K-949: Training for Humans with Dogs

04/09/2025

Cat or Dog Boosts Wellbeing as Much as a Wife or Husband: Study Says

I mean, I didn't need another study for this, but this study reveals that according to the formula the economists have chosen to determine worth, a pet is just as likely to bring as much happiness as a spouse.

I wholeheartedly attest to this. I've been in some great, long-term relationships, but I'd choose my dog(s) above any one of them.

"While pets have long been associated with better health benefits both physically and mentally, the direct contribution to life satisfaction had not been conclusive in previous research."

Having a cat or a dog as a companion can increase human life satisfaction and well-being as much as family and friends do, according to new Kent-led research.

04/09/2025

I assume many of you have seen that they "brought the Dire wolf back from extinction". (In quotes, because they really didn't.)

However as a result, we have this to look forward to:
DireDoodles!

04/07/2025

04/07/2025

Paradise.

04/05/2025

04/05/2025

Cool beans!

Makes me miss my rat, Nicodemus. They're so smart!

I often think of the Rats of NIMH. I remember when I first realized that stood for National Institute for Mental Health and it was all about animal testing. Gave me a totally new perspective on the book "Mrs. Brisby and the Rats of NIMH", and cartoon movie "The Secret of NIMH".

This is neat! Much less likely to trigger any landmines compared to dogs due to their lighter weight.

Ronin, a giant African pouched rat, is the first rodent to uncover more than 100 mines in Cambodia.

04/05/2025

CasuWag Friday.

04/04/2025

Been pretty occupied lately dealing with American life and all the "fun" surprises that come along with it. My apologies on the page not having been as active as usual as of late. I can and will do better!

Get ready for more Body Language Quizzes, educational content, comics, cartoons, memes and on top of the list: lots of training tips coming your way!

In the meantime, here's a classic that remains as accurate as when I first made it, over a decade ago...

What breed or mix is your dog, and how does *YOUR* dog like to roam?

04/04/2025

Trigger Warning:
What can happen to your dog in the wrong trainer's hands, or when trying out tools because you see them in a store or on social media. This is, by far, not even remotely near the worst case of abuse in the name of training that I've seen. I've worked with clients who came to me after their previous dog died at the hands of a former "trainer". This should NEVER happen to your dog, in your hands or anyone else's.

Years ago, there was a little "challenge" going around - the World Dog Training Motivational Challenge. It went like this: Ask your trainer the following questions:

(1) "What do you do when my dog gets something right?" (Correct answer: any variation of "using food, toys or life rewards to reinforce the desired behavior.")

(2) "What do you do when my dog gets it wrong?" (Correct answer: any variation of "step back and reevaluate my training plan to figure out how I could have communicated better to the dog".)

(3) "Are there any less invasive methods than the ones you're using?" (Correct answer: any variation of "not to my knowledge, though I'm happy to consult with colleagues if necessary," AND "I'm up to date with at least 36 Continuing Education Units per 3-year span"; the more CEUs - *in general* but not a complete substitute for actual hands-on experience in concert with the education - and the more access to the most modern, ethical methods, the less one needs to rely on outdated tools or harsher methods.)

If you're uncomfortable at any point with how someone is handling your dog, BE YOUR DOG'S ADVOCATE and speak up! Once fallout happens, it can be MUCH harder to help the dog cope or learn new things, so opt for the gentlest, most ethical methods that effectively address your dog's behavioral repertoire.

What on earth are we doing? How can training a dog ever end up looking like this?

04/04/2025

Do we know the signs when we see them ?
We may know a few, is that enough❓
Certainly not all signs are shown here, but we owe it to our dogs to learn exactly how they can communicate they are in distress....and that can be from physical pain too❗
If we take the time to read a dogs body language, it can open our eyes to a whole new way of looking at and reading how they actually feel.

Videos in comments and this training graphic is available through abcdogsnz.com (just click the dog training graphics tab) MUCH easier to scroll through on a computer as there is a search bar option on PC and they are available to be viewed multiple to a page....handy when there are over 130 of them!

04/04/2025

I AIN’T MISBEHAVING
I’m just doing what dogs do!

What may look like misbehaviour is often just a dog behaving as dogs naturally do.

We expect so much of our dogs when we bring them into our world, forgetting that they are a different species that don’t arrive pre-programmed to behave in a way we expect them to.

We hold dog’s captive in a confined, unnatural space and then become frustrated when they don’t behave the way we expect.

We become frustrated when our dogs don’t walk nicely on a lead, don’t get on with every other dog or person they meet, steal food from counter tops, don’t give things back, guard resources, dig, chew or destroy what they shouldn’t, bark, howl, whine or perhaps growl etc.

We need to replace our frustration and our need to train away or fix unwanted behaviour with understanding, patience and guidance.

Understand that dogs naturally behave in a certain way. Be patient while guiding them to learn a different way to behave through using force free, positive reinforcement methods, meeting their needs and managing their environment.

Providing outlets to engage in natural behaviour, providing mental, physical and social stimulation and understanding why dogs behave the way they do will create secure relationship and make such a difference in their lives.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our dogs is our understanding.

04/04/2025

Stick your hand out🤔
Don't stick your hand out❓
Last week there was a post (elsewhere) about why we should stick our hands out when we greet a dog.
I am not into social media "wars" and I don't like mocking others that disagree or have a different opinion.
There were also reasons given regarding the Jacobson's organ and how it plays a vital role....which it does....but I still wouldn't and don't put my outstretched hand towards a dog to sniff when I first meet them.
Quite seriously....I probably wouldn't have a hand left.
I take the pressure right off.
Generally speaking, I don't interact at all for several minutes (or much longer) and nor do I make sustained eye contact.
Meeting a dog (especially in this profession) is very nuanced and I guess because I work with a lot of anxious and reactive dogs...I am privy to hearing about how dogs bit when people put their hands towards them "to sniff".
Does that mean I don't allow a dog to come up to me to get a good whiff of my pheromones and to read that "up close and personal information" they need.....of course I allow it, when the time is right.
I allow them to approach.
I don't approach.
Works well for me, you may think differently and that is all good.
Everyone is free to respectfully disagree.

This dog training graphic is available https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-how-to-greet-a-dog?srsltid=AfmBOoqJRrqZLBYSdKC33O8GJAxKBBcX_dqHh9AlSzX8q2Xnyus8Blrb