FEATURE
“ I think good training shouldn ’ t look like training . You should look like you are having a great time with the animal .” – Ferdie Yau
are various activities and exercises designed to promote resilience . So when you work out at the gym you ’ re going to stretch out some of those muscles , strain some of those muscles and then give them a period of rest to let those muscles recover , which makes them a little stronger . And stronger muscles can help you resist injuries a little better when you ’ re in better physical condition . And likewise , you can engage in relaxation activities , such as meditation , yoga , nature walks , singing , dancing , whatever helps you get rid of that stress . And over time , it improves your resilience through changes in your neurobiology . While exercises and activities are relatively easy to teach others , the most important skill to have is understanding body language and I really think that is something anyone can improve through study .”
Ferdie said many shelters are limited with the ability to directly treat behavior issues , but indirectly , can treat fear and anxiety by building resilience without needing to expose an animal to the triggers . He told a story about a dog named Chewy , an adolescent dog like many who fill shelters . “ What we are learning is that new neurons develop during adolescent is almost exclusively for social behavior and stress management . The new neurons are constantly learning how to deal with stress . So really , the adolescent period is more of an opportunity than we previously thought . It ’ s really critical that we give adolescent dogs or other animals good quality experiences and interactions at that stage of life .”
Trainers can do that by using the Resilience Rainbow Framework , developed by Ferdie ’ s colleagues Kathy Murphy , BVetMEd , DPhil , CVA , CLAS , MRCVS , and Bobbie Bhambree , CDBC , CPDT- KA , at Behavior Vets . These conditioning exercises are used in behavior modification plans for shelter dogs . These exercises and activities may also be taught to adopters so they , too , will have the tools to assist their dogs with stressors post-adoption . The Resilience Rainbow features seven domains :
1 . Predictability 2 . Decompression 3 . Completing the stress cycle 4 . Mental and physical well-being 5 . Safety and security 6 . Social support and 7 . Agency
The Resilience Rainbow will complement the work already being taught by trainers in shelters . “ I will say it ’ s maybe a little bit different approach to training than maybe a lot of you are used to , but I love doing it because it ’ s fun ,” he said . “ And it can literally save lives .” Ferdie said he first heard about resilience in animals from Dr . Patricia McConnell when in 2015 she created a model developing resilience that “ really resonated with my approach to training .”
This framework — using the colors of the rainbow because they signal hope and are inclusive — is really founded on cross-disciplinary , scientific principles . “ Many of you may have already been building resilience in animals in your own ways . Maybe you ’ ve had an instinct for it . Maybe you learned through cold hard experience . So what ’ s new here is , we are presenting your framework to keep these concepts front and center while identifying suitable activities and exercises that can help you develop your behavior plans . The framework is intended to be used alongside — not instead — of other methods of training or behavior modification .”
Predictability allows an individual to make an informed choice to alter the impact of an event . But predictability isn ’ t everything ,” Ferdie said . “ You have to have a balance because if you have too much predictability , you risk boredom . You need to have some variation . Routines are important , but don ’ t be too rigid with them . Even in a shelter setting , there ’ s already a natural routine in the day . Shelter workers come in , clean the kennels , get food prepared and then maybe take the dogs out for walks during the midway , and then at the end of the day , it ’ s time to clean those kennels and feed the animals ago .”
Predictability also includes social rituals and reinforcement strategies , such as being clear and consistent with cues to avoid ambiguity , he stated . “ You have to be consistent in how you interact when you ’ re working with an animal . Ferdie said when he takes a dog out for a walk , field trip or play , he does some training and play . “ Then I ’ ll give him some enrichment in the kennel when I put him back in , and that ’ s to help him complete that stress response cycle . Reward experience is known to have an important factor in resilience . So they need to know what works in their life and what doesn ’ t .”
Ferdie pointed out pattern games , which are predictable and repeatable , are helpful . He recommended Leslie McDevitt ’ s book “ Control Unleashed .” The games can help create predictability in an unpredictable world when animals are out in other environments . One he calls “ Decaf ” LATTE ( Look At That Then Enrichment ). “ Many trainers may already use the “ Look At That ” training , which has the dog “ look at that ,” usually a mark or trigger , and then a treat . For the Café LATTE version , it ’ s less about looking at the trigger and more about looking at the trainer / volunteer to signal engagement ,” he said . To accomplish this training , Ferdie sets up several enrichment stations ( similar to snuffle-mats ) in a loop . When the dog looks up at him to indicate he ’ s ready , Ferdie slips some
48 Building Better Trainers Through Education