The most painful day as a dog owner isn’t the pain of embarrassment when our agility dog knocks just about every bar on a jumpers course, nor is it having to come up with the cash to pay a rather large and unexpected veterinarian bill. I think each of you who owns a dog knows the most painful day I am referring to . . .
Today John and I said our final good byes to our amazing Border Collie “Buzzy.” Yes at close to 18 years old Buzz and I have shared a lot of experiences…more than 1/3 of the time I have been on the planet Buzz has been here with me. But even when you can clearly see the heart break heading towards you… it doesn’t lessen the pain that it brings when it finally hits.
As suggested above, his life was an “amazing ride” and he lived every thrill with zest right up to the end.
Throughout his entire long life Buzzy’s eyes remained remarkably clear … as if giving everyone he met an open window to his soul. That was Buzz.
He was never sick a day in his life. Would never miss out on a daily walk (even this morning we shared a short jaunt together) and Buzz never missed a meal … right up until last week. This past weekend he was very clearly letting me know, no food could tempt him to stay…he was ready to move on, ready to see what Stoni, Shelby and Twister were up to :). So I let Buzz go early this afternoon. Such a blessing to have kind hearted veterinarians at times like these, who will step away from their busy “heart worm” season to come to our house and allow Buzzy pass with ease and grace. I am so grateful to Dr. Kelly Ciggar and Tammy Frank for being here for Buzz and I.
I could use this blog post to brag about all of Buzzy’s accomplishments and tell you how amazing he was to live with and partner with in agility. But I’m sure many of you have already read Buzz’s story in my book “Shaping Success.”
I thought instead, I would share with you what I consider the five most powerful lessons Buzz taught me as a dog trainer. Of course there were LOADS of lessons. Buzz came to me during a massive transition period in my dog training. For the 4 years prior to Buzz, I had been “experimenting” with “clicker training” mixing it with the mild punishment I was routinely using in my training at that time (in the early ‘90s).
Buzz changed all of that.
With Buzz I attempted to walk the road of true reinforcement based training. For the first few months together I attempted to train with only reinforcement, not even using “time outs” or any negative punishment in my training. It only took a few months before I knew I need something to help me with his amazing energy so enter the use of a head halter and mild negative reinforcement. . . I am happy to say even through the struggles, I didn’t feel the need to go back to using “positive punishment” in my training. Today I realize that my frustrations early on with Buzz were due to what was lacking in me… in my mechanics and my understanding of how to be a reinforcement based dog trainer.
Buzz and I were in unchartered waters. Although operant and classical conditioning were not new, their application in competition dog training certainly wasn’t widely accepted back in the mid 90s. There was virtually no one having success with it in the world of dog agility, so I had to look to other areas of the animal training world.
With mentors like Bob and Marion Bailey, Buzz and I made our way and through it all, I grew exponentially in my understanding. Here are what I am selecting as the five most powerful lessons I learned from my life with Buzz.
LESSON NUMBER ONE:
The answer to every challenge is REINFORCEMENT. Look to the kind you are using, the way you are delivering it, the alternative ways the dog is obtaining it and your strategic use of all of the resources you have that the dog finds reinforcing. If you are thinking your training needs punishment because you aren’t getting the results you expect . . . re-think your strategy. It is very likely your training plan is flawed … reinforcement is the answer to your struggles.
LESSON NUMBER TWO:
If you are are “okay” with using negative punishment in your training because you have been told “time outs” are innocuous to our dogs . . . see lesson number one. Time outs are a crutch that we all use when we don’t know what else to do. Buzz took all of my crappy training in stride. The only stress he ever showed was spiralling higher in his drive to please. For years he was patient with my lack of understanding. My current dogs today are the great benefactors of Buzz’s tolerance during those early years in my reinforcement based training journey. My youngest dog Swagger, is a lot like Buzz in his drive for work. Buzz’s life with me is what made it possibly for me to have the amazing relationship I have with Swagger today.
