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Meet Hamilton, the Tricky Coonhound

6/9/2019

2 Comments

 
Laura Cole posted a video in recent months showing her hound Ham (Hamilton) mastering the last trick he needed before testing for the AKC Advanced Trick Dog Title (now accomplished!). We thought you’d enjoy learning from her experiences as she and Ham moved through the levels of trick dog expertise. A dog with a Canine Good Citizen certification only needs 5 fairly simple tricks for the AKC novice title, so consider spending your rainy days giving treats for tricks and adding to your hound’s credentials. You might be surprised how much your coonie already knows.

Ham’s odyssey also holds hope and inspiration for those among us owning hounds with challenging behavioral issues. ​

How did Ham become part of your life?

For the last three years, I have been involved in cat rescue through a local organization, Austin Pets Alive! There, I photograph cats in need of homes to help promote them and get them adopted. In that time, I’ve met some amazing animals, but I have also met some incredible humans. Natascha, a current staff member and close friend, is a hospice foster. She had recently lost a cat, Barry, who was expected to pull through. After struggling with that loss, she decided she needed a happy change of pace. She took in two bottle baby puppies, Catahoula and hound mixes Ferdinand and Arabella.
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Of course, as a dog lover, I had to meet my friend’s new fosters and photograph them. I wasn’t counting on falling in love. Ferdinand, now Hamilton, came into my life when he was just four weeks old. He was weak and a little skinny, covered in big brown cow spots. But he stole my heart from the beginning, and I visited him every week in foster until I took him home at 8 weeks old.

Had you owned a hound before?

Never. While I wanted every dog under the sun growing up, from Norfolk Terriers to Schipperkes to Rhodesian Ridgebacks, hounds were never truly on my radar. As a city girl, I’d never really noticed them. I grew up with a Chow mix, two Chihuahuas, a Toy Poodle, and a Labrador throughout my childhood years. Based on his markings and his eventual floppy ears, it was easy to guess Ham has Catahoula in his mix.
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Even after reading about that breed’s respective quirks, I felt that I could handle anything. I intended to go all in with my first dog as an adult — training, socializing, and doing everything right. But boy, Ham has given me a run for my money! I thought I knew so much about dogs before getting him, but he has shown me how much I had (and still have) to learn. He’s also turned me into a hound lover for life.

Tell us about Ham

From the time he was a puppy, Hamilton was tenacious. I would say that he was equal parts sweet, goofy, and naughty. From chasing the cat, to nibbling hands, to munching every stick he could get his paws on… he drove me crazy. But it was all worth it when he fell asleep on my chest or showed his smarts in how fast he picked up new tricks or commands. He grew quickly and soon exceeded his estimated adult weight of 35 pounds (topping out at 75). Hamilton grew up as a dog park, go-anywhere dog; but after his first birthday, he started to display signs of fear-based reactivity. It turned our world on its head. Previously, I had aspirations to train him as a therapy dog so he could share his infectious personality with others
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While he had never bitten anyone, he would definitely fall under the ‘fight’ category when it came to a question of fight-or-flight. Suddenly, my over-confident, social puppy was reacting. It was a scary time, when I grew afraid of losing him. But instead of giving up, I took action. I reached out to a behaviorist, and after a long while also decided to add medication into the mix. Addressing his quirks has taken a small village — from my family and friends, to the trainers who love him like I do.
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His progress has been tremendous, though he is definitely a “project” dog. As I said, he has given me a run for my money — but for all the effort put into training him, all the emotion and fear, I wouldn’t trade him for the world. Our partnership has gotten stronger through our struggles. He’s gotten more cuddly, loving, and attentive. We’ve built trust together. And when it comes to the people and animals he knows and has built up similar trust with, you won’t meet a more loving, happy-go-lucky dog. And after all our hard work, and thanks to muzzle training, we are still able to get out in the world, visiting his favorite pet stores, going to plant nurseries, having playdates with his furry friends, going to classes, and hiking. He’s come so far!
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What spurred your interest in pursuing Trick Dog Titles?

