K9 Musings

It’s the mantra of search dog handlers. We’re supposed to find the toy that our dog values most and build and hone desire, desire, desire. Desire that toy so much that they will work through anything to get it.

It presented as all about that toy reward.

But how much effort and emphasis do we put into the search being about the chance to partner with us? The opportunity to work as a team to accomplish a job? After all, we choose breeds – and individual dogs – that have a natural affinity for that.

While the unrelenting focus and drive when it comes to looking for a reward object is a key indication of how well a dog will do in search and rescue/recovery work, the best handlers do not rely on the toy to do the work for them.

Watching my dogs, it is about the toy to a certain extent. It’s fun, it’s cool, it’s something they really WANT. It’s a way to release their pent up excitement of the find, to signal approval of a job well done. It was fundamental in the beginning stages of training – the “victim” producing so many very good things got them excited about and focused on the search. But it’s grown to become more about the game they share with their “victim” or with me. Kenzi plays keep away and wants her person to join in, Kolt keeps shoving it back for another toss or tug. They want the interaction. They value it more than the object that they’ve earned through a job well done.

The toy is really good but, for my dogs, the puzzle of the hunt and the relationship reward at the end is better.

What does this translate to? For me, it’s where I put focus. I cannot show up to training expecting that my dog will just work for a toy. They are ultimately working for *me* and I am paying them with a toy that they love. I must cultivate the partnership more than I cultivate the desire for the toy. I must bring excitement and joy with me. I must learn how to create meaningful interaction with my dog sans reward. I must be clear about my expectations and consistent in training. I must recognize that they are willing and amazing, but also a living breathing creature that is not mechanical. I must be willing to change my approach when something isn’t working.  I must be willing to get silly and have fun with my dog, regardless of how silly it looks to people around me.

Why must I do all that? Because my dog is a team mate with me, not with an object.

Far too many people pursue control first of all. Control isn’t inherently bad – it’s needed in varying levels needed in many areas of dog ownership and training. But, when it is our focus, then that is what spills into other areas of life. Because our approach to problems is more control. We try to figure out how to add control to eliminate what went wrong. We control more of what our dog does, we try to control the people and dogs around us to try to facilitate success or bring the results that we want. We apply more pressure as we strive for that control. We put more pressure on our dog, we put more pressure on others. We focus on the negative.

And it can bring a certain measure of success.

Pressure can be useful, but it’s most effective in limited amounts. If you apply it constantly through control, then you burn your dog out and drive people away,

But when we look beyond the box of control, we can relax and release the pressure. We try to figure out the why and work on it from that angle. We focus on the journey first rather than the end result. We take into account our dog’s state of mind, their comfort level, their preferences. We build the relationship first, then move on to skills. We want our dog to be confident, comfortable and engaged rather than perfect. We may use the pressure on occasion, but it’s to bring out the best, not to control.

When we pursue relationship and respect with our dogs, it also spills over into other areas of our lives. Including our own lives. We like how it feels and we *want* more. We approach others with respect. We look to build relationships instead of wanting to control. We command more respect for ourselves in the best way rather than demanding compliance or else.

And then we have the confidence to walk away from situations where people do not demonstrate respect. I mean, if I wouldn’t let someone treat my dog that way, why would I let them treat me that way?