Dogs, Kids and Prey Drive

If your dog chases your kid while running around in the backyard, is the chasing an indication of prey drive? Same question regarding your dog chasing your other dog at the park, is that prey drive?

No.

What are the behaviors exhibited when prey drive is triggered? Well, let’s consult an actual expert:

“Actions such as chasing, scare-tactics, pointing, carrying, or retrieving, tracking, trailing, and a typical shaking-to-death that dogs do while playing with a rag-as well as pouncing upon, biting, and pulling down towards them-fall into the category known as prey drive behavior. In order to gain insight into what triggers this behavior, one must observe the actions and movements of a hunted prey animal. Prey always moves away from the dog; fleeing from him in panic; and it is always on the move. The instinctive reactions which have been triggered by the prey's behavior, are as follows: he hunts the prey down, pounces on it, bites into it, and pulls it down.” Helmut Raiser, Der Schutzhund

Is THAT what your dog is doing to your kid or that dog?

Dogs aren’t cannibals. They don’t hunt other dogs, and because they are domesticated and adopted by humans, they don’t hunt people as prey. Your other dog and kid aren’t on the menu tonight.

Plan accordingly.

Dogs And Fetch And Tug

Should you play fetch or tug with your dog? What if the dog has problems with chasing other animals?

Of course you should be playing fetch and tug with your dog. Those activities are used to train hunting dogs, primarily the use of these tools playing fetch. 

What is a Labrador Retriever or German Shorthaired Pointer doing when with the hunter? Basically a well trained version of fetch. Tug is also used, if you know what you are doing, to teach the dog to deliver to hand and not destroy the game. Are these dogs in the fields and forests causing havoc? Are they coming home and hunting your children? No. In fact, the entire sequence of training these breeds is all about these activities.

Fetch and tug will NOT make your dog worse around prey animals. Instead, when taught properly, they will make your dog more controllable around prey animals.

Furthermore, contrary to the claims of novices who really shouldn't be pontificating about dog behavior, neither fetch nor tug will make your dog neurotic. There is a large body of experimental research into the artificial creation of neurosis in dogs. Not one involved using object play. Are hunting dogs neurotic after hunting birds or rodents, or any game? No. Furthermore, playing fetch or tug does not increase your dog's propensity to kill and eat prey animals. Prey drive stops when the prey is dead, whether with a rubber ball or the killing of a rodent. Silly uneducated claims like that make life worse for dog owners, not better.

Go play with your dog. It will make your dog a better dog. If you don't know how to do it properly and your dog is doing it in away that concerns you, stop and get some help. Furthermore, if you have a working dog, or even a pet that needs enhanced off leash obedience abilities, fetch and tug are invaluable activities.

Plan accordingly. 

Scotland Rejects Bid To Bring In Ban On Shock Collars

The Scottish Government’s Animal Welfare Commission concluded in 2023 that the use of shock collars should be banned, saying: “Whatever the skill of the user, e-collars have the potential to cause harm and that that risk is disproportionate to the perceived training benefit.”

 Away an bile yer heid. 

 

This is more harmful garbage from virtue signaling politicians. Any time a "commission" like this makes a policy like this about dogs, it almost always goes against the welfare of the dogs. These clowns are the ones to "have the potential to cause harm and that risk is disproportionate to the perceived" benefit The pushback is coming from the working dog community that DOES know how to properly use e-collars and are warning that the banning of these devices will materially harm police and military K9 readiness. (Do you want police and military K9’s to stop being K9’s? Then go forward with this ban.) These politically correct trends to control people are bad for everyone, all of society will be harmed.

 

There is a role in dog training for e-collars: snake training, wildlife avoidance training, Out training for service breeds, distance control with hunting and police dogs, and a whole lot more. 

 

Should novices get them? No. I would never, and have never, recommend any novice (owner or dog trainer), get one. Neither would I recommend anyone getting a motorcycle without sufficient lessons. Nor would I ban people from having cooking knives, various self-defense weapons, martial arts, gas powered chain saws, gas powered cars, eating chocolate ice cream, soft drinks, supplements, politically incorrect comedy, air conditioners, free speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, right to petition the government for redress… or e-collars. 

 

Leave people alone. Especially people who know what they are doing. Stop the Nanny State meddling.

 

Plan accordingly.

 

Scotland's Code Of Practice For Dog Ownership

A code of practice for getting a dog is to be drawn up in Scotland under a new law passed by MSPs. The Welfare of Dogs Bill aims to promote responsible ownership by making sure people understand the commitment required before they take on a pet. Within 12 months the government will need to draw up a code, effectively a checklist of questions about whether the new owner has considered whether they have the time, space and money needed

This Nanny State garbage never works. It is just virtue signaling.

Doesn’t Scotland has a lot bigger, more pressing problems than this?

Plan accordingly.

 

Dogs And Resource Guarding

When a dog guards a resource, animate or inanimate, they are responding to a perceived existential threat. We get offended when a dog guards a food bowl, toy, location, person or other animal and we make the situation worse by escalating the threat. Adding any kind of pain stimulation, or threat of pain or injury, can make the situation even more dangerous... (MORE)

Dogs And Whining

What should you do if your dog whines? (MORE) 

Do Fearful Dogs Need More Structure And Discipline?

One of the false claims about fearful dogs is that the cause and treatment is about the need for more structure and discipline. You will hear the claims that the owners are babying their dogs too much.

That is garbage.

Plan accordingly.

Dogs And William MacDougall

One of William MacDougall’s famous and enduring quotes: “The healthy animal is up and doing.” Erich von Holst agreed.

In contrast, the behaviorist school contends that the animal is a machine: an input/ output mechanism of reflexes and conditioning. Unless you can understand the depth of the differences between those two positions, you can’t be a good student or teacher of animal behavior. 

A dog is more than a coin operated machine dependent upon what coin you put in it, and especially more than what can be made to happen in a scientific experiment.

Plan accordingly. 

My Phone Call With John D. Johnson About His American Bulldogs

Back in the late 90's, I spoke with John D. Johnson about getting one of his American Bulldogs. He was very forthcoming and interesting. I can still hear him saying his dogs are "the finest guard dogs on the planet." 

I asked a lot of questions, and most of what he told me is reflected in an interview of him that can be found on Google (type in: "john johnson American bulldog interview"). There were some important tidbits that should be noted. He stated: 1.) You could only have two in the home, a male and a female. Not two males. Not two females. Any other formula was a setup for a fight. I have found this to be true of all of the original lines of American bulldogs; they didn't like other dogs, but could tolerate another bulldog of the opposite sex in the home. 2.) At the time, another line was becoming popular. He said that line was bred more for fighting, and his were more bred to be home companions and guardians. I didn't verify those claims, just giving you here what he told me. 3.) I wanted to meet his dogs. He said he had sold some breeding dogs to a woman in Port Townsend, WA. Since I lived in the Seattle area, I arranged to meet with her. I really liked her dog. I think her dog was from Dick The Bruiser. But she confirmed that the dog attacked one of her Neapolitan Mastiffs, so she had to make sure that she kept them separate. That also gave me an opportunity to meet some Neos and some Dogue de Bordeaux's, since she bred all three. They were all nice dogs. 

The American Bulldogs of today are different dogs than his foundation stock. Other breeds have been mixed in.

The Norwegian Lundehund Dog

About 20 plus years ago, I had the chance to meet a Norwegian Lundehund, the small, puffin hunting dog with six toes and extra bendy neck. The issue? House training problems. 

Interestingly, one of the noted behavioral issues of the breed is… house training issues.

I never got to work with the dog, however. I think the owners were looking to glean free dog training advice by inviting trainers to their homes and asking leading questions in such a way to try and get ideas without paying (which is how I learned to not do “meet and greets” like this). 

