This message is from: "plumg...@pon.net" <plumg...@pon.net>
You all may remember that I was going to a behavior training conference at the University of North Texas last month which featured, among other speakers, Alexandra Kurland who does clicker training in horses. I came away with a couple of things, plus a really good "putting in perspective" knowledge about positive reinforcement training in many species of both wild and domesticated animals. One item was the dangers of using punishment...including creating aggression. The other, which I was introduced to further on the clicker list that is related to Alexandra's Riding with the Clicker program is something called Constructional Aggression Treatment that specializes in treating serious aggression in dogs. It is a system that focuses on giving the animal control over the stimulus that makes them aggressive. I know...sounds like a perfect way to train the WRONG behavior, but I gather it works. There is some reason to believe it might work in horses. See http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/2008/03/13/constructional-aggression-treatment/ for a description of "CAT." And see http://www.tawzerdogvideos.com/JesusRosalesRuiz-KellieSnider.htm for discussion of a video on the subject. I can imagine the same system could be used for despook training (and is probably the same system that is used by some trainers for that purpose...for example...a less rigorously carried out version of this might be when horses are allowed to chase a scary object like a blue tarp or flag.) There was a very interesting video experiment by Jesus Rosales-Ruiz, a professor at the University of North Texas behavioral science department. It showed a two dogs (which I THINK were actually the same dog) who had been trained to touch a target on the floor. The targets were on opposite sides of a room. The dog that had been trained to touch the left target ("shaped, to be exact")was quick and enthusiastic. That dog had never been corrected in any way. The shaper had not punished it or indicated to the dog in any way that some of its non-target-touching behavior was wrong. There had been only positive reinforcement. The second dog had been trained to touch the target on the right. That dog was slow, acted confused, and was not having fun, though he did, eventually touch the target. That dog had been corrected when he did other-other-than-target touching behavior. I do believe they were the same dog. I bought the video, but have to watch it. (Alexandra Kurland's videos are very careful to teach in a step by step and methodical way. This is good, but sometimes it does make for a not very exciting video because she makes SURE you understand the principals she is trying to demonstrate.) In order to go to this conference I had to fly half way across the country and stay over two nights in hotels....not my idea of fun, and it cost a lot. However, it made a huge difference in my attitude toward the training I do because it lifted the fog of confusion that I had on some topics. I would highly recommend people consider going to a Clicker Expo if it is in your part of the country. (The 2009 Clicker Exp was last weekend and I do not see the 2010 on the calender yet. I am also considering trying this site www.StickK.com to make a commitment to training a set number of times a week ***with a lesson plan****. I think it might be pretty reinforcing. I have been using this site to lose weight and have found it definitely "concentrates the mind" on the goal. I have lost quite a bit of weight already, on a lb a week basis. It is a little like weightwatchers in that it provides accountability, but without the expense (unless you do not reach your goal.) It is designed for goal settings of all kinds. Gail I know that vets in WA will put down healthy, aggressive horses. I had a friend who tried several trainers with a beautiful rescue horse before he gave up. Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
