Nate Schoemer Show | Episode 9 - Bethany Preud'homme

TL;DR

Bethany discusses dog training techniques and common mistakes.

Transcript

hey everyone welcome back to another episode in today's podcast i sit down with bethany perdom from ph dogs she is certified by the certification council for professional dog trainers and is an evaluator for the american kennel club's canine good citizen temperament test bethany has been training dogs professionally since 2010 and in her free time ... Read More

Key Insights

• Bethany Preud'homme is a certified professional dog trainer with extensive experience in various dog sports, including French Ring.
• Starting training with puppies is crucial as it lays a solid foundation for future skills and behaviors.
• Overtraining can lead to stress and demotivation in dogs; it's important to end training sessions on a high note.
• Understanding individual dog's drives and motivations is essential for effective training and achieving desired outcomes.
• French Ring sport is a comprehensive test of a dog's agility, obedience, and protection skills, with breed-specific standards.
• Different training techniques are used for sport dogs and working dogs, such as police canines, to suit their specific roles and requirements.
• Reading and understanding the rulebook of any dog sport is essential for success and compliance during competitions.
• A balanced approach to training, including both rewards and corrections, helps maintain a dog's motivation and performance.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can overtraining affect a dog's performance?

Overtraining can lead to stress and demotivation in dogs. When dogs are overworked, they may not enjoy training sessions, resulting in a lack of enthusiasm and decreased performance. It's crucial to end training on a high note, leaving the dog wanting more, rather than pushing them to exhaustion.

Q: Why is starting training with puppies important?

Starting training with puppies is important because it lays a solid foundation for future skills and behaviors. Early training helps imprint desired behaviors and prepares puppies for more advanced training as they grow. It also helps in developing a strong bond between the dog and the handler.

Q: What are the key components of French Ring sport?

French Ring sport is a comprehensive test that includes agility, obedience, and protection skills. It is fluid, with exercises flowing from one to another, testing the dog's control and athleticism. The sport is breed-specific, originally designed as a breed test for the Malinois, and requires dogs to perform various tasks within a set time.

Q: How do you determine a dog's motivation for training?

Understanding a dog's motivation involves observing what the dog enjoys, such as food, toys, or physical play. Trainers should tailor rewards to what the dog finds most motivating. For example, some dogs may work better for food, while others may prefer a toy or a game of tug. Identifying these preferences helps in creating effective training plans.

Q: What is the difference between training a sport dog and a working police dog?

Training a sport dog focuses on precision and performance in controlled environments, often using prey drive and play. In contrast, training a working police dog involves preparing the dog for real-life scenarios, requiring a balance between obedience and the ability to engage in protection work. Police dogs must be reliable in various situations, often involving higher stakes.

Q: Why is reading the rulebook important for dog sports?

Reading the rulebook is crucial as it provides detailed guidelines and requirements for competitions. Understanding the rules helps handlers prepare their dogs appropriately, ensuring compliance and maximizing performance. It also helps in avoiding penalties or disqualifications during competitions.

Q: What approach is recommended for maintaining a dog's motivation in training?

A balanced approach is recommended, combining positive reinforcement with appropriate corrections. Rewarding desired behaviors encourages repetition, while corrections help in shaping behavior and maintaining control. This approach helps in keeping the dog motivated and focused during training sessions.

Q: How can you teach a dog to alert or bark on command?

Teaching a dog to alert or bark on command involves using a back tie and teasing the dog with a toy. When the dog barks, they are rewarded, reinforcing the behavior. Gradually, the command is introduced, and the dog learns to associate the command with the action of barking, eventually doing so in various scenarios.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Bethany Preud'homme, a certified dog trainer, shares insights into dog training, emphasizing the importance of starting early with puppies to build a solid foundation. She discusses the nuances of French Ring sport and the significance of understanding each dog's unique drives and motivations.

• Overtraining is highlighted as a common mistake that can lead to stress and demotivation in dogs. Bethany advises ending training sessions on a high note and tailoring techniques to suit individual dogs. She also touches on the differences between training sport dogs and working dogs like police canines.

• The importance of reading the rulebook for any dog sport is stressed, as it aids in understanding competition requirements. A balanced approach, combining rewards and corrections, is recommended to maintain a dog's motivation and performance in various training scenarios.