Training Wisdom Archives - Karen Pryor Academy https://karenpryoracademy.com/category/training-wisdom/ Karen Pryor Academy Thu, 18 Apr 2024 00:18:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 The Power of Relationships https://karenpryoracademy.com/the-power-of-relationships/ Tue, 11 Feb 2020 15:36:29 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=10506 Anyone who lives or works with animals knows how powerful the human-animal bond can be. In this heartwarming tale from his new book The Eye of the Trainer: Animal Training, Transformation, and Trust, Ken Ramirez reflects on the unforgettable bond he forged with a pair of dolphins during his early years as a trainer.

The post The Power of Relationships appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

]]>

the power of relationships

Editor's Note: Do animals remember their trainers? Ken Ramirez sure thinks so. In this heartwarming tale from his bestselling book The Eye of the Trainer: Animal Training, Transformation, and Trust, Ken Ramirez reflects on his unforgettable relationship with a dolphin duo and explores the unmistakable power of the human-animal bond.   

Image

During my first few years as a trainer, I worked with a group of young bottlenose dolphins at a marine-life park in Texas. I have fond memories of two young male dolphins from that group, Hastings who was shy but playful and Lucky who was a survivor of a fishing net entanglement in the Gulf of Mexico. I was assigned to Lucky’s rehabilitation effort, and Hastings was one of Lucky’s first companions. I spent hours each day playing with and training Lucky and Hastings. In many ways, they were my first and best training teachers.

The tail game

Together we developed a fun game that both dolphins enjoyed. I held their tails while tickling and massaging them, which caused them to relax and close their eyes. Their bodies went limp as I held their tails, and they allowed me to push them under water then pull their tails up a few feet above the water’s surface. I repeated this over and over until my arms wore out. After 15 minutes, my biceps burned as if I had been lifting weights, but Lucky and Hastings never seemed to tire of the game.

    A relationship forms

    Other trainers tried to replicate the game, but neither Lucky nor Hastings allowed others to play. Both dolphins enjoyed a good rubdown from the other trainers but never allowed those trainers to play with their tails. Whenever trainers tried the game, Lucky and Hastings swam away, uninterested in playing, or, if I was there, they swam over to me. I remember one of the senior trainers telling me, “That means they trust you. No animal likes to have their means of locomotion restrained; their tails are how they power through the water. They would never let you hold them like that if they didn’t completely trust you!” I remember feeling proud that I had gained their trust. I felt as though I had forged a real relationship with Lucky and Hastings.

    After working with Lucky and Hastings for three years, I was offered an opportunity to move to Mexico City to work as a trainer with a new, diverse group of animals. The idea of gaining new experiences and working with new animals was exciting, but it also meant saying goodbye to the many animals I had come to know and love for the previous three years. My last day in Texas was sad: I knew I would miss the staff and, most of all, I would miss the animals, especially Lucky and Hastings. The last thing I did on my final day was to play the tail game with my two favorite dolphins. I think we played for 45 minutes. I didn’t want the playtime to end, and neither did Lucky nor Hastings. I knew I was leaving them in good hands; they had great relationships with many other trainers, but saying goodbye to them was still hard.

      Image
      I share this story with people whenever they ask me if animals remember their trainers, because there was no question that Lucky and Hastings remembered me.
      Image

      A special reunion

      I was in Mexico for just over two-and-a-half years and never had the chance to get back to Texas for a visit. But when my contract in Mexico ended, I was asked to return to Texas, and I was excited to be reunited with my trainer and animal friends. On my first day back, my supervisor was touring me around the area showing me things that were new and reintroducing me to all the animals. There had been lots of changes, but it felt so familiar and comfortable. As we approached the dolphin habitat, my supervisor began pointing out who was who. Most of the animals were very familiar to me, but they had grown, and it had been more than two years since I had seen them.

      As I looked into the water, there were three young dolphins vying for our attention. I did not know them but was learning each of their names when suddenly two larger dolphins swam up from below, displacing the three youngsters. They were Lucky and Hastings! They stared at me, and I stared at them. I wondered if they would remember me after an absence of 31 months. I was so pleased to see them! I looked at my supervisor and asked permission to pet them. He smiled and said, “I think you should do more than that.” I glanced back and both Lucky and Hastings had rolled over and were presenting me with their tails.

      I joyfully grabbed their tails and played the tail game, exactly as I had played it on my last day with them several years earlier. My supervisor shook his head and said, “We can continue the tour later, you should stay here. I haven’t seen them play that game since you left.” As he walked away, I welled up with tears. It meant so much to me to be reunited with Lucky and Hastings, my first real teachers. I was happy to be back, and I think Lucky and Hastings felt the same.

      I share this story with people whenever they ask me if animals remember their trainers, because there was no question that Lucky and Hastings remembered me. Over the years, I have encountered many examples of the special relationships trainers form with animals, and I have seen it with many different species.

      READ MORE INSPIRING STORIES BY KEN RAMIREZ

      See the world through Ken's eyes. See it through The Eye of the Trainer.

      GET YOUR COPY NOW

      The post The Power of Relationships appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

      ]]>             All Ears! How to Train Your Puppy to Listen https://karenpryoracademy.com/all-ears-how-to-train-your-puppy-to-listen/ https://karenpryoracademy.com/all-ears-how-to-train-your-puppy-to-listen/#respond Tue, 18 Dec 2018 09:10:54 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=6626 All Ears! How to Train Your Puppy to Listen Tuning you out Do you find yourself repeating instructions to your dog or puppy? You can learn how to train a puppy or dog to listen to you the first time, and every time. Many dog or puppy owners blame the dog for not listening. When you have invested time and ...

      The post All Ears! How to Train Your Puppy to Listen appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

      ]]>

      All Ears! How to Train Your Puppy to Listen

      Tuning you out

      Do you find yourself repeating instructions to your dog or puppy? You can learn how to train a puppy or dog to listen to you the first time, and every time.

