KMODT Why it Works - Lesson # 5 by Deb Kidwell
The Week 5 objectives are to inspire patience and resignation. Patience is best described by developing the ability to learn to identify and make correct choices. Resignation is learning that a correct choice is rewarded, an incorrect choice is uncomfortable, and the handler’s authority is absolute. The dog does not get a vote. This week will determine your dog’s readiness to transition directly to off-leash training. They may be better suited to add the e-collar in Roxanne’s Tech Savvy course before completing the goal of off-leash competency.
Remember that KMODT is a method whereby the dog can make choices and the handler provides consequences, either negative or positive, so that the dog learns to choose correctly. (The right choices are defined as our behavior standards). This means that the most significant factor in defining right choice is to provide unpleasant or uncomfortable consequences for those behaviors we want to eliminate, such as not coming when called or breaking a Sit/Stay. Similarly, it is the handler’s responsibility to provide the positive consequences of praise and touch for right behavior. It is the handler’s responsibility to structure the training environment so that it is easier for the dog to choose right and harder to make an incorrect choice—every single time.
So, Week 5 is the principle of the handler countermoving every time the dog is outside of a 6” Heel position. These countermoves bring the dog back into correct Heel position causing the dog to experience comfort, bonding, and a sense of satisfaction at choosing to do the right thing. Teamwork is accomplished because of the Week 5 refinement of Heel position.
The certainty of an uncomfortable consequence because of a wrong choice is one reason why KMODT is so successful. The turns taught ARE the correction for the dog making the wrong choice. That is key to the dogs understanding that the turns, i.e. correction, occurred NOT as coming from the handler, rather the turns, i.e. correction that resulted occurred BECAUSE the dog chose to be out of Heel position where comfort and bonding occurs. This is an often overlooked and misunderstood aspect to the psychology of why KMODT works so very well.
The learning dog believes the correction (from the collar based on the turns or countermoves whenever dog is outside of correct Heel position) is a direct result of the dog choosing to be outside of correct Heel position. KMODT works because the dog believes it has choice comfort/bonding/team versus discomfort/separation from its handler. Other than the “OUT!” which IS an Applied Punisher, every other correction made is to make a wrong choice by the dog a right choice, so comfort again is reestablished.
The consistent praise and physical touching consequences instill a positive work ethic and appropriate relationship with the handler. Rather than forcing the dog to perform a selected behavior under threat of punishment, KMODT handlers allow the dog to choose the correct behavior because it is certainly moving from discomfort to comfort for doing so. The best way understand why Week 5 techniques work is to compare the list of tasks and methods to those in Week 4 in a dashboard or table comparison format.
Tasks | Week 4 | Week 5 | Difference |
Heeling activity | low to moderate distractions, continue teaching Auto Sit | high distractions, with only 6” of latitude and Auto Sit | Distraction level Pull dog closer Require Auto Sit |
Stand position | Place dog in stand with leash pressure under chin, stroke withers, continue to touch dog while walking around dog counterclockwise | Stand-stay in low distractions, stroke withers, move away 1’ for 10 seconds, move back, stroke withers for 10 sec; increase to 6’ for 60 seconds | Dog stands with cues Dog holds stand while handler moves away Increased time in stand position Increased distance between handler and dog |
Down position | Placed downs | Down stay with correction | Dog initiates and holds position taught |
Sit/Stay position | Increase to 6’ for 60 seconds | increase time and distance to 15 feet for 3 minutes | Increase time Increase distance |
Recall activity | Teach Recall by pulling dog to you with leash with command | Give dog 2 seconds to decide to come before silently correcting with leash pressure from behind the knee, one step backward, two steps forward (the Finish) | Dog expected to perform Recall on command or leash pressure (correction) applied |
Table: Comparison of KMODT Activities and Methods
for Weeks 4 and 5
The above table illustrates “Why it works.” Handlers increase their standards gradually so the dog can comprehend the standards of behavior. The differences between the methods used in weeks 4 and 5 are incremental. The handler consistently applies consequences for incorrect choices after teaching the desired behavior. The handler gives commands with authority and the implied expectation of compliance.
Dogs have no abstract or higher order thinking ability, so learning must be clearly defined with choices presented and taught in incremental “baby steps.” KOMDT theory holds that as fellow creatures, dogs have a right to make choices and they are designed to make choices that move them from a place of discomfort to comfort because it is logically in their own best interest. As superior learners and teachers, it is up to the handler to structure the training environment, present choices in a clear black-and-white framework that reflects our standards, and to devise the process required to shape the correct choice.
Here's the recap to understand the lessons learned thus far by the dog.
Choice 1) Antecedent -> Behavior -> Consequence = Earn Comfort/Praise/Team/Bonding
Choice 2) Antecedent -> Behavior -> Consequence = Earn Discomfort/Correction/Separation
No comments:
Post a Comment