  2004-05-16 Kim loves strangers. If someone shows him just a little bit of interest when we are out on our daily walks, he almost crawls out of his fur of excitement, he doesn't know how well he wants that person. Ofcourse, this behaviour is not very Sheltie-like, but I have never accused Kim for reading the breed-standard either ;-) Anyway, a dog that is so open and kind-hearted to strangers, should fit perfectly as a search and rescue dog. When a training weekend turned up at our local dog training club, I didn't hesitate one second to sign up. The first evening we had theory only, but the next day we were off to the woods. Our instructor had told us yesterday how important it was to get the dog to understand that all persons out there between the trees are pleasant beings with their pockets filled with goodies and toys... The first step, he told us, was to put out a couple of these persons all visible to the dog and let the dog go to them when called and interact in games or just cuddle and eat candytreats. The handler should be passive and uninteresting.
I had to encourage him almost all the way out. My people-affectionate, stranger-loving Sheltie didn't at all appreciate finding a person in the wood. Eat candy from her? No way! Play tug-of-war? Forget it!! "Get me out of her!!" was written all over Kims face... A new try, same result. No worse, when he got the smell in his nose, he looked the other way as "if I don't notice you, I don't have to go to you"! After a little paus, we tried again. This time Kim got the chance to get acquainted with the person, and he did play a little and he did accept the treats. We took him away while she went into hiding, but he still didn't want to go out to her when he showed that he had scented her. Several tries later, and lots and lots of gentle, loving handling from several strangers, we got Kim to go out to ONE person, but still with a great deal of hesitation. Our homework after this weekend was to get Kim comfortable with strangers(!) and to work with the first search-practises with well-known persons. My little Sheltie still loves strangers and cheerish them impetuous - when I am there to back him up! What did you know - now I know a little more about my beloved Kim. If you want to see how Toya did, take a look at the picture sweep on her homepage. There you will se an entire exercise in photos. Click here. Only in swedish though!  I'd rather go swimming! |
For some reason, the other instructor we had today, didn't think this first step was necessary. Now I know better. Kims very first introduction to search and rescue, was a completely hidden and silent person. We walked down the path with the wind in the direction from the hidden person straight toward us. Kim showed very well that there was "something" out there, but hesitated to leave me to go see what it was.
