the puppy wizard

Learning To Learn
Date: 2000/08/07

Hello People,

Lots of us ask for the specifics of HOWE
can I train my dog to do ''XYZ."

Although the statement ''the ability to think,
rationalize, and solve problems are leaned
qualities" is in my sig file, I suppose
lots of people don't think it really applies
to their situation. Perhaps they don't really
BELIEVE that it takes practice to
learn, especially when as dog trainers, so
many of us just attempt to force a behavior.

As dog trainers, we realize that dogs do not
easily generalize information, but I've found
people to be even less handy at generalizing
and extrapolating on information
than dogs, in many cases. I'm not being
condescending or critical, just making an
honest observation.

That's why, when I am asked by a student to
teach their dog to do "XYZ," I start them off
at ''ABC," BEFORE going to the heart of the
matter of teaching ''XYZ." That puts
everything into a context for the dog to
understand what we are seeking from
him, and sets the precedent for a good rapport
and mutual respect, and motivates the dog to
WANT to work for me.

The preliminary Family Leadership And
Hot & Cold exercises I teach forms the
habits of following appropriate leadership
and TRUST that will follow suite with a
desire by the dog to perform the ''XYZ" phase
of the lesson.

I never start off addressing the problem
till I've got all my ducks in a row...

When you started learning to write in school,
you started off making scribbles on paper and
earning a gold star and it was posted on the
refrigerator for all to see. The next year,
you were taught to hold a pencil correctly and
practiced making round circles
and straight lines... and in a couple more
years, you are doing higher mathematics.
That's developing the ability to think,
rationalize, and solve problems as
you've experienced it.

So, if a new student were to ask me to teach
their dog to sit, I couldn't do that in good
faith and conscience, till I've taken the time
and put in the effort to establish a
harmonious working relationship.

That's HOWE I get my dogs to ask HOWE high,
when I ask them to jump... But, if the dog
begs the question WHY, I've got to give them a
better reason than ''BECAUSE I SAID SO"
or "I'll TWIST YOUR EARS or FRY YOUR
BUTT" if you don't.

In keeping with that line of thought, our rpdb
regulars often ask ME to give them the HOWE
COME'S of the "XYZ's" before taking the time
and effort to learn and understand the ''ABC's."

That's HOWE COME I get a lot of criticism for
frequently NOT giving a direct answer to a
posters question and ''only referring people
to read" the Wits' End Dog Training Method
manual. Sure I can give you the
answers, but not until you've done the
preliminary work and have an understanding of
the dynamics involved, and we are all on the
same page.

You can get all the information you need to
properly handle and train your dog using non
force, non confrontational, scientific and
psychological behavior modification and
conditioning techniques, from
the Wits' End Dog Training Method manual
available for free at
http://www.doggydoright.com

From: Jerry Howe
Subject: Re: Learning To Learn
Date: 2000/08/07

Hello steve,

I expected this post would command your
attention.

"Steve Boyer aka TheDogman"
<canineconsultingNOcaSPAM@mindspring.com.invali

Oh yeah? My philosophy is bullet proof. Entertrain me...


Ever hear of the 100th monkey effect?

Ever hear of allelomimetic behavior?

Learning is self reinforcing. That's why it's
crucial to make it and keep it pleasurable.

We're splitting hairs here, but might have a
point. Young animals and young children don't
have an inn atedesire to be taught, they have
an innate desire to learn. It's the method of
"TEACHING" that can make these different.

Learning through fear, force, or punishment,
makes one averse to being taught.

Isn't THAT learning???


Of course I expected this too. That seems to
be your hallmark. That's what you say to
rationalize hitting dogs to COMMUNICATE with
them in a language they can understand, as you
like to say.

Just because you were abused as a child
doesn't mean everyone was. THAT EXPLAINS
HOWE COME you be so limited in your
thinking?

That's the same thing that limits our dog's
scope and function as a side effect of force training...

We've been over this one repeatedly. There are
a significant number of us who do not respond
well to punishment or duress. It enrages some
men and beasts, and disheartens and makes
others stop trying.


Go tell that to a momma cat. Or a momma
bear. Or any animal that has to hunt or fly.
Even flying for a birdie is a learned quality.
Sex too, for some animals, requires learning
and reinforcement for it to happen successfully.

Lots of animals deprived of experimenting or
observing sex as adolescence, will totally
lose the concept shortly aftermaturity
because that part of their instinct shuts
down for a lack of necessity and lack of reinforcement.