I am not saying there is NO need for negative punishment anywhere in training, but I have a strong suspicion we may be able to get it down to a VERY mild form (like just a mild ‘response cost’ or withholding rewards while waiting for something better). Today, any time I give Swagger a “time out” I have visions of Buzz. Buzzy is there to remind me “you may have missed something in your training and that is why you are now giving this dog a time out.” Thank you Buzz.
LESSON NUMBER THREE:
Learn from your past but don’t be afraid to experiment while moving into your future. Buzz opened my eyes to the fact that we need to continue to look further away from “what worked with my last dog.” Not saying that we should discard everything we learned in the past, just that our history or past success in dog training shouldn’t pre-determine the future choices we will make for every dog going forward.
Buzz was the dog that got me started on this path.
LESSON NUMBER FOUR:
Your dog will be your greatest teacher if you allow him to be.
Funny thing, it wasn’t just my years training Buzz for competition that I was learning from him. As strange as it may seem, the learning became more powerful long after Buzz was retired. Kind of like when our dogs are failing at something over and over and we take a week or two away from training THAT behaviour …then suddenly everything seems more clear to the dog. My life with Buzz has been like that. The further away from “formal” training him I got, the clearer the lessons he taught me became.
LESSON NUMBER FIVE:
My last powerful lesson I learned from Buzzy is that growth requires vulnerability. None of us is expected to “know it all,” so drop the front and accept that you are only human. We need to allow ourselves the luxury of admitting that we “may be incorrect.” If we get stuck on what we think we know, we can fall victim to believing our dog isn’t learning because of something that is different or wrong with HIM rather than something missing in US. Without vulnerability as a dog trainer, it becomes impossible to have any major break through with our own understanding. We become that trainer that does the same thing with every dog, complains about the same shortcomings without considering that the solution is through YOU the trainer and not with the dog! When you label your dog as “stubborn” or “stupid” or a “bar knocker,” you have instantly limited their potential… the dog’s future has been defined.
Be vulnerable. Consider yourself as the source of your dog’s struggles, that you have challenges that require more knowledge. That should spark a hunger for education, for better mechanics or for more clarity in your choices for your dog.
When you get to that vulnerable place as a dog trainer, it opens up the endless possibilities for every dog each of us will ever own in the future . . . just like Buzz has done for Swagger and I . . . and each of my dogs I will ever own for the rest of my life.
Today I am so very grateful for the opportunity to have owned, loved and learned from such a very special dog. I miss you already Boo Boo boy.
Cedar’s High On Emotion aka “Buzz”
Sept 20 1996 – April 22 2014
I hope the difficulty of adjusting to everyday life without Buzzy, your special family member, is eased by the many happy events you shared in his long life. It’s wonderful that he continues to live on so strongly through the teachings you have shared.
Sorry for your loss. Thank you for these wonderful lessons and all of the other lessons that you and your dogs are teaching me and my Moxie every day.
Susan and John, thank you for sharing this wonderful dog with us!
RIP Buzzy!
Buzz inspired much more than a book. He was a great mentor for all of us. I can’t imagine the hole he leaves in your heart.
Susan and John…
I was so very sorry to hear about Buzzy’s passing. He was a splendid boy who seemed to personify “joy” and “enthusiasm” with his every breath.
Buzz was your demo dog when I first started coming to Say Yes (late 90’s?), and he made me gasp more than once with his speed and “wild man” approach to agility.
I know he will be missed.
Susan and John,
So sorry for your loss. Buzzy was such a lucky dog to have been in your lives.
Susan, I will always remember your runs with Buzz. And I will always smile when I remember seeing Coffee and Buzz running back to back on the running sheet my sincerest sympathy to you.
So sorry to hear this news, but look at the amazing legacy he has left. Buzz transformed dog training because you listened to him and thought outside of the box. Sending lots of love to you. x
That’s a lovely, touching tribute which had me tearful and afterwards thoughtful!
Sorry for your loss Susan, it’s never easy. Thank you for sharing yours and Buzzs journey, he has touched many more hearts and lives than he could ever know…canine and human…by what has been shared over the years. X
Thank you for being vulnerable to all fellow trainers and dog advocates. Buzz is still guiding you to be your best with other canines as well as with people you know and even those afar as myself. I pray for comfort and peace for you and your family.
