On the interplay between human and dog with the CSC model (Cooperation - Security - Clarity)
Our dog trainer Oliver Schröder from DOGMA (Dogman Academy) lets us know that he'll be offering a 3-day intensive seminar on the human-dog relationship. After a brief moment of consideration — and a quick check of the bank balance — we decide to join with Atlas, Tiago, Che & Murphy.
I have to admit, I'm a little nervous going in, since Che doesn't exactly get along with every member of his species… And Murphy has just turned 5½ months old. Theory sessions in the morning, with 10 or more dogs who don't know each other, all in one room? Is this going to work out? Will Murphy sleep? How will Che behave? Atlas & Tiago are wonderfully easy-going, but they need the most space when it comes to lying down… Will there be enough room for everyone?
What's in store for us?
The first day kicks off at 10:00. Martina and I meet up an hour earlier so we can take our four-legged men for a quick walk beforehand. The vineyards around Donnerskirchen make for a lovely backdrop for our morning stroll. Once the dogs have taken care of business, we grab the rest of our things from the cars. Each of us has about 3 bags, plus two leads in hand, of course.
Loaded up with all our gear, we waddle towards the "seminar room." The inn is right next to the sports ground, and the other participants (yes, it was women only — why is that always the case?) are already waiting outside. The dog group consists of a tiny black Chihuahua girl, a Husky lady from a rescue shelter, a Spitz female, two male Maltese, a Golden Retriever madame, a mixed-breed lady, and of course our 4 boys.
A few woofs here and there, but we manage to smooth things over before any real tensions flare up between the dogs.
Let the theory begin.
Oliver starts by introducing us to Susanne Reissner, our mental coach, and Marion Frank, his "assistant" (photographer, dog-holder during toilet breaks, moral support, and so on).
Before the seminar we had already received a questionnaire to fill in for each dog. Using the chart we created from the scores, we could see in which of the 3 areas we still have the most work ahead of us.
Topic: Security
The foundation is the sense of security you convey to your dog. These are the questions worth reflecting on:
- Are his basic needs being met?
- Does he have his place in the social structure he shares with you?
- Can we enjoy quiet moments together?
- Is there cuddling, and is closeness between us lived out?
- Am I my dog's safe anchor, and can I help him in uncertain situations?
Oliver also explains the social roles among wolves and dogs, what proximity and oxytocin are all about, and the theories behind learning principles.
After so much input, the lunch break — with a walk outside, naturally — couldn't come at a better time.
Off we go!
In the afternoon all participants are split into 2 groups and take turns working with either Oliver or Susanne. A large fenced football pitch is available for the course.
We start with Susanne: the mental coach begins by giving us plenty of time to work out our own personal goals for the seminar. Putting things down in black and white on paper makes you realise what you truly want to work on and where your own strengths and weaknesses lie. She then brings us back down to earth with a guided meditation and has us create our own "power place" — a mental space where we are fully centred and able to act even in unexpected situations. The mood afterwards is something truly special — very peaceful and composed. All the participants who wish to share their thoughts and challenges do so, and the conversations go deep.
Then it's on to the practical part with Oliver. Drawing on the theory, we start by simply petting our dogs. Do we actually know how and where our dog likes it most? The two Galgos relish gentle strokes along their long muzzles and a soft massage behind the ears. The two Frenchies, on the other hand, prefer a neck massage and a good scratch on the chest — that's the way to get them completely melted. So it's up to every dog owner to find out what helps their dog relax best.
Challenges are a must.
To round off the day we do various stay exercises, both alone and as a group. Atlas & Tiago are model students and stay completely unruffled by everything around them. Che also behaves impeccably (he expertly ignores the Golden Retriever lady — worth knowing that this senior Bully has a certain aversion to blonde Golden and Labrador Retrievers), but little bundle-of-energy Murphy refuses to stay lying down because the tennis court next door sounds far more exciting: there are loads of balls to chase over there… he's quite sure of it! With a bit of persuasion and some very good treats, he too stays where he's supposed to. And so we all head home satisfied after the first day of the course.
Topic: Cooperation
Just like the day before, we start with a theory block, this time on the topic of cooperation. The key points are:
- Take the initiative when it comes to working together. When the dog knows the goal, he experiences a fundamentally positive feeling.
- Activities the dog enjoys lead to stronger cooperation between dog and owner.
- Put your dog in a positive state of anticipation.
- Actively give your dog cues and tips for cooperation.
- Pay attention to a response from your dog.
- Reward creates positive feelings in the dog.
- AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: Find joy and humour in it all, and let your dog be part of that!
Does cooperation hold up in practice?
After the lunch break we head back to the sports ground, where under Susanne's supervision pairs of participants pose a question to life itself. We then have time to find an object in our surroundings that might help us answer it. It's fascinating how this search for symbols can reveal so many different possible solutions.
The practical session with Oliver is entirely dedicated to the theme of "teamwork". His demonstration with his two male Malinois is so impressive that Murphy would love nothing more than to break free and fight over the dummy… (he did calm down eventually)
So we start with a game! Without any toys!
Can I get my dog's attention this way?
Che is pretty easy to motivate — I already know exactly which "buttons" to press with him. He's fully engaged as always and rewards me with his attention because I give him mine. Murphy is naturally very playful given his age, but at first all he wants to do is smother me in kisses because I'm finally right down at his level. Still, we manage to make a game out of it that we both enjoy.
What works best for the two sighthounds? Exactly: running, bouncing around and playing chase. Martina gives it everything she's got until she eventually runs out of steam. But Atlas & Tiago are visibly thrilled that their human is playing hare for them!
Who let the dogs out?
There's even more on the programme: exercises in walking backwards, jumping hurdles, and retrieving toys under new conditions. Despite the very sunny weather, all the dogs are superbly motivated and enthusiastically on task. Every four-legged favourite naturally has their preferred exercises. Tiago is absolutely delighted to be let off the lead for the retrieve and tears off a few sprint laps around the football pitch — just the right amount of space for "the pony" to stretch his legs! He gets to have his fun too, and he certainly does.
An exciting day draws to a close, and we're curious to see what the third day of the course has in store for us.
The Topic of Clarity
In the final theory session we tackle the topic of clarity:
- What do I want? What do I not want?
- Make a plan in advance to build your self-confidence.
- Be decisive and calm.
- Work consciously with your body language and voice.
- Measure out your means of communication.
- Hold back anger and irritation.
After a shared lunch we head back out onto the lawn. Susanne's exercises once again give us plenty to think about and reflect on ;) First we consider the 6 areas of life. Then we work out goals — short-, medium- and long-term — that matter to us. A few participants even write a letter to their future selves. The mental work with Susanne is both fascinating and enlightening, whether it relates to the human-dog relationship or other personal topics.
Oliver has come up with some new dog action. We have to navigate a slalom course with all sorts of scented distractions, as well as test our own powers of observation: "Can you tell from your dog's body language what he's looking at right now?" Some interesting insights about our own dogs come to light.
During the debrief over coffee I take on my biggest challenge and hold onto the golden retriever girl alongside Che and Murphy while her owner pops to the loo. Quite a challenge — but everyone is relaxed after this wonderful course.
Exhausted but full of fresh enthusiasm and ideas for deepening and improving the human-dog bond, we head home feeling proud of our four-legged partners.
Thank you Oliver Schröder and Susanne Reissner for this wonderful seminar!
The wonderful illustrations were kindly provided by Aram und Abra.
