Urbane Animal Behavior

06/04/2024

18/03/2024

Remember, dogs are not trying to take over the world and dominate, nor are they being stubborn or spiteful.

28/02/2024

There is a great line up for this years AIDC, check it out and get registered before it sells out!

CONFERENCE HOME AGENDA SPEAKERS SPONSORS HOTEL & TRAVEL FAQ Conference Menu Aggression in Dogs Conference 2024 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

26/02/2024

Shake it…shake it off…

A recent study by two researchers in France looked at sniffing, pulse rate, and leash length on walks. Sixty-one dogs were taken on three separate walks, five minutes each walk, once with a 1.5m leash, once with a 5m leash, and once without a leash at all (walk order was randomized for each dog). Off-leash dogs sniffed the most, more than 3x as long as the dogs on short leashes. Dogs on long leashes spent nearly as much time as unleashed dogs sniffing, almost 3x as long as dogs on short leashes.

This study also found that sniffing resulted in lowered pulse rates, and the more intensely they sniffed, the more their pulse rates lowered. Pulse rate was also lowered when dogs “shook off” during walks on all leash lengths. The “shake off” behavior was often seen when the dog’s pulse rate was particularly high.

Read more about it below!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HX77kp2HBDiTxmq/?mibextid=Le6z7H

https://www.tuftsyourdog.com/everydaydogcare/giving-your-dog-time-to-sniff-on-walks-will-literally-soothe-his-heart/

What else can we learn about dogs from their walking behavior? Take your best friend on a Sniffari and see what you observe!

24/01/2023

Minnesota, don't miss out on this great opportunity to see Chris Pachel and Michael Shikashio present at The Great Big Aggression Dog Conference this September in our own state!!!

Great Big Dog Aggression Workshop. Sept. 9-10, 2023. Take a deep dive with Dr. Chris Pachel and Mike Shikashio into aggression and the underlying motivations for aggressive behavior in dogs with two of the most sought-after experts in the dog behavior world.

23/01/2023

Don't miss out!!!
Announcing this year's Aggression in Dogs Conference Speakers!
We will be in Chicago, IL from Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, 2023 with both in-person and live-streaming options again.
I'm excited for this diverse and dynamic line-up! Topics will include Veterinary Behavior Cases; Low Stress Handling; Shelter Behavior; Impulsivity and Aggression; Constructional Approach to Behavior; Applied Behavior Cases; Assessing for Aggression; and More!
We have more presenters TBA, so stay tuned!
REGISTRATION WILL BE OPENING IN A FEW WEEKS!

04/01/2023

It’s Train Your Dog month! But really, every month, every day is train your day since they’re always learning, as are we!

Disclaimer: I don’t agree with the statement from the person that claims positive reinforcement based training takes longer.
Also, putting an e-collar on a dog and putting them in crate who is suffering from separation related behavior is NOT recommended!!!
I don’t endorse the use of e-collars, shock collars and prongs.

If you recently searched the internet for "dog trainers near me," there's a good chance you became immediately overwhelmed by the options, certifications and vocabulary. There is a lot of information out there! So we consulted some experts on where to start. Here's what they say.

13/10/2022

Posted on October 12, 2022 by aditiEven Professional Make Tough Choices By-and-large, most people who are re-homing a dog are doing it because they’ve reached a point where the current living situation is dampening the quality of life for one or more individuals in the home, despite management, tr...

02/10/2022

It’s happening! So excited to be here this weekend and presenting today.

25/09/2022

Reward markers are powerful tools in training – they bring clarity to the specific behavior(s) you want the dog (or any learner) to find reinforcing and repeat again. In addition, marking as the behavior occurs makes it easy to deliver information immediately and follow with the reinforcement next...

09/08/2022

International Cat Day you say. Well let me give a big meow-out to my boy Steve! This guy came into my life in 2009 when I working at a humane society and he was brought in as an emaciated stray. Steve, named after the monkey from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, is a comical little dude that is more dog-like than the stereotypical cat. He greets me at the door when I come home, follows me everywhere I go, demands to be under-the-covers and sleep cuddled against me. He isn’t afraid to voice his opinions and demand his daily snacks. Steve assists me at work sometimes by being a “test kitty” to determine if dogs might be okay with cats. He is a smarty pants and knows enough cues to probably land himself Novice Tricks Title.
Here’s to Steve, the best Meezer around! ….

01/08/2022

Sniff walks are great for many reasons
1. Gives decompression time
2. Provides mental stimulation
3. Allows the dog to go at their own pace
4. Gives them time to take in their surroundings
5. Tires them out
6. Provides bonding time with their person

Tig can still get nervous in new situations so allowing her to make her choices on whether she wants to investigate new things empowers her and gives her confidence. I’ll always step in and protect her should someone or something approach her that she’s not ready for.
These walks have improved her overall confidence and our relationship. 🥰

Tig vs Sniff Walks
…

21/07/2022

Tig vs woos
That’s right, turns out Tig is a Woo girl.
…

24/05/2022

She understood the assignment.
Tig vs boxes.
…

26/04/2022

🦜Early bird special pricing ends 30 April 2022 at midnight, Eastern Time.

🐕 For more info, go here | https://aggressivedog.com/checkout-registration/

17/04/2022

Somebunnies loves you! 🥕 🐇
Tig vs rabbit ears. 🐰
…

17/04/2022

Remember Parachute game as a kid in gym class? Yeah, this is Tig’s version.
Tig vs 🪂
…

14/04/2022

Fresh pig!
Tig vs her favorite toy.
…

13/04/2022

Protect your family from the kid-dog pandemic that's spreading like wildfire! There’s a new virus in town, and it’s especially dangerous for kids and dogs. SPS (or Stuffed Puppy Syndrome, as it’s commonly known) is spreading like craaaaazy.

13/04/2022

Thankful for hip-belt leashes, cooked cut chicken, and a pupper who loves to learn.
2nd Nose work class with my sassy lady.
Tig vs smells
…

08/04/2022

When it’s crappy weather outside and you and your bestie are tired, you snuggle.
Tig vs Austri
…

05/04/2022

Practicing fear-free/low stress handling at work. Spot was not a fan of medical handling or needle pokes, but after a few sessions with Chelsea and I, we were able to give Spot his vaccination without restraint (you’ll see I did hold his leash at the end just as a precaution to keep Chelsea safe but the leash was not tight).

04/04/2022

It’s Austri’s birthday, he’s one year old today and celebrating with his frans. Sirius thought it was pirate themed and thought himself clever for his outfit.
Tig vs birthday hats 🥳
…

04/04/2022

Halping mum with straightening the covers on the sofa…obviously!
Tig vs blankets
…

01/04/2022

31/03/2022

Where’d the Shepherd go? I don’t see him. All I see is straw. 👀
…

28/03/2022

Jasmine is coming attcha! Grey bird club.
…

27/03/2022

Sunday morning vibes.
Tig and Sirius
…