PDTE 2015 Spring Newsletter

pdte news
Spring 2015 Issue 26
www.pdte.eu

Contents:
Board´s corner_____________________________________ 3
Welcome our new members ____________________ 4
PDTE NL starts communication plan___________ 8
The right to walk away___________________________ 9
Message from the editor________________________ 10
Message from
the president
Dear members of PDTE,
Boards corner
Retractable leashess______________________________11
Beyond training___________________________________ 10
Clarification organization PDTE________________ 14
Friends are
the sunshine
of live.
Winter is gone, spring approaching, summer is near - life and
growing everywhere. What a pleasure !
For me it is also a pleasure to see PDTE growing and getting
new members every week - all the time we look at new
applications, and can add new names to the list. And an even
greater pleasure to experience so many good working members.
At the board, where huge jobs have been done in the financial
and secretarial jobs - both are now in good order. Among the
CRs, - some doing a great job and helping us get members in
view. Some are not working so well, but maybe will be inspired
by the ones who do - inspiring each other is partly what it is
all about. Website giving us a face, brilliantly done by our new
helper Harriet, a lovely Newsletter to read, - all in all it is a time
of growing and blossoming and feeling like springtime.
And all is done by people in their freetime! Spending lots of
their valuable free moments to run an organization for you, the
members! I feel honoured to be a part of it.
All organizations have their ups and downs and conflicts - that
is inevitable and normal. At the moment PDTE feels active,
buzzing with ideas and new proposals - that is for me the best
springtime of all!
I salute you, members, CRs, Board members, every one of you
doing something for PDTE!
Turid Rugaas
President
Boks 109, 3361 Geithus, Norway
Phone: +47 (0) 32 780 987
E-Mail: president@pdte.eu
Website: www.turid-rugaas.no
Sonja Hoegen
TREASURER
Allmend 18
DE - 74206 Bad Wimpfen
Germany
E-Mail: treasurer@pdte.eu
Website: www.dogcom.de
Karen Webb
SECRETARY
Green Knowles Farmhouse
Sedgefield, Durham, TS21 2EH
Phone: + 44 (0)1740 620471
Mob: +44 (0)74430343662
Website: www.pawscrossed.co.uk
Website: www.letyouranimallead.co.uk
Hanne Truelsen
UNDERSTUDY
Hvidoerevej 14A
DK-2930 Klampenborg
Tel: +45 3963 2288
Mobile: +45 30 954 953
E-Mail: boardmember@pdte.eu
Website: www.snudekompagniet.dk
Winkie Spiers
CHAIRMAN
121 Harbut Road, London SW11 2RD
England
Phone: +44 (0) 207 924 3744
Mobile: +44 (0) 7718 332 914
E-Mail: chairman@pdte.eu
Website: www.winkiespiers.com
Ellen Versteegen-Huijs
Board assistent
5759 RC NL - Helenaveen
E-Mail: boardassistant@pdte.eu
Next Newsletter appears
approximately july 2015
Advertising prices
1/4 page 20 euros
1/2 page 50 euros
1/1 page 100 euros
Happy spring and summer to you all!
Turid
Your President
Bank details:
Accountname: Pet Dog Trainiers of
Europe - Sonja Hoegen
Name of bank:
Kreissparkasse Heilbronn
Accountnumber:
7499803
BLZ: 62050000
Iban:
DE58 6205 0000 0007 4998 03
Moving?
Remember to tell us
your new address!
Send your information to
secretary@pdte.nl
For more information, reservations
and articles please contact
Ed van den Berg, info@doggz.nl
BIC-SWIFT-Code:
HEISDE66XXX
3

Welcome new our members
India
Sindhoor Pangal
I work as a Canine Family Coach and
Behaviourist in Bangalore, India. My
story goes back to February 2010
when a car ran over the face of our
boxer pup - Nishi. As I started reali-
UK
zing that Nishi was our miracle puppy
who would actually survive this, I also
started to realize that I had no idea
how to address emotional damage she
might have suffered. Thus started my
intensive research into the emotional
lives of dogs.
Back then!
I ran into Turid Rugaas. Under her
guidance, our family started picking up
the pieces.
As we learned more about the mind of
a dog others started finding value in
this new found information. So I started
Bombat Dawgz - a group for pet
parents in my city to share knowledge,
experiences and support each other.
The group has 4000 members today
who I actively educate. I also write a
weekly article on dog behaviour, for
Bangalore Mirror - local newspaper
that has a circulation of 160000 copies.
I have just completed writing my
first book that is going to be published
by Harper Collins and is going to be
the first book from India on dog behaviour
and training.
My education with Turid, Anne-Lill
Kvam and Agnes Vaelidalo taught me
was not just how to train dogs, but
opened my eyes to the remarkable
ability of the canine mind, heart and
rich the repertoire of the canine language.
I aspire to achieve in India is a new
way of looking at Canine Families.
India is a peace loving country that has
always respected it’s animals. As urban
India grows and is looking to the west
for guidance on pet training, I want to
positioned to guide the pet parents
and trainers of the country towards
methods that are more naturally suited
to our culture and way of life.
Italy
My name is Federica and I live in
Rome, Italy, with my “partner in crime”
Nano. I can say without any doubt that
it is because of him that I decided I
wanted to be a Dog Trainer...
It all started about eight years ago in
Ireland, where I used to school/train/
rehab and compete horses. My boss
decided I was going to have a puppy
myself (everyone else had one and I
had to have one too) so one evening
he came home with a tiny black puppy
that had been dumped in a ditch.
