For starters, I've made more mistakes in training my dogs than I care to recount, you have time to read or MyCorgi has space for! LOL I’m not a spring chicken as you can guess and quality of life becomes more precious to me with each passing day. Now you know where I'm coming from. What’s that got to do with training, you ask?

Well, Timmy is the first corgi I've owned, that’s what! In my former life I raised and obedience trained German Shepherd Dogs (GSD’s). My shepherds were sensitive, noble, very loving and most eager to please. Truly, a breed apart! My heart still skips when I see a beautiful GSD. However, my corgi has those qualities is smaller and more exasperating than any GSD I’ve ever lived with.

In the past I expected my dogs to learn what I want and that MY praise should be the only thing they work for! Training was all about being “dominant” and using physical force or manipulation to get our dogs to “obey”. Yank, pull, push, alpha rolls, and talk with a deep voice, was how I learned to train. The goal, to prove I was “dominant” and to be feared. Thankfully, my shepherds were forgiving of my mistakes and succeeded in the obedience ring despite them.

Long before I got Timmy, I wanted a “better” way to train. One that is physically easier and more personally rewarding. Dominance has never been my forte` and I’m not getting any younger. So I used my “superior”(?) intelligence to do plenty of reading, working with qualified trainers, behaviorists and rescue organizations in my local area. Not only did I learn from each person, organization and book, but I truly believe that Timmy and I have developed a special relationship, like none I’ve ever had with a dog. What did I learn? As Cesar would say, “he’s an animal first; dog, second; Pembroke Welsh Corgi, third; and finally my sidekick, Timmy. From other sources I learned to channel and shape his strengths into the behaviors I wanted. Take all the things he absolutely loves, like chasing a ball (or any other object), a game of tug, walks, herding, and leaving pmail on every bush or pole and make them a reward for good behavior. Good behavior gets rewards, bad behavior gets “So sorry” and nothing. Oh, happy day! Nirvana! Or in my part of the world “Eureka!” LOL

So what’s the secret, “Positive reinforcement training!”. Positive reinforcement training takes a commitment of time and patience. No reverting to physical corrections and/or punishments. (This was the hardest for me to learn. It’s very easy to fall back on learned habits, especially for us old ladies!!). I vowed to face my faults and mistakes and work through the problems without using positive punishment (aka “the old ways”). Often I would work through a training session without actually having Timmy there. (Kind of like walking my imaginary dog!) A friend of mine here on MyCorgi once said that so much of training is common sense. Therefore, if Timmy wasn’t learning what I wanted, I needed to look at what I was doing wrong, not applying force.
I will give you an example. Timmy could never have been a therapy dog working with the Delta Society if I had used traditional old methods of training. He hated to be hugged as a youngster. Hated it! He would snarl air-bite, growl and run away if I tried to hug him. It took many many months, slowly getting him to accept hugging. It started with a simple soft touch to his collar. Today he loves being hugged and will look for permission to offer it. (Many patients or facilities may not approve of kisses or a dog’s face touching a patient's face). He knows that he'll be rewarded by the smiles on patients' faces and play or fun from me when we’re done visiting. Viva la difference!

If you’re interested or want to get started, I suggest reading "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell and "Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson. Learn how to "read" a dog's body language (including mouth and teeth). It's really the only way they can communicate with us. Then I would encourage using Pat Miller's approach to training, detailed in her book "The Power of Positive Dog Training". Another great author, animal behaviorist and trainer I recommend is, Dr. Ian Dunbar. He has written many books and has a website detailing his methods, www.dogstardaily.com

Today, when I take out the clicker and treats, he goes absolutely NUTS. I say, “Let’s go play” and he starts to look around and see what I might want. His eyes riveted on me, and begins touching everything with his nose and paws; saying (in his own way) “Is this it? Is this it?” I’ve never seen a dog more eager to “play”. So in the words of this wise human, “learning” is a reward/play for him now. Sneaky don’t you think? A relationship based on positive reinforcement grows deeper everyday. It’s a goal we can all benefit from aspiring to.