is time to go home, when they have to leave a biscuit on the table and when they cannot have what they want. Training exercises that specifically teach impulse control, such as sitting and waiting for dinner, waiting by a gate or staying in the car until released, can be taught as standalone exercises to build individual skills and frustration tolerance, i.e. I can only have what I want when I am calm.

Error reduced learning relies on the trainer to learn a new training language. It is not for the faint hearted. The clicker is not the sole tool for communication in a training session. Along with careful planning, object placement, the environment itself, how

the treats are delivered, where we position ourselves and how we avoid errors are all part and parcel of the ‘clues’ we give our dogs to get ‘warmer.’ Leave nothing to chance. Mistakes will happen but they will be few and far between, there will be less emotion attached to them and they are simply information that can direct our training. When you start to ‘talk’ to your dog through error reduced learning, it is like having a conversation between two friends who share a mutual interest and common ground.

Error reduced learning is like good grammar, spelling and syntax compared to poor grammar, aberrant apostrophes and misspelled words that leave your reader guessing. Are you ready to improve your ‘spelling?’

Let us now move from the training room to the home. How does trial and error learning affect first learning in the household environment? Many pet owners let puppies make mistakes and, when they come to puppy class at 14 weeks of age, they have often been rehearsing unwanted behaviors in the home for some time. They have learned to jump up, bark in the garden, steal food, chase the cat, whine to come out of the crate, etc. It is very important that puppies learn the correct social and familiarization skills at puppy class because first learning sticks. An owner who has doubts about the quality of teaching and puppy-topuppy interaction should remove their puppy from the class rather than let him learn inappropriate skills. Some of the mistakes our dogs are allowed to make may, unfortunately, escalate into more serious behavior issues. For example, rather than allowing a puppy to become fearful of his own company, take time to teach him the skills that he needs to be emotionally comfortable when home alone. His first home alone learning can be positive by teaching him that when he has his dinner (stuffed into a food dispensing toy) he is left alone for a few seconds, gradually increasing the time. The trade-off for being alone is that he gets to enjoy his food. Many behavior problems arise because dogs are allowed to make errors and we fail to teach them the skills they need. When we implement a behavior modification program the training process becomes a whole lot harder on the owner and the dog, and requires a considerable amount of time, money

Error reduced learning in the home could mean teaching your dog home-alone relaxation skills before problems arise. A relaxing environment has been set up here to support Roo’s learning with a stuffed Kong, a bandana sprayed with calming Pet Remedy, a favorite toy and closed blinds.

COVER STORY

and emotional investment. Would it not be better that they didn’t practice these behaviors in the first place? Learning through connectionism is not necessarily beneficial to the dog or the owner.

Error reduced learning has many benefits. It improves communication between teacher and learner in the classroom, helps avoid problem behaviors developing in the home and builds ‘super learners.’ Super learners can problem solve, think critically, analyze situations and think outside the box; they enjoy the learning process and surprise us with their abilities. Are you up to the challenge of learning to ‘build’ a super learner through error reduced learning? n

Resources

Abrantes, R. (2011). The Magic Words ‘Yes’ and ‘No.’ Retrieved from www.rogerabrantes.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/the -magic-words-yes-and-no Chance, P. (2009). Learning and Behavior (6th edn). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Kurland, A. (2003). The Click That Teaches: A Step By Step Guide. New York, NY: The Clicker Centre LLC. Laurence, K. (2009-2012). Canine Online Learning & Resources, Learning About Dogs Ltd. (www.learningaboutdogs.com).

Laurence, K. (2012) Guided Shaping webinar. Canine Online Learning & Resources, Learning About Dogs Ltd. (www.learningaboutdogs.com).

Laurence, K. (2010). Cues and Reinforcers. Canine Online Learning & Resources, Learning About Dogs Ltd. (www.learningaboutdogs.com).

Laurence, K. (2010). Teaching Modifier Cues. Canine Online Learning & Resources, Learning About Dogs Ltd. (www.learningaboutdogs.com).

Laurence, K. (2009). Targets & Basic Shaping. Canine Online Learning & Resources, Learning About Dogs Ltd. (www.learningaboutdogs.com).

Laurence, K. (2009). Microshaping. Canine Online Learning & Resources, Learning About Dogs Ltd. (www.learningaboutdogs.com).

McFarland, D (2006). Oxford Dictionary of Animal Behavior.

Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press Pappas, C. (2013). Instructional Design Models and Theories: Connectionism Theory. Retrieved from www.elearningindustry.com/connectionism Pryor, K. (2009). Reaching the Animal Mind: Clicker Training and What It Teaches Us about Animals. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Reber, S., Allen, R., & Reber, E. (2009). Penguin Dictionary of Psychology (4th edn). London, UK: Penguin Group Wynn, R. (2014). What is errorless learning? Retrieved from www.graymattertherapy.com/errorless_learning Kate Mallatratt has an advanced diploma in canine behavior management, runs her behavior and training business, Contemplating Canines, www.contemplatingcanines.com, in East Devon, UK, and teaches online courses to students worldwide. She is a highly experienced trainer and assessor specializing in errorless learning.

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INTERVIEW

Growth Beyond Prejudice

Annie Phenix speaks to renowned veterinarian and applied animal behaviorist, and PPG Force-Free Summit keynote speaker, Dr. Karen Overall, about behavior as a growth field

and the key role science can play in improving animal welfare through qualified trainers

D

and behavior consultants

r. Karen Overall, MA,VMD, PhD, has an exquisite eye for behavior, and not just dog and cat behavior. I flew to Philadelphia this summer to spend a day with Dr. Overall and her assistant, Jess Lydon, CVT, to learn more about her most recent study on canine cognition. I also wanted to meet one of our industry’s most compelling forces of nature who never backs down from speaking her mind about humane treatment of animals.

As PPG members who are attending the first ever Force-Free Summit this month will already know, Dr. Overall is the keynote speaker at the event. She also serves as one of PPG’s Special Counsel experts. In person, Dr. Overall comes across much like her favorite breed of dog – Australian shepherds – in that she is always on the move. She is friendly yet introspective and selective about those alongside her. She notices the little things, and the big things.

As we were chatting in the first few minutes of meeting, she was setting up for her most recent canine study in a large warehouse at a local veterinary specialty hospital, HOPE VS. She heard a dog whining, perhaps one just waking up from surgery. She stepped out three times to console the dog. I did not even realize that was what she was doing until she mentioned it several hours later. Her attunement to a dog’s suffering and stepping away from her important task at hand to bring him some comfort not only eased his worry but it was effective; he stopped whining and barking. Later she confessed she also went to help the dog to serve as an example for the large staff at the specialty hospital.

“They are so busy that they can become desensitized to an animal crying out,” she said.

Once she had the dogs quietened down, we commenced our conversation.

BARKS: What is the focus of your current study?

Dr. Karen Overall: This study, the Penn Canine Cognition and Problem Solving Study for Pet Dogs, is part of a series of collaborative studies titled Developing a Better Canine Warrior: Performance Assessment, Associated Phenotypes and Genome-wide Association Mapping for Superior Intelligence in Military Working Dogs (MWDIG). It is approved by the University of Pennsylvania Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and the US Department of Defense Army Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. We are testing dogs in a multi-part problem solving study. It is part of a larger, collaborative effort on genetics and cognition in dogs.

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BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

Dr. Karen Overall would like veterinary schools to appreciate the importance of behavior and see it for the growth industry that it is

We had more than150 people volunteer to have their dogs tested – 180 dogs - within 48 hours of posting the study, largely because of the efforts of two area trainers: Leslie McDevitt and Ali Brown. We also have very active dog clubs in the region. To date, we have tested over 100 dogs, and we are still testing. We asked for beagle size dogs or larger because they had to be big enough to work a puzzle box. We tested each dog in series of puzzle games involving balls, toys, treats and play. We also had each dog listen to a noise CD while resting. The dogs wore a customized VOYCE band that measures small changes in heart rate and activity level. Finally, we took a blood sample for future genetic mapping.

BARKS: Are things improving in terms of more veterinarians studying animal behavior? Many veterinary schools do not require their students to take even one class on behavior.

KO: It is getting worse, actually. Georgia has no behavior clinic now. Minnesota closed theirs. Penn’s is soft money. Most positions are soft money, or, worse, the school just brings in someone to give a few lectures. Almost all tenured positions will go away in a few years as people retire. North Carolina at least has a clinical research position. Tufts has advertised for a clinical instructor to replace Dr. Dodman – a tenured full professor when he retires in June.

BARKS: How can this situation be changed?

KO: Administrations at veterinary schools need to appreciate the importance of behavior and behavioral medicine to the core veterinary mission (and the new American Animal Hospital Association behavior guidelines discuss this in depth [see box on page 21]), and they need to appreciate that, like all other fields, research is at the core of moving forward. There are two false perceptions that persist: that behavior programs are not costefficient and that this field is not and cannot be data driven and evidence based. The scientific literature supports neither of these claims. Researchers, alumni, clients, veterinarians and vet students need to lobby vet schools about this profound, unmet need.

BARKS: Why aren’t more veterinarians interested in learning about behavior?

KO: Veterinarians are interested in behavior. But when it comes to the perception of the field, too many people think that cats and dogs are disposable. And it goes to income. I hate to tell you this. This is a big, unresolved civil rights issue. There are many unresolved civil rights issues but this is the big one: many people think that – based on income – animals – and probably people are viewed as disposable. Instead, people need to start seeing behavior as the core quality of life issue. The focus in schools is now only economics. The square footage costs what it costs and it doesn’t matter if you are putting a million dollar piece of equipment in that square footage or if you focus on behavior and the only thing in the room is the veterinarian.You figure out what the highest grossing service is and how much space you need to do it.Vet schools and vet offices have to do the same thing: bring in X amount of dollars per square foot. Everyone perceives that the best money is in emergency medicine. When my dog had his emergency knee surgery, he had five doctors and two anesthesiologists in the room. That is expensive. It cost $6,000 and took more than two hours. But if you divide that number over staff and time, it is similar to what I charge for a behavior appointment and I have little overhead: no machines to Overall at work testing a border collie for the Penn Canine Cognition and Problem Solving Study for Pet Dogs

INTERVIEW

maintain, no clean up, no sterilization process. People do not think about how valuable it can be to invest in simply using your brain. So gross income, alone, is likely a false measure, and if you want to grow other fields and new developments in them, you need to keep that dog or cat alive long enough to, for example, need dialysis.

BARKS: I just made the connection for the first time that this is the same in human medicine. We spend millions on expensive surgeries and ER rooms but we do little for humans who are mentally ill. In fact, we often release them to live on the street.

KO: It is a civil rights issue. In economic models, some forms of medicine like behavior/psychiatry are viewed as ‘inelastic.’ The belief is that there is no way to generate income beyond your time. But if you charge fairly - $500 and up for a two-three hour behavior appointment - and that patient is mentally and emotionally healthier, and she lives long enough to need more veterinary care and more specialty services, everyone benefits. This type of cost is a real deal when people understand what is being offered.

You also have fewer civic costs – like those associated with irresponsible pet ownership and relinquishment - and a greatly improved emotional cost picture. Behavioral medicine uses the old medical model where you do follow-ups. No one in behavior is starving.

BARKS: How do you work past a common argument that antianxiety medications are not “natural?”

KO: If you believe that everything is normal, that everything is a variant of normal then you are never going to get vaccinated, you are never going to get medical help for anything. That is not how I see the world. I break the world into less normal and more normal. In behavioral medicine, a lot of dogs we deem normal are sick. Mental illness should be treated.

Every licensed psychopharmacological medication in the US – Border collie Honky Tonk undergoing testing in a multi-part problem solving study

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whether it used for humans or dogs - must be tested on dogs, so we actually know what level of that drug is going to make a dog ill or kill him. Those safety data exist. We do not actually know those levels with non-regulated, “natural” remedies. If anything, you are ‘safer’ with prescription drugs. More than 90 percent of the people who come and see me come around to that way of thinking.

The thing that concerns me is that people think it is okay not to use drugs. If they understood time penetrance – that this dog is getting worse when you delay known efficacious treatment – they would see that the earlier you treat, the better the outcome. The earlier you treat, the more likely you are to be able to get this dog off drugs. If you keep waiting, not only are you causing the dog to suffer, you are causing their neurochemistry to change long-term.

People are going to make their decisions for their own reasons and sometimes they make dumb ones.You cannot make somebody do anything, but I firmly believe you can collect data and show people data. I will drag out papers, I will drag out books, I will send the client pdfs, I will send them my own papers.

I will draw curves for them: this is how it works with pictures of the synapse of the neuron. I have clients who are high school dropouts and clients who are – literally – rocket scientists. They may not be able to ask for a refill with the long name of the type of drug I have prescribed for their dog but they will call and tell me: “I need that drug that affects the part of the brain, the amygdala.” They sat down with me for three hours and they got that much neuroscience. They do not have the words or the spelling and they did not spend 12 years post grad as I did. But what they got was the concept. And their dogs get better.

BARKS: What do you recommend for trainers who do not have a veterinary behaviorist in their area, or there is one but the wait list is months-long?

KO: I think what you have to do if you are a trainer - and I think this is hard - is you have to identify sympathetic vets who also want change and are interested in behavior. That would be my first step. When vets ask me how to deal with behavior problems I try to find out why they are asking. Do they not refer because the client is on a tight budget? Is the vet asking because the client is driving her nuts and she wants to say “so-and-so said” so that the client will go away? Or is the vet interested and just heartbroken about the dog’s state? There are many reasons you could be interested, but the first step is interest. Trainers just have to ask the right questions to find somebody who is interested in working with behavior, especially if they have some help and encouragement. I tell vets that you don’t need to be able to do all of the behavior modification techniques – just know what they are. Use the trainer to help you implement a joint plan. A certified, professional trainer knows how to implement true behavior modification and teach clients to do this well.

Border collies Honky Tonk (top) and Giddy Up engage in a series of puzzle games involving balls, toys, treats and play for Overall’s current study, which forms part of a larger, collaborative effort on genetics and cognition in dogs

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BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

BARKS: Trainers can get their hands slapped (and even face legal repercussions) for seemingly even talking brand names of drugs with clients who ask about them. But they do ask us and we are familiar with many anti-anxiety medications, sometimes even

INTERVIEW

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American Animal Hospital Association Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines 2015

he 2015 American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines were developed to provide practitioners and staff with concise, evidence-based information to ensure that the basic behavioral needs of feline and canine patients are understood and met in every practice. Some facility in veterinary behavioral and veterinary behavioral medicine is essential in modern veterinary practice. More cats and dogs are affected by behavioral problems than any other condition. Behavioral problems result in patient suffering and relinquishment and adversely affect staff morale. These guidelines use a fully inclusive team approach to integrate basic behavioral management into everyday patient care using standardized behavioral assessments; create a low-fear and low-stress environment for patients, staff and owners; and create a cooperative relationship with owners and patients so that the best care can be delivered. The guidelines’ practical, systematic approach allows veterinary staff to understand normal behavior and recognize and intervene in common behavioral problems early in development. The guidelines emphasize that behavioral management is a core competency of any modern practice.

- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (2015). 51, 205–221. doi: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6527

more so than a local veterinarian is. How should trainers handle a request to talk about medical support for their anxious dog?

KO: We have had trainers who have overstepped their boundaries. I remind them that what they can say is: ‘there is a series of drugs that are licensed for use in dogs (and name a sample brand name) on the market.’ And then you can say: ‘there are books, chapters and papers written about these things that are accessible to your veterinarian, discuss this with them.’ You can suggest even my new manual, Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats (2013), which lists various conditions and suggested medications.

BARKS: I work closely with several veterinarians and we collaborate with a joint client. I teach the behavior modification and the vet handles all things medical. However, I have had more than one veterinarian call me and ask me what drug they think I should recommend they prescribe for our mutual patient. That puts trainers in a very awkward position because I worry that if I do not make a recommendation, the veterinarian will not end up prescribing anything for the dog.

KO: An awful lot of veterinarians put trainers in that position. They know you all have been to the seminars that they have not been able to get to.

When they needed to obtain their Continuing Education, there was someone presenting a new surgical tech-

Overall highlights a mark on the floor so that the dogs’ owners know where to stand during testing

nique that they really needed to hear, so they could not go to the behavior talk. It is really difficult to be a general practitioner veterinarian. I have loads of sympathy for the GP veterinarian. They are in the trenches. But these vets who call the trainers are open to having books, websites, webinars, papers suggested to them. I had one trainer who told me that at Christmas she gifts the new behavior books each year to the veterinarians she works closely with.

BARKS: Would it not anger a veterinarian to receive a book on behavioral medicine from a trainer or dog owner?

KO: No. Even if there is that slight risk, you might want to chance it. It is the same thing I see all over the country: one vet in an area takes an interest in behavior and then they start getting many additional clients who are desperate for help. This is a real growth field.

BARKS: What would a veterinarian most want from a trainer, especially from those of us who specialize in behavior? What can trainers do better?

KO: The biggest thing that veterinarians tell me they want trainers to have – besides proper credentials and experience – is insurance.Vets do not want to carry the liability for someone else – they have enough of their own. The second thing is that trainers should not step on toes and practice medicine. This is a partnership. Let vets know what you have to offer: you have all of the behavior modification skills, which vets often lack, and a huge range of knowledge.

When my great grandfather came home from World War I, he had post-traumatic stress disorder. We then called it shell shock and told these men that they were “boys” and “cowards.”

We do not do that any more. Why are we still doing it to dogs?

