Phone Interview with CTS President, Doug Calhoun, and Dave Kroyer.

In this third part of a multi-session series on toy interaction, we discussed common problems handlers have, how to schedule prey and food sessions and how to end sessions.  Part 1 and 2 can be read here and here.

Q: We’ve discussed starting prey interaction with a tug and establishing rules and contracts for interaction, what problems do you see with handlers?

A: These are a lot of things I see people bypass with their dog, they’re so busy working on things like sit and heel position and all these other things but one day they are going to have to use the toy and if these formal things aren’t put in place they are going to run into a road block when that prey item is introduced.  

One of the main problems though is not dedicating enough time to formal sessions or trials of teaching the dog how to play.  That’s the #1 problem, the #2 problem is we may have a very large, strong dog that someone who is very small, that maybe doesn’t have the strength of a larger person, will have a very difficult time playing tug. The dog could actually be manhandling the person.  It could be a 100-pound person and a 100-pound dog.  A lot of times, the dog will win that fight and drag them around.  This is where a game of fetch is actually better.   So someone that is not strong or mobile may want to play a game of fetch.

Another problem is with impulse control.  Let’s assume that the dog performed a behavior and we moment mark it and the handler can’t even reach for that toy without the dog taking our arm or hand or jacket.  That stems back to not enough out training and impulse control.  If we want to go back even further, it’s basic target training and how to work away from your prey and focus effort into behaviors or even stillness in the presence of prey.  The reason it’s based in this is because we’ve taught the dog two things- 1. to work away from the handler and not orient toward the handler or reward source and 2. because the dog understands to work for the mark, the click in my case.

It’s interesting really and timely, because this morning I was working with my pup, a young dog actually this morning.  I was working with a toy doing some targeting.  The dog was outing his toy and targeting to the table for a mark to return to a dead toy that he would push into me for play.  I would tug and then give him the toy and prompt him.  He would drop the toy and move to the table for his mark.  This is the first thing a dog has to learn, right, if you leave your toy you can have your toy and that’s impulse control.

Q: How do you schedule play sessions with food session in terms of predictability?

So we already know from Training Through Pictures- Learning to Learn how to establish food predictability.  Play is really just an extension, initially of those sessions.  At the end of a session of work with food, I will get the toy out and play with the dog.  I will use a tug and basically begin out training from day 1.  So it took like 1 week to 10 days to solidify the out from the tug, to make it very clear.  Once I had that then I started working on “out then you can take it back”, and now I’m going to let go of the tug but you have to interact with me.  Once I felt I had that under control, at around the 4-week period, I started playing fetch with the ball more.  

Now that you understand the rules of the out, I’m going to introduce a new type of game, fetch.  You go out and I throw one and I throw one, you come back and go between my legs and we play and you out the ball.  I may give it back to you, you may bring it back and push it into me to play and then out, create a behavior and throw it again.

So generally, now that my puppy is 5 months old, I have prey predictability basically done.

Q: At you near the end of a session how do you prepare the dog for the end of play?

95% or more of my play sessions end with the dog taking the prey item off of the field.  I still have to get it from him from wherever he’s housed whether it’s in the house or in a crate or a vehicle or dog box or trailer or kennel.  But, I’m very careful that when I put the dog away not to steal the toy away.  I usually have a minute or so more of work with the dog.  So if I’m 5-10 feet away from where the dog is housed, I may work on outs again.  An out, moment mark, give it back, out, moment mark and give it back and maybe then an out, moment mark and toss some food into the crate or kennel as a trade.  

Sometimes it’s one step further because the dog understands targeting.  I’ll ask them to kennel, crate or go into the trailer with the door open and when they enter I’ll click and let them return to me for the toy or ball.   At some point, the dog simply won’t receive the toy again as I give a terminal cue “we’re done” and offer a piece of food.  It’s never simply taking the toy away with nothing then.  I want an element of trust maintained but I do have to remove the toy.  It’s a balancing act and can be a bit different for different dogs but what I don’t want is the dog clamping down on the toy and me TAKING it away from him.  I want the dog to believe that there is ALWAYS a possibility of him getting it back.

Q: Is there a ratio of trading of items you maintain or how do you know when to adjust things with the dog?

