Widget test
by Kay Laurence | Jun 6, 2022

Widget test
by Kay Laurence | Jun 6, 2022

Essential for whom?
Are we just making dogs compliant for people or should we give more consideration to what is going to be beneficial for that dog, living in that lifestyle and an uncertain future?
Key Reading
Not Today and Not for My Sheepdogs
Do you see what I see
Doing better is the reward from doing the work. This work needs to be the right work at the right time with the right intent done in the right way.
The Cost of Cherrypicking
When we admit that the ideas we’re sharing are derived from the work of others, we demonstrate our own commitment to learning
A Family of Multiple Dogs
Another addition is not just an extra bed and bowl. It is important to build a home that is healthy, content and well-balanced.
A Road to Nowhere
When familiarity is stripped away we seek recognisable signposts that will take us back to comfort and security. This is survival instinct. It is worth listening to as it keeps us alive.
What’s Cooking? A Warning About Recipes
Recipes for “training” dogs are so prevalent in how we live with and talk about them that their existence often goes unquestioned.
Don’t Let Them Learn
Becoming aware that we share our lives with premier learners, dogs, is about saving you frustration, despair, anxiety and endless hours further down the road.
And Why Can’t He Refuse?
I bristle at the insistence that a dog will assent to any request we make if they understand what we’re asking and if the rewards we offer are of sufficient value
Dogs are Born To Learn
We can build tremendous learners when we get beyond the idea that “dogs are trained”.
It’s Not Training
A carefully planned learning pathway, paced to suit that particular learner for their life ahead.
Top Training
Evidence of learning
When we use the words “teach” or “train” child, person or dog, the operative term implies that the process is under the ownership of the teacher or trainer. What your teacher thinks you have learned may not be what you actually learned.
One dog watching
The other dog working
or ….how to train the spectators to quietly rest and watch whilst you work, play, teach a single member of the group
The Power of Passive Learning
Active learning: the learner takes active choice of what to do, how to respond, is attentive and making conscious effort
Passive learning: little conscious effort, reward is delivered for minimum effort.
A Day of Learning
A no-training day does not mean he gets a lazy day lying idly in the sun. Learning is still happening and this is significant and important for his development.
Surprising Puppy
Surprising Puppy. With obnoxious moments. After introducing the obnoxious puppy as a youngster I am knocked over by the Delightful Young Man he is turning into……
Obnoxious Puppy
The delight of your new puppy is probably going to last a few weeks, maybe four if you are lucky. When 12 weeks old hits, and you will feel a slam, the Delight is going to demonstrate ungrateful, obnoxious traits.
Preparation
Preparing before you train and the final check list
More than words
We expect our dogs to understand the meaning of words and signals, but if you have ever worked with computers you will know that what you say doesn’t always turn into an actionable response.
Not all lures contain food
“the direct use of the reinforcer to elicit the behaviour”
This should always be foremost in our mind, in that many alternatives lures are available.
Remote lures
Lures at a distance, separated from hands, pockets . Using reward stations, patterns, containers