Some things have to be believed to be seen

Ralph Hodgson

Dale McCluskey's unique relational model of training provides the framework and foundation for

creating meaningful change between dogs and their owners. This guide redefines training for what it

represents beyond appearances. It reveals why the methodology and ideology in play are critical when

it comes to a successful outcome for all involved. It provides a one of a kind road-map for dog owners

and trainers via nature and the pack relationship.

Overview

The Relational Picture

Relational Revelation

The Relational Lens

Contrast of Models

Training as an Intervention

Ideology Crisis

The Parenting Model

Needing a Nudge

Co-Dependent Connection

Baggage

Relational Misfire

Relational Mirror

Temperament

Object Lesson

When a Glance becomes More

Praise and Reward

The Relational Model

Follower Moments

The Moment

Application of Method

Kinetics

Painting a Relational Image

Relational Triggers

Structure

The Relational Picture

This guide not only brings clarity to this relational connection but provides a model and framework that

can be used to train dogs. This guide presents a relational picture of the dog and human relationship

and establishes the following:

Establishes training as an intervention

Defines what leadership, influence and dominance represent while making a distinction

between corrective and relational influence.

Defines follower moments

How to assess if a physical response and relational disconnect is happening between dog and

owner.

What learning ideology and methodology represents at the relational level.

Contrasts and compares the relational and learning based models

Provides a overview of the relational model.

Relational Revelation

Dale & Reuben

Moments of revelation happen differently for each person based on many dynamics within their life.

For me my moment started in 1991 when I decided to put forward a proposal to start our Police

Department's first ever K-9 unit. As luck would have it I located a highly qualified K-9 trainer by the

name of Bill Grimmer who was willing and eager to invest in this concept. After finding a suitable

German Shepard puppy with high drive and great potential this proposal became a reality.

Right out of the starting gate the success of the team was as K-9 Reuben claimed the distinction of the

youngest Police Dog in Canada to make a street level narcotics find. With Reuben as a partner our

small department quickly gained the reputation of having one of the most effective and successful K-9

teams in Eastern Canada.

After the death Police Dog Reuben and during my transition to helping dogs and owners beyond the

blue line I began to reflect on and consider the different methodologies and approaches to training. I

already knew that there was a physical response and relational disconnect happening with a certain

group of dogs and owners. I started paying attention to see if I could determine if there were common

personality characteristics of those who were experiencing limited results and failure. I knew that I

had to step outside the box and beyond the restraint of current methodologies to discover the answers.

What I had with Reuben provided the foundation and framework to build the bridge towards

understanding the relational connection issue.

As I began connecting relational dots it became clear that those who had established a more emotional

connection with their dogs also had the most behavior issues and problems. The very emotions and

feelings which motivated a person to bring a dog into their life could also be responsible for the very

behavior issues which would cause the person to give up on the same dog. Reflecting back on the

development of my methodology I realize now that the follower moment script took shape sometime

during my Police K-9 service. There was a moment which took shape on its own.

Looking back it was ironic that I would be seeking answers while residing near a lighthouse

Reflecting back on my journey it is my opinion that experience is what reveals this connection to those

seeking answers. It is the type of experience which requires putting the methodology and ideology to

the real world test beyond the debate, rhetoric and classroom. It brings the individual to the point of a

tradeoff. For me it was about developing a relationship and not about elevating an ideology. The type

of relationship being developed required risking it all and real consequences which went beyond a

classroom. My hope is that this guide will open up a door so that more can step through and

experience what is waiting on the other side.

The Relational Lens

“ Clarity into what leadership, dominance, physical force and influence represents only

comes by viewing dogs through the relational lens of nature “

Clarity as to what leadership, physical force, dominance and influence represents beyond the debate,

rhetoric and ideology only comes by viewing dogs through the relational lens of nature. To see what

leadership represents, and the role it plays with influencing a dog's decision making process, one must

see dogs as the unique relational beings they are. The reason why the science of dog training is all over

the map when it comes defining what dominance represents is based on this relational disconnect.

While many who align with learning ideology promote the idea of being a good leader it is

whitewashed clean of any connection to physical force. The hardened positions connected to

dominance and leadership are motivated by emotion and an ideology rather than relational truth.

While many models incorporate correct influence within their methodology they often miss the mark

with influencing relational change based on the specific methodology involved. The path corrective

influence takes and how it is defined within the interplays of the learning model is critical when it

comes to relational change. The specific methodology this model uses to influence relational change is

defined by “follower moments”.