When the dog becomes fluid with interactions surrounding the toy, I know we have trust.  With my very highly prey driven dogs, when they will approach the kennel or trailer and simply release the toy and enter, I know I have what I need from them.  They know a toy session will happen and understand the lack of finality of releasing a toy- they trust enough to let it go and that it’s done, for now.

Q: What is the big problem with teaching the out from a handler’s standpoint?

There are a number of things that go hand in hand.  First, not reading the dog and giving him a chance to be successful.  A good dog has drive and the handler needs to consider what the dog wants.  He wants his toy.  The release is a contradiction initially to the transaction.  

What we often see is that the dog will pull on the toy and if it’s a strong dog, the dog gets satisfaction from the pulling.  Often once the handler does get the dog to let go, IF the dog willingly lets go of it, the handler is often so quick to snatch it away from the dog- to remove any possibility from the dog’s point of view that he can get it back.  He’s actually really lost the toy, not simply released it.  We want the dog to make a choice to leave the toy alone, the opportunity to think about what he’s doing in the presence of the toy, to be an actual part of the process, to have some control in the matter.

In the past what a lot of people would do is put a leash on the dog to block the pulling behaviors, maybe do some type of coercion training to stop the pulling.  What I’ve found works really well and it doesn’t matter if it’s a puppy or a big dog is I’ll take a chair and place it along a wall close to a corner and work the dog up toward the wall.  I’ll sit down in the chair and place the dog so he’s backed toward the wall.  With a wall behind him and me in a chair, he can’t pull.  What you’ll see very quickly is that the dog will stop pulling because the behavior is taken from him.  So without gratification from that sooner or later the dog will let go.  We’ve just isolated a release to be clear now.  We can moment mark and give it right back to him.

So the pulling behavior is something I see with a lot of people including myself.  I’m not a huge person so if I have an 80 pound dog, it can be hard on my back.  

Another thing people seem to do almost instinctually is that when the dog let’s go, they move the prey away.  Instead of the dog moving away from the toy, the handler moves it away.  Movement is a super strong lure for the dog, it’s prey instinct.  The goal is really that the dog let’s go and the toy is static.  Any prey movement should only take place, if at all, after the moment marker.  So in a perfect world, the dog would release the toy, show impulse control, hear the moment mark and then bite the toy again.  The dog is showing super clarity here and what we should strive for.  

Q: In recap Dave for purposes of this interview, what do you think needs to be emphasized here?

To get the point hit home, we kind of decided the point of this interview was that I was seeing people not devoting enough separate, formal training sessions to any type of play predictability or teaching the dog some kind of game.  They just kind of assume that as the dog is older, we’ll start rewarding with a toy but there is no rhyme or reason to the system and then we create a whole other problem with the dog.  What is really important is that the rules are clear, we have lots and lots of successful practice and that the dog understands how to toy works in training and that an element of trust is maintained and perpetuated.

Now with dogs with less prey drive, we have to make some conflict with the dog sometimes to really get the dog to want it.   A lot of times I will tell people that if your dog doesn’t really want to possess a toy, don’t teach it an out yet.  In consideration of both realms, I don’t want to sound like a hypocrite here.  For a high drive dog I want to create impulse control but for a lower drive dog I want to create drive and interest in the toy so it’s really quite different than what we’ve discussed here.  That will be a great topic to cover in another interview and one I get asked about a lot as well. 

To be continued...

With the release of the International Award-Winning Training Through Pictures with Dave Kroyer- Nose Work 1- The Indication DVD, we've received a few emails, read a few social media posts and responded to email messages regarding indication first methods. In 2014, we're unaware of any modern methods that aren't indication first. We felt it best to just make a blog post that explains.

In 2005, Canine Training Systems released the 8X International Award-Winning On Target Training Substance Detector Dogs with Randy Hare- Detection 1 DVD that became the professional standard for modern detection work.  Randy has been contracted to provide his Detector Dog Trainers Course for the Military, FBI Academy in Quantico, VA and Special Forces in addition to police departments on nearly every continent. It completely circumvents the pitfalls of primary reward - odor source pairing. Like any modern method of behavior training, the behavior of indicating is broken into it's smaller components and the search is later back-chained as a natural training progression.  This is simply the easiest, most clear method for teaching behaviors of any kind.

