Zippity Do Dog Training and Behavior Modification

10/10/2025

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10/07/2025

10/07/2025

KNOW ABOUT MY NECK!

A dog’s neck is really not that much different to ours.

In fact, it may be even a little more sensitive, as the outermost layers of the skin are thinner than ours.

In additional to the damage that using choke collars, prong collars, slip leads or shock collars cause in a psychological and emotional way, the physical risks are also often not acknowledged or understood.

Here are just some of the physical risks these aversive tools can cause –

The Vagus nerve runs down both sides of the neck and controls so many vital functions - heart rate, breathing, digestion, emotional regulation and communication between the brain and other major organs.

Pressure on the neck can compress the trachea, making it hard to breathe properly -decreases oxygen to the brain and other organs, potentially causing long-term damage.

Pressure can also damage the thyroid gland, injure nerves and muscles and bruise soft tissue.

Compression of the neck can cause intraocular pressure which affects vision.

The neck and cervical spine contain the spinal cord, where the nerves of the front legs originate. Excessive paw licking is often misdiagnosed as allergies, when it’s actually caused by pain.

Compression of the Esophagus – the tube that carries food to the stomach, can cause digestive and gut issues.

I find it really hard to understand why these tools are still so widely used and promoted.

What could possibly be admirable or intelligent in using force, inflicting pain, causing physical and emotional harm to control another sentient being, when there are far more effective, humane, ethical ways?

"The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves" – Jayne Goodall

10/04/2025

October is National Pit Bull Awareness Month so let’s get started with some facts and data.

Study Highlights Link Between Pit Bull Bite Incidents and Owner Negligence, Not Breed Traits While public perception often centers on the breed itself, data suggests responsibility lies more heavily with how dogs are raised, socialized, and treated.

The narrative around pit bulls has been shaped by incomplete or outdated data. What we’re seeing is not an inherently dangerous breed, but rather, a breed most vulnerable to mistreatment and misuse.”— Matt from Pitbulls.org
L A recent analysis by Pitbulls.org challenges long-standing assumptions about pit bull aggression, arguing that many bite-related incidents involving the breed are more reflective of owner behavior than the dogs themselves.
Drawing from historical records, behavioral studies, and animal welfare reports, the data highlights how a combination of poor ownership, neglect, and misidentification has contributed to the breed’s controversial reputation.

-Outdated and Incomplete Bite Statistics
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, with roughly 17% of cases requiring medical attention. While older studies suggested that pit bulls were responsible for a disproportionate number of fatal attacks - 65.6% according to reports before 1998 - the CDC has not tracked dog breed data in over two decades, citing concerns over breed misidentification and data reliability.

In that time, public understanding of dog behavior has evolved, with newer studies showing that the label “pit bull” is often applied to dogs from multiple breeds or mixed backgrounds. One study found that up to 70% of dogs identified as pit bulls by shelter staff were not purebred pit bulls when DNA tested.
This complicates any claim that one breed is responsible for the majority of dog bites.

-Owner Behavior a Key Factor in Aggression
The Pitbulls.org report also examines non-governmental sources such as PETA, which tracks incidents involving chained dogs. From 2000 to 2023, 231 of 718 reported attacks by chained dogs involved pit bulls, making them the most frequently represented breed in these reports.
Chaining and isolation are widely recognized as contributing factors to canine aggression. According to the data, chained dogs are up to three times more likely to bite than those who are not restrained.
Other key findings include:* 94% of pit bulls involved in attacks were unneutered males, a known risk factor for aggressive behavior.* Pit bulls are among the most abused and neglected dogs in the U.S., according to animal welfare reports.* A high percentage of pit bull owners involved in attacks were uninsured or had prior criminal records, based on analysis by Dog Bite Law attorney Kenneth Phillips.
“These statistics don’t excuse bites,” says the analysis, “but they help contextualize them. We can’t ignore the human role in these outcomes.”

-Toward Responsible Ownership
While public perception often centers on the breed itself, the data suggests that responsibility lies more heavily with how dogs are raised, socialized, and treated. Behavioral experts continue to emphasize the importance of proper care, early training, and social exposure, factors that can significantly reduce aggression in any breed.

In most cases, dogs that lash out have been subject to abuse, neglect, or poor environmental conditions. Pit bulls, due to their physical strength and frequent use as guard dogs, are particularly vulnerable to being mishandled or mistreated.
Being a responsible dog owner means more than offering love—it also requires proper care, structure, and commitment. With today’s online tools, including a wide range of online training courses for dogs, it’s easier than ever to ensure that pets are well-behaved around people and other animals.

“Every dog has the capacity to be a family companion or a danger,” the report concludes. “It’s not about the breed, it’s about the conditions they’re raised in.”

For more analysis and resources, visit pitbulls.org.
Matthias [email protected]
https://www.einpresswire.com/article/830530072/study-highlights-link-between-pit-bull-bite-incidents-and-owner-negligence-not-breed-traits

10/03/2025

The decision to euthanise a dog is always deeply painful, but when the dog is still young, the grief & sense of unfairness can feel almost unbearable. Why might this happen?

1. Severe behavioural issues

Some dogs, despite careful training & dedication from their families, continue to show unpredictable or dangerous behaviours for themselves & others. These may include aggression towards people or animals, or compulsive behaviours that cause distress & can’t be managed safely.

2. Quality of life concerns

If a young dog is living in a constant state of fear, anxiety, or distress pacing, trembling, unable to rest, unable to integrate safely into a household this is not the life we want for them. For some, no amount of behavioural work or management can give them the calm, safe existence they deserve.

