Last week I enjoyed speaking at the Lakefly Writer’s Conference in Oshkosh, WI. After accepting the invitation, I pondered for awhile about a topic, and somewhere, out of the recesses of my mind, came the question of what my two professional loves have in common. Here’s a short summary of some of the ways that I think training and writing can inform each other:
COMMITMENT. Raise your hand if you have said you absolutely are going to finish teaching your dog not to ________ (fill in the blank). Or to _______? We all have a list of things we want to do, should do, promise to do “when we have time,” right?
Writing is famous for the same phenomenon. “Someday I’m going to start that novel I’ve been thinking about” is such a frequently uttered phrase that it’s become a bit of a joke. The fact is that none of those things, whether related to dogs or writing–or writing about dogs–are going to happen if we don’t decide that we are committed to them. The derivation of “decide” is to “cut out,” to remove choices until one is left with just one. And that’s just what we have to do: Decide what is really important to and commit to it. Or let it go. Myself, I’ve been putting off teaching Maggie to exercise on her new Fitbone. After writing the talk, I decided to just Do It, and we had a super fun session yesterday with it.
DESENSITIZING & CLASSICAL CONDITIONING We all know how valuable classical conditioning is when working with canine behavior, but what could it possibly have to do with writing? Here’s a story to illustrate: When I got a contract from Random House to write The Other End of the Leash I was thrilled. The book proposal had gone “to auction,” which meant that publishers were bidding against each other on my book–a writer’s dream come true.
But then, I had to sit down and write the book, and I was terrified. So much so that for the first few days I sat frozen at the computer, unable to write a thing. Luckily, I had years of dog training behind me, and decided to use the principles of desensitizing and counter classical conditioning to help me out. I asked “what amount of writing is ‘under threshold”, or brief enough to feel do-able? The answer was five minutes–committing to writing for 5 minutes wasn’t scary enough to stop me. Whew, yes, I could write for 5 minutes. So that’s all I did the next day. Day Two I scheduled ten minutes, and made myself stop even though I wasn’t sure I wanted to. On Day Three I had decided to write for 20 minutes, but at minute 19 I was so deep into what I was doing that couldn’t bear to stop and wrote for a couple of hours.
I also conditioned myself to work on my book, and only my book, on the computer in my study. No checking email, no nothing except writing the book. I have a laptop that I bring back and forth from office to house, and that’s what I used to do all my work that didn’t relate to writing. I did the same thing for For the Love of a Dog, and The Education of Will. It was literally Pavlovian–I’d press the soft, round button on the back of my Apple display, hear the xxx of the computer booting up, and settle down into writing mode.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING It certainly is in dog training, and not just in the sense of reinforcing a behavior immediately after its occurrence. But there’s more to timing than that. Dogs can’t learn if they are over aroused, whether too scared or too excited to think. (Neither can we–try learning a new computer software program after just hearing you’d won the lottery.) No one can learn well when they are tired, or laser focused on something else. For example, I would never ask Maggie or Willie to learn a new trick if they are in “sheep herding gear,” or ask Tootsie to sit/stay when I get the bowls out for the dog’s dinner. At that point she has pretty much disconnected from most of her brain, and it would be crazy to ask her to concentrate.
And most of us can’t write anytime, either. We have a time in which we are most productive, as Dan Pink writes about in his fascinating book, When. (It’s way more interesting than you might think. I loved this book!) Although some people can write any time of day, most of us are more likely to get something done either in the morning or the late afternoon. Chronobiologists (yes, that’s a thing) talk about larks (morning) and owls (evening/night), and what Dan Pink calls Third Birds (middle of the day). By the way, apparently men are more often owls, and women larks, but this is just in general and isn’t predictive of any one person. Because I’m a lark, I set aside the hours of 8 AM to 12 noon to write.
It was fun thinking about how dog training informs writing. I’d love to hear how one facet of your life has been enhanced by what you’ve learned training your dogs. Or vice versa. I’m all ears. (Okay, eyes.)
MEANWHILE, back at the farm: Seven inches of rain in the last week? And more to come tonight. Thank heavens I’ve taught the dogs to stand up on a step and have their paws toweled off, and that they’ll jump into the bathtub for a rinse off. Our yard is now described as the “mudmare”.
Here’s Maggie on her Fitbone. (She’d only had one session on it, and I just asked her on a whim to step up on it–no treats, and me juggling my iPad to get a photo. Such a good girl!)