With the release of our new detection title with Dave Kroyer in the modern era of civilian detection sports, the question has again come to the forefront because of the proliferation of "old school" trainers leading the civilian detector sports charge.  The reasons for indication first are still easily understood in the context of learning theory and it's important to consider the ramifications of "reward/odor pairing" techniques and "search/indication" training techniques because they are still apparently common in civilian circles where scent work is relatively "new". 

To get to the bottom of it, let's talk in generalities and in terms that are easily understood. 

Detection work is a compound behavior.  At it's most basic level, it is:

1. A search to reach, ideally, target odor source, and then
2. a distinct, durable indication at odor source.  

So detection work is two distinct parts, performed linearly.  The question we have to ask ourselves is, if the dog doesn't know either behavior, is it wise to ask him to learn both at once?  Common sense dictates that the answer is NO.

There are of course multiple methods to achieve the goal but in order to motivate the dog to search, antiquated methods 1. pair reward with odor source or 2. teach the search by hiding food in a box.  There are a number of problems the trainer will encounter when these methods are used. First, let's understand what this training methodology really is.

The goal of odor/reward pairings, also called a "primary hide" is two fold.  On the one hand, when odor source is paired with a toy, through play, a very basic hunt behavior is established.  The toy elicits a prey response, produces energy and a desire to interact with it.  When paired with food, a basic search will be executed that is an ends to a means.  At the end of both exercises, toy and food, the dog can be self-reward automatically as part of the process.  Seems simple enough, grab the toy or eat the food.  Remember, the pairing has to be done consistently enough to form an association, to predict the reward to be beneficial.  This can be done for quite awhile to get the dog searching fairly extensively and it looks pretty good.  Let's assume now that the dog associates the toy and food with target odor. 

Now, remove the toy or food and ask the dog to search.  A laundry list of things will happen to varying degrees that will need to be addressed (re-trained).

• the dog will search a few times until it learns that odor and reward aren't paired and the conditioning will erode and searching will slow or stop
• the dog will look to the handler as an information source because toys and food historically come from the handler in other scenarios
• to maintain searching, throwing a toy at odor source is often used to reward the dog. (dog's are smarter than that)
• worst case, the handler will have to lead the dog on the search as it weakens, to create a rewardable behavior (the handler is now part of the search)

With the above items in mind, we still have to produce a reliable indication.  There are a few additional problems that will need to be addressed.

• when presented with a problem it's not equipped to solve, the dog will resort to the "first order of learning" meaning it will engage in conditioned behaviors surrounding the odor.  The dog will often bite, scratch or perform other active behaviors associated with trying to reach reward
• these behaviors will have to be rewarded or extinguished to create a baseline for the indication

Second, when searching for food in a box, the dog is not doing anything in training that any dog will do otherwise.  Every dog will do this and it does nothing in regard to the indication.  If food is removed, there is no clear, trained, identifiable behavior to benefit the odor/reward relationship.  The dog has identified a box with food but there is no target odor source.  The indication must still be shaped.  In addition, you will need to teach the dog to search despite reward source being the handler.  This method will work to some degree but inevitably results wide variation in indication behaviors.

Have you experienced any of this?  Your goal remains a precise indication at the end of a "search".   There is no "search" in most cases because in terms of detection work, the dog hasn't actually identified the target.  A habit of finding reward was established while "associating" odor source.  If by chance your dog does show a behavior change when it encounters odor source, was the search strong?  Was the indication ideal?  If not, because it hasn't been trained, you'll still have to reward it.  When you teach two separate behaviors at the same time, generally you get two average behaviors.  It may be time to retrain.

Now, imagine teaching just an indication directly at the source of odor.

• teach the dog to move away from the reward & handler to achieve reward and the dog will understand that the handler isn't the route to reward (targeting)
• teach an operant, independent indication without searching or odor/reward pairing
• reward it hundreds of times

Consider the durability of that indication before ever "searching".  Once conditioned, variations like distance, angles, handler neutralization, leash handling and odor discrimination can easily be added without any interference to the indication itself.  It's a solid behavior and odor will trigger it instantly.  It's THE KEY to earning reward when target substance is located.  Better yet, the dog knows the handler offers no information so it focuses purely on it's own behavior relative to a signal already established that indicates reward is imminent.