That is what science is for – so we can grow past our prejudices. n Annie Phenix CPDT-KA is the trainer in residence for Dogster.com, www.dogster.com and writes a weekly training column for Dogster Magazine. She is currently writing a book for dog owners about living with troubled dogs, titled The Midnight Dog Walkers. Join her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/phenixdogs.

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The Click Starts the Behavior

Yvette Van Veen investigates the common belief that the click ends the behavior and

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explains why there is so much more to it

common expression used in clicker training is that the click “ends the behavior.” Rarely do we stop to think what this really means but it bears closer examination.

Typically, the phrase indicates that dogs get reinforcement post-click, even if they have broken out of position.

We click. The dog gets a cookie. There is no reneging.

When I say click, I really mean marking the behavior.

For the sake of clarity, I will also be using the word click © Can Stock Photo/izelPhotography to reference the wide array of commonly used markers such as “yes” or “good.” What these all have in common is that the marker indicates that the dog did a desirable behavior. Reinforcement in the form of something the dog likes follows the click.

After the click, there is a window of time between the click and the reinforcement. This brief period may only last one or two seconds. For more seasoned dogs, this may be a little longer.

Generally, it is a small window.

In this space and time, dogs stop what they are doing at the sound of the click. They take a moment to collect the proverbial paycheck. One behavior ends and another begins. Once the dog collects, it is hoped that they quickly return to work on earning further reinforcements.

Collecting on reinforcement is an active process. Dogs are behaving during this time. They often move toward an owner’s hand in happy anticipation. They meet their people halfway knowing a cookie is imminent. Clicking may end the target behavior. It also starts paycheck collection behavior.

The location in which we give our dog a treat is like a magnet. It draws the dog closer. With repetition, dogs start creeping toward the reinforcement zone. They linger there.

Referring to the position of reinforcement as a payroll department is quite apropos. In the days prior to online banking, staff would pick up their paychecks in person at the payroll department. Staff would repeatedly check payroll throughout the day until checks arrived. The act of going to payroll took people away from their work.

Dogs do something similar. Dogs, unlike people, go to their payroll department repeatedly during a training session. When they hear the click, it is payday. Paycheck seeking begins. For 24

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

Clicking marks a target behavior, after which there is generally a short window of time prior to reinforcement

many dogs this means nudging the owner’s hand.

Dogs know where that treat is likely to come from.

Imagine for a moment the typical, friendly juvenile dog that jumps on guests. In an effort to change this behavior, we set out to teach an incompatible behavior such as a sit. In a well-meaning effort to achieve this goal, the owners dispense treats to all family, friends and guests. Many people are asked to feed the dog

for sitting politely instead of jumping.

Clicking sits would increase sitting behavior. By having other people doling out the food, the dog’s payroll department is with those other people. Sitting is not the only behavior that increases. Running toward other people also increases. Focus on the owner decreases. Should the dog be on leash, pulling in order to get to guests may increase. The dog is rightly convinced that good behavior is paid elsewhere – from the hands of strangers. Ironically, clicking the awesome behavior of sitting can start a slew of other problematic behaviors.

A better option is for the owner to click and treat the dog for sitting politely. This should be done while guests act as distractions. Change the position of the reinforcement to change the location of the payroll department.

This way, the dog has reason to sit so the sitting behavior increases. He also has reason to stay by the owner’s side. Combine the new reinforcement zone with a high rate of reinforcement and a better cycle emerges. The dog will linger near the owner and learn to wait for guests to approach. Incentive for pulling toward other people decreases. The location of your payroll department can either help or hinder the training progress.

Using reinforcements found in the environment can lure a dog out of position too. Using Premack* based exercises, loose leash walking can be reinforced with sniffing and wandering. The dog may try to walk politely. One paw is ready to dart off to payroll at any moment.

Premack exercises are not bad. They are often used prematurely as a means of getting away from food rewards. Do not rush away from food use too soon or use these exercises as a way of avoiding food altogether. Food is not the enemy. Treats

Struggling is not a function of breed. In other videos, the roles are reversed. The Border collie quickly begins to struggle when faced with the same training error. The mixed breed starts to shine when the problem is rectified.

These types of minute changes in the location of feeding are helpful when teaching skills such as retrieves, duration based exercises and pure shaping.

Feeding in position sets the dog up for success as future criteria increases.

Dogs are already offering many right responses at the new levels because the location of the reinforcement is leading the dog into that direction.

Extinction bursts are reduced if not avoided altogether. More success means a high rate of reinforcement for the dog. The dog learns readily and clients feel good when their dog is working on point.

Clicking may very well end one behavior. The small void of space and time that lies between the click and the treat matters a great deal.Your payroll department is a magnet driving the behavior that lies in this crevice. Giving thought to how it is used offers many ways of maximizing training outcomes. n At the sound of the click, one behavior ends and another begins

© Can Stock Photo/HighwayStarz

allow in position feeding. In loose leash walking, that would be beside our leg. Place considerable weight on reinforcements that pay out in the position you want the dog to be.

Stationary behaviors, such as stay, benefit from in position feeding. Teach the dog that paychecks are delivered directly to him. If he pops up out of a stay after being clicked, walk him back to the location of the stay. Feed in position. Anticipating and darting out of the stay encourages the dog to meet you halfway.You get what you reinforce and that is not only the behavior you are clicking.

At other times it makes sense to pay off into the distance.

Teaching leave-it is one such time. Few people want a dog sitting next to the dinner table. Few people relish the idea of a dog drooling on their dinner. A cat rarely wants to eat with a dog looming overhead. Situations such as this are more than leave it.

We want leave it to include moving away.

As dogs demonstrate a rudimentary understanding of leave it, start feeding reinforcements away from the distraction. I tell clients to “feed at the dog’s backside.” With repetition, dogs start creeping back and away. The more the dog creeps, the more the creeping is reinforced. One day, dinner is placed on the table and the dog runs to payroll on the other side of the room.

Dog sports often reinforce away into the distance. Throwing toys out past an agility obstacle creates motion in the direction of the toy. Back up benefits from clicking backwards motion. Reinforcement that encourages further movement creates more backing away. Feed so that the dog anticipates he will need to move back in order to obtain the treat.

Feeding away and off to the side is another useful technique.

It is used to encourage the dog out of position. There are several occasions when this might be worth considering. Sometimes we may wish to drill a particular movement. Our goal may be fast repetitions. Working on sit with a novice dog might require us to feed in such a manner that the dog stands up. Standing up allows the dog to sit again. It would be a temporary measure used to reset the dog and increase the rate or reinforcement. Tossing a treat to the side can also help owners to regroup and reload.

Sometimes the difference between effective and ineffective position feeding is centimeters. Small movements have big consequences. This profound difference is demonstrated in this video which shows two dogs who have been taught the same behavior using the same training plans where only one minor detail has been changed - the location of the dog’s payroll department is different. A duration touch is the goal behavior.

The Border collie quickly grasps the idea of duration while the mixed breed dog struggles. Initial touches fail to materialize into confident duration behaviors. Criteria is reduced each time he struggles. Without strong supporting position feeding he continues faltering. That struggling leads to frustrated, flustered and agitated behavior. Other, less persistent dogs may quit and wander off.

These problems are sometimes mislabeled as attention issues or impulse control. Food given at the side creates head shaking rather than a duration hold. A behavioral tug-of-war forms. The dog is torn between touching the target and collecting his treat.

The position of the food undermines efforts.

TRAINING

* In operant conditioning, the Premack Principle, developed by David Premack, states that a commonly occurring action (one more desirable for the actor) can be used effectively as a reinforcer for a less commonly occurring one (that is, one less desirable for the actor). A common example used to illustrate this principle is a parent requiring a child to clean his or her room before he or she can watch television. In this case, television, an activity that probably does not require reinforcement, is used as a reinforcer for cleaning the room, which in the context of this example the child would not do without reinforcement.

Resources

Video Two Dogs, Same Training Plan: www.youtube.com/watch?v =u95niBQlFrY

Yvette Van Veen PCT-A is a dog behavior consultant and owner of Awesome Dogs, www.awesomedogs.ca. She is also a long-time columnist and multiple Dog Writers Association of America award nominee, and currently writes a regular column for The Toronto Star. She has worked with rescue dogs for more than 14 years, focusing mainly on rural, roaming and feral rescue dogs from communities throughout Ontario and Quebec, Canada. She is also the creator of Awesome Dogs Shareables, www.facebook.com/Awesomedogsresources, an educational meme site providing resources and training tips in small, shareable formats.

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Thunder, Lightning and Barometric Pressure

Carolyn Kocman looks into phobia related behaviors with reference to loud noises, and

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© Can Stock Photo/adogslifephoto

what can be done by both owners and pet professionals to improve an animal’s welfare

wners and caretakers can almost always recognize phobia related behaviors. Shaking, drooling, panting, restlessness, pacing, clinging to owners and hiding are all fairly overt and recognizable behaviors that can be triggered by such things as loud noises or thunderstorm activity.

There are a number of things pet owners can do to comfort an animal that is in the throes of phobia related behavior. What follows is a list of more immediate recommendations. These are not tips on modifying the behavior and should not be construed as such. These are emergency measures to take for the animal that experiences the crisis of the moment and is in a frenzied, panicked state.

An owner with a dog that is presently displaying phobia related behaviors will need some immediate recommendations.

Wrapping a dog with a pressure type garment can help settle the panicked dog, but is not a guaranteed management tool for the symptoms of phobia. These types of products generally recommend that the animal be fitted with the garment prior to the fear-inducing event. Sometimes that is simply not possible. Furthermore, this type of product is little more than a band aid.

Though there is some merit in providing the fearful dog with help in reducing his behavioral manifestations, it is far better to get at the root of the problem than simply treat the symptoms.

In many cases, behavior professionals only receive reports of such episodes when the window of prevention has already passed. As such they may end up giving the owners directives on what to do between that first contact and the time that they can begin with the actual behavior modification program.

“Once the [thunderstorm] season ends, the problem is no longer pressing so unfortunately behavior modification often takes the back burner until the next season when the fear or panic occurs again,” said Tara Houser, PPG member and behavior professional who specializes in treating phobia related behavior.

Houser noted that this type of behavior tends to worsen with age.

It would be fitting then for trainers and other behavior professionals to keep a list of tips Fear is an emotion, not a behavior and directives on and, as such, hand for this cannot be reinforced very purpose. It may also be in the interest of the trainer to follow up with the client at the end of the season.

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The Bolt-Hole

A bolt-hole is a safe and comforting place to which the dog may BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

A fear of thunderstorms and other loud noises is well-documented in dogs

© Can Stock Photo/TetianaLadigina

retreat to avoid aversive stimuli that are present in the current environment. This place should be away from the source of the disturbance. In the case of thunderstorm phobias, for example, it should be an inside room away from a window or door. The bolthole may be a bed or crate (but keep the door open). The bolthole may be located in a small room such as a bathroom or walk-in closet, or it may be a corner of a larger room.

This is an area that should always be set up and made available to the animal. The dog should be familiar with the space far in advance of a storm, but should also maintain positive associations with the space. The bolt-hole is an integral component in helping the dog escape from the stress triggers in the environment. It should be a calm place and as previously mentioned, should be filled with positive associations; therefore, it is necessary to include some of the more important items in a dog’s world, such as toys and bedding. A piece of the owner’s clothing (with his/her scent) is often found to be a comfort to a stressed pet and it can be a good idea to put one of these items in the area.

While there are varied opinions on DAP diffusers, it certainly is an option that can be offered to an owner. Having this available in the bolt-hole environment has been proven effective by Mills et al. (2006), who found that Dog Appeasing Pheromones can calm an anxious pet in the veterinary setting.

Minimize Exposure to Stimuli

Maybe it should not have to be said, but do not put a dog displaying phobia related behavior outside in the storm to “deal with it.”

Some owners may be of the mindset that flooding an animal will lead to non-reaction to stimuli. Some may simply not want to contend with the phobia related behaviors themselves. However, this practice will make matters worse rather than better.

Sometimes it is possible to remove the stimulus which triggers the phobia. For example, if the dog is fearful of a particular sound, such as a ringing doorbell, it may be possible to temporarily remove the battery in order to eliminate the dog’s exposure to the stimulus. However, many times this is not a possibility, as would be the case with a thunderstorm or a neighbor’s fireworks display.

In the event that it is impossible to completely control the stimulus itself, it is usually possible to reduce the animal’s exposure to it. During a thunderstorm, it will mean closing windows to minimize exposure to thunder noise and closing blinds to limit exposure to lightning. Masking the sounds that are involved during storm activity can also be helpful: turning on a television, radio, or white noise machine. It can be helpful to throw a blanket over a crate or give the dog blankets in which to hide or burrow to limit noise and light exposure as well.

Reinforce the Fear?

To a degree, the science is still out on whether comforting a dog’s fear can be reinforced. Fear is, after all, an emotion and not a behavior. According to Houser, “I have not seen negative effects on the dog’s behavior when the owner simply sits with the dog.

Fear is an emotion, necessary for survival, which causes a dog to choose to escape the fear eliciting stimulus. It would not be to the benefit of the dog to remain in a situation that caused fear, so I don’t see how you could reinforce this emotion.”

This sentiment is shared by Dr. Patricia McConnell (2009) in You Can’t Reinforce Fear; Dogs and Thunderstorms: “...you’re not going to make [your dog] more afraid of storms if you stroke his head and tell him it’s going to be okay. The bad news is that petting won’t help (him or her) much either.”

Though we would strive for more scientific evidence on the subject, it may be most prudent in the meantime to give comfort to the dog without overdoing it. This may be a fine line to walk.

Dogs may try to hide away to escape and/or avoid aversive stimuli such as thunderstorms

© Can Stock Photo/Colecanstock

CANINE

Consider the spousal relationship: if you are upset with your spouse, neither being ignored nor continuous talking will resolve your emotional state. What is actually required is a modicum of these behaviors: comfort without overindulgence. The same applies here.

Relaxation, DS/CC

While these top three directives should be in the owner’s toolbox, there is far more that must be done in order to help an animal conquer phobia related behavior and improve his welfare. To prevent or extinguish the behaviors completely, the owner must deal with them long before they surface.

A dog should be taught how to relax. Keep in mind that relaxation is ultimately only going to be helpful if the dog is desensitized and counterconditioned to the aversive stimulus.

Relaxation can be taught and reinforced with the use of Dr. Karen Overall’s relaxation protocols or a variant thereof. Training a dog to perform a solid sit/stay and release cue will do a world of good in this situation. The dog learns that it must focus on its owner for a release and ultimately learns to relax in the process of waiting.

Diminishing phobia related behaviors in an animal must necessarily involve desensitization and counterconditioning. Desensitization is the process of diminishing and/or eliminating the response to the aversive stimulus. Counterconditioning is what happens when the animal is given positive experiences which then become associated with the stimulus, ultimately creating a more appropriate response when exposed. These two processes go hand-in-hand. The trained behavior professional will work with the owner in providing a behavior modification program for the animal with the aim of greatly improving his welfare.

In order for the animal to begin making the appropriate associations with the stimulus, it is essential to begin introducing those associations separately from the anxiety producing stimulus. Behavior professionals will provide owners with the necessary guidelines in order to successfully countercondition the dog to the stimulus. Owners may begin this process by practicing Overall’s relaxation protocols with the dog away from any stimuli Dogs should not be left outside in a storm to “deal with it”

© Can Stock Photo/buchsammy

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that may trigger phobia related behaviors. The relaxation time within the context of the protocols will be increased gradually.

Once a dog learns to relax away from the stimulus, the next steps will involve very slow and methodical reintroduction of the phobia inducing stimuli. The behavior professional will seek to pair the stimulus with something that reinforces relaxation. It is important that this be in a controlled environment so that the possibility of flooding and setbacks is minimized.

References

McConnell, P. (2009).You Can’t Reinforce Fear; Dogs and Thunderstorms. Retrieved from www.patriciamcconnell.com /theotherendoftheleash/you-cant-reinforce-fear-dogs-and -thunderstorms Mills, D. S., Ramos, D., Estelles, M. G., & Hargrave, C. (2006). A triple blind placebo-controlled investigation into the assessment of the effect of Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) on anxiety related behaviour of problem dogs in the veterinary clinic.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 98(1), 114-126.

Overall, K. (1997). Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals. St. Louis, MO: Mosby

A Little More

Some animals just need a little more help in getting over that hump. It is possible that for more refractory phobia cases

A bolt-hole is a safe, comforting place where a dog can retreat to feel safe

Š Can Stock Photo/Quasarphoto

Pet Professional Guild has partnered with BarkBox to provide all members with a 20% discount.

* Order a monthly box of dog goodies for your canine friend! * Special rates available for gifts for dog friends * A portion of proceeds from each box will go to help dogs in need The promocode can be found in the Member Area of the PPG website: www.PetProfessionalGuild.com /benefitinformation www.barkbox.com 28

an animal may need medication, but by no means do all animals need to be on medication continuously or even indefinitely. Most veterinarians will be knowledgeable on this issue and can guide owners regarding what is best for their particular pet. However, as a side note, both owners and professionals can benefit from educating themselves regarding the functions of various psychotropic drugs. A little knowledge can go a long way. n

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

Carolyn Kocman decided to pursue her passion of working with animals after many years in the business world. She is currently a graduate student pursuing an MS in companion animal behavior analysis and counseling at the American College of Applied Science, which she has been attending since 2012. With only some lab work, thesis, and externships remaining before obtaining her final degree, she is actively working to open her practice which will focus largely on canine behavioral issues. She also serves on the PPG Advocacy Committee.

