As promised, the conversation as to if punishment works continues. Before I dive into the explanation and exploration of this topic, I want to make my position clear: I DO NOT ENCOURAGE OWNERS TO PUNISH THEIR DOGS. INSTEAD I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO LEARN HOW TO USE EFFECTIVE AND HUMANE METHODS TO GET TO THE SAME…
Category: Anxiety
Does Punishment Work?
As a continuation from last week’s blog post about presenting consequences for dogs, I am addressing the use of punishment as a consequence. There is a lot of confusion about the definition of punishment as the term has different connotation in everyday parlance and the behavioral sciences. The behavioral sciences define punishment as the presentation…
He is in Conflict!
Deuce brings his ball to me so that we can play one of his favorite games. As I am trying to get the ball from him, he tightens his jaw with the ball in his mouth. I remove my hand from under his chin and I turn away. No release of the ball, no throwing…
Flyswatter
It is early afternoon, which means prime naptime for both dogs. I am going about my business when I hear a fly buzzing around me. I am one of those people that have a very low tolerance for noise. And a fly buzzing around is more than I can handle. I reach for the flyswatter…
Stormy Weather
It’s March and I am beginning to desensitize Deuce to the noise of thunder. Deuce, like so many dogs, is afraid of storms. Be it the noise, the lightning itself or potentially all the atmospheric conditions that accompany a storm. Deuce’s thunder phobia (or storm phobia, perhaps more accurately) is not really bad, but it…
My New Rescue Dog Does Not Let Friends In The Yard
Question Our rescue dog is adapting very well to her new home, which has 2 other dogs. Formed a great bond with her human. She will not let some people in the house, others she welcomes….. one person she welcomed, interacted with and then when he went to his car and returned, she wouldn’t let…