Consequences

[Peggy Hogan]

Just wanted to drop a thought as I mull over a disappointing training experience. I spent about 2 months (working a few minutes each day) with a miniature donkey that was biting, rearing and wouldn't let anyone touch her feet.

To make a LONG story short, I proudly presented her back to her owner at the end of this training time. She would walk nicely with people, let her head and neck be scratched, was happy to have people in all of the different "zones" and of course, her feet would be lifted willingly to be picked. We even got them trimmed.

All of this was done using positive reinforcement with the clicker as the bridge.

So why am I "mulling?" Because I talked to the owner who said "She's being such a brat, she's eating stuff out of my garden even though she KNOWS I don't like it." After I suggested a fence or hot wire the response was "I'm just swatting her with the broom."

And of course the consequences are clear.

Just had to get this one off my chest....sigh....thanks.

[Suzanne]

Sigh... I know the feeling. When people see what can be done with positive reinforcement - I use a clicker too - they are soooo impressed. But, do they then go home and to likewise? Nooo. They keep on hitting their horses over the head.

It's frustrating. Believe me, I know. But what more can one do?

[Peggy Hogan]

You know Suzanne, I really think that positive reinforcement is hard for 2 basic reasons; people find it difficult to SEE the good, and basically many people still think that horse's are farm tools that should work for "free." But since you clicker train you already know how it is....
At least the word is spreading.. :-)

[Suzanne]

Yep. If you can't get the owner to buy into your program, you might as well not waste your time - except that I feel so sorry for the animals involved. :o(