Hart Behaviour - Pet Behaviour Consulting

06/08/2024

Knowing which professional you need to contact to help you with your pet is vital. Use this handy infographic to decide whether you need a trainer or behaviourist. Keep In mind, some behaviour challenges may require both training and behaviour modification so often these go hand in hand. What's great is that when you choose a COAPE Certified Animal Behaviourist, you can be sure that they have the skills to help you with both training and behaviour. ​
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For a list of COAPE-endorsed trainers and behaviourists you can go to our website here: https://coape.org/find-a-behaviourist/

19/07/2024

Instead of asking, “How do I get my dog to obey me?” we should ask, “Is my dog happy?” and “How can I make them happier?”

11/07/2024

What force free actually means...

Given the statements that we see so often from those using aversive or 'balanced' training methods, those of us who use a force free approach need to clear up some of the issues with what is said.

As well as the red flags so often seen of 'positive only' or 'purely positive', these statements will usually trot out the old misunderstanding that all we do is toss cheese at a dog when they do something right and ignore everything else. This is absolutely untrue and does not reflect the force free approach at all.

Successful force free training involves SO much more than that.

• It needs a deep understanding of learning theory.
• What the dog's welfare needs are and how to make sure they are met.
• The potential impact of health on behaviour.
• The emotional states that underly behaviours.
• How to manage situations so that the dogs don't carry out the undesired behaviours and perhaps get an internal reward for doing them.
• How to train other behaviours the dog can do in that situation that will be rewarded so that the undesirable behaviour is no longer the best choice for them in that situation.
• When training isn’t the right answer at all.

The factors involved in getting the force free approach and training right are far too many for me to list in this post or on this image, but these are the things that a good force free trainer or behaviour professional is doing every time they are working with a dog and their humans.

It's so much more than just lobbing food at a dog.

23/06/2024

LETTING GO OF THE LABEL
People love to label things - from containers to personality types, physical or mental differences and everything in between.

Why do we like labels so much? Labels are comforting, they help us to feel more secure.

Labels allow us to close that particular “box”, because it now has a label and we no longer have to think about it or be concerned about it.

It’s been judged, identified, labelled and we can now move on, confident in the belief that there’s nothing more to be done.

We may also be very good at labelling dogs. My dog is stubborn, aggressive, lazy, shy, timid, greedy, jealous, untrainable…. It’s comforting for us to assign a label because it takes the pressure off trying to find out why they behave that way because we might believe that it’s just the way they are.

If we remove the label and take note of the behaviour in context and the circumstances or environment it’s happening in, we may realise that our dogs need our help to cope, not our labels.

Look into what can be done to improve or change that behaviour if it's something you’d like to change.

Sometimes a label does fits, it’s just the way it is and we need to accept that, but sometimes labels hide the need to look beneath the surface and discover what the real cause of that behaviour is.

11/06/2024

🐾Although dogs descend from a common ancestor with wolves, they have undergone millennia of domestication and genetic engineering, resulting in distinct differences from their wild counterparts. Despite this misconceptions about canine behaviour persist, perpetuating unrealistic expectations and outdated training methods.

Such myths revolve around the idea of dogs as inherently naughty, stubborn, and trying to be the leader of the pack, requiring punishment for correction [1]. The original study of wolves and behaviour was conducted in 1947 by Rudolph Schenkel, who claimed that wolves hold a social position, the pack is controlled by a dominant male and female; and wolves fought within each other to establish top rank. This was disproved by Dr. Mech in 2000 [2].

The world evolves constantly yet the human race is still stuck on this notion. Qualified dog trainers and behaviourists are not trying to convince you that the world is flat, we are simply trying to improve your relationship with your dog without the use of outdated training mythology.

In reality; natural wolf groups function as family units, with parents as caregivers. Communication within the wolf group relies heavily on subtle cues, such as body language and facial expressions, rather than overt displays of aggression and dominance.

Despite scientific advancements debunking the alpha dog theory, some trainers continue to perpetuate these myths, advocating for dominance-based techniques. However, the lack of regulation in the industry allows such outdated practices to persist.

Understanding dogs requires acknowledging their individuality and respecting their preferences. Effective training involves environmental management, systematic desensitisation, and counter-conditioning, with the use of positive reinforcement; which helps dogs understand desired behaviours without resorting to punitive measures [3]. Embracing modern, evidence-based methods can build healthier, more respectful relationships with our canine companions.

Television also plays a significant role.

