"Hi Sean,
I was thinking about the case of Chaco and Kaly, the methods of handling nervy, sensitive dogs. Both Chaco and Kaly have the similar behavior of shutting down upon correction, while Chaco has a low drive and Kaly has overdrive. After giving some serious thoughts and talking to Hannah, this is what we came up with….
I don’ t think getting them “used” to the pinch collar or the tugging of the collar to prevent them from shutting down is not a good idea when dealing with these dogs. On the very best, the tugging and pinching becomes a nagging and they choose to ignore it, whether they do something right or wrong. On the worse, it makes them hate training even more. And also it creates more conflict in their mind now, even before they can understand that these corrections means nothing…. For eg. Yesterday, when Kasia calls Chaco, and while he is approaching her, he is being pinch. I know the final aim is to let him know “hey, pinching can be associated with good things at the end such as reuniting with your handler”. However, he shuts down even before he reaches Kasia. So what can we do at that moment? If we stop the pinching, he succeed again… shutting down stops the pinching. If we continue, worse, he might think that he should not go to Kasia when called as he is being pinch? Difficult situation here, I know. And the situation is same with Kaly.
Thus, this is what I propose. I would simply use withholding reward as punishment....forever. The risk of having the dog shutdown is too great and too easy to do. I take back using the ecollar method as I think it can work in this situation but I am not proficient enough and since the dog is so sensitive, they may still shut down, no matter where the stimulation comes from. Ecollar can be used as a motivational tool as well as a punishment tool, depending how you use it. I have used ecollar for years, but not comfortable to try it on other dogs except my own J.
To get the dog back, I would just have the handler put no collars on him, and just go for walks off leash and let the dog be free. and not at the field. Maybe after a few walks try throwing the ball once, or play a second of tug. I would do this till the dog is back. Then go back to the field....and just walk, do the ball thing no OB, nothing. till the dog shows some interest to get on the field. I would do whatever I thought would make the dog associate the field to good things. I would keep it short, and fun.
Then when I had that....start with one....one command and then just play ball. I would let the dog get away with a lot at first. I mean if the dog bit me to get the toy... I would not say a word. If the dog laid down when I said sit, I would reward. Who cares if the dog is correct, you got nothing if he just sits there. Then I would start marking the wrong the responses with an unemotional no and make him do it again. and when your resetting, keep it as if the dog were a five year old learning to spell....I would be silly, and talk to them like I would talk to a little child, like noooooo silly, try again...all in a playful voice. A dog like this, I do not think you have to be worried about them going out of control with drive....I think keeping the dog interested is going to be the battle. I would do whatever the dog wants to do.
The reward has to be great enough, so that withholding the reward is viewed as a very strong negative reinforcement. Eg, consider the difference between $2 and $50…which one is more tempting for you to work? So, I guess we have to find the right reward for both dogs. What we are doing with Kaly now is building prey drive constantly by back-tying and not let her have the prey. She works up enough frustration that she will do anything to get it, including focusing on obedience etc. We also start to feed her at least half the meals by hand, giving her food only on obeying commands.
Having said all these, these can only be done when the bond between the handler and dog is strong. Thus, they have to build the bonds, by playing and feeding them once in a while by hands etc…. You probably have better ideas on building bonds than me.
The bottom line is that the process is long, very long but I think the reward is going to be great. I am sorry if I come across too enthusiastic. I love dog training and I like to give my input to see everyone love the sport as well. I am not undermining your talent as a trainer. You are a good trainer and you have helped us a lot and we appreciate it.
I have cc Hannah a copy of this as well, and again sorry for the long email. Please forgive me as well if there are wrongly conveyed messages. I don’t mean to be disrespectful if it comes across that way. Feel free to email this to Kasia if you think it may work for her. I have included a great article for the club members to read as well.
http://www.clickertraining.
Thank you.
Regards,
sonny"
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