Taylor Bagwell
Forum Replies Created
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https://youtu.be/nXgEOjzxIgw<div>
</div><div>This is our update on Nugget’s arrow fetching!</div><div>
</div><div>Quick note, the arrow I’m using doesn’t have a nock, so it doesn’t stick to the string when I release. That’s why it just falls those few times. </div><div>
</div><div>And I really need a bigger bow, one that can actually shoot the arrow further. Lol</div> -
Yeah, the doors to all of the other bedrooms were shut. Other than the living room, that was the only room available with carpet.
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Looking at the IACP code of conduct, it seems to be pretty loose, allowing for each trainer to have a bit more freedom with what they do in their business. There is emphasis on being honest, maintaining the honor of the organization as a whole, and being competent. I do very much like how they mention seeking out help should expertise they don’t have be required in addition to furthering their knowledge in their field. It’s rather interesting that they specifically state that they aren’t to ban or restrict other professionals in the field, keeping the choice to use them to each individual trainer.
That being said, there’s not really anything regarding the actual animals, focusing more on the owners and other trainers. I personally don’t like that they draw the line of membership to being convicted in court or lying to the organization. That just seems too far to me. Also, the professional judgement, while nice, does allow for a lot of interpretation. You can still be honest and respectful to the owner and see yourself as competent but still choke the dog out because you thinks that’s what’s best for the dog. It also worries me that they have to state the fees are a matter between the trainer and client. What does it say about the organization and the trainers in the industry that they felt the need to include that in their code of conduct?
The APDT code of conduct is definitely more professional looking. Breaking out the rules into sections lets you see at a glance what the main focus of each rule is. The order also shows that clients come first to the organization. I don’t know if that’s why they had intended with that, but that’s the meaning that comes across to me. I really do love that one of the first rules is the safety of everyone, including the animals involved. The focus on local laws is also a big point, which can get trainers in a lot of trouble with clients if they don’t follow the local laws. Like the IACP, there is focus on honesty, competence, and not taking on cases above your abilities, in addition to furthering education.
Something I don’t quite care for or understand the need to have a rule about is professional liability insurance coverage. That seems like it should be more of a personal choice for the individual trainer, unless required by law. The rules on advertising seem redundant with respect to the earlier rules regarding honesty, competence, and integrity. While the IACP seemed to vague and open with their rules, the APDT seems to have too many, several of which read as redundant to me.
Going through both of these codes of conduct, there are aspects of both that I liked. Neither are inherently good or bad, but both seem to have a different focus and end goal for their respective codes of conduct. The IACP code seems more focused on the relationship between the trainer and client and the relationship between the trainer and other trainers. The APDT code seems focused on the business aspect of things. While I understand both points of view, I think a little more focus on the training aspect of things is appropriate.
Here are my ten rule suggestions:
1. Safety of dog, owner, and surrounding people and animals is first priority in all training or consultation sessions.
2. Trainer will not force the client to do something they are not comfortable with or force them into any decisions.
3. Basic procedures and policies will be disclosed upon first meeting. Details will be given upon request and/or before procedures begin so client can make an informed decision.
4. Trainer will not bash or bully other trainers or dog owners.
5. When taking a dog above your skill level for learning purposes, client must be informed of skill level and make the final decision. There must be complete transparency throughout.
6. Trainers have the responsibility to consistently continue their education in the field/industry.
7. Trainers will strive for honestly and transparency with all matters with the client. Fraud is unacceptable. Negligence or ignorance will be corrected upon trainers notification of the event.
8. Trainers are familiar and abide by the associated local laws.
9. Trainers do not release client information unless required by law or have prior approval from the client.
10. Trainers strive to avoid conflicts of interests with all clients.
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The video is a bad example of my use of command structure. I was focused on too many things at once, mostly trying not to fall flat on my face. Though, that would have made for an interesting video. Lol
My goal with “easy” is to say it before the leash tightens as an almost warning command. Then, if he keeps going as he is and hits the end he gets the finger pump. That way he can avoid the finger pump all together. And I’ll give him a different amount of leash depending on the situation. Since he may not know how much leash he has, I felt it was only fair to give him a warning when he’s almost at the end. He’s not always looking at me or in a position to look at me. And he doesn’t look at me when I say his name except when we’re inside. Getting him to look at me when we’re outside is incredibly difficult even with treats.
In regards to “hold up,” I have used it at the door, at the curb, when a car is passing, when he’s trying to go somewhere while I’m picking up his poop, and around the apartment as needed. He’s pretty decent at it, depending on what’s nearby of course.
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Hey, Art! Thanks for watching!
Yeah, I know my leash control wasn’t very good. But between my trying not to slip, juggling the phone, and not knowing how Nugget was going to react I let it slide a bit. Not the best idea, I know. “Easy” is for when he’s pulling at the leash, “Far enough” is when he’s reached the end of the leash and there’s no more length left after I give him permission to go, and “hold up” is our wait command. Of the three of those, he’s best with “hold up,” which is very handy on the stairs when going up. And he was actually wearing a precision collar, but today it wasn’t adjusted properly and I didn’t notice until we were already outside. Since it was below freezing outside, I didn’t feel comfortable having a piece of metal against his neck.
