The "Art" of reinforcement

Art? Is proper reinforcement really an art? I believe it is, for some it comes incredibly naturally, for others it is something that requires much thought and effort, and, for a small number of individuals it is almost impossible to master. I am one of the lucky ones, reinforcement comes very naturally to me, whether human or animal it is very clear to me that learning occurs much faster in a rewarding environment. It goes much deeper than that though :-) The reasons for reinforcement are many: we reinforce to motivate, we reinforce to maintain motivation, we reinforce as a catalyst for learning. I am fairly certain that everyone understands these points, where the problem lies is truly understanding the "placement" of reward to truly reap the benefits of reinforcement as a training tool :-) Before I go any deeper into this blog however, let's deal with the elephant in the room… The portion of the dog training population that feels that rewards are unnecessary in dog training. I know that over the years many dogs have been, and, are still trained without the use of tangible reinforcers, that does not make it right, without tangible reinforcements it is incredibly difficult for a dog to learn to make correct choices based on clear understanding rather than fear of failure. I think there is a lot of learned helplessness that occurs when we expect dogs to perform without a true understanding of the behaviors we are asking for. Learned helplessness is not having the ability to choose the right or wrong decision because the difference between the 2 has never been taught, the dog is in a perpetual state of confusion. Different temperaments will deal with this condition in different ways, from total shut down, to taking control and running amuck. So, we not only need to be willing to use tangible reinforcers, we must have them readily available to mark proper responses, and, most importantly, know where and when to reinforce. In training situations it is not unlikely to see a handler withhold all reward until the end of whatever sequence they are working on, the problems with this are many. 1. You are missing so many fantastic opportunities to reward great things that occurred prior to the end of the sequence, i.e.. a turn that was tighter than before, a perfect contact performance, etc.. 2. By ignoring the great things that happened on course and only rewarding the end you are reinforcing exactly that: the end! There are many dogs that are a bit droopy all the way around the course and perk up amazingly at the end of the run, why do you suppose this is? 3. You are missing opportunities to build value for the obstacles which translates into speed, drive, and, enthusiasm. Once you have truly built value for the obstacles your dog will never notice that the toys and treats are not showing up at trials. I have even heard people say that they will reward the dog when "they" (the handler) gets it right! I think the whole wrongness of this statement is pretty self explanatory and needs no further discussion. It is also argued that you cannot use toys and treats at a trial so the dog needs to learn to work without them. I have a huge problem with this statement, as stated above, one of the benefits of frequent properly placed reinforcements is that they create drive, and, build value for the whole process. In reality if you think bout it you are training at least 75% of the time and trailing maybe 25%, with those differentials how sad to be missing all of those opportunities to create the fast, confident, amazing agility partner we are all looking for! On a happier note, let's talk about when and where to reinforce :-)Proper placement and timing of rewards will in and of itself help build drive and maintain motivation simply because it breeds clarity! You should be rewarding your dog for all behaviors that you would like to continue, avoid reinforcing behaviors that you would like to extinguish. That might seem overly simplified, however, if we could keep our training simple it would be far easier! When you make a mistake, you should reward your dog! The behaviors that your dogs are offering are based on the information you are providing, if that information is contradictory to what your intentions were, the dog is still correct as they were reading what you were saying/showing not what you were thinking! When your dog has a particularly difficult time with a behavior and they finally get it, REWARD your dog! There are definitely places that reinforcement is not indicated, one of the most commonly mistaken places to reward is when the dog deflates and we try to use food to get them motivated, if you are feeding the dog for slowing down, or, for doing nothing you are perpetuating the problem. Reward the dog for working, just be sure that the paycheck not only reflects the level of work you are expecting, but, also what the dog considers fair wage. When you lose a dog to distractions, especially sniffing, hunting for food, etc.. they are telling you that they are not getting paid enough, listen to your dog they have very valuable information to share with you that will make your job as trainer and handler much easier! I realize this blog barely scratches the surface where reinforcement is concerned, it is a topic that could use a class of its own! Maybe that is what I will do a class on proper placement and timing of reward :-) Until then I hope it helps at least a little bit to clarify some of the questions about the value and necessity of tangible reinforcement in dog training!

Peruuuuuuuu!!!!

