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A
visit to the Monks of New Skete
Back
in the late seventies, I remember browsing through the pets
and wild-life section of a large Scottish book shop, when I
stumbled across a title I had not seen before called How to
be your dog’s best friend by the Monks of New Skete. Was
this some sort of gimmick I thought, but no, after a quick flick
through the pages, I found the authors were practicing monks
and they not only trained but bred German Shepherd Dogs for
a living. Being quite intrigued by the idea of monks training
dogs I eagerly made my purchase. Although I had never heard
of the Monks of New Skete, it soon became apparent after reading
the book that they were actually world famous for their training
and breeding programmes, but new of their success was only just
reaching our shores (no Internet in those days).
Being heavily involved in both police and civilian dog training,
I was always on the lookout for new ideas and concepts, particularly
those coming from a different angle than usual. Over the following
years, I would frequently find myself browsing through the ‘monk’s
bible’, the intrigue of the whole idea growing stronger,
and wondering if there would ever be a follow up publication.
Several years on (1992 actually) there I was having my usual
browse through the bookshelves when there, staring me in the
face, was The art of raising a puppy by The Monks of New Skete.
No need to flick through the pages this time, off I went to
make my purchase with excited anticipation as to what I would
find between the covers. As the title suggests, this was about
their breeding programme and the raising of puppies, written
in their own compassionate style. Having read both books, it
became apparent that the monks were viewing training/behaviour
and breeding in a totally new concept, working with other like
professionals to deepen their understanding of all facets of
canine care.
The years went by, but my interest and fascination in the monks
remained. I noticed more people were mentioning the monks and
both their books were now on most British bookshop shelves.
Perhaps my compulsive interest in the monks was partly due to
a similar style and approach to my own training methods (although
I certainly would - and have - questioned some of their training
topics). However I decided to draft a short letter to the monks
outlining my experiences and view on training/behaviour and
breeding and also to compliment them on two super books, not
thinking for one minute I would receive a reply. I was shocked
when several weeks later, an air mail envelope bearing an Albany
USA post mark was lying behind the door – "They have
replied!" - I was over the moon.
Without boring you with its contents, it was a very positive
reply. Over the next few months we corresponded periodically
but there was nobody more surprised than I was when I received
an invitation for my wife, Sue, and I to visit the Monks of
New Skete monastery and see their work first hand. Our first
reaction was to ring the travel agent and book the first available
flight (hang on, let’s not be too impulsive). We were intending
to holiday in Florida the following year, so as the monks’
invitation was too good to miss, we decided to bring our holiday
forward and do the whole thing in one. A few hectic weeks followed
organising flights, internal flights, car hire, not to mention
an animal sitter for our menagerie.
Eventually it all came together, dates were confirmed with the
monks and off we flew to hot sunny Florida. What a super time
we had there, but now it was time to leave Mickey Mouse behind
and embark on the second part of our adventure. First stop the
airport to catch a flight to New York. On landing at the airport,
we had a bit of a climate shock from sunny Florida to a late
September rainy day in New York (we did feel a little silly
at the time sporting our Florida t-shirts and shorts). A quick
dash across the airport for next internal flight to Albany.
No Boeing 747 this time, on the tarmac sat a ten seater plane
with propeller. I did expect to be handed a leather helmet and
goggles on boarding but it did not come to that. Sue, to say
the least was a little apprehensive about the flight, her apprehension
quickly increasing when one of the engines cut out as we were
taxi-ing along the runway. Not to worry, there was the comforting
remark from the ‘captain’ "don’t worry folks,
it should be fine when it warms up." Should be fine - now
he had me panicking! Still we made it and now off we clambered
to pick up our pre booked hire car. The drive from Albany (once
we found our way out) to Cambridge New York State could only
be described as ‘different’, passing through areas
that you definitely would not find in your travel agent’s
glossy brochure. That night, we stayed just outside Cambridge.
