What are Markers Part 1

Marker Training with dogs 


Part 1
Many of you may have heard of the term Clicker Training but what is a clicker?

Well its quite simple. A Clicker is a non verbal Marker which is used in a motivational way to communicate with your dog, the instant he does something we like,  that we like it.

It also provides us with a non physical punishment method of communicating with our dog, the instant he does something we do not like, that we do not like it.

So is it correct to say that clicker training and marker training are the same thing?

Yes, however with Marker training we use a verbal Marker and with Clicker training a small mechanical Clicker is used to communicate with the dog.

So what is Marker Training?
For the technically minded of you it is Operant Conditioning. (this is how Dolphins are trained)

Operant Conditioning simply forms an association between behaviour and consequences. 

When your dog performs a behaviour we like, the consequences are, a high value reward like a food treat or toy. This is called a positive reinforcer.

If your dog does not perform the correct behaviour, the consequences are NO REWARD!. This is called  a negative reinforcer.  When a negative reinforcer is used the dog must repeat the exercise correctly if it wants to gain the high value reward.

(In years gone by the consequence of a negative behaviour was a physical correction)

How many times have you heard people say about their dog "oh he loves me so much he just wants to please me all the time"

Well have I got some news for you!

Dogs DO NOT do things to make you feel good.  They ONLY do things to make themselves feel good!!!!

In  Marker Training there are only two consequences REWARD or NO REWARD.

In Part 2 we will look at verbal markers, timings, treats and lures and how to use them.

Dog food news from Autarky

In light of the recent press coverage that the Campaign for Real Pet Food has attracted, Autarky would like to reassure its customers that there is nothing but high quality raw ingredients, with no hidden harmful synthetic additives or chemicals, in its range.

The feedinstuffs regulations, a part of the legislation controlling the marketing and safety of pet food, states that we must use the phrase with antioxidants and then list those used. Further the law states that we may only use those permitted by the regulations, hence our statement to comply with the law is that we use with EC permitted antioxidants.

The only antioxidants added by Autarky feeds are: Mixed tocopherols, vitamin C and rosemary extract.

We are as passionate about your pets health and well-being as you are and because what they eat plays a major role in this, all of our diets contain beneficial ingredients that are of the highest possible quality we can get.

We are investing significant time and resources in to local suppliers so that the cereals they grow, harvest, store and deliver into our mill are of the highest possible quality.

The same high standards apply to our protein sources, for example chicken meat meal.

People often fear the word meat meal when really they have no cause for alarm. It’s not about unhygienic or unsafe materials. The Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) has a policy in the UK, which we are signed up to, about only using animals normally consumed by humans in pet foods.

The meat meal we use comes from farm animals passed fit for human consumption at the time of slaughter. We simply use the bits that we humans tend not to eat these days but which taste delicious to our animals.

With open declaration on the Autarky packaging, we can honestly say that what you see is what you get and this will be reflected in how your dog looks, feels and performs.

Dog food the truth!

There has been a lot of controversy and confusion lately regarding dog food nutrition and the ingredients that they contain.

No doubt you have either read Facebook posts or listened to the dog show on italkFM on Saturday mornings in which there was an attempt to discredit certain dried dog foods and especially Chudleys which was actually mentioned on air.

The controversy seems to revolve around the term "EC Permitted Antioxidants" or "EC Permitted Additives", a term which is said to allow pet food manufacturers to add certain preservatives and additives to their food without actually having to list them.

The concern seems to be that some of these preservatives and additives are actually linked to cancer and other health problems.

The term "EC Permitted Antioxidants" can be found on dog food manufactured by Dodson & Horrell because it has been required by law. However, new regulations that came in to effect September 2011 has allowed this term to be removed to make the ingredients more user friendly to read and avoid confusion.

Because Dodson & Horrell are committed to using only the best ingredients in the manufacture of their pet foods, the antioxidants and preservatives used in production are actually: mixed tocopherols (also known as vitamin E), vitamin C and rosemary extract which are natural antioxidants helping to maintain the stability of the food.

These antioxidants are declared on the bag as follows: “EC permitted antioxidants: mixed tocopherols, vitamin C and rosemary extract”. Translated into laymen’s terms this actually means: “The antioxidants being used in this product are permitted for use in pet food by the EC and they are as follows: mixed tocopherols, vitamin C and rosemary extract” and nothing more sinister than that.

Both Chudleys and Autarky products are manufactured using a fixed recipe, which ensures quality and consistency in every batch. They only contain raw materials, which are sourced from non-genetically modified origins, using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible.

In addition, they contain the parts of the chicken carcass, which are nutritionally beneficial to the animal; for instance, no feathers or undesirable parts are included.

All chicken used in Chudleys and Autarky recipes is of human grade. Chudleys and Autarky products are made in the UK in a dedicated medication-free pet food plant, controlled under ISO and HACCP systems.

