“If you want someone to hear you, talk louder. If you want them to listen…… whisper.”
&
“People always do too much, too late. Do less, sooner.”
I got both of those from Chad Mackin. Not sure where he got them. But, both lines have effected my training. I hope they do the same for you.
You walk up to the elevator.
Push the button…… Wait.
Push the button…… Wait.
Push the button…… Wait.
“One more fucking time, and I’m taking the stairs” you say.
Push the button…… PUSH THAT STUPID PIECE OF SHIT BUTTON 55 GOD DAMN TIMES!!!!!!
Quit, and take the stairs.
That’s the extinction burst.
It’s the burst or “trying” that happens just before the quit.
OK. So what’s this got to do with dogs.
When people are training, I watch an epic “Race To The Extinction Burst” play out.
Here’s the scene. They are teaching their dog to stay. The dog breaks once every 3 minutes. The person calmly replaces them. The dog starts to have his extinction burst AND STARTS BREAKING EVERY 5 SECONDS. The people mistake it for them being “dominant”, or “falling apart”. They get exasperated. And start sounding that way when they replace them. Goes from a real easy “no”, to “UUUGHH God Dammit…. NOOOO”.
Dog thinks…… “Hmmmm……. I think Mom/Dad’s about to quit”
And, they’re right. Mom/Dad quits.
And, they just taught their dog to really be persistent if they want a human to give up.
Son of a bitch.
I Think dogs still watch body language. And intention. So, they subconsciously understand what they’re seeing. They can tell you’re breaking.
But, even if you believe that dogs are just classical conditioning machines, you have to see that your frustration at their extinction burst preceded your quitting. That teaches them what your frustration means. THE QUIT IS COMING!
So…..
Understand that when your dog is going through that, you just have to hold on. If you don’t show your quitting “tell”, they will eventually give up and “take the stairs”.
If you do that consistently in the beginning, the dog will have the clarity of knowing you don’t quit! And the whole game of “obedience chicken” will cease. Remember, It’s not the “structure” dogs need. It’s the Clarity.
This concept of consistency, and clarity in training, will make HUGE headway to that end.
Now, get your poker face on and show your dog you don’t quit!
Walking 2 of our dogs through the woods, and in the middle of a good conversation (aka not paying attention to the pups) we hear screaming and sounds of dog blowing up from around the corner on the trail. Yeah….. The same trail that Jax had just run down.
I have the dogs on remote collars for recall, but…. no matter what some people say, I’m not using them to break aggression! But that’s a rant for another time. Anyway…..
I go sprinting around the corner towards the sound of what I’m sure is gonna be the event that gets Jax put down. As I round the bend, I see a big ol Pit Bull. But he’s not blowing up. There’s still someone screaming. I have the split second fear that Jax is mauling this person. I want to puke.
I keep running, and that’s when I see Jax come back to this Pit at the end of the trail and they start……..
PLAYING.
Seriously.
Playing. Nicely. Appropriately.
Holy shit.
For another split second, I couldn’t process why this woman was still screaming. Or why there was still a dog blowing up. I get to the end of the trail. And there’s this woman with another dog on a leash, who’s just blowing up at Jax. And the woman is screaming at her own dog!
And, here’s the funny part. She starts apologizing to me!
I asked if she was ok, and she kept saying, “you’re dog is no problem. I’m so sorry. It’s my fault” etc….
I hooked Jax up and we left. His new buddy tried to come with us, but eventually went back to the screaming lady.
I literally cried a little.
My little man has come so far.
There may be something to this dog training shit.
In this video Chad show you how to use the pressure and release concept with the slip lead. Also, stances and other basic leash concepts. Really cool video. Should be required watching for all dog folk! Check it out:
This was this guys response:
I approve sir.
Holy crap. That was a LOT of dog info. The presentations I got to see were Heather Beck, George Cockrell, Wendy Volhard, and Michael Ellis. And that was in between all the podcasting, and random dog conversations.
We’ll keep you posted as to when the three hour mega show will be up. For, now….. I will share some of the photos!
Enjoy! .
Shots from the epic 3 hour mega session on Friday night:
Jason Vasconi, and Jennifer Freilich.
George Cockrell, Mailey McLaughlin.
Us getting set for the lunch ballroom session:
DTC crew getting set up.
Heather Beck, Brother Christopher (Monks Of New Skete), and Babette Haggerty.
And yep….. Michael Ellis!
After it was all over I let my hair down:
And made out with random Pit Bulls:
All in all, a great weekend!
We just recorded almost 3 hours of the most epic stuff ever.
So many amazing trainers, I literally can’t even name them all. But the biggest names in the business. And, it was just a warm up for tomorrow. Honestly, one of the coolest experiences ever. So much talent. And, all sitting and talking like colleagues. No ego. Was beautiful.
Off to the IACP Conference for the weekend. Gonna learn from some of the best trainers around. And….. Do a remote podcast from there. Hopefully, interview some big names!
Stay Tuned!!!!!!!!!
Check out this Link to get info on this amazing opportunity!
Kayce’s material has really affected the direction of my work, and the work of many trainers around the country.
This camp is a big commitment for sure, but will alter your work with dogs forever.
3 Bad Bullies 