The following morning we rang the monastery to confirm details
and were told that Brother Christopher, the head trainer was
eagerly awaiting our arrival. What would they be like? Both
Sue and I were slightly apprehensive. "Did they allow females
in the monastery?" said I (I will not repeat Sue’s
answer). Well we would soon find out. Following the directions
given, we set off, the weather was fine and the sun shining
but not quite as warm as Florida. Out into the wide open spaces,
there was the carved wooden sign that indicated our turn to
the New Skete Monastery. We turned off the highway onto a shale
track that had been cut through the forest, weaving our way
through the pine trees, the sun just managing to peep through
their tops. One – two – three miles passed and still
no sign of life; we could have been a million miles away from
anywhere. The views of the forest were breathtaking - but just
where did they do their shopping?
As we rounded a bend high amongst the pine trees, there was
the New Skete Monastery, the sun glittering on its golden towers
just like on the cover of the books. It was hard to believe
we were actually here. Now what about the monks? I honestly
thought that they would be wearing their monk’s habit (as
monks do). just like the monks I remember seeing as a child
on Caldy Island off the Welsh coast. As we pulled up outside
an office type building, out came this sun tanned T-shirt, jean
and trainer clad guy who treated us like long lost friends –
"You must be Derek and Sue, I am Brother Christopher"
(the habits must just be for Sundays). From that moment, Sue
and myself knew that this was going to be a fascinating experience.
Warm welcome
We
all sat outside on a picnic bench, exchanging views and topics
with little time to come up for air the time flew by. Suddenly
Brother Christopher looked at his watch and realised we were
late for lunch. Commenting that he did not normally get so
engrossed in conversation that he missed his meals, up he
jumped and called "follow me". I thought that we
would be going to a visitors’ eating area (visitors regularly
visit the monastery but not the kennel area), but we were
led into the monastery building and into the monks’ dining
area. There were the massive oak table and chairs, most of
which were now occupied by the other monks – just like
the photographs in their books.
Brother Christopher introduced us to the other monks who all
received us with a warm welcome. ‘Help yourself’
was the order of the day so we did, talking about anything
and everything in a superbly relaxed atmosphere. We had met
the monks and their dogs (each monk has one or more dogs that
accompany them throughout their daily chores).
Now it was off to see some training. We accompanied Brother
Christopher and a fellow Brother to the kennel and training
area where their training programme was explained.
Briefly, the monks take dogs from all parts of the United
States and Canada on a two week training residential pet training
course for the following disciplines: - walking on a slack
lead, sit/down stays and recall on a lead. All breeds were
catered for but many of their own bred GSDs return for training.
It was interesting to note that the monks adopted a training
technique to each individual dog’s personality –
something that is lacking at some residential training establishments.
The monks’ success rate was extremely high, with many
dogs returning for further refresher courses or new dogs from
existing clients. It was apparent that, as with all good dog
training, the monks were open minded about modern behavioural
and training techniques that would improve their already vast
experience. The actual training programme consisted of a maximum
of six dogs at any one time, which are split into two or three
groups per trainer. Training sessions were restricted to two
twenty minute sessions per dog, the two trainers working with
both groups of dogs. The dogs we observed were in their second
week of training and were working confidentially and positively
to commands.
Both Brother Christopher and his Fellow Brother were extremely
calm and quiet when training which certainly came out in the
dogs. When asked if there were enough clients with dogs requesting
their services, Brother Christopher smiled and said "we
have a five month waiting list for training and we do not
accept all clients." That reply said everything.
Training over for the day we had a further chat over a large
cup of coffee – our first day with the monks was almost
over. Our agenda for day two was outlined and, bubbling with
excitement, we left for our hotel with the prospect of another
incredible day with the monks.
The following day we returned to the monastery and were greeted
with similar warmth to the previous day. The day’s agenda
consisted of visiting the breeding section. The monks’
interest in dog training and behaviour began when they entered
the world of breeding GSDs.
They firmly believe that poor breeding, limited handling and
inadequate socialisation as puppies are the main contributing
factors in most behavioural problems. It was with this in
mind that they devised their breeding policy. Before a litter
is born, much care and thought is taken in the choosing of
the correct dogs to breed from.