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Unlocking the Mystery of TTouch Deirdre Chitwood explains how and why the Tellington TTouch®

Method can be a useful additional tool in behavior modification programs

or most people, especially dog trainers and pet professionals, the idea that moving the skin in small circles all over the body of an animal can actually affect his behavior is a little difficult to believe. That is, until they see it with their own eyes. When I began to learn the Tellington TTouch® Method in 2003, the Companion Animal Program, which covers all animals except equines, had only been in progress for eight years. Now there are more than 1,600 certified practitioners worldwide in countries as far reaching as Japan and South Africa. There is also a TTouch-for-You program which began in 2002. This program focuses on human beings and was developed because the best way for a person to learn and understand TTouch is to experience it first-hand. Indeed, the golden rule of TTouch is to “treat your dog as you would like to be treated.”

When I was first introduced to TTouch, what attracted me most was its philosophy which is based on kindness and respect for the animal. I had been searching for many years to find a way that I could improve the lives of companion animals without fear or force, whereby I could work with the animal and not against him. TTouch teaches people to listen to their animal’s “language.”

In other words, watching for the smallest body language signals and taking note of any “calming” vocalizing to guide them as to what to do or not do next. For any relationship to work it needs to be a two-way affair featuring give and take. It is the same with animals. The “T” in TTouch stands for trust. This means that, as practitioners, we must always stay within the boundaries of what is comfortable for the animal and provide him with successes he can build on.

One of the main differences between TTouch and other training methods is that, with TTouch, we are not training the animal to “obey” a “command” or trying to solve every behavioral issue. Instead, we address issues at a deeper level. In many cases, behavioral issues stem from a build-up of stress. There can be many contributing factors, such as living in a confined environment, too little or too much exercise, no time off leash, not having access to a bathroom area when needed, being left alone for long periods of time, physical pain (often undetected), too many and/or too high expectations from owners and trainers - in fact any situation where the animal feels he is out of control and/or cannot cope. With TTouch (also known as bodywork), we find

that we can actually bring down those levels of stress and, combined with the TTouch ground exercises, we can teach the dog to come back into his natural balance – physical, emotional and mental. Then, almost magically, many of the behavioral issues begin to disappear.

Ground exercises are exercises that primarily use what we call the Confidence Course (although there are others). This is a series of obstacles, much like an agility course, but where the dog is taken around slowly to help him find his own natural physical balance and, subsequently, his mental and emotional balance. This helps him develop awareness and confidence, as well Author Deirdre as his willingness to focus and learn, to Chitwood with Blackie: Having overcome aggression or timidity, and to both hands on the wait for signals on the leash. dog causes a Another integral part of the Tellington greater connection and flow of energy TTouch® Method is the Body Wrap, which complements the bodywork and groundwork exercises. The Body Wrap enhances the dog’s sense of his own body and makes him more confident in his movement and behavior. It gives “feedback” about where the body is in space and what it is doing. It also helps to make the dog feel protected. It is therefore especially beneficial for dogs who are nervous and hyperactive, those afraid of loud noises, or panic whilst riding in a car. It is also useful in helping injured dogs recover and can be used after surgery, and with older dogs suffering from stiffness and arthritis. We often find animals who have only worn a wrap a handful of times continue to benefit from their effects without further re-application.

There are many different kinds of wrap. We use different widths (1-4 inches) of stretchy elastic bandage in many configurations depending on what is appropriate for the dog. The wrap should not be tight but snug enough to stay on without being over stretched. The wraps have been used with great success on a variety of different animals including humans, cats, rabbits, horses, even elephants.

All in all, practitioners use many different approaches, depending on what each individual animal needs. There are many reasons TTouch has become so popular in recent years. Firstly, it can be used by every kind of pet professional – trainers, behavior counsellors, shelter staff, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, chartered physiotherapists, groomers and pet owners – to enhance the effectiveness of their own modality. It can be incorporated with any force-free technique. Secondly, it is simple and easy to learn. In fact, after just a few hours instruction a person

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can learn enough to effect a noticeable difference in their pet’s behavior. Many of the “touches” can even be done whilst out on a dog walk (which can be especially helpful with reactive, hyper or fearful dogs), on the way to the veterinarian, before or after agility training, to help de-stress therapy animals, or on the grooming table. Finally, I think more and more people are waking up to the fact that they do not really want to exert force on or evoke fear in an animal they love and find that these gentler techniques work much more effectively. As a result, we have happier dogs whose owners enjoy the fact that they can influence their dogs in a more positive, compassionate way.

An example of this is a dog who pulls on the leash, which is a major issue for many dog owners. Generally, when the leash is held constantly taut the dog learns to pull more; it is a law of physics that every action produces an equal and opposite reaction. Over time this pulling can cause injury to the dog’s larynx, thyroid, neck, shoulders, pelvis or back, as well as hip or knee injuries. TTouch practitioners use many different pieces of equipment to bring the dog back to a state of balance so he stops pulling of his own accord. These include the balance leash, which uses an ordinary leash in a specific way. The leash is attached to the collar and then placed in a position across the dog’s lower chest. If the dog pulls, you use an upward signal to gently shift his center of gravity back and then release the contact. Another option is a harness (e.g. Step-In, H-Harness, Easy Walker) paired with a leash that has two snaps. One snap attaches to two rings on the harness (the location of the rings on the harness and where we attach them is specific to each dog), or we can attach one snap to a collar and the other to one of the rings on the harness (again, where we attach it depends on the dog).

The most important thing to note here is that the dog is encouraged back into physical balance rather than be pulled off balance, which can often happen when there is just one point of contact. As physical, mental and emotional balance are all linked, once the dog is in physical balance, his mental and emotional state also begin to come into balance. We find that when we take a dog around the Confidence Course in this way we can develop his ability to focus and listen, wait for our signals on the leash, and overcome aggression or timidity.

One of the most important aspects of TTouch is what we call a “mindful approach to working with animals.” This involves being present and thoughtful in how you approach your pet, how you touch him, reading his body language, listening to what he is trying to tell you and staying attuned to his mood states and emotional needs.

Animals are mostly based “in the present” and this means we have to be in the present with them if we wish to connect with them. In other words we should not be thinking about the conversation we had with a friend yesterday or what we are going to prepare for dinner tonight. This takes some practice as we have to multi-task in virtually every other aspect of our lives these days and it can be hard to stay in the moment without being distracted. This “mindfulness” combined with the bodywork and ground exercises allow us to connect to animals in quite a unique way. It is like a language without words, which builds a deeper bond between the person a and their pet.

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Linda Tellington-Jones works with a dog’s paw to help him feel more grounded and less fearful

Chitwood (right) and Tellington-Jones at a training session. Both dogs are wearing step-in-harnesses that allow for two points of contact with a double-ended leash

A Confidence Course is used for ground exercises. Unlike an agility course the dog is taken around slowly so he can learn to think and focus

Chitwood demonstrates the Balance Leash: This configuration can help a dog that pulls by shifting his center of gravity back so he can balance on all four paws and is better able to respond to signals

Clouded Leopard TTouches being done in connected parallel lines down this dog’s body to help him feel less anxious and more confident

Lick of the Cow’s Tongue TTouch with Buddy to improve his body awareness and circulation

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Shelter cat Teddy could not be touched so Chitwood began by stroking him with a feather on a stick

Foundations

With Suzie: It is important to take the time to connect with an animal prior to a session

The basis of TTouch bodywork is “circular touches.” Altogether there are around 10 different circular TTouches that use different parts of the fingers and hand. Each TTouch is named after a different animal, which makes them fun and easy to remember. For example, there is the Clouded Leopard, which is the standard TTouch, the Lying Leopard, the Raccoon, the Bear and the Tiger.

Each one has a slightly different effect on the animal. There are also lifts, slides and other TTouches for different parts of the body, such as the ears, mouth, tail and paws. These are different to the circular touches.

If an animal does not like to be touched on a certain area of the body we need to pay attention. It may be that he is in pain, or the area is holding tension which needs to be addressed. In cases like this we begin by going back to where he is comfortable being touched and then slowly and gradually approach that area again later. We never force him to accept the touch. Instead, we may have to change the amount of pressure we employ or use a different touch. Because the animal knows his concerns are being acknowledged, we are able to build up trust. Over time, practitioners become more sensitive to what their fingers are registering. We learn to feel for differences in the texture of the coat, hot or cold areas of the skin, or whether the animal trembles when different areas of the body are being touched. All this information directs us to what to do next and how to do it.

Another important element of TTouch is pressure. Most people cannot believe that such light pressure can be so effective. In fact, in many cases the lighter the pressure the more effective it can be. This is because we are working with the central nervous system, i.e. the nerves in the skin rather than the muscles. There is a pressure scale that ranges from one to nine. To get a sense of what a three pressure feels like, try making several circles on your eyelid with just enough pressure to move the skin. Next, transfer that pressure onto your forearm. Notice the depth and pressure of the indentation. It should be very light. We seldom use more than a five pressure on a dog or cat, which is just a

little firmer.

The Tellington TTouch® Method was pioneered in the early 1970s by Linda Tellington-Jones PhD as an alternative way to work with horses. Over the years it has evolved to include all animals and humans too. Tellington-Jones had been teaching riding and training horses for over 20 years when she enrolled in a four-year Feldenkrais course, which she felt would help her to enhance the ability of her riding students. It was from this training, Awareness through Movement, that Tellington-Jones developed Tellington TTouch Training. She has often been described as a woman ahead of her time. Her revolutionary approach to working with animals has brought her worldwide recognition as an internationally acclaimed authority on animal behavior, training and healing. Tellington-Jones has written 21 books on TTouch which have been printed in 12 languages. She continues to work tirelessly and passionately presenting workshops all over the world. n

Resources

Tellington TTouch® Training: www.ttouch.com Tender Touch (includes videos of the basic TTouch, the Clouded Leopard, working with a cat, and the benefits of the body wrap): www.tenderttouch.com TTouch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/TellingtonTTouch Deirdre Chitwood is a certified Tellington TTouch® practitioner of companion animals and a member of Truly Dog Friendly Training. She has a private practice, Tender Touch, www.tenderttouch.com, in Stuart, Florida where she lives with her husband and five cats. She offers workshops around the country as well as hosting regular workshops at her local cat shelter where she also volunteers. Deirdre studied the Tellington Method two-year Practitioner Certification Program in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and the UK. Since qualifying she has been privileged to assist Linda Tellington-Jones in workshops.

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The Challenge of Breed Discrimination

Kym Iffert describes the breed prejudice she regularly encounters with her happy,

affectionate Rottweiler, Chopper, and how she is working to dispute the stereotype

t was finally a beautiful day in Chicago so I grabbed my bag, my manners. As an aside, Chopper has been attacked multiple times leash, a pocket full of treats and tennis ball and set out for a by the same two dogs whose owner, perhaps not surprisingly, walk. The neighbors were out and it was the perfect opportucannot control the retractable leashes – yet is still afraid to nity for a social outing - but not for me and my dog. As we touch my dog after I have literally pried her little Yorkshire terriwalked down the sidewalk, others may have looked, some would ers off of his neck and hocks. It did not help matters when we wave, a few may have had to alter our offered a smile… and home insurance polthen crossed the icy to reflect that we street. Social pariah? house a potentially No, just me and my “vicious” breed of Rottweiler out for a dog. Even the local stroll. police department From the time knows “the house Chopper was a puppy, with the Rottweiler,” people have avoided inbut thankfully only teraction with him and, because they often consequently, me stop and ask queswhenever we were out tions when they see together. When he was us out walking. just 15 weeks old, anI decided to perother owner in puppy sist with my dream of class voiced her fear having a well-trained, and refused to play happy, social dog but “pass the puppy” with reduce the risk of him. My very own vetbeing rushed by otherinarian tosses treats ers, so I sought out a Author Kym Iffert has experienced breed prejudice to him rather than of- against her Rottweiler, Chopper, ever since he was a puppy facility offering group fering them from an classes that touted open hand. Having had a fear-aggressive dog in the past, socializa- positive reinforcement methods and relationship-based training. tion was foremost in my mind when this pup came into my life, Owners were encouraged to bring dogs to the orientation but how is a person to socialize a dog properly when no one will where we were all informed to come the following week with come near? The issue presented me with a number of challenges proper equipment: a 4-6 foot leather leash, a bag of treats and a and, as a trainer, I chose to persevere and ensure that my dog is a well-fitted prong or choke collar. I politely waited until the end of well-trained, positive role model for so-called bully breeds in our class and approached the instructor (with my five-month-old, community. The puppy class alone was challenging. My dog was nearly 60 pound puppy politely sitting at my side) and explained much larger than the others, so playtimes with other dogs often that I was a trainer who did not believe in correction-based felt like an epic fail. Puppy owners would cringe and scoop up training and asked for my money back. No deal. His next comtheir tiny dogs when Chopper would gallop over, offer a play ment was, “Lady, if you think you can control that dog as he gets bow or make any type of vocalization. bigger around these other dogs without a prong, more power to Wanting people to see him for the sweet, gentle boy that he ya.” This became my eight-week challenge. I will not even recount is, I chose to do most of my training at home or in park settings some of the travesties I witnessed in that class – the confusion of for work around distractions. While training in local dog-friendly corrections followed by treats and dogs cowering from an owner areas, he was often rushed by older, larger dogs whose owners who barked the word “sit” over and over at a shutdown dog. would let them off leash thinking he was fully-grown and ready Chopper was the best-behaved dog in the class and he made it to play, only to see their dog react not-so-kindly to a young, exu- through on a flat buckle collar without a single “collar pop,” yet berant, as yet unaltered male dog. I had to be overly cautious to we were still given a wide berth on our way in and out of the ensure he would not experience negative interactions with other building every week.

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Iffert found it challenging to socialize Chopper, given that people and even pet professionals were not keen to come anywhere near him

discuss how I should work with my dog. When it comes up in discussions that I have a Rottweiler, people immediately offer advice to keep him on a prong collar to maintain control. To be honest, I do not see how pinching/poking him would control him any better than the “follow me,” attention and impulse training he learned as a puppy. Unlike many other dogs, he is never really out-of-control to begin with.

I am also blessed with two other dogs. A yellow Labrador and a border collie/golden retriever mix round out the canine dynamic in my family. My Lab is exactly what people expect – a sweet, loving dog. It is hard to keep people away from him when we walk down the street and he relishes the constant interaction. Dino has been a therapy dog visiting schools, hospitals, libraries, nursing homes and rehab facilities for more than eight years now and has a wide range of adoring fans in our community. My border collie/golden mix is an insanely smart, highlystrung, somewhat dog-reactive, bundle of anxious energy – yet that never seems to stop people from wanting to approach her, risking their own safety or that of their dog, no matter how large my yellow ribbon or how loud I voice, “Please give her space, she’s not always friendly.” Yet my happy-go-lucky, attention-loving Rottweiler rarely gets the ear scratch, belly rub or even the polite, friendly greeting he so craves from new people.

I am still constantly told by other Rottweiler buffs that I need a “firm hand to keep him from becoming ‘dominant.’ ” My hackles go up whenever this conversation starts as I try to explain to them that the “firm hand” used on my previously-rescued Rottweiler is probably what caused her extreme fear aggression, and ultimately led to our decision to have her humanely euthanized. I refuse to use fear, pain or intimidation with my dogs as a training tool which, for our previous Rottie, ultimately netted extreme anxiety, hours and hours of behavior modification training, visits back and forth to the veterinary behaviorist, Prozac, three years of constant management and a life filled with sometimes paralyzing fear in her mind and dread in mine that she would do something irreparable. She was the dog who inspired me to become the trainer that I am now. Even though I feel as though I failed her in the end, I will not lead others down that path.

My goal is to eventually get Chopper into a therapy program.

Happy-go-lucky, attention-loving Rottweiler Chopper rarely gets any attention when he is out with his owner and canine siblings

He certainly has the right disposition. He is comfortable in new settings, does not fear loud noises, thrives among chaos/crowds, loves people and other animals (although I have noticed an aversion to pugs for some reason) and has such a goofball personality that he can be downright entertaining. All these wonderful traits still cannot seem to counterbalance the fear he instills in people simply by walking into a room or down the street. This has led me to alter some of my training with him. When someone does want to greet, I ask him to “kiss” a hand (rather than touch) to instill confidence in the person he leans toward, I use a light, lilting voice rather than booming “commands,” I often use the words “please” and “thank you” when working him in public so people see that he responds to softness and kind words without the need to be “controlled.”

I have a much higher expectation of Chopper than I do of my Labrador when it comes to therapy work. I recognize that even though he is a very good dog, people are innately fearful and I have to respect that. I have come to the realization that not everyone will be comfortable around my dog – and that is okay, I am not comfortable with every person that I meet. Just as I will not force my dog into an interaction, I will not force humans to interact either, but consider it to be their loss if they do not.

Each of my dogs has challenged me, inspired me and affected how I train, but none more than my “bully” breeds. I take my responsibility as the guardian of these dogs very seriously and respect others for their thoughts, opinions and, yes, even their fears. I will not have the dog who perpetuates the negativity of a breed based on poor training and media inaccuracies. I will have a happy-go-lucky Rottweiler who will be a living, working example for positive training and anti-breed discrimination and hope that together, he and I can inspire change and confidence in those around us. n Kym Iffert ABCDT, www.dogosophy.info, is a Family Paws licensed presenter, AKC CGC evaluator and licensed Pet Partners evaluator and instructor based in LaGrange Park, Illinois.