      Many dog or puppy owners blame the dog for not listening. When you have invested time and effort into training, it can be disappointing when your dog suddenly decides to stop listening to you—or when he decides that something else in his world is more exciting or interesting than you.

      Image

      The truth is that dogs do what works for them. It is up to you, as a puppy or dog owner, to teach your pet to listen—by making listening to you work for the dog. Believe it or not, many dog owners inadvertently teach their dogs to ignore them!

      So how do you teach a dog to listen?

      More is not always better

      Dog owners frequently repeat commands over and over. If your dog didn't respond the first time, repetition isn't going to help. Repeating commands teaches a dog that the command is meaningless, or that it's ok to respond in his own sweet time!

      What are the odds?

      Never ask for a behavior that you aren't at least 80% sure you will get the first time. If there are too many distractions, if it is a new situation, or if the behavior just hasn't been learned well, then you probably won't get the behavior you want.
      Image
      The truth is that dogs do what works for them.
      Image

      Keep it quiet—and succinct

      Train quietly. Bellowing commands at a dog is left over from the old military-style dog training. Dogs have a powerful sense of hearing, and can hear our tiniest whispers. That's not to say that a command shouldn't be clear and audible, but if you only roar commands during training, don't expect your dog to pay attention to you unless you are roaring. A dog that has learned to listen carefully will tend to pay more attention.

      A bit of meaningless chatter is fine every so often, but dogs don't speak our language and you don't want cues to become lost in the noise. When training, try not to talk too much. Effective communication comes through quality and clarity, not quantity.

      Image
      A dog that has learned to listen carefully will tend to pay more attention.
      Image

      Basics build success

      If you find yourself in a situation where your dog won't respond to a cue, and you're sure he knows it in other situations, think about what is different about the situation. It could be that there are too many distractions for your dog to focus, or it could be that the situation is vastly different from training situations in the past.

      Go back to basics when this happens. Remove distractions if you can, and re-introduce them slowly. Start at the beginning in a new situation, even if it means using a food lure briefly in order to get the behavior. If there's too much going on, move away from the action a bit.

      Remember to set your dog up for success. If your dog can't succeed, you can't reinforce. If you can't reinforce, nothing useful has been learned.

      Timing is everything

      Make sure your rewards are meaningful. Reinforcement is only reinforcement if it increases or maintains behavior. A satiated dog offered lousy treats, or a dog-tired dog offered a chance to chase a ball is probably not going to be too interested in training.

      And remember to quit while you're ahead. If you train for too long you'll get sub-standard behavior. Reinforcing sub-standard behavior will only produce more sub-standard behavior in the future.

      Image
      Reinforcement is only reinforcement if it increases or maintains behavior.
      Image

      Basics build success

      If you find yourself in a situation where your dog won't respond to a cue, and you're sure he knows it in other situations, think about what is different about the situation. It could be that there are too many distractions for your dog to focus, or it could be that the situation is vastly different from training situations in the past.

      Go back to basics when this happens. Remove distractions if you can, and re-introduce them slowly. Start at the beginning in a new situation, even if it means using a food lure briefly in order to get the behavior. If there's too much going on, move away from the action a bit.

      Remember to set your dog up for success. If your dog can't succeed, you can't reinforce. If you can't reinforce, nothing useful has been learned.

      Some final advice

      • Don't feel like you have to reinforce every behavior. Once the behavior is well learned, stop reinforcing the worst offerings. If your dog is trained to come when called, don't reinforce if he takes too long to respond. Set him up for success; reinforce the faster responses only.
      • Train often. Dogs need to "learn to learn." By training often and training consistently, your dog will learn how to play the training game with you—and it should be a game. If training isn't like playing a game, it stops being fun for both of you.
      • Be worth listening to—someone your dog trusts and respects. Be predictable, confident, calm, and decisive. When you make a decision, stick with it. If you decide that your dog can't sit on the couch, lead him onto his mat every time he sits on the couch. Don't give in just because he's giving you "those eyes." (It's another matter altogether if you decide to invite your dog onto the couch as a reward for some other behavior you asked for.)

      ENROLL IN AN ONLINE COURSE TODAY

      All dogs deserve great dog trainers

      LEARN MORE

      The post All Ears! How to Train Your Puppy to Listen appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

      ]]>       https://karenpryoracademy.com/all-ears-how-to-train-your-puppy-to-listen/feed/ 0       The Keep Going Signal https://karenpryoracademy.com/the-keep-going-signal/ Tue, 01 May 2018 07:46:53 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=3132 The Keep Going Signal Ken Ramirez, EVP and Chief Training Office of KPCT, revisits the Keep Going Signal (KGS), a confusing training tool. Ken spoke about the KGS at ClickerExpo this year, and, at the recent Art & Science of Animal Training conference in Texas, he watched Bob Bailey and Steve White each speak about Keep Going Signals, presenting two very different ...

      The post The Keep Going Signal appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

      ]]>

      The Keep Going Signal

      Ken Ramirez, EVP and Chief Training Office of KPCT, revisits the Keep Going Signal (KGS), a confusing training tool. Ken spoke about the KGS at ClickerExpo this year, and, at the recent Art & Science of Animal Training conference in Texas, he watched Bob Bailey and Steve White each speak about Keep Going Signals, presenting two very different tools under the same name.

      In 2009, Ken wrote an article about the KGS, in an attempt to explain the varied definitions and uses of the KGS. When he reviewed the article in preparation for his lectures this year, Ken wrote this updated version of the article with his most recent take on the KGS and its uses.

      You can watch Ken's recorded session on this topic, as well from  the Karen Pryor Clicker Training streaming video site.

      Image

      Why the disparity?

      The confusion about the KGS exists because of the varied uses of the term Keep Going Signal that appear in popular training literature. When researching my original 2009 article on the KGS, I found dozens of references to the tool being used in diverse scenarios, including with circus animals (Kelley, 1946), guide dogs (Landeman 1971), search and rescue (Pryor, 1999), zoological training (Cover, 1991), and military applications (Bailey, 2007). While there were similarities between a few of the uses, the differences in some cases were striking.