It is important to research the breed before you adopt or shop. If an obvious issue presents itself, decide how you plan on resolving it or if it is something you will have to accept. Also, if you can’t afford the necessary training, don’t be a cheapskate, don’t get a dog.

Plan accordingly.

Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog

Many years ago, I was shopping for a new dog. One of the dogs that caught my eye was the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog. I remember talking with Lana Lou Lane over the phone about her dogs. She had a number of interesting things to say about this breed. It was one of the few remaining lines of original American bulldog breeds from the Old South, in Georgia. I remember her telling me that her dogs were naturally obedient, and also how she could bring her dog into a bar, leave the dog with her stuff (purse and drink), and come back knowing that her dog wouldn't let someone else touch her stuff when she was away. I had no way of verifying what she was saying, but I also wasn't going to claim she wasn't accurate because I've seen some interesting things that some dogs do. 

A number of years later, I met a woman who had an Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog. Thus, I got to meet one after all. If I recall, the dog had issues with strangers coming into the home. So long as she was there to do the introductions, the dog would accept the guest. I also remember she was having some dog to dog fighting issues in the home, which was not a surprise. Many of these old bulldog breeds were such that you could only have two of them, a male and a female. Not two females. Not two males. Otherwise, there would be fights. 

I don't know the current status of the breed. Being comprised of a small gene pool, my concern would be overall health and longevity. Also, that the owner really wanted a territorial breed like this and knew how to manage it properly. 

Can "Hanging" A Dog Fix Dog Aggression?

You may have seen dog trainers on the internet hanging dogs by a leash to "fix" dog aggression. Does that work? 

No.

Plan accordingly. 

The Molosser Dog Breeds (Part 1)

There are a number of breeds that are not sturdy enough for continuing physical work. Of those, the Molosser (mastiff type) breeds top the list. We are talking about Boerboel, Bulldog (and many of the bull breeds), Bullmastiff, Cane Corso (recent versions vs. the ones 20 plus years ago), Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasiliero, Great Dane, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Presa Canario, Rottweiler (non-working lines), St. Bernard, Tosa, etc.

While some of these dogs might have the temperament characteristics of the working breeds used for professional work (German Shepherd, Malinois, Rottweiler, Giant Schnauzer, Dutch Shepherd, etc.), they don't have the physical abilities to do this physically punishing work day after day. They break down, such as getting ACL tears and other joint injuries, anywhere from head to tail. 

It isn't their size. A 160 lb. Canadian Arctic wolf is a big canine, but they don't break like this, and they do hard physical work every day of their lives. The big working flock guards are also sturdy (assuming we are talking about lines that are professionally doing livestock work, not the show dog imitations).

I bring this up because if you plan on using these big dogs for actual work, you can expect a very expensive major surgery bill sometime in the future that will put your dog out of work.

You will see videos of trainers giving you lists of the ultimate guard dogs, usually picking from this list, and maybe tossing in a couple of the real working dogs, too. But look at what the professionals use. Not only do they confine themselves to the second list, they are even pickier among the dogs within that list. Just because you have a German Shepherd Dog doesn't mean it would be suitable for the rigorous physical tasks that are required for professional work.

I love all breeds. In one way or another, I have trained at least 75% of the purebred specimens that would be listed by the AKC, from common (like a Labrador Retriever) to very uncommon (such as a Pharaoh Hound). So, this isn't about my bias against whatever breed you own or like. But, what I don't want people to do is physically hurt their dogs by putting them into situations that will damage them permanently. 

Get the dog you want... but...

Plan accordingly.

Christmas Puppy: Housetraining

Today is January 20th. If you got a puppy in November or December, by now your puppy's house training should be on track. Except for taking your puppy out at the regular times, you shouldn't be having any more accidents in the home, or at least very few per week. 

If not, your puppy potty training is off track. Don't get angry with your puppy. You need help.

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And The Scientists Of Behavior

My criticism of behavior, learning and psychology scientists/ theorists: they presume a known physiological process correlates and explain these phenomena. Yet, the correlation between "Behavior X" and that "Neuron Z" is not yet understood, and these “just so stories” mislead the reader (and ultimately dog trainers) into thinking these scientists know more than they really do. 

 

I noticed this several years ago reading a college level biology book. At some point, I exclaimed, “you don’t know that!” It was explaining the operation of the cell as if the processes were known. If they knew what they implied, then we’d have a cure for cancer and every other disease. Yet, this was how the topic was being taught.

 

I see this even in current lectures, books and studies on behavior, learning, and psychology: it is a lot of speculation. They present a veneer of legitimacy to these unproven connections. This leads to medical behavioral diagnoses and drug treatments, even as the drug manufacturers admit they don’t know why certain drugs do this or that.

 

Pavlov was trying to link the two, because it is reasonable to believe that physiology will someday explain behavior. But that someday isn’t to-day. 

 

There is no science of dog training. It is too soon to call it science. That doesn't mean there aren't effective ways to train dogs, just don't call it "science". 

 

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And Dating (Part 1)

She has a dog. He has a dog. Is that going to become an issue if they decide to get married?

Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. 

I see it kind of like marrying someone who has kids. You aren't just marrying them, the kids are part of a package deal. How that is done can either make or break whether things work out. With kids, it is disastrous if they hate the significant other. The marriage will be full of turmoil. Same with marrying someone where their dog hates your dog. 

First step is attempting to build a relationship between the dogs. Just like you would need to build an acceptable relationship with their kids. If a successful relationship can be established, then the outcome has a better chance of succeeding. 

One big mistake is to blame the dogs for their behavior. They are dogs. They need training and behavior modification in many cases. It is also a mistake to denigrate the other person because their dog doesn't like your dog. Just because you think they should be doing this are that... you aren't a dog trainer. You don't know what you are talking about. 

I've seen some weird dynamics when the other person has issues with their intended's dog. It can stir up a lot of hurt feelings that never needed to happen. 

With children, the issues are even more complicated. You should assume there is trauma, even if the other person says their kids are fine. Any broken home has kids with some kind of trauma. So, slow things down. You don't need to get married tomorrow or even next year. Don't put it on a timeline, instead measure it based upon whether the relationships are going to be healthy. 

What about kids and dogs? Hoo boy, any problems are going to be multiplied if no one is getting along. Even if you love the other person and they love you, if their parallel relationships with your kids and dog aren't working out, that is a red flag you shouldn't ignore. The last thing anyone needs is a divorce or unhappy home. I've been brought into some very complicated dog-family situations; some fraught with hurt feelings, anger, and even worse. Sometimes I can settle the dog problems if I can get everyone on board. Sometimes I can get the dogs to get along. And it is above my pay grade to give them help in terms of family issues; that requires other experts, including the advice of close family members, friends, clergy, and possible family or individual therapists. No therapist, psychiatrist or psychologist would ever guarantee that they can fix your marriage problems. No dog trainer should likewise guarantee they can fix all dog problems in a family. 

Thus, before things go too far, how about seeing how the relationships are going? Dating is a test drive, mainly of the character of the other person. What's on the outside isn't always what is going on inside. It also takes time for a good assessment to determine if dogs can get along, can be managed together safely, and if the two people see eye to eye on how to own a dog. If you have kids, slow things down until you are sure. Same if you both have dogs.

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And Affection (Part 1)

Have you ever considered why we relate to dogs, and dogs to us?

We are very similar in many ways emotionally. We can develop a relationship.

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And Donald Trump's Presidential Inauguration

Regardless of how you voted... don't get so glued to the TV and being on the internet that you neglect to make sure your dog has a good day today.

Dogs don't vote.

Plan accordingly.

Dogs And Back Up Planning

Let's say you had to fly clear across the country to deal with a family emergency. Do you have a plan to leave behind your dogs for a few days in the event you had to leave town on an emergency? 

What if you were hospitalized, or someone in your family was hospitalized, who would take care of your dogs?