She works primarily as the director of humane education, dog obedience instructor and canine behavior consultant at Hinsdale Humane Society.

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Why Do They Bark?

Morag Heirs discusses the reasons deaf and/or visually-impaired dogs may bark more than non-impaired dogs

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Bronte (white deaf and part-blind border collie) is using barking as a strategy to provoke play, or at least a reaction in other dogs

arking is a form of communication for all dogs so it is important that we spend some time thinking about why our dogs might be barking. Are they anxious, over-excited, upset, fearful, thrilled, frustrated? Something else?

Avoid concentrating on stopping the barking (particularly through the use of ‘aversives,’ e.g. telling off, harsh signals, water spray or air sprays, exclusion from the room or crating on a regular basis) as this gets in the way of understanding why the barking is happening. Without understanding why our dog is barking, we run the risk of suppressing anxiety, for example, which will inevitably resurface in other ways.

Why the Barking?

Anecdotally, we can see from the Deaf Dog Network Facebook discussion group that many new deaf dog owners are worried about barking. We are regularly asked if deaf dogs bark and if their barks sound different from hearing dogs. As a deaf dog owner I can reassure you that deaf dogs most certainly do bark, and my deaf dogs bark more than any of my hearing dogs. A recent research paper indicates that, when surveyed, owners of hearing- or vision- impaired dogs reported more excessive barking than did owners of dogs who were not impaired (FarmerDougan et al., 2014). The tone of the bark can often sound different in hearing-impaired dogs (presumably due to lack of exposure to other dogs barking) and the vocalizations themselves can often include interesting variations, howls and squeaks.

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panions and so, just like a hearing dog, they may use barking as an attention-seeking behavior. I know of one almost completely deaf and partially-sighted dog who will stand at the top of a large echoing hallway to bark when she wants to play or just seems bored.

Just as in our normal hearing/vision dogs, barking can also signal distress. These dogs may struggle more with separation-related anxiety, in part due to the often disrupted early months of their lives, but also because the deaf dog cannot hear that you are nearby. The visually-impaired dog may be able to hear you in the house but not physically locate you. We often see a degree of panic and the need to check where the family members are in the early days of bringing a deaf or visually- impaired dog into a new home. Using Bronte (pictured, above) as an example, she will frequently wake from a deep sleep, move purposefully over to where her human family is sitting and nose touch or sniff them before returning to her bed and going back to sleep. For all intents and purposes, this appears to be an essential check that the humans are still where they should be.

Separating out types of barks is tricky even in normal hearing/vision dogs. An interesting study that counted the frequency of barks (rather than recorded tonal variations) failed to find different patterns which would allow for differentiation between boredom and separation distress. Thus, the fact that hearing-impaired dogs may bark differently is perhaps less of a barrier to interpretation that we first thought.

The volume of barking, especially in hearing impaired dogs, can be very loud. We can hypothesize that this is due to the lack

of auditory feedback and, where the animal is also visually impaired, the barker may not be able to see if the desired response is occurring. With completely deaf-blind dogs, barking is a frequently used communication strategy and separating out boredom, hunger, distress and frustration is always hard. Generally the caregiver simply has to check that all of the animal’s needs are being met and hope that this reduces the barking.

Prevention is always better than cure. It will depend very much on the individual dog as to whether it is acceptable to allow a small amount of frustrated barking to work itself out.

Our observations suggest that the more sensory impairments a dog has, the more important it is to provide a predictable environment including meal times. When these dogs are “left to bark it out,” it often results in increased distress and even self-harming behaviors such as spinning and tail-grabbing.

Techniques to Interrupt Barking

If the deaf dog has a solid and positive association with being tapped as an attention request, you can use this. It is particularly helpful if the dog is getting over-excited with a visitor or another dog, to tap the dog on the side to ask him to reorient to you, reward and then make sure you have a plan of what to do next (e.g. provide a chew, ask for a settle).

If you have already taught the dog to recognize the feeling of a treat thrown to touch her shoulder (so the dog then looks down for the food), you can also use this as a way to interrupt the barking from a distance. While being aware of potential resource guarding issues, this can work well as a way to interrupt overly enthusiastic barking or chasing in dog-to-dog play.

Finally, with some deaf or vision-impaired dogs, interrupting the excited barking very early on with a simple tap + food reward and then using gentle restraining pressure can be a great way to help the dog relax and settle. As always, this is not a technique to use with a touch-sensitive dog, so be cautious in trying

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it out. We are definitely not pinning the dog nor forcibly restraining him.

A Cautionary Note

If the deaf or vision-impaired dog is barking when left alone, or when he thinks he has been left alone, this will need careful investigation and support. Separation-related anxiety/distress can be a serious problem and is best tackled by a qualified professional who can create a tailored plan for the individual dog. We often provide individualized hearing/vision-impaired dog advice to other behavior counselors working with these cases, and would be more than happy to hear from any members in a similar situation. n

References

Farmer-Dougan,V., Quick, A., Harper, K., Schmidt, K., & Campbell, D. (2014). Behavior of hearing or vision impaired and normal hearing and vision dogs (Canis lupus familiaris): Not the same but not that different. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 9 (6), 316–323. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2014.07.002 Raglus, T., De Groef, B., & Marston, L. (2015). Can bark counter collars and owner surveys help identify factors that related to nuisance barking? A pilot study. Journal of Veterinary Behavior,10, 204-209. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2015.02.006 Deaf Dog Network: www.facebook.com/TheDeafDogNetwork Morag Heirs PhD MSc MA(SocSci)(Hons) PGCAP human and canine remedial massage therapist, is a companion animal behavior counselor who runs Well Connected Canine, www.wellconnectedcanine.co.uk, in York, UK. She works with deaf and blind dogs professionally, provides training and support for the Deaf Dog Network and is the behaviorist for Sheffield Animal Centre (RSPCA) and York & District RSPCA branches in the UK.

We are always on the lookout for interesting features, member profiles, case studies and training tips to feature in BARKS and our PPG Blog. If you’d like to join the growing band of member contributors, please do get in touch.

Recent Blogs:

s The Many Reasons to Look Forward to the PPG Summit s How To Bring Empathy into Practice? s A Freddie Moment s Sink or Swim: Eight Ways You Might Be Flooding Your Dog s Pet Professional Guild links up with Victoria Stilwell to support National Puppy Mill Awareness Day s Is Fetching Really All That “Fetching” for Dogs?

Email: barkseditor@petprofessionalguild.com

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Preventing Reactivity to Children

Maureen Tay explains the importance of early socialization for dogs in preventing negative Children need to be educated how to behave around dogs and to understand their body language © Can Stock Photo/goldenKB

s a dog trainer, I have many dog owners call me on a daily basis urging me to help them with their dogs’ apparent dislike for children. There is a particular case I remember very clearly. The owners called me early last year, explaining that their dog would start barking, growling and jumping all over the fence should the neighbor’s children run and play outside their home. We made an appointment for an assessment. When the day came for the evaluation the owners told me that, the day before, they accidentally left the gate open and, unfortunately, it was play time for the neighbor’s children as well. As you may have guessed, the dog ran out of the house and jumped on one of the children. The dog was pulled away quickly but the child sustained a scratch caused by the dog’s teeth when he tried to nip at him.

There were no other physical injuries.

In a situation such as this, it is important to try to understand the dog’s emotional state. Was his behavior driven by fear, frustration or excitement? As a certified Family Paws parent educator consultant, I know how important it is for both dogs and children to get along. I have advised many households with dogs who did not like children, even children within the same family. It is not uncommon but it can be prevented.

This dog is clearly uncomfortable - if owners are unaware of a dog’s emotional state a situation can quickly escalate

Hostile Behavior

Socialization means that puppies have to encounter and be comfortable with all the things you want them to be able to accept gracefully when they enter adulthood. That means all kinds of people, animals, sounds and sights. The window to do this is generally from 3 to 16 weeks of age. Once a dog is between 4 and 6 months old, this window closes. Sadly, the default emotional state of a dog after puppyhood is often fear. At this stage, dogs become wary of new encounters, people and situations much more easily.

When we talk about socializing with people this also includes babies, toddlers and children. A person who is different in build, wearing a hat, wearing sunglasses, holding an umbrella, pushing a shopping cart, in a wheelchair, a baby crying, a toddler crawling on the ground, children screaming, children running at full speed, adults and children on bicycles (the list goes on) can all be startling.

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© Can Stock Photo/lisafx

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reactions when encountering new people and children

If a dog is undersocialized and fearful, it can be a recipe for disaster if the owners are unaware of the dog’s emotional state and how to manage the various situations they and the dog might be exposed to. Some dogs may be so fearful that they run away, hide or freeze. Others may feel a need to defend themselves and give a variety of warning signs (e.g. barking, growling, lunging, baring teeth), hoping that the “dangerous” children will go farther away. However, these issues can quickly escalate. My client’s case and the specific context in which it occurred is a

Dog Bite Facts

Each year, more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs.

Almost 1 in 5 people bitten by dogs require medical attention.

Every year, more than 800,000 Americans receive medical attention for dog bites; at least half of them are children.

Children are, by far, the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured.

Most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs.

Senior citizens are the second most common dog bite victims.

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association www.avma.org/public/Pages/Dog-Bite-Prevention.aspx BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

Puppies need to learn to feel safe around young children

© Can Stock Photo/oksun70

very good example.

If you are able to start while your dog is young, you may be able to prevent situations like this. Enroll your puppy in a puppy class as soon as you get her (before 16 weeks old). Check and ensure the class covers socialization and how to introduce new encounters with people and the environment to your puppy.You should also do your homework by exposing your puppy to different people, dogs, children, environments, loud noises, traffic, car rides, vet visits, skateboards, bicycles and anything else he is likely to encounter as he goes through life.

If your dog is already exhibiting aggressive behaviors towards children, you should never try to resolve it alone. Instead, contact an experienced trainer who can help you modify your dog’s behavior. This will require plenty of desensitizing exercises and only an experienced trainer can walk you through this safely without putting your dog or a child in danger.

Do not expect changes to happen in the blink of an eye.

Desensitization can be a lengthy process. Here is a human analogy to help you better understand the process: If you suffer from a phobia of flying and seek help from a psychologist, you are not going to recover after one session.You will need multiple sessions to be able to stabilize. For a dog, you will have to work on it until your dog feels “safe” around children and does not feel the need to go into defensive mode. Children also need to be educated how to behave around dogs and how to understand their body language, particularly their warning signals. Management is key too, and extra care must be taken to ensure gates are not left open, thereby setting the dog up for failure.

This applies to all dogs regardless of breed or size. Even the smallest breed, the Chihuahua, can develop such issues. Every now and again we read in the press that a big, strong breed such as the American pit bull terrier, Alaskan malamute, husky, Chow Chow, Rottweiler, Doberman or German shepherd dog has mauled a baby/child. Despite the sensationalism often employed by the media, as well as a general lack of knowledge on the part of the journalists reporting the story, tragic incidents such as these are almost always caused by lack of supervision in the household and a lack of socialization of the dog, which is again an error on the part of the dog owner.

Do not take this problem lightly. There are too many dogs being relinquished to shelters or losing their lives for this reason. Always seek a professional’s opinion and do not try to work on it yourself. n

CANINE

Resources

American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Dog Bite Prevention. Retrieved from www.avma.org/public/Pages/Dog-Bite -Prevention.aspx Family Paws Parent Education: www.familypaws.com Pet Professional Guild. (2015). Be Safe - Dog Bite Safety & Education. Retrieved from www.petprofessionalguild.com /resources/Documents/Advocacy%20Handouts/Handout%201 %20-%20Dog%20Bite%20Safety.pdf

Maureen Tay is the chief trainer at KasPup UniFURsity, www.kaspupunifursity.com and a PPG Singapore steering committee member. She is a licensed Family Paws Parent Education educator, a certified canine first responder and an accredited dog trainer recognized by the Panel for Accreditation of Dog Trainers, Singapore. She is currently studying to be a service dog trainer at the International College of Canine Studies.

Learn more about Dog Bite Safety and Prevention in the Pet Professional Guild’s advocacy handout,

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BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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TRENDS

A Future Investment

Gail Radtke relates how her work in a correctional center for female offenders helps give the

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women the confidence and education they need to manage dogs and babies in the home

amily Paws Parent Education (FPPE) is an invaluable educational resource for families with both children and dogs; whether they are already a part of the family, or a dog or new baby is about to be added to the home. As a Family Paws licensed presenter and consultant, I have had many opportunities to share these educational resources with families. It is fulfilling both personally and financially. In past issues of BARKS from the Guild (Endless Possibilities, May 2015, p. 43-45), I have written about my experiences building a Family Paws program at the Alouette Correctional Center for Women (ACCW) in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada.

This involves offering programs for incarcerated female offenders at ACCW who are expecting a child, or who are the primary caregivers of their children, to assist and educate them while they are in custody. Last year I partnered with St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs at ACCW and established a highly successful program (see The Art of Teamwork, BARKS from the Guild, July 2015, p.41-43). Because I am a former correctional supervisor with the British Columbia Corrections Branch (see The Miracle Mutt, BARKS from the Guild, October 2014, pp. 36-39), I am fortunate to have many contacts there who can help me introduce such programs. I saw that the FPPE program would work well in conjunction with the Mom and Baby program, which already existed at ACCW. Officer Cristina Vendramin facilitates the Mom and Baby program at ACCW and is also responsible for overseeing my therapy dog visitation program. I had approached Vendramin in 2014 about FPPE, and she immediately saw how it tied into her current Mom and Baby program. I have been able to facilitate FPPE on multiple occasions at ACCW, and in multiple locations within the institution where the female offenders are housed during their incarceration. The program has been highly received by the women, and workshop attendance has been very good. Several of the women who attended the workshop had never heard about FPPE, and were so grateful for the opportunity to attend. Many of the women in custody at ACCW face social and economic challenges. They shared with me that they would not have had the resources to attend such educational programs out in the community. Knowing this makes it even more important to ensure that the FPPE workshop continues to be offered to the women at ACCW. I cannot put a monetary value on the impact and influence FPPE has on the lives of the women offenders. Knowing that there are available resources for them when they are back out in the community is also very important. One particular experience with one of the offenders made me feel like I had made a real difference in the well-being of an expectant new mother, who, when released, faced challenges in her home that involved dogs. I 38

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

Supervision and practical solutions are essential for the management of dogs and babies in the home

© Can Stock Photo Inc./remik44992

will refer to her as Sue. Sue had been in the K9 training program with me at ACCW, where I was teaching the offenders dog-handling skills. (This is another program I volunteer with at ACCW.) Sue was expecting her first child and, with the length of her sentence, would have her baby while in custody. It was Sue who inspired me to start the FPPE workshops. I knew I had to share the education provided by the Dogs & Storks program with her.

Sue had shared with me that there were often dogs in her home, coming and going, who belonged to friends and family.

The Dogs & Storks program from FPPE provides new and expectant parents with information and education to prepare them for the transition of bringing home a new baby and introducing him/her to the family dog and having them live safely together.

Sue attended the workshop and absorbed every bit of it. She was busy taking notes, asking questions and was thankful for the handouts I had printed up for participants to take home.

I believed that information on supervision and practical solutions to manage a dog in the home was very important to Sue as she was going to be bringing her new baby into an environment that she had not been a part of for a while. It was important for Sue to understand safe baby and dog introductions and interactions. It was also vital for her to know that she had a support hotline through FPPE that she could access at any time if she had questions or needed someone to talk to. FPPE has wonderful handout tip sheets on Supervision (www.familypaws.com/fpaw /wp-content/uploads/2014/04/5-types-Supervision-HR.pdf) and Success Stations (www.familypaws.com/fpaw/wp-content /uploads/2011/10/FPPE_SuccessStation_Handout_FINAL_H -1.pdf) that Sue was able to take away with her (see page 55 for graphics). She mentioned how the term “gate, crate and rotate” (which is a term from FPPE for dog and baby safety) stuck in her mind and she would ensure that her baby was always behind some kind of safety barrier during dog interactions. Dogs & Storks provided Sue with information that eased some of the worry she had about bringing home her new baby to an unknown environment with a new dog or dogs.

Several weeks later, I was giving another workshop when Sue came into the room. It was the day before her due date. She apologized for interrupting the workshop as she came in the room, but said she needed to speak with me. She told me that she had talked to her boyfriend the day before, and had learned that he had just brought home an adult dog that she did not know. I could see the concern in the eyes of this new-mom-tobe, but Sue told me that she was so thankful that she had attended the FPPE program, and she felt that it would make a significant difference for her when she took her new baby home.

I still cannot find the words to express how I felt at that moment. I often wonder how Sue and her family are doing. As a volunteer who facilitates programs in the prison, I am unable to maintain contact with offenders once they are released. This is for several security reasons.

