Teamwork . . . . . Training & Trialing by Janie Nafsinger
How many times have you been to a herding event and listened to the handler yell repetitively “lie down! lie down! LIE DOWN!” then move on to another command because the dog responded in degrees from ignoring the handler completely, to a partial compliance, while glancing in the handler’s direction?
I wonder how many observers understand what has happened, or if it is such a common occurrence that not much thought are given. A couple of things are occurring. First, this is probably not new behavior for this dog. Most likely it has happened many times in training, thus the idea that there isn’t an expectation of compliance has developed. Secondly, herding is a combination of teamwork and strategy. In the incident cited, there appears to be a little confusion as to who the pack leader is or even if there is a team at all. .
Your job, as pack leader, is to set your dog up for success, with training that is consistent and persistent. Each successful experience will build technique and style, while each unsuccessful experience can set you back weeks. Sloppy work happens when you let some things pass and not others, sending mixed messages about your expectations.
A hard and fast rule to follow is to not ask your dog to do something that you are not willing to support. What does this mean? It means that you are willing to reinforce by making what you asked happen or showing your dog what you want. A trial setting is no place to train, so don’t ask your dog to do something you know he can’t do, is not ready to do or won’t do. To not keep this in mind is a formula for failure.
Before you start, take a personal inventory of your resources and what you are willing to do to build on deficiencies. Aside from a good trainer, personal possession and understanding of the basics, such as being able to read your dog and stock to an understanding of flight zone, balance, and body language is essential on the list of “need to know.” How does your dog know that he is doing something wrong? What are your signals and responses to non-compliance or disobedience?
Additionally, before stepping into the arena, you should have already established yourself as the pack leader with ground rules in place and a plan of consequences and reinforcement on the work that is to be done. Having a clear strategy already in mind makes decisions easier in the heat of the action and is an essential tool for a firm and consistent technique for training and trailing. Does this mean that you have to decide BEFORE you train that you plan to be heavy handed if your dog fails to respond to your directions? NO, that is not what it means. What it means is that you will have to exercise your analytical skills to understand why your dog is failing to perform, appears to “blow you off” and WHEN to raise his “level of concern.” Are his actions disobedience or a diversionary tactic? Don’t be too quick to judge. It is not uncommon for a novice dog to try and buy time with sniffing, eating assorted treats on the ground or lifting a leg. The break is an opportunity to release pressure and think. If this becomes a habit, action will have to be taken, but in the initial stages, it must be understood and dealt with appropriately. Even with a veteran herder, these off-contact breaks can mean frustration, a lack of understanding, or a need to release pressure from handler demands. What is the dog’s body language telling you?
The key to good training is to make sure your dog understands what you are asking. How many times have you seen a handler stand there, immobile, yelling commands, while their dog flounders in trying to fix a situation? Don’t let these teachable moments pass by leaving the dog to figure it out on their own. Go to the dog, assist him. Help him to be successful. Once you are sure that he understands, you are free to use appropriate reinforcement in the case of non-events.
Reinforcement is in degrees, depending on the proximity of the handler to the dog, the work that is to be done and any other assorted reasons for performance problems.
Tools of the Trade
When working close, the crook or rattle paddle can be used. They are not weapons, but extensions of your arm. They can be used, along with your body, to block or redirect the action. Used in close and distance proximity, a low level reinforcement such as an established guttural sound is often effective. The Dog Whisper (on cable) uses a hissing sound to remind his dogs of his expectations. My personal favorite is an “ah!” It is more effective for me than the “whata ya doing? or get outa there!” By the time I get done saying all that, the moment has passed and the dog has no clue what the problem was. Another tool I use is a small water bottle filled with beans or pebble rocks. I can rattle it to remind my dog to move out or lob it in his direction as an “in your face” reminder. I also use lengths of twelve-inch hose to throw as reminders. They possess an element of surprise because they don’t make noise like the rattle bottles.
Other, more physical reinforcements can include stepping towards your dog, which works effectively as a spatial invader or running next to our dog for pressure pushing. A short tab leash is effective to guide your dog through tight spaces, like pen work or placing them in a particular spot on course. If I need to get really heavy handed, which is seldom, I can get in my dog’s face by grabbing the rough or cheek area on both sides of their face and yell “BAD DOG! BAD DOG!,” which generally gets the point across.