Now ask the dog to search.  Sound too good to be true?  It's not.

Order now. If your dog doesn't understand "Targeting", we're offering a 2-Disc Set which features the pre-requisite Learning to Learn and Nose Work 1 - The Indication DVD as a bundled set here.

Habits are hard to break.  Training Through Pictures with Dave Kroyer- Nose Work 1- The Indication is gorgeous.  More importantly, it's full of detail and clear instructional content for training detector dogs.  Any dog, any breed, any age, any substance.  This title bridges the gap between sport detection dogs in Nose Work and professional applications like police K9 (narcotics and explosives), border patrol and specialized detection like medical alert and biologicals.

It's tough to top the 7X Internation Award Winning prerequisite title,  Training Through Pictures with Dave Kroyer- Learning to Learn.  This new title is on it's way!  We're pleased with the result, a 2014 Marcom Creative Gold Award!

The feedback is tremendous and so far, we've had international orders from Italy, Greece, England, Spain, Japan, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.  The Kiwi's know a good thing when the hear about it! 

As always, we truly appreciate your business and hope you enjoy the final product!  Thanks for all the feedback, your success through our products is our success.

The much anticipated Training Through Picture with Dave Kroyer- Nose Work 1 - The Indication DVD is COMPLETED and being replicated! We are now accepting pre-orders! You can order yours here! If you haven't ordered the prerequisite title, you can order both titles at a reduced price here.

We have been inundated with phone calls and emails regarding this title!  This substance detection title pertains to any type of nose work whether professional or civilian.  This title teaches ANY DOG to locate odor source and perform a clear, intense, focused, durable and distraction free indication. The video features a variety of breeds ranging from rescues and mixed breeds, Papillons, Pugs, Beagles, Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Malinois, Koolie's, Border Collies and even a 12 week old puppy. This is the same technique Dave uses for border patrol, police K9, military detection, diabetes alert and more (substance, explosive, biological, pest).  (In 2014 Dave has presented detection seminars at Lackland Air Force Base for the military working dog detection program.)  If you're involved in detection work, this title is a MUST!

If your current system started with odor source/primary reward pairing (hiding food or toys with odor and searching), you desperately need this DVD. If your dog looks to you when he encounters source odor for more than a few repetitions, you're conditioning it as your alert. You need this DVD. If you've not actively proofed against handler influence, environmental distractions, leash tension and more, you need this DVD. If you started detection work with a search first and are working on your indication second you REALLY need this DVD. If your dog doesn't show a clear, intense, focused, durable, distraction free indication at odor source, you need this DVD. If you're not sure when to incorporate a prey item into your detection training routine, you need this DVD. If your dog is  destructive, shows displacement behaviors or offers unwanted behaviors surrounding odor, you need this DVD. If you desire a very clear, step-by-step, effective, proven method for fast, intense detection work with a clear, reliable, durable, distraction resistant indication at the odor source, you need this DVD.

Here's the trailer. If you'd like to be notified upon receipt of inventory, join our newsletter list, send us an email, or follow us on Facebook.  You'll probably hear the accolades of this title at the watercooler as well.

Roll film...

Training Through Pictures with Dave Kroyer: Nose Work 1 - The Indication
This is the highly anticipated follow up to the prerequisite 4X International Award Winning Training Through Pictures - Learning to Learn, the definitive guide on the first 6-8 months with your puppy or working dog, with Dave Kroyer! Known as a teacher of trainers, a competitor, coach, 10 Time World Team Member and UKC Nose Work Judge, Dave Kroyer and his students have stood atop podiums in the arenas of Schutzhund/IPO, Mondio and French Ring Sport, Police K9, AKC Obedience, Agility, SAR and AKC Tracking. He has represented the United States Internationally on multiple World Teams while gaining notoriety both domestically and abroad. As a student of animal behavior, Dave's approach to training is intuitive, calculated and utilizes the tools and techniques of many disciplines and styles in a system of training that has helped his students achieve National and International success.

