(VICT) Re: Retrieve
- From: "Tamara Smith-Kinney" <tamara.8024@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:40:59 -0700
Dolores,
Welcome! Training a mini-horse guide sounds like a lot of fun. Most of my
prior training work has been with horses, using positive reinforcement,
although I've never used the clicker with horses. Now that I use it with my
young guide dog (until recently guide dog int training; now I'm a handler in
training) and with the rescued hound we recently moved in with, I'm wishing
I had taken to that handy little tool sooner. I hope to have horses back in
my life again one of these days, and you can bet I'll have the clicker in
hand from the beginning! /smile/
I like your suggestions about the "my stuff" vs. "your stuff" dilemma with a
working retrieve. I imagine I will be getting back to teaching that this
winter -- with two dogs now -- just to keep the silly goobers entertained
and out of trouble without having to spend all my days soaking wet and
muddy. /smile/ Both dogs are already firm in the distinction between
people stuff and dog stuff, but maybe I can use their competitive natures to
refine the distinction? Something to think about.
I look forward to hearing more about your work with the mini-horse.
Tami Smith-Kinney
-----Original Message-----
From: vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vi-clicker-trainers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dolores Arste
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 7:31 PM
To: vi-clicker-trainers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: (VICT) Re: Retrieve
Good day clicker trainers. I've recently joined this list and have been
quietly lurking.
I'm a clicker trainer of horses. And, dogs sometimes.
I'm an equine student of Alexandra Kurland. And, a friend of Panda and Ann.
Notice who I put first in that sentence. <smiles>
I joined this list because I've been asked to train a mini-horse as a guide.
I've been thrilled at your conversations as I learn how you all handle the
various scenarios around having a guide and your continued training is an
inspiration.
On the subject of the retrieve but not my "stuff", I would recommend an
exchange program. What you want, I think, is for the dog to retrieve things
that you want him to retrieve and leave other stuff along. And, some of them
are not doing the latter. What you want to do is to break this down. Let him
retrieve anything as long as he brings it to you.
You then exchange it for something. His favorite toy perhaps.
What this does is make the dog feel like retrieving is ok. So, say if he
brings you your underwear. You'd exchange that for a toy. If he brings you
his toy, you'd exchange that for a treat. So, things that you don't want to
have him retrieve, get lower value rewards. Things that you do want
retrieved get higher value rewards. And, you can even
give higher value food rewards for retrieves of special stuff. A piece of
kibble for bringing the toy. A piece of hotdog for finding your house keys.
A toy for your shoes.
I hope this helps.
Warmly,
Dolores
www.zenhorsemanship.com
http://theeyesofmona.blogspot.com
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