Git Gud

Taking the Wayback Machine to the late 1970’s, I rediscovered my determination to do right by Dunsany, my newly acquired Golden Retriever puppy. After all, the little guy curled up next to me, came with a lengthy pedigree, rife with accomplished ancestors. He also had a fanciful name to live up to- Dunsany’s Golden Shadow. I had had a couple dogs previously and they had turned out ok without formal training. But I was a real n00b as defined by today’s video gamers- someone new, inexperienced, unaware of the rules and who believed he knew much more than he did.(1). Eventually, Dunsany and I enrolled in an obedience class and our relationship flourished. I do recall using a choke chain on him and do not remember using treats.

Dunsany was a quick study and soon enlightened me well enough that I rarely felt cause to use physical force or intimidation. We worked long and hard daily, enjoying our efforts. The good brain chemistry was flowing in both of us and we eventually earned a Companion Dog certificate.We had upped our game some and now I had the good sense to admit I knew next to nothing about dog training. I had upgraded to what video gamers refer to as a “newbie,”- a much less derogatory label for an inexperienced player, new to a game.

It was in the 1970’s that video games began to ascend in popularity. I have to admit being around when Pong was introduced in 1972. Our electronics geeky neighbor across the street introduced us to Space Invaders on his Atari 2600 home console in 1980. Of course, the world of video games has charged ahead exponentially since those early days. Now, over 227 million Americans play video games one to three hours a week and 74% of households have at least one gamer.(2). Humans love to play games with other humans. 56% of these gamers play with friends online or in person, 35% play with a spouse or partner.(3). The types of games available include Shooters, Strategy, Simulation, Adventure, Puzzle, Sports, Racing, Fighting, Role Playing, Massively Multiplayer Online. The list goes on to accommodate an immense range of interests. 63% of gamers play on a PC. Steam, the online platform, offers over 50,000 available games. Soon, Steam promises to release a dog training simulation game. The promotional video shows you choosing a puppy, training him up and earning ribbons by competing in virtual agility trials.(4). There are numerous sim games that involve caring for dogs, caring for a dog while dating, even caring for many dogs by running your own animal shelter. Experience the world as a dog and play a game as a dog character. You can even play as a stray dog in Stray Dog Simulator. Of course, you will need to carry a virtual poop bag in some of these games.

Dogs appear as popular companions in a number of video games. Boomer, a cattle dog cross, is quite the memorable virtual companion in the game, Far Cry 5. He is an invaluable aide, always up for a belly rub after a gory day of mayhem against the doomsday cult in Montana. Dogmeat, a German Shepherd, in Fallout 4, one of the most beloved of gaming canines, is waiting to accompany you on an adventure across the virulent post-apocalyptic Wasteland. He will assist you heap a load of hurt upon ghouls, mutants, deathclaws and countless other critters. Dogmeat is revered at the apex of a long list of sidekicks in the entire history of gaming.This iconic canine character was generated by game studio developers observing River, a real life female German Shepherd. The lead developer “would bring her into the studio, partly to be recorded and studied, but mostly so the devs could spend time with her. Ultimately, she wasn't just a dog actor, but a companion to everyone who worked with her.”(5). Sadly, for all who knew her and some who knew of her, River passed away in 2021.

But rest assured, Gamer, if you choose to venture into the ultra violent (be forewarned) gaming world with Boomer or Dogmeat at your side and either gets ganked- killed or overwhelmed- neither can die. Boomer is easily revived with a belly rub and Dogmeat will eventually reappear. If Dogmeat gets lost, check for him at the Red Rocket gas station, where you first found him or in one of the doghouses. The immortality of a dog is a wonderful perk offered by these imaginary worlds that temporarily help humans dodge reality. A player can develop a surprisingly strong, virtual bond with his or her partner comprised of pixels.