      Normally, we can turn to the scientific literature to help clarify terms. However, there is no reference to a KGS in the currently available peer-reviewed journals. The KGS is a popular-use term, not a scientific one. Thus, trainers can use a KGS and define it almost any way they like; it would be hard to argue that they are wrong. In this article, I’d like to focus on the two most commonly used applications of the KGS.

      The most widely used version of the KGS is as a conditioned reinforcer, used to reinforce an animal partway through a long-duration task, such as a medical behavior, guide-dog work, or search-and-rescue efforts. When an animal is performing the desired behavior correctly, trainers use the KGS to indicate that the animal is meeting criteria and should keep going. If the KGS becomes a predictor of a marker signal (a secondary reinforcer), then, technically, the KGS is a tertiary reinforcer.

      KGS as a tertiary reinforcer

      Image
      The most widely used version of the KGS is as a conditioned reinforcer, used to reinforce an animal partway through a long-duration task...
      Image

      Tertiary reinforcers are defined in the literature as a type of conditioned reinforcer. The designation of “tertiary” is an indication of how many stimuli separate it from the primary reinforcer: a tertiary reinforcer is followed by a secondary reinforcer that is followed by a primary reinforcer (Bostow & Tompkins, 1999). A commonly used example of a tertiary reinforce is a poker chip, because it is reinforced by money (a secondary reinforcer), which is reinforced by food, drink, or other human needs (a primary reinforcers).

      There is a debate among skilled trainers as to whether this type of KGS is necessary. Some suggest that when behaviors are approximated to duration properly, a KGS is not needed. Others argue that if a KGS has been previously conditioned as a reinforcer, its use can speed up the training of duration behaviors. I have not found the need to use a KGS, but I have observed situations where it appears to accelerate training. Because I have seen it work, I am hesitant to discount it as a viable tool without further data.

      KGS as a directional cue

      The second common use of the KGS is as a cue to guide or direct animals from place to place—when an animal is trained to move in a specific direction as long as a tone is played (the KGS), for example. When the trainer switches off the tone, the animal stops forward motion and begins changing its behavior (turning its head in various directions) until it hears the tone again. When the animal “finds” the tone, it moves forward again, in the direction it is facing when the tone resumes.

      This type of KGS is used in certain military applications to guide an animal from location to location, even when the animal has never been in those locations before. This use of the KGS is a sophisticated cuing tool and it is very different from the other type of KGS described above. Yet, it is clear why those who use it call it a Keep Going Signal—it signals to the animal quite literally to keep going.

      Image
      The second common use of the KGS is as a cue to guide or direct animals from place to place...
      Image

      KGS as an unintentional development

      At times, trainers condition a Keep Going Signal inadvertently. Several years ago, I worked with a sea lion trainer, Missy, who was in the habit of talking to her animals throughout the training process. When Missy demonstrated one of her newly trained behaviors to me one day, the sea lion began performing the behavior, then suddenly looked confused and stopped before completing the task. Missy cued the behavior a second time, but again the sea lion started to exhibit the cued behavior only to lose enthusiasm and quit. It occurred to me that Missy was not talking to her animal like she usually did during her training. I suggested she try again, but this time she should talk to the sea lion as usual. Missy looked skeptical, but when she tried it, the sea lion completed the behavior without hesitation. Missy had unintentionally trained a KGS; the constant chatter had become an unintended part of the cue!

      This highlights one of the challenges of that type of KGS. Whether trained intentionally or by accident, the animal can become dependent on the KGS and fail to perform without it. The KGS becomes the cue for the last part of the behavior. When this occurs, the KGS is simply a prompt, and it carries with it the same challenges that prompts have: the behavior can become prompt-dependent, and the prompt itself provides no real value.

      The future of the KGS

      I have seen other uses of the KGS, but they all seem to fall into one of the two categories I just described—or into a combination of the two. To discuss the KGS, it is important to clearly define the training process in order to have an intelligent and worthwhile discussion about its use.
      Image
      The KGS is unlikely to disappear from the common vernacular, and trainers should be familiar with its alternate uses.
      Image
      There are references to the Keep Going Signal in popular literature dating back more than 70 years, though it is used to describe entirely different procedures. The KGS is unlikely to disappear from the common vernacular, and trainers should be familiar with its alternate uses. I hope this blog has helped clarify the topic for you!

      Happy training,
      Ken

      Ken Ramirez is the Executive Vice President and Chief Training Officer at Karen Pryor Clicker Training (KPCT). A trainer and consultant for nearly 40 years, Ken most recently served as the Executive Vice President, Animal Care and Training, at Chicago’s world-famous Shedd Aquarium. He is the author of several books and DVDs, including ANIMAL TRAINING: Successful Animal Management Through Positive Reinforcement, which has become required reading for many trainers in the zoological field. Learn more about Ken Ramirez.

      TAKE A COURSE

      Concept Training Courses with Ken!

      View Now

      References

      Bailey, Bob. (2007). “Marian & Keller Breland: Pioneers of Applied Animal Psychology,”

      Supplemental presentation at 35th Annual Conference of the International Marine Animal Trainer’s Association.

      Bostow, D. and Tompkins, B. (1999). University of South Florida Behavior Analysis Glossary.

      Website: http://www.coedu.usf.edu/abaglossary/main.asp.

      Kelley, F. Beverly. (1946). “Prima Donnas of the Circus.” Reprint from Liberty Magazine in

      1946 Ring Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus Program. Circus Lithographs, Sarasota, FL.

      Landeman, Merril L. (1971). Training Protocols: Instruction Manual for Guide Dog Trainers.

      Institute for the Blind Publications, Bloomington, IN.

      Pryor, Karen. (1999). Don’t Shoot the Dog. Bantam Books, New York, NY.

      Ramirez, Ken. (2009). “Keep Going Signals: Semantics, Myth, and Practice.” Canis

      (Scandinavian Dog Training Magazine) No2., 2009.

