Pathways to Friendship E-Book

Ulli Reichmann

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 167

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

Hunting behavior is as much a part of a dog’s personality as is its way of expressing joy, its way of playing, or its way of communicating. Yet this behavior often triggers feelings of helplessness, of lack of understanding or of personal failure in people. “Why is that so?” asks the author. Without resorting to any means of suppression, giving things up, substitutions or forced behavior, Ulli Reichmann describes a very personal pathway. Through it you can learn to love your dog’s hunting behavior and to even use it as a chance to develop true friendship between you and your dog. You will be sent on a journey, accentuated with marvelous pictures. By the end of the book, you will probably see your dog with new eyes... With her "Pathways to Friendship," Ulli Reichmann has launched a movement that ​is receiving a lot of attention, both in Austria and abroad. The number of ​dog trainers choosing to learn the peaceful Ullihunde (Ulli-dog) way as an additional training is growing ​by the day. Far removed from any pack leader stress, the "Ullihunde" method promotes a friendly, enjoyable, relaxed way of handling dogs. After shaking up the German-speaking world, this bestseller is now finally AVAILABLE in ENGLISH.

Leseprobe

For Quendy

... we’ll meet again, my brown eyed girl

Translator’s Note:

To uphold the lively character of the book, punctuation has at times been only loosely adhered to, akin to the original, especially in direct speech.

The terms “rabbit“ and “hare‘‘ have been used interchangeably; “hare“ is technically correct but “rabbit“ is more commonly used in spoken English.

Proper names containing the German letters ä, ö, ü have been left in their original spelling.

Hey, where did we go Days when the rains came? Down in the hollow Playin‘ a new game

Laughin‘ and a-runnin‘, hey, hey Skippin‘ and a-jumpin‘ In the misty mornin‘ fog With our, our hearts a-thumpin‘

And you, my brown eyed girl You my brown eyed girl

Lyrics: Van Morrison

Foreword by Jörg Tschentscher

A new book about the hunting behavior of dogs. Oh gee, I thought, feels like about the 87th version of books on this subject.

And then I read it. It’s really just indirectly a book about hunting behavior. Very indirectly. For Ulli Reichmann writes about her way of dealing with dogs that hunt, chase, or track. A huge difference. No training dogs against their nature, pressuring them or demanding obedience against their biology. Inspired by a special encounter, she not only found a way but her way of dealing with canine needs while still maintaining guidance of a dog in her own hands. In an easygoing and natural way. With a concept that also “works” in densely populated areas.

Those who now think this book provides a training plan with pointers they can simply check off are mistaken. There are plenty of those around.

Here you’ll find a biography by someone who had to come “clean” with her dog. And through that found both her and a way. Thus an exciting book. Worth reading. Not written from some condescending “I’ve got it – follow me!” stance. But by a very human being. A human who has a dog that hunts. A human who searched and who observed. Who out of that developed a way to truly accommodate a dog.

All it asks of the human is attention.

Precisely that aspect starkly differentiates this book from said 87th version ... Not a training book. A biography with a personal concept. Which is why I find it worth reading.

Jörg Tschentscher

Table of Contents

Foreword

Prologue

Chapter 1: Differentiated Hunting Behaviors

Hunting

Quendy the Queen

A loss – and Shanta moving in

The Second

Lou the Knight moves in

A friend leaves

Disoriented

My Path begins

Simply Bertie

Learning through exclusion and observation

Farewell to Quendy

Vivi

A challenge!

Key to success

Chapter 2: Structuring the Training

Foundations/Basic-walks

Structure Level 1

Structure Level 2

Structure Level 3

More team building techniques

Frequently asked questions

Chapter 3: Dogs and Their Humans

Luke

Bella

Lotta

Benjamin

Hermann

Antia

Sheila

Luca

Animal shelter dog Napoleon

Animal shelter dog Bärli

Magda

Lara

Gina

Phoebe

Franzi and Sissi

Chapter 4: Living Together

Key to the soul

Playing ball

Dog-dog-encounters

What dogs wish

Selfmade problems

Rank order and delusions of power

Praising

Food as a reward

Emergency whistle

What can I do if my dog goes chasing after a wild animal?

Epilogue

Thanks

My Teachers

Picture Credits

Portrait of the Author

Appendix

Prologue

Somewhat lost, a woman stands in a clearing, looking around, searching. Three dogs are sitting next to her, then lie down with a sigh when the waiting gets to be too long.