Contrast of Models

While the relational and learning models appear to share common ground at certain intersecting points

by way of methodology the differences at the relational level are profound. The interpretive script of

the relational model not only changes the context of how physical method is applied but how physical

response is interpreted. Those who have spent time training dogs know that some owners can spend

weeks going through the motions of obedience class with little or no impact on unwanted behavior.

This is where appearances can not always be trusted when it comes to gauging relational change. This

is where one must move beyond appearances and examine the underlying motives of response in order

to determine context. This same relational disconnect can happen with the person who has a

relationship with a narcissist. This person can spend weeks and months fooled into thinking certain

responses represent good motives. The giveaways that the underlying motives do not line up to the

behavior comes from discerning certain relational signs.

This same relational disconnect is the fatal flaw of many learning based models of training. The fact

is a dog can go through the motions of responding even while continuing to objectify the owner. This

also reveals that as with counter conditioning an association can be created absent of relational change

taking place. This associative change becomes a supply source which meets the response criteria at the

physical level but often does not impact the overall decision making process of the dog in a way which

meets the relational standard. Using an example at the human relational level this follows the path of

the narcissistic person who goes from devaluation to revaluation based on narcissistic supply. Within

the learning model the supply source can become the treats and associations created through this

motivating influence to the owner. While switching out the imagery the dog sees via associations may

represent change within the learning model these often do not represent change at the relational level.

This relational fork in the road, where change happens for some dogs and not others within the same

model of training, is not seen by those who fail to test response to determine if a relational disconnect

is in fact happening. This disconnect is more common within models which promote a non corrective

and anti-dominance ideology. As this model shows relational influence is a critical ingredient when it

comes to changing out the foundation stones of the relational.

When we begin to see the reach relational influence has we can see that learning as it aligns with the

concept of conditioning does not escape the relational script and the same issue associated with

physical response and relational disconnect holds true. Relational change can take hold within the

repetitive conditioning process or any other interaction. Nothing is outside the parameters and

influence of the relational script. To determine which interplays and interactions help move the

relational dial one would need to look at the role influence plays within the specific model.

Beyond the methodology and ideology of dog training it is ultimately the individual's character and

personality which manifests and projects corrective and relational influence. It is the reason why those

who meet this standard do not need professional help and can use learning ideology and still be

successful with creating relational change.

This can be seen within the Police and Law Enforcement profession with handlers who use learning

based ideology at various levels and still create relational change even with high drive dogs. If the

handler meets the leadership criteria based on their personality type and how they connect than

relational change starts to take hold the moment they are paired with the new dog. The role changing

drama which is present in most relational interventions will not be seen. Even if the dog has had time

to gain power prior to this new partnership this relational grip will be loosened fast due to the relational

dynamics in play. Dogs define strength and weakness via the whole being. Both mind and body. It is

the character and personality type of the person which defines strength and weakness via the pack

relationship.

Learning based ideology does not recognize dogs as relational beings or the influence of this social

structure on their decision making process. The consistencies of the inconsistencies and break downs

within the learning based model actually reveal the relational missing link to those step back far enough

away from the ideology to see it.

The following graphs provide a general comparative contrast as it relates to relational change

between learning based and the relational model. While the amount of relational change varies from

model to model this can be determined by what the ideology represents at the relational level. Models

which use corrective influence are going to be more successful with creating relational change than

ones which don't.

About the Author

Dale & Vianca McCluskey

Dale McCluskey has more than 20 years experience training and handling dogs. He was a K-9 officer

for over 12 years in New Brunswick, Canada and received many awards, accomplishments and

distinctions during his service. Dale currently resides in Saint Cloud, Florida with his wife Vianca and

children.

Other Books by Dale McCluskey

Going to Ground – The Methodology of Police Dog Training

The Mind and Body Connection

Beyond the Leash – Dog Psychology Training Guide

Beyond the Line – Dynamic Police Dog Training Guide

Visit www.k9pack.com for more information

Dedication

This guide is dedicated first and foremost to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The source of all truth.

Also to my wife Vianca and children Steven, Mary, Brandon and Jackson.

Dale & Vianca McCluskey

© 2013 All rights reserved. The material contained within this guide is not to be copied, sold, reproduced or distributed without the expressed permission of its author. This

Guide is protected by international copyright laws.