3. Pain & discomfort

Chronic pain is one of the most overlooked contributors to difficult behaviour. Dogs are masters at hiding discomfort, but pain can make them irritable, reactive, & unable to cope with normal life. When pain cannot be adequately managed, euthanasia can be the most compassionate option.

4. Neurological & medical disorders

Occasionally, young dogs develop neurological conditions that affect their behaviour or ability to function. Seizure disorders, compulsive tail-chasing, unexplained aggression, or other unusual behaviours may indicate underlying neurological disease. These conditions can be complex, difficult to diagnose, & sometimes untreatable.

Unlike old age, where euthanasia is more easily understood as a peaceful release, we imagine decades of companionship & adventures, & losing that feels cruel & abrupt.

“Did we do enough?”
“Could we have tried something else?”
“Are we letting them down?”

Euthanasia is never a decision made lightly. It is an act of love choosing to spare a dog from ongoing fear, pain, or distress when no other options remain.

It is one of the hardest decisions a family can ever face. It happens when a dog’s needs cannot be met despite every effort. To recognise that life has become too hard for them, to give them peace when the world feels overwhelming or painful, is the greatest kindness we can offer.

09/27/2025

09/27/2025

Texas is ridiculous when it comes to euthanizing dogs, they need more of these, a lot more.

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A new, low-cost spay and neuter program is coming to the city of Harlingen.

Starting Oct. 1, the Harlingen City Health Department will launch a program offering low-cost spay and neuter services to promote pet wellness and reduce pet overpopulation in the area. The new program is made possible through a grant received by the city of Harlingen from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

“This is the first year that the city of Harlingen has been able to obtain this grant,” said Harlingen Environmental Health Director Shannon Harvill. “We’re super excited.” Harvill acknowledged a pet overpopulation in the Harlingen area and said the new program can help pet owners afford the low-cost services.

“We do understand that we have a stray dog and cat problem,” Harvill said. “Some people have
concerns, or their budget restrictions can prohibit or cause problems with trying to get their animals spayed or neutered.”

The prices for spay and neuter services start at $40 for cats and $50 for dogs.

“This grant will help us help them get animals spayed and neutered,” Harvill said. “This winds up making the animals healthier, and it makes them want to stay home or closer to home. It’s just a win all around.”

The low-cost services will be available only within Harlingen.

Pet owners must reside in Harlingen and show proof of residency for their pets to receive the low-cost services.

A valid photo ID and proof of income are also required.

09/26/2025

If you’ve ever had a toothache, you’ll know how all-consuming that pain can be. Dogs feel it just as strongly. Conditions such as periodontal disease, broken teeth, abscesses, or retained roots cause constant discomfort. Some dogs may even develop chronic infections that affect their overall health, including the heart, kidneys, and liver. Disturbingly, 80% of dogs have dental disease by age two.

Dogs are adept at hiding pain, especially inside their mouths. Many owners miss the dentally driven behaviours because those signs are often subtle or linked to personality.

Obvious Signs of Dental Pain

🐾Difficulty chewing or dropping food.
🐾Eating on one side of the mouth.
🐾Drooling, sometimes with blood-tinged saliva.
🐾Bad breath (halitosis).
🐾Swelling around the face or jaw.
Pawing at the mouth.

Unusual Behavioural Signs

What’s trickier is when pain shows up in behaviour. Dogs with dental pain may show:

Irritability or aggression – growling, snapping, or not wanting to be touched, especially around the face.

Noise sensitivity – startled or reactive to sounds due to heightened stress.

Reluctance to play – no longer tugging, chewing toys, or fetching balls.

Restlessness – pacing, difficulty settling, or waking at night, only lying on one side.

Apparent “fussy eating” – refusing hard food, but sometimes still managing soft or wet food.

Generalised anxiety – appearing on edge or more reactive on walks.

Left untreated, dental disease isn’t just uncomfortable it can worsen a dog's overall health. Harmful oral bacteria can travel through the bloodstream, potentially damaging the heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs. Despite this prevalence, many cases go undiagnosed until severe symptoms emerge.

It is always important to seek the advice of a veterinary dentist even for simple dental procedures. Catching dental problems early is one of the most compassionate and effective investments you can make in your dog’s long-term wellbeing.

09/25/2025

Vet care costs are on the rise. We're often asked if there is help available. Here is a list of places that may be useful.
*BAAC has no direct affiliation with any of these
www.bikersagainstanimalcruelty.org

09/15/2025

Bark! Fest revisited!! This time last year we had the incredible privilege of speaking to Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. about her amazing books, in particular The Education of Will, which is such an important memoir about dealing with trauma in both dogs and people. And we also heard about her upcoming book, which is now available for pre-order! This event at Bark! Fest was full and I know you will absolutely love it. Watch the recording via the link in bio or:
Watch: https://youtu.be/mJyQ7S2XCm4?list=PLpSYLIfogtXpG9CNrZ8Z3pgHx8EPV0zHp&t=17
Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2183505/episodes/16149739
Watch, listen, and read a transcript: https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2024/10/bark-fest-recording-dogs-trauma-and.html

Pre-order Patricia McConnell's upcoming novel Away to Me: https://amzn.to/48drT19

09/15/2025

Sponsor alert: Check out Tug-E-Nuff!

Tug-E-Nuff offers a variety of high-quality dog toys to suit any size, age, and play style. Whether you're looking for a new chaser toy for your puppy or a durable tug for your large dog, Tug-E-Nuff has got you covered!

Check out their many options and take the quiz to see which toy is perfect for your pup at https://us.tug-e-nuff.com/