All products are manufactured in accordance with the rules of the quality assurance scheme ISO 9001:2000.

The procedures followed ensure traceability of each ingredient, in some cases back to the field in which it was grown, essential when requiring the highest quality ingredients.

In addition to this, ISO 9001:2000 ensures all daily routines have the strictest of quality control systems, from the delivery of raw ingredients through the computer controlled blending of those raw ingredients; the extrusion process which cooks the raw ingredients, to the laboratory that tests every cooked batch, before giving authorisation for the food to be bagged and palletised.

So in conclusion, all of our products use only the best ingredients which contain no harmful additives, chemicals or anti-oxidants. All the ingredients are listed and nothing is hidden.

Dogs & Chocolate

Dogs & Chocolate

Q: Why is it bad to feed my dog Chocolate?

A: Because it CAN KILL!!!!

If you enjoy chocolate at this festive time of year you may be tempted to share it with your dog, but you need to know that chocolate is BAD dogs. If you give your dog just a few pieces of chocolate it can have fatal consequences.

Chocolate is extremely toxic for dogs as it contains THEOBROMINE, a substance that belongs to the group of methylxanines. Depending on the type of chocolate and the manufacturer, the amounts of THEOBROMINE will differ. However, dark chocolate is the most toxic for dogs, while white chocolate is relatively safe.

Another reason why chocolate may be bad for dogs is that some chocolates contain caffeine, which is another toxic substance for dogs.

How Much Chocolate Is Toxic?
Any amount of chocolate your dog eats may cause poisoning, however the amount of chocolate your dog eats that is not fatal will depend on several factors:

The size of the dog; smaller dogs may die even from ingesting reduced amountsof chocolate.

The amount of THEOBROMINE in the chocolate.

The amount of caffeine.

The strength of the immune system of the dog.

Generally speaking, a dose of 50 to 100 mg or THEOBROMINE per body weight may be fatal. However, some dogs may die from even less than that. The bottom line is that chocolate is toxic and shouldn't be given in any amount.

Even if the dog does not die after eating a bite of chocolate, it can still cause a lot of complications and you will need to visit the vet to remove the toxic substances from his body.




Signs of Chocolate Poisoning

If you suspect or you know your dog has consumed chocolate then watch out for these symptoms.

Frequent vomiting; you may see bits of undigested chocolate in the vomit.

Extreme agitation.

Drinking a lot of water.

Seizures .

Excessive drooling.

Pale gums.

Irregular pulse.

Unconsciousness.

Lack of coordination.

Sudden collapse.

Coma.

These symptoms will typically appear within a few hours after eating the chocolate and you need to get instant help.

If take your dog to the vet within four hours of consuming the chocolate, the toxins may not have not entered the dog's blood flow and the condition may be reversible. The vet will remove the contents of the dog's stomach and put him under liquid therapy.

Lets take the dog to Spain

Once you have all the information from DEFRA regarding the compulsory vaccinations and documentation required for travel with your pets within Europe, you must also pay attention to the specific laws and requirements necessary for the particular country you are visiting.

With a few extra precautions holidaying in Spain with your dog should, and will be an enjoyable experience for both of you.

National and local dog laws

One of the most important things that will affect you in Spain, (as well as the heat) is that there is a marked difference between the “Dangerous Dogs Act” in the UK and Spain. You can obtain an English version of the Spanish law regarding dangerous dogs from the following website: www.k9handlers.com .

The law covers requirements such as compulsory personal liability insurance required and which breeds should be muzzled in public. No matter what breed ALL dogs in public places must be on a leash. Another aspect to be aware of is that apart from the national law many of the different regions and municipalities have made their own amendments peculiar to each autonomous region.

For example Andalucia is the only region which lists the Doberman as a dangerous breed. Many towns in Spain have recently introduced new “Anti fouling laws” to ensure owners pick up after their pets. The fines imposed by these towns can range from 70€ to 500€, in Marbella this also applies to dogs urinating on sidewalks.

Sunshine and heat

As well as packing all your sun protection gear for yourself you must remember that the sun and heat in Spain will greatly affect your dog. Remember that in temperatures of 38º and higher, dogs can get sunburnt so great care must be taken to keep them in the shade during the hotter times of the day. Closely shaven dogs can also be more susceptible to mosquito bites.

As every owner knows dogs do not sweat, they have to pant to lose body heat, however they also lose heat from the pads on their feet. With most sidewalks in Spanish towns constructed from paving tiles - which in the peak of summer can and DO reach temperatures of 40º plus walking your dog at the hottest time of day will raise their body temperature drastically – as well as being uncomfortable!, So pick the coolest time of day (early morning or dusk) to exercise them.