When I came back from Ireland, Nano
moved to Italy with me.
Switzerland
Jenny Borghi
That’s when I decided I wanted to
learn how to help others and myself
to improve the dog-human companion
partnership, and their quality of life
together.
So I attended the International Dog
Trainer Education with Turid Rugaas
and Anne Lill Kvam.
I am currently working with dogs that
have behavioural issues and holding
classes and individual lessons for
owners who need some help, or just
want to learn how to have some
proper fun with their dogs. This
I’m Jenny and I come from Switzerland.
Dogs are my passion since I’m
eight years old. I started to walk the
neighbours dogs and when I was
eleven years I got my own dog. I
looked after my dog by myself, went
to dogschools and tried to teach him
a good behaviour. He accompanied me
15,5 years. Grown up and without dog I
had the deep wish to understand dogs
behaviour. So I started to study dogs
psychology and behaviour. At this moment
I didn’t want to have an own dog
so I decided to work as a volunteer in
dog shelter. First in Switzerland, than
while traveling in Costa Rica and in
2014 I was seven month in South-Spain
Federica Iacozzilli
usually includes lots of exploring,
nosework games and long walks in the
countryside, woods or mountains.
working in an dog shelter. The dogs
arrived with broken bodies and souls,
that was really sad. All bad and sad
things have also a good side. So it was
wonderful to see the process of some
dogs recovering from their physical
and mental pain in a short time and
running around happy. To help the dog
in this process is delightful and fulfils
my heart. As I know by own experience
it can be very hard to live with a
dog, you absolutely don’t understand.
That’s why I love my job helping,
coaching and supporting people with
their dogs. It’s my vision to help dogs
having a better life and to see happier
and relaxed dog owner.
I live with my two lovely rescue
greyhounds, Alfie and Fia, in Fulham,
London. They remind me that material
things aren’t important (by peeing on
them, eating them or walking mud
into them), get me out for daily walks,
and have generally made me a more
patient, understanding person!
I’ve always loved dogs. My mother
often tells the tale of how, when
I was around 2, she discovered to
her horror that I was missing from
the front garden where she had left
me unsupervised for a few minutes.
Following a frantic search of the
neighbourhood, she found me sitting
under a hedge by the main road with
the dog from next door. If I’m honest,
I’d still be quite happy sitting under a
hedge with a dog- it would certainly
beat a day in the office!
I studied Early and Modern Irish in
Dublin, then Anglo-Saxon, Norse and
Celtic studies in Cambridge, and finally
Archives and Records Management
in Dundee, and became an archivist.
Then, I adopted a very institutionalised
retired racing greyhound (Alfie), and
due his many issues, enlisted the help
of a great trainer and behaviourist, and
discovered the world of dog training.
I went on to complete the Think Dog
Certificate, and then did a number
of courses with the IMDT, as well as
attending various training events and
talks about subjects such as canine
first aid, abnormal behavior in dogs,
the effects of neutering on dog,
aggression and canine communication.
I have enrolled to do Turid Rugaas’s
International Dog Training Education
when it comes to the UK in 2016, and
hope to attend as many other talks
and training events as I can afford in
the meantime!
My main interest is really in trying
to improve the lot of dogs. I wish
I’d known more about dogs when I
Steph Rousseau
first adopted Alfie, so if I can reach
out to people, and help them find
the information they need to help
their dog live a happy, fulfilled life in
harmony with their humans, I’ll feel
like I’m making a difference!
I started offering 1:1 training over the
summer, and am hoping to start puppy
classes in January 2015.
Belgium
So, my name is Nick Meuris. I am the
owner of Mira, a tsjech wolfdog of
6 years old. I started studying dog
training and behaviour in Holland at
the gaus acadamie. After, I had the
feeling that I was missing something
so I went to the pdte meeting in
Edinburg. There I met Nellis. And a
couple of weeks later I was attending
the course of TUrid Rugaas.
Since a was born, there were dogs
around me, my parents had dogs, both
my grandparents had dogs, even all
my ants had dogs. So I learned a lot
of them ( witch wasn’t all that good,
but back then, that was the way they
did it)
So after I moved out the house, I
bought my dog, Mira, and it was
because of her the adventure started.
Everything I learned, seemed to be
wrong and didn’t work. Even after my
studies at gaus acadamie, it improved
but still there was a missing link. It was
after de education with turid that I
had the feeling I was on the right track.
One of my other passions is traveling,
I just finished my trip in Africa. And
it is because of that trip that I realise
that there are still many missing links. I
learned a lot there. And my passion of
working with dogs is greater than ever.
I ended my own business Hondseling
and started a new one, called Kalyana
mitta which means, noble, spiritual
friend and that is what I realised in
Africa. That is what a dog is to me
and what I want to be to my dog. And
I realise that this means that I must
Nick Meuris
keep on improving myself to get to
know my dog and others. So I can help
people to feel the same feeling about
their dogs as I do at this moment.
My interests with dogs is especially
their behaviour and nose work.
Welcome our new members 5
4
5

The Netherlands
Spain
Ellen Angelino-van de Water
My name is Ellen Angelino and I live in
the Netherlands. I’m working as an assistant
manager in shelter for cats and
dogs. Also I am a certified Tellington
TTouch Practitioner for both companion
animals and horses and I succeeded
a Dutch course to become a brain
game/enrichment instructor.