The INDICATION is the bedrock foundation of detection training. This title details the steps in creating an incredibly precise, clear, persistent, durable, passive indication to 5 odors from the very start. The search is taught as a by-product of indication training allowing the indication to remain forefront until fully learned and conditioned. Once the indication is fully established, odor discrimination, the search, distraction work, distance, angles, search cues and line handling are easily added, completely bypassing the range of problems learned in other systems. This title covers Nose Work through the Odor Recognition Test (ORT) for 5 substances and traditional Professional Substance Detection (narcotics, explosives and biologicals, ) work through the indication, odor discrimination, distraction proofing, distance work and basic leash handling. Beneficial to puppy owners, trainers with problem dogs or anyone wanting a more clear understanding of how to train detection work. To anyone wanting to eliminate the problems of weak indication, weak searching, false alerts, focus on handler behavior and alerting on fringe odor, this title is a must have!!

Copyright 2014 Canine Training Systems®, 16:9 Widescreen Hi-Definition DVD, 1 hour 28 minutes.

NOTE: This title relies upon the concepts in the 4X International Award Winning definitive guide on the first 6-8 months with your puppy or working dog, Learning to Learn.

Columbia, MO- Oct 7, 2014- Canine Training Systems, the leading provider of broadcast quality instructional training titles for sport, service and companion dogs, today announced that their most recent offering, Training Through Pictures with Dave Kroyer- Nose Work 1 - The Indication DVD has been released for pre-order.

Nose Work 1 - The Indication is a highly anticipated release from Canine Training Systems.  Known as a teacher of trainers, a competitor, coach, 10 Time World Team Member and UKC Nose Work Judge, Dave Kroyer and his students have stood atop podiums in the arenas of Schutzhund/IPO, Mondio and French Ring Sport, Police K9, AKC Obedience, Agility, SAR and AKC Tracking. He has represented the United States Internationally on multiple World Teams while gaining notoriety both domestically and abroad.  As a student of animal behavior, Dave's approach to training is intuitive, calculated and utilizes the tools and techniques of many disciplines and styles in a system of training that has helped his students achieve National and International success.  

This exciting new title features detailed instructional footage throughout, beautiful illustrative graphics and a step-by-step progression of the foundation of all detection work, the indication of odor source. This product is ideal for anyone involved in scent work from the K9 professional to the civilian interested in the new sport of Nose Work. This title is a follow up to the 4X International Award-Winning Training Through Pictures with Dave Kroyer- Learning to Learn DVD which lays the foundation for the basis of the Kroyer system- targeting training.  

Product Highlights

• This production details the teaching of the indication of odor source, the bedrock foundation of all detection training.
• The integration of auditory behavior markers allows the pinpointing of multiple aspects of the indication itself; speed, intensity of alert, duration, ability to withstand distraction and more
• The various drawbacks and benefits of "concomitant odors"
• Hide preparation, presentation and how to carefully shape an intense, focused, durable indication response through the correct use of variable reinforcement schedules
• Isolating the indication from handler input and environmental distraction
• Because the foundation work in Dave's system is multi-dimensional, the concepts taught are beneficial for ANY type of detection work including Professional Substance Detection (narcotics, explosives and biologicals) like Police K9, border patrol, customs, DEA, Homeland Security through a range of civilian detection types including pest detection and the sport of Nose Work.
• This Hi-Definition, 16:9 aspect ratio production is available on professionally authored and replicated DVD for playback on the widest variety of consumer equipment.

Pricing and Availability
Training Through Pictures with Dave Kroyer- Nose Work 1 - The Indication, is immediately available through the Canine Training Systems worldwide reseller channel and direct from the Canine Training Systems website at www.caninetrainingsystems.com for an MSRP of $79.95.  The website contains a detailed outline as well as excerpts from the 88 minute, hi-definition title.

About Canine Training Systems
Founded in 1987, Canine Training Systems is the worldwide leader in instructional titles for pet owners, dog sport competitors, industry professionals and institutions of higher education.  The company’s success lies in its ability to couple with the experts in service, sport and companion dog training and deliver their techniques to consumers through the most up-to-date delivery formats.  With the strength of their growing expert list, no other organization in the market place can offer the variety of techniques, disciplines, depth of knowledge or quality of product that Canine Training Systems routinely provides it’s worldwide customer base.

Canine Training Systems Press Contact
Douglas Calhoun
+1(573) 214-0900
doug@caninetrainingsystems.com

Training Through Pictures with Dave Kroyer- Learning to Learn has won a 2014 Videographer Award of Excellence!  It's a beautiful production, many of you have told us too.  We're proud of it and as the next title in the series nears release, it's good news for us to receive word of it's 4th production award. 

