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What I did on my mid-summer vacation
By Gina Spadafori
July 8, 2009
Did I need a break! Unfortunately, I still do. Because I’ve spent the last few days burned out and not writing much (with the exception of letters to legislators), but still dealing with a million-and-two issues, including:
Getting root canal. Crown next. Should have been done last fall, but my Dad got sick.
Getting my mom home from the convalescent hospital where she spent a few days after her knee replacement surgery. She was sadly and unfortunately roomed with an insomniac dementia patient who alternated between crying, screaming and berating the poor staff.
Such patient women there, so kind, but I’m so glad Mom’s home and doing better.
I can’t imagine how difficult the last few months have been for her, first losing her husband of 54 years (my dad), all while dealing with the pain of a knee that should have been replaced a year ago, or more. And then, surgery, always scary, the upsetting convalescent home stay, and now, weeks of rehab. Not to mention: We’re finding out that Dad was probably feeling awful a lot longer than he let on: A lot of things around the house simply haven’t been done for a couple of years or more, and we’re dealing with them now.
Puppy-raising. Miss Faith is 13 weeks old (I can’t believe it!) with an attitude and a tail that seems pretty close to adult-sized. She’s bright and bossy, and learning quickly both the things I want her to learn and those she’s figuring out on her own, which I’m having to nip in the bud. The other puppies — Jack, Parker, Dooley, Keen and Maya — are doing great in their new homes!
Buying a barbecue. Yes, it’s true: I’m 51 years old, live in suburbia, own my own home and have never owned a barbecue. Went looking and big surprise: They’re all made in China, even the mighty Webers, all but their most expensive models. But! Weber moved its manufacturing to China only recently, so I was able to snag a brand-new 2008 model Made in America. How sad for us all that the most American of summer activities, the Fourth of July barbecue, can no longer be accomplished on anything Made in America unless you want to make your own grill.
Joining the AARP. Yes, it’s true: I’m 51 years old. Did you know you get a discount at Borders with your AARP card?
Reading, lots. Newspapers on paper, books unrelated to animals set in faraway places. Newspaper and coffee on the patio is still one of the great joys of life, and you can turn the pages on the stuff you don’t care to waste time on, like … did somebody famous die? Someone quit? Whatever.
Anyway … back into the fray. The one pet-related thing I did do was fax all my letters against SB 250, the mandatory spay-neuter, pricey pet-killing bill. Nearly every animal-advocacy group that was originally in favor of mandatory spay-neuter is now either neutral or actively opposed, which tells you they’ve seen the light that these regressive pieces of legislation do not work, and do more harm than good. Not to mention: The state is so broke it’s issuing IOUs, the counties are slashing police and fire protection and closing parks, and we’re even considering legislation that costs money and doesn’t work? WTF?
Help us defeat this. Go here to see how you can help.
Now … be patient as I ease back in. First duty: Feed the critters.
Image: Faith, 13 weeks. She has learned to get up on furniture, oh joy.
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OK, here’s a question for you—who is currently raising a pup…just to ease you back in.
Do you (or or the collective Pet Connection you) think it would be too confusing to use a clicker to train a specific set of commands/behaviors/whathaveyou in a specific situation when
a)a dog has learned most of his commands/tricks/whathaveyou with a marker work and not a clicker
b)I don’t necessarily want to switch over to using the clicker for everything new we do.
P.S. whose whooooshing tail in the pic? :O)
Comment by Original Lori — July 8, 2009 @ 7:09 am
She’s just now learning how to get on furniture? I thought little Harper had springs on her legs the way she instantly jumped onto the sofa in the hotel room where we were staying the week we picked her up.
Comment by Kim Thornton — July 8, 2009 @ 7:49 am
That’s Woody’s tail. :)
I’m going to toss this over to the better trainers who come in here. But myself, I have always mixed all kinds of training with all kinds of dogs, and it has never been a problem to have the same dog learn some things with a clicker and others with, shall we say, other methods.
You can introduce the clicker to any dog (or cat,horse, parrot — parrots love it! — chicken, what-have-you!). It’s non-exclusive.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 8, 2009 @ 7:50 am
toddlers? :O)
Comment by Original Lori — July 8, 2009 @ 8:44 am
I have read that it works well on toddlers. And on spouses, too!
