he media is full of viral videos featuring animals because people find them cute and funny. However, many of these videos present a welfare concern to animals.
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Assumption is present where empathy ends. To assume means you are looking inward at your own experiences and not at whatever you should be considering. In the case of a dog, to assume the reason for a behavior without observing it in some way and taking a history so that you can empathize and analyze is an exercise in willful ignorance. If labels and constructs are the first thing to come to mind when considering a quandary then your ignorance is showing.
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When dogs are bored, they try to find their own fun. This can lead to attention getting behaviors such as barking and jumping, destructive behaviors such as chewing and counter surfing, or various other ways that they may attempt to relieve their boredom or stress. There are different ways to combat canine boredom. The dog’s undesirable behaviors can help you choose which type enrichment your dog needs. A lot of these products and techniques are catered towards kibble fed dogs, so I will be giving tips for how to swap out kibble and processed foods and treats for more natural options.
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Besides being great tools for building body awareness, these tricks will also give your dog a workout physically and mentally! Here are a few of my favorite, easy to train, fitness exercises - with no equipment needed besides some tasty treats and maybe a clicker.
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A common phrase that pet owners say about their dog is, “He’s not food motivated,” or “He doesn’t like treats.” Usually dogs earn this title during a training session when the owner tries to reward their pet for good behavior, and then the dog doesn’t take the treat. But if the dog truly had no food motivation, then he simply would not eat at all. However, there may be underlying reasons why he doesn’t want to work for that biscuit.
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This secret is one that all the top trainers and dog sports competitors do because they know it works, it’s easy, and it sets their dogs up to be the best. It even helps solve behavior problems list fear, anxiety, sound sensitivity, boredom, rude behaviors, and even aggression.
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The idea seems sound - take your dog out into public so they get used to people, other dogs, and their surroundings. The problem is, that this isn't how socialization actually works and to make matters worse, this may actually be causing your dog to act fearful or aggressive.
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Treat pouches are the bags you hang from your pocket, tie around your waste, or clip on your belt. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. But they have a dark side too... There are dog trainers out there, and owners for that matter, that feel that a treat pouch is the same as waving a treat in the dogs nose. Meaning that the bag is a bribe and without the bag visible, the dog won't listen. There are definitely many sides to this story and I will be sure to give you all of them.
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Designed with one goal; to stop a dog from pulling. No-Pull Harnesses are considered by some to be the holy grail of dog training devices. Others look at some of the options available and see torture devices. Some are designed with better control for the owner. Others are designed to make pulling uncomfortable. Some offer a quick on and off versatility, while others are so complicated owners can't put them on their dog correctly. In this article I will examine a variety of options on the market and how they actually work.
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E-collars... aka stim collars aka static correction collars aka impulse collars aka Dogtra collars aka remote training collars aka shock collars... I could go on. Why so many names for the same device? Well that would be because of the constant shifts in marketing trying to find a catchy way to sell these devices. This is because e-collars are one of the most hotly debated topics in dog training. If religion and politics are off the table, then so are e-collars. For the remainder of this article I will only refer to the devices as an e-collar, out of respect for the conversation and to be sympathetic to those still trying to navigate the most treacherous minefield in dog training.
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No, that loop around that dog's face isn't a muzzle - it's a head halter! That contraption that wraps around the dog's face and neck and is supposed to give you all the control in the world when it comes to walking your dog... or does it? There are some heated debates surrounding the use of head halters, mostly concerned with safety and acclimation for the dog using it.
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...I was pleased though that even with limited access to enrichment, Indominus was very happy to interact with a treat ball when given the opportunity....
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One of the greatest fears of Shiba owners is their dog getting loose and taking off. Because Shibas love the outdoors sometimes it seems like they will stop at nothing to sneak out the door and be 1/2 a mile into the neighborhood in no time. Before I started training dogs, I had my fair share of white hairs earned chasing a Shiba down the sidewalk. But those fears can be a thing of the past with careful management/prevention methods and some consistent and fun training.
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One of the most misunderstood and misused training tools out there. Contrary to popular belief back clip harnesses can be a great training tool.
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I will be in attendance with my New Guinea Singing Dog Journey. We will be updating you as much as possible with coverage of subjects, materials, fun, and the general conference experience.
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Also called choke chains, slip chains, slip collars, show collars, fur savers, etc, this training tool is a classic that has been around almost as long as dog training. They are still the go to tool for some trainers and still seem to be a traditional go to for many owners.
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That noise making device, that is supposed to be some amazing elite tool. You either love it, hate it, or fumble around with it because you're supposed to like it. And then there are the owners/trainers who dabble just enough to have one in their training bag or kitchen drawer, but will not admit to using it. So what is all the hubbub with Clickers?
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There are many reasons owners choose prong collars to train their dogs. Sometimes it is suggested by a family member or friend. Othertimes it is at the direction of a dog trainer. It is important to make an informed decision before using anything on your pet.
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In this new series I will highlight specific tools in the dog training industry and talk about the pros and cons from a neutral prospective. Enjoy!
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