Peace and gratitude to Buzz and his family.
I would have loved to have met Buzz, but I loved him through the stories you wrote about him. I’m so sorry he’s gone, but I imagine he’s kicking up his heels again now that he’s a free spirit. Hugs and condolences.
Tears roll down my cheeks as I read this heart-breaking post. Words cannot express that feeling of loss. I am so sorry.
RIP Buzz.
I am forever grateful to you and Buzz. Many thanks for sharing your journey with all of us. Vaya con dios, sweet boy.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Susan and John. Knowing the time is right does not lessen the pain. What a wonderful dog, with such a strong spirit. Thank you for sharing his adventures with us.
Such a fantastic journey the two of you shared. I am grateful to have been able to learn so much from it, because of your willingness to share the lessons.
May the lessons he taught you, the joy he brought you, the laughter he gave to you, the love he shared with you, and the memories he left with you, heal your heart and help to sustain you, until that day when you join him at the bridge for a glorious reunion.
© Patricia P Dunville, 1997
We all are so sorry to
hear of Buzzys passing
Our thoughts are with you and
John
Susan I envy your long and rich life with Buzz….what a journey! What a blessing he was……
I hope my k9″partner” and I can share many years too.
I am the fountain of affection
I’m the instrument of joy
And to keep the good times rolling
I’m the boy, I’m the boy,
You know the world could be our oyster,
You just put your trust in me,
Cause we’ll keep the good times rolling
Wait and see, wait and see….oh wait and see!
– GBS
Love you Buzz!
Susan and John,
My deepest condolences for your loss. I remember watching one of your videos last year where I saw Buzz going for a swim in your pond and still, at 17, enjoying every moment with gusto. I was inspired by him and also by you. I hope when my time comes to face this moment with my dogs that I can say that I helped my dogs enjoy and make the most of every moment of their time with me as Buzz did with you.
Thank you for your many contributions towards making us all better partners for our dogs.
Sorry to hear the news, my condolences. A character, an inspiration and a legend … thank you for sharing Buzz’s five lessons, will hold them close.
Susan and John,
I’m so sorry to read that you lost Buzzy. So many good memories. I feel so privileged to have seen your relationship first-hand. Thanks you so much for sharing him with the world.
Great post! Been reading a lot about dog care. Love all the posts on this blog. Thanks for sharing!
Buzzy was an amazing dog and I am grateful I got to meet him in person. He gave us all lessons from your lifetime experiences with him. We will miss him.
A few years ago when I was at Say Yes, Buzz came over to the classroom to say hello. it was a little like meeting a rock star – I got a little choked up, I must confess.
what a beautiful tribute, Susan.
Susan and John – I am so sorry for your great loss. My heart breaks for all of you at Say Yes (including the 4 legged members) at this terrible time. I am so pleased you have such wonderful veterinarians to come to your home so your boy could pass surrounded by his loved ones. Buzzy’s lessons don’t just live on through your dogs Susan – through you he lives on through each of the dogs whose owners you inspire and help around the world every day and I for one am truly grateful. Sending you love and prayers.
Louise & Gemma
When I started agility I was transitioning over fron J&P obedience methods. My first dog was my Nov A dog for agility and obedience. I discovered clicker with the next dog, when I started his early stuff as before, but found I disliked how I felt, and using a positive approach made ME feel better. I feel each dog has taught me lessons. My biggest lesson was that an NQ was not an Earth shattering failure, but an NQ in my mind developed into a NOT-QUITE today. Our skills did not mesh just right today, so it was a NOT QUITE.
So very sorry about your sad news, Susan.
Thank you for sharing Buzzy’s adventures and lessons with us… What an amazing journey it was for both of you!!!
RIP Red boy.
You and Buzzy learned so much from each other, and we have learned from your sharing that incredible journey with us. Your heart must be so heavy now – I’m sorry for your loss, Susan. Your post is a loving tribute and an inspiration.