As I stated earlier, each Brother has his own dog; these are
normally brood bitches which live their life as pets thus
ensuring correct temperament. In contrast to other breeding
establishments, many brood bitches are kennelised and as a
result can lack socialisation.
The monks have bred the bitches used, so every minute detail
is known about them and their genetic background. The breeding
quarters are specifically designed and constructed for whelping
and litter raising. There are six purpose built whelping rooms
that the bitches are familiarised with before they are due
to whelp. Brother Christopher explained that each dog’s
master is normally in attendance during the whelping itself
to assist and reassure the bitch as required. As the puppies
enter the world, a coloured braid is fastened around their
neck for identification purposes and to aid in the comprehensive
information that is to be collected over the next 8 weeks.
The monks appreciate that each puppy is born as an individual
and therefore constantly monitor them as individuals, thus
enabling them to accurately assess what each one requires
i.e. a puppy that is sensitive to touch receives more touch
stimuli.
It struck me just how much research had gone into the breeding
and raising of the New Skete GSDs. Unlike some breeders, the
monks consider it vital that puppies are handled on a daily
basis in the first 3 weeks of life. I enquired as to whether
they felt this could put the puppies in danger of catching
infections and it was explained that this early handling was
carried out by the brothers attached to the breeding kennels
only and that strict hygiene rules were followed.
Over the years of breeding dogs, the monks have constantly
learned from their experiences and therefore are not afraid
to update their methods. The monks believe that correct socialisation
is critical and therefore over the puppies’ development
at critical key times, they are exposed to new positive experiences.
The dogs bred by the monks are foremostly pets, although some
do go on to work in competition obedience or Schutzhund. It
is with this in mind that the monks look to establish close
bonding with people at an early age.
When Brother Peter, who was in charge of puppy socialisation,
let a litter of 5 week old puppies out into the garden area
we were in, the puppies came charging out of their compound
and immediately made a bee-line for us, jumping all over us
in an excitable manner. It was super to see just how people-orientated
the whole litter was, with not even one puppy ignoring our
presence.
Brother Peter explained that by the time the puppies were
five weeks old he would walk them around the monastery on
their own using a Flexi lead. This served two purposes, firstly
to get a puppy used to the lead and secondly to give them
confidence away from their litter mates. At this age, the
puppies are handled daily by a variety of people both male
and female. Contrary to what you might expect at a monastery,
there were no shortages of stooges provided by the nuns, married
couples and members of the parish as well as tourists visiting
the monastery itself. As the day progressed, it amazed me
the extent to which the monks would go to ensure that the
litters they bred were more than adequately socialised.
The Brothers were very aware that New Skete itself offered
peace and tranquility whereas most of the puppies would end
up living in very different environments. At the centre there
was a number of purpose built play areas which provided both
physical and mental stimulation by use of a wide variety of
toys and obstacles. Puppies were also acclimatised to every
conceivable noise, including household appliances.
Pleasant
Some
classical conditioning developed from Pavlov theory was utilised
by the monks. This consisted of jingling a set of keys at
mealtimes so that the puppies would learn to associate the
sound of keys with something pleasant. Brother Christopher
explained that he used this for foundation recall training,
demonstrating this with a litter of seven week old puppies.
From when the puppies were six weeks old, much of the monks’
time was spent evaluating each puppy’s personality. This
is to enable the monks to decide on which type of home the
puppy will best suit. This process is further aided by the
litter being puppy tested using Volhards’ test. Prospective
owners are interviewed before being allowed to purchase a
puppy. It is the monk’s decision as to which puppy a
person is offered. The monks remain in control from start
to finish and take their role very seriously. I asked whether
it put people off buying a puppy as they are unable to choose
their own. The reply I received was that they had a 12 month
waiting list. I could not help but be impressed with the monks’
breeding programme. They seem to take into account every possible
detail to ensure the New Skete GSDs are renowned for their
good temperament.
What really struck me from our visit was that the monks really
did practice what they wrote in their books and that they
were meticulous in everything they did to ensure they did
the best they could. Our two days had been a truly enjoyable
experience and we felt honoured to be the first British trainers
to visit the monks.
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