UKCRB Symposium

What an interesting talk by Helen Zulch MRCVS

Considering a New Approach to Educating Puppies for Modern Life.

The day encompassed:

1 The current state of our knowledge (anecdotal v evidence based)
2 The life Skills concept
3 Practical application of the concepts
4 Current and Future Research

Helen is pioneering a new approach to puppy classes around education rather than training ie the emphasis on the dog learning to be well behaved rather than simply obedient (however the two are not mutually exclusive).

Helen spoke about the 10 Key Life Skills for puppies, emphasising that the approach is from the perspective of the puppy rather than what owners want to train. They are:

1. I have confidence
2. I like surprises
3. I like to be touched
4. I can't do everything and I can't have everything
5. I can be calm
6. I know (and can obey) the rules
7. I can listen
8. I have good manners
9. I need help to make the right choices
10. I have the right to be a dog

It was a thought provoking day.

i like the sound of that, would be intrested in how you go about educating rather than training. But as for the idea i think it sounds very intresting

Must get Etta to read no 4.

Sounds a good day.

rune

It was particularly interesting (in the light of recent threads) to listen to Helen speak about the various external factors which may impact on puppy behaviour including genetics!

I went to a Sarah Whitehead Masterclass a short while ago on "Puppy Problems" and this same or similar concept was discussed - about life skills.

It's interesting because perhaps we all thought we'd gone as far as we could - but it seems there is still much progress to be made! In fact I've just been reminded to write up my notes


Wys
x

http://www.learningaboutdogs.com/acatalog/oct1.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/184584446..._YJh5pb14E8F36

The book has now been published by Danny Mills and Helen Zulch and has received rave reviews from Jean Donaldson on [a social network].

Not on Kindle unfortunately.