Canis sapiens - gewaltfreies Hundetraining

05/06/2024

"Super short video which doesn't fully represent the progress this little dog has made in the past two weeks.

Winning was attacked by three other dogs several months ago and, as a result, has been extremely reactive. She lunges and barks at long distances from dogs and spins on the lead.

Her humans have worked diligently on the focus game and we saw huge improvements (we still have a long journey ahead of us).

When working with aggression and reactivity towards dogs and people, there are various parameters where we will or won't see improvements

1. Intensity of the reaction - how "explosive" is it. How much energy, what does the bark sound like?
2. Frequency - how many barks in a barking episode?
3. Duration - how long does the barking last?
4. Recovery - can the dog go back to some semblance of normality after the barking episode or do they stay "up"?

We're giving her something else to do here, searching the long grass for treats. Ahe saw us putting the treats into the grass, we are not "distracting her with treats." She has a choice. If she doesn't search, we make it easier for her.

It saddens me that their are trainers out there who would put a prong collar, slip lead, shock collars etc on this dog or make loud noises (I've heard of one uneducated clown who suggested banging two saucepan lids together like cymbals).

Imagine if we treated traumatised humans with the same cruelty and ignorance. Just imagine that for a second.

We will continue to work through this process with Winnie, going at her pace, helping her, working with her and not against her.

It can be done.

"

04/06/2024

As animal behaviourists, we often emphasize the importance of building strong, trusting relationships with our pets. Central to this is the concept of showing love and affection in ways that our pets understand and are comfortable with. Just like humans, animals have their own unique preferences and boundaries when it comes to receiving physical affection. By understanding and respecting these differences, we can strengthen the bond between ourselves and our companions while promoting their well-being.

Positive reinforcement: The language of love

One of the most effective ways to show love to our pets is through positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding desired behaviours with something pleasant, such as treats, toys, or praise. This not only encourages good behaviour but also reinforces the bond between pet and owner.

When using positive reinforcement, it’s essential to be consistent and clear in our communication. For example, if we want to encourage our dog to sit, we can reward them with a treat or praise every time they listen to the cue. Over time, they will learn to associate sitting with positive outcomes and will be more likely to repeat the behaviour when asked.

Positive reinforcement not only strengthens the bond between pet and owner but also fosters a sense of trust and cooperation. By focusing on rewarding desirable behaviours rather than punishing unwanted ones, we create a positive learning environment for our pets and build a foundation of mutual respect and understanding.

Respecting boundaries: The importance of consent

While positive reinforcement is a powerful tool for showing love to our pets, it’s equally important to respect their boundaries and preferences. Just like humans, animals have their own unique comfort levels when it comes to physical affection. Some pets may enjoy cuddling and snuggling, while others may prefer their own space.

It’s essential to pay attention to our pet’s body language and signals to ensure that they are comfortable with the way we show affection. Signs of discomfort or stress, such as pulling away, flattening their ears, or licking their lips, indicate that our pet may not be enjoying the interaction and that we should respect their boundaries.

Consent is key when it comes to showing affection to our pets. Rather than forcing physical contact upon them, we should allow them to approach us on their own terms. This can involve offering our hand for them to sniff or waiting for them to initiate contact before petting or cuddling them.

By respecting our pet’s boundaries and allowing them to dictate the terms of their interactions, we create a safe and trusting environment where they feel valued and respected. This, in turn, strengthens the bond between pet and owner and promotes their overall well-being.

Understanding your pet’s love language involves a combination of positive reinforcement and consent. By using positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviours and respecting our pet’s boundaries and preferences, we can show them love in a way that is meaningful and comfortable for them.

