Small Dogs, Big Talents

Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Elizabeth Dodd

Elena Brigham, of Goldvein, left, and Ben Landas, of Leesburg, listen to tips during a special obedience training class for toy dogs April 28 at the Loudoun County Animal Shelter. Animal behaviorist Jenny Swiggart is bringing the 'all-positive' method of her work with marine mammals and elephants to the canine world.

By Shannon Sollinger
LOUDOUN TIMES MIRROR
05/01/2007

Baer, Rudy, Annie, Beckham, Teddy, Bella and Guiness got together for some basic playtime and obedience training at the Loudoun County Animal Shelter April 28. Put all of them in a basket, and they wouldn't tip the scales at 20 pounds. It was the weekly meeting of the Leesburg Small/Toy Dog and Agility Meetup Group.

Baer, a 6-month-old Chihuahua, bonded with the group's trainer, Jenny Swiggart, about the time he figured out she never raises her voice and she carries a goody bag on her right hip.

Jenny has been with the shelter for seven years. Before that, she worked with marine mammals and elephants. She learned "clicker training" and she learned there's no really effective way to say "Bad boy" to a dolphin. Her classes are the first "no negative" approach in any area shelter, although some private trainers are using the approach, she said.

"This will teach us patience," Swiggart said. "We're so used to correcting, telling them what they are doing wrong, there's not enough time to reward for what they do right."
The week before, she introduced her pupils, the two-legged ones, to the clicker. Get the dog or puppy in a position to do something good - "good" is a relative term, but it's behavior that pleases the two-legged one. Give him the treat. Click. Pretty soon, the click will be enough. He'll know the treat is coming. You never say "Bad dog"?
Never. If the puppy does something "inappropriate," ignore him. When he comes to you, looking for some attention, reward him.

The goal of the group is to master some training techniques, have fun, and give their dogs some fun and some exercise. And maybe form an agility dog team.

New members are welcome, no charge. Call Laura Danis at the shelter, 703-777-0406, or go to http://toydog.meetup.com for information.