What if you were to pass away? Do you have someone designated to take care of your dogs so they don't end up being dropped off at the county shelter and killed?

You can help by preparing your dogs in advance of an emergency. Are they adoptable? Can they safely and easily be handled by someone other than you? Do you have money set aside in case of an emergency? Do you have a contact list of those who have agreed to help you in case of an emergency (and have you walked them through what to do; have spare keys; money set aside; written authorization with your veterinarian to allow them to treat your dogs)? And are you prepared? Finances? Detailed plan? Made all your contacts? 

Dogs don't do well just being abruptly dropped off at a kennel while you are gone for several days or weeks. They can seriously deteriorate. 

Plan accordingly.

Las Vegas Law: Licensed Breeders Limited To One Dog A Year To Individual Households

I think this is wrong. 

What is going to happen? People are going to buy dogs outside of Las Vegas. This will not solve their pet shelter warehousing problems. This will not reduce abandonment or euthanasia numbers.

What a dumb idea. Shelters are full because the economy stinks and shelters are still operating like it is the 1970's. Those are the real issues and point to the real solutions.

The city of Las Vegas is limiting how many animals pet stores and licensed breeders can sell to individual households to one a year.

Dogs And California Wildfires, Part 7

More on the California wildfires... 

First, fire officials are saying that they will be doing blackouts in LA this coming week as the winds pick up, so charge your phones and e-cars in advance. If you live in LA, I wouldn't want to rely on a functional electric grid in an emergency. Gas powered cars are the solution in emergencies. And let your car charge your phone as you get out.

Second, maybe you should own a gas powered chain saw... However, her grandfather got hurt in the process and they had to leave their cars behind. "When they were trying to leave, my grandpa had fallen, broke three of his ribs," Elias said.  "They were trying to get out with their cars, but trees had fallen blocking their way to get out." 

Oh, that's right. California BANNED gas powered chain saws on January 2024. Too bad, so sad... says those in charge. Save the environment by burning down the town and releasing more toxics than the entire state produces in a year. Makes perfect sense.

If you had to evacuate with your dog, could you get out? 

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And Separation Anxiety

Today, I saw a video dog trainer who claimed that the reason that dogs develop separation anxiety is because the owners won't give their dogs the cold shoulder and make them leave them alone most of the time in the home.

That isn't the solution. 

Whoever came up with that idea should not be working with this issue. If that is what you are being told to do, stop that. Find the right answer.

Plan accordingly.

The Dog And The Psychic

An elderly man’s Husky died of old age. So, he adopted a Husky puppy. He then found a psychic in Southern California that said that he could transfer the spirit of his old dog into the puppy so that the puppy would become the old dog. He paid a lot of money to that psychic for that service.

 

I wonder why the psychic also didn’t warn him that the puppy was going to develop severe hip dysplasia before 6 months of age.

 

Hmm…

 

Plan accordingly.

Sometimes It is Better To Stop A Dog Lesson

There are times when I stop a dog lesson. 

I remember a dog I used to have. He would be one dog one day, and another on another day. On his good days, I would make progress in the training. On other days, he was just not into it, and it was like we had gone backwards. 

Same location. Same setup. Same everything as far as I could tell, but on some days he was just off. 

When I encounter a lesson in which the dog is just off that day... I discontinue the lesson: go take the dog or a walk or go play with the dog and not worry about it.

People have off days, too. Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you are the bug. Sometimes you are into the learning or the workout or the movie you are watching, and sometimes it's better to take a break and go do something else.

Dogs are not machines. If you train enough dogs, you will see this effect with some dogs. 

There are variables that we can sometimes detect, some that we can't. Maybe the dog is carrying some kind of worry that is inhibiting the dog that day. Maybe the dog isn't feeling well, but the outward signs aren't obvious. 

For example, let's say you got in an argument with someone over the color of a blanket. You say it is red; the other person says it is blue. It becomes personal and feelings get hurt. When you get home, you see that the blanket in question really was blue, not red. So, you apologize, and the fight is over. Yet, you might take a few hours to let go of the negative emotions that were stirred up and to recuperate from the energy you expended. Right after the fight isn't the time to study your calculus homework. You'll find yourself re-reading the material repeatedly, but it just isn't registering. You need to put down the calculus book and go recover, maybe take nap, turn on a movie and zone out, or go take a car ride. 

This same thing happens with dogs. Something can stress them, we won't know what it was, but we can see it in the lesson and the lack of response. 

The worst thing is for the owner to lose his cool, to start bossing the dog around. However, that is what some people do. Several years ago, I overheard an account of someone trying to load up a horse into a trailer. That day, the horse didn't want to go in. That angered the owner, he lost his cool with the horse and dished out something harsh (I don't know what was done, I wasn't there, I only heard about the incident). The stress was so great, the horse physically collapsed on the ground and couldn't get up. They had to call a veterinarian to get the horse back on its feet using a winch and body harness. 

What was going on with that horse that day? I don't know. But the horse was having an off day, and that had shut down what normally would have worked. 

Dog training is not a science. You can do a very controlled experiment in a laboratory to try and find "laws" of behavior. In the real world, there are too many factors to observe or control. The responses you see from your dog right now might have been influenced by unknown events yesterday or even 4 years ago. It can even be that the dog isn't feeling medically well but looks well on the outside. 

Thus, if your dog is having an off day... my recommendation is to stop the lesson and come back to it tomorrow or another day. Obviously look to see if the dog is feeling well, and confirm there are no signs of a medical condition. Also, investigate what has been happening over the past week to detect if some unknown factor made today's lesson a bust. With my dog, I now suspect that his intermittent bouts had an underlying medical cause. At 5 years of age, he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and died of a heart attack 7 months later. My guess is that had been percolating all along, but undetected by me and his veterinarians. 

Plan accordingly.

Puppies And End Pictures

What is your End Picture for your new Christmas puppy?

Let's put it this way...

I snap my fingers, it is 2 years into the future, and we have built your dog to be perfectly well trained. The weather is perfect. You have free time. 

What are you doing with your dog? 

Vacations?

Hikes?

Visitors?

Going to a restaurant?

Road trips?

Visiting friends on walks?

Visiting friends homes and they have dogs, too?

Therapy dog?

Going to the beach?

Taking your dog to work with you?

Having friends over to your home?

Having friends come over to your home with their dogs?

Swimming in the pool?

Camping?

Many dog owners have no idea regarding what they want out of their dogs. They don't know the End Picture. So they get caught up in the hassles of the young puppy and have no plan, no vision, and no purpose to fix any of that puppy stuff. 

Don't be like that.

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And Tug Of War

Is it OK to play tug of war with your puppy? 

Yes, it is ok. In the hands of someone who knows what they are doing, there are a lot of great things that can later grow out of tug... Fetch, Search, Drop It, and a whole lot more. 

Many working dogs are rewarded with tug, starting as little puppies. 

(Armin Winkler doing tug work with a jute bite sleeve cover with my dog, Dillon, back around 2000)

I recommend laying the foundation early. Many things can enhance a dog's ultimate talent if you start them early and properly. 

You can also hurt a puppy if you play it roughly or in the wrong way. Yanking it away can cause the loss of a tooth or dislocation of a jaw. I've seen both. It's a game, keep it that way.

Does a play game of tug make a dog aggressive? No. Is the growling of a puppy a sign of aggression? No. It is a sign of play. But, if you aren't sure, then get someone to show you what is the right way and wrong way. 

Plan accordingly.

Don't Let Your Dog Watch

Dogs And Fire Sprinkler Systems

I had a thought... why not install a sprinkler system on the roof of your home in the event of a fire? And if your dog has a kennel, set up something similar. It shouldn't be too hard.

