Shows
Kay Laurence - Learning About DogsLearning FlexibilitySend us a textWhen we plan the future of this wonderful new life we can begin to think in terms of how we want them to be as adults. This can make our training plans quite narrow and centric to our expectations. Instead if we view them as learners that can be flexible then there is no limit to what they can learn for all of their future. 2023-06-3028 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsToo Much Freedom?Send us a textAs much as we would love to be able to let our youngsters enjoy plenty of freedom to explore, learn, run free; the realities of the desires of your adolescent dog means that:"Explore" morphs quickly into reverse engineering your sofa, laptop, waste bins; or run the neighbourhood until darkness and hunger drives them home"Learn" is discovering of the joyous sensations of digging, chewing, chasing"Run free" becomes a license to irritate all local wildlife, other dogs, other people or cats We can design an adolescence with plenty of selected o...2023-06-2325 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsSetting the Future with a Family of DogsSend us a textImportant conversations when we graduate from one dog to two: Does one dog teach the other bad habits and can we ask them to teach good habits? Delivering rewards, you only have two hands, training one dog without excluding the other: learning the important skills of spectating and not feeling left out. Walking together: your body language is the dominant cue and we have to be careful not to let them feed off each other in arousal. Nose put out: the long term resident can feel upset by the demands of the new...2023-06-1654 minKay Laurence - Learning About Dogs10. Setting the Future with a Family of DogsImportant conversations when we graduate from one dog to two: Does one dog teach the other bad habits and can we expect them to teach good habits? Delivering rewards, you only have two hands, training one dog without excluding the other: how the puppy learns the important skills of spectating and not feeling left out. Walking together: your body language is the dominant cue and we have to be careful not to let them feed off each other in arousal or chasing bunnies.Nose put out: the long term resident can feel upset by the demands of the new...2023-06-1653 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsHands that are magicSend us a textOur hands are very often used for communication and for the pup most importantly CONTACT. The way we use our hands, where they touch the puppy, how they touch the puppy will be building associations for life. Hands that can be trusted and hands that will deliver sensational rewards. Hands that will later becomes tools: hands can begin the feelings of brushes, cleaning and holding for stillness. Building familiarity with the movement and actions of your hands can build a future for easy veterinary procedures in the future. 2023-04-2131 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsGrowing so fast: 16-20 weeks oldSend us a textA period of exceptional growth where the pup's world seems to shrink as they grow larger. Feet seem gigantic and unmanageable, teeth are falling out, appetites and growing and sleep is the deepest kind. Not a time we should be expecting cognitive gymnastics but still need to feed the learning appetite. Having survived many of these transition periods Kay and Frances share their observations and recommendations. 2023-04-1425 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsBuilding Confidence with FamiliarisationSend us a textMost of us want to take our pup out-and-about with us; from the countryside walks to brunch at the local café or pub. We will plan to go on holiday, stay in hotels or visit friends, perhaps go to classes, a dog show or the local garden fête.To ensure these outings are as pleasant an experience for your dog as they are for you we need to begin to familiarise the youngster with these anticipated but unnatural environments.A familiarisation protocol should ensure that a puppy has th...2023-04-0840 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsActive Learning: 16 weeks oldSend us a textKay Laurence and Frances McCormack of Learning About Dogs introduce a new member of Frances’ family: Nika, a collie pup from rescue. You can follow Nika and Frances through their first year exploring the many questions that arise.In this episode: Nika is 16 weeks and a voracious learner. We talk about Nika's learning in particular what lifeskills she will learn from her Cup on a Stick activities. A range of resources and articles are on our website: Learn About Puppies2023-04-0726 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsLearning to say "no" to your pupSend us a textKay Laurence and Frances McCormack of Learning About Dogs introduce a new member of Frances’ family: Nika, a collie pup from rescue. You can follow Nika and Frances through their first year exploring the many questions that arise.In this episode: we talk about learning to say "no". and at the same time avoid shutting down your enquisitive pup who wants to run everywhere, put everything in their mouth, jump, grab and shred. Learn to see what learning they are seeking and how you can divert tha...2023-03-3128 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsA Partnership: stand up for your puppySend us a textKay Laurence and Frances McCormack of Learning About Dogs introduce a new member of Frances’ family: Nika, a collie pup from rescue. You can follow Nika and Frances through their first year exploring the many questions that arise.In this episode: we talk about those tricky situations where you need to protect your pup from uninvited approaches from strangers when you feel