      The post The Keep Going Signal appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

      ]]>             How to Teach Loose-Leash Walking https://karenpryoracademy.com/how-to-teach-loose-leash-walking/ Fri, 27 Apr 2018 21:42:23 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=3148 How to Teach Loose-Leash Walking Oh, my aching arm Get your dog to walk without pulling! But how? We are masters at allowing our dogs to drag us down the street. The most asked question at obedience classes and private consultations is "how can I get my dog not to pull on his leash?"As far as dogs and leashes are ...

      The post How to Teach Loose-Leash Walking appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

      ]]>

      How to Teach Loose-Leash Walking

      Oh, my aching arm

      Get your dog to walk without pulling! But how? We are masters at allowing our dogs to drag us down the street. The most asked question at obedience classes and private consultations is "how can I get my dog not to pull on his leash?"

      As far as dogs and leashes are concerned, we want to arrange things so that loose leashes "pay off" and tight leashes don't.

      Image

      Historically trainers encouraged folks to act like a tree the moment their dog began to pull on the leash. This method does work nicely with puppies, but it just doesn't work for the adolescent or older dog who has learned to pull you around.

      The following method requires first, that all or most reinforcement will come from behind you and second, that you will toss the food to the ground—not far—so the dog has to look for it.

      Let's play

      Loose-leash walking is going to begin as a game. Here are a few simple steps you will train BEFORE you do any walking with your dog:

        • Put your dog's leash on and just stand still. When your dog releases the tension on the leash, click and show him the treat in your hand. Let him see you place the treat on the ground by the outside of your left foot. Once he's eaten the treat, move to the end of the range of the leash so it is taut and stand quietly. When he moves to release the tension, click. Show him the treat and place it by your left foot. You don't care about eye contact. What you are teaching is that releasing the leash tension gets clicked and treated. Do this a number of times.

        • Continue to stand now that your dog is not pulling. Now you will click for eye contact. After the click, treat by your left foot. Remember after he has finished eating the treat to move to the end of the leash. Click and treat three times for looking at you while on a loose leash.

        • Again, just standing with your dog on a loose leash, looking at you, toss your treats right past your dog's nose to about three feet away. When dog eats the treats and comes back to you looking for more, click and treat by placing the food by the outside of your left foot. Move and repeat.

        • Again toss the treat right past your dog's nose. When your dog finishes eating it and turns around to come back to you, you turn your back and start walking. (Just take a few steps in the beginning.) When you dog catches up to you, but before he gets past your pant leg, click and treat. Repeat.

        Note: Make sure when you toss the food it goes right past the dog's nose. This is the warm-up. Now that you have the dog following you for a few steps it is time to start walking and reinforcing behind or next to you.

          Training on the move

          Your dog is on leash. You turn away from him and start walking. Your dog follows. As the dog catches up to you and is coming up next to you—maybe even makes eye contact—mark (click) and drop the treat next to your left foot. Don't keep moving and be sure the first few times that you let the dog know that you have food in your hand. Once he's finished his treat, start again. Show him the treat and then turn and take a few steps away from him, walk till he catches up, drop the treat next to you or a little behind you.

          Note: Dropping food next to your side or a little behind helps the dog to stay close to you. It prevents the dog from anticipating and forging ahead. So drop the food behind you or you can even let the dog take it out of your hand behind your back. Don't drop the food so far away that the dog has to drag you to get it.

            Image
            Dropping food next to your side or a little behind helps the dog to stay close to you.
            Image

            Start again. Begin to walk in such a way that the dog is at an angle beside you or is behind you. As the dog catches up, drop the food behind you (or next to your pant leg). Once the dog has eaten the food and is coming back toward you, start walking away from him again. Try for more steps before dropping. Timing is everything! Don't let the dog get in front of you. If he does, pivot away, wait till he catches up BUT is next to you or slightly behind you (or his nose is at your pant seam), and drop the food.

            Now it's your job to increase the number of steps before dropping the food behind you. Never drop food if your dog has gotten in front of you. Work towards walking more steps before rewarding. You can vary this and reinforce while he is next to you if you wish, or toss the treat way behind you so the dog has to hunt for it and then reinforce him for catching back up to you.

            Keep it up

            As your dog gets better and you can now walk quite a distance without forging and pulling, don't fail to reward intermittently. For your dog to walk without pulling he has to believe (because you rewarded him) that there is a better chance of good things near you than in the wide world. Use the long line if you have to control your dog and are not taking a walk. Remember, if you never let the leash get tight, your dog won't learn that he can pull you. What he doesn't know won't hurt him or you!

            TAKE A COURSE

            From basic to advanced skills, there’s a course for you.

            VIEW ALL COURSES

            The post How to Teach Loose-Leash Walking appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

            ]]>                         Interview with Hannah Branigan https://karenpryoracademy.com/interview-with-hannah-branigan/ Fri, 27 Apr 2018 18:27:28 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=3125 Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) faculty member Hannah Branigan believes that clicker training is the perfect technology to teach new behaviors, especially for competitive performances. Here, she talks about how she got started with clicker training, and what she hopes to pass on to her students as both a graduate and an instructor of KPA's Dog Trainer Professional Program.

            The post Interview with Hannah Branigan appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

            ]]>

            INTERVIEW WITH HANNAH BRANIGAN

            Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) faculty member Hannah Branigan believes that clicker training is the perfect technology to teach new behaviors, especially for competitive performances.

            Hannah will lead a KPA Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program in Mebane, North Carolina (application deadline 2/15/2019). Learn more about the DTP program or apply to this course in Mebane.

            In this interview, Hannah shares highlights from her own training career.

            Image

            Q: How did you get started with clicker training?