As of 2023, 66% of American households included a live, furry family member.(6). And these dogs love to play games, too. The oldest dog sport, coursing, popular with the ancient Romans and Greeks, was sanctioned by the AKC in 1991, albeit with mechanical lures instead of live game. The first AKC tracking test was held in September of 1937. Dog Agility was first introduced in its current form in 1978 at the Crufts Dog Show in England. The origin of Canine Freestyle or Doggie Dancing can be traced in part to a workshop in 1989 in which Dawn Jecs and her dog Checkers put a dance routine to music. (7). In 2006, K9 Nosework was developed by three people who had a solid background in the detection of narcotics, explosives and more. There are Field, Obedience, Agility and Schutzhund Trials, Mushing, Tracking, Dock Diving, Weight Pulling, Earthdog, Barn Hunting and more. Have you considered taking up Dog Parkhour, sometimes called Urban Agility?

These special interests can be further subdivided. There are three types of sled dog racing- sprint, mid- distance and long-distance. Dock Diving is divided into two events- the Air Retrieve and the Distance Jump. Schutzhund Trials include the three elements of Tracking, Obedience and Protection. Nosework includes a Container Search, Interior and Exterior Searches and a Vehicle Search. Competitions exist solely for Basset Hounds, Beagles, Coonhounds, Pointers and even Dachshunds. Earthdog is an AKC sanctioned activity- dogs enter a tunnel to corner a live rat, sometimes a gerbil. Barn Hunt enthusiasts are independent but recognized by the AKC. Although these last two activities employ live rats (or gerbils), the quarry is kept in an aerated tube and is not dispatched by the gung-ho canine participants.. The “AKC hosts over 22,000 dog events per year with more than 3.3 million entries.”(8).

Video gaming has a unique lingo as does dog training- each individual dog sport has a unique terminology. Video game players “level up” in various ways- by earning experience points (XPs) for tasks, completing exploration of an area or map, executing missions successfully and so on. “Each level may present new concepts and challenges to keep a player's interest high.”(9). Leveling up in Obedience, Agility and Rally requires earning enough points in a competition to “qualify”- often referred to as earning a “leg” towards a title. K9 Nosework awards titles for ORT (Odor Recognition Trials), NW1, NW2, NW3 and three levels for each of the four Elements (Container, Interior, Exterior, Vehicle Searches). Earthdog is divided into Junior, Senior and Master levels of progressive difficulty. Dog Parkhour offers six titles to develop ever more challenging skills and goals.

A “level” in some video games may also mean an area or map to be explored that contains a number of challenges. As a player enters the map there may be is a limited “field of view”. More of the terrain is revealed as play progresses. Training a dog in public is similar to these games. A park, Petsmart, Home Depot, Downtown, can all be considered a map or “level” to explore. Perhaps a field of scent can be added to the field of view on your map for a real dog. A map contains Non Player Characters (NPCs) that often aid in the mission or “quest” but sometimes don’t always have the best interests of the trainer/dog team in mind. Interaction with NPCs determines the direction in which the training game proceeds. For example, a random person, NPC, approaches and asks if she can pet your dog. Your decision depends on the experience and skill level of you and your dog. You have choices. You can always say “No, my dog is in training or he is not comfortable being petted by strangers,” if that is the case. Or you could ask the person to help you with your training by Sitting the dog and maintaining the Sit while you have a conversation. Maybe, you release your dog to be petted. If your dog has remained calm, or if excited, recovers composure in a reasonable time, your team has earned a number of XPs and can proceed to new areas of the map and additional adventure. An example of an NPC that does not have your best interests in mind is the inconsiderate approach of that “my dog is friendly” owner.