the pressure to avoid seeming to be rude. Your contract, or loyalty is to your dog, not a stranger. You can say "no", but than...2023-03-2422 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsBuilding the First RoutinesSend us a textKay Laurence and Frances McCormack of Learning About Dogs introduce a new member of Frances’ family: Nika, a collie pup from rescue. You can follow Nika and Frances through their first year exploring the many questions that arise. In this episode: Nika’s learning is already well underway, but toileting outdoors is a work in progress. In this episode, we think about routines, management, and tackle the Great Puppy Pad Debate head on! 2023-03-1721 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsFirst Days at HomeSend us a textKay Laurence and Frances McCormack of Learning About Dogs introduce a new member of Frances’ family: Nika, a collie pup from rescue. You can follow Nika and Frances through their first year exploring the many questions that arise. In this episode: "First Days At Home" we talk about making the transition for the new pup, and setting up success for her first few days meeting the rest of the family. 2023-03-1023 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsIntroducing NikaSend us a textKay Laurence and Frances McCormack of Learning About Dogs introduce a new member of Frances’ family: Nika, a collie pup from rescue. You can follow Nika and Frances through their first year exploring the many questions that arise. In this episode: "Introducing Nika we talk about choosing a puppy from a litter, introducing a new dog to an existing canine resident, and why sometimes names just fit. "We have a range of Articles and Resources to help you both survive the first year.2023-03-1020 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsSeason 4 Finale: Can YOU Identify Good Training?Send us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.This is the final episode of Season Four, which featured short, one subject podcasts. This episode deserved a deep dive because we ask some very important questions. In this episode: "Can you identify good training? What does it look like?"Here is a treat, some wonderful training videos showing that good training stands t...2021-07-1237 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsTeaching Irrelevant Cues While Teaching Relevant CuesSend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode: "Why it is important to incorporate irrelevant cues while teaching relevant cues."Here is a treat, some wonderful training videos showing...2021-07-0906 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsKeeping Track of All That You Have Taught Your DogSend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode: "Keeping track of all that you have taught your dog."Here is a treat, some wonderful training videos showing that good training...2021-07-0507 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsCan We Ever Do Enough Work on Discrimination Skills?Send us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought. In this episode: "Can we ever do enough DISCRIMINATION SKILLS?"Here is a treat, some wonderful training videos showing that good training stands the test...2021-07-0108 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsBeing a Square Peg in the Round Hole of the Dog Training WorldSend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought. In this episode: "Listen to your heart. If it's not enriching for you, this competition or training thing, then it likely is not for your dog either. B...2021-06-2807 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsCompetition is Great! But Not at a Cost to the DogSend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought. This episode is a bit longer because it's a passionate topic; competition.In this episode: "People who compete with their dog are right to train to standard...2021-06-2417 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsTeaching a Dog to Walk Well Before RunningSend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode: "Why it is beneficial to teach a dog to walk well, before you have them running. Walking well is a skill that will allow...2021-06-2110 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsSimple Moves Before Complex OnesSend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode: "The importance of focusing on simple moves before moving onto complex ones. This skill is vital to building strong behaviors?"Courses:2021-06-1707 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsRewards are Cues and Cues are PredictorsSend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode, we discuss, "How rewards and cues and linked. Cues are predictors of rewards and reward are cues."Courses:Self-directed, online w...2021-06-1407 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsSitters AnonymousSend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode: "We settle once and for all, the controversy over, teaching sit and when to use this behavior. "Courses:Self-directed, online...2021-06-1007 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsStanding Still is a HUGE Default BehaviorSend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode, we discuss "How can we build a stand with stillness into an important default behavior."Courses:Self-directed, online with unlimited l...2021-06-0707 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsWhat are Default Behaviors and Why Teach Them?Send us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode, we ask, "What are default behaviors and what is the value in teaching them?"Courses:Self-directed, online with unlimited lifetime...2021-06-0305 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsTeaching False BehaviorsSend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode, we ask, "How can we identify when we have taught our dogs a false behavior?"Courses:Self-directed, online with unlimited...2021-05-3112 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsThe Trap of 98 Not RightsSend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode, we ask, "How to avoid getting a behavior through 98 not right repetitions. "Courses:Self-directed, online with unlimited lifetime access.2021-05-2712 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsAdaptations Build Resilience in BehaviorsSend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode, we ask, "How to build resilience in behavior? What should do when teaching the behavior(s)?"Courses:Self-directed, online with...2021-05-2406 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsApproach DynamicsSend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode, we ask, "What should we build in the approach of the learner?"Courses:Self-directed, online with unlimited lifetime access.2021-05-2005 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsWhat do you need to know before teaching dogs?Send us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode, we ask, "What skills you need to teach a dog?"Courses:Self-directed, online with unlimited lifetime access....2021-05-1706 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsCan You Measure Learning?Send us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode, we ask, "Can you identify what learning is taking place?"Courses:Self-directed, online with unlimited lifetime access....2021-05-1305 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsWhat to LearnSend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaches Dogs join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode, we ask, "What to learn, for both dog and person?"Courses:Self-directed, online with unlimited lifetime access....2021-05-1006 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsWhat is learning?Send us a textLearning. Is it a construct? An idea?We cannot do the learning for the dogs, we can only set up situations where learning happens.Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaching Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.I...2021-05-0612 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsDog Considers Their Name is White Noise?Send us a textIt's time to flip another concept on its head--the whole idea that the dog MUST pay attention when you say their name before you start training.Nagging? Or would you rather consider reward approach a better plan? Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaching Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are...2021-05-0305 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsProofing. A term that makes us crazySend us a textKay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Plays with Dogs, join forces for the fourth season of the hugely successful, Learning About Dogs podcast.Season four features short, one subject podcast no longer than 10 minutes. Although try as we might, we are shooting for not much over five minutes. But one salient thought.In this episode, we ask, "What is this obsession over the term-proofing?"Courses:Self-directed, online with unlimited lifetime access.Build the...2021-04-2911 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsSeason 4 Premier! Same friends, new format and new ideas!Send us a textThe Learning About Dogs podcast is your main source for all these dogs, teaching dogs, understanding dogs, and living with dogs.Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire of Sue McGuire Teaching Dogs, join together to continue the promotion of teaching that which benefits dogs. But how and when, methods, concepts and plans to teach dogs and guide their learning, is what these podcasts are all about.Season 4 introduces the concept of one thought per podcast. Short and to the point. One idea...2021-04-2606 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsReward Skills: Markers: To Click or Not to ClickSend us a textMarkers are an integral part of the communication process when we are interacting with our learners.Whether you choose to use a clicker or not, the whole process behind "marker training" needs a close examination. Hanging your training psyche on the use of a clicker may not be the best use of your time. Especially if you are just starting out.On this, the final episode of Season 3 of the Learning about Dogs podcast, Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire challenge the use of a single t...2020-10-0739 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsReward Skills: Habit or Active Learning?Send us a textDo we want habits or active learning?Probably both but there is a clear distinction between them which is dependent on the value of the reward, to the dog of course.On this episode of podcast, Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and TAKL graduate and host Sue McGuire talk about the advantages and drawbacks of teaching behaviors to the habit level and when do you want active learning.Season 3 of the "Learning about Dogs" podcast is about rewards and reward skill.A...2020-09-2339 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsReward Skills: Introducing You to Our New Friend, Reward Predicting StimulusSend us a textOn this episode of the podcast, we do a little introduction of a new term that is so much BIGGER than a cue. What are cues anyway?Sue McGuire and Kay Laurence of "Learning About Dogs," introduce you to our new friend--REWARD PREDICTING STIMULUS.Season 3 of the "Learning about Dogs" podcast is about rewards and reward skill.Article: Shaping by RewardsReward Skills CourseThe more we explore and blend