Case in Point
July, this past year, I entered the Spokane Dog Club/Inland Empire Collie Club trials in Spokane, Washington. Also attending was Jeanine Blamer. Jeanine has done exceptional work with her two collies in many areas of performance and has recently taken on herding. Jeanine’s sable and white male, Sasha, absolutely gushes with herding talent. He is attentive, focused, and has a natural balance, however, his predisposition to work at mock speed has been a challenge for Jeanine to turn down to idle.
At the Friday and Saturday trials Sasha had nearly identical performances with variations in stock behavior. Both days Jeanine went to the handler’s post, stock was set, she sent her dog and the chase is on. Sasha’s outrun was predominately straight up the middle like a rocket. With that accelerated approach, the stock spread like a star burst, gathered and shot down the arena, Sasha in hot pursuit. In short order, Jeanine left the handler’s post, calling an end to the run and retrieved her dog.
On Sunday Jeanine asked me to handle Sasha. Being familiar with Sasha’s style, as my own Max also has this intensity, I agreed to handle. The first thing I had to do was establish my “pack” presence with Sasha. To do this I knew I had to make him believe I would chew him up and spit him out if he did not behave. I attached a chain slip collar and leash to do a “walk about” prior to the run. We were forth in the started class. I took him to the relief area where he did his business. I then started my “walk about.” I walked around a bit, not allowing him to sniff or lift his leg. Stopping, I told him to lie down. He looked at me and just stood there. Sasha has obedience titles so I knew it was not a matter of not knowing. It was a matter of non-compliance. I gave a firm jerk on the leash, telling him again to lie down, which he did. Each time I stopped, I firmly told him to lie down, which he readily did. At the gate to go in, I again told him to lie down. He obliged, watching the action in the arena. Just before entering, I did a light reminder jerk on the leash, unhooked it and walked into the ring. I maintained control by not allowing him to sniff or wander to the handler’s post. At the post he lay down in place, watching the stock being set.
Sasha’s body language was calm, but a bit worried. I sent him. He did a beautiful wide outrun, coming in at the top of the sheep. The sheep responded in-kind and came easily up the arena, around the cone and through the obstacles. With a few small retreats on course from over flanking, Sasha’s performance was nearly flawless. The run ended without incident, aside from a little scuffling in setting up for the pen.
To evaluate this run it would have to be said that I effectively got my bluff in. I raised his level of concern in my pre-competition walk about and kept the pressure on by not ever letting him think he had done well until the run was over. My body language told him that I was serious. I did not want him to think there was any wiggle room to do his own agenda. He was on my time. Sasha believed that I was in charge, acted accordingly, which showed his true level of talent.
My previous experiences with my own Max (Ohadi Max Pack HSAds, HSBs, HIAs, HXAds) had taught me to read the signs and understand body language well enough to know when things were about to go south. Having been in the same place as Jeanine, I too have stopped runs rather than propagate a disaster. The previous day Max had completed his HX sheep title with a first place, and yet this same day he also had a “blasting” session at the cross drive. I stopped the run as Jeanine had done and called it a day. Allowing the run to continue sends the message that what occurred was OK , which would have set us back in our trailing.
Handlers have to know their dog to determine what acceptable level of reinforcement and compliance is necessary. How much pressure is needed and applied to train their dog effectively? Ask yourself: Do you mind waiting while your dog decides how high on his priority list you are or while he sniffs or lifts his leg? On whose terms do you herd? his or yours?
Lastly, many handlers think they have established who the pack leader is, but in reflecting on their training, there is a willingness on their part to negotiate by fudging on commands or compromise on the degree of excellence they actually expect from their dogs. They are hesitant to be the leader. It has become all too easy to pass off a bad performance on the quality of the stock, judging inadequacies or distractions from peripheral elements like spectators or dogs too close to the trial areas. Most failures are probably somewhere in-between, from a lack of dog preparation to handler errors. Make up your mind before you start to not set yourself up for failure by letting sloppy work go by. Help your dog to be successful with productive training, resulting in successful trials.