Beautifully written for a special journey shared. Buzz’s life has impacted so many through your teaching… Thank you Buzz. My thoughts are with you both.
Amazing Ride, indeed. Thank you for sharing the journey with us, so that we also may learn. We are grateful. RIP Buzz.
An amazing dog that inspired me to begin the life of dog training I have. Your/his book sits on my bed stand as a message and reminder to me of all the lessons I learned from your experiences with Buzz.
I am happy I had to opportunity to meet the little guy!
Huge condolences on Buzzy’s passing. One of the most difficult things we do for our friends. So grateful you continue to share your lessons learned. Buzzy leaves a true Learning Legacy! Sympathy to the whole family, human & dogs.
This past summer I had the honor of meeting Buzz and Susan. I was thrilled to have my picture taken with Buzz. He and Susan have made the journey my dogs and I are traveling possible and continue to encourage me. Buzz had a life well lived. Susan had the kindness to expose her journey with Buzz for all of us. Saying goodbye is difficult to such a dear loved one. Thanks for sharing with us.
Susan, So terribly sorry for your loss. Buzz was not only an exceptional dog but through your training and partnership with him, the rest of the world learned so much about how to train and love a dog. Thank you Buzz for your incredible heart. And thank you, Susan, for sharing him with us.
Susan, SO, SO sorry to hear about your Buzzy!!! Great tribute to a great DOG!!
An unforgettable dog and lessons.
Thanks for sharing Susan!
Susan and John,
Buzz will live forever in your hearts and in the hearts of all of us who read Susan’s writings,watch her videos, and learn from her teaching.
He has earned his wings and will be waiting for you.
In time, you all will be reunited.
Thank you Buzz for all the lessons you have taught me and Thank you Susan for sharing him with us! A true legend xxx
I am so sorry for your loss; it is never easy to lose one of your best friends. (I’m so glad I had a chance to meet him last summer during your August camp) I am very grateful for the “Buzz Book” (as I call it) it has been so helpful with my own little high drive girl; and is one I continue to share with others. The legacy he leaves will continue to benefit dog lovers for years.
Our hearts grieve with you and John.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful Buzzy with us.
Thank you Susan for sharing Buzzy and Buzzy’s very powerful lessons with us.
Your honesty is very much appreciaated.
So sorry for your loss! We all grieve with you. Buzz lived a life bigger than any other with great purpose, and we are all better off because of him. We have all learned from him through you.
What a dog and what a legacy. So very sad for you in your loss of the amazing Buzz who has inspired so many people, including me, to be better owners and trainers. Thinking of you.
After reading your book I felt like I knew Buzz. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
RIP Buzz…you etched the path that we are now learning from…
What an amazing dog you were…
Dear Susan,
So sorry to see that your beloved dog Buzz passed away yesterday. Like you always say…Life is a journey. The journey doesn’t end. Buzz’s legacy lives on in you. Thanks be to Buzz and to all the life’s lessons he brought to you and to everyone effected by his life !!!!
This is the idea that I like the most and hope that it happens in all our journeys with our dogs-“My current dogs today are the great benefactors of Buzz’s tolerance during those early years in my reinforcement based training journey.”
Hopefully we will all be better trainers for our dogs, as the years pass. I know that my Rottweiler Lottie would have been a much happier competitor during John B’s judging, if click and reward had been the basis of our training back in the 80’s. Oh yes, she would have loved it and really blossomed.
Thanks Susan and peaceful journey to Buzz.
So sorry to hear about Buzz! He made me feel so welcome when we visited. I will miss our time together at the sofa. Although it was so difficult for him to get around he always came over to wherever I was sitting to spend some time with me. He was kind and caring, something else I think he learned from my sister.
So sorry for your loss. How wonderful to have 18 yrs with a very special dog.
What an incredible tribute. We lost our first dog 6 months ago and all of your lessons were so true with him. But I think the greatest lesson is how much our dogs love us and enjoy life with us even when we make stupid mistakes or don’t get that Q. Buzz’s pictures all exude the joy and zest he had for life and how lucky he felt to spend it all with you.