The best part of spring this week is the lambs. They are flourishing, and we love savoring their black, white and tan colors contrasting with the green grass.
Als Allan says
Talk about timing! I’m a paid-up member of the “Haven’t committed to get on with writing” group. Your post has given me the final push I need to get on with it. Five minutes today. I always enjoy reading what writers have to say about their writing journey. So thank you.
As for the dog training, learning theory has undoubtedly transferred into my personal life. I’m sure many others have also been fascinated to observe positive reinforcement at work with their spouse😀
LisaW says
It’s 8am as I write this, and I’ve already done almost an hour of work. So as a lark, I can think of a few things off the top of my head that working with my dogs have taught me (I can’t say dog training, that is for professionals) and so many more things that have been enhanced by my life with dogs.
I’d say the biggest one is trying really hard to only respond to behaviors that I want to reinforce. Ignoring Olive when she’s barking at something two yards away and softly praising her when she is lying down quietly has been hard to train myself to do and so worth it. I now practice it in professional and social situations where I tend to engage more than I should. I don’t have to respond to every comment or opinion, I can respond to the ones I want to support or dig into more deeply.
The second is trying to let go of preconceived ideas about how things should go or a prescribed timeline. Working with the dog on their time means we are both in it for however long it takes to trust and act accordingly. I tend to want it done yesterday, so this has been a hard and deep lesson for me that I don’t think I would have learned as thoroughly without dogs.
I’m sure I have more, but I have to prune my feathers and fly off to work.
Love, love thinking about this.
Cindy says
What is a Fitbone?
When are you at the Mercer. Library?
Susan Wroble says
As a writer, I really loved this post. I will be some of these ideas into immediate practice (that 5 minutes was so do-able!), while some will be longer term (getting an old computer to be a writing only machine). I do get far too distracted with emails and to-do items when trying to write on my laptop…
Trisha says
LisaW: Who doesn’t struggle with ignoring behaviors we don’t like. (Granted, sometimes it’s not possible) and responding to those we do! But I couldn’t agree more,–once you get better at it life is so much nicer.
Trisha says
Good luck with your five minutes Als! And to all the minutes to come!
Trisha says
Fitbone is a rubber bone-shaped balancy-thing that you inflate with air and use to help strengthen your dog’s core and, depending on how you use it, a limb
that needs to be stronger. Here’s the link: https://fitpawsusa.com/product/k9fitbone
Trisha says
Ah yes Susan, the ultimate distraction of emails and To Do lists. I am helpless with them both unless I create a system to save myself. Sort of like not buying chocolate-covered raisins at the market instead of pretending I can only eat a few at home.
HFR says
I apologize ahead of time for going so off topic. But I had to ask if you had seen the video of the dog “helping” another dog out of the pool. I’ve watched it 5 times and I have to say it really looks like he’s doing what we think he’s doing (the steps are off to the left). It reminds me of that video of the cat that saved the little boy from the dog attack. This stuff just gives me the chills. I’m so curious to hear your take.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT_2ytOhA1M
Sorry again for the off topic post!
Tracy says
I’ve learned from my dog to be in the moment and take things as they come. We once arrived for a hike only to find the road closed. The alternative trail was not open to dogs. He had the time of his life on the third trail, unencumbered by any disappointments about waylaid plans. His joy was contagious, and I’ve learned to be more spontaneous and less uncomfortable with change.
Gail Parks says
So much to do, and no time to do it! So much to read, and no time to read it!
I am usually inspired to write when I am about to burst at the seams. I train rescue dogs, and in addition hold obedience training, trick training and agility classes. I am passionate about dogs and ensuring they have happy lives. However, because I train at the rescue, I see many dogs surrendered, and hear many excuses as to why. I am motivated to write out of my strong desire to educate people. And I try to explain the benefits of Positive Reinforcement. I can’t help all the dogs I want to help, so hopefully with education, others will pick up where I cannot go.
Gretchen in the Rocky Mountains says
Your lambs are thriving. They are just gorgeous!
We had our first thunderstorm this Spring. Our 6 year-old Golden knew she was going to get “Thunder Cookies” and she was so excited for the thunder! Our Puppy is learning the drill and seems okay with the storm today. YAY! Thank you for that fantastic suggestion…every kaboom and the doggies get a “cookie”. In our home, it’s a high value treat, either chicken or cheese. It works amazingly well. Our doggie sitter also loves the suggestion and gives both her doggies and our doggies “cookies” in the event of a thunderstorm or 4th of July fireworks. Thank you, thank you.