I had never even heard of a Trick Dog Title before attending my training school, Zoom Room. This dog training chain offers a variety of classes, from obedience, to agility, to urban herding in some areas. Alongside that, they also offer various workshops like scent training and tricks and some, including the one in Austin, are AKC certified testing facilities. I started seeing “TKA” listed out on some of my trainer friends’ dogs’ Instagram profiles and looked into it. I realized that Hamilton was already close to a novice title, so we started working on it.
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When I was growing up, I wanted nothing more than a dog I could train with. I taught my childhood Chihuahua a variety of cute tricks, and made homemade agility “courses” for my Labrador. But Hamilton showed an aptitude for picking up new tricks that none of my dogs growing up had. While some tricks aren’t suited to his abilities or his large size (no back stalls for this duo), it’s been super fun to see how far we can take it. It’s been surprisingly accessible, and a great way to earn AKC titles in spite of his quirks.

What training did Ham have before you started working on tricks?

Hamilton and I started training from the moment I brought him home. At first, it was just sit, down, stay, shake, but soon we started to class. Puppy pre-school (a socialization class), puppy obedience, and puppy agility were his first forays into training, and we continued to build up in those different areas. Today, Hamilton is in a Canine Good Citizen level obedience class (though we’re not sure if we’ll get that title) and level 2 agility which involves some simple courses. We’ve also done a bit of scent work together, which is a lot of fun for his nose! ​
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What motivates Ham? (food, toys, praise, etc.)

Hamilton is the kind of dog who stares at you when you throw a ball as if he’s saying, “What do you think I am, a retriever?” A good treat is Ham’s best friend when it comes to rewards — but we have to mix it up so he doesn’t get bored. His current favorites range from fancier fare like freeze-dried chicken hearts and lamb lung, to junk food like milk bones and turkey dogs. While he is a pup with a balanced, nutritionally sound diet, sometimes you gotta break out the “bad” stuff when it comes to doing something super hard. He does love a good squeaky toy, but gets a little too excited about them to use them as a training reward — or not excited at all. It really depends on the day. But food is always a winner.
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When did Ham get his novice and intermediate titles?

Hamilton earned his novice title in January of 2018, a few months before his first birthday. In between, we did a ton of behavior work, so we took a break from working towards his intermediate title. However, less than one year later, he earned his intermediate title. Between the two, he has showed off 20 different tricks and commands. We’ve got around 30 now, which moved him on to the advanced title!

Do you work with Ham according to an approximate schedule or just when time and interest allow?

Hamilton and I attend classes at least one to two times per week. Right now, that’s usually agility and obedience. In April, we’ll be adding in an advanced nosework  course to the mix at a sport training facility. We’re super excited as we’d love to pick up some scent titles, too! When life gets busy, I don’t get as much time to work with him at home on “fun stuff” (e.g. tricks). However, every time we go out into the world I am actively working with him. I don’t leave the house without a clicker, harness, treat pouch, and muzzle. Since the world is full of triggers for him, it takes constant vigilance to make sure he is happy and relaxed. One of the biggest challenges in fact has been learning to keep my cool when we hit a stressful spot. He tends to feed off of me!
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What trick or types of tricks have been the most challenging for him?

Remember that “not a retriever” comment? Catching and holding objects in his mouth is not his forte. Some tricks we have put aside and may never pursue (e.g. “put away your toys”), but others we’ve been able to master. One of those is flipping a treat from his nose and catching it.
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Does Ham like to ham it up and show off for people?

If he knows them, for sure! When Hamilton is relaxed and comfortable, he lives up to his name — whether it’s flashing his pearly whites in a toothy smile, doing a trick, acting like an oversized lapdog, or asking for belly rubs. Strangers, not so much. But if he’s relaxed enough, he may show off a trick on command in public!
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Books and demonstration videos for teaching tricks are readily available, but did you ever (or often) have to step back and completely rethink your approach for a particular trick in light of what you knew about Ham?

As I mentioned before, catching was initially quite hard for him, so I had to work on his coordination. A few things we tried: using popcorn because it’s lighter weight and doesn’t fall as quickly, counting to three before tossing to let him know it was coming, and not letting him have the treat unless he catches it (a race to the treat on the floor). In a hound’s mind, why should he try to catch it if he can just grab it off the ground? That was actually what really changed the game for us! Shout out to our trainer for the idea.

Does Ham have any “wild card” handler’s choice tricks that you slipped in because Ham offered the behaviors on his own?