Until 2006 I couldn’t have any dogs for
myself. Although since I was a young
girl I always took care for dogs from
other people. The last dogs I took care
Germany
Alexandra Breiner
My name is Alexandra Breiner and
I live in Stuttgart (Germany). Since
childhood I was lucky to have dogs at
my side. 7 years ago Husky-Pointer-
Hound-Mix named Skyla completed
my family (husband and two children)
and started to change my life. In
my former working life I was a travel
agent.
of before getting my own was a family
group of 8 dogs. In 2006 we started
with re-homing 2 dogs for our self. At
the moment we do have 4 dogs in our
household. In 2010 our traumatised
Belgian Sheperd, named Bullet, came
to live with us. Being bitten twice as
a adolescent in the parc by a strange
dog and being fully trained as a police
dog by negative reinforcement and positive
correction he does have several
stress issues. Couldn’t sleep, destroyed
loads of stuff in the house, reactive to
other dogs and showing us loads of
stress symptoms etc. etc. With Bullet
my search for education began.
The first station was Tellington TTouch
a gentle holistic approach for companion
animals where in the training(s) is
mostly worked with dogs. I regularly
travel to the UK for assisting at Tellington
TTouch clinics for Practitioners.
At the end of my Practioners training
I found the training to become a brain
game/enrichment instructor and that
really suits with Tellington TTouch.
At the moment I’m doing a training
named Natural Dog Trainer Education
which is based on the vision and approved
by Turid Rugaas. Which I hope
to succeed in June 2015.
Searching for a new challenge I became
a member in a dog sports club
where I give classes and where I’m
member in a team that visit nursing
homes. I love to work with eh dog
owners, but I realised that I had to
improve my skills, especially to find
a better way to work with dogs. So
I decided to start the Dogtrainer
Education at Dogcom (Sonja Hoegen)
that I finished in October 2014. Over
the past years I have attended many
courses of dog training, but the way
of working with dogs I learned at
Dogcom convinced me. I now try to
set up a dog owner training school in
Stuttgart with a friend, Gini Weiffenbach,
who also attended the Dogtrainer
Education at Dogcom. We want
to offer a better way of understanding
and handling dogs.
Myriam Deckers
My name is Myriam Deckers, (animal
and) dog lover as long as my memory
goes back. Living with my dogs,
communicating with my dogs, in short
being with my dogs is my passion.
We live in the countryside in the
South of the Netherlands, among the
hills and I experience it as a privilege
that I may enjoy being in this beautiful
natural environment and living daily
together with our 4 Newfoundlanders
and 2 Landseers ECT.
Communicating with dogs and reading
their “language” has always been the
only way for me to get along with
dogs. I regret that, in the Netherlands,
still many instructors and behavioral
experts work with pressure and force
methods under the heading of “dogfriendly
training methods”.
Until recently, my activities regarding
dogs, added up to a hobby but already
covered the most of my spare time.
I’m initially a doglover from the
bottom of my heart. In addition, I
am breeder of the Newfoundlander
and occasionally we have a litter of
puppies. I keep myself engaged in the
intensive coat care of our breeds and
every day we set off with our dogs,
we train with them in a naturally way,
go swimming with them regularly and
spend a lot of time with mental and
physical stimulation of them by means
of detection, natural agility and brain
games.
During my search for connection
on my vision, I ended up in Dogs
Behavioral Center “Calming Signs”
in Holland. A new world opened! In
September 2014 I started with the
training as a natural dogtrainer (NDTE),
based on the International Dog Trainer
Education (TR IDTE).
With this training and retraining as a
basis to go, I hope to be able to start
mid-2015 with my own practice as
Natural dogtrainer and behaviorist.
All my life I have lived with dogs, so
I have always been fascinated with
them.
5 years ago, Queen arrived at home,
a border collie with many fears; and
was when I started going to seminars
and courses to learn more to help her
overcome these fears, and the more I
learned, more need I had to learn. And
Enric Olmos
My story related to the dog world is
really short but intense. Four years
ago I bought my first dog (Ciccio
(Labrador). From the first moment I
knew I needed to study and advice me
well to offer everything needed for a
good coexistence between my wife,
me and Ciccio.
I read many books. Some better than
others. All I can say is that I tried to do
my best, do not always mean perfect.
Ciccio was a Labrador puppy with a
very high energy. Every day we were
going to play in the “mountain”. Free.
I taught things like basic obedience.
Etc ...
My name is Jaume Casals. I live in a
very small town near the Pyrenees,
in Catalunya, where dogs can still be
dogs and there are not many jobs
for a canine educator… Some years
ago I had a difficult dog and I was
worried that I could not understand
him. Because of that I was introduced
to the canine world. I decided to sign
in to a Course to become a Canine
Educator at tha Reial Societat Canina
de Catalunya (Canine Catalan Society).
today I realize how much I still have
to learn and how much they can teach
me.
3 years ago I started working at a dog
school her in Mallorca, helping owners
and dogs to be able to understand
themselves and have better living
I did not get never stop pulling at the
leash. A Lot Of. They play with an
energy too high with other dogs. But
I got it was quiet at home alone or
accompanied and that was me walking
in the mountain.
Seeing that I could not control it down
the street, I started taking lessons
from a professional to learn how to
avoid pulling. We used the traditional
method. After my classes, I started
going to workgroups on Saturdays
with other dogs and a professional.
Ciccio and me improved a lot, but not
perfect. I was still learning and every
time I liked the art to educate a dog.
When Ciccio turned 2 years, we got to
Olga. A great mestiza.
At that time also started doing agility
as amateur way with the objective to
improve our relationship.
During the first three years I have
studied a lot. I Have done a Clicker
seminars. Agility practiced. Training
Etc .... I really liked. A lot. I dreamed to
learn more and to devote part or full
time to the dog world.
