Plenty in Life is Free Quotes

“Well, they are dogs, but there’s no “only” about it. Besides being fully deserving of dignity in their own right, dogs can help us figure out how to get along with other beings, human and non-human. Living with dogs presents us with the paint-by-numbers version of relationships, helpfully simplified because it’s stripped of the human complications of verbal language, spiteful (or altruistic) agendas, endless analysis and moral equivocating. Given dogs’ sociability, matchless sensitivity to human body-language, behavioral flexibility and passion for physical play, they are ideal “lab partners” for humans desiring to develop new skills to become better parents, spouses, siblings and friends. This is why discussions about various dog-training methods can get so emotional. They reflect our deepest beliefs about how all relationships should function.”
― Kathy Sdao, Plenty in Life is Free

“I expand on this “fifty rewards a day” protocol by giving my clients information about how to be successful behavior engineers. I suggest that they “Get SMART” —that is, that they practice “See, Mark And Reward Training.” Those three components—seeing good behavior, marking good behavior (often with a click or a “yes”) and rewarding good behavior—are the core competencies of successful trainers. This trio of skills comprises the technique called “capturing” (or “scanning” by some marine-mammal trainers): capitalizing on the numerous desirable behaviors an animal performs over the course of an average day by: 1) noticing them, 2) pointing them out to the animal, and 3) then giving the animal a reward in order to increase the strength of those behaviors. We make efforts to reinforce behaviors we like so those behaviors become more frequent, more intense and longer.”
― Kathy Sdao, Plenty in Life is Free

“Adapting this “counting directive” for dog training, we could advise, “Positively reinforce your dog’s good behaviors fifty times each day.”

Not bad, but it’s too technical. Instead, how about, “Fifty times each day, reward your dog when he’s doing something useful or cute?” This is better; it’s concrete and simple.”
― Kathy Sdao, Plenty in Life is Free

“The article concludes by describing a phone conversation Ms. Holt had with Mathilde DeCagney, the trainer of Moose, the Jack Russell Terrier who played Eddie on the TV show Frasier.

[Kiley] has nothing wrong with him,” she said, her French accent softening the sharp words. “It’s all you.” I winced, but I knew she was right. She listed the reasons: Kiley is a working dog without a job; he’s a social dog without enough companionship; he’s a smart dog without enough mental stimulation; and he’s a hyper dog without enough exercise.

In other words, Kiley has needs!”
― Kathy Sdao, Plenty in Life is Free