From the Videographer Awards website- "The Videographer Award of Excellence is awarded to those entries whose ability to capture the event or communicate the message is exceptional."  Cool.

We had no idea what a "Texas" Hat-Trick was.  A customer told us which seemed fitting because it's largely a hockey term.  Four goals in one game.  Nice.  Well, okay, we'll use it and it seems fitting since Dave Kroyer lives in Austin, TX.  Back to editing for us, the next title is on the cusp of going to DVD authoring as it's for the most part done. 

Watch this space, more to come!  As always, we appreciate your business and thanks for your feedback.

It's nice to get feedback.  It's really nice.  Success comes in many forms and ultimately what drives us is customer feedback.  It's icing on the cake when a product does well among broadcast production industry professionals though.  Training Through Pictures with Dave Kroyer- Learning to Learn has won a 2014 Telly Award.  The award is nice to win but we're humbled by the comments we've received about the video.  It's a long process to produce a quality title, and it's doubtful that many realize what goes into producing one.  There are a lot of choices and we realize that. 

In addition, the title has already won:

• 2014 Communicator Award of Distinction
• 2014 Marcom Gold Award

Word is still out on a few others we've entered, but we're working on the next few titles in the series.  We'll update here as we know more.  It's a great title and valuable for anyone that trains, regardless of discipline.

From Dave Kroyer-

"Although the DVD took quite a while to produce, the project was a major undertaking for a few reasons. Up to this point in dog sports, no one has really touched on this type of training and theory and the beginning stages are very 'conceptual'. It's not really a 'this is how to teach sit,down,heel behaviors' project.  It's something MUCH greater and has many depths and layers to it.  It was crucial my info made a clean transfer from outline to script into narration and video.  Doug and CTS hit it outta the park!!!  It's a beautiful production and I feel the info is ULTRACLEAR!  I am super proud of the work everyone has contributed to the project!"

As always, we truly appreciate your business and hope you enjoy the final product!

Columbia, MO- June 11, 2014- Canine Training Systems, the leading provider of broadcast quality instructional training titles for sport, service and companion dogs, today announced that their most recent offering, Training Through Pictures with Dave Kroyer- Learning to Learn DVD has been awarded a 2014 Bronze Telly Award.

Training Through Pictures with Dave Kroyer- Learning to Learn is a highly anticipated release from Canine Training Systems.  Known as a teacher of trainers, a competitor, coach and judge, Dave Kroyer and his students have stood atop podiums in the arenas of Schutzhund/IPO, Mondio and French Ring Sport, Police K9, AKC Obedience, Agility, SAR and AKC Tracking.  He has represented the United States Internationally on multiple World Teams while gaining notoriety both domestically and abroad.  As a student of animal behavior, Dave's approach to training is intuitive, calculated and utilizes the tools and techniques of many disciplines and styles in a system of training that has helped his students achieve National and International success.  

Featuring detailed instructional footage throughout, beautiful illustrative graphics and a step-by-step progression of the first 8 months of Dave's system, this title is ideal for anyone wanting a broad, comprehensive foundation in dog sport.  This title features rare footage of the father of Classical Conditioning, Ivan Pavlov, and his experiments on salivary secretions.  Beneficial to puppy owners, trainers with problem dogs or anyone wanting a more clear understanding of how to isolate behaviors.  For any trainer wanting to establish or teach students to create a dynamic, interactive worker while establishing a common language, this title is a must have!

“Dave Kroyer's foundation work is best described as multi-dimensional”, commented Calhoun.  “Conceptually, the dog is able to learn new behaviors incredibly quickly.  Because the dog understands the concept of behavior first, then reward, the dog is free to offer behaviors, even in the immediate presence of highly desirable rewards.  This lack of understanding in many systems of training is a roadblock to precision and flexibility in what a dog can achieve.”  

"Although the DVD took quite a while to produce, the project was a major undertaking for a few reasons. Up to this point in dog sports, no one has really touched on this type of training and theory and the beginning stages are very 'conceptual'. It's not really a 'this is how to teach sit,down,heel behaviors' project.  It's something MUCH greater and has many depths and layers to it.  It was crucial my info made a clean transfer from outline to script into narration and video.  Doug and CTS hit it outta the park!!!  It's a beautiful production and I feel the info is ULTRACLEAR!  I am super proud of the work everyone has contributed to the project" added Dave Kroyer.

