You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks or Can You?

I am not talking about either of my dogs, Molly and Kelly, my two Kerry Blue Terriers.  They in fact are always willing to learn new behaviors.  I am referring to me.  This year has been full of new challenges including acquiring my Therapy Dog Inc. Tester Observer Certification and my Nuisance Wildlife Operator Connecticut Department of Environmental License. Then I met the Executive Director, David Feld, of GeesePeace who was finally able to explain why working my dogs out of my kayak might have some great merit.  

I began this business working geese in my kayak while letting my dogs work the shore line of golf course ponds.  This method is still appropriate in golf course situations where my dogs respond to both voice and hand signals. While I am on the pond in my kayak, my dogs work the shore, providing no option for the geese except to leave.   I am able to herd the geese across all the golf course ponds until they reach the wetlands, where they are not a nuisance.  I have used and refined this method over my six year career.   Recently I started working in an urban setting where my dogs cannot run free.   So I have found that the “Geese Peace” method that evolves having my dog ride in the kayak with me is quite effective in this urban setting.  Molly and Kelly both wear a yellow life vest while riding in the kayak which allows them to be safe on the water and recognizable as working dogs while on the shore.

I am now a new disciple of the total GeesePeace method.