As animal behaviourists, it’s our responsibility to advocate for the well-being of our companions and to promote positive, respectful interactions between pets and their owners. By embracing the principles of positive reinforcement and consent, we can foster strong, trusting relationships with our pets and create a lifetime of love and companionship.

https://coape.org/your-pets-love-language-positive-reinforcement-and-consent/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1zurxBVSi62za34C86HE4EaVdCiuW6iLXVVqLyqi2H6CXvMHuFV0Doxq0_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw&mibextid=xfxF2i

Ethology,Neuroscience,Applied Animal Behaviour,Sentient,Sentient beings,Emotions,Animal Welfare,Dog,Cat,Training,Dog behaviour,Cat behaviour,Animal behaviour,Animal rights,Enrichment,Agility,Dog agility,Cat toys,Dog toys,Animals,Behaviour courses,Behaviour problems,Naughty dog,Naughty cat

02/06/2024

Nach EDbedingtem mehrere Monate andauerndem Schongang und glücklicherweise seit 3 Monaten wieder stetig normaler Belastung haben wir gestern zum zweiten Mal am großen Kissen und über Cavaletti geturnt bei Tierfairhalten.
war ganz großartig konzentriert - und das nach langem Abmessen der Winkel und Muskulatur an allen Extremitäten in Seitenlage (und einem schönen Spaziergang an Schafen, Ziegen und Hühnern vorbei mit Christines Superhunden, nicht zu vergessen). Die Muskeln sind übrigens ordentlich gewachsen. 👏👏👏





💚🙏💚

16/05/2024

... Gestern war wieder Trainingstag im Tierheim. Anna (im Social Walk mit Moretti), Dagobert und Pippin haben schon viel gelernt, sind mit Eifer bei der Sache und können auch schon "nichts tun", also chillen, zumindest kurz. 😊

Alle suchen noch ein Zuhause! https://www.tierquartier.at/hunde/

💚

13/05/2024

.

es gibt wohl keinen hundetypus, keine rasse, der der mensch noch kein himmelschreiendes unrecht angetan hat.

manche werden dabei besonders beglückt, und dazu gehören terrier.

worauf haben wir sie gleich nochmal selektiert? ach ja, schnelle, determinierte reaktion auf reize.auf die eigenständige aufrechterhaltung von verhalten unter widrigen umständen – vom bellen bis zur kompletten kette des jagdverhaltens.darauf, in druck und bedrohung hinein zu gehen.

und dann, als wir ja eigentlich hatten, was wir wollten, haben wir ihnen voller selbstgerechtigkeit ein image übergestülpt, das uns berechtigt, diese hunde über druck, härte und gewalt zu erziehen.

die brauchen das ja, weil sie stur und unbelehrbar und unnachgiebig und unkooperativ sind.

diese weisheit findet sich in problemhund-, rasse- und jagdhundgruppen und qualifikationsarmen hundeschulen wie ein mantra.

jaaa, das ist halt ein terrier, dem muss man zeigen, wo der bartl den most holt!

diese unfassbare hybris, diese unsäglich selbstgerechte blödheit, die schreit „ich hab vergessen, dass der hund nur tut, was er soll, und hau halt drauf, weil ich die selbstreflektion und das kynologische wissen eines zweijährigen habe!“ ist primitiv und abstoßend.das oft lebenslange leid dieser hunde durch das, was diese denkweise ihnen antut, ist legion.

sie versuchen zurecht zu kommen.
irgendwie.

viel zu wenige haben das glück, gewaltfrei, mit sachverstand und wertschätzung ihres terrier-seins bedürfnisorientiert und belohnungsbasiert erzogen zu werden.
aber all jene menschen, die das tun, haben das privileg, unglaublich viel großartigen hund in hoher dichte und kleiner verpackung in ihrem leben zu haben.

und deren terrier sind dann eigenartiger weise total kooperativ, fähig, zu entspannen, freundlich, zugewandt, deeskalierend und irgendwie garnicht bissig und furchtbar.
seltsam.

terrier mit thema?
lasst euch dort helfen, wo wissen, handwerk, verständnis und empathie zuhause sind.
und eine besondere liebe zu diesen wunderbaren hunden, so, wie sie wirklich sind.

durin meint, dass er es ganz gut getroffen hat und spricht eine klare empfehlung für bedürfnisorientiert und belohnungsbasiert á la grinsehunde aus 😉

12/05/2024

Ehrenamtlichen-Social-Walk und Einzeltraining wieder mal.