Dogs And Disaster Evacuations

Let’s say you had to bug out with your dog because you were subject to an emergency…

You know what you’d take for yourself: wallet, keys, family photos, portable food, cell phone and charger, spare cash, a bug out bag (first aid, lawn and leaf bags, flip flops, pen and paper, soap and shampoo, toothbrush and floss, umbrella, soft wool shirt, walkie talkies and batteries, Vaseline, whistle water purifier, gloves, hat, sunscreen, rain tarp, paracord, underwear, socks, wind jacket, jeans, pocket knife, some snack bars, pepper spray, space blanket, water, fire starter, etc… same stuff you’d take on an overnight hike), spare eye glasses, spare sun glasses, flashlight, durable shoes, important contacts list in waterproof container, some durable clothes if you have enough time, valuables, computer and charger, and important papers.

But, what about your dog? Yes, take your dog… but what else? Do you maintain a bug out bag for your dog? You probably should: food and water bowls, first aid book, first aid kit, pre-packaged dry food (weighs less than canned), water, extra leashes and collars, a couple of toys, brush, medicines, thumb drive with photos and pre-prepared flyer in Word format in case your dog gets lost, licenses, possibly a citronella spray to keep other dogs away as you run away. And is your dog microchipped? 

Plan accordingly. 

Should Your Dog Get Annual Veterinary Checkups?

Yes.

Plan accordingly.

What Is The Biggest Problem In Dog Training Today?

 

Confused About Dog Training?

Why is there so much confusion in the dog training world? 

A big part of the confusion is that the study of the mind/ body relationship is still not understood by science. 

If they don’t understand it, and if they can’t even get in agreement with what they are talking about, then that filters down into the dog training world. 

That doesn’t mean there aren’t some things that have been generally figured out. Of those things that are known, the fault then lies with dog trainers who haven’t attempted to figure those things out. 

There are four viewpoints that are still arguing with each other: 1.) Attempts to make sense of consciousness, including the idea of sensation and perception; 2.). Attempts in the laboratory to explain behavior and the assumption that consciousness is irrelevant; 3.) Attempts to explain behavior in terms of the theory of evolution and the effects of adaptation, some of which is done in field studies; and 4.) Another version of laboratory research focusing on biology, chemistry, physics, and medical experimentation. 

While all four types of science are looking at the same thing, they are like the proverbial story of the six blind men who come across an elephant: one feels a leg and thinks it is a tree, another touches its side and thinks it is a wall; another touches the trunk and thinks it is a snake, another touches the tail and thinks it is a rope, another touches a tusk and thinks it is a spear, another touches an ear and thinks it is a fan. 

In the dog training world, too much focus is on the perspective of trial-and-error learning. Give a pleasant reward, and you’ll get more of that behavior. Give an unpleasant consequence, and you’ll get less of that behavior. That may sound reasonable to explain everything and to do anything. Unfortunately, that isn’t how the entire “elephant” works. Yes, some toss in a little folklore about what they think wolves do in the wild, a dash of the psychic occult, and a willfully unaware approach that ignores most of the thinking that has gone on before them by some very smart people. The secondary approach that most are relying upon is the medical viewpoint of behavior, with a fleeting nod to behavior and a focus on giving a dog a pill. Furthermore, people are making up their own words that have no basis. If the scientists are still struggling with defining what they see, then how does it help to come up with an entirely different vocabulary, or to use what little is known in the wrong ways? 

So, here we are. And what is to be done about it? There is no unified field of psychology and behavior. There is no “science” of dog training yet. Looks like the blinders need to come off, eh?

Plan accordingly. 

Are Your Dogs Fighting?

 

Dogs And Monkeys On Typewriters

The obvious conclusion is that if millions of monkeys working gazillions of years cannot produce Shakespeare, the man himself could not produce Shakespeare picking words “randomly”. Intelligence is required. Both to write and comprehend. “Random” molecules bumping into one another isn’t enough to produce this.

How many monkeys, typing random letters, over how many years, would it take for them to write Shakespeare’s plays? 

Let’s put that in simple terms. Take all the monkeys that have ever existed on earth, and it would take more time than the entire existence of the universe.

This is why you can only take animal examples so far when drawing inferences about human behavior. The distance is so large as to be impossible to leap. This is also why it is unfair to hold dogs to human standards of behavior, intelligence, or understanding, and why many punishments dogs receive are unjustified and ineffective.

(HINT: DNA is even more complex than Shakespeare… just sayin’)

Plan accordingly.

Dogs And California Wildfires (Part 6)

Do you really think it will be safe for you and your dog to be hanging around the devastation after these fires are put out in LA? Ground water, air, dust, building waste... all contaminated. Construction workers will be exposed, too. And where does all that toxic waste go? Do the surrounding communities want that dust floating over their homes during the cleanup? 

The entire area is a hazardous waste pit. Remember what happened to the victims and first responders after the Twin Towers fell on 9/11... lots died young because of hazardous waste exposure. 

Those search dogs and teams scouring the remains there aren't safe. They are doing valuable work, but we will hear later of the cost. Same thing happened to the dog teams after 9/11.

Look at what people are facing there…

“Tragically, lives have been changed forever in just a matter of minutes. Many families may not be able to afford to rebuild or repair and return. Businesses may not be able to recover, and jobs will be permanently lost. Thousands of people are in desperate need of help, initially the basic and life-sustaining needs of food, water and shelter, as this tragedy unfolds," Porter said. "Many families will face significant unexpected costs to relocate to another area in Southern California. The recovery process will be extremely expensive and emotionally challenging in the months and years to come.”

So, do you stay or do you go? And where is the rescue money going to go? To the residents? Or to special interests? Knowing California, it won’t be to the residents. Knowing the politics, the preening politicians will keep fiddling as Rome burns. Citizens are going to be left dangling. $250 billion in losses so far, and still counting… 

If you have relatives in CA, you might just want to discuss an escape plan for them. The worst is yet to come. I predict social unrest, and long term health and psychological problems: that is no place to be with your dog. And if you are part of those search and rescue teams, I respect the work you are doing... 

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And Conditioning

Fitness is important for dog and handler. 

If I was a fitness coach, I'd want to know what you are training to do. Football player? Pickleball? Ballet? Olympic lifter? I'd then assess your current fitness with a wide range of tests. From there, we would start with some kind of foundation training to put your entire system in balance. 

If I was a fitness coach for dogs, I would do the same. What kind of job is this dog expected to perform? What kind of stress is this doing going to have to deal with? I'd want to look at the dog's body shape (conformation) and I'd want to see it move. From there, a plan could be developed. 

Most dogs are pets, and most owners aren't going to do athletic events with their pets. However, life can provide surprises to both and then it is game on: your dog falls in a lake; you have to run after your dog as she is chasing a rabbit that has run across the street; your hike has taken a bad turn, you are on a cliffside and you both have to crawl out of a bad situation. 

Or maybe it is just something much more... supposedly... bland, like you are going to play fetch or tug with your dog. 

Dogs get sports injuries all the time. Jumping off a couch and going splat. Sliding into a wall playing with the other dog in the home. Tripping and falling while jogging alongside someone. Ever had to take a dog to the vet because they came up limping from some kind of spill? I have. Last thing you want to hear is your dog has a permanent injury or needs expensive surgery, or both.

The better shape the dog is in, meaning all systems are running efficiently, the less likely that dog will be injured, and if injured, the faster the healing. Same with the owner. 

For many working dogs, the side effect of the work is that they get into shape. However, their vitals need to be monitored. For couch potato dogs, none of that is happening, and an owner can put their dog in a situation that the dog isn't prepared for, and something is going to break. Or the situation has become an emergency, and both the dog and owner aren't in great shape and the outcome isn't so pleasant.

Do you have a fitness plan for yourself and your dog? 

Plan accordingly. 