Not for me. This is where the debate ends.

Would that you could understand my point of
view as I do yours. It's easy for me to
understand why you think the way you do,
and why it feels comfortable for youto do
so.

What's beyond comprehension is, that no
matter HOWE I explain it to you, you simply
cannot make the connections with what I am
saying and why I belive the way that I do.

What I teach is so far out of your realm of
consciousness that you just can't make that
leap to enlightenment. Perhaps I'll repost
that one for you, I don't think you ever did
respond to it...


Indeed.

(Not to be a nit picker, but in the interest
of accuracy I believe "and COMPLETELY"
should have been "are COMPLETELY.")

That's what got us kicked out of The Garden,
our quest for knowledge. Information is power.
That's what differentiates us from and gives
us dominion over the animals. Otherwise, we
couldn't ride a horse, or train a dog.


Steve, what you think about, is material I've
long ago forgotten because it has become
outdated, useless, marginally successful, thinking.


Not everyone has to get burned on the stove
to understand fire is hot. Frankenstein
couldn't master the use of fire. In his mind,
fire is always bad. That's because of his
irrational fears, or his trauma based phobias.

Neither of those are the kind of phenomena
we should want for our children or dogs.

You can get all the information you need to
properly handle and train your dog using non
force, non confrontational, scientific and
psychological behavior modification and
conditioning techniques, from
the Wits' End Dog Training Method manual
available for free at
http://www.doggydoright.com

BEWARE the forgeries to confuse you, and the
warnings offered to you from our rpdb Gang Of
Thugs regarding killfiling my posts and the
Wits' End Dog Training Method manual. These
people are frantic at the thought of not
having anymore EXCUSE for being able to
jerk, choke, and hurt dogs on pronged, choke,
and electronic shock collars.

You cannot trust your dog's well being to
people who tell you to killfile my
advice...and tell you to punish, confine, and
confront your dog's behavior problems. Our
Gang Of Thugs are easily identifiable by
their warnings about my posts, and their
killfile instructions to prevent me from
EXPOSING THEM as the vicious, abusive
cretins they are,AND WANT YOU TO BE,
so they don't look out of sorts.

"Thus we should beware of clinging to vulgar
opinions, and judge things by reason's way,
not by popular say." Montaigne

"Violence is the last refuge of the
incompetent." Salvor Hardin

"If you cannot convince them, confuse them."
H.S. Truman.

DRAINING THE SWAMP, AND RELOCATING
THE GATORS... j;~)

"CUSTOM WILL RECONCILE PEOPLE TO
ANY ATROCITY." G.B. Shaw.

"I know that most men, including those at ease
with problems of the greatest complexity, can
seldom accept even the simplest and most
obvious truth if it would oblige them to admit
the falsity of conclusions which
they have delighted in explaining to
colleagues, proudly taught to others, and
which they have woven, thread by thread, into
the fabric of their lives."

Leo Tolstoy

Is it any wonder that the following sig file
has generated more complaints to my personal
email than any other controversial post I have
made to date, bar none?:


caveat
If you have to do things to your dog to train
him, that you would rather not have to do,
then you shouldn't be doing them. If you have
a dog trainer that tells you to jerk your dog
around, choke him, pinch his ears, or twist
his toes, shock, shake, slap, scold, hit, or
punish him in any manner, that
corrections are appropriate, that the dog
won't think of you as the punisher, or that
corrections are not harmful, or if they can't
train your dog to do what you want, look for a
trainer that knows Howe.

Sincerely, Jerry Howe,
Wits' End Dog Training
http://www.doggydoright.com
Nature, to be mastered, must be obeyed.
-Francis Bacon-

There are terrible people who, instead of
solving a problem, bungle it and make it more
difficult for all who come after. Who ever
can't hit the nail on the head should, please,
not hit at all.
-Nietzsche-

The abilities to think, rationalize and solve
problems are learned qualities.

The Wits' End Dog Training Method challenges
the learning centers in the dogs brain. These
centers, once challenged, develop and continue
to grow exponentially, to make him smarter.

The Wits' End Dog Training method capitalizes
on praising split seconds of canine thought,
strategy, and timing, not mindless hours of
forced repetition, constant corrections, and
scolding.
-Jerry Howe-

The Amazing Puppy Wizard. <{} : ~ ) >