That’s a provocative and challenging question to start out a new post, huh?
Working as a dog trainer sometimes puts me in the line of fire to questions that I hadn’t always thought I needed to know the answer to. And I’ve never really thought that there IS one, single, solitary, answer to training a dog. Each client is a unique individual, with unique requirements, and unique needs. Every human involved thinks differently, learns differently, responds differently. So how could I possibly have enough ego to write about a single, solitary, one-size-fits-all “secret”? Stay with me…
In my practice, I will use whatever methodology the dog requires. And while I refuse to use methods that would physically or mentally harm a dog, I am a practitioner of so called “Aversive” methods when required. I use “Positive” methods when possible, carrying a little treat bag on my hip. I have become masterful with the Electronic collar, by practice and education from my betters. I’ve made it my purpose to understand and utilize clickers and Prong collars in training, and can do either with surprising results. It’s taken my entire career to gain the ability to shift gears and change direction when and if it’s needed with a dog, or their human.
But what prompted this latest post was a question from a client that owns a large, unbalanced German Shepherd named “Odin”. At the beginning of our now 6 month old relationship, “Odin” tried to kill me. Literally.
I had been called to evaluate Odin because of what was called “Severe Aggression”. No one knew why he tried to bite people, but he became of interest to authorities seeking to have him put down. I was contacted to either give approval for such extreme actions, or commence rehabilitative treatment. During my evaluation, Odin slipped the lead off his human handler, and he went for my much beloved and precious person. He completely removed the entire arm of an expensive winter jacket. Due to my raging paranoia, and fortunate reflex, he missed my arm meat completely. And my neck. And my head. As the dog pulled the sleeve away, leaving a hi-tech cloud of micro-fiber in the air, I managed to keep my feet, and just stay standing. I believe it was pure shock on my part, but the owners interpreted as “Calm, cool, and collected”. Trust me it wasn’t. Fortunately, the dog also interpreted that way, and backed away staring at me. He must have thought, “Why didn’t that crazy man run away screaming?” Yes, I had made a couple of mistakes in the encounter, but learning about “Why” a dog becomes of such a mind often calls for taking chances to discover the causitives. The mistakes have changed my practice for the good.
Well, the deceptive appearance of Calm and Cool paid off for me. It gave me proof of “The Secret” to working with such dogs, and in truth, every dog, despite temperament. The question that my clients, now dazed with horror, asked me was simple, yet profound. We retired to the interior of their comfortable home, where it was safe. “How are you being so calm???!!!” Again, fear is a powerful sedative I guess.
Later, I put a lot of thought into that question. (By the way, we are now into our 10th week of rehab with Odin, and he and I often walk together on leash, at peace and mutual trust.)
What has been “The Secret” to this success, and other such successes since? Training method? Nope. Specific Tools? Nope. Genius level understanding of this dog on my part? Hardly AND Nope. The answer, I am now certain, was “C A L M”. Simply being calm.
So, what is “calm”? Here’s a dictionary definition, and all 3 apply to my supposition:
Definition of calm (Entry 1 of 3) 1a : a period or condition of freedom from storms, high winds, or rough activity of water //a sailing ship motionless in the calm b : complete absence of wind or presence of wind having a speed no greater than one mile (1.6 kilometers) per hour — see Beaufort Scale Table 2 : a state of tranquility //At dusk a quiet calm settled over the town.
I Know for certain that if I had fought Odin off my arm, he would have escalated in his excitement and arousal. I’ve worked enough dogs in Sleeve and Bitesuit to understand how to raise their level by reaction. Imagine, “Storms:high winds, rough activity…” Calm was nearly a sedative in this case. It confused him, and brought an end to his “storm”. But this is an extreme example. Why is “Calm” so important to other, less aggressive training?
We do a LOT of Puppy development in my practice at North Country Canine. Excitement, Jumping, Play-biting, and Running amuck are everyday activities. They are also the things new owners want to eliminate as quickly as possible. Earlier, we always established “training”, (sit, down, stay etc., etc. ) as the first answer to eliminating puppy problems. Five or six hours was generally enough to accomplish those basics. To me, the process seemed too slow. What was the hold up? It finally dawned on me that I was accepting, AND allowing puppies to be puppies. Jumpy, feisty, excited, and in play mode. Constantly. Sometimes annoyingly.
I then began researching what other trainers and training books said about “Calming” a dog before and during training. There was very little mention of it. Lots of talk about training in “drive”, (which IS a legitimate thing) being enthusiastic, and things that allow the dog or puppy to stay in “Idiot” mode. Finally a book from 1997 by Turid Rugaas, entitled “On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals”. crossed my radar. Turid is a Norwegian Trainer and Behaviorist, a well-respected observer of canine social interaction. While not entirely dealing with puppies, it offers a look into the value of being “calm” in all interactions with dogs..A book well worth the reading. I immediately began to test some of my own fledgling theories with clients. First, there was “Rosie”, a sleek, beautiful, Weimaraner puppy, just shy of 1 year old.
Talk about “lightning in a bottle”. Rosie ran, jumped, charged, jumped some more, and then started all over again. Her owners had gotten some rudimentary behavior started, (sit, stay, and No Jump) but they were short term in longevity, and obeyed about half the time they were given.
Formerly, I used to take the first 10 minutes of every session for what I called “play time”. “Burn off a little energy” we would say. A great idea in theory. But we all know how long it takes to burn off energy in a young dog. This is where I made a 180 degree turn. Using Turids’ protocols involving Body Language (head turning, softening the eyes, turning away, freezing in place, yawning, and slow, deliberate movement) it became apparent that Dog Language exists, and when understood, changes the entire dynamic of our relationship. Even using a delayed “Play Bow” toward the puppy caused Rosie to look at me as though I had solved the communication problem that has existed since man first met dog!
It took about 10 minutes to achieve a true “calm” with the little dog. Without delay, we went into our foundation commands, Sit, Down, Place. Rosie responded dramatically, and held each command for longer than she ever had before. Her brain wasn’t spinning like a helicopter blade, looking for “whats next?!!!” The entire 30 minute session accomplished more that 4 previous sessions had, because Rosie was calm. Her mind was focused, her attention to the trainer was uninterrupted. Clearly, I was onto something that no one had ever taught me before. Although I am certain that some use the approach, whether they know it or not…
My next real trial was with an 18 month old German Shepherd named Max. The same problems here…Charging the door, jumping on people, running seriously amuck, fear of objects like lawn-mowers…The owner, a young lady, had done quite well with some basic behaviors, but again, commands were only short term suggestions to the dog. Frustration was heavy on walks, because the dog was never calm, and in the “Now”. Like a furry, four-legged Luke Skywalker, his brain was “always on the future, always on the horizon…”. We used to start our sessions will raucous play…Not this time Bubba.
I sat with Max and his girl that first time for about 15 minutes, using body language and calm vocalizations to achieve my goal. Max had never before offered a calm, Heeled walk to his owner, but that day, he walked impressively around the city block comfortably and in control. We did it again at our next session. The owner then started walking Max daily, starting out by calming him. She began enjoying their walks, and therefore doing it more often. Max has since graduated to more complicated and interesting walks, thru town meeting strangers, and becoming a grand example of his breed. His owner walks him proudly, and has improved in her own bearing with him. I am very proud of both of them.
This first installment on achieving true, productive, calm, will be a spring-board to more “how to” posts. I’m still learning and processing this protocol myself…But I think I’ve discovered something important. Perhaps others, unknown to me, have already found the power of Calm in their training. If you know of someone, please enlighten me! I’m not getting any younger!