            A: My story is similar to a lot of others. The first thing I did when I got out of the dorm and into my own apartment was get a dog. (Well, the first thing I did was get my bellybutton pierced, but AFTER that, the first thing I did was get a dog.) The piercing turned out to be a bad idea, but the dog was life-changing. My dog turned out to be a lot more of a challenge than I expected. He reacted (aggressively) to people and dogs; the behavior was scary and frustrating. The first trainer I sought out for help used old-school methods. I wish I could say I felt uncomfortable right from the beginning, but all I remember feeling was desperate. This guy was an authority, so I trusted him. After all, this was a “dominant” dog! <wink> That was until my dog bit me. Then I KNEW something was wrong. Before my dog may have wanted to bite other people, but at least he wasn’t biting ME!

            I started looking for other options. I met a trainer who used hot dogs and explained the fear behind the aggression (oh, how guilty did I feel then!). She introduced me to clicker training, and loaned me a Gary Wilkes video to watch. From there, I took hold of clicker training and ran. This stuff was awesome! Within weeks I had my dog targeting everything in sight. A few months later, he was retrieving beer from a fridge! How cool is that?

            You know what they say about early and strong reinforcement—I could never go back.

            Q: Tell us a little about how you use clicker training!

            A: My special interest right now is in applying clicker training principles to performance sports, especially obedience and rally (although I tinker in many others). I believe clicker training is the perfect technology to teach the high-precision, high-reliability behaviors necessary for competitive performances. We can not only do as well as traditional trainers, we can do better. Our success comes not only because we skip punishment and its fallout. It occurs because clicker trainers look at the problem completely differently! Nobody breaks stuff down physically and emotionally like a clicker trainer. That by itself gives us an advantage over “the way it’s always been done.”

            Q: How did you get involved with KPA?

            A: As a student, I really enjoyed the KPA process. As my own business and goals grew and changed, I found that I wanted to help more people and dogs than I could reach on my own. My KPA instructor, Laurie Luck, recommended that I apply for a faculty position at Karen Pryor Academy.

            Teaching through KPA, I am able to spread clicker philosophy farther than ever, guiding other instructors on their own journeys to… (enlightenment? That sounds too dorky even for me). My goal is to give KPA students the skills to apply clicker training effectively in teaching and training, which they then pass on to their own students—making clicker training accessible to as many people as possible.

            Q: What are some key components of the Dog Trainer Professional program that you think benefit all clicker trainers?

            A: I really learned a lot more than I expected about the power of cues, especially complex cues, through the Dog Trainer Professional program. I was an experienced trainer coming in, and thought I had a pretty good idea of what stimulus control was all about. The course went so much deeper, into levels I didn’t even know existed. I was able to see so much more of how cues work together to form complex behaviors and chains. I learned not just deliberate cues that I was training, but also cues in the environment, cues that involve each of the senses. Scent cues! Real-world cues that trigger and maintain problematic behaviors that affect our ability to live with and enjoy our dogs around the house. I can’t do the program justice in one paragraph. So cool! So amazing!

            Q: What has been the most rewarding part of your KPA experience?

            A: I loved spending a whole weekend with a group of like-minded trainers. We all were showing off what we had been working on, brainstorming solutions to any challenges we encountered. I love that! I actually cried at the end of the workshops, because I wouldn’t be seeing those folks regularly any more.

            KPA's CERTIFIED TRAINER PROGRAM

            Ready to become your best, too?
            VIEW THE DOG TRAINER PROFESSIONAL

            The post Interview with Hannah Branigan appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

            ]]>                         Interview with Shelly Brouwer https://karenpryoracademy.com/interview-with-shelly-brouwer/ Mon, 23 Apr 2018 15:00:59 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=2749 INTERVIEW WITH SHELLY BROUWER Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) faculty member Shelly Brouwer , CTP, will lead a KPA Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program in Boulder, Colorado (application deadline 11/26/18).  Learn more about KPA professional certification   Boulder location details In this interview, Shelly shares highlights from her own training career.Q: Tell us about the first animal you trained.A: Her name was Sadie and she ...

            The post Interview with Shelly Brouwer appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

            ]]>

            INTERVIEW WITH SHELLY BROUWER

            Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) faculty member Shelly Brouwer , CTP, will lead a KPA Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program in Boulder, Colorado (application deadline 11/26/18).

            In this interview, Shelly shares highlights from her own training career.

            Image

            Q: Tell us about the first animal you trained.

            A: Her name was Sadie and she was a 1-year-old chow/retriever mix. I adopted her in my early 20s. I didn’t tell my parents at first because I knew they wouldn’t approve (ultimately, they loved Sadie!). Sadie and I learned a lot together; I am forever grateful to her and for that impactful and rewarding relationship. We adored each other. Sadie was also my brilliant KPA dog—at age 12!

            Q: Was there a particular dog/animal in your life that was your most important teacher?

            A: Sadie! There were also a couple of dolphins that taught me a lot. One of them was named Josephine and the other was Theresa. They were older dolphins (each living to their 50s), and knew much more than me. So I had to listen and follow their leads. Working together is the only way to get great things accomplished.

            Q: What is your favorite activity or sport to do with your own dog(s)?

            A: We compete in the sport of couch-cuddling (I am pretty sure we are winning!). I have done nose work with both of my dogs, first Sadie and now Bert. I also really enjoyed running with Sadie and now do so with Bert. For a little guy, he is very fast!  

            Q: What is your proudest training moment?

            A: It was probably a husbandry behavior taught to a marine mammal. You train the behavior, but when it comes time to get a real sample, it can be tense. With husbandry behaviors, both the animal and the human trainer are really trusting each other with personal safety. It always feels really good when an important medical procedure occurs and everyone is safe and happy.

            Q: What does a typical day look like for you?

            A: A real day or how I would like my days to go? My morning is getting my little human off to school. I try to be as graceful about that chaos as possible. I also attend to the dog and the cat. Then I get to work. During the day I create course content for KPA. I LOVE MY JOB. It is rewarding and challenging. I feel very fortunate to be such a close part of the KPA organization.

            Q: What advice would you give to a new training student?

