(VICT) Re: Task ideas- Feedback?
- From: "Shelley L. Rhodes" <juddysbuddy@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 2 Sep 2007 11:06:08 -0400
Sure thing.
Was really happy with how things are working out.
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: Saturday, September 01, 2007 5:26 PM
Subject: (VICT) Re: Task ideas- Feedback?
Shelly, this is even better than I thought! Do you mind if I share your
message with others?
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: Saturday, September 01, 2007 12:17 PM
To: vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: (VICT) Re: Task ideas- Feedback?
The first day, we had a discussion of food rewards and were given a
pouch to
keep food in, as well as instructions on how to take the amount of the
dog's
dinner. We also practiced back chaining on our first outing, in my case
it
was teaching a coffee shop. Smile.
Then, like Wednesday or Thursday of the first week we were issued
clickers
and practiced our timing, we were given a CD on clicker principles and
had a
discussion.
then the following night, we had a hands on clicker workshop teaching
finding of objects with the clicker and the timing factor. We did a
variety
of touches, using our hand as the "target stick' which actually is
working
fantastic and my girl had the chair thing down pat.
On Friday of that week we were given another CD on further principles of
clicker training, and on Monday, we did a clicker training specific
route in
Gresham, where we taught our dogs to target a new item, mine was a
bench, as
we have tons of them here in Boston, to find. She was able to find it
from
the corner of the block, and since I have been home, I used the
targeting to
teach her bus stops, another bench, curves, the stairs at the subway,
inside
and outside the T cars and buses, and to reinforce finding empty seats.
As
well as the self serve propane tanks at Home Depot so I can line up my
parking lot crossing. She is a quick study considering I have her only
for
about three weeks tomorrow.
After the clicker work out, we were allowed to carry our clickers with
us,
and use them for any behavior we wanted. one man taught his dog to bow,
by
capturing the play bow and had his dog do it at graduation, others used
it
to find rooms, I used it for free run, and to do the hand touch to work
on
doggy distractions, and other distractions, the whole can't touch hand
with
nose and look at pigeon at the same time, smile.
But honestly it was fantastic, and I like the incorporated approach.
They
still issue chain slip collars, and honestly, I haven't found something
more
rewarding to this dog than a Squirrel sigh, or a flock of pigeons
walking
towards her, so still working on that. They also introduce different
ways
of using auditory cues in teaching targeting, suggested putting sand
near a
targeted item if it is in the environment so you know it is there, and
they
are open to new uses and suggestions for clicker work, or how to adapt
it.
The clicker classes are optional but so far according to the trainers no
one
has not taken advantage of them. Talk about a double negative, smile.
But
even the "old timers" which we had several, one lady was on dog six,
another
dog five, and a bunch on dog four, all of them learned to use the
clicker
and food rewards and try them. I was one of two people getting their
second
dog.
I do like, that when we would get on the bus, that our class supervisor
would emphasize that you have all these tools in your tool box, and that
it
is which tool works best for you and your dog that counts and matters
not,
what is the "standard" procedure.
The pouches are really nice ones too, they changed the design and they
come
in many different colors, mine is blue.
Another tool they are using is something I used with Judson for years
but is
now really being emphasized is a "break off" which means letting the dog
know it can be silly, and not concentrate on work.
Very positive, and I like it a lot. By the by, all the lectures have
been
redone, we were the first class to get the CD sets, and the lectures are
more positive and I like their style, plus read by a human, and you can
get
text copies as well.
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: Saturday, September 01, 2007 11:16 AM
Subject: (VICT) Re: Task ideas- Feedback?
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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