Prey = 60
Pack = 65
Defense – Fight = 25
Defense – Flight = 5

Prey drive is all about chasing, stalking, killing (as in stuffie toys) and all around fun time mayhem.

Pack Drive is about being with your Peeps, furred or otherwise. It’s about doing things with your Pack.

Defense Flight and Fight are about how you handle difficult or challenging situations.

Qor’s pack and prey drive scores are very high which makes for an interesting balance. It means that when a cat crosses our path on our walk, she REALLY wants to chase it… but her pack drive is high enough that a touch from me or a “we don’t chase kitties!” will get her back to my side and kitty lives another day. Qor will definatly whine about it, up on her toes and almost dancing in excitement, but she won’t lunge.

Let’s look at Defense Fight and Defense Flight. Her flight score is pretty low so if for example, the lure of kitty was just TOO much, a check on her collar won’t shut her down, but will get her attention back on me… (we can this working through defense to get back to pack).

So, since her Fight score is higher than her Flight score, if she were challenged by another dog, she would rather fight it out than run away… what fun. But with such a high pack score, she is more likely to try and work it out first.

Perfect example was today at daycare.

Evidently, one of the Labrador puppies who is about 8 months has suddenly decided he is all about Qor. Qor is (recently) spayed but this little guy is a show dog so he is still intact (and beautiful I might add). Anywho, he was sniffing her and pretty much making himself a bit of a pest. Qor
rolled over on her back, showed her belly and did all those “submissive” things. Until, he tried to mount her.. and then she launched herself at him and let him have it, politely. He would back down…… and then start the whole thing all over again… too funny!

For more info on the Volhard Test, I highly recommend their book Dog Training for Dummies

 Now, I’m not saying this is wrong or ineffective…. just that it goes contrary to what I’ve learned (it may work perfectly well….  I don’t know)

When we teach heeling in the Volhard Method we use “passive use of the leash”.  Meaning the dog is wearing a training collar (often the “Volhard Snap Around” or a properly fitted prong collar <–only for some dogs) and the leash is held in control position.  (All but a few feet of the leash rolled up in the right hand.  Right hand on right hip. The leash is held in the left fist which is also on the hip.    The dog is on the left side.. the clip of the leash is hooked to the training collar and the clip is parallel to the ground)

When you step off and say “heel”, you step with your left foot, which means if your dog doesn’t move with you, the leash tightens (since your leg is tightening it) and your dog gets a physical reminder to move.    If you dog lunges forward, your hands stay in control position and the dog gets a physical reminder (tightening of the collar) to stay where they should.  This is  passive use of the leash since the handler is not actually yanking on the leash.. the dog is making the leash tighten.

Now I know a lot of folks will say this is cruel or mean.  But remember, we are praising the dog every step that is correct.. this inspires them to stay where they should.. of course, the handlers pace and tone of voice make a HUGE difference in how well and how quickly the dog figures out where to be.

So this morning, while walking Qor (who walks beautifully on a leash.. even when not in a heel) and I was contemplating the method that Cynthia sort of described and thought about how Qor would have done with that method.

The answer is “not well”.

One of the things we learn in Volhard is to work with the different Drives a dog has.  Prey and Pack drive are the two we work with most, but often we have to work through Defense fight or flight to get to either one. 

When we lure a dog with a treat, we are working in PREY drive.  Prey drive is “let me get it! let me get it!”  which usually means that the dog is paying little if not attention to their PACK.  When we ask our dogs to heel, we ask them to stay in PACK drive.  According to the Volhard method, we remind our dogs to stay in pack drive through touch (I often touch my dogs before I leave them in a sit stay).. or sometimes we work through Defense to get to Pack. 

When the dog gets a physical correction (Defense) after lunging (Prey), they are reminded to stay in heel position (Pack Drive)

You can test your dogs natural drives with the Volhard Canine Personality Test

These are Qor’s Drive Scores
Prey   = 60
Pack   = 65
Defense – Fight  = 25
Defense – Flight = 5

I’ll analyze these in another post… this one is long enough!

If you need a new game to teach your dog, try “Find it!”

Find it is a game that most dogs love!

Start by asking your dog to sit and stay (If he doesn’t know this, you can have a friend gently hold him in one place).  Have a treat that your dog loves, show him you have it and place it about two feet away from him (out of nose reach!) .

Then say “Okay, Find it!” (Make sure your helper knows to release your dog) Be sure to praise your dog when he finds the treat and, of course, let him eat the treat.

After a few repetitions, you should be able to increase the distance and even start hiding treats in unusual places. Be sure to make it challenging but not so much so that he gets frustrated and gives up.  And remember to Have fun!

 Don’t forget to read my post on how Karate Training is like Dog Training.

A while back I had an opportunity to see Cesar Millan in person ..  to tell the truth, I think his wife is the one who pushes him to market himself.. he just wants to help dogs.

Yes, his original series of shows I have serious issues with, and yes he does a lot of flooding and making dogs do things because he “says so”.. not because they want to.

I do not recommend his books to new handlers.  I agree that there are definatlely better ways to handle things…

That being said:

We are a society who believes in band aids and quick fixes.. take the magic pill and fix the problem…

Fix my dogs in ten minutes or I’m getting rid of him.

ick.

Ideally, I would like to see more shows like “It’s Me or the Dog” with Victoria Stillwell.. shows that emphasize working with your dog.

What Cesar has done is brought awareness to people that dog behaviors can change… given opportunity.. his methods.. well..  they can be overwhelming for the wrong dog.  I always took issue with his lack of praise and reward.  I would watch his show and find myself saying “good dog” outloud.. like I do when teaching people how to praise their dogs.. (I say it with the right timing so the handlers start to figure out when and how to praise)

I just watched his more recent shows and he worked with praise, treats and easing a dog through a situation.  I was very pleased to see the changes.. now that he has an audience, maybe people will start looking to use more of this type of training and less of the “do it because I said!” training.

And of course, all TV shows are editted all to hell to get the “best” and most magical bits for TV.  Who knows what really happens with those dogs. 
Overall, the guys heart is in the right place.. he genuinely loves dogs.  He also comes from a culture in Mexico (in his own words) that does not cherish the dogs like we do.  They are part of the society, not part of the family.

He is changing his techniques and opinions… slowly, but they are changing.. and I have a lot of respect for someone who is willing to change… It’s an opportunity that we offer to our dogs.  I’m willing to offer the same opportunity to him.

Oh, and by the by.. don’t waste your money on the Illusion collar.. it’s a gimmick.  Go with the Volhard Snap around by handcraft collars instead.  And find yourself an Volhard Motivational Method Trainer