The experience of facilitating the FPPE program as a volunteer has opened my eyes to even more possibilities of where I can deliver this program. I think of the countless women who are the primary caregivers of their children, who have dogs in their homes and who do not have the financial resources to hire a trainer or an FPPE consultant. They should be able to seek out other opportunities to attend such invaluable programs. I encourage other FPPE licensed presenters to think about what differences they could make in their communities by volunteering their time to deliver our program in unexpected places. n

TRENDS References

Family Paws Parent Education Dog & Storks program: www.familypaws.com Radtke, G. (2015, July). The Art of Teamwork. BARKS from the Guild, pp. 41-43: www.issuu.com/petprofessionalguild/docs/bftg _july_2015_online_version_opt_1/41?e=4452575/13892106 Radtke, G. (2015, May). Endless Possibilities. BARKS from the Guild, pp. 43-45: www.issuu.com/petprofessionalguild /docs/bftg_may_2015_online_version_opt/43?e=0 Radtke, G. (2014, October). The Miracle Mutt. BARKS from the Guild, pp. 36-39: www.issuu.com/petprofessionalguild/docs /barks_october_2014_pet_professional/37?e=4452575 /9892405 St. John Ambulance Become a Therapy Dog Volunteer: www.sja.ca/English/Community-Services/Pages/Therapy Dog Services/Become-A-Therapy-Dog-Volunteer.aspx Gail Radtke CPDT is a retired correctional supervisor and former instructor of the Justice Institute of British Columbia, Canada. Gail has combined her passion for dogs and teaching and is a Family Paws Parent Education presenter and has recently completed her DipCBST. She is the owner and operator of Cedar Valley K9, www.cedarvalleyk9.ca, in Mission, British Columbia.

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BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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FELINE

© Can Stock Photo Inc./Digifuture

Jane Ehrlich explores the common issue of cats scratching the furniture and/or their guardians, and outlines ways to redirect it to make it less problematic while still providing the necessary outlet for the behavior

t’s interesting, isn’t it? When a cat urinates outside the box, you don’t remove her bladder. When she bites, you don’t pull all her teeth. But when the sofa gets laddered, people chop off her claws (which also happen to be part of her toes). Alternatively they may try using those plastic caps that can be glued onto the claws. Sometimes these work and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes Noodles simply chews them off, they fall off or grow out, and it is too much bother to corral, catch and contain her to glue more on.

The first ‘solution’ (known technically as onychectomy) is barbaric, is illegal in many countries* and the angels will weep for any vet who still provides that ugly, hideous service. And the second ‘solution’ doesn’t always do it. Cats, however, have to scratch. Cats walk on their toes, not the soles, so those claws help them to balance. They mark territory, not just through scratches, but through the scent between their claws. Scratching sharpens, provides great shoulder, arm and back exercise, stressbusts, and is crucial fun. When Noodles uses the velvet sofa instead of a post, what to do? First consider the following issues: Is the post at the right angle? Some cats prefer vertical raking; others horizontal, still others like it in-between. Experiment.

Different strokes for different furry folks.

What about the texture? Corrugated cardboard? Nubbly material? Sisal rope or sisal fabric? A good chunk of bark (insecttreated, of course)?

Reverse side of carpet samples? Is the post high enough? It should be twice as high as her stretch. That stubby kitten one will not do. Does it wobble? This puts a cat off.You know what else might put her off? If other cats have used it before her. Are there enough of them? Don’t be stingy. Scatter posts in the right locations: near her sleeping areas as there is nothing like a good stretchand-scratch after a snooze. Put them in social areas of the home, just in front of spots you would rather Noodles didn’t claw up.

If Noodles is still not using the

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Different cats prefer to scratch on different surfaces, and can be encouraged to do so with a sprinkle of catnip

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

© Can Stock Photo Inc./Bunyos

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The Many Functions of Scratching

Cats are digitigrade, i.e. they walk on their toes; their claws are an essential part of balance

posts, sprinkle catnip shreds on them, if your cat responds to it.

Or try valerian if as an alternative. (I find the catnip oil does not work as well, and the residual icky greasiness turns a cat off.) Remove the cat’s scent from those inappropriate places—use Get Serious! for Cats or another proprietary cat-only cleaner. Cover those undesirable places with bubble-wrap, or drape over a cloth scented with lemon essence.You can even use double-sided sticky tape—it is all temporary. If the furniture she is going to town on is wood, you can rub it with lemon polish and add more lemon essence if the scent is not strong enough. Then, as Noodles gets into the habit of using the posts—with your praise and treats when she uses them, of course—move them an inch at a time away from the undesirable spot, to the area you want them to stay. This truly means a tiny bit at a time—cats will figure it out if you rush them and you will be back to square one.

Punishment does not work of course, but you already knew that. It only increases fear and resentment and, in any case, does not stop the behavior when you are absent. Carrying the cat over to the post and either scratching it yourself or putting her paws on it may be common advice but it does not work, and may even cause more sensitive furry souls to ignore the thing.

Whew! Sofas and chairs intact, Noodles is having a field day with the posts, and harmony and love are intact. Now let’s talk about scratching skin, as opposed to fabric.

Cats may scratch legs, arms, hands and even the face. This can be anything from scrapes to bloody slashes. Let’s backtrack a little bit. This is a favorite problem to address because it needs consideration of the cat’s background, whatever we can make of it (shelters and rescues don’t usually know).

First, perhaps the cat came with an agenda about people.

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stopped the clawing. If she relaunched to scrape, I yelped, whimpered or said, “ouch!” and eventually it all (nearly) stopped.

Think: why is the cat scratching? Could it be over aroused play? (Swiping ankles and hands and calves?) When you play, cool it down before you stop. Maybe it is fear? Of what? In general, cats do not actually like confrontation. What triggered the reaction? A sudden movement? Picking her up when she did not want that? Grabby or loud rambunctious children? They need to learn how to behave around the cat. Even to ignore her, as difficult as that may be. Boredom? There is no therapy like play. Use interactive toys, but not your hands or feet. Stop using your hands as play-toys. They are not prey. No squiggling your feet under the sheets so Baxter can dive after them. Encourage what you want them to like, discourage what you do not.

Long-distance wand or pole-toys, like Da Bird, Cat Dancer or Neko Flies give a cat an outlet for her natural instinct to hunt, chase, pounce, grab and catch. The more good, important exercise the cat gets, the healthier she will be, emotionally, physically and mentally, and the less likely to go after human flesh.

If the cat scratched your face, was it because this massive staring thing suddenly loomed in front of her? I would lash out too. Look at things from the cat’s perspective: your face looks huge, and you look threatening. Do not stare at her. This is not about dominance, of course. Staring is perceived as aggressive in the animal kingdom. Did you pick up the cat and hold him, and put him near your face? He did not want that—and many people do not watch the body language (or understand what it means) when he showed you that he did not want that. Signs include a

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Position Statement on Declawing Cats

ats' claws are a vital part of their arsenal for both offense and defense. They use them to capture prey and to settle disputes among themselves as well as with other animals and people who are hurting, threatening or annoying them. In addition, a cat who is attempting to climb to safety uses her claws to grip a surface and hold on.

As part of their daily rituals, cats instinctually pull the claws on their front paws through surfaces that offer resistance. Explanations for this behavior include that they are marking territory, exercising muscles normally used in hunting, relieving stress and removing worn sheaths from their nails. Cats who live outdoors favor logs and tree trunks for this purpose, but indoor cats frequently choose upholstered furniture and carpets to scratch, causing a great deal of damage to household furnishings and to their relationships with their guardians.

A variety of humane methods exist to manage the problem of destructive clawing and to prevent injury from cat scratches.

These include having your cat’s nails trimmed or filed down regularly in order to blunt the tips and providing scratching pads, posts and other appealing structures for the cat to use— and employing behavior modification techniques to induce the cat to use them. Cat guardians should also be familiar with cat behavior and handling techniques to avoid being scratched.

Unfortunately, many cat guardians opt instead to have their

cat surgically declawed, perhaps not appreciating the fact that removing a cat's claws would be comparable to removing their own fingernails, along with the bones to which they are attached. Others may have a resident cat who has been declawed and believe, wrongly, that any new cat or kitten coming into the home must also be declawed for the protection of the one who is. Declawing, or onychectomy, is the amputation of the last digital bone, including the nail bed and claw, on each front toe. If the surgery is performed correctly and the entire nail bed is removed, the claw cannot regrow, and the procedure is considered a permanent solution. The surgery involves the risk of anesthetization, excessive bleeding and postoperative complications, including infection, and is accompanied by severe pain that may last from several days to much longer unless appropriate analgesia is provided. Post-operative care and the length of time the cat must remain in the veterinary hospital depend on how the surgical procedure is performed and the skill of the surgical team.

The ASPCA is strongly opposed to declawing cats for the convenience of their guardians.

© Can Stock Photo Inc./Creator76

Bouvier (my feisty ex(ish)-feral you may have read of in previous issues) seems to have aggressive behavior in her genes. Add to that her early experiences of people, which included only being picked up when given a shot, a salve or surgery. Not surprisingly, you instantly have a recipe for fear and disdain: “Back off, or I’ll lacerate your flesh into bloody ribbons,” was her mantra. I loved her anyway, let her be, and showed massive patience and respect.

Her aggression when she did not get her way has softened to quick ankle-grabs, and if she is crabby about being stroked I may get a little claw, but it is all softened and mostly retracted. To see her slowly become more accepting, trusting, and even curl up with me at night without soliciting petting - but also without feeling the need to be aggressive - melts the heart.

The type of behavior exhibited by Bouvier is often because of a cat’s background. Maybe she did not have enough mothering to learn otherwise, or siblings to teach her that this scratch is fun while that one hurts. Without having learned this kind of impulse control, she takes it out on you because that is all she knows.

A third reason: sometimes Noodles started out fine, but in that crucial learning period of kittenhood (two-nine or 10 weeks) humans did not take good care of him. He heard “no” so many times, got doused so often with water sprays, was picked up and dropped when he got on a counter, and smacked or yelled at for being normal. No wonder he does not like being handled.

What can you do? Act and react as the cat’s absent mom and siblings would. If she hurts you, you let out a little cry of pain.

Bouvier would sit back on her haunches and give me a questioning look.You could see it: “What was that?” But she usually

FELINE

- Source: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Retrieved from www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-policy-and -position-statements/position-statement-on-declawing-cats

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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© Can Stock Photo Inc./okssi68

tail beginning to lash, pupils dilating, ears beginning to flatten, and perhaps a low growl. If you pay attention, cats will usually give fair warning.

Cats need consistency. Noodles has to develop trust in you, and to achieve this you need to consistently respect her boundaries.You learn when her times of the day/night are fine for petting, and when she has absolutely no interest in physical affection.

Learn patterns. Learn where she likes stroking and where she does not. She lies on her back? That is trust—it does not mean you can scratch or pet her there.

As a general rule, the head, neck, back and base of tail are good, while it is a no for the legs and stomach (unless cat expressly indicates it's just fine). Remember, just because a cat lies on her back and exposes her stomach it does not mean that it is an invitation to caress or scratch it. Tail? It depends on the cat, but generally it is considered a vulnerable part of the body, so wait for the cat to show you he likes a gentle stroking there. It is important not to force things. The cat needs to learn that nothing bad will happen to her first if you are nearby, then if you touch her, and finally if you pet her, slowly, slowly.

This can require a lot of patience. It took several years for Bouvier to accept me and to trust in me. There is still a lot of cautiousness that will always be there. It has taught me a great deal, plus I appreciate the small good changes that have occurred.

I have a special bond with her because of that, our evolving friendship.

Something else that is important is to give the cat a heads-up.

This means that, if she is sleeping, do not startle her. Instead, a few gentle reassuring words beforehand to awaken her before you touch her would be appreciated. Try not to make out-of-theblue movements. Instead, move slowly and gently. Use a soft voice.

I know one client who made huge headway with his scratching cat when he stopped treading so heavily around the house.

Speaking of increments, does the cat scratch you when you want to pet her? Start with one gentle touch. Stop. No scratch?

One or two light touches. After several more times, when she senses there is nothing threatening coming, turn it into a light, brief pet, then two and so on. This has made a huge difference with Bouvier. I know now that after eight reasonable pettings, even including her neck, that it is time to stop. I can resume later.

The time I can pet, and the depth with which I can pet her, is lengthening and becoming more normal.

Cats mark territory and sharpen their claws through scratching

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

Again, no punishment. As always, it will make things worse and either create a real sense of fear or ramp up aggression. The cat is simply behaving like a cat. Try not to reward unpleasant behavior. Instead give her treats for calm behavior. This way you are providing her with safety, both with you and in her territory. n *Onychectomy is illegal in over 20 countries around the world including England, Scotland,Wales, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, Brazil, Israel, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. A involves the amputation growing number of cities in the ofDeclawing the last digital bone, including the US are outlawing the practice, nail bed and claw, on each front toe particularly in California (Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Monica and West Hollywood), plus Norfolk,Virginia.

New York State may be added to the list by the end of this year.

© Can Stock Photo Inc./Dwight

FELINE

Jane Ehrlich is a professionally trained Feline Behaviorist with over 27 years experience. She spent 18 years volunteering with the RSPCA in both clinical and behavior work and has her own consulting business Cattitude Feline Behavior, www.cattitudebehavior.com, in Phoenix, Arizona, although her clients are located worldwide.

FELINE

Feline Behavior Unmasked

Jane Ehrlich responds to commonly asked questions about feline © Can Stock Photo/BENGUHAN

behavior problems and feline behavior in general

Q: My cat, Rosie, insists on sucking on my ears! I understand that she's still demonstrating infantile behavior since she was taken away her mom too soon, but I don't know how to stop it.

She is over a year old.

You're right about the reason, of course.You can gently discourage her from that activity in two ways; one, making where she suckles less appealing (some clients have had great success adding a few drops of lemon oil to face cream and putting that on their ears), and two, substituting something better when she tries. For example, gently pull her away and distract her at that moment with a soft small cuddle toy (make sure the eyes aren't hard beads she can chew off and swallow). She also needs more bonding with you, which will be enormously assuring: more interactive play with her at different times of day, using pole toys and feather wands.

Lastly, encourage her to hunt and forage for food and treats, so she learns independence as well--and she is fed at the success of it: hide bits of kibble or treats behind cushions, under sofas, just under pillows and praise her lavishly when she finds them.

Q: I’m finding that when my male cat, Baxter, snuggles on my chest and gets petted, that there’s a little wet spot when he jumps off. It’s coming from his bladder—just a few drops. He uses his box just fine and there are no other accidents. But it’s a little distressing. By the way, he has been neutered, and is about a year old.

A: While you might want to take Baxter to the vet’s to be sure everything is in working order, it could very well be normal.

Sometimes when young or youngish male cats get a little overhappy like that, a few drops could leak out. If the vet gives the allclear, just put a soft little towel on your chest when you both feel like cuddling.

Q: My cat has started to urinate near my back door, of all things. I’ve had to throw away the mat, and have cleaned the area, and even put some foul-smelling stuff on it, hoping that would deter him, but it hasn’t. He is three years old, and fixed.

A: ‘This land is my land’ is no doubt what your cat is thinking. He is most likely marking his territory for outside cats that may be wandering around.

First, where is it happening, exactly? Run a blacklight (when it is dark) around the back of the house, wall and shrubbery. Do you see any glowing spots or streaks? These are all outside messages. Do the same inside the house, to ensure your cat has not urine-marked anywhere else.

Now you need to start with a clean slate. Wipe streaked areas with a good enzymatic cleaner especially for cat urine (try Get Serious! for Cats). Do not use anything containing vinegar, bleach or ammonia. Try to make it harder for outside visitors to access your yard. In general, other cats should wander elsewhere, to an easier environment. What may also help: as your cat is feeling somewhat insecure about guarding his territory, gently wipe a soft cloth on his face, in his groin area, and then wipe the walls with that cloth, so he is surrounded with the comfort of his own scent.

Cats often do very well with a fellow feline companion

Q: I’m thinking of getting a second cat for my active little girl, Loulou. I hear so much advice— and it’s confusing. Should I get a male, because having one of each sex is better? Or another little girl so there won’t be a problem with a male dominating the female? Or will there be competition between two girls?

A: Go for the personality of the cat, not the sex. There are male cats who are not interested in being dominant and female cats who are. There are cats of either sex who won’t get along with Loulou because the personalities will clash. If Loulou is active and she’s been the only one in her queendom, a newcomer will be quite a change as it is. Choose a cat with an easy going, bright personality, who still loves to play. If you mean ‘little’ because she is young, choose a cat who isn’t a kitten, because you don’t know how they’ll develop. Say, at least 4-6 months. Someone who doesn’t mind letting Loulou be the strong one but who’ll be able to romp with her. If you mean ‘little’ because she’s small, then choosing a huge playmate may well intimidate her at first, unless she then finds out you have a ‘gentle giant’ there. Choose a cat who is well-socialized with the other cats in the room. Go to a shelter and talk with the cattery manager, and someone else who really knows the cats there. It’s matchmaking, after all. n BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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Fastidious Foodies

Patience Fisher explores the common perception that cats are fussy eaters and highlights

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other possible reasons for the behavior

© Can Stock Photo Inc./dewing

rom cat food commercials to cartoons and internet Cats are often thought to be cats, it is something of a running joke that cats are fussy eaters but picky eaters. But is this common assumption correct? there may be an underlying cause According to C.A. Tony Buffington, a leading researcher in for the behavior the field of feline nutrition, the answer is a resounding no.

Buffington states that cats are very adaptable; left to their own devices they can and do thrive on a wide range of foods. This is important to their survival, since they are opportunistic eaters. If a cat is not eating a food she previously liked, then something is wrong. Health issues and stress are both possible culprits in preventing a cat from enjoying her food (Buffington, 2015).