In truth, herding is an imprecise sport. Variables come into play from subjective scoring to stock that does not always cooperate. You get what you get so enter prepared.
I wonder how many observers understand what has happened, or if it is such a common occurrence that not much thought are given. A couple of things are occurring. First, this is probably not new behavior for this dog. Most likely it has happened many times in training, thus the idea that there isn’t an expectation of compliance has developed. Secondly, herding is a combination of teamwork and strategy. In the incident cited, there appears to be a little confusion as to who the pack leader is or even if there is a team at all. .
Your job, as pack leader, is to set your dog up for success, with training that is consistent and persistent. Each successful experience will build technique and style, while each unsuccessful experience can set you back weeks. Sloppy work happens when you let some things pass and not others, sending mixed messages about your expectations.
A hard and fast rule to follow is to not ask your dog to do something that you are not willing to support. What does this mean? It means that you are willing to reinforce by making what you asked happen or showing your dog what you want. A trial setting is no place to train, so don’t ask your dog to do something you know he can’t do, is not ready to do or won’t do. To not keep this in mind is a formula for failure.
Before you start, take a personal inventory of your resources and what you are willing to do to build on deficiencies. Aside from a good trainer, personal possession and understanding of the basics, such as being able to read your dog and stock to an understanding of flight zone, balance, and body language is essential on the list of “need to know.” How does your dog know that he is doing something wrong? What are your signals and responses to non-compliance or disobedience?
Additionally, before stepping into the arena, you should have already established yourself as the pack leader with ground rules in place and a plan of consequences and reinforcement on the work that is to be done. Having a clear strategy already in mind makes decisions easier in the heat of the action and is an essential tool for a firm and consistent technique for training and trailing. Does this mean that you have to decide BEFORE you train that you plan to be heavy handed if your dog fails to respond to your directions? NO, that is not what it means. What it means is that you will have to exercise your analytical skills to understand why your dog is failing to perform, appears to “blow you off” and WHEN to raise his “level of concern.” Are his actions disobedience or a diversionary tactic? Don’t be too quick to judge. It is not uncommon for a novice dog to try and buy time with sniffing, eating assorted treats on the ground or lifting a leg. The break is an opportunity to release pressure and think. If this becomes a habit, action will have to be taken, but in the initial stages, it must be understood and dealt with appropriately. Even with a veteran herder, these off-contact breaks can mean frustration, a lack of understanding, or a need to release pressure from handler demands. What is the dog’s body language telling you?
The key to good training is to make sure your dog understands what you are asking. How many times have you seen a handler stand there, immobile, yelling commands, while their dog flounders in trying to fix a situation? Don’t let these teachable moments pass by leaving the dog to figure it out on their own. Go to the dog, assist him. Help him to be successful. Once you are sure that he understands, you are free to use appropriate reinforcement in the case of non-events.
Reinforcement is in degrees, depending on the proximity of the handler to the dog, the work that is to be done and any other assorted reasons for performance problems.
Tools of the Trade
When working close, the crook or rattle paddle can be used. They are not weapons, but extensions of your arm. They can be used, along with your body, to block or redirect the action. Used in close and distance proximity, a low level reinforcement such as an established guttural sound is often effective. The Dog Whisper (on cable) uses a hissing sound to remind his dogs of his expectations. My personal favorite is an “ah!” It is more effective for me than the “whata ya doing? or get outa there!” By the time I get done saying all that, the moment has passed and the dog has no clue what the problem was. Another tool I use is a small water bottle filled with beans or pebble rocks. I can rattle it to remind my dog to move out or lob it in his direction as an “in your face” reminder. I also use lengths of twelve-inch hose to throw as reminders. They possess an element of surprise because they don’t make noise like the rattle bottles.
Other, more physical reinforcements can include stepping towards your dog, which works effectively as a spatial invader or running next to our dog for pressure pushing. A short tab leash is effective to guide your dog through tight spaces, like pen work or placing them in a particular spot on course. If I need to get really heavy handed, which is seldom, I can get in my dog’s face by grabbing the rough or cheek area on both sides of their face and yell “BAD DOG! BAD DOG!,” which generally gets the point across.