And on the topic of writing, our brains really do engage when we are in the “habit” at the same time of the day and also the time of day that works for us. Thank you for pointing that out.
Beth Sears says
I’ve often thought about how horseback riding made me a better writer, but hadn’t considered the connections between sheepdog training and writing. Animal training has made me a more patient writer. When writing isn’t going well, I’m now much more willing to walk away and come back to it a day later. Thanks for sharing and brightening my day!
Esagey says
I loved this post. I have just started reading your blog. “Do-able.” It’s the exact word I used to find a way to get my dogs exercised. I don’t have a fenced yard. I had to find something “do-able” for my schedule. I work full time. So, “do-able” for me is walking one mile with each dog 3 or 4 times a week and then a good 20 minute run in a large fenced yard at my training facility twice a week. The boon for me is I get exercise, too. But I love to write and now I can figure out what is “do-able” for my schedule. Thank you for the light switch! “Do-able” is a very powerful word. It helps maintain consistency and not quit. You’ve always had the power, Dorothy. (Wizard of Oz).
Monika & Sam 🐾 says
What a ‘wagnificent’ analogy! Thank you for sharing that bit of wisdom. I shall make good use of it in jumping over my own high hurdle.
Chris from Boise says
Using classical conditioning and desensitization to overcome writing obstacles – brilliant! And so obvious, now that you’ve pointed it out. You don’t know how much I needed this enlightenment RIGHT NOW. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Positive reinforcement everywhere: I now go around actively looking for creatures (including people) doing positive behaviors, and acknowledging them when I see it; it has changed my entire attitude toward life (it’s also been fun figuring out what rewards work with whom, when). One specific example is working with beginners in our tai chi practice group. I so remember how overwhelmed I felt for my first year. “Too many appendages!” was my lament. I’m not a tai chi instructor (our class has a wonderful teacher), but we also get together for weekly informal practice and I break down whatever they’re working on into tiny, tiny chunks so they don’t have to think about ALL the appendages at the same time.
And thanks also (NOT) for yet another excuse not to do my own writing; fortunately “When” is checked out of the library at the moment so perhaps I can put in five minutes a day on MY project before I get my sticky fingers (not literally sticky, of course) on the book.
Aaaah lambs! Aaaah spring!
Charlotte Kasner says
I have had the privilege of having perfect clients. Amazing people whom I’m met at a time when they most needed help and, more importantly, were prepared to do something about it. They took notes, asked questions, followed through and, of course, got results. Amazing results. Although I know that good training methods work, I have never seen them work so quickly with clients.
Session 1: dog barks and humps owner’s leg. We talk a lot of theory and get about 3 minutes of focus from dog.
Session 2: 1 week later, owners have totally got the hang of the clicker and have a dog that, at 18 months old, has just learned to stop barking and focus on learning.
Session 3: 1 week on and dog is still slamming them into door posts and gates and hauling them on the lead. I insist that they dispose of their harness and set rules. Dog does not get lead on until she sits quietly by the door. Dog is not allowed to move until the door is open and she has been given a cue. Same for the gate. Dog does not get to move forward until she stops pulling.
We get out of the door calmly, then the gate and then we walk on a slack lead for 100 yards and back. Lots of clicking, lots of focus.
Job done.
Clients stop avoiding the park, dispose of the long line and work on recall all by themselves.
About 3 months later, we met in the park. The owner says “Hey, this dog training theory works for all sorts of things doesn’t it?”
She reveals that she has used the same principals to redesign her living room after 3 years of equivocation. Her husband is seriously wowed.
So am I.
I have no problem writing; now I just have to apply it to housework!
Casey Bradford says
“a time in which we are most productive” Usually my productive time is the late night and I need a cup of coffee to jumpstart my brain and release some creativity while I jot down my point or start typing on the keyboard. I love the point about you said, timing is everything, a great analogy to produce a really good output of anything that we are focusing into, whether a quality writing or a successful dog training session.
Jeannine Alexander-Sullivan says
This is so serendipitous! I am a Trainer and just last week for the first time, joined a Writer’s Group (invite from one of my students). Procrastination has been the biggest challenge of my life; even when the task or goal is something that I really, really want. Being semi-accountable to the group is one step and I think applying what Trisha said is the second step. We’ll see. If a mystery book shows up with a dog-fighting victim turned survivor as the sidekick to the sleuth, you all will know it worked. This article is just what I needed today, so thank you!