Yes! One thing I’ve learned, and advice I’d give, is that things your dog does naturally will be easiest to capture and turn into a trick. For example, Ham loves to be on his back, so play dead (“bang!”) and rollover were really easy for him. So was “yoga” (or bow), as he loves to lean down into a big stretch.
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How has trick dog training affected your overall relationship with Ham and how you view your hound?

It’s been so fun to work on tricks together. I would definitely say it’s a bonding experience, and it’s such a great feeling when I see the light bulb turn on for him! I also feel really proud that we can get these titles together. It’s a good reminder that whether your dog is purebred or mixed breed, you can still achieve together. Go get some ribbons! You may be surprised that your hound is already close to qualifying for a novice trick title. We didn’t intend to go past the first level, but after the first one, we gained confidence and I thought — you know, we can do this. We can keep going.
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How about sharing some “best practices” and tips for adding trick training to a house hound’s curriculum?
​

Watching videos and asking my trainer who is passionate about tricks for advice was a huge help. But the nice thing is, you don’t really need anything special to get started. Some people use a marker word like “yes” when a dog offers the behavior you want, but I far prefer a clicker. It’s a more precise marker and it helps your dog understand exactly the moment they offered the correct action. It helps them learn much faster. If you don’t know where to start, check out AKC’s website for lists of tricks for the various titles for some ideas. 

What’s next for Ham? Will he advance to a performance dog title or try something completely different?

We plan to stop at the advanced title for tricks. We’ll still keep pursuing trick training, but the performer titles are next level (no pun intended). I think rather than trying hard at something that might not come very naturally to Hamilton, we will instead focus on something he was made for: scent work. We’ve already done a handler discrimination class and a basics workshop, and I’m excited to pursue more oil identification via container searches. We’ll also continue our recreational agility. While he’ll never be an agility dog for many reasons, it’s just another way we bond and grow our relationship. Training is truly a way to deeply connect with your dog.

NOTES:

To follow Hamilton’s adventures, see training videos, and read about his journey with reactivity, head over to Ham’s Instagram, which is updated daily at http://www.instagram.com/hamiltontherescue.

Dogs of any breed or mix at any age and size can earn trick dog titles. Classes are available in many areas, but trick training is also a great DIY activity. Check local training centers to find an authorized evaluator. The titling entities are American Kennel Club and Do More with Your Dog.

The MUZZLE UP Project (https://muzzleupproject.com/muzzle-training), though no longer being updated, houses excellent resources on training your dog to a muzzle. ​

The opinions expressed in this guest blog are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily endorsed by Coonhound and Foxhound Companions.

2 Comments

Jeb's Story

1/26/2012

13 Comments

 
__ I had always wanted a bluetick coonhound and when I met the Hildenbrands of Pontiac, IL and bought "Cry Baby" from them, it was a dream come true. I had no idea of how that decision would change my life.

Jeb's first years with me we just did basic obedience necessary for a CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certificate and mantrailing (a type of canine search and rescue, typically done by bloodhounds). We traveled around the US and attended well over 30 seminars in trailing, cadaver, and some obedience. I met people that didn't set limits on Jeb because of his breed. This was the beginning of my journey as a professional trainer.

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Senior coonhound Jeb enjoying a hike in the mountains
_ When Blueticks became eligible to compete in American Kennel Club obedience competition in January 2004, we were in the ring that month and earned our CD. A CD is the Companion Dog title given by the American Kennel Club after a dog and handler pass a test three times with a minimum score of 170 points out of 200. The exercises in the test include heeling on leash, heeling in a figure eight pattern on leash, a stand stay while the judge touches the dog, heeling off leash, calling your dog to come from across the ring, a 1 minute sit stay with the handler across the ring from the dog and a 3 minute down stay with the handler across the ring from the dog.

That same year we earned our CDX. The CDX is the Companion Dog Excellent title given by the American Kennel Club when a dog and handler pass a test three times earning minimum scores of 170 out of 200 points. This test is called the Open class. The dog is taken off leash as soon as he enters the ring. There is a heel off leash and heel in a figure eight exercise. The dog must retrieve a dumbbell thrown by the handler across the ring on the ground and over a jump. And the dog must go over a broad jump. The sit and down stay exercises are much harder since the handlers must leave the ring and go out of sight.

