Focusing on Dog Training, Animal Behavior, Pet Ownership, and Pet Industry Issues
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.
Read MoreIn 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!
Read More"I have 20 initials after my name. That is 5 more letters than my entire name, including my middle name. Why do I need so many? The problem is that I don't."
Read More...it is about sharing their dog with people who will benefit from their presence. For those people, therapy work is their calling. While not every dog is made for this kind of work, there are certain characteristics that set some dogs apart.
Read MoreDogs jumping over bars at lightning speeds, twisting and turning and finally returning their full attention to their owner. Who hasn't wanted that relationship with their dog... One where owner and dog move in perfect sync together as if of one mind. And the truth of the matter is that this dream can be a reality for more dog owners than you may have thought possible. Here are 7 signs that your dog might make a great performance dog!
Read MoreFrenchtown is a charming little town nestled behind cliffs and hillsides along the Delaware River, about 30 minutes north of Trenton. When you visit the town, you feel like you've crossed over into a hidden village, filled with shops, restaurants, and wooded escapes. Besides being charming to look at, shop and eat, it is a great destination for the canine traveler.
Read MoreThe temperature is rising and with it the opportunities for our pets to join us for some summertime fun. Below are 5 ways to ensure that your dog has a blast with you this summer!
Read MoreI was anguished with the question of how could someone who fought so hard for a fear free life for pets, could be so pained as to leave us... And then I am remembered of how the pain follows in the shadows stalking good people. The pain is a silent follower in the hearts of many of those also filled with love and understanding. With deep empathy, can also come great darkness...
Read More...before the denial sets in and you say to yourself that this does not apply to you because your dog "would never bite", or you think "only certain breeds bite",...
Read More"...ANY tool can be aversive, even if the trainer thinks it should be fine. The judgement comes from the dog".
Read MoreI learned its because people love their dogs, their relationships with other dog enthusiasts, and they only know what they know. No one there was a bad or evil person. They were all passionate beautiful people with beautiful, life-loving dogs. I know every person there will weep when their dogs pass away. These people love their dogs, and they are doing the best they can with what they know. Give each other a break.
Read More"...dog training is broken and we have to fix it. Every day, dogs are euthanized due to behavioral problems. Dogs that could have had beautiful, joy filled lives are cut short because they couldn't become the dog the owner wanted. And it was little to no fault of the dog. It's a fact that it is not overpopulation that is causing dogs to die in shelters."
Read MoreWhen we label something, we close a door of understanding. We are telling the animal that we don't care what their reason is for their behavior. We stop listening. We give ourselves a false sense of explanation when really we have no understanding of why.
Read MoreI admire their consistency and I am pleased that they have set boundaries for their dogs. That is very important, but now I have to figure out what the actual behavior the owner was trying to create with this training choice.
Read MoreThat moment in time when your dog is deaf to the world and happy to make a flying leap from any surface, like the are making a submission tape for The Next Ninja Warrior competition. While your dog may think he's ready for Mount Midoriyama (sorry, geeky TV reference), but you and your rearranged house are less enthused.
Read More"It is a force field that protects your dog from a mistake you can’t take back. That’s right, I said “you”."
Read More"I can see the worry lines as they try to align my explanation with their expectation. And for some... POP! I may have even shattered some lofty dream. How can dog training have so little to do with dogs? It seems crazy to think someone called a dog trainer, could not actually be training dogs. "
Read MoreA lot of new content is coming to Kindred Companions and to highlight it, we need to rearrange some of the website. All of your favorite pages are still there, just consolidated. The Classes are now under the Dog Training folder. These blog posts and news will also be arranged in a new place on our homepage. So check back often to see what new changes are coming!
Read Moreshared from original post at http://www.kihakushibas.com/blog/2014/4/30/going-to-bat-for-shiba-inus
RECENTLY UPDATED - See update at the bottom.
Originally published in the National Shiba Club of America "Shiba E-News Magazine: December 2013"
"Shiba Inus as a breed, sometimes get the unfortunate reputation of having aggression issues. This reputation seems to be the case especially regarding aggression around other dogs. However, dog to dog aggression is something that can plague any dog, regardless of breed. It is my observation, that Shiba Inus do not have a genetic predisposition towards aggression but instead, grow up to have poor reactions around other dogs due to problems with upbringing, improper socialization and inappropriate training.
The vast majority of aggressive dogs are actually exhibiting fear based aggression. This aggression is generally referred to as “reactivity.” The reactive dog, when in the presence of something it feels is threatening, will choose to use its fight instinct rather than flight instinct. The dog chooses to growl, lunge, or to bite the threat rather than running away. It is important to note that most dogs find fighting to be dangerous and therefore are not choosing it because they want to, but rather because they feel trapped, helpless and threatened.
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