Product Highlights

• This production details a systematic approach that yields a strong partnership based on trust, reliable, clean dialog and a habit of correct performance
• The integration of auditory behavior markers into the training routine is demonstrated and efficacy is discussed
• Through shaping positive, clean habits, Dave circumvents many bad habits that are byproducts of traditional methods
• The dog is taught the concept of 'Targeting' which teaches the relationship of behavior first, then reward
• Through Targeting, the dog is "untethered" from the handler which removes the handler as a lure from the training environment and expands behavioral possibilities including motion work, send-aways, object guard, scent indication and more
• Because the foundation work in Dave's system is multi-dimensional, the concepts taught are beneficial for ANY dog sport- Kennel Club Obedience, IPO, Ring Sport, Agility, Nose Work, Police K9, pet training and more
• This Hi-Definition, 16:9 aspect ratio production is available on professionally authored and replicated DVD for playback on the widest variety of consumer equipment.

Pricing and Availability
Training Through Pictures with Dave Kroyer- Learning to Learn, is immediately available through the Canine Training Systems worldwide reseller channel and direct from the Canine Training Systems website at www.caninetrainingsystems.com for an MSRP of $79.95.  The website contains a detailed outline as well as excerpts from the 105 minute, hi-definition title here.

About The Telly Awards
The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 and is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online commercials, video and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world. A prestigious judging panel of over 500 accomplished industry professionals, each a past winner of a Silver Telly and a member of The Silver Telly Council, judged the competition, upholding the historical standard of excellence that Telly represents. The Silver Council evaluated entries to recognize distinction in creative work – entries do not compete against each other – rather entries are judged against a high standard of merit. Less than 10% of entries are chosen as Winners of the Silver Telly, our highest honor. Approximately 25% of entries are chosen as Winners of the Bronze Telly.You can learn more about the Telly Awards here.

About Canine Training Systems
Founded in 1987, Canine Training Systems is the worldwide leader in instructional titles for pet owners, dog sport competitors, industry professionals and institutions of higher education.  The company’s success lies in its ability to couple with the experts in service, sport and companion dog training and deliver their techniques to consumers through the most up-to-date delivery formats.  With the strength of their growing expert list, no other organization in the market place can offer the variety of techniques, disciplines, depth of knowledge or quality of product that Canine Training Systems routinely provides it’s worldwide customer base.


Canine Training Systems Press Contact
Douglas Calhoun
+1(573) 214-0900
doug@caninetrainingsystems.com

Phone Interview with CTS President, Doug Calhoun, and Dave Kroyer.

In this second part of a multi-session series on toy interaction, we discussed the out, play predictability and toy usage.  Part 1 can be read here.

Q: What’s Missing for Most People?

A: What’s missing is this really remedial game of picking up a toy and the dog being willing to release that one for a toss of another.   I want the dog to release one toy and travel through my legs to get the other one.  You can get a 2-3 minutes of repetition with this and maybe 4, 6, 8 throws or more on the field.  It becomes a VERY predictable game that I can use for the training.  It’s very simple and very remedial but a lot of people don’t use it.  So it’s real simple, like what Gottfried Dildei did in his videos, it’s just using two balls instead of two hoses and the dog is moving through the legs.  If the dog doesn’t release the ball, you just wait a moment and stimulate him with the other and when he drops it, you just toss the other through your legs and pick up the dropped one while he’s chasing the other.  The difference though is that I’m not going to rely on the transfer of the toy for the out.  

Q: What do you do differently?

A: Outside of that session, I’m working on the out in a very formal setting.  The two balls is a means to an end to get the dog coming back with a tight turn when he gets the first ball with speed and vigilance and going between my legs to understand later where I want to you to go with that first ball that I throw.  The second ball can be removed after awhile.  

Q: What role does trust play in this interaction?

A: I think it plays a big role because when I watch people, there are conflicting behaviors between them and their dog when they use the toy.  I think it all stems from a basic lack of trust.  

The dog thinks where am I getting the toy?  How am I getting the toy?  Should I just molest you for the toy?