Es war wieder viel los, Staffis Milo, Carlos, Matcha, Rocco und Setterchen Camo waren ganz großartig - unterstützt durch die Superpat:innen. 🙏💚

Einzeltraining mit Herdi Calimero für Freigabe auch außerhalb des TQT Geländes. Wunderbar! 🙏💚

Alle Hunde suchen noch ein Zuhause: https://www.tierquartier.at/hunde/

11/05/2024

Honestly, both of these dogs could be well behaved, but the way they experience the world is drastically different.

Training methods matter because our dogs can’t easily express their inner emotional world to us, but it’s at the heart of how they behave. When we suppress behavior with punishment, we might buy ourselves some convenience, but it necessarily comes at the cost of shutting the dog down, subjecting them to a persistent feeling of a looming threat, and risking the development of emotional issues like fear, aggression, or anxiety, not to mention the damage done to our relationship with them.

Positive reinforcement methods are not only effective (and increasingly clever, fun, and easy), but they come along with positive side effects like an improved relationship, teaching our dog to trust our guidance, and a happy, healthy emotional life and openness to good possibilities.

Now consider your own body chemistry and your outlook on the world- do you think it is better served by being in conflict with your dog, or by looking for alignment and ways to mutually cooperate and benefit? Good dog training is like solving a puzzle: how can we both get what we want, despite having some divergent interests and goals? And how can we not drive each other crazy in the process of figuring it out?

I promise if you approach training this way, you can improve your dog’s behavior with positive side effects on your relationship and both of your well-being.

I’m lucky that I found positive reinforcement training when I did, and there are increasingly helpful resources for being able to understand and approach your dog’s training with dog-friendly methods. Need help finding the resources and instruction that will help with your dog? Please shoot me a message and help me pay forward the debt of gratitude I owe to all my mentors.

10/05/2024

Arbeit im Tierschutz ist oft auch schwierig, belastend und frustrierend...

Wenn mich aber nach mehreren Monaten nach einem Workshop bei Bodolai Ferenc Add a Mancsod Alapítvány eine so schöne Nachricht erreicht, dann weiß ich wieder wofür ich "das" mache. Video vom glücklichen Hund in den Kommentaren. 💚💚💚

***
Hello dear Ursula🥰

We wanted to share some very wonderful news!

Our Sansin got adopted to Austria by a lovely family. I am not sure if you can recall, but she was the greyish furry dog who has been rescued with her mother and she was very fearful. With your guide and help we were able to rehabilitate her, teach her essential skills such as walking on the leash. She learnt that not all people are evil…❤️‍🩹

Please see below a few picutres about her when she arrived at her new home and a video.

Thank you so much for your help, we cannot really able to put it into words what this means to us!🤍

Wishing the best,
Csilla
( Bodolai Ferenc Add a Mancsod Alapítvány)
***

10/05/2024

Have you thought about the difference between a hug and a restraint ?
How do dogs perceive a hug ? We know the intent is to show affection but dogs do not pick up on intent as easily as we do.
Though it is difficult to hear, many dogs don't like to be hugged.
They may accept it, tolerate it but some certainly don't like them.
Children especially are often "huggers" of dogs and if they are small enough they will pick them up to cuddle and hug.

The two lists in the graphic are identical and that is to show just how dogs can perceive a hug or cuddle.
Some will wriggle away so we can often squeeze harder.
We accept the licks as affection, but could they be from appeasement ?

If you look at the other signals given they can help you interpret exactly how your dog feels.
You won't harm your bond by stopping cuddles/hugs if your dog doesn't like them...you will make that bond STRONGER.

Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for Graphics
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

Have you thought about the difference between a hug and a restraint ?
How do dogs perceive a hug ? We know the intent is to show affection but dogs do not pick up on intent as easily as we do.
Though it is difficult to hear, many dogs don't like to be hugged.
They may accept it, tolerate it but some certainly don't like them.
Children especially are often "huggers" of dogs and if they are small enough they will pick them up to cuddle and hug.

