Handles
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information**
Food
When we start
using food as a handle it becomes much more than just
food. The struggle to obtain food is a key motivator
for forming social groups. Canines evolved to the top
of the food chain by forming the most successful
carnivorous social groups in the animal kingdom.
Ignoring this most basic of drives will severely limit
our connection to our dog's social roots. It can
certainly be argued that the pursuit of prey animals in
social groups is what drew the canine and human species
together in the first place.
Motion/Body Language
Our human
clients learn that if they want to motivate their dog
they have to move predictably. Wolves do not pursue
prey that will not flee. Pack members freez when their
pack leader freezes and move when he or she moves. Wild
canids expend most of their time and energy pursuing
prey. During the hunt, motion, body language and scent
contain the signals that the pack responds to. The
scenarios we teach school handlers in this language of
movement.
Toys
Toys equate to
substitute focuses for prey drive for our dogs. This
can be a very strong drive that once hooked into may
become an obsession. This drive is tied to our dogs
most basic survival drives and can result in serious
hostility if not carefully introduced. On the other
hand, carefully introducing this type of handle can
motivate to a level that is often unattainable with
other handles.
For those who work up to the use of this type of handle there are advantages beyond the high motivation level. Once our dog starts gripping and holding onto objects reliably, we can teach an out (turn loose) command. The out command is our most positive tool for teaching our dog aggression control and discretion concerning when, where and how it uses those sharp pointy teeth. We can also build a retrieve with this type handle.
For those who work up to the use of this type of handle there are advantages beyond the high motivation level. Once our dog starts gripping and holding onto objects reliably, we can teach an out (turn loose) command. The out command is our most positive tool for teaching our dog aggression control and discretion concerning when, where and how it uses those sharp pointy teeth. We can also build a retrieve with this type handle.
Handles
Handles are simply something that our dog becomes compelled to obtain. If we want to motivate instead of coerce we need multiple drive satiating handles. When our dog learns that by moving with us and remaining attentive, it gains the opportunity to satiate natural drives, its search for a social identity gains a natural foundation. We are not talking chickens and who gets to peck whom here. We are linking to some of the most sophisticated social instincts in the animal kingdom.