Case in Point
July, this past year, I entered the Spokane Dog Club/Inland Empire Collie Club trials in Spokane, Washington. Also attending was Jeanine Blamer. Jeanine has done exceptional work with her two collies in many areas of performance and has recently taken on herding. Jeanine’s sable and white male, Sasha, absolutely gushes with herding talent. He is attentive, focused, and has a natural balance, however, his predisposition to work at mock speed has been a challenge for Jeanine to turn down to idle.
At the Friday and Saturday trials Sasha had nearly identical performances with variations in stock behavior. Both days Jeanine went to the handler’s post, stock was set, she sent her dog and the chase is on. Sasha’s outrun was predominately straight up the middle like a rocket. With that accelerated approach, the stock spread like a star burst, gathered and shot down the arena, Sasha in hot pursuit. In short order, Jeanine left the handler’s post, calling an end to the run and retrieved her dog.
On Sunday Jeanine asked me to handle Sasha. Being familiar with Sasha’s style, as my own Max also has this intensity, I agreed to handle. The first thing I had to do was establish my “pack” presence with Sasha. To do this I knew I had to make him believe I would chew him up and spit him out if he did not behave. I attached a chain slip collar and leash to do a “walk about” prior to the run. We were forth in the started class. I took him to the relief area where he did his business. I then started my “walk about.” I walked around a bit, not allowing him to sniff or lift his leg. Stopping, I told him to lie down. He looked at me and just stood there. Sasha has obedience titles so I knew it was not a matter of not knowing. It was a matter of non-compliance. I gave a firm jerk on the leash, telling him again to lie down, which he did. Each time I stopped, I firmly told him to lie down, which he readily did. At the gate to go in, I again told him to lie down. He obliged, watching the action in the arena. Just before entering, I did a light reminder jerk on the leash, unhooked it and walked into the ring. I maintained control by not allowing him to sniff or wander to the handler’s post. At the post he lay down in place, watching the stock being set.
Sasha’s body language was calm, but a bit worried. I sent him. He did a beautiful wide outrun, coming in at the top of the sheep. The sheep responded in-kind and came easily up the arena, around the cone and through the obstacles. With a few small retreats on course from over flanking, Sasha’s performance was nearly flawless. The run ended without incident, aside from a little scuffling in setting up for the pen.
To evaluate this run it would have to be said that I effectively got my bluff in. I raised his level of concern in my pre-competition walk about and kept the pressure on by not ever letting him think he had done well until the run was over. My body language told him that I was serious. I did not want him to think there was any wiggle room to do his own agenda. He was on my time. Sasha believed that I was in charge, acted accordingly, which showed his true level of talent.
My previous experiences with my own Max (Ohadi Max Pack HSAds, HSBs, HIAs, HXAds) had taught me to read the signs and understand body language well enough to know when things were about to go south. Having been in the same place as Jeanine, I too have stopped runs rather than propagate a disaster. The previous day Max had completed his HX sheep title with a first place, and yet this same day he also had a “blasting” session at the cross drive. I stopped the run as Jeanine had done and called it a day. Allowing the run to continue sends the message that what occurred was OK , which would have set us back in our trailing.
Handlers have to know their dog to determine what acceptable level of reinforcement and compliance is necessary. How much pressure is needed and applied to train their dog effectively? Ask yourself: Do you mind waiting while your dog decides how high on his priority list you are or while he sniffs or lifts his leg? On whose terms do you herd? his or yours?
Lastly, many handlers think they have established who the pack leader is, but in reflecting on their training, there is a willingness on their part to negotiate by fudging on commands or compromise on the degree of excellence they actually expect from their dogs. They are hesitant to be the leader. It has become all too easy to pass off a bad performance on the quality of the stock, judging inadequacies or distractions from peripheral elements like spectators or dogs too close to the trial areas. Most failures are probably somewhere in-between, from a lack of dog preparation to handler errors. Make up your mind before you start to not set yourself up for failure by letting sloppy work go by. Help your dog to be successful with productive training, resulting in successful trials.
In truth, herding is an imprecise sport. Variables come into play from subjective scoring to stock that does not always cooperate. You get what you get so enter prepared.