One of my books I read in the early
years was the book by Turid, “calming
signals”. I read and learned. But ... .. I
That course helped me understand
so much! Then, once I finished that
course I continued my training
attending many other seminars. Funny
as it is, the more I learn the more
I know I still have a lot to learn. I
am interested in everything around
behaviour adjustment as well as the
emotional and cognitive aspects of
dog training. Qualifications: Canine
Educator (Royal Canine Catalan
Society), Therapy Dog Instructor.
Marga Cladera
think I didn,t understand anything.
On March 2014 I attended the seminar
of Turid Rugaas in Granollers. And
Pum. Pim pam pum. 95% of the things
that I had done with Ciccio, but always
thought it was best for him, they were
wrong (according to his philosophy).
EVERYTHING. I had caused the most
stressful life possible to a very active
dog. PUMP: Labrador + active puppy
+ owner wanting to teach too much
things = STRESS
Since the seminar, I completely
changed the way I treat my dogs. I
read all the books. I’ve seen the DVD,
s and I changed my speech in front of
all the people who I,m trying to help
with their dogs.
My dogs have changed radically.
Pulls down the street, 0.0 %.
Aggression: 0,0 %.
We play to find things (Nose Work),
etc .... FANTASTIC.
This October I returned to participate
in a Turid Rugass seminar. I reaffirmed
my basic knowledge and I expanded
with important aspects of “Why dogs
bark”, “biting” and attended the study
about the pulsations. FANTASTIC.
Jaume Casels
6
Welcome our new members 7

PDTE NL
starts communication plan
Rachaël
Peters
netherlands
The Right to Walk Away
Marina
Gates Fleming
BELGIUM
‘Why did you become a member of the PDTE? Do you have recommendations? Do you have time to work on possible
improvements?’ These were a few questions CR of the Netherlands: Rachaël Peters asked each of the Dutch members. The
answers to those questions formed the foundation for a communication plan for the PDTE in The Netherlands. This plan
has been discussed with the Dutch members, who were critical listeners, active brainstormers and above all ready to take
the PDTE in Holland to a next level. A few highlights:
Rachaël: ”The PDTE NL members
overall wish is that the PDTE is more
well known by a bigger audience, The
way we live with our dogs. The way we
view things. Not necessarily to get
more customers. They are all quite
satisfied with the number of clients
they have. But to get our philosophy
around to reach and influence more
and more people.”
“Almost all members were voting for a
website on which the PDTE trainers
were easily found. To make it easier for
a dog owner to find a trainer. Preferably
with a section especially for the
dog owner in his own national
language. With interesting articles on
there.
That the new launched website has a
map on which trainers are more easily
found is just in that line of thinking.
Especially when we can also launch
articles in the national language.
There was also the need for more
news on the voting procedures. How
do they work within the PDTE. What
do you do when you want to be a
candidate for a function?”
“To study and keep educating yourself
is an ambition all Dutch members
have. It does not come as a surprise
that most members find it an added
value of the PDTE to receive information
out of the other country’s.
The points of improvements were
many. However the time to resolve
them almost none. Out of the 15
members only 4 have the time to start
working on the wish list. We are all
very busy people. When making the
communication plan that is taken into
major consideration. It is better to
start something low key and keep up
with it, then start ambitious plans that
are only once or twice doable. That
does not give a reliable image. Also we
tried to look at communication
actions which combine multiple goals.
I mention a few things we as a group
decided for”:
Walk & Talk
“We aim to organise a Walk& Talk four
times a year. The Walk & Talk is for the
PDTE members and their clients. In
that way the PDTE members can talk
to each other, but also our customers
can see and feel they are also part of a
larger family. On the Walk & Talk the
dogs are leashed (long lines). During
the walk there is a stop with snacks
and drinks. Every PDTE members can
bring his/ her group of clients to the
walk. He can decide, together with the
owner, if a combination or dog is ready
for it to have a relaxed walk. Helga and
Agnes will organise the first walk. We
are al looking forward to that.”
Articles and study
“Twice a year Ed and Astrid will write
an article which will be offered at
several (social) media. These articles
are not responses to other articles but
are independent subjects. It is not to
point out what others are doing
wrong. The main focus is to inform
and inspire people.
It has been decided that every
member will take notes when they
visit a workshop or lecture. We will
share these with our fellow Dutch
members. We are all the ambassador
for the PDTE. The stronger and more
knowledgeable every separate
member, the stronger the PDTE will
become. There is more need of
information from abroad. As CR I will
try to ask the opinions of the other
CR’s on several matters. We can all
benefit from that. And get inspired by
‘News from abroad’.
The ‘News from the board’ is also an
initiative that is right in line with that.
In 2016 a small group will also organise
the two day symposium, that has been
initiated by Turid.”
PDTE News
“Actions that do not take up a lot of
time, but are beneficial are, the putting
of the links of the fellow PDTE
colleagues on the website. Clients can
then see that we are a part of a larger
organisation. And not only an isolated
island. Lectures and workshops of
colleagues we will also more actively
promote.
The PDTE News is fantastic to use as a
communication tool to customers.
The coming time we will check how
many more magazines we would like
to buy/receive. And sell or give away
to customers or for instance Vets. (If
we want to sell them or give away we
will discuss in our next meeting.”
What is next?
A vision without action is daydreaming
An action without a vision is a
nightmare
Japanese saying.
“The first meeting had as emphasis the
wishes of the members. What communication
tools can we use to fulfil
those. That has been established. Of
the utmost importance it is now to
think of the marketing message we
want to send to our Dutch customer.