The How And Why Of Dog Behavior

When I am observing or diagnosing a dog behavior, I will inevitably try to answer two questions: 

1.) How does this behavior happen?

2.) Why does this behavior happen? 

The first question is about the immediate, or “proximate”, causes. What is the most direct information that leads to a conclusion as to how this incident happened. That is the Sherlock Holmes part of the job.

The second question is more philosophical, as in the philosophy of science. This is about why dogs do behaviors like that. What biological function does that behavior fulfill? 

The answers to these questions can be combined to diagnose the problem, as well as lead to a logical remedy. 

Having one question answered without the other isn’t going to be very fruitful. Just thinking that you can STOP the dog doing that behavior doesn’t mean your solution is going to work. 

While this two step concept sounds easy to apply, it takes many years to get good at it.

Plan accordingly. 

 

Should You Punish A Dog For Pottying In The House?

No.

You aren't teaching the dog to not potty in the house, you are teaching the dog to not potty in front of YOU. 

That will backfire.

Plan accordingly. 

Owner Saves Dog From Icy Lake

Video shows owner risk life to save dog from icy lake in Massachusetts

Well, that's a good way for both of you to die. 

If you live near icy lakes... do you have preventative measures, and a way to save your dog if this happens? 

Plan accordingly 

Dogs And California Wildfires, Part 5

I'm guessing it isn't good for your dog to be breathing in all that cancer air from the fires in LA. 

Interesting... drive an electric car to save the planet, burn down the city to save the planet. 

What kind of idiots are running that place?

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And California Wildfires, Part 4

As if things couldn’t get worse, as people are going back to see the charred remnants of their California homes, they will be facing two new challenges. 

First, even if their homes have been burned to a crisp, they still owe the full amount on their mortgage loans. They can’t just walk from the deal and let the lender foreclose. They will owe whatever the loan amount was plus any loan penalties and legal costs the bank assesses.

What does that have to do with having a dog? I would investigate bankruptcy protection to at least stall the foreclosure and costs. I don’t know bankruptcy law, but you still must live, and you still must feed your family… and your dog and find a new place to live. But, with your credit destroyed, and possibly your livelihood, you are in for a rough ride. Can you preserve enough income and cash to save your family?

Second… and this one is so repulsive it is hard to even imagine… the next challenge will be… squatters. Yep, these scavengers are about to descend on these vacant lots to claim them as their own. Now you owe on the mortgage loan, and you are either going to be treated as a landlord (and not paid any rent) or NOT the owner. You will be required by law to demolish the remaining structure. Good luck with that if someone is claiming they are a tenant or the rightful owner. I bet in CA you are required to provide alternative housing for tenants after a fire: how would you like to pay a squatter to rent somewhere else?  So, you’ll have the law on your tail for not letting them live in the lap of luxury for free. Then, these people are going to loot whatever is left of the remains. And lastly, you might lose your home completely because of the financial and legal mountains you are going to have to climb. What does this have to do with your dog? Once again, you will be financially destroyed if you don’t come up with a strategy. Maybe you should sign a lease with yourself to become your own squatter. Seriously. Ask your attorney how to stake your claim to you own home. Look into any government assistance; hire an attorney; contact your insurers; get identity theft protection. Furthermore, many pets were left behind. You had better get the permission to inspect your property before your pet is dead. I’ve seen a few videos of pets that were still alive, and the last thing you want is for some squatter to release them into that wasteland. Go save your property rights and your dog.

Those are my thoughts for today.

Plan accordingly.

Dogs And Associative Learning

What is the main difference between how I view puppy lessons and adult dog lessons? Here is my condensed version... (MORE)

Dogs And The Confidence Man

As I have mentioned, I read a lot of dog books when I started training dogs. I started with the local library (who does that anymore?). 

Looking back on it, quite a few of these authors were phonies. They never did see their promised results from the recommendations they made.

I am seeing the same symptoms as I look at the online programs offered by some of these social media dog training gurus. There’s no way that works, there's no way they understand what they are saying (it is Dog Gibberish and Dog Nonsense) and there is no way they are doing that stuff in their lessons in the real world for professional working dogs and getting results like the good trainers. It is just junk candy to sell to the masses. 

Plan accordingly.

Dogs And Guitars (Update)

 It arrived... (see previous post)

Dogs And Infrastructure Disasters

Is it any surprise the collapse of the façade that was California? Still clinging to their past image of sunshine, surf, fun, prosperity and innovation, they were able to allow everything to crumble into disrepair. Residents lived under the illusion that nothing was wrong, not seeing and doing anything about rampant crime, gridlock, woke social engineering on this and that, crumbling roads and bridges, gridlocking regulations, petty and intrusive laws on every little detail, homelessness, violence, abandoned businesses and buildings, closing restaurants and mom and pops, preening celebrities and politicians, smog, wildfires, floods, destruction of forests and national parks, petty fees, nothing works in government except to serve itself, high taxes but always running bigger and bigger deficits, and infiltration of society by criminal gangs. 

Now, nature has had a say. You can’t deny reality forever. Rome has fallen as Nero plays his fiddle. 

What does this have to do with dogs? Well, since this is a dog blog, I pay attention to what all this does to dogs. I wonder how many pets died screaming in pain as they were left behind as the fires raced through the LA neighborhoods. We know that rescues in the area are putting out appeals and shipping LA strays to other cities around the US. We also see that horses were left to die. And we know that wildlife was also either burnt to a crisp or had to flee in any way they could.

So, here’s my suggestion. IF you see these same signs where you live, it’s time to get out. Now. Slap yourself out of your delusions and go. Don’t be like Lot’s wife. Don’t end up like the people in LA… and I’m referring to all those non-celebrities whose lives are now destroyed and who don’t have any savings to fall back on. Your dog can’t do it for you. What city do I think is heading for the next giant disaster in the news?

Prediction: Seattle.

Prediction 2: San Francisco

Prediction 3: Chicago

QUIZ: What is a Potemkin Village?

Plan accordingly.

Would You Get A Robot Dog?

So, the AI thing is humming along. We are seeing articles about these fake rubber women (UGH)... and now the robot dog. 

Pardon moi, there are plenty of real dogs, rescue dogs, lingering in shelters and foster homes that need a new family. Opinion: a robot dog will never be a substitute for a real dog, ever, in my world. I don't get the purpose of this Frankendog. Ever read the study of the Rhesus monkeys, one group with the fake wire mother and the other group with the fuzzy mother? What was the outcome; what were the conclusions? (HINT: It didn't go so well for the monkeys with the wire mother)

Read the article and let me know if you agree with me:  Robotic puppy, shown at electronics trade show, seen as boon for mental health

Training Hunting/ Sporting Dogs in Drive

I enjoy training the “sporting” hunting breeds, such as Spaniels, Setters, Retrievers, and Pointers. If the dog has any kind of prey drive, and is otherwise healthy and properly socialized, they are tremendous.

My primary approach, when training any dog, is to discover their best expression of prey and pack drives. I can then use motivation and those drives to make the most of that dog. I use very little correction in training any dog, and especially with dogs that have some talent.

I will stretch a dog as far as their talent allows… and as far as the owner will allow. What I mean by that is some owners carry baggage from previous training and are often too quick to resort to old methods of influence to crush the dogs. I counsel patience, however. The good dogs shine when you let them grow up normally and allow them to develop their talents. 

While I am not specifically a hunting dog trainer, I have laid the foundation for hunting dogs. For example, a few years ago I worked with a French pointer. The owner’s buddies wanted him to get an e-collar; I advised against that, and my recommendation paid off. We also never did work with birds, only hunting dummies. But when the owner took her hunting, she was spectacular. The work we did at home, which hunting dog trainers typically call “yard training”, was sufficient for her to work in a real hunting situation. The goal of the training wasn’t to make her into a hunting dog, but since I knew the husband wanted a dual use dog, we put in the necessary foundation.

