Full Life Behavior & Training

27/07/2024

Four pretty girls, practicing getting along politely.

07/07/2024

This little sweetie is Piper. She's staying with me for board and train services to help with her fear and reactivity towards men and other dogs. Her owner wondered, as many people do, why I didn't immediately introduce her to my 4 dogs who range in size from 15 to 90 pounds. This is simple.

I don't want the visiting dog to be stressed. It takes them a few days just to be comfortable in my home, which is an unfamiliar environment. It's not fair to the dog to overwhelm them and I won't risk doing anything that may make her fear based reactivity worse. I don't care about being flashy or showing off, I care about the welfare of my client's dog.

She has met all of my dogs now, and gets along well. This was done one at a time, and slowly, after she had made friends with my husband. If I'm doing my job right, it's not very exciting and would never make it onto TV (not that I would want to). I help the dog learn that she is safe and that men and dogs predict good things to her, so there is no need to bark. After only being with me a few days she has been able to walk past several men and other dogs who are strangers to her with no fearful barking. That's the goal!

10/06/2024

04/06/2024

https://www.facebook.com/DogNerdSussex/posts/pfbid022UL9oA4oxmvqgWSddbNTBanBRJf4mF2t7yLN18RtPfwDpJS4GoKnTiRMqih95FXnl

Did you know that the senior research scientist David Mech, whose book into hierarchy in wolf packs created the 'alpha theory' idea, then went on to disprove his own work with a later more naturalistic study? 😮

Although wolves and domestic dogs are worlds apart nowadays, David Mech's original book on captive wolves is still used regularly as evidence for alpha-based and dominance training styles. Touting you need to act like a wolf and an alpha and put your dog in their place so they respect you. However, even if domestic dogs and wolves were closer in how they acted than they are, David Mech went on to do further research and instead found that rather than one domineering 'alpha' wolves actually work as a family group with the parents leading the pack. That doesn't sound that far off our human families really does it? In fact, despite what 'alpha theory' states in regards to an 'alpha' wolf always eating first, in reality wolf parents often feed their youngest, most vulnerable offspring first.

The issue with the first study the book used is it was based on captive wolves and not wild wolves and how they behaved in their natural habitat, once David Mech realised his mistakes he did more research, and with new understanding and data he has since gone on to try and repair the damage his original study has done in how we view wolves, and by extension dogs. This is what scientific study is about, updating with the times and the most up to date information. I give huge props to David Mech for instead of trying to save his ego and stick to what he said in his original work, he has followed the science and admitted the flaws of his original study, bringing new knowledge and research forward.

It is a shame that the original idea is still so prevalent in our cultural knowledge and understanding of wolves, whereas the later study is less well known to the masses. I can only hope that will also change over time by us bringing the more up to date information to the forefront. 🐺

You can check out the study mentioned in the graphic for yourself here: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1343&context=usgsnpwrc

03/02/2024

I keep getting notifications that my page is getting views! I haven't quite figured out what to do with this page. If you check out my website: www.fulllifebehavior.com you'll find lots of information about my experience, credentials, and services!

My cell is 540-460-1884 and I'm happy to discuss how I can help with your pet's behavioral needs!

Full Life Behavior & Training As a certified behavior consultant with 15 years of experience, I can assist with a variety of behaviors from manners and problem behaviors including aggression. I specialize in dog behavior but have experience with many species. Service Areas My service area includes a...

25/05/2022

25/05/2022

25/05/2022