This is a very interesting episode about training with chain behavior and how explosion detection dogs! Jacque speaks with Élise Saint-Pierre, the owner of Dig It Dogs Canine Services and an explosive detection canine handler. 

She started with training when she was in high school with her terrier mix. After she graduated high school, she went to British Columbia for 6 months to learn more about dog training. When she got back to Nova Scotia, she started boarding and private training. 

For Élise, chain behavior training sessions are her favorite way to work with a dog because she can see their true intelligence. A chain behavior is a multiple set of behaviors that a dog must do all of them, in order, for the dog to get the reward. 

Élise is also working with an explosion detection dog, a shepherd named Roberta. Élise keeps up on her training and works on a lot of nose work (scent detection) with her. 

When training, she says it's easy to get stuck in the frame of “this dog is not understanding the training” but Élise realized she needed to take a step back and train them based on what works for them. 

Élise focuses on shaping the behavior. She starts with a goal in mind, and rather than have them follow a treat, she teaches them the process. She likes letting the dog be creative so they can figure out the system, rather than just going through the systems.

Élise has 2 “full-time” dogs with whom she focuses on obedience and agility training.

Connect With Elise Saint-Pierre:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Élise.saintpierre.7

Dig It Dogs Canine Services: https://www.facebook.com/DigItDogsCanineServices

Website: https://www.digitdogs.ca/

 

Connect with me, Jacqueline Tinker:

Lessons, trained dogs, occasional puppies, clinics, and trials

Phone number: 817-948-8825

www.stockdogtrainer.com

www.intinctiveaussie.com

www.workingaussiesource.com