Dogs are NOT allowed on beaches during the summer season, from March to Oct, but some coastal towns are now starting to ban dogs from the beaches all year round.

Summer Hazards for dogs in Spain

One major problem for dogs is mosquito’s whose bite can cause Canine Leishmaniasis. This disease can also be transmitted between dogs but can easily be prevented with the purchase of a special “Scalibor” repellent collar from any Spanish vet for as little as 25€ for large dog.

February March and April is the season for Pine Processionary Caterpillar found mainly in woodlands. They are very poisonous and dogs can sniff or lick the caterpillars and the tiny hairs can cause severe irritation and if ingested can be fatal.

Dog parks and training school

With a few sensible precautions bringing your dog to Spain will be pleasurable for both of you. Most Spanish people love dogs as much as the British and many coastal towns are now dedicating specific park areas solely for the use of dogs.

There are also many English run training schools that will be delighted to take you on board for classes at all levels to keep YOU and your dog entertained during your stay.

Vegetarian Diet For Dogs

Many people enjoy the vegetarian lifestyle today, either for health or ethical reasons. Some people choose to extend this dietary philosophy to their pets as well, which has prompted the marketing of commercial vegetarian dog and cat foods. There is a spectrum of foods and ingredients that may be included or excluded from a "vegetarian" diet, depending on one’s definition.

At minimum, it usually means that most meat sources are excluded from the diet (such as beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and sometimes fish). More restricted diets exclude other foods of animal origin, such as egg and dairy products. Perhaps the most extreme example would be a "vegan" diet, where all foods and ingredients of foods, including vitamin and mineral sources, are excluded if they are derived from animals. Provided foods are carefully combined in appropriate proportions, vegetarian or vegan diets for people can be very nutritious and tasty.

However, is the same true for dogs and cats?

Why feed a vegetarian diet to pets?

Many people consider their vegetarian diets to be more healthful than the traditional western diet that includes animal-source foods, and some assume the same to be true for dogs and cats. However, the health reasons that people cite as the basis for their own eating habits may not apply where pets are concerned. For example, dogs and cats do not suffer from problems such as high cholesterol or coronary artery disease at anywhere near the incidence as do humans. Thus, reducing intake of saturated fats and cholesterol by cutting meats out of the diet would not be of any real health benefit in pets.

Another concern may be about bacterial contamination of the meat ingredients, which could cause disease when consumed by pets. This may be a legitimate concern when eating raw or undercooked meat or poultry, but properly processed dry or canned pet foods pose a far lesser risk of disease transmission than raw fruits and vegetables. Some vegetarian diets for pets are also offered on the premise that they will prevent food allergies. The true incidence of food allergies in pets is relatively low.

Regardless, allergies can also be developed against proteins in plants just as easily, so cutting out the meat sources does little to prevent this problem.

Potential problems

For example, the protein and calcium needs of the dog and cat are much higher than those for humans. These nutrients are most easily provided through animal-derived ingredients. Some plants, such as soy, are high in protein, but the amino acids within the protein are not as balanced as they are for most animal-source ingredients. Dogs and cats also need a dietary source of vitamin B12, a substance not found in most plants.

All animals "need" this vitamin, but plant-eating animals such as cattle and sheep can make their own through the action of bacteria in their gastrointestinal tracts, provided there are adequate amounts of the mineral cobalt in the diet (which is found in plants). As mentioned above, the cat has even more unique nutritional requirements that make it harder to get adequate amounts of all required nutrients in the diet without using some animal-source ingredients.

Can’t these nutrients be replaced using synthetic substitutes? Yes, it is theoretically possible to formulate a diet that meets all these specific needs using synthetic additives.

However, it becomes more expensive and far less reliable to do it this way. Even when a product is formulated to meet the nutritional needs "on paper," it may not work in the "real" world. For example, plants also contain phytates, substances that bind calcium and trace minerals, lowering their "bioavailability." So, even when minerals are provided at levels that appear adequate, they cannot be properly absorbed and used by the animal.

There are adjustments in the AAFCO Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles to account for decreases in bioavailability of nutrients, but these are made on the assumption that both animal and plant-source ingredients are used. It is impossible to tell whether these levels would still be adequate for a completely plant-based diet.

Treat at the right time

You can't just try and distract your dog AFTER the fact with treats.

TREATS to a dog is like Money is to you and I.

If I was your child, and was violently screaming at your neighbors and telling them how much I hated them, and you kept throwing 100€ notes at me to try and distract me... then wonder why the problem wasn't getting fixed, you might find yourself getting carted off by the men in white coats.

You wouldn't think of doing that with a child, so why would we think it would work for a dog?

If you're going to use rewards to help your dog overcome bad behavior they have to be given BEFORE your dog has an emotional flare up.

Even being a millisecond late is worthless.