Here’s a story that gives new meaning to the words “Train, don’t complain.” Donna Rock’s adopted dog “Annie” is the second Doberman in the nation ever to be named an AKC champion in both agility and obedience. That’s quite a feat all by itself, and an honor for any dog and trainer. But Donna, who trained Annie for nine years to achieve that level, was born with no arms.
If you watch the video (http://www.wwltv.com/video/news-index.html?nvid=343716&shu=1) you’ll see strong dog-owner communication and camaraderie. Both look to be relaxed and enjoying the training. Of course, Donna has had to be creative in her cues. She has invented her own signals, using a leg instead of an arm, to indicate sit, come, and down. A cock of the head tells Annie to circle around her and sit by her side in heel position.
Donna was taken aback years ago when a college counselor entered “severely handicapped” on a form to help her apply for financial aid. Donna did not consider herself handicapped, and you won’t either after you watch the clip. She is extremely proficient in using her toes to grasp and maneuver things, and of course, she’s got Annie there to help as well.
It’s difficult after watching this inspiring video to make excuses like, “Training is just so difficult,” especially if you’ve got a perfectly good set of limbs and no major physical disabilities. I think the handicap with so many people is mental—a pessimism as far as what is possible, or a lack of persistence or willingness to do the work to achieve the goal. Believing in a dog, establishing a strong bond, working together, and not giving up can overcome a multitude of obstacles.
Donna Rock is now training a young border collie for agility competition. What are you doing with your dogs?
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Simply amazing
Thank you SO much for sharing this. I find it truely amazing what someone can accomplish if they really want to.
Tail wags,
Marie Finnegan
K-9 Solutions Dog Training Inc.
http://k-9solutionsdogtraininginc.blogspot.com
Truly an inspiration
I had the privilege of watching Donna and Annie compete in Daytona, FL last summer where they earned high in trial. You could have heard a pin drop when they were in the ring and you should have heard the cheers when they finished their exercises! It was one of the most inspiring things I have ever seen. Every "able bodied" handler I spoke to who saw them compete swore they would never again complain about how challenging training can be. I have their picture on my bulletin board as an inspiration. What a remarkable team. Thanks for spreading the word about them. Watching them made a lasting impression on this Novice handler.
Re: Armless Woman Trains Dog to Championship
I feel very humble when I see what Donna can do with her dogs...
My question may seem a little bit strange but I was wondering if she only used positive and friendly dog training to reach such a level in agility and obedience?
Actually, on a forum about positive and friendly dog training, here in France (maybe the only forum of the kind in the country), there is a discussion between exclusive positive and friendly dog trainers/owners and people who practice obedience, schutzhund and other activities of the kind and who claim they use positive reinforcement but until a certain point because when you own certain dog breeds (working dogs), you have to "manage them".
Nobody really explains what means "manage them" but finally, the pro-positive and friendly dog training are seen as utopians who don't know what it is to have a working dog, coming from a line of working dogs, etc...!
We also talked about the fact that it was not respectful to a dog to only focus her on the owner and avoid all types of social interactions with other humans and dogs, even those of the family, just to succeed in competition!
There again, we heard that we didn't know anything, that all competitors at the top had to make "sacrifices", that punishing the dog from time to time in order to make her understand what she was doing wrong or to make her understand who's the boss was necessary (because working dogs are said to be so strong-minded... they have to be... the more they are, the better but when they are really... well... let's go on...)!
So, even if I find Donna Rock's work wonderful, I am just wondering: "How does she make it?" Since it seems that in some canine activities you cannot use positive and friendly dog training exclusively and that nobody has never reached the top with such a training (specially in obedience, schutzhund or other activities in which the dog has to bite and obey).
Thanks for your answers to come :)
Ludmilla FRANCE, Alsace