Top Tips Tuesday: "I know I am not supposed to touch your dog . . . "

One of the more challenging things that the Teams in our program deal with is well meaning people coming up to them in public and distracting their dogs.  Bear in mind, for the Paws and Stripes program, until they complete their Final Assessment, dog and veteran are still learning.  Even after graduation, it may be a rough day for the veteran, requiring the dog to be extra diligent.  So, here are some friendly tips to help all you well meaning people out there to make it easier for all those service dog teams when they are out and about.

1) Ignore the dog

Pretend that it is not there.  This is more than "not touching".  Anything that could take the dog's focus off of their job is a potential problem for their handler.  Kissing noises, snapping fingers, talking to them, bending over them, petting, pointing it out to your screaming child so that s/he stops, you name it-if it could distract the dog, don't do it.

2) Don't bother the Team

Please remember that the person has a service dog to help them accomplish everyday tasks that are made difficult because of their disability or disabilities.  It may be all that person can do to get to the store to pick up a few much needed supplies.  This probably does not include talking to every stranger they come across as they walk through the store.  For all you dog lovers and/or patriots out there that are compelled to say something, try something that is not intended as a conversation starter.  A "beautiful dog", "thank you for your service", or bright smile and a nod is a way to let the Team know you appreciate them without drawing them into a full blown encounter.  

3) About petting the dog . . .

So, you can't help yourself and you just HAVE to ask if you can pet the dog . . . tip one and two have flown out the window!  If you find yourself in this situation, you need to know that even answering that question may be taxing to the handler.  I have gotten to the point where I decide right when I walk out the door whether that day is going to be a day where I will let people pet my dog based on how I am doing that day.  Then, I try to reassess periodically throughout the day in case things have taken a down turn.  This way, I don't have to try an figure out if it is a bad idea or not when I am asked.  Some people are very liberal and allow almost anyone who asks to pet their dog.  I'll be honest, if asked, I would have to classify myself as conservative.  Now, a lot of that is based on how I am doing, but there is a part that is based on my dog.  Treun LOVES people and is still very young so he tends to feed off of the excited energy strangers give off when they are allowed to touch him.  He is still learning to stay calm.  Cura has always been a little standoffish and (apart from a few people) tends to stay pretty calm when greeting.  So, your chances of getting to greet Cura are higher at this point than Treun.  But that is an age and length of working thing.  

Just remember . . . that service dog is out there for the person with the disability.  If they do not let you pet their dog, it is not personal.  That decision has nothing to do with you and everything to do with what is best for the team!

Top Tips Tuesday: Let's talk "aversive"

It's a huge debate in the dog training world . . .

Call me optimistic, but I want to believe that, in general, dog trainers want to do what is best for the dogs they train.  Which, ideally, translates to doing no harm.  If this is the case, why is there such an uproar about "aversive" training methods.  You may notice that I put quotations around the word aversive.  This is because there are so many training methods and equipment that are considered humane by some and aversive by others.  For example, many trainers classify things like shock collars and prong collars as aversive, while others argue that they are humane if used properly.  How, if we can not come up with a common understanding of what is humane and what is aversive, can we find common ground for discussion?

So . . . what makes a training method or technique "aversive"?

Personally, I define aversive training using a very broad brush stroke.  It is not just about inflicting pain or scaring the dog (although that is certainly aversive) . . . it is also about using any kind of interaction that is unpleasant to the dog.  The key words here are "unpleasant to the dog".  If your dog's body language indicates that they are not enjoying the interaction, then what you are doing can fall under the umbrella of "aversive" whether that is your intention or not.

For example, I have had clients that are very enthusiastic when they give their dog physical affection.  They ruffle the ears roughly, pound on the chest, or any number of other actions that could easily be overwhelming to a dog, depending on their nature.  Some of these clients have dogs that revel in this more "rough housing" kind of handling while others have dogs that want nothing to do with that kind of interaction.  These dogs, instead of responding as desired to a recall,  refuse to take those last few steps to bring them into reach of the handler.  Usually, the handler misses the fact that the dog is trying to please by coming closer while simultaneously trying to avoid the physical "mauling" that takes place when they get within arm's reach of their handler.

