How to Teach “Leave It” In nature, animals often use aggressive threats to prevent others from stealing their possessions. With our pet dogs, however, aggression toward owners is often deemed inappropriate and even dangerous. This resource guarding can be exhibited along a continuum of intensity. A dog may freeze,...
The Canine Science Collaboratory, headed by Dr. Clive Wynne just finished its first Canine Science Conference in Phoenix Arizona. Papers were presented by an international, interdisciplinary collection of speakers. Presentations ranged from factors influencing behavior at the genetic and biochemical level, to observing interactions between individuals in groups. In...
I wrote previously about how we can interpret dogs’ tail wags to best determine whether they are happy, comfortable, nervous, or potentially aggressive. Because the tail is only one piece of a dog’s communication system, we must also consider facial expressions and overall body positioning to get the clearest...
“But I don’t understand why she bit me, Doc! She was wagging her tail the whole time…” If I had a dog biscuit for every time I’ve heard this lament from a client, I could open up my own doggie bakery! From the time we were small, most of...
In the most recent CAAB Chat, available for registration now… Dating back to the advent of professional dog training, trainers have argued over methods. The field has resisted regulation throughout its entire history, although recently a handful of states and/or municipalities have started to venture into those muddy waters....
The 2016 animated hit The Secret Life of Pets opens with an entertaining montage of scenes depicting how pets behave when their owners leave for the day. As owners say good-bye and head to work, closing the doors behind them, we see the Chihuahua who promptly urinates in the...
In this post from The New York Times, veterinarians and veterinary behaviorists discuss options for addressing dogs’ fear of thunder and fireworks. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/06/28/why-thunder-and-fireworks-make-dogs-anxious/?_r=0
In Part 1, we met Bella, the Golden Retriever who’d been adopted from an animal hoarding home and was exhibiting fearful behavior, unable to enjoy many of the situations associated with living in a home with new people. I introduced readers to my Five P’s – five areas of...
In this excerpt from Psychology Today’s Decoding your Pet series, Dr. Emily Levine, DVM, DACVB discusses the proper role of the dog leash. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/decoding-your-pet/201605/leashes
Welcome back to the Trainer’s Ring. We made it through another winter season. For some of us, cooler-weather activities included fun adventures with the animals’ in our lives. For others, the winter season meant our attention was focused on other responsibilities. One thing is for sure; this warmer weather...
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