Northern Tails Dog Training

F.I.D.O. Prison Dogs

About Lisa Lucas

Lisa is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) and Canine Behavior Counselor. Prior to becoming a professional dog trainer, she put together a sleddog team that included several "second hand" dogs. One of those dogs had some very serious aggression issues, which led her to the Behavior Department of Tufts Vet School for a consultation. That led her to Carol Byrnes, owner of Diamonds in the Ruff, for help implementing the behavior modification program outlined by the behaviorists at Tufts. Carol asked her if she would handle her aggression cases and the rest is history. Lisa loves learning about the canine mind and sharing her knowledge and experience with anybody who will listen.

We are fortunate in this day and age to have many excellent, educated trainers and behaviorists who interpret and teach canine behavior. Ultimately, it is the dogs who are the best teachers if we take the time to observe and listen to them. To that end, Lisa spends much of her time in the presence of dogs...of all breeds, ages and backgrounds. In the shelters, in the classroom and in her home.

From 2001 to 2005 she worked at SCRAPS (Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services) as the first on-site Dog Trainer. Her primary responsibilities were adoption counseling, temperament testing and teaching a free training class for adopters. Lisa developed the first temperament testing protocols for the shelter and has safely tested and advised placement for countless dogs.

In 2007 she began working as the Training Director for a new prison dog training program called F.I.D.O. (Federal Inmate Dog Opportunities) at Geiger Corrections in Spokane. In F.I.D.O. a group of Federal Women Inmates teach homeless shelter dogs basic obedience and good manners. Lisa developed the training curriculum and manual for this program, oversees its implementation and is also responsible for screening shelter dogs to determine their suitability for the F.I.D.O. program.

Lisa Lucas CPDT
photo by Bruce Andre photography

Continuing Education Lisa has attended workshops and seminars with some of the most progressive trainers and behaviorists in the Country: Trish King, Sarah Wilson, Ian Dunbar, Patricia McConnell, Pia Silvani, Donna Duford, Sue Sternberg, Brenda Aloff, Kathy Sdao, and Steve White, among others.

Association of Pet Dog Trainers Certified Member #

Lisa shares her home with one Siberian Husky and a

Belgian Sheepdog. She ran a recreational sled dog team of five Siberians for eight years, which she retired in 2003. Her proudest achievement with the team was adopting an abused dog from another musher who told her, "This dog will never amount to anything." The dog's name is Jasper and he became her most devoted and obedient lead dog. Lisa says, "If it weren't for Jasper, the rest of the team would have been happy to leave me wrapped around a tree while they chased a deer down the mountain." Dharma, the Belgian Sheepdog, joined the party In 2003. Dharma is an indispensable part of Lisa's teaching programs.

2008 Update: Sadly, Lisa lost three of her beloved sled dogs late in 2007 to old age. Someone said, "God must need a sled team somewhere" The only member of the team still alive is Halo, the white lead dog running up front in this photo. Her sweet spirit and alpha highness are invaluable to the board and train dogs who get to spend time with her while in "doggy boot camp."

Training Philosophy ~ Random Thoughts

Behavior is strengthened or weakened by its consequences. Whatever immediately follows a behavior determines the likelihood the behavior will be repeated. Consequences can be reinforcements or punishments, positive or negative. I choose to use positive consequences in training.

Every reward we give our dog is like putting a deposit in the bank. It builds up our relationship. And a strong, trusting, respectful relationship can over come imperfect training.

Once a behavior is in place, variable rewards will strengthen a behavior. Using and understanding variable reinforcement schedules are vital in teaching longer and stronger behavior patterns. Gambling casinos know this. They have scientifically determined the optimum reward schedule - they let you win enough to keep you hooked! The same principle applies in dog training.

Dogs who are trained using Positive Reinforcement are eager to give more of themselves in the training process than dogs who are trained using force, punishment and correction. It is because they are not afraid to make a mistake for which they will be punished. In fact, most dogs are punished for confusion rather than for disobedience.

To quote Steve White, arguably one of the best trainers on the planet, "The world is full of reinforcements and food is only one of many possibilities." I teach my students how to capitalize on the environmental reinforcements in their everyday lives.

There is a difference between using food as a training tool and using it as a bribe. I teach handlers early in the process how to use food and other rewards in a way that does not create dependence on them.

"Dominance Theory" is overused as a way to explain behavior. Especially aggressive behavior. Aggression has many causes, most of which have nothing to do with "dominance." Canine behavior is far more complex than the outdated linear model of dominance/submission.

Dogs aren't born knowing the human language. It is up to us to teach it to them!

"Force is simply the absence of real power, and no matter how gentle, is always the last method to use when controlling your dog." ~ Patricia B. McConnell, PhD.

About

Training Philosophy

Group Classes

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Board and Train

Preventing Aggression

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F.I.D.O. Prison Dogs

DIAMONDS in the RUFF
This site was designed by Carol Byrnes, whose talent as an artist is matched only by her talent as a dog trainer!