Training California Style

California can be a wonderful place to live- in between wildfires, droughts, floods, mudslides and earthquakes. We residents take pride in our highly evolved state. There are so many opportunities to build your spiritual chops, to practice Mindfulness, even get your Chakras detailed! Thanksgiving dinner no longer consists of an adult table and a table for kids. Now there are additional settings for those with vegan, Paleo, gluten free, vegetarian and omnivorian persuasions. But the most beneficial outcome to emerge from our rarified state has obviously taken root in the world of dog training. Trainers and dog enthusiasts in California have long been benefiting from the esoteric techniques of Visualizing and Channeling.

I had arrived at an appointment and rang the bell, the guy opened the door and his dog leaped forward and nipped me on the leg. I asked the fellow what he wanted the dog to do. He said, “I don’t want it to bite you. I told him, “I heartily agree with that but what do you want your dog to do?” He replied, ”I don’t want it to bark.” “OK, but what do you want the dog to do?” “I don’t want it to jump.”“All right,” but…” He had a lengthy litany of what not to do, meanwhile the dog was writing his own job description- clear the deck of strangers. 

This owner had a mind unencumbered by such mundane thoughts of responsibility for his visitors’ well-being or even his own liability. We spoke of employing the technique of Visualization (simply holding a picture in one’s mind of the desired behavior) and proposed some different greeting scenarios. He might have envisioned and employed management tools- placing his dog in a crate, or in an exercise pen, behind a baby gate, in another room, outside in a pen or fenced yard. Another option would be to simply have the dog on leash. A healthy transmogrification could be to teach the dog to sit quietly and accept strangers or to go to a bed and await further direction. Without a clear image in our mind of exactly what we want, a dog will never subscribe to a behavioral awakening.

The Channeling component isn’t as mystifying to the training acolyte as it may first appear. It is not the transmission of a podcast from Beyond featuring Colonel Konrad Most (see note below). In fact, there is not much of a New Agey element at all. It requires an owner to limit a dog’s options to misbehave- to provide a narrow pathway, conduit or funnel, thus permitting only appropriate behavior. Putting a dog on leash and teaching a sit when a visitor arrives can prevent jumping on guests, rushing out the door (and nipping the legs of visitors). Another illustration of Channeling is in teaching a dog to retrieve an object. If you throw the object in a large area the dog has a number of options- he can run past the object and keep trucking, he can run out and sit on it or bring it halfway back, lay down and go “ha, ha, ha.” Other improvisations can be to play keep away, do a drive by, jump into the swimming pool and many possibilities I cannot imagine.

 First, you must Visualize the precise behavior you want- 1) should the pup deliver to hand or drop the object at your feet?  (Some people are not fond of slobbered upon objects!). 2) I want to wean use of treats eventually. 3) I want the dog to stay in a sit until I release him to retrieve. To Channel this retrieve, sit in a chair (or stand) three feet from a wall or counter, inside your house. Toss an object that the pup will pick up and exchange for an object of equal or better value (a treat or another toy/ball). When the pattern of bringing the object back and exchanging is strong, add slightly  more distance. Work in different areas, building distance and a strong exchange pattern. Then repeat from the beginning outside against a wall or fence. Fade out treats- the game becomes the reward. Teach the dog to sit, toss the object, release the dog to fetch. Build time before releasing.     

There you have it- training California Style! The addition of Visualizing and Channeling to your toolbox should expedite your dog’s enlightenment. You must seek to attain a highly involved level by training often and having fun! Not only can your dog see the light but he can turn it on and off on command, if you envisage it!  

Note: Colonel Konrad Most, author of Dog Training, A Manual, 1910, portended much of the psychology and methodology of modern dog trainers- both positive trainers and those from “the dark side.”