Train Dog Friendly

11/04/2024

A reminder that reward-based methods aren't just for sunny days and easy dogs and puppies. They are for all dogs. If you want to know more, I've got a post on my blog that answers common questions about training methods, from the archives. https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2019/11/reward-based-dog-training-isnt-just-for.html

10/22/2024

Lots to think about here! Thanks to Dogminded for a great post

10/19/2024

Puppies need 16-20 hours of good sleep per day!

10/18/2024

Science of dog aging

10/09/2024

10/05/2024

Puppy-sitting this angel!

10/03/2024

09/17/2024

https://eileenanddogs.com/fallout-aversives-punishment-negative-reinforcement/

A reference list for the common side effects of the use of aversives in punishment, negative reinforcement, and without behavioral contingency.

09/17/2024

https://animalbehaviorok.com/shocking-truth-about-shock-collars/

When asked to write about shock collars, I hesitated, contemplating how many feathers I just might ruffle and thought, okay, I’m in. I don’t normally enjoy confrontations, but in this instance, I felt a sense of obligation to provide the truth behind shocking your dog. I have directly observed t...

09/14/2024

Happy Saturday!

09/12/2024

One might argue that passive cruelty or neglect tend to manifest from convenience or function. For example, professional groomers or dog trainers may be motivated by a need or desire to get results at whatever cost to the pet. Economically, they may be motivated by profit and the need for expeditious business transactions. These practices may include pinning down a dog to trim his nails or applying physical punishment, such as a leash jerk, to prevent a dog from pulling on the leash.

09/08/2024

September is Pain Awareness Month - up to 80% of behavioral problems in dogs will some component of related pain (1)
has done a fabulous job calling attention to this issue

09/06/2024

Let's give our dogs time and patience as they develop 🩷

Adolescence occurs between six months and 18 months of age—a time when guardians typically struggle the most with their dogs. Some guardians are so overwhelmed and underprepared for this developmental stage of their dog’s life, they choose to surrender the dog to a local shelter or rescue group. In a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science found that the majority of the surrendered dogs (47.7 percent) ) were between 5 months and 3 years of age (M.D. Salman,John G. New, Jr.,Janet M. Scarlett,Philip H. Kass,Rebecca Ruch-Gallie &Suzanne Hetts, 2010)

The neurobiology of adolescence is fascinating, with some key events that alter both the structure and function of the brain.

During canine adolescence, changing s*x hormones effect the animals stress responses. Adolescent dogs have a decreased ability to process information they are receiving from the environment including the presence of dogs, vehicles, people, or really anything around them. They behave in ways that might feel frustrating or upsetting for the dog’s person.

The connectivity between the frontal cortex (responsible for decision making) and amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) decreases, resulting in less behavioral control. We see increased risk taking and more sensitivity to fear.

So what does this mean? This could mean that what was once no big deal to the dog now feels scary; what was once easy to do is now stressful; what once made sense is now confusing. At times, the world can feel like ‘too much’ for the adolescent dog.

As your puppy undergoes this transition into adulthood their inner world is intense, even chaotic. Many pet owners experience an increase in undesirable behavior and find themselves becoming increasingly frustrated. In turn, our own frustration and impatience can cause us to act unpredictably. This adds to our puppy’s inner turmoil. When the inside and the outside are both unpredictable it can be difficult for our dogs to adjust.

If you have an adolescent dog, what can you do? You can give your dog the time and space to observe what is going on around them when on leash at a distance away from the activity when possible. You can give your dog long walks to sniff and explore in nature, giving their brain time to decompress. You can offer your dog a quiet space to sleep so that they can consolidate memories effectively. You can continue training various skills, breaking them down into easier steps that can be generously reinforced.

By understanding what our adolescent dog is experiencing we gain greater compassion and understanding. When we approach adolescence with patience we create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best adult selves.

09/05/2024

September is Pain Awareness month! Many behaviors we see in our canine companions can be traced back to a pain response.
Let's do a better job in reading dog body language and behavior (it's the only way they have to talk to us) to rule out pain!

How CAM Can HelpDownloads DOWNLOADS & RESOURCES Welcome to the CAM library of downloads and resources that we hope will help you manage your dog's arthritis effectively. Help yourself to our free downloads for your personal use, we'd appreciate you not sharing them elsewhere. There is a wider resour...