A “boss” is an exceptionally challenging NPC that requires considerable skill and experience to vanquish. In 1980, a Japanese company, Namco, introduced Pac Man to North America. An arcade video game, played on a coin operated machine, Pac Man could be found in arcades, bars, pizza places and bowling alleys. You dropped a quarter into the machine to play. “Until the early 2000s, arcade video games were the largest and most technologically advanced segment of the video game industry.”(10). The “Ghost Gang,” the bad guys in Pac Man, were precursors to current video game “bosses.” They were named Inky, Pinky, Blinky and Clyde- a comparatively innocuous looking crew, aside from the fact they were intent upon your demise.(11). Compare this troop to more present day bosses such as Ornstein and Smough or Nemesis.(12),

At first glance, the bosses your dog will face in his daily training adventure may not appear to you as nightmarish and daunting as a video game foe. An NPC boss or miniboss can appear or spawn on your real life map in many forms- a random dog on a walk, a cyclist, a cat, a loud car, a kid, a squirrel, a skateboarder, a bird- any distraction that causes reactivity. At the newbie level of training your dog may become reactive or “aggro” at the sight of that most formidable boss, “Bichon the Cute,” as she approaches you. Mortified at the intense behavior of your “he’s really a great dog but,” you retreat across the street, tail between your legs. As you train, your level of experience, skill and confidence will grow. Your dog’s threshold of reactivity will be raised and eventually, you and your dog calmly, and proudly, pass by that former boss. No longer do you cede the field to Bichon. In a video game, the amount of health a character has earned determines the threshold of how much damage can be sustained before defeat or dissolution. “Defeating a boss that’s “almost” impossible to beat is an excellent feeling when it finally happens, even if it takes days, weeks, or months. It’s worth it”(13).

It will, indeed, be an excellent feeling when your dog “conquers” “Bichon the Cute,” simply by ignoring or paying little mind to her. For a dog new to training, attaining this goal could take a lot of time and effort. “Cheese(ing) refers to a tactic in a video game that may be considered cheap, unfair, or overly easy, requiring no skill… as to otherwise complete a difficult task.” (14). In one video game, tossing explosives over the wall to slay a boss who has handed you your head three dozen times already is cheesy. But seems a viable solution- rather than passing through the fog gate for yet another shellacking. In the real world it may be possible to literally cheese the boss Bichon scenario. The reactivity of the newbie dog could be managed or prevented entirely with tidbits of string cheese. When approaching the boss, simply present bits of cheese at a distance that will not aggro your dog in training. Of course, there will be scolds who will stand in judgment of this tactic but you won’t have to cheese forever.

People play games for many reasons. It is rewarding to set and achieve goals. There is often a social element in video gaming and dog training. Both worlds can be an escape from everyday humdrum. Games are fun for people and dogs. It is truly breathtaking to watch the enthusiasm generated by champion Agility, Freestyle, Field Trial teams. Check out TreT, the Parkhour phenomenon.(15), (16), (17), (18). There are challenges at all levels of gaming, be it video games or dog training. You cannot cheese practice and commitment. Dunsany and I spent a lot of time and effort together as newbies, grinding out repetitions to earn our entry level title. We were very pleased with ourselves. Similar terminology and concepts are relevant and can be shared by both the video gaming and dog training realms. The goals at every level are to work through challenges, learn, have fun and “git gud.”(19).

(1). Urban Dictionary: n00b

(2). Gaming Statistics 2023 - TrueList

(3). Video gaming audiences in the United States - Statistics & Facts | Statista

(4). Gaming Statistics 2023 - TrueList

(5). The dog thn at played Dogmeat in Fallout 4 has died | Rock Paper Shotgu

(6). Pet Ownership Statistics and Facts in 2023 – Forbes Advisor

(7). The World Canine Freestyle Organization – WCFO, Inc.

(8). American-Kennel-Club-Impact-By-State-Intro-sheets-2021_FINAL1.pdf

(9). Level (video games) - Wikipedia

(10). Arcade video game - Wikipedia

(11). Ghosts | Pac-Man Wiki | Fandom

(12). The 25 Toughest Video Game Bosses to Beat of All Time (2023) | Gaming Gorilla