The two lists in the graphic are identical and that is to show just how dogs can perceive a hug or cuddle.
Some will wriggle away so we can often squeeze harder.
We accept the licks as affection, but could they be from appeasement ?

If you look at the other signals given they can help you interpret exactly how your dog feels.
You won't harm your bond by stopping cuddles/hugs if your dog doesn't like them...you will make that bond STRONGER.

Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for Graphics
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

08/05/2024

Can your dog do "nothing"?

Tails is a young cocker spaniel who gets really excited in new places and around new things. And can be vocal. She is an excellent little dog but can find it hard when she is left to her own devices. She will willingly engage with her human the whole time but when left to her own devices, she fulls the gap with barking. Here, we are starting to reach her to do "nothing."

Now, obviously, she can't do nothing, just being alive means she is doing something. Watch the video a couple (or more) times. Look at the golden in the background working with Aileen. You see times when he is just chilling, sitting, watching the world do by. Being able to do this is as desirable and necessary as being able to engage with us (which Tails has no issue doing).

Working type dogs need to be worked but if we constantly engage with them, they don't develop the skills of doing things on their own. "Just tell me what to do and I'll do it" is all well and good until the dog can't do the thing we need them to do, like settle or sniff on their own.

We worked with a couple recently who had a similar issue. We asked them to count how many times they looked at their dog during a 10 minute meal. 150+ times. That's more than once every 4 seconds between them. No-one needs that much attention and we end up constantly reinforcing the dog attending to us.

How to start with this outside - start small. Stop and look casually around your dog (not deliberately "ignoring" them, but no direct gaze) for 2-3 seconds, then move on. Practice regularly. Then gradually increase the time, then do it while moving. Teach your dog to settle. When playing games, pause for a few seconds mid game. We can build these little breaks of "nothingness" into our lives with our dogs.

Tails has the opposite issue most people have, too much engagement with her human. It's still an issue.

Lastly, genetics is only part of it. Tails us a working cocker spaniel, bred to be a good soldier, take instruction, do as she's told. This cam develop into dependence. The golden is bred as a pet dog, to be more easy going. Genetics is important but we can build and reinforce the behaviours we want.

08/05/2024

Young Duke, the OES. He is super, super friendly and excited around people and dogs. He loves life which means be can start to get vocal when he doesn't get to greet them. We worked on building those skills.

We're taught to socialise our puppies but often not how to. Proper socialisation is not about ticking off a check list and meeting dozens or hundreds of new people and dogs. If we're not also teaching our dogs HOW we are missing a piece of the puzzle.

Social skills -

1. Navigate mutually consensual interactions well and within societal rules
2. How to deal with being told that the other dog does not want to say hello
3. How to politely and socially disengage when the other dog wants to say hello and our dig doesn't.

This is the basic framework of what proper socialisation needs to be for our dogs living in a human world and we have to kindly and consistently teach them.

If you need help with this, get in touch for either in person training locally, remote consultations or self study online courses. We can help.

08/05/2024

Over aroused/"hyper" dogs....a VERY big issue, and this is strictly aimed at these dogs in particular.
Poor impulse control, very little emotional regulation, constantly wanting to move, grabby, not listening, mouthy, jumping, barking, unable to settle, fixated on moving toys, these dogs are often panting when moving and sometimes have an almost "manic" look.
These dogs are HARD to live with.
I get it.
Nothing seems like enough for these dogs.
There wouldn't be a week go by where I don't have a handful of clients affected.
Unfortunately solutions are often offered which just ADD to the issues such as pack walks/daycares or much heavier exercise to help "tire them out"...

Make no mistake.....for the vast majority of these dogs ALL this does is exacerbate the issue and create "adrenaline junkies" that NEED and WANT more....much more than anyone can give.
The stamina these dogs have built up is incredible....and that isn't a good thing.
They will just need more and more.
The loop is never ending and everyday more "fuel is added to the fire".

