training
Help the Handler… Help the Dog Suzanne Clothier explains how the handler’s behavior, body language and emotional state can affect a dog’s behavior and learning
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hile much of dog training seems to be focused on the dog, smart train ers know that handlers can and do affect their dog’s behavior and learning. Mas ters of body language subtleties, dogs are finely attuned to us, aware of how we move, act, speak, breathe. Many training problems are rooted in communication issues, caused by a handler’s body language and unintended messages. A dog’s understanding of a handler’s be havior is built on the details of how the han dler typically moves, laughs, smiles, speaks, breathes, etc. in familiar and comfortable set tings. But under stress, in unfamiliar or chal lenging situations, things can change. Shifts in the handler signal to the dog that the person he relies on is alarmed, angry, worried, or even afraid. Depending on the dog, this can have significant impact on behavior. The handler may not notice the changes in themselves, but the dog will. And sooner or later the handler will notice the changes in the dog’s response. © Can Stock Photo / Madrabothair A confident dog may be able to maintain Skipping or dancing can be an effective way for a handler to see how a dog responds to more movement their equanimity or even perform well with a and greater relaxation in the joints stressedout handler. Such dogs are truly gems in their stability and their ability to work under less than ideal support heck out of Dodge before something really bad happens. This has al from their teammates. ways struck me as an intelligent response. How long would you stay in a But often, dogs find the shift(s) in the handler upsetting. When the movie theater if your friends were nervous, vigilant, and worried in handler seems alarmed, stressed, fearful and/or anxious, the dog may stead of relaxing and enjoying the movie? correctly decide that this is not a good situation. They can respond in a “My, Isn’t This Interesting over Here?”: These dogs offer many sig variety of ways. nals that they are feeling pressured and worried by the handler’s behav ior. They tend to move away from the handler, watching from the corner “Goofiness”: Some dogs become clowns, racing around, offering play of their eye and sometimes sniffing the ground with intense interest. bows, bouncing off the walls, etc. What these dogs know is that when The dog is aware and watchful, but also sending signals that he has no people laugh, they relax. Handlers are often exasperated by these dogs, intention of engaging the handler. This is a wise response to others particularly if they mistakenly believe the dog is avoiding work or trying (human or dog) who are overly excited and seen as perhaps dangerous. to “get away” with something. Do you know someone who tries to de fuse tense situations with humor?
“See Ya!”: Viewing the handler’s signs of alarm as a signal that there’s something scary about this place/situation, some dogs decide to get the
Dogs know that there’s nothing smart about running quickly and directly towards someone who is clearly upset. Faced with someone who is agitated, alarmed, uptight, the wise choice is to avoid approaching them.
“I’ll Just Wait Here”: Dogs know that there’s nothing smart about running quickly and directly towards someone who is clearly upset. Faced with someone who is agitated, alarmed, uptight, the wise choice is to avoid approaching them. The dog may stay put and look away, though still keeping the handler in his peripheral vision. Handlers often think this reflects stubbornness or a refusal to work or perform. In fact, the dog is being ultra polite and notifying the handler that their behav ior is upsetting and frightening.
Helping Handlers How, then, do we help the handlers, and thus help the dogs?
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BARKS from the Guild/September 2020
