Tonks went to her first training seminar a few weeks ago. And then the following weekend we got to do even more training together at a Self Control seminar with Fanny Gott.
We’ve heard variations of this talk several times before, but we can always learn more about self control. Many of the activities are things we now use in classes and lessons to help people and dogs learn more about self control
It’s so nice to have a dog that responds to all cues and signals – but it’s even better when the environment and distractions can cue the dog to stay on task rather than the dog helping himself unless told otherwise.
Look at increasing self control in everyday life. When are you reactive instead of proactive? I know this is one of the challenge areas for my dogs. There are places where I know I could easily add in more self control – but I haven’t. No real excuses, I just haven’t taken the time to do it. Here are a few on my list of things to do:
- Exiting the car (wait for permission to exit, refocus on me when leaving the car)
- Entering the training building (calm walking, refocusing at the door)
- More challenging self control games with food and toys – not just the same games we always play
- Duration staying
“Control the consequences, not the dog.” When we’re controlling our dogs (“Leave it!” “Stay!” “Off!”) – self control isn’t in place. The dogs are learning to help themselves unless told otherwise. Controlling dogs also results in dogs who evaluate where we are – and who can get to the rewards first. By setting up training sessions where dogs can make choices – and only get rewards for good choices – the dogs are learning to take more responsibility.
Viktor!
During our turns at the seminar, Tonks did some self control training around people. We started with one person and then moved to many people. She got rewards for staying with me, but when attentive she sometimes received permission to “go see!” someone else. She loved this game and was very, very adorable.
In later sessions, we had her walk with me around people and fewer visits. Adorable! She would lay against a person and put her face right up (or in) faces and sometimes even cry a little. She really loves people. My biggest challenge was to give her bigger rewards – I get very serious in training and have a much harder time doing exciting reward rituals with my own dogs than student dogs!
At the end of the seminar, I intended to give one of Tonks’ turns to Griffin and do some trial prep self control distractions. I got distracted and ended up inside with Viktor. He did reasonably well – he loves people too and is much more frantic about his enthusiasm. I’m glad he had that experience and was able to eat, play, and do a little training near the group of people.
I don’t know when Tonks will get to do her next seminar – but it was a really good experience for us and I’m looking forward to the next time.
Griffin gets to do an agility seminar in a few weeks – I think my first time ever working at an agility seminar!