TV networks air shows for ratings, promoting trainers whose methods align with the dominance theory. Unfortunately, these methods often rely on coercion and correction, leading dogs to comply out of fear, NOT out of genuine willingness and understanding.

Dominance, often mistaken for a personality trait, is instead a survival response rooted in anxiety and fear. Moreover, punishing a dog for undesirable behaviour doesn't effectively communicate what you want them to do instead. Behaviours stem from emotions, and punishment fails to address these emotional struggles.

Supporting your dog through their emotional struggles can effectively improve their behaviour over time[ 4]. It’s understandable that people use inappropriate methods and techniques as they are desperate and don’t know how else to manage the problems they are facing with their dog.

Today, qualified professionals understand that the relationship between dogs and humans isn't about asserting social rank. Instead, it's about creating an environment where the dog feels safe and supported. This involves managing their surroundings to prevent situations where they might struggle or fail, and consistently rewarding behaviours we want to encourage.

[1] 2008, Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals, AVSAB, https://avsab.org/.../Dominance_Position_Statement...

[2]Mech, L. David. 1999. Alpha status, dominance, and division of labor in wolf packs. Canadian Journal of Zoology 77:1196-1203.
Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Home Page. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/2000/alstat/alstat.htm
(Version 16MAY2000).

[3] Herron M, Shofer S, Reisner I, 2009, Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 117, Issues 1–2, Pages 47-54

[4] Herron M, Shofer F, Reisner I, 2009, Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors, Applied Animal Behavior Science, Volume 117, Issue-12, https://www.sciencedirect.com/.../pii/S0168159108003717...

27/05/2024

Congratulations to cuties Zoe, Biscuit and Forest (and their wonderful guardians) for recently graduating from our puppy socialization classes at The Puppy Club @ Kowie Vet.

Get in touch if you would like to join our next course starting soon at Kowie Veterinary Clinic 🐾

14/05/2024

JUST SHAKE IT OFF
Dogs constantly communicate through their body language.

A “shake off” is one of the many types of body language and is one of the easier ones to notice.

The shake off can provide us with important insights as to how our dogs are feeling.

Besides being a very effective way to get rid of dirt, pesky bugs and water - dogs can remove up to 70% of water in one single shake off - the shake off is often seen just after something that a dog needs a mental reset from.

It’s a way to flush out adrenaline and could be compared to us taking a deep breath to reset our nervous system and calm ourselves down.

Dogs instinctively know they feel better when they just shake it all off!

It’s their way of saying “Phew, I’m glad that’s over, now I can put it behind me and move on”.

Shaking off is a positive way to calm down, reset and cope with stress – be that negative or positive stress.

Sometimes a shake off could be due to an underlying medical reason like an ear infection, allergy, itching or pain.

If you notice a shake off, look at what has just happened beforehand. This will provide a good clue as to what it is that your dog needs to reset from.

13/05/2024

Another graduation day at The Puppy Club @ Kowie Vet 🐾

Congratulations to Molly and Ounooi. Thank you to their dedicated guardians for bringing them to our weekly puppy socialisation classes.

Get in touch if you would like to join our next class starting soon at Kowie Veterinary Clinic.

12/05/2024

These are some examples of displacement behaviours and serve as indicators of the dog's internal state which can provide valuable insights into their emotional well-being.

Displacement behaviours arise when an animal faces conflicting motivations/ feelings for two or more behaviours, leading to an unrelated action. For instance, birds might peck at grass when torn between attacking or fleeing from a threat, while humans may scratch their heads when indecisive.

Context matters when interpreting animal behaviour. EG: Sniffing and scratching could be due to various reasons like being itchy, exploring scents. Understanding the environment and situation helps in accurately deciphering the dog’s actions.

In interpreting body language, subtle cues matter too. A relaxed dog typically has ‘loose’ muscles, a ‘soft’ eye, and their tail held in the breeds natural carriage, and may pant gently. A stressed dog might have tense muscles, mouth shut, a lowered/ ‘stiff’ tail, flattened ears, and avoid eye contact. Understanding body language in canine communication helps distinguish between comfort and discomfort in the dogs demeanour.

These behaviours can also occur when an animal is hindered from engaging in a highly desired behaviour. Often, out-of-context behaviours provide comfort to the animal, like scratching, grooming, or sniffing.

In animal behaviour evaluations, displacement activities serve as indicators of unmet behavioural needs. For example, humans display self-directed behaviours like fidgeting in stressful situations, indicating negative emotions.

When a dog displays displacement behaviours, these are actions that seem out of place. These behaviours are often seen when a dog is unsure how to react in a particular situation.