I think the most underappreciated pet dogs are the Retrievers. They often get too much ham-handed pet dog training and never get to develop what they are capable of. Same with most of the pet Spaniels. Same with the Setters. I especially like Labs, great dogs. Goldens make excellent dogs, too. The Spaniels need an especially gentle hand, and same with the Setters. The talent can be there, but it has to be carefully curated. 

I wonder if many people realize what they have when they get one of the sporting breeds. If they were lucky enough, or purposeful enough, to get one with a good temperament, then so much can be done. They can be a joy to work with.

Dog Training Theory vs Real World

There are some big leaps that must be accomplished to take a concept and turn it into a real-world application for your dog. Here are the basic steps... (MORE)

Is An Electric Collar A Communication Tool For Dog Training?

No, an electric collar is not a communication device for dog training. It has no such value, any more than if a dog has an itch. An itch isn't a communication. Nor is a burp. Nor is passing gas. Neither is a leash or collar of any type. Nor is a harness, a dog bed, or the wind blowing. 

Stop using this way of describing how dog tools work. 

What is “Communication”? Here is the Merriam-Webster’s definition: “a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior; exchange of information.”

The difference matters.

If you still aren’t understanding: time to do some studying.

Plan accordingly.

Dogs And LA Fire Evacuations

As CA Governor, Caesar Flickerman, watches as LA burns, rescue organizations are already networking to get dogs out of LA into other shelters. 

Seattle Humane taking in 60 LA-area shelter pets due to 'unprecedented' wildfires

While I support and applaud these efforts, the rest of the US can’t save LA or California’s rescue dog problems. And Seattle is it’s own special kind of hell, so that isn’t going to be a long term solution, either. 

Municipal shelters are still operating like it was the 1980’s. They haven’t the type of business plan to deal with emergencies. Heaven forbid the Big One had happened in LA instead of these fires. There is no planning, no competent leadership in these cities, driven more by virtue signalling than competence. 

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And California Wildfires, Part 3

If there was an emergency, do you have a "bug out" plan for you and your dog? 

Plan accordingly.

Dog Zoos

A trend I’ve been seeing over the past few years is the development of what I refer to as dog zoos. 

What started out as kennels with playgrounds turned into doggie daycares. Doggie daycares are now morphing into these zoos.

The first ones I heard about were overseas. They consist of giant facilities, almost like a dog Disneyland, with dogs running around and the people walking around getting services almost like they are on a cruise ship.

I understand that people want their dogs to have a full and good life, but these kinds of environments are not natural for the dogs. I don’t recommend doing things that are abnormal, and almost impossible, for most dogs to process. These will come to the US; maybe they are already here...

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And California Wildfires, Part 2

California fires: Think of the billions of cost… 1) not only the real estate, but cars, valuables… but also intangibles such as business projects that will never now happen; 2) people who lost jobs: gardeners, real estate agents, plumbers, gas station attendants, chefs, auto repair mechanics, etc.; 3) Lost property and income taxes to fund repairs; 4) Looting, and the empowerment of the gangs; 5) Loss of first responders and police who decide they don’t want any more of this. CA doesn’t have the money and surely won’t reimburse “the rich”. FEMA messed up in NC with Helene, so don’t expect a lot of help there any time soon. The preening politicians have promoted the illusion that since everything was going fine in the rich areas, they could ignore the squalor and broken-down infrastructure they caused. Is California coming to reality? They voted for this mess. There isn't enough money in the entire wealth of the US to fix stupid.

An exodus is coming. That will drive up housing and other costs wherever these people land. And there must be an immediate need for dog rescue in LA. I see articles showing horses left behind, too. Hopefully they don’t bring “California” to your town, or you’ll suffer the same fate one day.

Plan accordingly.

Dog Trainer X Has Trained Over 10,000 Dogs

These claims are everywhere and are to be found in new media and even in old publications (there's nothing new under the sun, eh?): online websites, blogs, videos, social media, newspaper articles, interviews, magazines, and in books (have I left anything out?). I had an old dog training book I purchased about 30 years ago that claimed the author had trained something like 40,000 dogs.

Online Trainers: If someone sells a video, or posts stuff online for free like a podcast, can they then honestly claim that THEY trained thousands of dogs because someone purchased or watched their stuff? I guess the truth is in the eye of the beholder. 

Alternate Scenarios: group classes (usually at least a year to get a meaningful AKC title ribbon); disability /service dogs (5 to 6 months for just one dog); police dogs (4 to 6 months for just one dog); competition dogs (usually at least a year); hunting dogs (usually at least 6 months); etc... crunch the numbers. Is that 10,000 (or you pick the number) dogs trained over X number of years a real number? I just don't think I've met anyone who has trained that many dogs, personally, to any competent level. 

When I see someone claim they are the world's best, top, wonder, master trainer guru who has trained 10,000 dogs (or whatever giant number is in their sales materials)... well, those kinds of claims put me on guard, at the very least.

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And California Wildfires

Horrible, just horrible. These wildfires are just devastating for everyone involved. 

Could you efficiently evacuate your dogs from your property in case of a disaster, like a wild fire?

If not...

Plan accordingly. 

What Do You Do With Your Dog During Your Free Time?

The flip side of less dining out is more eating alone. The share of U.S. adults having dinner or drinks with friends on any given night has declined by more than 30 percent in the past 20 years. “There’s an isolationist dynamic that’s taking place in the restaurant business,” the Washington, D.C., restaurateur Steve Salis told me. “I think people feel uncomfortable in the world today. They’ve decided that their home is their sanctuary. It’s not easy to get them to leave.” Even when Americans eat at restaurants, they are much more likely to do so by themselves. According to data gathered by the online reservations platform OpenTable, solo dining has increased by 29 percent in just the past two years. The No. 1 reason is the need for more “me time.”

 

That is a LOT more alone time. I can verify that more of my students report that they don’t have many, or any, guests. They also report they aren’t going out, and some no longer are taking vacations, going to movies or the theater, shopping malls, public concerts and mass gatherings, or going to see friends or family. 

 

That puts a bigger burden on the home dog. That dog needs to be better behaved and adapted to this kind of homebody lifestyle. I also do all I can to encourage people to get their dogs out of the home. All that isolation isn’t good for most dogs.

Plan accordingly.

Dogs And The Bourne Identity

The government just declassified 20 more documents regarding their MKUltra Program. This type of experimentation is the basis for the Bourne Identity movie concept, that you could split a person into two, with one personality not knowing what the other was doing. In other words, creating a method that was analogous to someone with split personality disorder. But on purpose. Then you could aim one of the personalities to do clandestine work, or break someone and destroy them as an individual, or create the super spy or super soldier. While the MKUltra program was officially dismantled after the Watergate era, there is no way this work was discontinued. It was just buried. There are still efforts being made to get the same results. Hint: it won't be long before they put a computer "chip" in soldier's brains.

What does this have to do with dogs? A lot of fundamental research on these concepts has come out of experiments on dogs. The early work on breaking down a dog led later to this kind of research, and then torture, on humans. It is hard to read these old experiments on dogs and what it did to them. It is also not all that hard to extrapolate how it could be applied, or has been applied, to humans.

We are already in the Brave New World.

Plan accordingly.

Dogs And Verbal Judo

Not every person needs to pet your dog. Not every dog needs to meet your dog. Not every kid needs to hug your dog. 

Not everyone has good intentions. Not everyone is good with dogs. Not every dog is going to be good with your dog. 

Do you have an idea how to de-escalate or get out of such encounters? 

Plan accordingly. 

Letting Your Dogs Run Loose In The Neighborhood

It is pretty foolish to let your dogs run loose in the neighborhood. You are still responsible for what your dogs do, even if you aren't there when it happens. It is also pretty foolish to meddle in affairs that are not your own. These cases often end the life of the dogs when it is all finished.