Suddenly a voice echoes from a densely overgrown hill nearby: “Are you looking for your dog?“

Bewildered, the woman looks around and the speaker appears. Dressed like a Native American, with long white hair, a falcon on his arm, an English Pointer at his side. He appraises the woman with an amused gaze. “Yes,“ the one spoken to answers. “She’s a good dog,“ the man returns. “Yes, she is,” the woman nods, “just unfortunately she is not here.“ The man points to the bushes behind him and says: “She’s after a hare, she’ll be back soon.“ The woman sighs: “Precisely why I never wanted a Terrier...” The man laughs, comes down the hill to stand next to the woman, says: “You simply haven’t understood yet what the dog wants.“ The woman thinks a bit. “And you know?“ The man nods: “Yes, I know.“ The woman: “Then tell me!“ The man: “That I can only show you. Tomorrow at 10 a.m. – here?“ The woman: “Ok!” That woman was me. The next day at 10 a.m. as well as the following days, weeks, months, years, Helmut the Falconer propelled me on a journey. On a journey to friendship with my dog that hunts.

Well, you can’t simply transmit such a journey 1:1. You need to immerse yourself and gather your own experiences. Can’t force anything, let alone try to teach your dog anything in this regard. Anything the dog needs to learn here it already knows! And anything the human needs to know here they too already know. Regrettably, this inner knowledge tends to lie hidden beneath endless layers. Layers of social conventions, misinterpretations of a dog’s behavior, written and verbal training guidelines, comfort zones, and set ways of doing things. Helmut the Falconer helped me rediscover my buried inner knowledge and trust. I would now like to share the results with you. First, however, I need to expound a little ...

Chapter 1: Differentiated Hunting Behaviors

People tend to begin thinking about their dog’s behavior only when it becomes “uncomfortable.“ When they watch the disappearing backside of what was once such a cute little pup rushing off somewhere – backside still cute but now part of a half-grown dog. Or when the grateful dog from the animal shelter starts revealing qualities other than thankfulness after a few weeks of settling in.

By then at the latest a “spiral of constraints” usually begins. Many dog trainers are firmly convinced that restraints are the only way to shift a dog’s hunting behavior. It’s just too tempting – the dog wants to rush off into the bushes, you hurl a ”NO!” at it and it stops doing what it was going to do. Tempting and human, but unfortunately useless in the long run. Unless you savor constantly fighting against your dog on walks rather than enjoying your time together.

Especially with dogs that hunt, you can find some of the greatest insanity used in training methods – even to the point of using stun guns! Obviously some people see a dog’s passion for hunting as a sort of nasty demon to be eradicated by any means other than feelings and intelligence.

Of course, there are also quite a few dog-friendly anti-hunting methods used by serious trainers, methods based on solid scientific foundations.

For the most part, these people work with “distraction,“ ”diversion“ and ”substitution.“

Things that neither hurt a dog nor seek dominance from the other end of the leash.

Other than dummy training for retrievers, I nonetheless find most of these methods too “artificial.“ They show too little interest in the specific preferences and talents that each type and breed have developed over the centuries.

I approach it very differently.

I take what a dog has to offer on its own. I try to meet it right there without any other animal having to suffer in the process.

Basic hunting aspects are the same in all dogs, regardless of breed: Search – Find – Chase – Catch – Kill – Eat.

As specialization has developed over centuries or even millenia, one thing is clear: No dog needs all these aspects to have a satisfying hunting experience. Human beings found that out fairly quickly and have further ”refined“ these natural specialists to fulfill their own needs.

You don’t need to be familiar with all 400 or so “recognized” breeds.

Some you can only tell apart by how they carry their ears, by the texture of their coat or the color of their fur.

There are also regional differences. Dogs with identical abilities but born and raised in different countries may be given very different names and their breeders may point out huge differences. Yet those tend to be purely external.

To me that doesn’t matter. I am interested in a dog’s preferences and abilities. To be aware of them, you need to be able to differentiate more between dog “types” than breeds.

Knowing breeds is only important in finding correct approaches, assessing a dog’s abilities, and thus being able to accommodate them.

How irritating that dogs don’t always behave in accordance with their breed! Luckily, they are still individuals, regardless how purebred they may be, and have their personal preferences and aversions. These should be our starting point for all activities with them.

At the same time, a dog’s hunting behavior is often the only real clue as to what the ancestral heritage of a mixed-breed may be.

Once you’ve found out some rudiments of your dog’s hunting behavior, it is of course fun to research specialized literature and expand your knowledge of that field.

In the many years I’ve held courses for dogs and humans, I’ve learned to distinguish between the following types:

Dogs that enjoy anything connected with hunting. Dogs that can also be inspired to carry out activities that deviate from their own particular purpose

In this group you’ll find primarily Terriers and Dachshunds, but also other temperamental breeds and their crossbreeds.

You can recognize this type of hunting dog through the fact that any activity with it creates interest or even enthusiasm and that they can immediately understand and implement anything you show them. Training seems “easy“ and fast, with the risk that the human may tend to become sloppy and careless, thus frustrating the dog.

