I recently picked up a copy of Reliable Contacts Through Gate Training, a training DVD produced by Dog Sports Video (www.dogsportsvideo.com) featuring Amanda Nelson.
This DVD was produced and directed by Marla Friedler and Stacy Leah Winkler, edited by Morgan Menco. ÂÂ
Amanda Nelson Reliable Contacts DVD Cover
I came across the DVD in this fashion… one of my students with a training method, and brought in her copy of the DVD for my review, so that I might understand her methods and objectives.
Well, I’ve watched it several times now. And I’m fairly convinced that Amanda has developed an excellent methodology that surmounts some of the difficulties with a number of the popular methods in use these days. ÂÂ
Note that Amanda starts right off with giving credit for the method to her mother, Sharon Nelson (to whom we should all give credit for being one of the great agility dog trainers in this country). Though as all trainers do, Amanda has put her own stamp of ownership on the method.
In her interaction with the dog Amanda uses a combination of positive and negative (which is actually a fairly neutral kind of negative marker, “uh-uhâ€Â, “yuck†or so forth to mark the wrong performance or behavior). I note too that clicker purists probably won’t approve of her use of the clicker. The click does not mean that the dog gets to run back for treats. Instead it is simply a marker to tell the dog in a timely manner that he’s done the correct behavior, without actually stopping the dog from continuing.
The most notable detail about Amanda’s contact training method is that she uses “gates†to shape the dog’s performance. The introduction of the gates is broken down into prerequisite skills for which carefully attention must be applied by the dog’s trainer. In most contact training methods using a “propâ€Â… the fading of the props has ever been the problematic detail. But with Amanda’s system the two separate pieces are graduated laterally until they “fade†from the performance. It’s a matter of some genius. Genius, in retrospect, is always a matter of the obvious.
I especially like Amanda’s flip insistence that the dog choose his dismount position rather than being forced into a predefined position dictated by the training “methodâ€Â. In terms of the nitty gritty detail of the Amanda Nelson consistent contact method, you’ll have to buy the tape or DVD to have a look for yourself:
Price $34.95; Available at: www.dogsportsvideo.com
Amanda Nelson Reliable Contacts DVD Back CoverQuestions, comments, impassioned speeches to Bud Houston at dogwoodbud1@earthlink.net.
Dog's choice
>>I especially like Amanda’s flip insistence that the dog choose his dismount position rather than being forced into a predefined position dictated by the training “methodâ€Â.<<
Hi, Bud. 1RTO is working very well so far for my young dog, but I'm curious about the above statement. I take this to mean the dog chooses whether he is on, off, sitting, standing, lying, etc. One of the things you hear a lot about is performance criteria and its important to be as clear as possible to maintain peformance. How would this work with the gate method? How does the dog know exactly what he is supposed to be doing? Does he end up picking one position and that's what you reinforce and look for?
One thing I like about 1RTO is the dog has some leeway about how much he is on or off the contact. My dog doesn't always have just one paw or both back paws on, but he does seem to know he needs to have at least some contact with the wood. Thanks!
Liz
The Dog Chooses
I don't intend to speak for Amanda, but the way I understand it the dog's trainer will not require 1RTO, 2o/2o... or even 4-in-the-yellow. It's simply a matter of the dog's choice and natural inclination. I hadn't thought it through to other elements of position, like whether the dog will lie down, stand, or even sit. I'd just be guessing.
What I like about the "dog chooses" is that we accomplish the real mission of the training method in that the dog assumes an unambiguous position and holds the contact until released by the handler... and the trainer doesn't have to inordinate pressure to forcing the predefined position.
Regards,
Bud Houston
Undue pressure
Would you consider shaping the behavior to be inordinate pressure? ÂÂ
 Liz
What does 1RTO mean?
Sorry. It's late, and I cannot think of what 1RTO stands for. I understand 2020 is "Two on, two off." But, 1RTO is a new term to me.
Thanks.
FlyGirls
Nothing is worth more than this day. - Goethe
1RTO means...
...One Rear Toe On. Rather than the dog needing to have both back paws on, front paws off, 1RTO means the dog needs to have at least "1 rear toe" on. My dog often has both back paws on. Just as often, only one is on. Sometimes there is only the slightest part of one paw on. All of those performances are acceptable, though you encourage as much of the dog off the contact as possible. It is a shaped behavior, starting with a board on the ground. This is the first time I've taught a contact performance (didn't know any better with my first dog, thought I didn't need it with my second), and at 13 months my dog's contacts are one of his strongest points. It's still a work in progress, but has been a lot of fun to train.
 LizÂÂ
Anything that works
Nah, anything that actually works is right.
I think the most important thing we can do for our dogs is to have a consistent vision and not confuse them with shifting priorities and "flavor of the month" training.
IMNSHO
Thank you!
Thanks, Liz!
FlyGirls
Nothing is worth more than this day. - Goethe
Re: Dog's Choice
Hi Liz,
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Amanda Nelson