There are those in the industry that believe the answer to hyper and over aroused dogs is to exercise them harder, faster and for longer. It is endemic in the dog training world that these dogs need to be "tired out more" by heavier exercise and physical activity.

Then there are those in the industry that KNOW the huge issues these dogs are facing and how absolutely damaging the "prescription" of more exercise can be.

These dogs desperately need balance and calm.
They need a carefully constructed plan to help those stress hormones dissipate.
It isn't as easy as just stopping exercise or excessive play as this can cause more issues.

Mental enrichment....getting that brain working.
Using the nose far more than the eyes.
Walking in low stress areas.
Teaching true relaxation....which is a skill, and CAN be taught.
These are just some of the ways to help these dogs, but you are likely to need a trainer to help you get that finely tuned balance that you, your family and your dog so desperately need.
Teach you dog HOW to switch off and how to use their beautiful brain.....and watch just what a difference that can make.

Mental enrichment IS tiring......but it is also confidence building, rewarding and it will help you both have a stronger bond, and allows them to show and use their natural abilities.

There will never, ever be enough exercise, play or excitement in these dogs life to ever make a positive change, you will only ever build up their stamina and need for more. It can get much worse.

You cannot throw that ball enough.....
You cannot walk/run them enough......
You cannot tire them out enough.....as physical exhaustion only "fuels" this behaviour.

When those physically exhausted dogs wake up.......the over aroused/hyper loop starts all over again.
However if you recognise it.....you can help this.

Not all the behaviours shown are behaviours only shown by hyper aroused/overly excited dogs but these are definitely common to those particular dogs.

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

08/05/2024

... Dominanz, Status, Macht, Alpha, blablabla... sagt mehr über die aus die es Hunden nach wie vor andichten, als dass es irgendwie Hunden gerecht werden könnte.
"Mensch sieht nur das was er glaubt, das was er nicht weiß, erkennt er nicht."
Und schon hat man viele Gründe, Hunde unfair zu behandeln, bzw sie zu ängstigen oder sie körperlich zu bestrafen.
Finger weg von Menschen, die solche Theorien verbreiten. Das wird immer verwendet, um auch Tierschutzrelevante Maßnahmen zu rechtfertigen.

05/05/2024

Gestriger Ehrenamtlichen-Social-Walk, lauter Hundemänner, sehr gut gemeistert. Wir hatten wieder viele Begegnungen, Radfahrer, Scooter, Privathunde, alles top gemanaged. Es wurde geschnüffelt und markiert, alle ansprechbar und Futter nehmend, immer ein gutes Zeichen. Gerade für diejenigen die zum ersten Mal dabei waren.
Wir haben ganz tolle Ehrenamtliche und Pfleger:innen, die den Hunden viel positives Feedback, Vertrauen und Sicherheit geben. Bei manchen der TQT Insassen möglicherweise zum ersten Mal im Leben die Erfahrung einer sicheren Bindung.










Mit Ursula Aigner

02/05/2024

"good" is just the absence of pain. No matter If it is shock, not getting air to breath, being kicked close to the hips, or "just" intimidated by body language.

***

THE LIE OF BALANCED TRAINING

What balanced training looks like and people wonder why I continually educate against this garbage.

The "trainer" is asked what level the shock collar is. He replies 67. It goes to 100. This poor dog is being shocked at 2/3 the maximum level. Watch his thumb on the remote control throughout the video.

On top of that, she's being strangled in a slip lead. The bucking she does at the start of the video is her trying to escape.

When she finally surrenders, the shock is stopped and the noose is released. "Oooh that's amazing" coos the owner (presumably). It's nit amazing. It's abuse.

The dog is then petted and she's told she's a good dog. This is the "balanced" part, an attempt at using positive reinforcement. But the petting has zero to do with any motivation the dog has to do any behaviour. Nothing is being positively reinforced here. Everything this dog does is to escape or avoid the shock and the strangling.

