Currently Reading

I’m currently reading Excel-Erated Learning, by Pamela Reid and I recommend it highly. It’s an attempt to put uptodate research on canine learning into terms that dog trainers and handlers can understand and use.

The most impressive thing so far? She has a clear and compelling explanation of just how and why the classic ear pinch works so well for training the retrieve.

When we were keeping and training Maya, I followed the classic method for the first time, blindly following the instructions off of an Ann Marie Silverton video. And it worked. In fact Maya ended up with a great forced retrieve at the age of 6 months.

I was surprised and somewhat puzzled, since the “take it” command is never used until the earpinch is first applied, and the pinch is applied no matter how the dog acts. Seemed unfair to me.

And that shows how much I knew. It turns out the method is so effective because you are teaching the dog that “take it” means “ear pinch” and that they can stop the ear pinch if the grab the dumbbell quickly enough. This gives them control and tends to make the behavior self-reinforcing - every time they retrieve they feel as they have successfully beaten the pinch.

Dang… I never would have thought of that..