Health issues that can cause a cat to become finicky include dental problems, digestive upset and dehydration. The latter two can be symptoms of a serious health issue, such as kidney problems or hyperthyroidism. If the finicky cat also experiences loose stool or emesis, she should be promptly seen by a veterinarian. Another potential sign of digestive upset is sitting in a protective position after eating (also that is perceived as finicky over a period of a few days should be known as the meatloaf position, this involves the cat resting on looked at by a veterinarian (Houpt, 1982; Macdonald et al., 1984, her sternum with her legs, paws and tail tucked underneath her 1985, as cited by Overall, 2013, p. 322). Another indication of a with eyes unfocused, partly shut or shut). Of course, there are possible dental issue is a cat that stops eating when there is no many reasons a cat may assume this posture but bear in mind food left in the center of the bowl. If pushing the food back to that most cats that have had a fulfilling meal will wash their faces the center or serving it on a plate entices the cat to eat, a dental afterwards, or assume a relaxed posture. Some will play. It is imcheck-up is in order. portant to know the cat’s normal after-meal activity. If finicky eatThe natural stimuli for eating are movement and smell. Feeding is paired with this posture after eating there may be a health ing your cat while you are cooking your own dinner can have an problem. effect. Robinson states that cooking palatable food the cat is not Painful teeth can cause a cat to appear picky. When offered a given to eat can stimulate the cat to eat her food (cited by Overnew, delicious food a hungry cat with a sore tooth may well be all, 2013, p. 322). The presence or absence of cooking smells can enticed to eat. As explained by McCurnin and Bassert (2010, p. therefore affect a cat’s appetite, making the cat’s preference ap322): “A transient ‘newness factor’ can temporarily increase food pear inconsistent if the owner has not made this connection. intake” when new foods are offered. It goes to reason that after Whether or not a food is room temperature or refrigerated can his hunger abates and the pain is a more evocative stimulus than also be a factor that is overlooked. The preferred food temperahunger, the cat may stop eating. This may result in an aversion to ture is 35 degrees Celsius/95 degrees Fahrenheit (Overall, 2013, the new food as the cat may now have been conditioned to asso- p. 322). ciate it with pain. Although it is fine to offer a few small portions At the 2015 International Association of Animal Behavior of new foods to see if that solves the problem, constantly changConsultants (IAABC) Feline Behavior Conference in Atlanta, ing the food may let the underlying problem go untreated and Georgia, Buffington stated that stress affects individual cats differcondition aversion to these particular foods. If a cat is finicky even ently. Although it may cause some cats to overeat, it causes othwhen offered a few new foods, it is time to see the veterinarian. ers to become fastidious. Cats are very subtle in their body Problem teeth can be hard to diagnose. Cats are prone to a language. A stressed cat may assume a tucked position, in just the painful, hidden problem known as feline tooth resorption, the same way as a cat with digestive upset does. This is a defensive cause of which is unknown. The teeth can look normal but their posture, signaling the cat’s desire to be left alone. Competition roots may have lesions which can only be seen using x-rays. Acfor food from another pet can be a source of stress and may not cording to McCurnin (2010, p. 1,136), 20 to 70 percent of cats always be obvious. A cat staring at another cat during meal time are affected by this problem. Because one unpleasant food expemay be all it takes for that cat to walk away from his food. Other rience can lead to the rejection of that food for months, a cat things that might cause a cat stress are a change in routine, a 44

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new housemate or person, the loss of a housemate or person, or a change in the behavior of a housemate or person. The common theme is change. If a cat is finicky and a veterinary exam shows no signs of digestive, systemic or dental issues, try to discover if there were any changes in his life on or before the finicky eating developed. If a change can be identified, a coping strategy should be considered. As always, prevention is preferred. If you know that there will be changes in your cat’s life, initiate a desensitization strategy as well as a coping strategy in advance.

Cats can be conditioned to be picky. If new foods are offered to a picky cat, she may well be tempted by the new food. If the cat’s microbiome is unaccustomed to this food it can cause digestive upset. This can lead to dehydration which further decreases appetite. It can also condition the cat to dislike that food.

The following scenario is how some cats may become picky eaters. The cat is put off by her regular food (for whatever reason) and so is offered a new food. The hungry cat is stimulated to eat the new food, which upsets her unaccustomed digestive

FELINE

system and results in pain. Now the cat will not eat that second food. The owner offers a third food and the pattern repeats. Perhaps at some point the owner goes back to the original food. If enough time has passed the cat may well try this food. The conditioned aversion to the food may no longer be remembered.

The owner may assume that the whole scenario is due to the cat being finicky, when it may actually be a series of conditioned aversions.You can avoid this problem by only offering a small quantity of a new food and then gradually increasing the amount over many days. If the cat soon turns against the new food perhaps a medical problem is the underlying cause.

To prevent creating a picky eater, Buffington recommends starting kittens on a variety of foods. Since changes such as a discontinuation of a type of cat food, a change in the manufacturing process of a cat food, or a conditioned aversion to a food due to the onset of dental or digestive issues are hard to avoid, it behooves us to get kittens use to a variety of foods. The cat will then be more open to choosing another food should the one he

Case Study:The Finicky Feline Eater

George and Sweet Pea were 10 and nine years old, respectively, when Sweet Pea became a picky eater. They had lived together for more than eight years and spent most of their time together. They were both eating dry food and canned food.

After meals they would each wash their faces, and then George would stretch out on the kitchen rug and Sweet Pea would curl up in the cat bed, which was also in the kitchen.

When Sweet Pea stopped eating the dry food she was taken to the veterinarian. A dental exam, bloodwork and a body x-ray showed her to be in good health. Returning home, she ate less and less each day. Since she ate best when the canned food was on a plate, she was taken back to the veterinarian with a request to check for a resorbed tooth. It was discovered that a canine tooth had resorbed roots. After this tooth was removed she refused to eat the canned foods she had been eating previously and just nibbled at the dry food.

She lost weight. Many foods were offered and eaten for a day or two before being rejected. Sometimes after eating a new food she would sit in a protective, tucked position. Finally she adapted to a new food. A year later, she still will not eat the original canned food that she had been eating for her entire adult life. I presume she has been conditioned to associate it with the pain of the toothache.

George is content post-mealtime

Sweet Pea is in a protective position; she vomited 10 minutes after this photo was taken

Due to a resorbed tooth, Sweet Pea had started eating less and less

Under normal circumstances, both cats would wash after consuming a meal

- Patience Fisher BS DipFBST CVA BSBIO BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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is eating become undesirable.

If a cat rejects her food and is not ill and does not have dental problems, it is fine to offer her a new food but this needs to be done correctly. If it is not, it can cause digestive upset. The new food must be offered in small quantities, especially if she likes it and may eat more than her system can acclimate to. Buffington states that encouraging an adult cat to eat a variety of foods is a good idea, because you may have to change her food at some point in her life.

Cats can be conditioned to be picky eaters If she is already eating different foods, this will be easier. Offer the new food along with the current food at first. If she likes it that should be apparent in a day or

Š Can Stock Photo Inc./evgenyi

two (Buffington, interviewed by Eckstein, 2015). Although it is a good idea to find out what your cat prefers by offering an array of small portions of different foods, be sure to put them all out at once. Do not offer other choices in response to meowing or not eating. And be sure to keep in mind the role stress and underlying medical conditions may play. n

References

Buffington, C.A. (2015). International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Feline Behavior Conference, Atlanta, Georgia Eckstein, S. (2015). How to Deal With a Cat That’s a Picky Eater. Retrieved from www.pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/how -to-deal-with-a-cat-thats-a-picky-eater McCurnin, D., & Bassert, J. (2010). McCurnin’s Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, Seventh Edition St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier Overall, K. (2013). Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Patience Fisher BS DipFBST CVA BSBIO is the owner of Walk, Play, Learn, www.walkplaylearn.com, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her focus is feline behavior consulting. She fostered cats and assisted with adoptions at two Pittsburgh-area shelters from 2006-2010. She is also a certified veterinary assistant.

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Topics may include training, ethology, learning theory, behavior specifics... or anything else you can think of.

We’ll even do some practice runs with you to help you along (if you need them!)

Think Outside the Cage

AVIAN

In this final part of a four-part feature, Amy Martin shares ideas for enhancing the lives of

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captive parrots through play without creating frustration for their guardians

arrots are the fourth Rainbow lorikeets in foraging most popular com- engage and active play panion animal in the enrichment US, at an estimated number of 20.6 million. The number of parrots in other forms of captivity such as zoos, aquariums and shelters is unknown, but obtaining accurate numbers is not as relevant as enhancing the environment that we provide for these captive species of birds. As we discussed in previous articles, the categories of enrichment should be used to enhance the species’ behavioral, physical, social, cognitive and psychological well-being. These categories are not mutually exclusive and often overlap. They are each vital components for the health and welfare of any species of parrot in captivity. Play can be incorporated into these enrichment categories but is often overlooked.

increases their welfare and well-being.

When properly planned and supervised, enrichment can be used as therapy to help parrots while they are recuperating from sickness or injury.

Just like a dog or cat needs to wear a cone to keep them from licking their injury while they heal, parrots sometimes need this as well. But with “the cone of shame” on they are unable to preen themselves, which is a necessary and comforting behavior for parrots. A very effective method to help expedite a parrot’s recovery in a more comfortable and fun way is to provide enrichment. One example is providing a preening ball filled with sterilized feathers peeking out for the parrot to “groom.” This allows the parrot to engage in natural, healthy behaviors while healing.

Captive Parrots Need Play

Focus on Fun

Parrots need to play every day. They may be living in an enclosure at your house or shelter but they still have innate behavioral needs that must be met. It is crucial to the physical and emotional health of every bird. Utilizing and encouraging play increases coordination and circulation, and provides a healthy and productive energy outlet. If we want to encourage natural behaviors such as flying, flapping, foraging, climbing, chewing, tearing, tossing, walking, hiding, holding, preening, searching and singing, we can do all of this through play.

Play is powerful. It influences development, motivation, emotions, physiology, communication and behavior. – Dr. Patricia McConnell

Playtime for Prevention

Enrichment is intended to enhance well-being so it can be a source of more than just fun.

We now know that enrichment’s role in therapeutic intervention is valuable too. As the name implies, therapeutic intervention is intended to reduce the level of abnormal behavior in an animal. When we actively encourage captive parrots to increase the usage of and to have control of their environment, it

Parrot guardians (and even parrot consultants) are often so focused on fixing behavioral problems that it is easy to forget to have fun. If we were to make play a priority, we could prevent many behavioral and medical issues. As companion animal behavior consultants, we understand that motivating the humans in the home or at a shelter to implement our recommendations – to include consistent and appropriate species specific enrichment is where much of the challenge lies. We can encourage them but we need their buy-in to see it happen.

There is nothing quite like seeing someone who was once resistant to the idea of providing daily enrichment for their parrot turn into someone who owns and values their role as the enricher. As an enrichment coordinator, I know that the application of daily enrichment has to be easy enough so that others, with their limited time schedules, can implement it. I know that the results of their efforts have to override their limited belief in its value. If I am going to convince a fellow zookeeper or educator to take time out of their already jam-packed daily schedule, the enrichment has to be quick and easy but also valuable to the overall well-being of the animal. Making it fun for both the parrot and the person is key. If the person is having a great time while engaged with the parrot, or while watching the parrot play, exBARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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AVIAN

plore and interact with the enrichment, they are more likely to invest their time in it again. Making it fun matters.

Sarge the blue and gold macaw enjoying his daily walkabout in a safe area under supervision

Parrot Play Styles

We need to consider each bird as an individual when providing play time enrichment opportunities. While certain species may typically have a combination of play styles, not all individuals fit the feathered mold. The bird’s species, personality and background can all impact their individual play style. That style can change with the season, the age of the bird and the bird’s selfconfidence.

Parrots thrive in an environment worthy of investigation. In fact, healthy parrots require this. No matter how large a parrot’s enclosure is, it is still basically a modified jail cell. There needs to be a variety of ways for each species of parrot to play and actively engage with their environment as they would choose to do in the wild. Consider how the parrot could safely navigate his world inside and outside of his enclosure. Not only could many parrots benefit mentally and physically from time outside their enclosure, they also need daily activities to keep them happily occupied. It is not enough to just add some perching and a few toys; the activities and enrichment we offer needs to reflect what that particular species of bird would be doing in the wild. Activities, toys and specially created environments all allow parrots to behave naturally, and are a necessary part of a parrot’s overall well-being.

Eclectus parrot Charlie enjoys painting as play enrichment

Get Them Moving

Mental and physical stagnation can lead to numerous behavioral and medical issues. Parrot guardians need to ensure all birds under their care are active. This could be as simple as moving the perching a bit farther apart. If the parrot is fully flighted, give her the opportunity to stretch her wings. Parrot play gyms also encourage movement. Placing treats, food and toys on and around the play gyms encourages foraging. Getting parrots out of their enclosures for daily walks can be a very healthy and fun enrichment activity for both person and parrot. In nature, parrots can choose where to fly and where to perch. Some branches are less stable than others so, by offering movement that mimics this, a playful, realistic captive environment is created. Rope perches, swings and perches on swivels add movement and play to a parrot’s stale environment.

Great Hornbill Tom engages in play therapy while in the hospital

Quality Toys

Seemingly limited resources should not be an excuse for not providing physical and mental stimulation for parrots in captivity.

Quality enrichment toys will be well worth the small investment but be wary: the toys we see in pet stores are marketed for people, not parrots. They are also not the safest playtime toys so we need to take great care to ensure that they are made of safe materials and are well constructed. We must ensure there is no chance of the bird becoming entangled in any way.

Remember, too, that all parrots are extremely tactile creatures. They use their tongues, beaks, feet and feathers to explore their environment. The types of toys we offer them should reflect and encourage the natural behaviors of the specific species 48

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

AVIAN

of parrot. Having a wide variety of high quality toys readily available and rotating them often makes the most of playtime.

The ‘Bird Bacus’ parrot toy: parrots thrive in an environment where they need to investigate

Encourage the Parrot

Be there with your parrot as she discovers her new toy. Do not just leave her alone with the new toy or puzzle feeder.You would not offer a puzzle to a child then leave him alone in a room to “figure it out.” You would guide him and encourage him when he makes progress. The same is true for parrots. Encourage them.

Praise them when they make small progress, and even when they are just trying to figure it out.

Go with the Feathered Flow

Avoid offering enrichment playtime at the same time every day, as doing so can create behavioral issues if the desired interaction fails to appear at the expected time. Instead, offer opportunities at varied times throughout the day. This also allows the enrichment provider to not feel pressured to “get to the parrot on time.” It takes the pressure off of you by allowing a more flexible schedule. And in the process, you teach the parrots to go with the flow too.

If you are caring for multiple parrots in your home or shelter, there is no need to feel overwhelmed. Start with simple playtime enrichment.You can always build in complexity later. And remember that interactive play activities should be fun, not frustrating, for you and the parrot. Over-stimulation and frustration can be Moluccan cockatoo Chopin with puzzle feeder

just as harmful as no stimulation.

Whether you are caring for parrots in your home or in a shelter, those under your care need play – every day. This does not have to be time consuming and it should be fun for both you and the parrot. Making the effort, getting creative and being open to changes will greatly enhance the life and longevity of your parrots and it will enhance your bond. n

Resources

Echols, M.S. (2010). Captive Bird Welfare and Enrichment (Part 1). Retrieved from www.fosterparrots.com/wp-content /uploads/2013/08/Echols-2010-Captive-bird-welfare -enrichment.pdf Insurance Information Institute (2013-2014). Pet Ownership in the United States. Retrieved from www.iii.org/fact-statistic/pet -statistics The Flight School: www.parrottraining.org.uk/enrichment _section/enrichment_index_new.htm Porter, K. (n.d.). The Parrot Enrichment Activity Book (Version 2.0). Retrieved from www.parrots.org/pdfs/all_about_parrots /reference_library/PEAB2.pdf Toy Making for Parrots Made Easy: www.slideshare.net /abirdsbestlife/toy-making-madeeasyphoenixlanding2012-fixed Amy Martin owns and solely operates Conscious Companion®, www.consciouscompanion.com/my-background.html, serves on the board of directors of the Cape Fear Parrot Sanctuary, www.capefearparrotsanctuary.org and is a member of the advisory team for Family Paws Parent Education, www.familypaws.com. When she is not consulting, writing, or educating the public through workshops, she teaches Wetland Ecology (B-WET) in the field for Prince William County Middle Schools, and is a Make-A-Wish Granter for the Mid- Atlantic Chapter.

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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CONSULTING

Creating and Maintaining Independence

Lara Joseph outlines the importance of preventing behavior problems before they arise and the steps that every pet owner can take to make life easier for everyone

New pet parents are always excited to bring home their new puppy and do everything with him

Pigs often end up in rescue because their owners did not take the time to socialize them, leading to problem behaviors

W

e have all seen our clients excited to care for or bring home a new animal. Everyone wants to hold the puppy, sleep with the puppy, take the puppy for car rides and show him off to friends. Or the new parrot comes home. The whole family is interested and the bird is out of the cage the majority of the time, on the arm of each family member sharing treats and interacting, or sitting on someone’s shoulder while watching television.

It is easy to get excited about a new animal and give them more attention than we might realistically be able to give daily once the novelty wears off and life settles back to normal. As much as we trainers may suggest creating environments and enrichment that directs an animal’s attention onto other things besides their caretaker, this advice is often brushed aside until the almost inevitable behavior issues arise.

What I do see with clients who seek advice before or shortly after bringing an animal home is an ability to quickly identify and act when any behavior concerns begin to arise. If clients are given information in advance on what to look for, then they already have the tools to identify the behaviors. This way I can set them up for success.