the theory, biology and app...2020-09-1044 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsThe Point of Learning or How to Get PeachesSend us a textWhat is the point of learning?"When that brand new brain gets into motion it is going to have to find out how to secure the rewards needed for life, and once that is achieved set about finding the very best rewards, and lots of them. On a daily, minute by minute basis."In this episode of the "Learning About Dogs," Sue McGuire and Kay Laurence of "Learning About Dogs," talk about how the mind-blowing experience of having a peak of the season peach from California cemented und...2020-08-2640 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsRewards!! Delivery Patterns and Sources of RewardsSend us a textIn the early days of using positive reinforcement and clicker training, the delivery of that reinforcer, (reward), was not part of the consideration. The format of the research experiments favoured a mechanical magazine to deliberately remove any variables that human delivery would include.When people become the mechanism of delivery we have to consider the variable elements that effect of the reinforcer, or reward. Sadly “mechanical delivery” and the mechanical skills are still seen as desirable elements of training and a whole series of additional valued- rewards are being ignored and lost...2020-08-1245 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsWhat are Rewards?Send us a textALWAYS REMEMBER:REWARDS ARE DEFINED BY THEBEHAVIOURAL REACTIONS THEY INDUCE.It is the individual that decides if it is rewarding or not. What are rewards? We are in Season 3 of the "Learning about Dogs" podcast. Kay Laurence of "Learning About Dogs," and Sue McGuire, host/producer, are calling this our "A Season of Rewards," because that is exactly what we are diving into this year. Living a reward centered life with our dogs. But first we must...2020-07-2951 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsWhere is the reward receptor in the brain?Send us a text “REWARDS ARE NOT DEFINED BY THEIR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES BUT BY THE BEHAVIOURAL REACTION THEY INDUCE.”Welcome to our "Season of Rewards" on the Learning about Dogs podcast with Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire. This third season of the podcast is all about living a "reward centered life" with our dogs. What do we mean by that? Take a read of Kay's blog Shaping by Rewards.Reward Skills CourseThe more we explore and blend the theory, biolo...2020-07-1541 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsLiving a Reward Centered Life : Reward SkillsSend us a text"Having discovered this world of rewards and reinforcement I protectively wrap my dogs’ learning with an envelope of reward probabilities. This is where I begin," says Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs. And this is where we begin this season's journey.We are dog trainers, who must make the conscious and scientifically appropriate decision, to lead a reward-centered life with our dogs.Sue McGuire, producer of the podcast, a TAKL graduate, and Kay Laurence of Learning about Dogs are dedicating this season of "Learning About Dogs " podcasts to...2020-07-0134 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsMultiple Dogs; Group and Individual LearningSend us a textLiving with multiple dogs can be fun and challenging. It comes with a demand to develop a great deal of observation skills to make sure your group is working for the dogs as individuals, and their life with you.How many is too many dogs? What breeds and what sex combinations? It depends.Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire a TAKL graduate and manager of a canine behavior program at an animal shelter near San Francisco talk not about one...2020-06-1030 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsMnemoics: The Four D's of Dog Training, Question These.Send us a textMenomics can be handy when it comes to finding a quick and simple way to remember a spelling or phrase. But using these devices does require us to decide if they actually help learning or hinder it.In dog training, we have a few of these devices that require much more consideration before accepting them as valid. The three Ds. Duration-distance-distraction. There are some who even add a fourth "D," difficulty.On this episode of Learning About Dogs, Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire discuss how we owe it to ou...2020-05-2738 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsWhat does it mean when a behavior is generalized?Send us a textWhen a dog "generalizes" a behavior, it means they can do the behavior under a wide variety of conditions. But a dog being able to do that has very much to do with how we originally taught the behavior.On this episode of Learning About Dogs, Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs, and Sue McGuire, a canine behavior program manager at a humane society near San Francisco discuss the concept of generalization.For more information:Learning About Dogs website. Become a member and gain...2020-05-1336 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsLabels Again. A Talk About "Learned Helplessness."Send us a textOne must be careful about using terminology we hear at seminars or read in books and apply to our training.Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and co-host Sue McGuire love tackling these habits of trainers applying a label to something they think they are seeing, when what might be happening, is not really happening.What? We chat about the concept of learned helplessness. We're not saying this does not exit in certain histories. Might this actually be a lack of having taught the necessary skills to...2020-04-2940 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsBonus Episode: Online Dog Training, Separating the Wheat from the ChaffSend us a textNot all online learning is created equal.The sudden move to online learning for many disciplines, not just dog training, has been astounding.On this special bonus episode of the "Learning About Dogs" podcast, Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire attempt to provide a bit of a tutorial for students who want to know how to separate the good, from the not so good, to the downright hucksters out there. Kay Laurence Blogpost: Separating the Wheat from the Chaff...2020-04-2036 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsErrorless Learning? Yep! Errorless Teaching? Not So MuchSend us a textErrors are feedback.Set the dog up for success.Develop the skill to know what to change in a teaching set up, and when.Teach the prerequisite skills--even the rats and pigeons in the boxes were provided that information.Emotions underly all learning.There is much to chat about on the concept of "errorless learning" in dog training. On this episode of the Learning About Dogs podcast, Kay Laurence of "Learning About Dogs," and Sue McGuire, a TAKL (Trainer Accredited by Kay Laurence...2020-04-1543 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsHands and What They Should Mean to Our DogSend us a textDogs are aware of our every move and have decided which ones are relevant to them and which are of little consequences.This is so apparent when we use our hands, be it, living our daily lives with them, or participating in a training sessions.When puppies come to us, this is when we should be teaching what hands mean.Hands are always a sign of welcome....In this episode of Learning About Dogs Podcast, Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire, a...2020-04-0137 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsGen Abacab: Understanding the Original Teaching Table GameSend us a textAlmost 20 years ago, Kay Laurence developed a game to teach communication skills and learning concepts to students.Over the years, Gen Abacab has been used in universities, schools and seminars for human and dog training, and on ships in the middle of the Caribbean. Just as doing a task is not the same as learning a task, experiencing the learning process is not the same as observing the learning process. Experiencing and learning skills of puzzle solving are unique to each individual - person, dog, chicken.2020-03-1845 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsBest Ways to Learn About Dog TrainingSend us a textWhat is the best way to learn about dog training?In person working seminars or auditing one?How about a webinar, a conference, or a lecture?How about online courses? There are many ways to add to your knowledge base about dogs and training, but not all are created equal. On this episode of the Learning About Dogs podcast, Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire debate the good and the not so great about different ways to learn.We want...2020-03-0442 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsTeacher or Trainer? Coach or dog parent? Who are we to our dogs?Send us a textWhat are we to our dogs?Teacher?Trainer? Instructor? Coach? Parent?On this episode of Learning About Dogs, Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire go through the labels we give ourselves and what others apply to those of us who work with dogs. If you share your life with a dog, then you are a dog trainer.“What is a Trainer?”“Extremely fine skills in a very specific specialty.”...2020-02-1939 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsListener Questions to Learning About Dogs, the Hosts Answer!Send us a textOn this episode of the Learning About Dogs podcast, we questions from listenersWe have a Facebook group, "Whilst I was listening to your podcast," where listeners can pose questions and ask for clarification on discussion topics heard on the podcast. We pulled some of these inquiries and are answering them in this episode.Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire, teacher of "The Art of Teaching Dogs," always have questions after an educational adventure. One should never stop learning and...2020-02-1246 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsSeason #2 Premier "FUN" in TrainingSend us a textWe're not quite sure why dog training turned into an exercise of "must be fun" or "must be entertaining" in order to be of "value."In this first episode of season two of the "Learning About Dogs" podcast, Kay Laurence of "Learning About Dogs," and Sue McGuire discuss what is a behavior and what is a trick? Is there a difference?We have all seen the marketing. Tricks for fun! Agility for fun! How is the dog to know if what is being t...2020-01-2954 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsBonus Episode: Cue Technology: Singing your CuesSend us a textGiving a cue and responding to a cue is a conversation where questions are asked answered. We give cues and the dog can answer, dog will also give us cues and we need to listen.This edited BONUS version of the Cue Technology episode is a must listen. Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs, as usual, has a unique and fascinating approach to the technology of cues.Not to be missed is a course on Cue Technology that she...2019-08-2809 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsConnected Walking Means Leave the Clicker at HomeSend us a textConnection is about being aware of each other. There is a way to find comfort and pleasure in walks for both parties. To become a Master Dog Walker, you will need to develop skills to achieve success. Every Dog Every Day from Learning About Dogs.You can assess the right environment.Respond to changes in the environment.Walk at the right speed for you and your dog.Alter the length of the lead according to demands the situation.Set boundaries--gently....2019-07-2445 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsLearning the Skills of Teaching and Our Dogs will LearnSend us a text"Too often the focus of luring is about 'getting the behavior' and not enough about the process of teaching or the learning process.If we focus on the process of learning, that will have an impact on every behavior the dog learns," says Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs.Read the full article here.In this episode, Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire discuss what skills the handlers should have and understand as part of the process of teaching.Teach the skills of teaching....2019-07-1743 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsThe Value of Teaching Base BehaviorsSend us a textConnection is our base behavior. It is where learning begins. What are base behaviors and why go through the process of teaching them?"It’s about teaching the dog to move to the platform as a choice, or to move the foot as a choice, or to lower their head as a choice, not necessarily about where they just got the reinforcer. The base position becomes a place where the dog chooses to go to, when they are not sure what to do," says Kay Laurence of Learning About Dog...2019-07-1039 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsTraining Myths: The Three Second RuleSend us a textClick - shoveClick - shoveClick - shoveHow many of us have heard that in order for understanding to happen when clicking and reinforcing behavior, the “treat” must be delivered within three seconds of the click?That training protocol was to prevent any other behavior from sneaking in between the click and the reinforcer. Boy is that looking at the process too narrowly.Learning fast does not mean learning well.In this episode Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire dive into...2019-07-0316 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsChains and Sequences. Be aware! You are surrounded by them!!Send us a textLiving with dogs successfully requires us to have an awareness of behaviors that are "stuck" together. Often times it's a lack of understanding of chains and sequences that gets us into trouble. Jump-sit= You can't get one without the other.Bark-treat= A good way to reinforce a bark.Slow to pick their head out of the gopher hole yet they come eventually= creates a slow come when called.In this episode, Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire talk about life being surrounded by behavior chains. From blackbird mating...2019-06-2643 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsClick Fishing? Dog Trainers and terminologySend us a textOur minds are spinning over the terminology we hear at behavior conferences and dog training seminars. We dog people LOVE naming thingsStart button behaviors Decompression walksConsentClick fishing.....what??In this episode of Learning About Dogs, Kay Laurence cautions trainers to avoid marketing and fancy terms and really look at the protocol behind a term. Is this of a benefit to the dog?This episode looks at Click Fishing, Go ahead and take a guess of what that might mean exactly. For online learning, wo...2019-06-1917 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsLearning to use silence as part of a training sessionSend us a textYou enter ring at a venue, the routine starts, you look over at your dog and a sinking feeling starts. As you start to go through the exercises, your dog looks as if he has NO idea of what you cue.You become frustrated, think you need to train harder, think your dog needs more practice and you begin to list off any number of possible reasons. All of them likely are quite valid or not.Have you ever taught your dog to get used to you being silent...2019-06-1216 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsDuration or hold your station?Send us a textDogs are exquisite at knowing when a behavior they are doing needs to be slowed down, held or ended quickly. We as handlers need to be strong observers of when these behaviors happen naturally so that when we are requesting a dog to "hold their station" it's filled with understanding. Back in the olden days, trainers were taught about the three D's--distance-duration-distraction. You can predict that any conversation with Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs is going to toss out that old school mentality as irrelevant and quite possibly confusing to...2019-06-0523 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsTeaching dogs to sustain their activity is not the same thing as durationSend us a textOur language fails us at times when we want to describe what we are seeking when teaching a dog to continue to do an activity. "The use of the word duration is far too inadequate," says Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs. The episode continues the conversation about the lack of clarity and understanding impacts the learner's understanding when teaching them how to sustain an activity. The use of terminal behavior cues play a role.Dogs are exquisite at knowing when a behavior they are...2019-05-2919 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsWhat is a dog training geek? TAKL 2020Send us a textTAKL2020 is a blend of a study course and a mentoring program. You can follow either route or a combination through self-selecting and self-progress. This is an online course.The course encourages self-directed learning and critical thinking developing a new mind-set that will project forward to every dog you share your life with in the future. There is