If you have a neighbor who does this, it is a mistake to go and confront them yourself. You are unqualified to deal with this, and it could all backfire on you. Call the appropriate authority for your area. 

I remember a similar story, but in a different context. A man and woman were fighting. An observer went in to break it up. The man and woman then attacked the observer, the observer killed the other man, and so the observer went to prison and the dead man went to the grave. The fight was wrong and out of control. The observer got in between a fight that wasn't his. It sounds great to go and be a hero, but the reality is you might end up a zero. No one wins.

I heard of another case. A woman was running away from a man, screaming. An observer, assuming the man who was chasing her was going to significantly harm her (use your imagination; I don't use the actual terminology to avoid being censored by this platform). So, he terminated the chasing man. Turned out the woman was a prostitute. The chasing man was an undercover police officer. The observer went to prison. The police officer went to the grave. I don't know what happened to the woman. 

Letting your dogs run loose is a set up for a life changing type of trouble. If someone is seriously harmed, you might not only pay a lot of money, but pay with your freedom or even your life. If you are the observer, you might also get in so deep that you can never get out of what happens, maybe for the rest of your life. If it gets really bad, the dogs won't ever see the light of day again. Lots of money will go to the victims, if they survive, but money can't reverse whatever happened. 

Obey the laws. Call the authorities. Stay out of trouble.

Plan accordingly.

Dogs: Karen Pryor Has Died

Karen Pryor died on January 4, 2025, at the age of 92

 

I first came across Karen Pryor in the late 1990’s. I purchased clickers and her book, “Don’t Shoot The Dog”, received her monthly newsletter, and even had a phone conversation. Maybe I will write about that conversation in the future.

 

Her influence on the dog and animal training community cannot be denied. She popularized clicker training and many principles of Operant Conditioning. Her influence is still felt today. 

 

I have mixed feelings about her teaching. While I still use much of what she taught, there are flaws in a radical behaviorism approach to dog training. No point going over the downsides today.

 

She deserves credit for the good things she accomplished. May you have as much positive influence on the dog training community one day.

 

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And Carjacking

Have you ever considered that how you manage your dog in and out of your car could affect your risk of being carjacked?

Here are some things to consider...

About 20% of carjackings happen in parking lots. Many people park in dark channelized areas, trapping themselves in pockets of barriers and other cars, that would make it hard to get away. It takes time to load and unload a dog into and out of a car. While you are managing your dog, most people are oblivious to what might be going on around them, especially from behind. Many people use ear devices, while blabbering away on their phones, while loading and unloading. All of this makes you a target, and even more so if you have a valuable dog that a criminal might want. Many criminals are carjacking in groups, to distract and then swarm a victim. I find most people aren't looking around, making quick scans, when managing their dogs and have no pre-planning in case something bad starts to develop. Lastly, most dogs will NOT protect you or your car in an emergency, and most people have no skills and are not in good enough physical shape to either defend themselves or to get away safely with their dogs.

I have been confronted by a stranger in a lonely parking lot before. Interesting story, but I got away safely. I have been followed going back to my car. By being aware, I deterred a group of men once they realized I was on to them. Many times, that is all it is going to take to foil an attack. But, they had a say in all of that, and it could have been nasty. Yes, I later called the police, but what good is that if they arrive after the fact? 

The walk from one safe area to another is called a "transitional space". Many crimes happen in transitional spaces. So long as you are lingering around your car, especially with the door or trunk open, as you load and unload, your situation intensifies the interest of a criminal looking for a victim. Most people act as though they are just as safe in transitional spaces as they are in safe spaces, not taking into account that that is an illusion. They are off guard, not in a safe situation, trapped. Ripe for the plucking.

Some people go along with the attitude: it will never happen to me. And they are probably right. That mindset also is an open invitation to a criminal who has learned to profile the foolish and vulnerable. There have been many stories of carjackings in which the outcome wasn't so nice for the dog, either.

Plan accordingly.

Dogs And Hugs

I know, you like hugging your dog.

But after watching countless dogs being hugged, here is my observation: most dogs don't like it. I don't recommend it. 

Yes, that probably hurts your feelings, but it is true. Some dogs tolerate it. A few are ok with it. 

Dogs don't hug dogs. The grabbing motions are more what a predatory big cat would do to a dog. Some responses are innate, and my observation is that more don't like it than those that do. And sometimes I have seen it backfire.

Kids, especially, are at risk of a bite, or worse.

Your choice. But you may be laying the foundation for bad side effects, including simple stuff like weakening your dog's desire to Come when called, have a collar or leash put on, or to examine them up closely about the head. 

Now, another issue. What about dogs who are upset that someone is hugging you? That is a different issue. Maybe that deserves a future post. Stay tuned... and... 

Plan accordingly.

Face To Face With A Dog

It is foolish to go nose to nose, face to face, eye to eye with a dog. 

Even to kiss a dog. 

It's considered rude and threatening by the dog.

Some people think it is funny to do that to a dog, especially if they can get a growl or baring of teeth from the dog. Or to escalate it by growling and baring teeth back at the dog. 

Very funny, until the dog bites a face. 

This isn't rare. It happens more often that you might imagine. 

Protect your dog. Don't provoke a dog to bite.

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And Guitars

So, yesterday I purchased a basic Gibson guitar. Very inexpensive. 

I don't know how to play guitar.

I have challenged myself like this many times in my life. I pick up something new, start as a novice, and see what develops. Playing a real musical instrument is good for creativity, memory, thinking, mood, emotions.

Every time, I've discovered new things. Valuable life lessons. Many times what I learn can be used in my dog training lessons. 

When was the last time you did something new? Old thinking makes you old. Old thinking stagnates you. Old thinking makes your brain less plastic. 

I used to have neighbors that never went anywhere. Did nothing. Just sat around, smoked like freight trains, watching TV. The wife ended up needing a portable oxygen tank. They just rotted away. Do you want to end up that way? I sure don't.

I think there is a better alternative: Young thinking. Quick thinking. Creative thinking. Forward thinking. 

If you want to be better, you can't just keep ruminating on the past, or on present worries. They will destroy you. You will die a little bit at a time.

I had a friend just give up on life. My best friend. He died too young. Found dead in front of a television set. I still grieve for him.

What does this have to do with your dog? Well, if you are like my former neighbors, their dog didn't go anywhere either. Nothing new. Breathing in all that cigarette smoke. Just rotting away, too. That's no life for a dog.

It is never too late to do something new. 

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And Food Bowl Guarding

I see plenty of videos online that show people stirring their hands into a dog's food bowl while the dog eats. They think they are desensitizing the dog so that it won't guard the bowl. Instead, they are acting like competitors and could trigger the response that they are trying to prevent. 

It also isn't the way to fix food bowl guarding. 

In other words, it is a dumb idea. Don't do it.

Plan accordingly.

Cane Corso, The New "Status" Dog?

Meet the XL Bully 'on steroids': How the Cane Corso popularised by Marcus Rashford, Vin Diesel and Megan Thee Stallion became the new 'status' dog... but experts warn they are MORE dangerous than banned breed

I hate this kind of trend and talk. 

I hate the trend that people gravitate to some dog breed as a status symbol. What that generally does is bring out the worst people to do the worst things to a dog breed. Freaks buy them, and end up in the news. Greedy breeders who haven't the intention of doing right by the dogs, pump out dogs with the worst temperaments, which are the ones that are going to make the news.

I hate the follow-on conversation that the way to solve a country's problems is to ban a thing, in this case a dog breed, rather than hold the people using that thing responsible. Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand… supposedly “free” countries… are often some of the worst. I am revolted seeing their citizens prefer letting their governments use harsh police powers to treat them like sheep. It is masochistic.