And then how we can uphold the
marketing message. We are all PDTE
members, but the question is how
uniform we are. Are we recognisable as
PDTE members? The PDTE NL will
meet twice a year. In October we will
have a follow up meeting. We will
discuss how we all work. Find similarity’s
to see if we have a recognisable
formula for the Dutch dog owner. I or
other Dutch PDTE members will keep
you posted in the next issues of the
PDTE News.”
Rachael Peters
CR The Netherlands
What can pet owners learn from the way scientists give animals choices in research?
When people take part in research,
scientists must ensure they give
informed consent. When the participants
are pets, owners give consent on
their behalf: they understand the risks
of the research and they have the right
to end their participation at any time
(e.g. if they feel their dog is stressed).
We can’t ask animals about their
feelings, but scientists have several
ways they give the pets a choice.
In Sarah Ellis et al’s recent (2015) paper
on feline stroking preferences, cats
were stroked in their own homes by
two different people and were free to
walk away at any time. 18 out of 34
cats walked away at some point during
the first study, and 3 out of 20 in the
second study, showing the importance
of the choice.
Sometimes scientists offer dogs a
piece of food before starting an
experiment, or wait for the dog to
approach a person or location. Dogs
are first given time to get used to the
experimenters and the new surroundings.
Then if they don’t want the food
or approach, it could be because they
are stressed (stressed animals are often
not interested in food). It’s not unusual
for a few dogs to drop out of a study
for this reason.
In Erica Feuerbacher and Clive Wynne’s
(2015) experiments to test whether
dogs prefer petting or praise, dogs
were given time to get used to the
location and experimenter, and shown
that one person was offering petting
and another praise. Then the dog was
taken to the starting position. They
write that four dogs “were dropped
from the experiment because they did
not approach either alternative in the
first 5 min period.”
Just as in Ellis’s study with cats, dogs
could walk away from petting at any
point in the study. Because the study
was about choices, they write that,
“When providing petting, the assistant
petted and scratched the dog with
A dog looks at the fan with streamers in Merola et al’s experiment.
one hand on the side closest to the
assistant so that the petting did not
interfere with the dog’s ability to move
away.”
Dogs aren’t only dropped from studies
due to lack of interest or stress;
sometimes they are actually excluded
for being too confident. An example is
Isabella Merola et al’s (2012) study of
whether pet dogs look to a person
(their owner or a stranger) for social
support when stressed by something.
The scientists chose a fan with
streamers attached as the slightlyscary
object. Of the 90 dogs that took
part, 25 were excluded from the study
because they confidently approached
the fan.
Note that dogs were never forced to
go near the fan; they were free to
move around the room so they could
approach, or not, as they wished. At
the end of the study, dogs were given
food near the fan so they would not
be frightened of fans in future.
What is the relevance to ordinary pet
owners? Try to ensure that your dog or
cat (or rabbit or …) has the opportunity
to make choices. If they don’t want to
interact with you at a particular time,
that’s fine. Wait, and try again later.
Words from member countries
8 9

10
While to many this may seem obvious,
to others it’s a revolutionary idea. One
of the (many) problems with outdated
dominance views of training is the
emphasis on forcing animals to do as
you wish. Not only is this ethically
questionable, it can backfire in several
ways. It is potentially dangerous for
the person and animal, and risks
creating fear and a poor human-animal
relationship.
Choices are especially important for
fearful animals, for whom enforced
interactions might only make the fear
worse. If your puppy is shy in class and
wants to hide, let her, and she will
come out in her own time. If your dog
is afraid of fireworks, comfort him if he
would like it or let him hide if he
prefers – and later on, figure out a
plan to help him with this fear. If your
cats prefer to hide under the bed
when young children come to visit,
Message from the
First of all: I would like you all to help
build our newsletter with our own
content! That means articles you
wrote, or could write about anything
dog-related. A few nice photo’s to
accompany your article would make a
perfect page! Don’t be afraid that your
article would not be “good enough” all
things you think are worth mentioning
in any way will do. It could be funny
stuff about your own dogs, or things
you experience with clients. It could
be about new insights or your opinion
on those... It can even be about the
weather as long as there is a dog in
your story ;) I think you catch my drift,
don’t hold back. You are a part of the
that’s fine too – let them stay in their
safe place until things are back to
normal, if that’s what they want.
If pets don’t want to be trained at a
particular moment in time, that’s okay
– but consider how you can motivate
them in future. Some people are
surprisingly reluctant to use food, but
think about how much dogs like to
eat! You could use high value food
such as your dog’s favourite treats,
pieces of hot dog, cheese, fish, or even
steak.
Dog training is an unlicensed profession,
so there is no requirement for
dog trainers to follow the same ethical
standards as scientists. Ask your dog
trainer how they motivate dogs, and if
the answer is not food, you might like
to exercise your own right to walk
away.
How do you give your pets choices?
References
PDTE too, so get involved by sending
in some articles for our newsletter
every now and then! Send them to:
info@doggz.nl
Secondly:
I was ready for the summer! It had
been a few marvelous days to walk
outside in the sun, with a great
temperature well in to the double
digits. The dogs where enjoying the
warmth and so was I. So where all the
people who suddenly rushed in to
their gardens, started weeding and
even mowing there lawn. But we
cheered to soon, we should have
known that it was a little to early in
You might also like:
How many dogs is enough for canine
science?
Describing dog training: Weasel words
or clear descriptions?
Do dogs prefer petting or praise?