very little space for branded training recipes, off the shelf solutions or quick-fixes.The course is equally suited to someone who enjoys training with their own dog or a...2019-05-2233 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsContingencies in Play When Teaching DogsSend us a textContingencies change behavior, reinforcers maintain or strengthen behavior.Contingencies will include the environment, the space the dog feels is around them or not, any threats, what you are doing, what they have learned, their genetic traits, their early learning and of course …. you. All these elements can change, and because they change, the behavior changes.In this episode, a deep discussion topic for sure, Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire (forever the student) dive into contingencies that influence behavior. For interesting reading here is an...2019-05-0815 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsManaging the Pace of Your Training SessionsSend us a textAre there signs your dog are showing that indicate to you as a handler to continue a training session? How about knowing when a break is needed to let the learner collect and rest? In this episode, Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire converse about ways to pace learning to suit the learner in front of you. "How the behavior is carried out is more important than the behavior itself," said trainer Chris Bond. This includes making sure the learning style suits the learner. Learning About Dogs courses teach handlers to focus on...2019-05-0118 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsThe Art of Luring Dogs : Using the Cup on a StickSend us a textSkilled teaching by luring leaves a learner with a strong sense of achievement and a clean behavior with good understanding. Luring is by definition, the direct use of the reinforcer to elicit a behavior. The operative part of that sentence is the direct use of the reinforcer. In this, our second episode on the art of luring, Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire chat about how the use of luring with a "Cup on a Stick," can be is an excellent application of the luring protocol.Learning About Dogs will be conducting...2019-04-2422 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsThe Art of Luring DogsSend us a textLuring is by definition, the direct use of the reinforcer to elicit a behavior. The operative part of that sentence is the direct use of the reinforcer. Luring has fallen out of favor with some in the dog training world by those who consider themselves "free shapers." Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire chat about how this protocol, like many others, is only as good as the skills of application.Learning About Dogs will be conducting a six week, online course starting May 8th, on "The Skills of Luring." The...2019-04-1727 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsShould You Teach a Dog Eye Contact?Send us a textIn this episode, Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire dive into the belief that one should teach a dog to look at handlers in the eye. For years, trainers were told to teach "Watch Me" as a way to make sure the dog was paying attention to the handler. This forced focus comes at a cost. Are there other ways to know if your dog is ready and able to receive a cue? This episode is one of many to come that will tackle "dog training musts" as pure fallacy.There are better w...2019-04-1015 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsFade In ProtocolSend us a textWhen teaching a behavior, we want to surround the stimulus with an environment that encourages success, not error. As a part of teaching of behaviors to our dogs, we should prepare a range of events to "fade-in." In this episode, Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire discuss the practical use of the "Fade In" protocol. This idea was documented more than 50 years ago as part of the concept of "errorless learning."Article https://www.learningaboutdogs.com/the-fade-in-protocol/2019-04-0318 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsCues and Teaching Cue HierarchySend us a textA strong understanding of cue technology when engaging with our learners is of paramount importance. Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire discuss the process in which our dogs can be provided clarity during the teaching process if we, as handlers and teachers, are aware of what we are "saying" while teaching. This episode is one in which we strongly recommend listening to a few times because the subject is meaty! Here is a link to the online course of Cue Technology.2019-03-2725 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsClean Training: Part ThreeSend us a textIn this episode, Kay Laurence and Sue McGuire continue a discussion about what it means to do "clean training." The topics include how to plan for the behaviors you plan to train and making a decision on what to train. But before any behavior is taught, a comprehensive profile of the behavior should be completed. The profile will help trainers answer whether the behavior is a "benefit to the dog."Here is a link to the online course for Clean Training. 2019-03-2031 minKay Laurence - Learning About DogsClean Training : IntroductionSend us a textClean Training is about really clear communication and self-awareness with a dog's cues, precision marking, a focused and very effective reinforcement process. A Clean Trainer has the ability to adapt the environment to meet their learner's needs. Clean training naturally develops the learner's confidence, a perpetual joy of learning and a strong sense of achievement for both participants.Here is a link to sign up for the Clean Training course.2019-03-0326 min