Let's say you treat train.  What would you say if I suggested that it is possible to be aversive when using treats for training?  Well, what if your dog hates the treats you are using!?  I have one dog that is crazy about ANY food . . . fruit, veggies, meat.  I honestly do not know of anything that she has turned her nose up on.  However, I have another girl who HATES carrots and most fruits.  How effective do you think my training would be if I decided to treat train her using carrot pieces.  Because she finds carrot unpleasant, using them as a reward when training would, in affect, be aversive!  However, not actually inhumane, since carrots are good for her, but they would have the effect of applying something unpleasant causing a behavior to be suppressed. No wonder the whole debate can be both confusing and filled with emotions!

Bottom line. . . be careful when using training methods that are unpleasant for your dog . . . studies show that the results you get may not be the ones you want!  For more information on potential results of aversive training click here.

Meet our Family! Josh Kendall

I thought it might be nice to introduce you to the amazing people that make up the Paws and Stripes family.  I am going to start with one of our dedicated Trainers, Josh Kendall.  Actually, Josh is more than just a Paws and Stripes Trainer, he is also a graduate of the program.  He is an excellent example of how the Paws and Stripes program can change a Veteran's life for the better. So, here is a bit about Josh . . .

1) What made you decide to become a Paws and Stripes Trainer?
The people.  When I went through the program, I experienced the people working at Paws and Stripes. I had a lot of challenges in my program and I had to get very good at dog handling and stay persistent.  Many times I called someone at Paws and Stripes saying that the program was too hard and I wanted to withdraw.  But, I didn't really want to quit, I just needed the encouragement to continue.  Everyone at Paws and Stripes was very supportive and when I graduated I wanted to give back to the program. So, when I was approached about the possibility of becoming a Trainer, I jumped at the chance.

2) What do you like most about working at Paws and Stripes?
Again, the people.  This is not what I would call a typical job.  The supervisors listen and everyone understands my disabilities.  That makes a big difference to me and makes it easier to come to work each day.

3) What do you find most challenging about working at Paws and Stripes?
I guess the hardest thing for me is to avoid taking work home and taking the Teams' struggles home with me.  I know it is not an easy program, but I also know what a difference graduating has made in my life so I want everyone to succeed.  It can be hard for me to see them struggling.

I do have trouble coming up with the words to provide clear instructions.  I know what I want to say and it is clear in my head, but it doesn't always come out that way when I speak-especially if I am working in front of a group.  It can be frustrating, but I am getting better and it helps to work with people who are patient and give me the space to work it out.

4) What are some of the benefits you experienced while going through the Paws and Stripes program?
Ha . . . let me count the ways!  There are a lot of them, but I will give you the "big" ones.
-I learned to talk about how I was doing instead of bottling things up until I blew.  Now, instead of pushing through and burning out, I have learned to pace myself and accept when I need to give myself a break.
-It opened up communication with my family and friends.  Now, they have a better understanding of what I deal with on a daily basis.  They have all commented on how much I have changed since I got Gromit and went through the program.
-I go out in public now.  That is something I hardly ever did . . . and ONLY when absolutely necessary.
-I have been employed with Paws and Stripes for almost 2 years.  This is the longest I have managed to keep a job since I separated from the Marines.
-I have developed a deep appreciation for dogs.  Before entering the program, I was not a big dog lover.  In fact, I was so uncomfortable around them, I thought Gromit was going to eat my face while I was sleeping!

5)  What are your short term goals?
I want to keep training for Paws and Stripes, of course.  But I am also preparing to that the CPDT-KA exam (a national certification for dog trainers) to add to my ABCDT certification.  After that, I will probably pursue the CPDT-KSA certification.

6) Do you have any message for the people out there?
Live in the present, not the past.  Plan for the future, don't worry about it
!