            A: Seek out your training sources and mentors. This way, you can build off of solid knowledge, mechanics, and techniques from the get-go. Take time to invest in your education. Sometimes the amount of knowledge needed to teach animals responsibly is underestimated. As professional trainers, we NEED to be able to explain why we do what we do, scientifically and compassionately.

            Q: Do you have any student success stories you can share?

            A: Oh, it’s always enjoyable to see a new student , someone taking the time to learn, spending time teaching his/her dog and being rewarded with success. I have had students tell me they are so nervous at the start of class and by the end of the course they are stars.

            Q: What do you do to continue your training education?

            A: I spend time with smart people. The good news is that they are everywhere. Through my work history and through KPA I have access to a wide variety of trainers. When I need help, I seek out the ones I know have experience with the situation I am in, or I seek someone whose advice I trust. I attend ClickerExpo conferences and online webinars and I read articles. We are a community. No one can operate alone. It would be doing ourselves, and the animals, a disservice.

            Q: Outside of dog training/dog sports, do you have any hobbies?

            A: I enjoy running, swimming, and water-skiing. I also enjoy writing and reading.

            Q: If you were a dog, what breed would you be?

            A: This is a tough one, as I have taken those tests and never really agreed with the results. I would think I would be a happy, easygoing dog breed, but one that also needs my people. I would like to go out and have some adventures, but, at the end of the day, always come home to my dog bed.

            TAKE A COURSE

            From basic to advanced skills, there’s a course for you.
            VIEW ALL COURSES

            The post Interview with Shelly Brouwer appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

            ]]>                         Interview with Laura Monaco Torelli https://karenpryoracademy.com/interview-with-laura-monaco-torelli/ Mon, 23 Apr 2018 11:48:46 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=2719 Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) faculty member Laura Monaco Torelli will lead KPA Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) programs in Chicago, Illinois, (application deadline 05/28/2018). Learn more about the DTP program or apply to this course in Chicago.

            The post Interview with Laura Monaco Torelli appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

            ]]>

            INTERVIEW WITH LAURA MONACO TORELLI

            Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) faculty member Laura Monaco Torelli will lead KPA Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) programs in Chicago, IL, (application deadline 6/10/2024). Learn more about the DTP program or apply to this course in Chicago.

            Image
            Photo courtesy of Chicago Zoological Society

            Q: Tell us about the first animal you trained.

            A: I have to reach far back into my memory to try to make an accurate recollection! But, two animals pop into my head simultaneously. They would be Kri, a beautiful Pacific white-sided dolphin, and Kenai, the fast-moving Alaskan sea otter at Shedd Aquarium. I’m grateful to have photos of both animals, for they are some of the best teachers I’ve ever had.

            Q: Was there a particular dog/animal in your life that was your most important teacher?

            A: I look at each species of animal, and each individual animal, as playing an important role as the teacher. I wish I could go back and have a chat with my younger self for so many reasons. One reason would be to tell myself to slow down and listen to what the animal is teaching me via body language and offered behaviors. I would advise myself to savor the dialogue between us during playtime, training sessions, and observing their natural behaviors engaged with the environment. I’ve learned to embrace this advice thanks to time and professional maturity!

            When I worked at Brookfield Zoo, I recall learning alongside of a troop of ring-tailed lemurs. During a training session, we observed a female favoring her hand, and not grasping the food in a normal manner. We called the veterinary team with an update, and they scheduled a visit right away to assess the concern. An amazing veterinarian named Dr. Jennifer Langan joined us for the next session, behind-the-scenes. I cued the lemur to come to station on her elevated platform while Dr. Langan stood at my side. The cue for a hand target followed, and the lemur offered her left hand toward the buoy target placed directly in front of us while we stood on the other side of the barrier. I was generous with reinforcement while Dr. Langan conducted the visual exam. What is still vivid in my memory is how relaxed the lemur was, as well as the smile on Dr. Langan’s face as she complimented our training team on a job well done. Teaching moments like that provide reinforcement long after the actual session. This story was a collaboration between the animal and the care team, and an important teaching moment. Dr. Langan may not recall this specific scenario, but she should know the positive impact it had for all involved!

            Q: What is your favorite activity or sport to do with your own dog(s)?

            A: Long, relaxing walks with my Rhodesian ridgeback, Santino, is my activity of choice. We have a lot to talk about when we engage in the environment. He savors the delicious smells, and I listen to the birds. I talk to him about all sorts of ideas and topics, for he is an excellent listener. It’s a win-win.

            Q: What is your proudest training moment?

            A: There are so many! But, I would have to say that the proudest with an animal was when Santino offered his chin-rest behavior for suture removal at our veterinary clinic last year. He had a small bump that required removal, and the pathology report, thankfully, came back benign. The veterinarian, Dr. Drew Sullivan, said that Santino was such a good boy. I was so proud!

            My proudest personal training moment would be when Karen Pryor came to observe me teach a group class in 2011. It was the final step in being considered to join the KPA faculty. Karen was going to be in Chicago for ClickerExpo, and the head office said that she wanted to observe me teach. Gulp. I was so nervous! But, Karen made me feel extremely comfortable; our client-dog teams were just as starstruck that THE Karen Pryor was part of their class. They could have kept her there until midnight taking photos and asking her questions. Karen is beyond gracious and reinforcing. Thank you, Karen!

            Q: What does a typical day look like for you?

            A: Drink coffee, drink coffee, and drink coffee. Each day varies based on my projects, work travel for seminars, private and group class clients, and KPA student homework review and support. People who know me well also know that I am a bit old-school about communication. I love to hear a voice and chat via phone or live video. I enjoy hearing the tone in a voice and observing body language. A favorite part of being a KPA faculty member is to meet with my students in person at our workshops, and via live video for training dates. To cheer and support each student in real-time is quite reinforcing for me.

            Q: What advice would you give to a new training student?

            A: I have a few pieces of advice:

            • Enjoy the journey, for time flies by! Journal your many experiences in writing, photos, and in video. Always be the learner who is open to new experiences and information.

