Long Ears and clicker training

[Lyndsey Lewis]

Hi All,

I have a question that maybe should be posted on the Donkey sanctuary forum but I thought I'd try here.

I volunteer my time to do the website for a long ear rescue (www.saveyourassrescue.org) and the president Ann Firestone has asked me to be a presenter at a clicker training clinic in March that she is holding for folks who have rescued long ears and need training help.

I am absolutely thrilled of course but I'm a HORSE clicker trainer and don't know much about long ears other than they are very adorable!

Now I know one of the golden rules of clicker training is 'Know Your Animal' so I've been trying to find information about specifically clicker training long ears. I have Ben Harts book but didn't find that helpful at all. He talked a little about the animals having differences but I didn't see that translated into how a person would then approach a long ear differently than a horse in regards to clicker...??

Ann has told me that folks mostly have issues with long ears being fearful and not leading well (bolting when being led) and also difficulties with having their feet trimmed. Basically husbandry stuff I guess. And for me it sounds like basic trust issues which makes sense seeing as they ended up at her rescue!

So unless I can find info that tells me to do differently, I will be focusing on getting the participants to build trust through touch (grooming and massage etc) and talking about how that trust will translate into the long ear feeling safe around the person, and not so likely to leave...??? I also have always seen trimming issues as leg handling issues so again trust/touch issues...??

Anyhoo I thought I would throw it out there and see if there is anyone here that has both long ear and clicker experience and can offer any advice from their experience. It's just a one day introduction to clicker so it will mostly be teaching the participants the mechanics and ground rules but I do want to talk about behaviours that will be helpful to them as long ear owners.

Thanks in advance,

Lyndsey

[lisaNW]

Hi Lyndsey, I don't, but there was a lady on our clicker clinic who worked with dogs (as a trainer) and also her own donkeys - I can't remember her details but if you contact Liz at the Scottish Clicker centre (google it) she may have her details.

HTH,
Lisa

[TashaKat]

I believe that Ben Hart has done work with donks so it might be worth contacting him for some info and ideas 

[TashaKat]

He's very approachable so it's worth a try 

http://www.hartshorsemanship.com/

[Lyndsey Lewis]

Ok thanks for the ideas! I'll check out Liz at the Scottish Clicker centre. 

[von10]

 

Oh my, there are some adoreable donks there ........ I could add to my collection  .

With my two I just treat them the same as horses and work with what they can cope with. Although I've not done a huge amount both respond to a tongue click and latched on within a few minutes. I'm sure you will know this but they can be very stoic and hence sometimes difficult to read. Give it a go I'm sure you will win over them!

Y.