In most situations, clients do not call me for intervention until undesired behaviors already have a long history of reinforcement. Unfortunately, a lot of the time behavior consultants get the call when clients have already tried most other “methods” and now want something done immediately. We often find ourselves as the last resort. This is the point where I explain the history of reinforcement of the undesired behavior, what it means, and why the behavior is at the point it is now. The majority of the time I get the desired behaviors I am looking for from the caretakers. That behavior includes them listening, understand50

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

ing, and being able to identify scenarios. If we only had this opportunity to explain before it got to this point.

In the parrot community the label “One-Person Bird” is very common. This is when a pet bird prefers one person over everyone else. In fact, this behavior can be unknowingly shaped by the people in the home. It is easy to ask a prey animal for more than he is comfortable with if one does not understand his subtle body language. And, if those subtleties are not recognized, the bird will quickly resort to a different behavior that will be more effective such as an open beak or a lunge. Once the bird learns that this works, and after the person consistently and unknowingly has paired themselves with the aversive, the bird will likely continue to use it. Consequently, the bird begins to rely on the one person who pairs themselves with the least amount of aversives while he practices the alternate behaviors with everyone else.

Another very common scenario in the exotic animal world occurs in the mini or pot-bellied pig community. If a pig goes to a new home and does not get socialized to other people, or introduced to changing environments and things not changing in his home environment, the chances are very high that he will begin displaying undesired behaviors such as charging, biting and head swinging.Visitors are most likely to be the target of the behavior and be charged at or get bitten, because they represent the only change in the environment and, in any case, the pig has not been socialized. As a result, visitors stop coming over or the caretaker stops inviting people over. This results in an even more stagnant environment for the pig and is a no-win situation for all involved.

Similar scenarios are common in the parrot community.

But what happens to these individual-dependent animals when the primary caretaker has to go away for a period of time?

Other household or zoo caregivers then find themselves in a situation where they have to interact with an animal that has been trained to be dependent on one person. This usually results in the known or unknown reinforcement of undesired behaviors. It can lead to high anxiety and stress both for the animal and for the new, temporary caregiver. Many times it also prevents the primary caregiver from going on vacations, resulting in even more reinforcement of the dependent behaviors.

One of the first things I will recommend in situations like this, whether domestic or exotic, will be shaping independence.

The length of time for each animal is individualized. After identifying the top five positive reinforcers to work with, including attention, I start to put a plan in place. My first recommendation is to introduce foraging. Most of the time the caretaker is not even familiar with the word. Teaching the animal to forage, i.e. search for food, takes the focus off of the person, even if for just a short period of time. This is a process that needs to be shaped initially by making the search for food very easy and attainable. As the animal continues to understand the process and is obtaining the food, the caregiver can slowly increase the complexities in the search. I often suggest starting with highly valued treats. As the animal learns to actively forage, then you can get them to forage for their breakfast and dinner as well.

My second approach in creating independence is environmental enrichment. Toys are very useful here. Many times, in the more serious cases, the animal does not connect with toys at all.

It is important that an animal interacts with something because this something is one more thing in his environment for him to interact with other than his preferred person. Foraging often coincides with this step. The food is hidden in the toys so the animal has to interact with the toy to get the food. Usually, if the animal is interacting with the toy to get the food, he will also

Interacting with food toys is crucial in helping a parrot maintain independence, given that foraging is a key behavior

CONSULTING

start slowly interacting with the toy even when food is not involved. I suggest paying attention to the things in the environment that the animal does interact with. Those things, or the substrate from which they are made, are where we need to begin when shaping the behavior of an animal interacting with a toy. Many times we need to create these toys ourselves because they cannot be found in standard pet stores.

My third approach is training. The mental and physical enrichment involved in training encourages the animal to be more active and engaged with his environment. I will often suggest two things here. One, get other people involved in the training because it takes the focus off the preferred person and pairs desired consequences with other people. This will help the animal to develop trusting relationships and interactions with other people. Two, I will often suggest remote training systems that reward. I suggest this step because the positive reinforcers are independent from the person. Given that they are delivered remotely, they are not necessarily paired with the preferred person.

My fourth approach is to shape the preferred person being away from the animal’s environment for longer periods of time.

This is where some of the above suggestions might help. When the person is absent, the animal has other things to focus on such as the foraging toys, the enrichment toys, and the remote controlled food dispensers.

Once the animal is comfortable being alone for small periods of time, we can begin increasing the length and frequency of the time the preferred person is absent. Initially, the frequency of being away is often more important than the period of time, which should be kept under threshold. Once the animal shows signs of being comfortable without their person being in the room or the house, then we can focus on increasing the period of time.

At my training center, we move animals around to different rooms, crates or cages to help prevent them becoming too dependent on other animals or environments. We have different people working on different days, which also helps keep the animals used to change. There are also days where I intentionally have no one working at all so the animals get used to being people-independent for periods of time as well.

Life is full of unpredictabilities. Our immediate environments can change within seconds. The more we can prepare our animals for getting used to change, whether short-term or longterm, the better. The better it is for them in being able to cope with the changes, and the better it is for us knowing they can handle the changes. n Lara Joseph is the owner of The Animal Behavior Center LLC, www.theanimalbehaviorcenter.com, in Ohio. She is also the Director of Avian Training for a wildlife rehabilitation center where she focuses on removing stress from animal environments. She is a professional member of The Animal Behavior Management Alliance, The International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators, and sits on the Advisory Board for All Species Consulting and The Indonesian Parrot Project.

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CONSULTING

Grow Your Compassion: Be Phenomenological!

Angelica Steinker investigates new ways in which trainers and behavior consults can

“

increase their levels of compassion – for both pets and their humans

Phenomenology: the study of the development of human consciousness and self-awareness as a preface to or a part of philosophy – Merriam-Webster.com

© Can Stock Photo/VadimGuzhva

Phenomenology” may seem like a bit of a mouthful, but all it really is is a simple process whereby one puts oneself in the position of another being. In behavior consulting this is useful in that it enables us to put ourselves in the position of both our human and canine clients. It can often be a reflexive response to judge a client for using a leash correction, but we need to remember that the client is just trying to train their dog. If instead we were to put ourselves in their position, we would see that there is information everywhere stating that using leash corrections to train your dog is effective.

Many owners use the leash as a steering tool rather than a safety device. A Google search for “dog training corrections” yields about 1,560,000 results. In contrast, “dog training clicker training” only yields one third of that number. Clearly we have progress, but with so much material in the public domain advocating the use of corrections, the abundance of information Many dog owners are conditioned is still weighted in favor of old school methods. to accept and internalize that restraint is necessary Sometimes the old school training methods can involve blaming the owner and then trying to shame them into comnomenological. We are using our mirror neurons to put ourplying. I suppose this means that the trainer is the “alpha” and selves in the position of the fearful dog so we can feel what he that the owner needs to be forced into submission. Taking a phe- feels. nomenological approach, on the other hand, excludes bullying as Being phenomenological is not easy. Scientists debate an option during coaching. Being phenomenological means you whether it is possible to accurately put oneself in another being’s are motivated to learn the perspective of your human client and position and of course they are right. However, when it comes to then to coach them from there. the human client we have a huge advantage because we can ask The same thing can be applied to dogs. When we see a dog questions and listen to what they say. When we listen, we can recowering in a corner and a tall, unfamiliar human rapidly apally listen. We can lean in towards the client and reflect on what proaching him, we can almost predict the future: the scared dog we are hearing. If necessary we can ask follow up questions to is going to get even more scared and may well react accordingly. make sure we really understand them.

Part of the reason we can do that is because we are being pheWith our canine clients we can rely on body language and consent testing to see what their truth is. In other words, we can A mirror neuron is a neuron which fires both when an animal listen with our eyes. performs an action and when the animal observes the same We can watch for the action performed by another (especially conspecific) animal. small movements, Thus, the neuron "mirrors" the behavior of another animal, as those poker game though the observer were itself performing the action. “tells” that show us These neurons have been observed in primates, including what a dog is really humans, and in some birds. In humans, they have been found feeling. in Broca's area and the inferior parietal cortex of the brain.

Recently I found Some scientists consider mirror neurons one of the most myself in a social situaimportant findings of neuroscience in the last decade. tion where a dog - Science Daily owner asked two large www.sciencedaily.com/terms/mirror_neuron.htm muscular men to re© Can Stock Photo/xtrender

Mirror Neurons

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strain her dog while she administered ear drops. I had been told that the dog in question was a rescue. I watched as the bigger, bulkier man reached for the dog’s collar and dragged her over to him. I shuddered and walked outside to process what I had seen.

I wondered if there was anything I could do right now to help this dog. I could not think of a way in which I could inject myself appropriately. The dog’s owner was aware that I am a canine behavior consultant and had even complimented me by way of a mutual acquaintance. In this case, however, I was literally passing by and was not asked to participate. I put myself into the position of the bulky man. Of course I did not know what he was really thinking but I imagined he might sense some feeling of pride at being able to help this owner help her dog. I then thought of the owner, and how that every time she takes her dog to the vet the dog is restrained. In all the years that she has had dogs she has been conditioned to accept and internalize that restraint is necessary, important and helpful. I then put myself in the position of the dog and my heart broke. Intentions to be helpful are not always as helpful as they ideally could be.

I then thought about what I could have done. I could, for example, have offered my help, which would have most likely been rejected because my physical stature is tiny next to a bulky man. I could have offered coaching, but the dog needed her medication right then, not after extensive training for restraint. Eventually I settled on telling the owner about an ear medication gel that can

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CONSULTING

be placed in a dog’s ear when infected and that does not require reapplication. Next time I see her I will slip into the conversation that many of my clients have checked with their vets and have requested this medication, which only requires one application instead of daily or twice daily.

It is not just the dogs we need to be gentle with. Being phenomenological helps us to be force-free with humans too. In a phenomenological state, we may not find all the solutions but we are still part of a bigger solution: we are growing our compassion. n

Cognizant behavior consulting (CBC) is an approach that provides behavior consultants and their clients with guidelines that create boundaries and establish ethics. CBC deals directly with the emotional components of behavior consulting. It focuses on the needs of both the client and the dog in order to improve their emotional states.This column will present a different component of CBC in each issue.

Angelica Steinker PCBC-A owns and operates Courteous Canine, Inc. DogSmith of Tampa, www.courteouscanine .com/Florida, a full service pet service business and dog school specializing in aggression and dog sports. She is the national director of training for DogSmith Services, www.dogsmith.com, and co-founder of DogNostics Career College, www .dognosticselearning.com.

DOG & BABY SUPPORT HOTLINE 1-877-247-3407

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CONSULTING

Setting Up Military Families for Success

Amy Martin explains how trainers and behavior consultants can go beyond the basics of

F

dog training to help their military family clients

amily is a key component of life for members of the military. As we discussed in the first article of this series (see The Perfect Storm, BARKS from the Guild, September 2015, pp. 53-55), military life is a challenge in and of itself. Often, a new chapter in life opens: babies are born and juggling military life with dogs and babies can seem impossible at times. But there are compassionate solutions and resources available to support and guide our military families.

They DonÊt Know what They DonÊt Know

Most young military parents-to-be may not believe they need to learn about safe parenting with pets. They do not need help with their dog, because “their dog is so good, and she loves kids.” Plus, they have “loved and known dogs their entire life.” What else is there to know? Frankly, there is a lot.

The danger lies in expecting parents not having a grasp on the reality of what is really in store for them with a new baby in addition to their menagerie. One of the key components to setting everyone up for success is empowering military parents with knowledge, awareness and appropriate skills. This extends well beyond dog training and basic supervision of dogs and babies.

The idea that you can “just let the dog sniff your baby’s blanket and everything will be fine once you bring your baby home” and call yourself prepared could not be further from the truth.

Military members and their spouses have plenty on their plate while serving their nation. Once they combine this with becoming a new parent, they find themselves pulled in many directions at once. All too common distractions, such as making sure their loved one who’s deployed is safe, texting, talking on the phone, watching television, being on the computer, doing the laundry or dishes, or breast feeding can create multitasking mayhem for new parents. Dangerous accidents between children and dogs happen in an instant in homes, especially when a new parent is being distracted. To ensure everyone's safety, proactive and active supervision is required when there is a baby in a home with dogs (see graphics on page 55).

Invites Decrease Bites

One of the most important home management techniques is inviting the dog to interact with the child, rather than allowing the baby to crawl over to the family dog. It is imperative to allow the family dog to choose to come over to the parent and child. If the dog chooses not to participate in petting or close interaction, that is the dog's choice, and is perfectly fine.

Dog bites are a symptom of a larger, usually chronic problem that may have been avoided with proper education, intervention, and management. – Jennifer Shryock

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In Guided Touch, a parent is always holding the baby’s hand in interactions with the dog

Many dog owners misread a dog’s exploratory behavior as a dog showing “love” or “affection” toward a baby, but that is not always the case. We need to ensure that all parents understand why it is never a good idea to allow a baby to roll around and freely explore the family dog. Families can learn to encourage inclusion of the family dog in activities with their baby, but within safe, structured guidelines.

To do this, we recommend using Guided Touch™. With this technique there is always a parent holding the baby’s hand when touching the dog. It sets up a successful encounter and creates a safer situation for both baby and dog. Guided Touch allows the family dog to interact with an unpredictable baby in a way that is guided by a trusted adult. We recommend practicing Guided Touch with a stuffed animal before practicing with the family dog.

This helps everyone to change some of their expectations of their baby and dog prior to the two making contact.

Parent “Guided Touch” is the only way young babies or toddlers should interact with a dog or cat. It's the safest technique for everyone involved. – Jennifer Shryock

Teamwork

Each parent’s dog and baby supervising style varies, so they must learn how to communicate what type of supervision works for them and what does not. New parents must understand that both parents need to adhere to the same rules they have decided upon as a team. This consistency helps the dog to trust that his trusted people will be there to intercede on his behalf when needed. Consistency decreases the likelihood of the family dog feeling like he must always be vigilant, or have to react on his own whenever their toddler is around. Helping parents to understand how their dog communicates his stress level, and rec-

ognize when intervention is needed is essential for safety and success.

CONSULTING

Giving our dog plenty of child-free spaces eased my mind, helped me to not feel guilty about it, and reduced my stress level.

By opening the lines of communication, my husband and I were able to be better parents to our baby and dog. – Patricia, Navy officer and new mother

Practice Prepares

Encouraging military families to make time in their schedules to practice these techniques is imperative. One technique that has been very helpful for expecting military parents is completing the “What works for your dog?” activity. This homework helps dog owners identify how their dog attempts to get the attention of each person. Being aware of these behaviors before baby arrives prepares the parents by bringing awareness to behaviors that will most likely be exacerbated by the time their baby arrives. These behaviors need to be addressed well before baby comes home.

To ensure everyone's safety, proactive and active supervision is required when there is a baby in a home with dogs

Practicing the exercises and techniques before our baby arrived helped me to feel confident that it was going to be safe to slowly integrate our dog and baby into our family dynamic. By the time our baby came home, all of BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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CONSULTING

the practice we did made it so much easier on everyone, including our dog! - Kathryn, US Marine Corps wife and mother of a child and dog

Like all things in the military, there are always those who go before you that offer advice and recommendations to make the transitions as easy as possible.

More than Advice

When military family members feel supported, they can contribute to their family life and the service member's mission with less strife. While some military families need guidance, education, tips and techniques, others need a helping hand. Below is a letter from a friend and client, written about her personal experience as a Marine wife, a mother and dog guardian: I cried into her fur every time I came home after watching my hero deploy to a faraway country. Before life with kids she filled my lonely moments while he was deployed.We went to puppy kindergarten, dog school, and the dog park. She met my daughter three months before my husband did. She moved six times in 11 years to three different countries. Overseas moves are just as tough on the pooch as they are on the owner. One of the most gut wrenching things a dog owner in the military often experiences is surprising, and it happened to me one snowy night.Your husband is deployed.You have a newborn and two other kids under five at home.Your dog needs you too.There is a huge amount of guilt you feel about a dog who has given you so much dedication and love during your hardest days, yet taking her out for a walk, getting all the kids dressed, and schlepping them around in the snow becomes mission impossible. I needed help.

My advice to anyone who finds themselves living near someone whose spouse is deployed, and they’re left behind with children is to simply say, "I am coming by your house today to take your dog for a walk.

Does that work for you?" Trust me.You will lift a world of guilt off the parent and check off an item on her mom-to-do list, but more importantly you give her an amazing gift of feeling supported. – Marine wife, mother of four kids and one beloved canine companion Military families are dealing with more stress than the average family, so they have a greater need to surround themselves with as much support as possible before and after their baby arrives. One incredible form of support they can utilize is through a doula. These experts offer a wide range of skills that are focused on meeting the desires and needs of each family member before, during and after birth. The knowledge and support a welleducated doula can offer helps to decrease stress and strife as a military couple moves into parenthood.

A Journey of Phases

Military life with a baby and dog does not end after the baby or spouse comes home. Deployment, pregnancy, infant and toddler phases each present unique challenges, risks, and solutions. It is a journey of phases, and each phase needs different management techniques. This journey is an ongoing learning process for both parents, the pets and the children. It is imperative that this is stressed and that parents understand this.

The lack of sleep, new responsibilities and constant changes in a military family’s daily routine when a baby arrives can create 56

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a new level of chaos for parents. This overwhelming level of stress can lead them to feel they do not have enough time or energy to give to their dog, and so their dog “might be better off in another home.”

