[PyrNet-L] Pyrs easy to train???? NOT

[Carol Brescher Boyle <carol@NaturalDogFood.com>]

I thoroughly enjoyed this round of discussion on Pyrs and the
thoughtful insights of fellow Pyr lovers and their relationships
with their dogs.  I too am someone who was proud to own a 
breed that is free thinking. I have always defended the Pyrs 
intelligence and their independence. That was until last
year when the "I don't want to come in now" was making me
consistently late for work and putting me on the road with
the beginnings of road rage.

I sought help from some cyber friends who recommended "Don't shoot
the dog" by Karen Pryor. Karen was one of the early trainers of
Dolphins and offered a glimmer of hope with the problem for
Cajun. Cajun was being rewarded with freedom by disobeying me, and
if she came in she was punished by being left alone for the day
when I went to work.

We started clicker training. Long story shortened, she comes
(consistently when I call her in a happy voice.) My husband
is thrilled that he can tell her to sit where she is standing
and she will sit right there without coming to him.  I can send
her away from me, and tell her to sit "over there". And she does.
These are not tricks, but important lessons when we open
the gate to her yard to move things in and out. They were
all taught for her safety.

This has also given us the ability to communicate. And it is
not a monologue. Yes the Pyrs understand every word we are
saying. But once we started clicker training Cajun, she turned
it from a monologue to a dialogue. Ed laughs and says she is
"clicking us." And she is. 

This training is totally done with positive reinforcement, and
never any punishment. You ignore her other non-rewardable behaviors.

Getting involved with gentling of animals, I had an opportunity
early this summer to see Monty Roberts (The man who listens to
horses) "join up" with two young horses. I know this is way off
topic, but the same kind of gentleness and understanding used
with intelligent animals can transcend species. To see any
animal physically hurt in the act of "training" or in the form
of discipline should be interpreted as a failure on the part 
of the human to communicate. We should use the intelligence of
our breed to our benefit and to further communicate with them. 
They really shine in this capacity.

My two cents worth.  

-- 
  Carol
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 Carol Brescher Boyle                Improving the health of our dogs,
 carol@NaturalDogFood.com                          one meal at a time.

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