After a break while we focused on canine search and rescue work, we returned to obedience competition two years later to earn a title in the advanced class called Utility. In April 2006 we earned our UD (Utility Dog) title. In the Utility class the dog has to execute some very difficult exercises. The running joke of obedience competitors is to call it the "Futility class". Jeb had to complete an off leash heeling (NOI) . A good friend tells me I trained an hour just about every day. I was working hard because by then I believe I realized we could finish the OTCH. Hard to believe when I never thought I'd care about precision nor did I think I had the dog to do it. BUT....I learned that it takes hard work and good solid training -- not necessarily some "perfect" dog. It's work....and yes money to travel and enter shows. The more I pushed Jeb, the more we learned and accomplished together and the more fun we had. I had to constantly balance the "have to" and "fun to" of obedience. With Jeb there were a lot of times it was more about the "have to."


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Jeb and his target after competing in search and rescue
_Back to 2006. We traveled to Long Beach, CA for our first NOI experience. The National Obedience Invitational is held once a year. Dogs who have competed at the highest levels and earned the best scores for their breeds are invited to come compete. Only the best of the best get to come. It was so fun to see so many people I knew and had met at shows. It was wonderful to see all the wonderful dogs. I remember walking in the room that first day and it felt like you could cut the tension with a knife! Very nerve wracking even if you were just there for the experience of it all. Jeb did quite nicely. My goal was to have no NQs (non-qualifying scores or errors) and we didn't. He was quite clean in his performance. That first day was EXHAUSTING! I felt like I was about 90 years old! We were ranked 18th after the first day. I will say that we would have made it to day two even without the only 4 per group count (only the top four dogs in each group get to go to the next round, i.e. sporting group, herding group, hound group, toy group, non-sporting group, working group, terrier group). Jeb was in the top 32 of 95 or so dogs.

On to day 2 of the NOI. I remember hoping to at least maybe win one round. The 2nd day works much like the NCAA Basketball tournament. There are 32 dogs and you are in brackets based on your rank. If I remember correctly, my first round I was up against the dog ranked #15. A sheltie? We won that first round and I was thrilled! I didn't care what happened from there. :) On to round two - another sheltie, this one ranked #3. Jeb was so tired. He lost 12-15 points on no sits. However, the sheltie NQ'd an exercise and lost 20-30 points. We managed to win the 2nd round! I couldn't believe it. (I didn't see the sheltie perform, so I was surprised).


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Jeb successfully clearing a hurdle
_ By now we were down to 8 dogs. I had someone helping me and they were taking me so seriously, I remember thinking I'd better do so too and at least try to look like I belonged at that level. So I sat by Jeb's crate, kept him quiet, got some water in him (with chicken broth in it to get him to drink some). I played my iPod and visualized success. I wanted to at least look good out there. I was up against a border collie -- nice dog. I had no idea there were so many people in the stands -- so many people watching that I felt should have been out there instead of me. But...I was totally focused on Jeb and doing my mental management, so I just did my thing.

Jeb performed beautifully! He did all his sits; he was just wonderful! I was so proud! The applause was HUGE and it was so heartwarming. It was also adorable when Jeb realized all those people were watching -- he looked over and tilted his head at the crowd. It was a great moment. When we came back in with the other team to find out who won, I gave no thought that it would be us. When they went to shake our hands the crowd went CRAZY!!!!! I was STUNNED! We had just made the final four which meant we would be on the podium. I was honestly so stunned I didn't feel much at all. I was done, too. I went in two more times to find out if we'd run off for 3rd/4th or for 1st/2nd. I was done. I just went through the
motions. I was exhausted and happy to be where I was. I lost to Bridget Carlson. I sent Jeb over the wrong jump, but I didn't care. I was oblivious and floating around in a stupor. So I would run off for 3rd/4th. In hindsight, I wish I'd tried, but I was so floored. Jeb did a no sit on a pivot so we were 4th.

I was so proud of that dog. He was so exhausted, but he did everything I asked of him. The one round where I really focused and raised the bar, he rose to the occasion. What a wonderful boy. The rest of the day I was literally numb. It was the greatest thing ever and thanks to hard training and some luck -- we have our medal and crystal eagle for our third runner-up NOI finish. A true Cinderella story if you ask me.

Paula McCollum

OTCH UUD Smokin' Bullet Jebediah Blue UDX3 VER Bh (NAPWDA Cadaver/SAR Area/Obed)


13 Comments

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