COMPETITION CLASSES
If the dog is to be trained for competition we begin to systematically correct and proof. Before this the dog should be able to quickly make eye contact both in front and at heel, albeit only for a few seconds. Food or object rewards can be given randomly after the praise or release.
Most handlers automatically discover the key to correcting inattention and thus to increasing the duration of eye contact; if the dog looks away or even at the side where the food will reappear, they wait. When the dog looks back, its looking back behavior is reinforced. The dog has self-corrected and thereby discovered an important rule: no work, no reward.
When the dog is ready, we can move quickly to the proofing phase where distractions are deliberately set up to make it harder for the dog to perform correctly. Once the dog learns to ignore extraneous cues, a behavior is more firmly set.
For example, the handler assumes basic working position in front. By now the hands can hang naturally at the side, food or ball in hand. Twitch a shoulder. The dog will glance to it or the hand. If one holds still, the dog should immediately resume eye contact. Twitch again…and again until the dog stops falling for the distraction. Praise and reward are given as usual.
Gradually one can move from twitching to arms outstretched to dropping the object. When dropping food, a leash can be used to prevent the dog from getting the food prematurely. Or one can switch to a ball which can be removed from the dog’s mouth as a correction in order to start again. For the reward, release the dog to the ball or food with a “get it” command.
From this point, one can move to the start of heeling or moving attention/eye contact. For those trainers using a leash to guide or motivate behavior, one can repeat the correction and proofing phases using a leash pop to correct inattention.
CONCLUSION
While instructing or training the inductive eye contact, there has been no command or touching of the dog, only reward — no reward. Because the basic working positions, heel or front, automatically assume attention or eye contact unless otherwise indicated, we prefer not to use an attention command during this phase. Later, if desired, one can be added to label the attention behavior. Besides, beginning handlers tend to misuse attention commands by relying on the spoken word rather than action in teaching the dog the behavior.
This method of teaching eye contact develops in the handler timing, patience, and an ability to “see.” It gives her the skills to anticipate behavior and thus react effectively. Inducive training removes the emphasis of handler control of the animal and puts more emphasis on the dog’s responsibility toward the task at hand. For some handlers this two-way communication creates the most enjoyable partnership.
The dog has learned to problem solve. He relies less on his handler to help him through and thus learns faster when he finds his own solutions. Many dogs will feel less pressure when their partners allow them to actively search for the right answer. The dog makes greater effort in its work because it has learned the working rule: the sooner a behavior is offered, the sooner the reward.
Behaviors can be corrected and proofed with less stress to the dog because the drive or motivation for the reward remains high. The dog can be corrected and still keep actively working toward the solution in expectation of the reward. For soft or unwilling dogs this is a critical learning process.
“Utmost Willingness” in the targeted behaviors can be developed during this early learning process, to the best of the dog’s genetic makeup, because of this anticipation of the reward. Long ago, nudging the food hand and sitting off center should have ceased because the dog has learned to channel its desire for the reward into a straight sit in front or at heel with eye contact. The dog pours all the energy created by the desire for the reward into the behavior wanted by the handler.
The learning skills taught to handler and dog as well as the very practical attention behavior will serve the team well as they progress in obedience training. Whether the handler continues with strictly hands off, inducive training or blends it with leash correction, force training is personal preference. Communication has commenced.