Ellis, S., Thompson, H., Guijarro, C., & Zulch, H. (2014). The influence of body region,
handler familiarity and order of region handled on the domestic cat’s response to
being stroked Applied Animal Behaviour Science DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.11.002
Feuerbacher, E., & Wynne, C. (2015). Shut up and pet me! Domestic dogs (Canis lupus
familiaris) prefer petting to vocal praise in concurrent and single-alternative choice
procedures Behavioural Processes, 110, 47-59 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2014.08.019
Merola I, Prato-Previde E, & Marshall-Pescini S (2012). Dogs’ social referencing
towards owners and strangers. PloS one, 7 (10) PMID: 23071828
the season to hold on to these
excellent outdoor conditions... Its
funny to see how every spring all living
things on this planet are waiting for
the temperature to rise. The people,
the dogs and cats, the birds and trees,
insects and plants... all waiting for the
same moment to open the flowers,
grow the leaves and get outside. I
think that in many ways we are not so
very different from other live forms on
this planet... So lets all wait for the sun
to re-appear, together!
Ed
Retractable Leashes
Retractable leashes (also known as
flexi-leashes) are very popular. They
are generally comfortable to hold and
allow your hands to stay clean in
muddy weather. Unfortunately they
can also be dangerous for both
humans and dogs. Here are 10 reasons
why:
1. The ‘stop’ button often fails. This is
particularly dangerous when
walking beside a road, as the dog
can end up jumping into traffic.
This happened to one of my
clients, and her dog was sadly
killed.
2. Whether you use the broader
material or thinner cord, painful
burns can happen in seconds if the
leash runs across you (a similar
action to cutting a cake with wire).
Many vets can confirm this, and in
2007 in the US 16,564 people were
treated for injuries caused by
retractable leashes, including entire
fingers being amputated.
3. It is difficult to quickly ‘grab’ a dog
with a retractable leash. If you have
to move your dog quickly away
from something (such as an
aggressive dog or broken glass),
grabbing the cord can be difficult
and potentially dangerous. This
leaves you with less control.
4. Retractable leashes don’t promote
relaxed walking. The dog is always
pulling to gain more length of
leash, and if they get caught in
something (like a bush) it can prove
difficult to untangle them. The
sudden ‘stop’ action of the leash
can also jerk on the dog’s body
(especially bad if they are wearing
a collar).
5. If you drop the leash, this can
frighten some dogs and cause
them to bolt. The handles are
often quite heavy which can be
very distressing if they run off.
6. In order to gain more length, the
dog has to constantly have tension
on the leash. This can encourage
dogs to constantly pull.
7. Retractable leashes make dog-dog
interactions more difficult. If a dog
is greeting another dog and
circling, the leash can get tangled
and the bulky handle is difficult to
just drop and pick up again. If the
dog is consistently pulled away by
using the ‘stop’ button, this jerk can
become negatively associated with
seeing other dogs.
8. As the length of a retractable leash
is always changing, it can be
stressful for dogs as they never
quite know much length they are
allowed, or when the stop button
will be pressed.
9. In Germany, retractable leashes are
not covered by many insurance
companies as they don’t consider
them acceptable leashes. If a dog is
walked on a retractable leash and
causes an accident (such as a
cyclist coming off their bike after
being tripped by the thin cord), the
insurance company is unlikely to
cover this. Not the mention the
potential pain for the dog!
10. Retractable leashes can be
unreliable. Depending on the size
and strength of the dog, the cord
can snap or the dog can chew
threw it. I have seen this happen on
a number of occasions.
Sonja
Hoegen
Germany
Those who are fans of retractable
leashes frequently argue that the
above only happens when the leashes
are used the wrong way. Unfortunately,
many of the situations do occur
regularly and impact on people or
dogs who were not at fault. When I
started discussing retractable leashes
on Facebook recently, I was inundated
by images and reports from people
who had been injured by these
leashes. Many had been standing idly
by and were suddenly circled by a dog
who sped up and wounded them.
The good news is that if your dog
cannot be let off leash, but you still
want to give them space to sniff and
explore, there are other options. Try a
longer leash (3 – 5 metres) or a long
line (usually 10 metres) – this will
allow your dog more space and to
move more naturally. It goes without
saying but with any leash you need to
be careful and pay close attention to
your surroundings.
Further reading:
www.sarahwilsondogexpert.com/retractable-dog-leash-dangers/
www.schertzanimalhospital.com/blog/flexi-leads-hidden-dangersretractable-leashes/
www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2009/03/retractable-leashes-poseproblems-for-people-and-their-pets/index.htm
www.news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=31352
www.flexi-northamerica.com/m/us/handhabung.php
Words from member countries
11

Beyond training
Ed van
den berg
netherlands
Some nice pictures from dogschool
www.kenjehond.nl
In the beginning
When I started out in the dog-training
world many years ago, we worked with
large groups up to 16 people and we
taught them to focus on un-wanted
behavior. When the dog did something
you did not like, you “corrected” the
behavior by means of verbal and/or
physical punishment. Of course the
dogs tried to avoid the punishment,
and became very passive in their
actions and expressions. We thought
the dogs listened to us because we
where the boss.
New insights
After working a few years in dog-training
using punishment as the main
“tool” for altering behavior, some
colleague’s of mine got an English
bulldog in their class which was
completely hopeless! He would not
respond well to any pressure, because
when pressure applied (verbal or
physical), it would lie down and refuse
to move another inch! So my colleague’s
came to me and asked if I
would like to try to train this hopeless
dog. I said that I would try...
