(VICT) Re: Task ideas- Feedback?

  • From: Sheila Styron <sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Sat, 01 Sep 2007 10:16:47 -0500

Shelly, I really felt the training heading in that direction almost a
year and a half ago when I was at GDB getting Gretch. So I am very happy
to hear that this has definitely come to pass. It just kills me on the
GDUI list to see how some students from certain schools are constantly
afraid to even think a creative thought without first checking with
their favorite instructor. It's like some sort of sick groupie syndrome
or something. But more disturbing, is how fostering too much school
dependency inhibits a handler's ability to grow and problem solve with
their dog. Don't get me wrong, as I would never probably recommend a
school that doesn't offer strong follow up for those who need it.
However, I think what you are describing sounds like an excellent step
toward promoting more successful teams. And since this is after all the
clicker training list, can you tell us how much focus there was in your
class on clicker work? Are they doing as much in Oregon where you were
as they are down in San Rafael? 

Sheila Styron, President
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
816-363-3172
sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

-----Original Message-----
From: vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Shelley
L. Rhodes
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 10:38 PM
To: vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: (VICT) Re: Task ideas- Feedback?


I will say, smile, coming from training, in August, that GDB is now very

much letting and encouraging students to think outside the box!!!!!!  It
is 
a really cool new format, and I love it.  There are discussions now, not

lectures, you and your dog are a individual team with individual goals
you 
work towards in class, and every comment or term given to you is
specific to 
you and your dog.

And the instructors comment when you ask, "What should I do here," is
"What 
do you think" and then you talk it out, is a very empowering thing.
Smile.

I really loved the training this time, and learned quite a bit in the
two 
week class.

But very different from seven years ago.  You still cover the basics,
and go 
through all the basic readings, but the personal touches, are wonderful!

In a positive way, smile.


Shelley L. Rhodes M.A., VRT, CTVI
and Guinevere, Golden lady Guide
juddysbuddy@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc.
Graduate Alumni Association Board
www.guidedogs.com

More than Any other time, When i hold a beloved book in my hand, my 
limitations fall from me, my spirit is free.
- Helen Keller

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sheila Styron" <sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 8:24 PM
Subject: (VICT) Re: Task ideas- Feedback?


Even if I taught a tail tuck, I am so worried about the tail getting
hurt that I may not be able to let go of reaching down and protecting
it, for instance when it's time to close the car door. That would be a
real test for me. I was even thinking today about how we can possibly
assist the guide dog schools to get clients to think more abstractly and
imaginatively about trouble shooting work issues. I think a couple of
the schools still really discourage clients to think much outside the
box, when being creative is sometimes so essential to solving work
related or behavior problems.

Sheila Styron, President
Guide Dog Users, Inc.
816-363-3172
sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

-----Original Message-----
From: vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of DIANNE B.
PHELPS AND PRIMROSE
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 4:00 PM
To: vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: (VICT) Re: Task ideas- Feedback?


Sheila,

I don't think I have ever taught this as a specific task, but tend to
help my dog tuck the tail when on a bus so she doesn't get stepped on. I
use it when closing the door to a car, and I guide their tail when
sitting down on a couch behind a coffee table where there are things on
the table which could be swished off. It is like they don't always know
that their tails can cause them trouble. I think in this case, the
suggestion is to teach this as a commanded behavior.

I know you have done these things too. It is just that those of us who
have just done these things, don't always think of it as a learned skill
for our dogs, and I find when I see some of the things taught as skills
or behaviors, I have to stop and think about the behaviors as things I
have

just done, but in a different way. Now, people are able to give words to

these things where we learned by trial and error how to keep our dogs
from causing themselves trouble.

I find it interesting how some of the newer training methods do address
things we used our hands to do or placed our dogs to do without giving
words to what we were doing. We are more experienced humans learning new
tricks to help our dogs know what we need.

Dianne and Primrose
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sheila Styron
" <sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 8:22 PM
Subject: (VICT) Re: Task ideas- Feedback?


> This list is so good for me. I am on an emotional wave length with all

> of you, but it's like I am an illiterate author or something. Now 
> please explain to me why tail tucking is a desirable or useful 
> behavior.
>
> Sheila Styron, President
> Guide Dog Users, Inc.
> 816-363-3172
> sheilastyron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Diane &

> Raven
> Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 7:55 PM
> To: vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: (VICT) Re: Task ideas- Feedback?
>
>
> There is a work book, and a set of DVD's for teaching assistance dog 
> behaviors, by different authors. The DVD's are pricey, the workbook is

> on Karen Pryor's site. There is are yahoo discussion groups where 
> there are behavior teaching shared.  OC-Assist-Dogs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> assistance-dogs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> tasktraining_Assistance-Dogs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  and of course my group 
> and my website will have some teaching details and video for task 
> teaching.
>
> these are general sites and not focused on guide behaviors so you may 
> have to wade through many posts while you wait for an answer you are 
> looking for.  My group is not yet that large but is not total focus on

> behaviors and there is a lot of other discussions that go on there.
>
> I think this group is great for guide information and very helpful 
> information.  My personal thoughts are that there are every 
> experienced people here that can help or will find the information 
> needed.
>
> I have been searching for the tail tuck information I promised and was

> unable to find it in my files. this is how I would teach it.... if you

> use the clicker principals of breaking any behavior into the smallest 
> pieces before teaching.  Than you take those tiny pieces and teach 
> each one so that the piece is solid and reliable before moving on to 
> the next piece of the behavior so that you have a strong foundation. 
> Back-chaining is the process of teaching the end of the behavior first

> and moving to the beginning of the behavior.  this sets the dog up for

> success because the dog always knows what comes next.
>
> the process isn't mystical, the magic is in the patience, frequency of

> marking and rewarding, timing and generosity with marking and 
> rewarding when building a behavior.  And also not lumping... Lumping 
> is the term used when you take too big of a piece or pieces of the 
> behavior. lumping happens from inexperience and sometimes excitement 
> at well and quickly the dog responds and so the handler tries to move 
> ahead too quickly too fast.
>
> I am firm believer in teaching journals (thus:
> AssistanceDogJournal.net) because they help with learning for us and 
> the dog and to review to see the progress you are making and the 
> concerns.  Also owner-trainers should always have a journal a detailed

> record of all teaching the dog receives and tasks taught.
>
> Oh, my I do go on some times,sorry.
>
> Best Wishes & Wags,
> Diane & Raven
> APDT#72225
> http://AssistanceDogJournal.net 
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Golden_Paw_ADC/
> "My Assistance Dog is not my whole life, but she makes my life whole" 
> ~D.L.Shotwell "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul 
> remains unawakened." ~Anatole France
>
> All posts are considered copyrighted by the author. You must get 
> permission from the poster before forwarding.
>
>
>






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