If your dog trainer STARTS any training program with a shock collars, noose (slip lead, grot/garotte) or prong collar there is zero positive reinforcement going on. The dig learns from the start - comply or I'll hurt you, if you don't comply, I'll hurt you til you do.

He has has muzzled the dog so she can't bite him to get him to stop either.

Imagine I'm teaching a human who can't leave or fight back. Thr first thing I do is punch you in the face as soon as you do anything I don't like. After that, it doesn't matter what treats I give you, how much I tell you you're amazing etc, that violence or threat of it is always there.

THERE IS NO BALANCE HERE.

He maybe actually believes that the petting is doing anything remotely meaningful. It's not.

And no, it doesn't make any difference if the dog is "conditioned" to the collar first, that just means she understands the rules of the violence a bit better.

Every "balanced" trainers I have ever come across does some version of this with the exception of 1. This is what they do. There are at least 5 in my local area who do just this and I have to deal with what happens next when the clients report their dogs are now worse.

N.B. I know this is a hard watch, I know it pays into the "trainer wars" but the dog owning public deserve to know. I'll delete any comments which promote, endorse, justify or excuse this type of training or try to defend it. This is not a discussion forum.

It needs to stop.

If you are interested in using a positive approach to resolving aggression and reactivity, our Triangle of Trust package is a great place to start.

https://glasgowdogtraineronline.thinkific.com/courses/triangle-of-trust

P.S. no name calling or such like in the comments please.

02/05/2024

It can be all too easy to look at a behaviour, particularly one that we find problematic, as an isolated thing that just occurs, or is put down to false and outdated ideas like 'dominance' or 'stubbornness'.

Think of behaviour as a symptom - underlying that behaviour there is an emotion driving that behaviour. Behaviours don't happen just 'because', there is always a reason for them and so it's up to us to learn how to understand what they are trying to tell us so we can work out what that emotion is.

And at the root of it all there will be a need. Something that is causing the dog to feel that particular emotion and so lead them to show the behaviour that we are seeing. Once we have discovered the emotion the dog is feeling, we can work out what the dog needs and help them to get whatever that may be.

The three pictures here give an example:

Behaviour: the dog is barking at something. If you look at their posture and body language the body is leaning back, away from what they are barking at. The ears are back, whiskers flared, and eyes fixed on something. The front paw is slightly lifted and there is a back paw in the air, and the back end of the dog may be lowered towards the ground a little.

Emotion: what the overall picture of the body language is telling us is that the dog is scared of the thing they are barking at, so the emotion they are feeling is fear.

Need: What this dog needs is immediate space from the thing that is bothering them, so they can feel relief from that fear and feel safer again. What they need going on is an increased feeling of safety and security, more trust in us to help them if they need it or get them out of a situation if it's too much for them.

When we can understand the need and emotion driving the behaviour we can understand our dogs far better and see where they need our help.

02/05/2024

... Und in Österreich gibt es glücklicherweise Gesetze, die Hunde (und Kinder) vor Gewalt schützen... Klappt leider am Boden der Realität auch nur ungenügend.

Die Videos auf Social Media die mir automatisch angezeigt werden seit der Aufdeckung der Schutzhunde-Problematik sind zum k***.
Ausübung von Macht gegenüber Wehrlosen und hilflos Ausgelieferen, die vom "Trainer" grinsend ins problematische Verhalten geschickt werden, um dann "ein Problem zu lösen".
Sieht "eindrucksvoll"aus, ist aber S***. Braucht die Menschenseite der Leine anscheinend fürs MiniEgo.
Was Hunde alles für Abgründe der menschlichen Psychologie kompensieren müssen. 😞

02/05/2024

Not every dog loves to be social and not every dog loves the dog park.

Just like other mammals you have some that love to be social butterflies and others are very selective when it comes to friends.

Izzy for example has a few besties she loves to play with but does not enjoy attending social hour and that is ok.

It is normal to be friend selective. It’s unusual to enjoy and be friendly with every single dog.
Thank you Every Dog Behavior and Training and Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin for this brilliant infographic