Since this dog did not fit in my class
where we did only marching back and
forth while doing useless exercises like
down/sit/heel/stay and leave-it (by
yelling at the dog), I told the owner to
remain outside the class and do little
games with the dog, search and
attention games, sniff around a lot and
use absolutely NO pressure. Before
this new approach the owner had an
awful bond with his dog, they had no
connection at all and spoke a completely
different language. After a few
weeks the dog and the owner clearly
started to bond, the Bulldog was
looking happier and more relaxed and
if the owner asked something from the
dog “nicely” the dog would do it
without protest! This made me ask
myself for the first time, are we doing
it right?
After this I started learning about
“positive training”, and I went to a
seminar with a lady called Turid who
told everyone to: forget the dominance
thing... that was a big shock and
a huge eye-opener! From now on all
dogs where to be trained using
“positive reward based training”. We
would no longer punish the dogs for
un-wanted behavior, but only reward
them for wanted behavior! I thought I
became “dog friendly” because we did
not hurt the dogs anymore. More on
this later...
Science and training
I visited many seminars from famous
“dog professionals” and many of them
have a scientific background. I am
grateful for the scientifically proven
knowledge I received, but I strongly
doubt if any good or better practical
training results ever came from this
scientific knowledge. Mostly I already
experience things/effects in training/
behavior in the “real world”, and then a
scientist follows up on these things
much later putting everything in a
scientific perspective, and a book and
seminar... but I doubt its use. Even
more so, from my perspective as a
“field” expert I find most of the
theories and methods preached by the
most popular “dog professionals” can
be considered as inefficient if not
simply dangerous. I saw famous “dog
professionals” handle dogs in a way
where it makes anyone’s skin crawl.
The problem is that they preach “one
liners” witch are easy to consume for
the knowledge-less masse, and it helps
sell their books. They talk about
control/techniques/science/predictability/positive
training/etc., which
gives the idea that this theoretical
science can be used to gain control/
results in real life situations.
This way we are missing an important
point... Dogs cannot be formed,
neither can their owners. They are
living beings with feelings, with their
own needs. When you start forming
dogs like a piece of clay, it is only a
matter of time before physical and
psychological problems can be
expected.
Frustration in dog and owner
From my own experience (cases) I see
that more and more owners are
experiencing “problem behavior” and I
am convinced that the books and
articles from “dog professionals” are
partly to blame. Also the expectations
that dog-owners create throughout
media, but also things taught in
dog-schools are to blame for this. If
the trainer say’s your dog needs to sit/
stay or whatever to be a nice obedient
dog, than that expectation is set. And
if the dog doesn’t “do it” there is a
(behavioral) problem.
Positive training is equally based on
“power and intimidation” as the old
“corrections” method. I hold a sausage
in front of the dog, when the dog does
what I want he gets the sausage. But
what if the dog expects the sausage,
but he doesn’t get it? Naturally, dogs
are better off because we don’t hurt
them physically anymore. But we still
don’t “really” take any mental suffering
in to account. What if for whatever
reason, the dog doesn’t want the
sausage? As long as we speak of
training, we speak of forming and
molding... we speak of clay, not of individuals
with their own needs.
This results in frustration and stress
and out of this comes: irritation/
anxiety/hyperactivity/compulsive
behavior/etc. this leads to a bad bonding
and communication problems with
the owner, which has the impression
his dog should be like this and that
and now it has got “behavior problems”
Things that matter
A few years back, I had this big
burn-out... Why? because my expectations
of the clients where not met by
far. I was very disappointed with the
learning and “feeling” capabilities of
the people, but the dogs never
disappointed me though... ever. A
burn-out is a terrible thing, especially
for those around you. But if it gave me
one positive thing, it must be me going
back to my roots. Back to my own
dogs, taking the time to know them
better, asking them what they need
and favor in live. This period made me
reach a deeper understanding of my
own dogs, and gave us a much stronger
bond. Its all about asking your dog(s):
what do you need? how is this for
you? can i help you with this situation?
For all the reasons I explained, I have
stopped being a trainer. I do not form
or mold individuals any more, dogs or
people. From this year on, I only coach
owners to gain a better understanding
in their dogs. A understanding of their
needs, experiences, and ways to guide
them in difficult situations. My only
goal is to make the dog and owner
understand and love each other in
different situations, to create a
beautiful relationship that will last a
lifetime... And beyond, beyond
training.
12 Words from member countries 13

14
Clarification on how PDTE
as an organization works
With the AGM coming up the Board
thought it might a good idea to clarify
how the PDTE works. We have a
‘Constitution’ which covers all aspects
of the PDTE as an organization and
how things work, this is available to
read on our website along with the
PDTE Code of Ethics.
At each AGM the Board of PDTE is
voted in by members at the AGM.
When members of the Board step
down we are reliant on people putting
themselves forward. Please see below
an excerpt from our Constitution;
4.3. Election of Board Members
1. 4.3.1 Only Full Members can be
accepted for nomination as
candidates for election as PDTE
Board members.
2. 4.3.2 The nomination:-
• Must be made in writing and
delivered to the Membership
Secretary at least 1 month prior
to the date fixed for the holding
of the Annual General Meeting at
which these elections will take
place
• Must state the Board position to
which the nominee wishes to be
considered for election.
• Must be signed by 2 voting
members of the PDTE and
accompanied by the written
consent that the candidate is
prepared to stand for election to
that position (which may be
endorsed on the form of the
nomination).
3. 4.3.3 Existing Board members may
stand for re-election by way of a
nomination being submitted in the
manner described.