So, here we go. They banned the XL Bully in Great Britian, so now these types of people are switching to another breed. Then they will ban the Cane Corso, and then they will switch to another breed. 

Where does it stop, unless it stops with you? 

Speak out. Fight on your feet before you are forced to plead on your knees.

A ban may be coming your way.

Plan accordingly.

Dogs And Type C Drive

In this third article on Drive Types, I will begin the discussion of what I call Type C Drives. In previous articles, I have been explaining how I have decided to define Drive: “I’ve had to choose to organize the different definitions of drive into 3 categories: a motivation like hunger as Type A Drive, play as Type B Drive, and the classical set of these behaviors (Sex; Prey; Defensive; and Pack) as Class C Drive.” This was done because it was about time to make sense of the misuse of the term Drive, and to compensate for how it is used in various ways in various studies and books since there is no way to re-write every study to make clarifications. By making these distinctions, I find it is easier to explain, discuss, and implement practical training and behavior modification. Someone needed to take this step.

A Drive is kind of like an engine. It helps the car move... (MORE)

Writing Dog Articles

I have been writing a lot of articles lately. I enjoy doing it, but I have learned an important lesson over the past couple of days.... maybe it isn't a good idea to publish an article when you are tired!

The last few articles were published when my brain was tired, and then I realized later that I had made editing errors requiring me to go back in and fix them. 

I hate writing bad stuff like that. When you are tired, you make mistakes. Your brain can fill in the blanks and you don't see them. So frustrating!

I apologize along the way for editing mistakes and typos. I'm trying my best. I want to get out some good information, some fresh and important topics and views that no one else seems to be covering.

I need to tell this advice to myself...

Plan accordingly! 

Dogs And Type B Drive

A behavioral Drive is kind of like an engine. It helps the car move. Like all drives, Type B Drives involve some kind of motor activity. The Type B Drives are like the behavioral equivalent of connective tissue, fibers that hold together all other behaviors, such as the following functions... (MORE)

Dogs And Type A Drive

In a previous article, I described how I have decided to define Drive: “I’ve had to choose to organize the different definitions of drive into 3 categories: a motivation like hunger as Type A Drive, play as Type B Drive, and the classical set of these behaviors (Sex; Prey; Defensive; and Pack) as Class C Drive.” This was done because it was about time to make sense of the misuse of the term Drive, and to compensate for how it is used various ways in various studies and books. By making these distinctions, it is easier to explain and discuss. Someone needed to take this step, so here we are... (MORE)

Dogs And Bears

Bears don't like dogs, except to eat them.

Big dogs, typically in groups, have historically been used to drive off or hunt bears. This is a given, and doesn't need more description here.

But, dogs also can be dinner for a bear. There have been numerous incidents of bears attacking dogs, and the dog owners either injured or killed in the process.

This is from Florida (yes, they have bears): One juvenile bear grabbed Karen, who is a Pomeranian mix, and wouldn’t let go. So, Sprout ran up to the bear, kicked it and otherwise did what he could to save his dog.

Your life is on the line. Same with your dog. Are you in an area frequented by bears? Do you hike in areas with bears? What would you do? What could you do? What options are most likely going to be effective? 

Think. About. It.

Plan accordingly.

Dogs And Drives

In the classical sense of the use of the word, “drive”, hunger is not a drive. It is a motivation. However, since many scientific studies by scientists and dog trainers equate hunger with drive, I’ve had to choose to categorize the different definitions of drive into 3 categories: a motivation like hunger as Type A Drive, play as Type B Drive, and the classical set of these behaviors (Sex; Prey; Defensive; and Pack) as Class C Drive. This is my way of distinguishing what each author is talking about, because many don’t know what they are talking about... (MORE) 

Old Dog Books

I have a lot of books. I have a lot of old books. 

With respect to dog training books, the old ones are hard to read any more because they are so wrong in so many ways. Almost every program, regardless of the issue, is about compulsion. Unfortunately, most of modern dog trainers, especially pet dog trainers, have their entire programs revolving around compulsion. 

For example, a trainer that basically tells you to look and act tough around your dog. Or every answer involves making a dog "not do that". Not much is known about behavior, so the solution is to cram down everything in the dog in an attempt to make it inert. 

Or, when various terminology is spoken, the words are either untrue inventions, or wildly out of line with their actual meaning or application. Here's a good example. What does "reactivity" mean? It is used all the time, but the definition is in the eye of the beholder. It can range anywhere from a dog being very happy, to fearful, to attacking, to chasing rabbits. It is a worthless term for dog training purposes. Or what about the term, "energy"? What the heck is that supposed to mean? It is clearer in a physics text, but it has no place in meaningful diagnoses or training solutions. "Your energy is wrong." Which is another definition in the eye of the beholder, and can range to mean just about anything, and used to sell you into doing nonsense.

Want to have a miserable time? Go surfing through dog books, and even science books with their basis in laboratory experiments, and line up a single behavioral word and see if every author has the same definition. Then measure that definition against what they are trying to describe with real world animals, especially wild animals. Much doesn't reflect the real operational properties of the real world, for wild animals or dogs. No wonder so much of he dog world is in disarray.

Is there a way out of this? Yes. 

But that will take a much longer article... sometime in the future.

In the meantime, if it sounds unintelligible, and if it is about being mean to your dog, don't go down that rabbit hole. You won't like what you find.

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And Peace

“… He sings the songs that remind him of the good times. He sings the songs that remind him of the better times” ***

 

There will be a time, maybe soon, when we will all wish for simpler times. Like it was when we grew up. When you could take a walk with your off leash dog in a quiet place on a sunny day, butterflies, flowers, clover in air, soft breeze, puffy clouds that look like distant castles across a clear blue sky, look oh a bird … peace.

 

We do not live in peaceful times. 

 

If you can, try to find some place to have peace with your dog. There are still pockets of peaceful places to find.

[***  “I Get Knocked Down” by Chumbawamba]

Lost Dogs And Fireworks

Dogs typically get lost during this time of the year due to fireworks sometimes going off, spooking them and escaping from their home. 

I recommend early fireworks training for dogs long before holidays such as New Year’s Eve, 4th of July, and such. 

If hunting dogs can work around gunfire, police dogs work around gunfire, then your dog can learn to work around fireworks. Same process.

It won’t work for every dog, but it works for enough dogs that it is worth the effort. Much better than drugging dogs, or having them run away, eh?

Plan accordingly. 

The Danish-Swedish Farmdog, or "DSF"

The AKC has recognized the Danish-Swedish Farmdog, or "DSF". Here is the brief description: “They’re interesting, fun little dogs,” said Segebart, who has owned them since 2011 and is the club's incoming president. “They’re essentially up for anything. They succeed at most everything." And: "In their original homelands, the dogs’ main job was rodent patrol, but they also would herd a bit, act as watchdogs and play with farmers’ children. Some even performed in circuses, according to the club."

They look a lot like a Jack Russell Terrier from the photos. 

I would not be first in line to get one, however. Many times a new breed is recognized, the problems show up, and the shelters fill up with them. Might be a great dog. On the other hand, might have a lot of genetic health problems, might have drive expressions that are good for farm work but not as companions in suburban or urban areas, and might have other issues we know nothing about. 

My recommendation? Wait about 5 years, then consider getting one. 

You can bet entrepreneurial breeders are going to get them right away. Don't believe the all of the utopian proclamations, however. Let's see how it goes first. Last thing we need are more abandoned shelter dogs.

Plan accordingly.

Dogs And New Arthritis Drug, Librela... Is It Deadly?

Heartbroken dog owner warns of risks after FDA issues alert on arthritis drug

I am not a medical expert. But I do watch dog related trends. Does anyone know more about this? 

 

Here is the FDA warning: Dear Veterinarian Letter notifying veterinarians about adverse events reported in dogs treated with Librela (bedinvetmab injection)