Faking ItHere in the UK there's a TV series called 'Faking It' in which someone has 4 weeks in which to attempt to master a new skill or occupation they have no prior experience of. At the end of the training period they 'perform' their new skill in front of a panel of experienced judges. But they do it alongside 3 other people who are already experienced at the task in question. The panel of judges have to see if they can spot who is the 'faker'. I have to confess to being a real fan of the show. I've nearly always found it to be uplifting and inspiring as it tends to bring out the best in people and make them realise just how much they can achieve if they really put their minds to it and get stuck in. Recently an edition of the show featured a man who had no experience of dogs whose challenge was to teach a dog a 3 minute heelwork to music routine. But just to complicate matters further his 'pupil' was a rescue dog that had received no prior training. I must admit when the audience was first introduced to both the potential faker and his canine accomplice, my initial reaction was 'no chance!' Although the dog was clearly ever so good natured and loveable, it took absolutely no notice of any commands given to it. And the faker-to-be, in spite of being a really likeable and genuine person, was completely *clueless* about dogs. I really didn't rate their chances of success at all highly, and to be honest at that point I was expecting to be cringing through most of the programme. |
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I'm delighted to say I was proved completely wrong. Although things only came together very much at the last minute, they did so in fine style, and on the day of the competition I thought the pair of them put on a terrific routine. I was delighted to see that the main mentor for the 4 weeks was Mary Ray, who I've written about before in this newsletter. She's the foremost authority on heelwork to music in this country, and puts on some sensational displays at Crufts. (She also happens to be one of the experts I interviewed for my 'Interview With The Master' series. This is a series of 8 interviews with some of the world's foremost dog trainers. It's available as part of my complete dog training package "Dog Training Blueprint To Success".) If you don't know what heelwork to music is, it's basically a choreographed dance routine involving both handler and dog. If you've never seen it before, or if you've never seen Mary Ray performing, here are a couple of short clips of her in action. Do have a look; they're terrific - http://www.maryray.co.uk/video1_lo_HP.html And while you're at Mary's site if you're interested you can read a first hand account by Rob Archer, the 'faker', of his 4 weeks of learning from Mary. Heelwork to music is not the sort of discipline I could ever find myself wanting to get involved in. But as someone who appreciates a well trained dog, and who loves to watch such a dog at work - whatever its 'job'might be - I have an enormous amount of respect for Mary Ray. She's a fantastically talented dog trainer and the fact that she also managed to pass on her skill to a complete novice in such a short space of time shows she's also a good teacher. But my main message here is to try to encourage you to persevere with your own dog. If someone who has never owned a dog and has absolutely no experience of dogs can put together a complicated heelwork to music routine with an untrained rescue dog in just 4 weeks then you, my friend, have absolutely no excuses for not achieving simple levels of obedience with your own dog! If a raw novice can achieve it then so can you! Just have some faith in yourself, take it a step at a time and be consistent. You'll find plenty of help and advice in my complete dog training package "Dog Training Blueprint To Success". What are you waiting for? Go to it!
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