This is a very common reaction to the overwhelming amount of physical and emoIt is essential to give dogs a tional stress. choice whether We can to participate in show our miliclose interaction with babies and tary families children that they are not alone and that they do have options. We can connect them with a qualified behavior consultant who is specially trained to work with family dynamics, like Family Paws Parent Education, ensuring they make a connection with a team member who will take the lead and support their family. We can connect them with mental health care and postpartum specialists. We can show them that there are solutions, and that they can create peace and harmony in their home. Once we are aware of these unique challenges, we can provide better support and guidance in our consultations with our military families. n

References

Martin, A. (2015, September). The Perfect Storm. BARKS from the Guild, pp. 53-55. Retrieved from www.issuu.com /petprofessionalguild/docs/bftg_september_2015_online _version/53 Family Paws. (2008). What Works for Your Dog? Retrieved from www.familypaws.com/fpaw/wp-content/uploads/2011/10 /Attention-Seeking-Behavior.pdf

Resources

Family Paws Parent Education: www.familypaws.com

Amy Martin owns and solely operates Conscious Companion®, www.consciouscompanion.com/my-background.html, serves on the board of directors of the Cape Fear Parrot Sanctuary, www.capefearparrotsanctuary.org and is a member of the advisory team for Family Paws Parent Education, www.familypaws.com. When she is not consulting, writing, or educating the public through workshops, she teaches Wetland Ecology (B-WET) in the field for Prince William County Middle Schools, and is a Make-A-Wish granter for the Mid- Atlantic Chapter.

Beware the Sales Whisperer

SALES

John Visconti discusses the essential differences between “whispering” versus knowledge

f you are a dog trainer, no doubt you have heard a client comment at one time or another, “Wow.You’re just like the Dog Whisperer.”

Even though the remark is meant as a compliment, typically, it does not feel like one. Trainers who have invested countless hours developing their training skills do not generally have a lot of admiration for “whisperers.”

A whisperer’s teaching methodologies have little foundation in science. Their knowledge is often rooted in personal biases, pseudo science and mythology. Whisperers frequently engage in confirmation bias, that is, they have a strong tendency to interpret all evidence as confirmation of their existing beliefs or theories, no matter how much manipulation and mangling of such evidence is required in order to make it fit their existing schema.

In other words, whisperers “Whispering” is prolific in the are individuals who provide world of dog training, with its proponents rarely being advice without having the schooled in the actual qualifications to do so. science of their subject Every walk of life, including every occupational field, has its whisperers and sales coaching is no different.

As a published, professional sales consultant who has spent years building my knowledge of the sales process, I can spot a sales whisperer just as easily as you or I can spot a dog whisperer.

The goal of this column is to help you avoid the whispering trap and to again demonstrate that you can reach your full potential through the practice of scientifically sound sales methods, rather than those proffered by sales whisperers.

Fertile Ground

As a matter of practice, we frequently embrace ideas without testing their validity. We are inclined to believe what we are told, as long as it does not directly contradict our experience, or if we do not possess a framework from which to test the advice. A concept known as “social proof” dictates that, when in an unfamiliar context, in order to reduce the chances of making a mistake, we are likely to do what others are doing. We tend to follow the lead of other individuals, without questioning the effectiveness of doing so, or whether or not those we follow are correct.

It is also important to note that people tend to engage in

what I refer to as “expert bleed.” Because a person is an expert in one field, people often give more weight to that expert’s opinions regarding related fields. World-class surgeons are not also world-class anesthesiologists. Dance instructors are not expert musicians simply because they utilize music in their dance classes. Doctors are not expert pharmacists. Because someone might be an expert in the field of dog training, does not mean they are an expert in all related disciplines, such as the acquisition of dog training clients through sales. There is no correlation between being a great trainer and being a great sales person.

The Initial Consult

As standard procedure, many trainers utilize single session consultations. Perhaps that is what they have been taught or possibly it is what other trainers do and they are just following suit. In my opinion, selling consultations is the equivalent of following the lead of a dog whisperer who teaches you how to be your dog’s “pack leader.” A rudimentary knowledge of science exposes pack leadership as being unproductive and without a factual basis.

The same holds true for selling initial consultations.

Forgetting sales for a moment, let us take a look at this purely from a training perspective. Consults are, by and large, unnecessary. A trainer does not need to see a Lab who is lacking in self-control in order to provide a training proposal. I trust the owner who informs me that her cocker spaniel growls at anyone who approaches him while he is in possession of a bully stick. Honestly, I do not need to see it to believe it. And I cannot even begin to imagine why a consultation would be necessary for puppy training. The vast majority of training calls are for utterly predictable, garden variety, training issues. I use an intake form and an old fashion tool called a phone conversation in order to gain all the information I need. But more on that later.

From a sales perspective, consultations are not only unproductive, they may be damaging to your chances to gain a new client.

Many neuroscience based studies have been conducted which conclusively demonstrate that when making a purchase, regardless of how much we want the item, we often experience discomfort. When you sell a consult and then try to sell uphill for a © Can Stock Photo/Leaf

I

and critical thinking

BARKS from the Guild/November 2015

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SALES

Science exposes “pack leadership” as factually inaccurate and unproductive. Can the same be said for selling initial consultations?

© Can Stock Photo/nappelbaum

more expensive follow-up Matt Tuzzo, CTC, CPDT-KA package, you are activating and owner of Jersey Shore Dogs, the pain center of your LLC, clearly expresses the downprospect’s brain, no matsides to selling consultations: ter how subtly, twice — “During the first one and a half once for the initial years of my company's existence, I purchase (the consult) sold consultations rather than multiand once for the subsession training packages. I was exsequent package. Actiperiencing a fairly high level of sales vating the client’s pain call anxiety, and selling consulcenter does not make tations felt like a more manthings easier for you, ageable middle ground. But in the salesperson. reality, doing so was nothing It is also important more than an avoidance beto be mindful of the fact havior—one that didn't help that your prospective my clients and actually made client is never going the sales process more diffito be more inspired cult for me. After speaking with © Can Stock Photo/ESIGHT than during the original John [Visconti], I began to only sell contact.You can best help by responding to that motivation by multi-session packages and my business immediately tripled in keeping the process moving steadily forward rather than breaksales when I made the switch. My initial phone discussion, which ing the momentum by selling a consultation and having to sell runs approximately 20 minutes, is easily enough time for me to again (and put the dog owner through the purchase process sell my services. I don't need a consultation to do so. Between once more) when converting to a multi-session package. that call and my intake form, which clients complete prior to the Additionally, due to a concept called “perceptual contrast” first appointment, I have all the information I need about the when you sell consults, as noted earlier, you are selling uphill. In client's needs and the dog's behavior. In the end, it's a win/win sitInfluence – The Psychology of Persuasion, Robert Cialdini defines uation because I'm able to sell the entire package during one perceptual contrast: “If we see two things in sequence that are phone conversation and I'm not spending the client's money durdifferent from one another, we will tend to see the second one ing a consultation, which in many ways is nothing more than a as more different from the first than it actually is. This is called paid sales call, and is not a productive use of the client's money perceptual contrast.” or time.”

Your consultation price will always be less than the package Finally, another reason I am typically opposed to selling conprice you are hoping to sell. Due to perceptual contrast, the sultations is that frequently, out of fear that the client might atpackage price is going to seem even more expensive than it is tempt a “do it yourself” solution, trainers are often inclined to since it follows a lower priced consultation. withhold information that would help the client meet their obPart of my sales presentation includes a preemptive approach to selling against trainers who sell consults: “It seems that when a trainer charges you for a consultation, it’s the same as a carpenter charging you to provide an estimate for work you want done. That doesn’t seem fair to me. I prefer to gather information through my intake form so that I don’t take up your time during our first session, asking questions I could have had answered in advance while the clock is running and you’re paying. I don’t mind investing my own time prior to our first appointment.You are a very worthwhile investment of my time. After all, without clients, I’d be out of business. Also, because I have reviewed your information prior to our appointment, we can hit the ground running during our first session.”

By doing this, I have differentiated myself from other trainers.

I have also added value to my product, by turning the intake form into a benefit for the client rather than a burden. In all my years of training, I have never had a client decline completing the intake Neuroscience studies form. Why? Because I present it as something of value that redemonstrate that making a purchase places the need for a consultation. activates the pain Another reason trainers sell consultations is that doing so center of the human brain feels safer than selling the entire package upfront.

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jectives. By withholding information, the trainer is not putting a best foot forward and cannot be as effective a salesperson. And from my perspective, it is also borderline dishonest to withhold information that someone is paying for.

In summation, it might seem that I am against whispering, which is not at all the case. Whispering does have a place – at the library, during a romantic moment, when sharing gossip at the water cooler. But it has no place in the selling of your very valuable services to your clients.

Be mindful to ask, “How do you know what you think you know?” the next time someone provides sales advice. The antidote to whispering is knowledge and critical thinking. Scientia potentia est - knowledge is power.

Until the next column, remember, you can’t help owners and their dogs until you gain them as clients. n

References

Cialdini, R. (2006). Influence – The Psychology of Persuasion.

New York, NY: Harper Business

SALES Submit a Case Study or Member Profile for BARKS from the Guild!

If you’d like to share your experience with other PPG members and to be featured in BARKS, check out our easy to fill templates Member Profiles: www.emailmeform.com/builder/form /4K20TaXhYd84DN03pf5s Case Studies: www.petprofessionalguild.com/CaseStudyTemplate All you have to do is fill them in, send them to us and we’ll do the rest. It couldn’t be easier!

John D.Visconti CPDT-KA is the owner of Fetch More Dollars, www.fetchmoredollars.com, sales consulting for dog trainers, Dog Trainer ConneXion, www.dogtrainerconnexion .com, business management software and Rising Star Dog Training, www.risingstardogtraining.com. He has recently published his first book: Fetch More Dollars for Your Dog Training Business, a coaching guide to force free selling.

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59

PROFILE

D

Canine Superstars

In the ongoing series of PPG member profiles, this month BARKS features Dawn Goehring of Animal Biz in Hawaii

awn Goehring started out training exotic animals before moving into dog training. She then wondered why aversive methods were used in dog training when they were not deemed necessary when working with wolves, monkeys or tigers. She is now committed to spreading the force-free message to as many clients as possible.

Dawn Goehring with Nevada, who started out as a scared shelter dog in NYC and became a superstar of stage, magazines and television

Q:Tell us a little bit about your own pets:

A: I own 13 rescued dogs. Most of them are mutts, but everyone was from an animal shelter or rescue group. The youngest is one year old and the two oldest are 16 years old.

The majority of them are trick performers. We spent 12 years entertaining as part of a nightly family show in Tennessee. 10 dogs would be on stage with me performing to a live band. They have also done school shows, charity events and pet therapy. Most are retired now but we still do the occasional show.

Q: Why did you become a dog trainer or pet care provider?

A: I went to school for exotic animal training and management and worked with everything but dogs. I mentored with a dog training company for a year and was hooked on teaching people how to live positively with their pets. I loved the challenge of behavior problems and the "detective work" to find out the why of the behavior and then the plan to modify it.

Q: Are you a crossover trainer or have you always been a force-free trainer?

A: A crossover. After working with exotics I entered the dog training field and wondered why force was necessary with dogs when it was not necessary with wolves, monkeys or tigers. I started working "hands off" with the dogs I was training and loved the results. I then began the research and education towards becoming force-free and teaching this to clients.

Q:What do you consider to be your area of expertise?

A: Pet training.

Q: How has the PPG helped you to become a more complete trainer?

A: I love the resources and great minds that are part of the organization. I still strive to continue to educate myself and PPG

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makes it easy to find great webinars and information as it comes available.

Q: What are some of your favorite positive reinforcement techniques for the most commonly encountered client-dog problems?

A: I am a huge advocate of hand target/chin rest training. I also love teaching a dog to go to a mat/place. I love free shaping attention as well.

Q: What awards or competition placements have you and your dog(s) achieved using force-free methods?

A: We have not competed in anything, but have been featured in magazines, local news articles, and been on David Letterman and Animal Planet on television. My dogs have performed in various venues where we always advocate force-free methods.

Q: What reward do you get out of a day's training?

A: I love it when I can work with owners to create a two-way communication with their dogs. Knowing that an owner is not

PROFILE

practicing "do what I say, or else" with their dog. I come home and see my happy dogs and know I helped others have the opportunity to enjoy their dogs and have a positive relationship with them.

Q: What drives you to be a force-free professional and why is it important to you?

A: I know it works without causing anxiety or fear for the dog or any other animal. I have seen first-hand the difference in both types of training with my first dog. I want owners to have a positive, strong relationship with their dogs. It is also important to me that all family members can take part in the training and that it is not based on who is strongest or the most intimidating.

hands-off like the exotics I had worked with. It was a game changer for me. It prompted me to start reading all I could on training without using force. I also watched several zoo trainers doing amazing things without ever touching the wild animals they were working with and it further pushed me to a hands-off approach with dogs.

Q: What is the funniest or craziest situation you have been in with a pet and their owner?

Q: What is your favorite part of your job?

A: A great Dane pup I worked with. The owners insisted that empty milk jugs were his favorite toy and the only thing that kept him from chewing. Everything was fine until the day he was able to reach the top of the kitchen counter and take the non-empty milk jugs too. The owner called with an apologetic, "You told me so..." and we had a good laugh about it.

A: When owners start to have realistic expectations of their dogs. When they no longer see them as an object but a living being that has likes and dislikes and good days and bad days and does not have to like everything or everyone. When someone says, "I never thought of that, but it makes so much sense."

A: Take the time to observe other trainers. Read, watch, learn.

Take a stand to be force-free and never be afraid to ask for help.

There are some great trainers with great experience out there. n

© Can Stock Photo/damedeeso

Q: Who has most influenced your career and how?

A: I read Karen Pryor's Don't Shoot the Dog as I entered the dog training field, and it just hit me hard that dogs could be trained

Q: What advice would you give to a new trainer starting out?

Animal Biz is located on the Island of Hawaii, USA www.animalbizhawaii.com To be featured in the BARKS Profile section, complete this form: www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/4K20TaXhYd84DN03pf5s

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PRODUCT

I

REVIEW

Home Alone

Every year thousands of pets are injured, lost or killed during home emergencies or

accidents. Camy Thumwood looks into the perils that pets face and presents a solution

n emergency situations, time is of the utmost importance. If proper and accurate information is not available in an easily accessible format at the scene of a tragedy, then there is an increased likelihood that a trapped or unconscious pet will go unnoticed. Also very sad are the stories of pets who die in their homes from dehydration and malnutrition because their owners were victims of an accident or medical emergency, and the hospital or police had no idea there were animals left home alone.

Most people simply do not fully appreciate how much animals depend on their human care givers for their very existence. Pet Alert’s mission is to help pet owners understand that if an accident befalls them, they should not expect their neighbors or even their relatives to remember there is a pet trapped alone in the home, but to realize that the responsibility lies with them.

In most states there is an abandonment law of 14 days regarding pets. If accident victims leave no word behind of who will adopt their pets, then authorities can choose to put the animals up for adoption, or put them to sleep.

In pet stores nationwide and on the web there are numerous window stickers that carry the message: Please Save My Pet. It seems hard to comprehend why, with so many of these emergency stickers available for low prices, our nation still experiences high numbers of animal deaths in emergency situations.

The reason behind this disparity may be something of a surprise.

Emergency personnel such as firefighters, paramedics and police officers all report that they ignore them. Some even call them a “hazard to emergency personnel.” Too often firefighters risk their lives searching for pets that were not there, following the urgent request of an outdated sticker that had been placed on the window by the previous tenant.

What emergency workers need is a system that can be trusted as up-to-date and accurate as possible. They need to know what types of pets were in the house or vehicle, how many animals, what location or room, health issues, phone contacts and owners’ names as well as pets’ names. The information should also be readable in poor visibility, and through a firefighter’s air mask. It cannot be stationary, attached to a window pane.

The Pet Alert Doorknob “Firefighters do not have Hanger has an easily accessible information card time during an emergency to

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50 percent of emergency situations in the US can involve pets who need rescuing

write any information down,” one rescue worker told me.

What is needed is a complete emergency information system that covers the pets in many types of emergency situations. The Pet Alert Doorknob Hanger with its vital information card and photos meets these requirements. It is easily accessible, visible, has all the vital and pertinent information about the animals and the owner inside the home, so no information is given to strangers.

Plus it is portable and can be taken with the animals if evacuation is needed.

The Pet Alert Auto Mirror Tag, RV Dashboard Placard and Pet Owner’s Wallet Card all carry the same up-to-date information to help first responders to know what type of pet they are dealing with in an emergency outside the home, and who they can contact to care for the animal in case of injury or death of the owner.

Nationwide Standard

The American Pet Products Association estimates there are over 80 million dogs and approximately 95 million cats in the US, which are registered to pet owners. On average 63 percent of households have two to five pets, including birds, dogs, cats, hamsters, reptiles, pot belly pigs, mini-goats, fish etc. On an average day, a telephone call is made to an emergency rescue agency every second. An average of 50 percent of those emergency situations can involve pets, who need rescuing from house fires, building collapses, automobile accidents or unintended accidents (pet trapped or injured), abandonment or left to their fate by their deceased owner. Pet Alert aims to provide a nationwide standard that all emergency agencies recognize and that can be used quickly and easily to cover all the vital information needed, not only to help rescue animals, but provide a future for them also. n For more information, see www.petalert.com and advert on opposite page Camy Thumwood is the founder and owner of Pet Alert, www.petalert.com, located in Richmond Hill, Georgia. The Pet Alert Emergency Information System is supported and approved to be an emergency information system for pets by Fire and Police Departments, veterinarians and animal shelters.

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