            • Be kind and professional. My first training mentor, Ken Ramirez, always coached us to take the high road, to speak kindly of others, and to collaborate with like-minded professionals.

            • Remember what it felt like when someone took you under his or her wing? How grateful you felt to finally get that chance you’ve been working so hard for? Be that person to someone else who is new to the animal-care and training field. Inspire them the way that someone else inspired you. Be the generous mentor. Pay it forward!

            Q: Do you have any student success stories you can share?

            A: I have so many! But, the recurring theme that weaves into student success stories is when they support each other during the six-month Dog Trainer Professional program. I always remind each group at the start of the program that their individual experiences balance on numerous variables. One variable is how each student interacts with the others. This isn’t a competition about which student is better. It’s a program that focuses on team camaraderie and learning together.

            Q: What do you do to continue your training education?

            A: If I am teaching at a conference, I make sure to attend other speakers’ sessions to learn from them. I also travel to attend seminars for my own continuing education; I have a great line-up planned for 2017 and 2018 to soak in others’ knowledge. For the past two years, I have been a Teaching Assistant in Training for Dr. Susan Friedman’s Living & Learning with Animals course. Dr. Friedman and her team are extraordinary teachers. This is an amazing educational experience, and this year I will be a Teaching Assistant for the 2017 series!

            Q: Outside of dog training/dog sports, do you have any hobbies?

            A: I enjoy water sports like snorkeling and SCUBA diving, baking, gardening, and sightseeing around Chicago. Even though I live in downtown Chicago, I can never get enough of this beautiful city. Sweet Home Chicago!

            Q: If you were a dog, what breed would you be?

            A: Seriously? Isn’t it obvious? A Rhodesian ridgeback!

            BECOME YOUR BEST

            Take the Dog Trainer Professional certification program with Laura in Chicago, IL or find a location near you with one of our other fabulous faculty.

            EVERYWHERE
            ILLINOIS

            The post Interview with Laura Monaco Torelli appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

            ]]>                         Teach Settle on a Mat https://karenpryoracademy.com/teach-settle-on-a-mat/ Sat, 31 Mar 2018 22:04:48 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=3152 Teach Settle on a Mat Settle down over there! Is your dog a little too excited? Too excitable? Is he a maniac when people come to the door? Does he bug you when you're trying to eat dinner? Would you love to have a place where your dog could just chill out, yet still be in the same room with ...

            The post Teach Settle on a Mat appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

            ]]>

            Teach Settle on a Mat

            Settle down over there!

            Is your dog a little too excited? Too excitable? Is he a maniac when people come to the door? Does he bug you when you're trying to eat dinner? Would you love to have a place where your dog could just chill out, yet still be in the same room with you?

            You need SETTLE. Well, more accurately, your dog needs settle.

            Image

            What you’ll need to teach settle on a mat:

            • a mat (think bathroom mat, the kind with a plastic backing)
            • clicker
            • treats

            How to teach settle on a mat:

            • Stand still, centered behind the mat.

            • Have your clicker ready to go (in your hand, thumb on the clicker).

            • When the dog just happens to put a paw on the mat (totally by chance), CLICK!

            • Toss the treat off the mat (you need the dog to leave the mat so he can come back onto the mat to get another click).

            • Wait for the dog to eat the treat and wander back over to where you’re standing, accidentally stepping a paw on the mat again in the process.

            • Click, toss treat.

            • Repeat

            Soon, you’ll be clicking and treating rapidly. Your dog might not know (yet!) exactly what is getting him the click and treat, but you’ll see that he’s hanging out near you and with his paw on that mat a lot more often.

            When your dog is getting a paw on the mat every single time, hold off on clicking him until he gets two paws on the mat. Ooh, we’re tricky, aren’t we? You’ll be surprised at how quickly your dog moves both paws on to the mat. Be ready; click the moment that second paw touches the mat. Toss the treat and wait again.

            Again, pretty quickly, two paws will be the norm. Guess what you’re going to do next? You’re going to wait for the dog to have three paws on the mat before you click. Then, you guessed it, when he’s good at getting three paws on the mat, click only when the dog has all four paws on the mat. Always toss a treat away from the mat after you click, of course.

            Now comes the first big leap of faith that I’m going to ask you for. It’s going to involve you doing nothing. That’s really hard for people, I’ve learned. We want to help. We want to tell the dog what to do. I’m begging you—remain silent. Remain still. Do nothing except clicking and treating. When the dog is good at getting four paws on the mat, I want you to wait until the dog voluntarily sits on that mat before clicking and treating. I promise you that the dog will sit without you asking him. Honest, I wouldn’t steer you wrong. Just wait—it will be worth it, I promise.

            Once your dog is coming to the mat and sitting reliably, guess what? You’re going to wait for the dog to volunteer a down. Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? It’s not. Again, you have to trust me. Of course, you will click and treat the instant the dog lies down. 

            Troubleshooting settle on a mat:

            • What if my dog doesn’t move? Just be patient. If your dog gets really stuck (lies down, for instance), you can toss a treat (no click, just toss) to get him up and moving.
            • What if my dog wanders off? Some inexperienced dogs might not understand the process. To help the novice dog, try this. Click and treat 10 times in a row. Click, then toss the treat away a few feet. You’re not clicking for anything in particular, just pairing the sound of the click with the tossed treat. Tossing the treat gets the dog moving; once the dog is up and moving, it’s a sure bet that, inadvertently, he’ll walk across or onto that mat. Then, click and treat.
            • My dog just stares at me—what do I do? Stand (or sit) still and look at the mat. Keep your eyes on the mat and resist the urge to “help” your dog.

            Laurie Luck, KPA CTP, and a Karen Pryor Academy faculty member, is the founder of Smart Dog University. She has been involved with many pet dog trainer certification initiatives, all based on humane training practices and the latest scientific knowledge. Laurie also participates in service dog training, and she and her Tango are a pet-therapy team. Through her work with dogs and owners, Laurie has developed many happy canine and human friendships.