These dogs rather quickly get used to a new way of taking walks. They are then bitterly disappointed if their human turns out to be an unreliable hunting partner rather than the seeming promise at the beginning. Letting training “slip” with these dogs has especially uncomfortable consequences since their character is quite independent and they will quickly revert back to hunting alone. Rebuilding such training can take a good deal of discipline and skill.

Dogs that enjoy anything connected with receiving instructions from a human

In this group you’ll find primarily shepherding dogs of all kinds and their crossbreeds.

Training is easy and fast with this group as well. Here the human needs to be sure to always initiate activities.

These dogs expect that and are thoroughly prepared to cooperate. Be sure that there are always enough running games, for the biggest challenge these dogs face is being able to chase enough.

Herding behavior grew out of chasing and was also selectively bred in them. Dogs in this group must also be given the opportunity to run really fast on command.

Fleeing prey combined with an unsatisfied need to run is not a good mixture for this type. The challenge for the human here is supplying the dog with enough tasks and staying in constant connection with it.

Dogs with a special talent for pointing

In this group you’ll find pointing dogs and allrounders of all nations, e.g: English Pointers, German Shorthaired Pointers, German Wirehaired Pointers, Magyar Vizslas, Weimaraners, Small Munsterlanders, Large Munsterlanders, Brittanys, Setters, and all their various crossbreeds.

With these dogs, one needs a lot of skill and patience, especially at the onset of training.

If your dog carries one of these breeds in its genes, at least in part, you can be sure that its indication of prey can develop into real pointing if encouraged.

The difference between indicating and pointing is that indicating is never the end of the hunt for a dog. Tense and perfect as it may look, it only serves to inform its fellow hunters, and the chase will follow fairly soon.

The dog will also indicate tracks or other things that it finds interesting.

Real pointing, however, is an active hunt. Through its position and body tension, the dog keeps the appointed prey in place until a human (or its own instinct) tells it what to do next. You thus need a lot of sensitivity if you want to promote this very pleasant type of hunting preference.

It begins with slightly tautening the leash to keep the dog place while also clearly staying in connection with it. In addition, you very softly praise the dog while carefully moving towards it, slowly, step by step, to keep it from chasing ahead.

Some dogs like it if you place your hand over their chest in addition, others prefer not to be touched at all.

Keep praising the dog the entire time. Then stop the process, either through a whistle or with “Enough.”

Quickly move in the opposite direction and generously reward your dog. Then get it to look for a new hot scent via a hand signal and “Search.”

Dogs that point steadily and reliably are a real blessing. If you have a dog like that as a hunting partner, definitely allow it to live out its special talent! Another pointing dog trait is large-scale searching. The leash should be really long and the human prepared to run a lap or two with the dog if necessary.

Dogs with a big need to run, medium interest in tracking, and very little interest in human instructions

This group consists primarily of Nordic dog breeds and their crossbreeds.

If you live with such a dog, it is of great value to reward and praise it excessively for even the slightest signs of attention. These dogs are very independent regarding humans, yet also very group oriented. It is helpful to offer anything in your power to encourage their cooperation.

Some of these dogs also love to fish, i.e., they will stand in the water for a long time, focused on what is going on beneath them (p. →, top).

Here, too, avoid being a killjoy. Follow the dog’s activity with interest instead.

Only encourage it to continue walking when you are either about to die of starvation or you notice that the dog’s desire is waning.

Dogs with great interest in tracking and little interest in human instructions

In this group you’ll find Dachsbracken, Spaniels, Beagles, all other Retrievers and Hounds, and their crossbreeds.

These dogs find their hunting satisfaction in searching and flushing out prey and chasing it noisily. For us certainly the most uncomfortable way of hunting.

These dogs have an acute sense of smell and want to utilize that. They also have a tendency to roam quite far from their owners. It’s thus a good idea to take part in their search via a very long leash and to show a lot of interest in the scent they are tracking. In addition, you’ll need to initiate a lot of directional changes and encourage and praise the dog when it takes up contact with you.

It needs to be able to pick up a scent and then follow it briefly. It’s about the art of shifting a dog’s passion for the prey itself to the joy of tracking it.

Dogs love to hunt, but they are social beings. They will give up hunting alone if you uplift their sense of community and become their ally in tracking. That way their second-favorite activity can become their favorite.

Dogs with little interest in tracking and little interest in human instructions

This group consists primarily of Livestock Guardian Dogs and some Molossers.

If given the opportunity, these dogs will also hunt. They tend to struggle with taking humans seriously and showing respect for their suggestions. And they are rarely thrilled about a passing scent on a tuft of grass. Thus I suggest having a few tricks up your sleeve for dogs of this group.