It usually doesn’t snow here until January, so this was a huge surprise. But thank you for the reminder about the salt. And we’re working on out and leave it, which are getting better. Slowly, but they are.
Thanks again!
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Thanks, Art. That really means a lot.
They do not have any cameras where the owners can watch. That’d be cool though. When I dropped him off they asked me if he likes other dogs and how he plays with them. I told them that he can be a scrapper and can play rough. They said they’d put him with some more of the rambunctious dogs but would keep an eye on him in case. As I was leaving I heard them talking with an owner about another dog there for daycare and the staff mentioned behaviors that the dog had been exhibiting the day before. I took that to mean that they actually watch the dogs a bit.
Last time I boarded him I did specifically ask about any aggression issues that might have occurred. They said Nugget never aggressed but another dog did aggress towards him, their words, but Nugget backed down and that was all that happened.
I will definitely ask more questions when I pick him up. Thanks again! It already feels weird without him. Lol
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Hey Art,
I’m slowly trying to get him used to me doing it. At this point he’s better about his rear feet, but he only lets me do a few millimeters off one or two claws on his front feet. And of course he has black claws so I’m not able to see the quick through the nail for help with depth. But we’re slowly getting there.
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Hey, Art,
Thanks. I know his social skills in general need a lot of work. The only real problem I have with his jumping to greet me is that he has velociraptor talons for claws and that hurts, even through jeans. I know he doesn’t mean to hurt, but it still does.
Thank you again.
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Hey, Art,
He’s about a year old, give or take a few months. I got him from the shelter a little over 3 months ago. He’s crated for about 5.5 hours in the morning and 4.5 hours in the afternoon. I take him out to pee shortly before he goes into the crate. He is on a regular feeding schedule, but I don’t know about drinking. I just try to keep some clean water in his bowl. And it is just the two of us. His crate is that small because that’s the largest that I could find at the time. And he doesn’t have a blanket or pad because each time I get him one he chews it up and tries to eat it. I have worked on sit and down with him. He’s better at sit as we’ve just started down. I think his phase 1 sit is pretty good, except for duration and he doesn’t quite get what “free” means yet. I am just starting a habitation chart. Right now I think my goals with him is to just have a better relationship with him. I can take him out almost immediately, but I do have to put my stuff down first. Once the crate is open, I go straight to get his leash and put it on.
Yeah, I’ve never gotten angry with him for peeing since I do think it’s pretty natural, though I do get a little frustrated that I have to clean it up. During the middle of the day when I take him out I am on a time crunch before I have to head back to work, and cleaning the pee takes a lot of time away from what we could have spent outside. Other than this excited peeing, and a few times he peed when he thought I was angry with him (though that has not been recently), he has never gone inside the apartment.
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@Art Thanks for linking that video. It’s good stuff, but I’m still wary of petting Nugget at all, whether jumping or sitting or standing, when I come home because he usually pees all over the floor when I do. When we go outside, even just outside the door, I can pet him just fine with no jumping and no peeing.
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Yes, that is what we do, to an extent. The “let me see it” command is for him to put it on the ground and pull his head away. He usually goes into a down on his own when doing that. You can see him do that in the video, but he is keeping his paw on the shaft even though he has released the ball part.
We do need to work on our “out” command. He does have one, and it is situationally different from the “let me see it” command. We need to troubleshoot our phase 2 out.
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Thanks! He has always loved fetch! Even turned down food in favor of his ball once. That was funny.
Alas, I don’t think I’ll be doing any LARPing with him. Though, that would be super awesome!
And thanks for those videos. I do need to work on him brining the ball back to my hand when just doing regular fetch too. 👍
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Potentially possible, but he is super fast back to it before I can get a single word said, much less a command. What I had to do today was the second it was out of his mouth, after the third time we went through this cycle, I quickly grabbed the stick and threw it where he couldn’t get it.
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I agree that the APDT was redundant and reads very corporate. Though, your catch on them using the word “Principles” is a good one. I hadn’t noticed that.
Out of curiosity, when you mention how the second rules of the IACP should be worded quite differently, what sort of wording do you have in mind?
Keeping accountable to each other is a good point. No bashing or bullying, but accountability can go a long way to keeping everyone on track and focused on what’s most important. Very good catch.
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I love #10 “Fairness: Instill in those we work with a sense of fairness regarding their relationship with their dog to promote better quality of life and co-operation between human and K-9.” That just really seems to bring home that it’s the relationship between dog and human that we’re focusing on improving rather than just simple obedience or behavior fixes.
The sum up at the end with the always and never is an awesome idea. I’ve seen other places and professions have similar main rules like that. To me, that really is a good way to go about things.