            TAKE A COURSE

            From basic to advanced skills, there’s a course for you.
            VIEW ALL COURSES

            The post Teach Settle on a Mat appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

            ]]>                         Interview with Nan Arthur https://karenpryoracademy.com/interview-with-nan-arthur/ Fri, 27 Oct 2017 17:12:17 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=3118 Karen Pryor Academy faculty member Nan Arthur will lead the KPA Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program in San Diego, California. Applications are being accepted for this program until May 21, 2018.

            The post Interview with Nan Arthur appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

            ]]>

            INTERVIEW WITH NAN ARTHUR

            Karen Pryor Academy faculty member Nan Arthur will lead the KPA Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program in San Diego, CA (Application deadline 3/12/2021).
             In this interview, Nan shares highlights from her own training career.
            Image

            Q: Tell us about the first animal you trained.

            A: I have always had animals around and many were “trained” via life happening! I remember the moment I realized that my guinea pigs would begin to squeal when I walked into a room with food. I paired that action with a cue of “reek” (very high-pitched and cartoon-like), and before long I could cue and they would squeal from a distance.

            Q: Was there a particular dog/animal in your life that was your most important teacher?

            A: I would have to say that all of my dogs and each of my clients’ dogs were and are good teachers, but Gaia, a cane corso that I have worked with for more than 8 years now, is by far the dog that taught me the most.

            Gaia is more than 120 pounds, and was born with multiple health issues. Her owners did everything right, but the first year of her life was filled with skin issues, allergies, and diarrhea. Training was a challenge and Gaia would often spit out treats. Her life was in danger when she began to resist things like eye drops or ear drops that were prescribed to treat her infections. Gaia would growl, snap, mount, and even bite at times.

            Gaia learned quickly that her people would back off from medicating her when they heard her guttural growl. However, in order to get the needed medications, she had to be boarded at a vet clinic, where she spent a week being forced to take the medications. This experience made Gaia even more fearful and defensive about husbandry handling.

            Working with Gaia taught me to take things very slowly, in thin slices, to help her understand that she had lots of choices—all the while keeping myself safe. Using the Premack principle to get her to take treats was first, then I used a muzzle, and, finally, I taught Gaia that she could say “No” if she wasn’t ready. Now, seven years later, lessons from Gaia factor in to all of my behavior cases.

            After building a relationship with Gaia, she tore her ACL and had to have surgery before I had a chance to work on her back end. The vet wanted her to start range-of-motion work, but she was not having it! I simply shaped her to move her own back legs. Here is a video that shows some of the work I did with Gaia’s face and body sensitivities.

            Q: What is your favorite activity or sport to do with your own dog(s)?

            A: I have never being a competitive person, so working on simple things with my dogs is most fun for me. I do love to play silly games with both of my dogs, though. We “Relax on a Mat,” sit at doors, and learn a few tricks. We also hang out when I’m home, and just relax together.

            Q: What is your proudest training moment?

            A: My proudest moment was earning my KPACTP designation with my dog Austin as my partner. Sadly, Austin died recently and is sorely missed.

            Q: What does a typical day look like for you?

            A: I don’t think I have “typical” days, but there are only a few rare days that I’m not working with dogs on some level. KPA, the DogTec Dog Walking Academy, and private clients are on the edges of all my days, either getting ready for, working on, or teaching for these responsibilities fill many of my hours.

            Having just moved to a new home, and having brought my business into my home, I appreciate the fabulous view around me! It helps me combine some down time and work, which is what I want “typical” to look like as I move forward.

            Q: What advice would you give to a new training student?

            A: Listen to the science, listen to those who have paved the way for positive reinforcement training to become mainstream, and listen to the dog in front of you. The dogs always have the answers; we just need to listen. I would also say don’t get stuck in the recipes of training when the dog in front of you needs more than just following steps.

            Q: Do you have any student success stories you can share?

            A: There are so many great student success stories, but one that stands out is a student who was a wounded warrior, injured in combat and sent home with PTSD. “C” became interested in training when he was paired with a service dog via Freedom Dogs, a group I volunteer with. Freedom Dogs clicker trains their service dogs, so the organization is a perfect match for me and a chance to give back to the wonderful veterans that have served our county.

            Part of the requirement for Marines seeking a service dog from Freedom Dogs is that they learn about training with positive reinforcement. “C” came to several meetings at my training facility to work with the dog that would be paired with him and learn about using clicker training to enhance his dog’s skills. Sitting in the back of the room, wearing sunglasses, “C” kept his distance at the first meeting. He moved closer during the second meeting. Ultimately, the sunglasses came off and he moved to the front of the room.

            Positive reinforcement worked with “C” just like it did with the dogs. Because he felt safe and could make choices, this wounded soldier learned how amazing positive training is for any animal, including humans. About nine months later, “C” graduated from the KPA Dog Trainer Professional program!

            Q: What do you do to continue your training education?

            A: Of course, I attend ClickerExpo each year (I have only missed one of the West Coast conferences), and the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) conferences, where I presented in 2016. I also attend many training seminars and workshops. Recently, I became certified with Dogsafe to become a first-aid instructor for dogs.

            Q: Outside of dog training/dog sports, do you have any hobbies?

            A: I am by trade a writer and photographer, so those activities are always enjoyable. I write for a number of publications and recently illustrated a two-part article by Sarah Owings (one of my KPA grads) for Clean Run magazine.

            I love spending time with my 10-year-old granddaughter, who also has a deep love and appreciation for animals; she is learning husbandry with horses. Hanging out with my husband Mike and my dogs is what I consider a relaxing time.

            Q: If you were a dog, what breed would you be?

            A: Probably some weird mixed breed, but for sure there would be some herding lines in there!

            BECOME YOUR BEST

            Take the Dog Trainer Professional certification program with Nan in San Diego, CA or find a location near you with one of our other fabulous faculty.

            EVERYWHERE
            CALIFORNIA

            The post Interview with Nan Arthur appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

            ]]>