WOW! Yes, that is the first word that comes to mind when I think of my Peruvian adventure :-)And, an adventure it was! From the initial planning process all the way through the trip it was destined to be a trip to remember. I have been interested in attending the Americas Y El Caribe event since I heard of it 3 years ago, this was the year it actually worked out! Initial plans were to take Journey and SoBe, ultimately it tuned out to be SoBe's turn to be the one in the spotlight all by herself. My biggest concern was the fact that SoBe is a 20/22" jumping dog and in Peru I knew she was required to jump 26". SoBe has always been a very good jumper and I knew she had the skills just not the practical experience. Well, she performed beyond my wildest dreams for sure! More about that later :-) So, plans were made and off we went! I will say it most certainly took a village to make it happen however! I have to thank Daisy Peel for turning me onto this amazing competition and for being a super team leader and travel mate, Oscar Daste for helping bridge the communication barrier and for being so helpful and supportive all the way through the trip! Lea Harvey for making the veterinary stuff a breeze, Lori Mitchell for being "the other" super vet that helped me out, Tina and Dean for always taking the best care of my animals, and, Max200 for being great friends, supporters and believers in team Stacy! The trip started out with an incredibly early drive to the airport which BTW started off unlike most of my trips as the flight was actually on time!!!! I did the part that I always dread the most and checked SoBe in for her flight and away we went! I had a 7 hour layover in Dallas so that I could collect SoBe and let her have some time off the airplane and out of the crate. I met up with Daisy and Oscar in Dallas and we headed to our next flight and final destination of Lima, Peru! We arrived in Peru around midnight on the 1st and got our first taste of the hustle and bustle of Peru. After we got the dogs we had to check in with immigration and present our paperwork, vet certificates, etc… this was a long slow process but all went well ;-) Next was the first serious adventure of the trip, the taxi ride!!!! Another WOW! traffic in Peru is incredible and the way that people drive literally takes your breath away :-) Somehow they create at least 5 lanes out of 3 and weave in and out of traffic like maniacs! Intersections are free for alls and everyone sort of meets in the middle and somehow by osmosis they know who's "turn" is who's. I spent a lot of time I was in Taxi's with my eyes closed!! I think out is fascinating though that we never saw a single traffic accident the entire time we were there! They epitomize the term defensive driving for sure! Oscar arranged for Daisy, Oscar, and, myself to have an apartment for the week which was awesome! There was even a Starbucks right down the street! We arrived around 2:30 a.m. I think! Tuesday was a day off so we went exploring, found the beach, got some groceries, just acclimated for a day. It was great to have this opportunity, I don't think any of us had any idea of what the rest of the week was going to be like and the rest on the first day probably saved us :-)We did get in a little bit of culture too! Went to some ruins that were right in the middle of the little burg we were staying in, it was incredibly cool to get to experience a bit of the Peruvian history. The competition was located in a little town called Molina and it was about 40 minute drive in light traffic, so, you get it more like 1.5 to 2 hours every day back and forth!!! OK, maybe a slight exaggeration, it was only that long the first morning we dialed it back to and hour fifteen to hour and a half the other days :-) We were picked up by the bus at 5:45 a.m. each morning made one stop to pick up the majority of the Columbian team and off to the site we went! The drive was incredible, to see the city in all of it's glory and not so much glory in places was an incredible experience for sure. The stadium where the competition was to be held was beautiful and was right next door to a local merchant alley that most competitors frequented for lunch each day. We set up our crating area and headed down for the vet check and team practice.The surface we were to compete on was an older turf but the dogs did well on it. THe biggest drawback to the turf was how incredibly hot it got! Practice went really well and was followed that evening by opening ceremonies. It was also a chance to start to get to know the competitors from the other countries :-) The South Americans are incredible people and we all seemed to become instant friends! After the opening ceremonies we were treated to a local adult beverage that the Peruvians drink Pisco sours! They could easily join margaritas as my favorite beverage! Pisco is a strong Brandy made from grapes that is made in Peru, one word YUM!!!!! Another thing we learned very early on the first day is how incredibly hilly Peru is and that you need to take stairs to do and go pretty much everything and everywhere! The steps to the competition ring were brutal and thankfully provided all of the exercise anyone could possibly need for the week! Between the steps and the looooong days it was not a worry that any weight would be gained on this trip. Because it is advised that you do not eat fresh vegetables we sustained pretty much on meat, cheese, rice, and, potatoes :-) I did learn how amazing empanadas are and had those a few times too! We were picked up each day of the competition at 5:45 a.m. and returned to our apartment around 10:00 p.m. to say we were tired would be an understatement, but, it was a wonderful exhaustion as the days were filled with agility, and, friends both old and new! The courses were incredible, they were also Long! Numberwise they were not much longer than what we are used to, 21-23 obstacles, but, the course distances were incredible! I would say that the length of the field was at least 130 feet and 100 feet wide and the judges used every inch! Although the courses were very challenging, and, technical they were at the same time flowing and sensible. long and the short of it FUN!!!! It was wonderful to be able to put into practice all of the fancy moves that we are plying with these days and even better was to use them in places that they actually made sense! SoBe was a superstar! She jumped 26" for the first time ever in competition and was amazing! The skills that she had to employ to get over these jumps from the angles, backsides, etc… took my breath away! I was so proud of my girl I cannot even put it into words! I was pretty darn proud of myself too! I handled the courses just the way I wanted to, I planned my runs and ran my plan!! I walked the courses for the most efficient path and never once felt like I was playing it safe! Yea me!!!! It was an incredible rush to go out and just get it done! I can say in all truthfulness that SoBe and I are ready for the Netherlands and our next big adventure!!

