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Location: Nottingham, UK
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 9,540
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"Srop, How to stop predatory chasing in dogs" By David Ryan
Now I have read it and understand it, I thought I would share what I have learnt from it - helping you also. Some will be in quote marks as it will be from the book - I can't exactly put into words somethings like DR does.
So here goes:
Chasing = internal reinforcement = dopamine. Dogs are less likely going to stop chasing whatever they chase for a biscuit - DR's explanation is that he wouldn't be stopped from scoring the world cup winning goal for a biscuit - something that gives the dogs pleasure is less likely to be stopped by a low value treat.
Dogs inherit motor skills and patterns from Mothers and fathers - working stock dogs - more inheritance...
External reinforcement = it was cute as a puppy but a problem now. (My problem with Louie - was going to get him into field trials etc - but he has the problem of being deaf and not stopping working and chasing the birds etc - wouldn't be allowed on the shoot)
Dogs learn that Chasing is good, coming back normally equals punishment, back on leash, told off etc - humans equal punishment = coming back = telling off, so carry on chasing. If that makes sense..
Step One
Take away the ability to chase and everything else relating to the chase stimulus - sound, sight, smell etc (Hard with birds)
Step Two
Balance emotions - taking away a stimulus that causes high levels of dopamine etc, can cause anxiety and other withdrawal symptoms. Taking the dogs to the beach or swimming - or something fun to release dopamine will balance the dog out.
Occasional reinforcement = resistance to extinction - less likely to achieve original goal of stopping chasing.
Step Three
Nothing in life is free - for a dog to get attention from you - you have to control it. You have to control the food, the playtime, toys and anything else of value. The dog has to give eye contact.
- Teach sit, down and recall for rewards - retrain, train and reinforce
- Find a maximum reinforcement - something extra valuable
- Communication incorporated into training - eye contact
- Train in a place with NO distractions at first.
- Aim for 10/10 first command sits in the park
Step Four
Train, retrain and practice retrieve to hand. Find a new toy that represents the target the dog used to chase (or still does) has to act like the target - EG: Birds = Frisbee
The new toy belongs to you - the dog doesn't play with it unless you want to play with it.
Introduce predictive command "Playtime" - then new toy is played with.
Step Five
By now you should have
- Stopped the rot - taken away as much stimulus of the animal/item the dog used to chase before
- Taken control of dogs valuables
- Removed dogs anxiety by balancing the emotions
- Increased obedience training
- New toy is preferred over previous stimulus (or getting there)
- Dog will retrieve other things
- Predictive command learn't
From the dogs point of view
- There is increased positive interaction with you
- Increased Deference to you.
- Increased value of chosen toy
- Increased attention
- Increased compliance
- Reduced likelihood of punishment
Try a sit-stay throw a lower value toy over dogs head until it stops - becomes dead. Command dog to retrieve it then throw high value toy past them with the predictive command - if the dog goes for the live toy over the dead toy - you're getting somewhere.
Step Six
Making the problem aversive. I got this mixed up last week - I muddled two sentences together.
Instead of using a shock collar or harsh methods, you need to teach the dog that the thing it used to chase is disgusting.
You need someone, not likely to come across your dog often - possible a work colleague to hold a cotton wool ball soaked in lemon juice in the front of your dogs mouth for a few minutes - the memory of the juice and smell and taste will provoke a disgust, you cannot be around the dog when the disgust is being planted.
With a citronella collar, when the dog chases the original stimulus - one spray then the predictive command and the toy thrown the other way - it could take one time or a few times in different places - timing is essential.
Citronella = lesser of two evils. According to DR - and I have to agree, better than a few volts through the dogs neck, or a week in the vets mending any breakages caused by a car hitting them or a shotgun fire etc.
These are just my notes - they may not be understandable but I thought I would repeat to you what I have learn't and if I have gotten something wrong and any of you have read the book - then I can be put right and understand better.
The book title is in the title if any of you would like to buy it and read through it if you are having the same problem/s