The much-loved game of “meat in a tree” can help capture the dog’s interest. You can smear a dollop of liverwurst or something similar on a fallen branch or on a fur dummy strategically placed out in a meadow.

Many of these dogs also greatly enjoy following directional changes – a point to consider if you want to get through to them. Since these dogs rarely wander far from their owners, this can bring zest to your daily stroll.

Retrievers

In general, the Retriever group’s needs lie somewhere between those of Terriers and those of shepherding dogs.

Since their greatest passion is in retrieving objects, I would recommend some additions to your walks.

Let them have fun with dummy searches and also give them opportunities to swim.

Sighthounds

The large family of Sighthounds includes very different types of dogs. Their behavior can be found sprinkled throughout most of the previous groupings. Whippets and Podencos often fit into the Terrier group, Galgos into the Scent-hounds group. Yet some sighthounds can in no way be persuaded to favor companionship above their need to run.

These dogs are then truly better off on a coursing track where they can really go full throttle. You can’t fulfill that need on a leash.

Digging dogs

Digging is a passion found amongst all the groups. If you can somehow offer the dog this possibility, I would certainly let the dog live out this passion (e.g., at the edge of a field or meadow, where provisionally refilled holes do not pose a problem for other animals or humans).

As with anything, digging only becomes a problem if a dog cannot live out its natural behavior, like if it is always dragged away from a hole too early. Anything we are allowed to do regularly and to a satisfactory extent tends to lose the excessive appeal that could otherwise turn a behavior into an obsession.

All points in these 9 groupings need to be prefaced with “rather.” Naturally there are also mixtures and double aspects. No two dogs are alike. And precisely that makes living with them and exploring their preferences so interesting, exciting and worthwhile.

Photos Pages →+→

“Dachshund at work,” Photo: Mechthild Käufer

“Jasko zipping along,” Australian Shepherd, Photo: Sabine Wöhner

Photos Page →

“Tecla,” Brittany after having finished work: Photo: Tanja Fittkau

“Hanyo,” Shiba Inu, Photo: Jörg Tschentscher

Photos Page →+→

“Mr Meier’s watercourse,” Beagle, Photo: Sophie Strodtbeck

“Kuvacz on the move,” Angelika Lanzerath, Photo: Sophie Strodtbeck

Photos Page →,→,→

“Frodo,” Flat Coated Retriever retrieving, Photo: Christine Ströhlein

“ Donna,” Sighthound (Galgo), Photo: Christine Ströhlein

“Gaston,” Digging hound, with “Biene“ watching, Photo: Tanja Fittkau

Photos Page →

“Vincent,” a Vizsla doing nosework ... Photo: Tanja Fitkau

“Sookie,” Maremmano, Photo: Janica Gutjahr

“Bertie,” Dachshund Mixture, Ulli Reichmann, Photo: Thomas Jungwirth

“Xantos,” Airedale Terrier, Photo: Conny Ellerbrock

“Pepe,” Sighthound during dummy training, Photo: Christine Ströhlein

“Napoleon (Napsi) in tree,” German Wirehair Mixture, Bruck/Leitha Animal Shelter, Photo: Martin Holzeis

Photos Page →

“Gaston” on a scent, Photo: Tanja Fittkau

“Gina,” Sheltie Mixture, pointing, Photo: Helga Fichtner

Munsterlander during water retrieval, Photo: Sophie Strodtbeck

Dachshund retrieving, Photo: Mechthild Käufer

“Quendy,” Border Terrier – investigating a tree, Ulli Reichmann, Photo: Andrea Perdacher

“Lou,” Border Terrier – at “water sports,” Ulli Reichmann, Photo: Ria Putzker

Photos Page →

“Seito,” Shiba-Inu fishing, Photo: Tanja Pöhlmann

Afghan Hound sprinting, Photo: Christine Ströhlein

“Mr Meier,” Beagle, Photo: Sophie Strodtbeck

Photos Page →

“Tecla,” Brittany retrieving fox fur, Photo: Tanja Fittkau

“Anouk,” German Shepherd – concentrated search, Photo: Tanja Fittkau

“Vivi,” Dachshund – fun in water, Ulli Reichmann, Photo: Ria Putzker

“HUNTING”

“My“ falconer Helmut and his English Pointer Shonka were “genuine“ hunters. Helmut would go to his hunting grounds and command her to “search.“ Shonka would sniff the air and begin elegantly galloping through the area in a wide-range search.

Once she caught scent of a pheasant, her circles would grow tighter, her head always pointed towards the pheasant’s scent. When she discovered its hiding place, she would freeze in typical Pointer pose and stay that way until Helmut released the falcon on his arm into flight. Then he would either whistle and have Shonka flush the pheasant, or go over and flush it himself.