4. 4.3.4 Any nominated candidate may
withdraw their nomination, prior to
the election, by informing the
Meetings Secretary, preferably in
writing.
5. 4.3.5 A single nomination received
for a Board position, which has not
been withdrawn prior to the AGM,
will be proposed for election at the
AGM.
6. 4.3.6 If no prior nomination is
received to fill a position on the
Board then a request will be made,
at the AGM, for one or more
candidates to be nominated and
seconded for the position. Provided
each nominee is prepared to be
appointed to that position, the
nominations will be proposed for
election.
7. 4.3.7 If there is no resulting
nomination to fill a Board position
then a casual vacancy will be
deemed to exist.
8. 4.3.8 If there is more than one
nomination for a Board position a
ballot will be held at the AGM.
Where a ballot for the election of
one or more Board members is
required this will be conducted in
an appropriate manner as the Board
may direct.
9. 4.3.9 A candidate will be deemed
to have been elected to the Board
position nominated by a show of
approval by a majority vote from
the members present at the AGM,
and therefore appointed to the
Board position at the conclusion of
the AGM.
4.3.10 In the event of a casual
vacancy occurring in the Board of
officers, the Board may appoint a
Full member of the PDTE to fill the
vacancy and the member so
appointed is to hold office, subject
to these rules, until the conclusion
of the annual General Meeting next
following the date of the appointment.
You can find more on the website if
you would like learn more about how
the PDTE works.
I have also received several enquiries
with regards to becoming a Full
Member and set out below is what is
in our PDTE Constitution;
Full membership will only be offered
to those who have at least five years
experience in one or more of the
above areas (instructors will need to
be in full charge of classes). Associate
members wishing to transfer to Full
membership will need to demonstrate
their understanding of behaviour and
learning theory, and supply evidence
that they employ humane training and
handling methods in line with the
Winkie
Spiers
UK
Code of Ethics of the PDTE.
Alternatively the Board of Officers
may invite persons to become Full
members, where they have shown
exceptional knowledge, understanding
and promotion of humane canine
relationships.
Full members will be expected to be
active participants in recognised
clinics, schools, classes, courses,
seminars or symposia, and contribute
to the development of Associate
members and active promotion of the
PDTE.
All members (Full and Associate) will
be expected to demonstrate a
willingness to learn, and provide
evidence of continual update to their
knowledge. All members must also
abide by the Code of Ethics of the
PDTE. Only Full members are allowed
to use the PDTE logo and name as
endorsements or to add to letterheads
or other publicity material.
To become a Full Member, we, The
Board of PDTE, need to see how you
are working. Sometimes this is easy as
we see members at the AGM’s, they do
talks, submit video’s, talk to us and
organize events. Other times we
physically see how someone is
working. We take upgrading people to
full members very seriously and we
would like more active full members.
Please always contact me if you have
questions.
With regards to any complaints about
anything to do with PDTE these should
be directed to me in writing. Unless I
receive an official complaint in writing
I cannot act or investigate.
I do hope that this makes how the
PDTE works a little clearer. Do have a
look at the PDTE Constitution and the
PDTE Code of Ethics. If you would like
to help progress PDTE, if you have
some really good ideas that you would
like to put to the Board, if you have
any complaints (or compliments),
would like to help in any way or have
any queries please feel free to contact
me direct.
winkie@winkiespiers.com or
Chairman@pdte.eu.
Turid Rugaas
International Dog Trainer Education
UK 2016 - 2017
For the first time ever Turid Rugaas will
bring her International Dog Trainer
Education (IDTE) to the UK in 2016!
The education is 30 days divided into10 units (Friday to Sunday).
Turid Rugaas herself will teach nine (9) of the units. Anne Lill Kvam will teach one (1) unit .
Topics covered will be:
history, natural behaviour in dogs, the senses, emotions, brain, physiology, structure and
movements, learning psychology, how dogs learn, instruction skills, consultation techniques,
breed knowledge, behaviour, fear, aggression, stress, health, leash work, walking, teaching
dogs to cope, puppies and puppy development, nose work, techniques in training and
handling, making of brochures, how to make a presentation, how to change behaviour, the
language of dogs, observation skills, class structure & doing studies.
Venue: East Durham College, Houghall Campus, Houghall, Durham DS1 3SG
Price: £3,500 per student
Dates: 29 - 31 January 16 11 - 13 March 16 29 April - 1st May 16 3 - 5 June 16
26 - 28 August 16 14 - 16 October 16 2 - 4 December 16
24 - 26 February 2017 28 - 30 April 17 16 - 18 June 17
Maximum of 20 Students will be accepted
If If you are interested in attending the education and would like further information please
contact Karen Webb.
Mobile:07443043662
Email: karen@pawscrossed.co.uk

PDTE CONFERENCE IN GERMANY
WELCOME TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
OF THE PET DOG TRAINERS OF EUROPE
26 & 27 SEPTEMBER 2015
The team of dogcom welcomes you to Germany
Friday sunset-tour Bad Wimpfen
Speakers will include:
day-trip to Heidelberg
Turid Rugaas, Norway
Anne Lill Kvam, Norway
Raili Halme, Finland
Karen Webb, England
(winner of Best-Speaker-Award at AGM 2014 in Copenhagen)
Maria Hense, Germany
Silvia Weber, Germany
Manja Leissner, Germany
and many more!
Contact
Sonja Hoegen
Allmend 18, 74206 Bad Wimpfen
Germany
+49 70 63/ 22 85 600
info@dogcom.de
www.pdte.de