Competent Pup

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

23/07/2024

Attempts were made!

Two years ago on this day, Scarlett Jo Handsome (vizsla) was our resident redhead
That torch has been passed to Leeloo (ridgeback)

RECREATION

20/07/2024

Please share this, and any of our posts, to help locate the dogs!! We believe there around 100 dogs who have been abandoned by Giselle's Legacy.

13/07/2024

By the end of the weekend, the last dog racing track in Mexico will be closing for good.

04/07/2024

happy 4th from your Competent Pup comrades ✊🏻🐾

03/06/2024

27/04/2024

Dog rescue organizations operate differently - there is a wide array of formats, capacities, and ethoses

Rescued dogs have endured a lot, many have been surrendered by their pet parent, abandoned, dumped, confiscated from dire conditions, or worse

Rescue dogs are often transported and shuffled around strange environments, amongst other dogs who may be in distress, or loud, or injured…

These experiences contribute to a learning history, and some are traumatic - and trauma effects behavior

When an individual is anxious, stressed or fearful, they are unable to learn at their best
And the brain and other parts of the nervous system are effected

Trauma can have a lasting effect on the body and the brain

Aversive training tools, which use pain, discomfort, or the threat thereof, increase fear, anxiety and stress, and can injure a dog

Aversives, which include different types of training collars, leashes, some devices and equipment, also increase the likelihood of aggression and other behavior problems

Rescue dogs have been through a lot already! It is safe and logical to presume they’ve experienced trauma - even by way of environmental disruption and loss of relationships

Using positive reinforcement - the most scientifically effective and emotionally sound method - ensures our rescued pups have the best possible outcomes, without increasing damage done

25/04/2024

Prong collars – like the one pictured here - are aversive tools

Aversive tools use pain and discomfort to train and build associations

Aversives like prong collars increase stress and fear, and impact a canine’s physicality as well, which can result in both physical AND emotional damage

There is ample science available to support that causing pain, injury or discomfort to another individual as a learning tool, is ineffective and harmful

Aversive training collars like prongs are outlawed in multiple countries

Aversive training tools and methods, increase the chances for aggression and other undesirable behaviors – typically, the same undesirable behaviors that a handler is trying to squash with an aversive, like a prong collar

Pervasive myths still exist to this day that certain breeds or “types” require aversive training methods - dogs do not require prong collars

They are a human convenience for people who don’t know better

Evidence-based, ethical dog trainers spend a ton of energy reversing the damage done by these poor training methods - methods which are completely unnecessary and entirely avoidable in the first place

Anyways, the MAY 2024 issue of is out on stands!

I’m very curious who the animal advocate was on set for this one

03/04/2024

20/03/2024

March 20th, 2024 is the 120th anniversary of B. F. Skinner's birth. To celebrate, we offer through bfskinner.org a complimentary* copy of The Technology of Teaching in PDF format for the entire day. The book is a collection of B. F. Skinner's writings on education. In The Technology of Teaching, Skinner provides a scientifically validated and conceptually consistent system to improve classroom instructions.

*PDF version of The Technology of Teaching is a Name-Your-Price product. The minimum price for the limited time is reduced from $5 to $0. The amount you actually pay is up to you. 100% of proceeds benefit the B. F. Skinner Foundation.

01/03/2024

Looking like a whole dandelion p**f over here thanks to

27/02/2024

Pup Camper Marnie here to remind us all of the real priorities during these trying times… tum tums n toe beans

21/02/2024

POOR VINNIE has a di*******ry that I am in no way permitted to address 😩

Maybe if he spins around a bunch and sits real fast - repeatedly - while using the living room as his personal p**p parkour course, I’ll get a lil pillow patty and have another excuse to update these cushions!

19/02/2024

Marrow bones to help wash away this terribly wet day

18/02/2024

Made his own functional pillow installation - honestly, the perfect Sunday activity, and a genius move on his part

Penguin, Chief Morale Officer @ Competent Pup

17/02/2024

Thank you to Laura Donaldson for this message today 💕🐾

14/02/2024

Available for unconditional love

I would NEVER say that Vinnie is the most handsome pup at Competent Pup right now cuz we are egalitarians…

Vinnie is the latest AND GREATEST rescue pup that I’ve had the pleasure of working with to ensure a bright, successful future

He is a wonderful individual and a gem of a dog

Super affectionate and ready to have his feelings reciprocated in a cozy furever home

05/02/2024

You can always tell if Edie’s been snoozing by how high she wears her mustache

27/01/2024

the support we all deserve