The New Year brings some fond memories!

As I sit in my comfy chair surrounded by my incredible and awesome dogs in the living room of my very cozy home in Arizona, I cannot help but think about how incredibly lucky I am :-) I have been a bit dismayed of late as to how fast time really does go and how it seems to speed up with each passing year! A wonderful agility peer that I have known for many years named Maureen Robinson who just happens to be battling cancer right now, (all prayers and positive thoughts welcome!!), posted a picture on my Facebook wall that really reminded me just how much time has passed since I have embarked on this life journey of agility training, handling, and, teaching. I was so touched by the photo, but, at the same time a little freaked out that I barely recognized the youngster in the picture. I was at USDAA Nationals standing alongside one of the greatest dogs that ever walked the face of the Planet, my Secret! This picture really made me think about all that I have done in this sport and because of this sport! I have made countless lifelong friends, been to places I would never have gone, and, most importantly, done things I never would have done. it is actually a bit surreal at times to look back on the accomplishments, adventures, and, amazing dogs I have had the pleasure of being their best friend. It seems like only yesterday that I drove to Northern Illinois to pick up my very first BC puppy Jack :-) What a teacher he was! Jack came along at a time when we really had no idea how to train for this sport, how to handle a dog, what to do in general. Jack made me the trainer and handler I am today. Fortunately subsequent dogs came along and added to as well as tweaked that initial training. :-) Jack was WILD!!! He was a true pioneer of this sport and was well known by pretty much everyone as one of the great dogs out there competing, the irony is that in his whole career he probably had less total Q's than most of mine do by age 3! Boy how times change ;-) I was and still madly in love with that dog and miss him pretty much everyday... Next came Secret, thank goodness I had Jack first or I would have been screwed! Secret was from Day 1, well, PERFECT! I am pretty sure that she was psychic and she certainly made me look good! Secret had so many accomplishments it is not even possible to list them all, most notable however, she was the very first IFCS World Champion, pretty cool! I seem to be digressing, mostly it is a bittersweet trip down memory lane. I miss each and every dog I have lost and am in awe of how short our time together is. Jack, Secret, Buzz, Able, Blitz and others that maybe did not have a shining agility career but were part of the family none the less. It is not my mission with this blog post to bring anyone down, as hard as it is to be without these special pieces of my heart they bring comfort, fond memories, and, have led me to where I am today :-) There is a new crew of competitors all equally special for similar and different reasons. I am super excited to say that although I do not believe there will ever be another Jack, he lives on though his Grandson Wally. Wally is as close to being like Jack as any dog I have had since. My Journey girl sure reminds me of a black smooth coated Secret and Baby Rook has a whole bunch of Able in him! How incredibly exciting!! I also have new and exciting completely different individuals, can you say SoBe?? Maze has desperately tried to out do Secret in the perfect department and I guess on an awards level he has, but, some things just are not measurable by trophies and ribbons. I am one of those people that has a "pack" of dogs and I am deeply invested in each and everyone of them. You could easily say that my life has gone to the dogs, is all about dogs. I happen to love that about my life. None of my dogs are judged by their agility prowess, they all bring something very important to my life, and, our family. Each and everyone has a job, even if it is to keep the buffalo out of the garden. As we head into 2014 there are yet again advancements in the sport we call agility, new and exciting opportunities for me, and, everyone. As I enter into this new year I am only going to look back with fond memories of the incredible experiences I have had with my incredible teammates by my side, the adventures and incredible journeys they have taken me on, and,the amazing people they have introduced me to. Primarily, I am going to look forward to the new experiences, the new incredible journeys, (pun intended!), and, all of the amazing people I have yet to meet! So far 2014 has been amazing, I am blessed with fantastic dogs who I am excited to explore the future with, at this point the future is looking really bright! Now, if we could just add a couple days to the week or hours to the day that would be spectacular!! Happy New Year everyone!!!!