Reward - A Dog's Definition

I have recently read a few blog posts on dog training, and I always find it interesting to read other's opinions. They make me observe and critique my own training. If you read my last post "against the grain" you'll know that I often use non traditional ways of training and rewarding. One post that I read was discussing rewards, namely what is a reward?

The idea was that anything that your dog desires can be used as a reward, whether a walk is the reward for sitting politely while you put the leash on, getting to go outside when sitting politely at the door, as well as the basics - treats and toys.

In agility, toys are considered to be the best reward because it increases drive and placement of a thrown toy can be a training tool in itself. It has been a challenge for my Aussie in that he doesn't always care for toys. There are times when he'd prefer not to chase or tug. Sometimes it works to switch up the toys and play with something else each time, other times he could care less. When he does not desire the toy, it is no longer a reward, and when there is no reward why would he work hard for me?

One of Rusty's favorite games is racing to the toy followed by a game of keep away. When I get him, a wrestling game often ensues. That is his desire - that is his reward. When we play this game, he will often tug as I push him around. But he doesn't always enjoy a simple game of tug. He doesn't want to pull me around, nor does he want to just stand there tugging back and forth. It's boring to him.

I wonder if the fact that I've forced the issue with tug has taken away some of the joy of agility. It's a constant battle, it's not fun. When we're done playing tug he doesn't act like he's enjoyed the reward, nor does he work to get it again. It's "what you're suppose to do" - and as I have found with Rusty - we've had the most fun when we do "what you're NOT suppose to do". Instead of trying to teach Rusty to like the games that I want him to play, why not play the games he enjoys the most? Isn't that the joy of training dogs - finding out how to train that individual dog? It's got to be worth his time to do what I ask, why would he work for something he doesn't enjoy doing?

Now I'm not saying that the tug should be discarded in the game of agility. On the contrary, I know it's very useful. But perhaps it should only be used as a tool in the game - and the underlying game should be whatever game your dog wants to play. I can play keep away and chase and use a tug at the same time - I can teach my dog that when he has the toy, the game that HE wants to play will ensue. That will make the toy more valuable. He will play a small amount of tug in the context of that game, and his tugging skills become better and better as we work on it, but the "game of Tug" cannot be the base reward.

Consider this scenario - a child has homework to do, and the parent tells them that if they do it very well they will get a reward. The child does the work, but finds that the reward is to go shopping (game of  tug). The parent knows that the child would like going to the park (chase), but shopping (game of tug) should be the better reward since they are going to get school supplies ( better drive that tug gives) to help them do better in school (agility). The next time the parent offers a reward for doing a good job in school, the child discounts it and does not improve his performance.

It's a silly scenario, but the basis of the idea is what I'm trying to get across - if you really don't care about something, why would you increase your performance to get it?

Whatever reward your dog likes - whether that be tug, a thrown ball, a splash in the kiddy pool, a wrestling match, the next obstacle, or a pat on the head - that's the reward you should use in agility and in all dog training.

Against the Grain

          Everyone on planet earth is different from everyone else. We learn differently; we process things differently; we work differently; and we train differently. Many dog trainers would be appalled at how I train Rusty, but when I go with the grain things don't go well. Instead I go against the grain.

         Today I went outside with Rusty and did a single two by two weave pole training. He was not excited and didn't want to work. I tried going inside and ignoring him whenever he decided to sniff around. It didn't work. I played tug with him, running after the toy to make it more exciting. Still, his enthusiasm wasn't what I wanted it to be. I threw all the rules to the wind and did it my way.

         I played chase. I ran after him all over the yard. He was running with the toy, growling and speeding around for all he was worth. I did it over and over, every time he went through the poles. He was going nuts with joy, happy as he could be. Isn't that the point of agility? To actually have fun? I was laughing, and I could tell he was smiling. Away with the rules and on with the fun.

          Now I'm not saying you should do this with every dog. It might encourage the dog to do victory laps in the agility ring. It's something I'm willing to risk - all in the name of having fun. Rusty and I have a very special relationship - it trumps his desire to play with toys and run laps and not come when called. He knew the exact moment I wanted the toy back, and he brought it to me without any more loops - he came strait to me and offered me ownership of the toy.

         It's the same thing when we wrestle. Yes, I wrestle with my dog all the time. He bites and growls and barks and jumps on me. I in turn pull him off his feet, pin him, and growl at him. But again our relationship keeps him from biting me hard - he usually just mouths me, if that. Somehow he knows when I'm done, just by my body language. Without knowing I'm signaling him, I'll grow tired of the game and he quits immediately even when he's not tired. All I have to say to end any game is "enough" and it's over, no questions asked.

         Other things apply the same thoughts - When I play tug with him I yank him around, get on the ground with him, steal the toy and run. I let him on the couch and bed - yet he doesn't assume that he can get up whenever he likes. He can walk in front of me on walks, but he pays attention, not pulling, and can heel when asked. He gets human food once in a while, but doesn't beg at the table. All the things I was told were "taboo" to training have turned out to be just fine with him and for what I want out of him.

           Go against the rules. Allow your personality and your dog's personality to dictate how you train. I'm still learning to do this - I don't do it with others around. It's something to work on, and worth it too.

Introducing La Bamba

Wow, my first blog, my first post.

The name for this blog was the hardest thing to come up with - when I came up with "Dancing With La Bamba" I knew it was perfect. It encompasses much of what I want this blog to be about: my journey with the most amazing first dog I could ever have. Dancing with La Bamba is the story of two intertwined lives: the ups and downs and glorious moments that Rusty and I share.

Now it's time to introduce the namesake of this blog - Dekor La Bamba.

My life with Rusty has been wonderful so far, he fills so many roles in my life.

 From most adorable bundle of joy:

To agility partner:

To Comic:

To playmate:

To hiking partner:

To the best photography subject:

But most of all,

Best Friend.

                  Rusty and I have been through a lot. Poor guy, most of his training has been trial and error. But, it hasn't diminished the special bond we share - he still follows me around the house, sleeps at my feet, and goes berserk when I come home whether I've been gone for 7 hours or only 15 minutes. 

        I hope that the training insight that I share might be of use, so that others don't make the same mistakes I did. I also hope it encourages. We've had a rough road that was worth it in the end. And we still have a long road of fun ahead of us!