Meet Their Needs Dogs

12/05/2024

Unpopular opinion: Dogs should not be obedient.

That, from me, a behaviourist and trainer.

I wish people would remember that dogs are not robots.

They are not here to do your bidding.

No animal is.

They are not your employees.

Nor are they your belongings.

They are sentient beings.

They are living, breathing creatures with wants, needs, emotions, dislikes and feelings of their own.

You should treat them as your family. When family has a problem, you help them with it.

Family doesn’t have to be obedient.

Family is loved and understood.

Family joins in and does stuff together.

Use games, rewards and Fun Not Fear® to teach them a better way.

Welcome to a much better life with your dog.

12/02/2024

Agility classes are a great way to keep your dogs fit and healthy over the winter!

What are you doing with your dog ???

Agility Foundations class starting December 4th 7:30pm. Six week class with Barbara Stephens! Winter classes are held at an indoor horse barn in Rehoboth (Firetower Road).

Message me asap for a spot !!

12/01/2024

11/30/2024

11/28/2024

11/27/2024

11/26/2024

💔💔

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Leo Sage, DVM, PhD. Dr. Sage earned his ABVP Diplomate status in Canine and Feline Practice in 2021, a testament to his dedication to provide the upmost level of care to companion animals. He was also an active participant in the Emergency Practice Fellowship.

11/25/2024

ARE YOU MANAGING?
Are you managing your dog’s environment to prevent or improve unwanted behaviour?

As people, we tend to prefer and look for the more complicated solutions to problems. This tendency is termed “complexity bias” - the tendency to prefer complicated explanations and solutions instead of looking for the simpler ones.

Surely a complicated, time consuming, detailed solution has to be more effective, superior, impressive, or correct?

Complexity bias is so relevant when it comes to changing a dog’s unwanted behaviour. We often get so stuck on trying to modify behaviour through counter conditioning, desensitization or detailed training plans when sometimes the simplest solution to the problem lies in simply managing the environment.

Dogs will do what dogs do – when an opportunity arises to help themselves to food left on a table, to bark at the gate at anyone passing by, to have a drink from that big water bowl at the perfect height, that we call a toilet, to running off with irresistibly smelly dirty underwear, to rummaging through bins in search of anything that may or may not be edible, to running out an opened door in search of adventure - the list is long - dogs will be dogs.

Parents of little children use management all the time without giving it much thought. Baby locks on cupboards, covers on electrical sockets, valuable or dangerous items put far out of reach, fences and locks around pools, etc.

We wouldn’t just train a toddler not to stick their fingers in an electrical socket, not to open cupboards, not to touch a hot plate – it’s far safer, simpler and logical to first manage the environment, to prevent potential incidents.

The same principle should apply to managing a dog’s environment to prevent unwanted behaviour.

The more a behaviour is practiced the more difficult it is to prevent. The more a behaviour is rehearsed the better dogs become at it.

Preventing the behaviour from happening in the first place by using management is the logical, simple and effective way to address it.

Be a good manager – it’s far less stressful, for both us and our dogs.

11/25/2024

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all! 🧡 Please be responsible and feed your pet's their normal diet during the holiday season. No matter how cute and irresistible their begging might be. 😉

11/19/2024

This is not your average dog walker! Neighborhood Walk: $50 Don’t let your dog’s manners fall flat while you are away! Have our certified dog trainer check in on your pup and enjoy a stroll around your neighborhood. During our walk, we can focus on walking nicely and polite reactions to distract...

11/17/2024

In dog behavior consulting, functional analysis (often called functional assessment) is a systematic process used to identify the underlying causes and reinforcements of a dog's behavior, particularly problematic or undesired behaviors. The main goal is to understand the "function" or purpose of the behavior—essentially, why the dog is behaving in a certain way—and to use that understanding to design effective, ethical interventions that address both the behavior and the dog's needs.

🔑
Key Components of Functional Analysis in Dog Behavior:

🔬Behavioral Observation:
The first step in functional analysis is a thorough observation of the dog’s behavior in different contexts. This includes looking at both antecedents (what happens right before the behavior) and consequences (what happens immediately after). For example, if a dog barks at people passing by a window, an antecedent might be someone walking by, and a consequence could be the person moving away, potentially reinforcing the barking if the dog perceives this as successful.

❓Identifying the Function of the Behavior:

Functional analysis classifies behaviors based on the purpose they serve for the dog.

Common functional motivations in dogs include:

❇️ Attention-Seeking: The behavior aims to gain attention, even if it's negative (e.g., scolding).
❇️ Escape or Avoidance: The behavior helps the dog avoid or escape something unpleasant or anxiety-inducing.
❇️ Access to Tangibles: The behavior is a means to gain access to something desirable, like food, toys, or even a preferred resting spot.
❇️ Self-Soothing or Sensory Stimulation: The behavior fulfills an internal need, such as licking or pacing when anxious.

📊Data Collection and Hypothesis Formation:
Collecting data on the behavior allows consultants to form a hypothesis about its function. They may record occurrences of the behavior, associated contexts, and response patterns to build a detailed picture.

⚖️Testing and Modifying Interventions:
Once a hypothesis about the function of a behavior is developed, the next step is to create and test interventions. This is done by altering antecedents and consequences to change the behavior. For example, if a dog barks for attention, training might involve teaching the dog an alternative behavior to receive attention and removing attention when barking occurs.

🍪 Reinforcement-Based Training Plans: Functional analysis underpins reinforcement-based (positive) training plans, helping consultants avoid punishing behaviors without understanding their context. This approach is rooted in animal behavior science and positive reinforcement techniques.

Example Application
Consider a dog that displays reactive barking when encountering other dogs on walks. Through functional analysis, a behavior consultant might determine that the dog barks to increase distance from other dogs (an escape/avoidance function). The consultant could then design a plan that teaches the dog to engage in alternative behaviors, such as looking at the handler for treats or following a cue to turn and walk away calmly. This reduces reliance on reactive barking while fulfilling the dog's need for distance.

‼️Importance in Professional Dog Training and Consulting:

Functional analysis aligns with ethical standards in positive reinforcement-based dog training. Rather than suppressing behaviors without understanding them, consultants use functional analysis to respect the dog's emotional and psychological needs, tailoring interventions to meet those needs effectively.