Page 11 - Chiron Calling Autumn 2019

Canine Social and Emotional Development 2 Day Seminar
SSgt Luke Jones attended the Canine Social and Emotional Development 2 Day Seminar provided by the Wolf and Dog Development Centre between Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July 2019 at Great Bentley, in Colchester, Essex.
Wolf behaviourist, Shaun Ellis, and canine behaviourist, Kim Ellis based in Cornwall, collectively share over 30 years of experience living and working with the animals. A life dedicated to understanding the wolf species, their canine language & behaviour has resulted in a wealth of unique knowledge; in addition to living with their wolves and dogs, Shaun and Kim deliver training.
The 2-day training period was split into a theory and a practical phase with the following topics covered and delivered in line with their ‘old school’ naturist approach giving an insight into canine behaviour and connection:
Social Characters vs Rank Structure, social characters are roles that wolves/ dogs are born into, they can also have associated social characters if there is an imbalance in their environment and feel the need to do other roles. Historically people believed in Alpha/Omega, Dominance and submission where as their belief and study suggest Social Character has more of a family feel where each dog/wolf has a role to play/which is needed for the success of the pack/family.
The Social Characters are as follows: • Decision Makers
• Protectors
• Testers
• Enrichment Animals/ Numbers
• Early Warners
Survival Systems in a wolf/dog: Fight,
freeze and flight often accompanied by growling, barking and lunging to various degrees by form of communication.
The Rule of 4: A system for assessing dogs compatibility in a home due to 4 categories, Breed (Job), Age (Experience), Gender and Social Character. Using these 4 categories we can assess where the issues truly lie in a pack, what sorts of dogs will fit, whether they will be/ are complimentary or competitive to each other which comes down to social acceptance or acceptance. This ultimately shows if it will work or not.
The 4 levels of Acceptance: 1. Avoidance
2. Introduction through scent at a
distance
3. Introduction through scent at close
range
4. Test (The sending of and receiving
of information). (This is the mark between social acceptance or socializing)
Emotional Regulation and Co-Regulation, the ability for a dog/ wolf to self-calm and to calm other by co-regulation.
The body language of dogs/wolves and the nearest body part communicating with you, whether nearest ear or tail etc.
By SSgt Luke Jones 101 MWD Sqn
Circles of Development: 1st circle “Den Site” being when a dog/wolf pup is 0-5 weeks old, 2nd circle “Education”, 3rd circle “Porcupine” and 4th circle “Bear”. This philosophy is used to rehabilitate a wolf or dog by taking them back to the 1st or 2nd circle to be supported and learn.
In summary, SSgt Luke Jones commented that the course was an excellent experience, especially assessing 12 dogs on the 2nd day utilising the theory and identifying which Social Character they
'We perhaps don’t necessarily look at the Social Characters of each dog'
were, diagnosing behavioural issues and options to rehabilitate them. Also, that in a Military Working Dog context we look at things like Classification of role, Standards of Efficiency, Capabilities and as the OC always says the limitations, the breed of the dog and in my opinion where dogs are individually kenneled. We perhaps don’t necessarily look at the Social Characters of each dog, in line with health and safety and good standards we ensure, a through hand over takeover of dogs at all times, we keep safety distances and know each dog’s vices, an example being if they are dog reactive and so on...
By completing this course, it has opened my eyes as to whether a dog in a protection team may be of a protection social character or a search dog may be an enrichment animal which are well known as constant fun and not knowing when to stop. These social characters fit these 2 classifications very well. Younger Military Working Dogs are assessed on acquisition and the confidence of the animal and suitability to train etc.
'By completing this course, it has opened my eyes as to whether a dog in a protection team may be of a protection social character'
but by using the Social Character philosophy which a puppy, or younger dog demonstrates its true character from their 5-week point is an interesting thing to think about. If the social character can be assessed and them trained and worked in fitting with their natural instinctive role this should work better and smoother than an animal working outside of its natural comfort zone.
This led me to quickly observe in my own home with 3 spaniels, that I have a 9 year old Decision Maker, an 8 year old
Left: Kim Ellis, Centre: SSgt Luke Jones and Right: Shaun Ellis
Protector and a 2 year old Enrichment Animal/Numbers dog which takes on the role of Tester also and in line with the Rule of 4 system we have a happy and balanced pack, where all know what each role they play and how they are needed tying in with the no competition piece and that all are complimentary to each other. The decision maker is in charge but very risk averse, the protector is a typical one in that he has inner strength of character and sense of presence but not a bully dog and the enrichment young dog is full on and needs telling when enough is enough by the other 2 dogs and when to settle or calm down with given calming signals.
I was supported in attending this training by my Chain of Command and our Army Education Centre, I used Standard Learning Credits (SLC), partly in line with my own personal and continued professional development also as an example to other Reserve members of 101 MWD Sqn that the SLC process is under used and can easily be used to support a Reserves or Regular Soldiers or Officers with planning and good personal administration each financial/training year. At 101 MWD Sqn we take CPD very seriously and invest in all team members continuing their lifelong learning and development which only has a positive effect on their overall military service, civilian work and personal performance.
Further information regarding the work and training that the Wolf and Dog Development Centre can be found at their website: https://wolfanddogdevelopment. org/
CHIRON CALLING 9