I have worked closely with Mr. Kaplan for over five years now. I've explained the correct use of…read moreradio activated collars to people I know but there are still those that misunderstand its use. The radio activated collar is multi-functional tool. It has tones, vibrations and a range of impulses. During my initial consultation with CASD, Mr. Kaplan insisted I feel the device on my arm. When Mr. Kaplan put the collar on my arm and went through a range of lower impulses, I did not feel a thing. Anyone that explicitly follows Mr. Kaplan's instructions does not use this device arbitrarily or to teach tasks. The impulse is only used to redirect the dog's attention or if the dog is in imminent danger. Would you rather you dog feel a Level I impulse or die from GHE (gastro hemorrhagic enteritis) from eating duck waste? My service animal's collar has been set on vibrate for years because I distinctly followed Mr. Kaplan's instructions from day one and I still do! What people need to understand is that Mr. Rick Kaplan unequivocally knows his trade forward and backward. However, if a client refuses to listen to his wisdom, buy into his philosophy and follow his instruction to a tee; the blame is on the handler, not on Mr. Kaplan. If Home Depot sells a hammer to a construction worker to build a house and the worker hits someone over the head with the hammer, would you blame Home Depot? Doesn't that sound silly. Mr. Kaplan uses a reward based approach to teach tasks specific to an individual client. The radio activated collar is not a tool to teach tasks.
Due to a neuromuscular disorder, my service animal had to be taught to heel to my side without the use of a lead. For the past five years, she has not used a leash and assists me in many ways. When I have trouble walking, I hold on to her or lean on her. When symptoms affect my vision, I depend on her to assist. She even retrieves my medication when she hears a special ring-tone. These tasks, among others were all taught using a reward based modality. You cannot shock a dog into learning a task. Mr. Kaplan is perfectly clear about using rewards to teach service animals different tasks.
People are misinformed about so many facets of training, it boggles the mind. I had pet dogs long before I needed the assistance of a service animal. I anthropomorphized my dogs by channeled ridiculous baby voices. I unfairly thought this was just adorable. I was told by Mr. Kaplan to stop that during our initial consultation. I didn't obtain the services of Mr. Kaplan to argue with him. Mr. Kaplan knows more about dog psychology that anyone I've ever known. It was my decision to buy into Mr. Kaplan's philosophy wholehearted, whether I immediately grasped it or not. Mr. Kaplan made it crystal clear that just because we assign human consciousness to animals, doesn't make them think like humans. For example; when a dog faithfully follows its master's orders, we subconsciously assume the dog likes and respects us. The fact remains that the dog is descended from the gray wolf and behaves according to a rigid pecking order. The dog is more than likely seeing its owner as the alpha or the leader of the pack. Once you understand the dynamics, the rest falls right into place. Mr. Kaplan makes this and much more perfectly clear from the initial consult, straight through every level of training. If the individual is unable to integrate this very basic principle into their training; the fault lies with them, not with CASD.
I consult Mr. Kaplan regularly and have gotten my money's worth ten times over. He has seen me through emergencies, higher levels of training, questions, issues and much more. With that said, every time I'm admitted to the hospital for a treatment that runs over two-weeks; my service animal stays with CASD, Mr. Kaplan and the pact. I would no sooner expect Mr. Kaplan to keep my dog for two-weeks at no charge than I would a stranger. We are five years past our initial agreement. If I had to board my dog for two full weeks; clearly, I'd have to pay for that service. Why would I, or anyone else, expect to benefit from Mr. Kaplan's services for free? Nowhere in our initial contract, does it say that Mr. Kaplan is responsible for my service animal in perpetuity. To think otherwise is indicative of an entitlement mentality and extremely arrogant on the part of the handler. Among the dozens of favors Mr. Kaplan has done for me, he has also picked my service dog up from a hospital in the middle of the night. I know for a fact that he does the same for all the teams under his tutelage. Mr. Kaplan of CASD can model task after task; however, the ultimate responsibility lies with the handler.
Beverly Watrous