I see that a lot because nobody puts in any time to create a predictable game with the dog, they just decide one day that they are going to reward with the toy. Because they have a dog that is very active for the prey, they may not have any impulse control so you see the dog nipping at them, biting at them and grabbing at jackets.  You wouldn’t believe the number of jackets and sleeves I see get ripped at seminars.   

Another thing I see frequently when using a ball is the dog biting the string.  The dog is frantic to get something but he’s never been TAUGHT to bite something or target something and that is another complete exercise itself.  You could do formal training sessions with just that but the dog is so anxious to get the toy and possess it, all forethought into a mutual interaction goes out the window.

Q: When you first start the out or release of the prey object, you prefer a tug, why?

A: I don’t want to say it’s more interactive with a tug, but in one way it is.  With the ball and a very strong dog, you can’t easily make the ball immobile when you’re trying to work on an inducive out.   With the tug I can manipulate and inducive out better because I’ve got two hands on it and I can completely immobilize it when I want the prey to go dead.   So that’s the tool I actually use to teach the act of outing.  

I teach the dog that the tug is an interactive toy and one I’ve established an out, there are things I do to teach the dog to interact with me and even push into me with the toy and engage with me with the toy and that it’s not something that they want to go lay down in a corner with and covet.  A lot of times people will say to me, ‘well my dog won’t bring it back to me’ and they’ll see my young dog who’s actually driving the tug back into me and they’ll say ‘well your dog is different’ and my comment is, “No, my dog was exactly like that but I had to do many, many sessions over days and weeks to teach the dog to interact with the toy with me”.

Q: When do you switch to a ball and why?

A: When all of the rules are in place with the out and interaction with me, I generally don’t use a tug in training any longer I’m going to use a ball on a string.  I can tug with the string and throw the ball with the string but the dog has already learned how to out off the tug and to return to me and drive into me and interact with me.

So with the game with two balls and the out itself there are rules and contracts.  Once those in place, training with prey can’t proceed but I see a LOT of people start early when the rules don’t exist and they never get the repetitions of behaviors to make them really clear before polluting things with lots of drive and overactivity.

I like to use the ball because I like to play fetch.  I can throw the ball down field or across a room and the activity of running helps free the dog’s mind up.  Running and action is great for freeing the dog’s mind up.  Because with my system we gets lots of repetitions, and maybe a very session of learning something and he did good, I want to be able to reward the dog and free their mind through running a bit.  

To be continued…

Respect comes from knowing the value of something and not forcing your parameters on it's existence.

Being around dog sport awhile, I've seen some amazing things.  Some I was fortunate to catch on video or I wouldn't have believed, things that simply "flowed".  The start seemed normal, generally with a concrete plan and clear direction, but somehow something happened and it went somewhere with an unexplained motivation, an understanding without words, gestures or reason.  A combination of things working together all at once like it was obviously going to happen, but nearly incomprehensible beforehand.  A remarkable interaction, understanding, communication or breakthrough.

It's beautiful and unmistakable when it happens.  It lasts moments, seconds or minutes.  Of course it comes from repetition, familiarity, trust, and respect between teammates- an understanding of how each partner will support the other when it's both easy and hard.  Taking slack, giving room, it's about feel and experience.  It's teamwork certainly- but over days, weeks and years it's more.  It's openness, the freedom to try without consequence and the patience to allow behavior to happen.

It seems like a sixth sense, an insight through experience that something isn't quite right on one day and knowing all the pistons are firing on another.  Knowing when you can get a bit more or need to ease off.  Having faith in the foundation and knowing their heart will really be in it even when you're a bit concerned- knowing they will try for you, not just because of the training.  A soft eye, a nuzzle into your hand, a lean on your leg and a big happy face.  It will all be fine- "we've got this".  Yes.  Teamwork.

He was a pleasure to watch, be around and video.  Awesome.  He had the stuff and was a gentleman.  He was truly something and he adored Dave.  I think it was mutual.  There were many of those hard to believe moments with him, a few that really stand out.  It's a shame they have to go so soon.  We're so truly sorry Dave and Karen, great dogs leave big holes.  RIP Enoch, travel well.
 

"They say there is a doorway from heart to heart, but what is the use of a door when there are no walls?" ~Rumi