More dog training at the shelter-Comedy and insight

Yesterday I went for the next phase of clicker training at our local shelter. We started with a dog named Augustus who has had a few weeks of training. Augustus is a  large pitbull/terrier mix with some kind of brindle marble coat. Just a beautiful dog who loved the attention of the six ladies in the room. We took turns practicing the commands sit, lay down, and stay wait while opening a door. Next we moved on to crate training. The idea is to reward the dog for going into his crate so that he would view it as a positive friendly place to be. Well, as dogs often do, Augustus decide to clown around a bit. When the trainer moved toward the crate, Augustus decided he would take a leap and jumped up on top of the crate. We all howled with laughter and he beamed setting up there wagging his tail with the pride of a performer who just nailed a good punch line. Of coarse August immediatly picked up on the laughter and jumped down and back up 3 or 4 times before we could contain ourselves enough to redirect him.

Once Augustus had trained us on the basics, we brought in a dog who had not received any training. Duke is a mastif chow mix large enough to drag me across the floor with my feet skidding, and he did. LOL. Much to my amazement within only a few minutes this smart boy was getting the basic commands about 90% of the time. Remember this was his first training session. As I worked with Duke I was taken by the ease of trainning and what a shame it is that the owners who surrendered him did not take advantage of the free training that would have enabled them to keep this dog who came in looking buck A wild. I have no doubt that both of these dogs will make fabulous companions for the right owner who is willing to spend the training time, which from what I have seen so far, can actually be very minimal.

I have to add the joy and gratification I feel after being privileged to behavior train these pooches keeps a smile on my face for hours after I leave the shelter. I think I am benefiting as much as the dogs.

Animal behavior training success

Those of you who have been following  this blog know that we have been involved in clicker training at our local shelter. We have had very little training but are already making progress in upgrading the adaptability of cast away animals. Lewis and I have taught a very scraggly cat to give high fives with very little effort. I have asked that  this talent be added to the card that is posted on the cat's cage so that those looking for a new kitty will at least pause long enough to give this kitty a chance at stealing someones heart. This particular kitty came from a home that had several animals removed for sevier neglect. She is still under wiegth and is just now growing back the fur she lost due to malnutrition.

Now, there are others who are more advanced in their training. We saw  a demonstration of just how effective this training can be when were asked to step in and observe a pit bull who has been in clicker training. This pit bull was surrendered to the pound for being unmanageable. What I observed brought tears of joy to my eyes.

This pit bull named Diesel (for a reason LOL) was strutting proudly around the room doing tricks that he had learned through clicker training. He first went to just about everyone in the room and sat quietly at their feet gazing into their eyes. One thing we teach dogs is to keep all four feet on the ground and to look at the trainer. This dog was so smart he figured out that he could get a treat from doing it for every person available LOL. When he was done with the people, he moved on and self initiated going into a crate for a treat, then coming back out and shutting the door with his nose for another treat. He proudly looked around the room and I am sure he felt the joy that was on all our faces. He beamed with pride and confidence. Next he went to a desk in the room and was nosing the drawer. The trainer opened the drawer and he promptly closed it with his nose, sat back and gazed eagerly at his trainer waiting for his treat reward with his tail wagging really fast. Just adorable!

This dog has gone from being a cast away due to poor behavior habits to being able to figure out how to self initiate positive feedback. I am sure that he will be adopted and make  wonderful pet for some lucky person. This is a perfect example of positive animal behavior training success.