But I have no first-hand experience with either. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 8, 2009 @ 8:47 am
I’m a trainer and I think that mix and match is the only way to go in training. Cult training - where the focus is on proselytizing rather than results - might make you feel warm and fuzzy, but it rarely if ever serves your dogs needs.
My friend Vivian Bregman sums it up best with her motto “Whatever Works”.
Comment by Janeen — July 8, 2009 @ 10:18 am
Original Lori - what do you mean by “marker”? If your’re using it in the context that I understand it, a LOT of things can be markers - the clicker, the word “Yes!”, a flash of a flashlight (useful for deaf dogs, along with a brief spurt of the buzz setting on those e-collars previously discussed), the click of your tongue, and so on. Really, a LOT of things can be conditioned as markers. It’s just that a clicker is SO darn convenient.
And once a dog is what we call “clicker savvy”, they get really good at identifying new markers if you introduce them (the same way you introduce any marker - by pairing with a treat or reinforcement). Usually only a couple of repetitions and they catch on that this is now being used as a marker (and they’re pretty good about identifying it in context, although that’s another argument in favor of selecting markers which tend to be unique and not something the animal will encounter casually in non-training settings).
So no - the marker doesn’t always have to be a clicker. But using a marker - whatever it may be - as a means of communicating to your dog what the desired behavior is - is a very useful thing for your dog to have learned.
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 8, 2009 @ 11:06 am
On clickers with toddlers…there is a group using clicker methods for behavior management/modification in children with special needs. I think I saw a link or an article on Karen Pryor’s web site.
Comment by Katie Bruesewitz — July 8, 2009 @ 11:23 am
It’s called “Click-A-Kid”:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clickakid
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 8, 2009 @ 11:25 am
Nice new cushions for the patio furniture, I see. Faith contrasts beautifully with the stripes. Goodness, she’s grown so since I visited last.
Comment by Sonia — July 8, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
OTHER Pat-i meant to type marker word (as in YES!) instead of marker work. Early on I’d decided that—forgetful as I am—I’d always have my voice with whereas I’d probably end up forgetting a clicker. But I’m reading Control Unleashed and I’d like to try some of the exercises she uses a clicker (click and treat)for.
Comment by Original Lori — July 8, 2009 @ 12:41 pm
Nice new cushions for the patio furniture, I see. Faith contrasts beautifully with the stripes. Goodness, she’s grown so since I visited last.
Comment by Sonia — July 8, 2009
I never buy any furniture without considering how good it will look with my dogs and cats on it.
You KNOW how uncomfortable those darn patio chairs were without cushions!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 8, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
Original Lori: If you decide to condition a verbal marker, try to give it some of the same qualities that make a clicker so effective. For example:
* Something short and quick
* Something unique (that the dog is not likely to hear during non-training daily routines)
* Something clearly distinguishable from ambient noises
* Something you can produce predictably and repeatably time after time
I actually like the word “Chip!” To use it most effectively as a verbal marker, you want to practice saying it in a high-pitched bright voice without drawing it out. Just a high, bright “Chip!”. Practice somewhere away from the dog to get used to saying it in at a voice pitch that is high and yet comfortable for you to produce and to get used to saying it exactly the same way each time. That way, when you want to use it in a training session, you will have established your own “muscle memory” and your dog will become accostumed to hearing it in the way that you will be speaking it.
Hope this is helpful!
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 8, 2009 @ 2:40 pm
Thanks! It’s very helpful. I work with a guy named Chip so this made me chuckle a bit.
Comment by Original Lori — July 9, 2009 @ 8:30 am
I have used the verbal markers, “Gooood” and “Yes!” over the years. I now prefer, “Yay!” It’s so natural and easy to say with enthusiastic eyes (high eyebrows) and a high celebratory tone. You get the body language kicker (face animation) added to the specific sound consistency. Here’s a question to all of you who use body language to talk dog. Have you experimented and weighed your dog’s responses to a loose lip, relaxed smile versus the tight, all teeth showing grin?
Comment by Susan Tripp — July 9, 2009 @ 10:01 am
I don’t consciously use body language, but he sure reads it anyway. However, when the studies about yawning came out (or were revisited) lately I tried yawning myself (as was suggested)to calm my dog and it seemed to do bub diddly.
Comment by Original Lori — July 9, 2009 @ 12:59 pm