Competent Pup

16/11/2024

‘Aggression’ is a broad label that includes many behaviors.

When contacting a dog training professional who employs the science of behavior, you will likely hear a similar response initially: “Please go to your vet ASAP”

Symptoms of aggression are often medical, and science-based pup professionals understand the importance of ruling out factors, before proceeding with a behavior modification program

Often, pup parents find with help from their vet (and maybe a couple of second opinions 😬), that their animal is experiencing soreness, has a painful tooth, arthritis, digestion issues, disordered thyroid, or other health factors that directly (or indirectly!) influence behavior

11/11/2024

UPDATE: Due to insanity-level genius on my part, the stooges have been supremely organized

Horn: tooted
My back: patted

You’re so welcome very much

07/11/2024

Winnie and
Ingrid
sittin in a
TREE

31/10/2024

Some ppl will get it

And those are the ones I care about

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from the Edie’s

27/09/2024

17/09/2024

Many people who feel passionately about their work absolutely RELISH an info dumping opportunity 🤤

So, please don’t ask questions unless you are ready for some answers and potential discussion to go with!

I LOVE QUESTIONS. Ask away.

I think people should feel safe and comfortable to ask questions and advocate for themselves and their pup learners!

If you are not comfortable asking questions to a professional with whom you are working, and paying, this can be a sign that you feel unsafe doing so - this is not your fault! Many people have a learning history of experiencing punishment for being curious, asking things, or god forbid QUESTIONING AUTHORITY

Ask. Follow-up. Pushback. WE LIKE IT 💗

And we understand how learning works - cos SCIENCE

12/09/2024

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.

10/09/2024

Today’s Pup Camp Pic

We are sofa king cute

Missing Competent Pup Camper, Sully today (and a few others)

Some of us have to lay down in every shot, bc our giant ears block everyone

09/09/2024

Poor people, disabled people, and all marginalized people deserve to have companion animals in their lives, and they deserve to be able to keep them happy, safe, and healthy.

-

Image shows the cast of the Bunnicula TV special, including Howard the dog, Chester the Cat, Bunnicula the vampire rabbit, and another rabbit whose name I cannot remember or find. Text says “pet care should be accessible for all.”

08/09/2024

Today’s Bfast!

Raw turkey/hearts/liver/bone

Chicken toot

Egg

Sweet potato

31/08/2024

One of my OG students, Rory 💗🐾

29/08/2024

Some dogs are afraid of fly swatters.

Why?
Human aggression, body language, and moveable objects, to name a few maybes/perhapses.

Dogs are sensitive. Aware. They see movement and body language, watch the behavior of the individuals around them and in their environment, and respond accordingly. They have a real experience on this earth.

Dogs have even developed the special ability to read human faces! This provides valuable information and keeps them safe when enduring the most aggressive species on this planet - and their caretakers - humans!

‘Moveable objects’ is a commonly used term in professional dog training regarding ‘things & stuff’ that move and change the body/movement/appearance. Like putting on a hat, or using a cane or a baby stroller. These are ‘moveable objects’ that change our appearance and behavior that dogs may respond to. Like skateboards are another great example!

I hate flies! I get distracted and annoyed with flies BUZZING inside the house when they make it inside. I have multiple dog students who also dislike flies - seemingly, I think and in my professional opinion - and will stop whatever they are doing to address harassment from these pests: chomping at them, hyper vigilance, refuse treats, stiff and preoccupied, etc.
While others seem unperturbed (good for them!).

When I pick up a fly swatter in my home, I am HUNTING and I mean to KILL. I am wielding a weapon (fly swatter). I feel aggressive and I’m sure I look aggressive. There is swearing - often - and my aim has become poorer somehow - adding to my frustrations and human antics.

I can’t do anything else until I kill this gd fly. I am weak that way. I need to fill my cup first: address (murder) the fly, and then I can move on.

So some dogs don’t prefer fly swatters. Moveable objects are creepy, you are clearly wielding a weapon and meaning to cause harm, stomping about with a furrowed brow, swearing (ME, MYSELF), unpredictable/sudden swings, a loud SMACK (or several!) before an angry celebration (only once successful at KILLING). That’s an association and then some!

Sully is a young pup still learning about a big new world. He has gone to puppy classes and is continuing education, his parents are diligent educators & caretakers, he has a little (doggie) brother at home, consistent training and experiences - he is a well-socialized, trained dog. He not small, I’ll say.

Sully is scared of fly swatters, and I don’t blame him at all - in fact, I think it makes perfect sense.

As an evidence-based, certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant, I continue to remain incredibly unimpressed by white men with funny accents wielding BIG STICKS (or cans of SHHHH!) and calling it dog training when they are simply using well-established human aggression to freak out all their students (innocent dogs). Anyone can do that - you look like a ‘total wanker.’ How boring and unkind.

26/08/2024

Common problems!

So you’ve trained a behavior, like recall (come when called, “come here, Fido!”), or “inside!” and now it doesn’t seem to be working

What was once a seemingly reliable behavior - is now not

PRO TIP!
A decrease in behavior is an indicator of punishment. No, you weren’t being (intentionally) mean to your dog (I hope!). But the consequence of the behavior decreased (instead of increased) the desired behavior.

Punishment = decrease
Reinforcement = increase

Termination of an activity is a great way to punish a recall and/or ‘come inside’ cue! Your dog may want to sniff, explore, sun bathe, see stuff, the list goes on and on (and on and ON!)

You call your dog. They come. You leave the awesome park.
You call your dog inside. They come. Door closes and outside time is over - no more squirrels.

SO, we are seeking increase in behavior, instead of decrease in behavior. Reinforcement is the key to increased behaviors.

What is the easily accessible and naturally occurring reinforcement available in the situations??
Answer: send them back out again!
Call dog. Provide big fat paycheck (like high value food reward) AND send them back out or away! Repeat.

Be aware of asking your pup to do things and then turning into a Donald Downer Party Pooping Yum Yucker about it - U N C O O L 😎

25/08/2024

Click on the pop-out icon ( ) in the top-right corner of the resource to open it in Google Drive. Click the download icon ( ) in the upper right-hand corner of the Google Drive page to save the resource to your computer.

24/08/2024

WHO’S THE NEW GUY I AM SO CALM

19/08/2024

Ingrid out here doing god’s work as pollinator AND social butterfly bc some people need multiple jobs/roles in life and are very high functioning 😌

07/08/2024

ZOOPHARMACOGNOSY

Boring post! TLDR: animals as their own herbalists/healers

You may have recently heard about a certain orangutan making a healing salve for their face

Zoopharmacognosy is the word/label for the innate ability of non-human animals to effect their own health and wellness by selecting beneficial resources in their environment (plants, insects, water, soil, etc)

Edie may have a uti and is awaiting the vet (she has been on an antacid regimen for something else, so this would make sense)

The area was cleaned for immediate relief, and Edie was provided a cranberry supplement, on the side of her dish, to help herself if she chooses

She opted in! You can see a small bit of cranberry powder remains in her dish, and she is now taking a comfortable snooze - thank goodness