This typically happens when the dog experiences conflicting emotions like anxiety, stress, or frustration, and serves as a way for the dog to release tension, or cope with the mixed feelings they are experiencing.

26/04/2024

24/04/2024

TRIGGER STACKING – WHEN BEHAVIOUR HAPPENS “OUT OF THE BLUE”

We’ve all had those days when nothing seems to go right and one frustrating thing after another happens to us, leaving us feeling wound up, stressed and ready to explode at the next unsuspecting person who dares to ask us something.

This “unsuspecting” person may think we have a serious behaviour problem or need anger management coaching, when the truth is that we’ve just had a really bad day or even a few bad days and don’t usually behave like this at all.

Dogs are no different and a behaviour that seems completely out of character or happens “out of the blue” is often caused by “trigger stacking”.

A trigger may be anything that increases a dog’s stress levels and has a negative impact on their emotional, mental or physical state.

These may be small things that we may not even notice or seem insignificant to us, but they are all adding to an increasing “stack” of events that may culminate in out of character behaviour.

When stress levels reach a certain point, the next stressful event, however small, may cause a reaction that is completely unexpected.

Instead of just focusing on a particular behaviour and seeing it as a problem that needs to be prevented, take a step backwards, look at the bigger picture, look at events, circumstances or environmental factors that may have played a role in causing that particular behaviour.

Being aware of potential stressors and allowing your dog time to decompress, relax and unwind for a few days will often mean the difference between “normal behaviour” and a behaviour that seems completely out of character.

02/04/2024

Some great tips 🐾

PREPARING DOGS FOR A BABY
Babies bring big changes for everyone in the family, but the changes this brings for a dog are often underestimated or overlooked.

The arrival of this “strange creature” often means less attention, a lack of predictable routines, strange noises and smells, strange equipment and perhaps restricted access to certain areas or even lots of visitors.

Just as it takes time in planning, preparing and getting ready for a baby, time should also be taken in getting a dog ready for changes this will bring.

Change is not always easy. Any stress about how your dog will react will be easier to cope with by knowing you have prepared well in advance.

Think about the different scenarios a dog will need to get used to and gradually introduce these so that dogs don’t negatively associate changes and different routines with a baby’s arrival.

Preparing well beforehand and then closely managing interactions between your dog and baby is really important for safety, peace of mind, building positive associations and creating positive relationships.

Dogs generally adapt well to the arrival of a baby but it’s important to plan in advance to make this transition as stress free as possible for your dog.

For more detailed information - here are some links to some specialists in this field -
https://poochparenting.net/
https://cooperandkids.com/preparing-dog-new-baby/
https://www.familypaws.com/resources/
https://babyandpet.com.au/about-the-book-tell-your-dog-youre-pregnant/
by Dr Lewis Kirkham – Preparing your dog for new sounds with a step-by-step guide and baby and toy noises

19/03/2024

Good question...

14/03/2024

I made this fuelled on oxytocin whilst handrearing a Twig 😂 we expect so much of puppies and take them away from everything they know and expect them to fit in our world with minimal fuss. In reality, we should be striving to understand and meet their needs as actually it’s not that difficult if you have the right mindset ❤️

08/03/2024

🐾 Are you interested in giving your new puppy the best start in life? Join The Puppy Club socialization classes at Kowie Veterinary Clinic 🐾

🌟 Why Puppy Socialization? 🌟

🐶 Build Confidence: Help your pup feel at ease in a new environment. Socialization builds confidence and can potentially reduce fears related to novel experiences.

🐾 Build a positive relationship: These classes encourage the bond between you and your new pup and can help your pup learn to focus and stay calm around other dogs and people.

🧡 Early socialization can help prevent behavioural concerns later on, giving your pup a solid foundation for a happy, well-rounded life.

🎈 What to Expect: 🎈

💡 Expert Advice: Classes are run by a qualified animal behaviour consultant who will be there to answer all your questions, providing invaluable tips on puppy care, behavior, and training.

👣 Life Skills: While our classes focus on socialization and education, we also incorporate basic training cues using positive reinforcement and fear free training methods.

🌼 Fun-filled Sessions: Each class will incorporate exciting confidence-building exercises, enrichment and/or gentle obstacle courses. Plenty of tail-wagging and giggles guaranteed.

🐕Who can join? 🐕

Pups between the ages of 10-16 weeks who have had their first two vaccinations are welcome to join.

🎁 The Puppy Club is a Hills Puppy School. All pups enrolled will receive a Hills puppy pack upon registration 🎁

Don't miss out on this opportunity for you and your beloved pup to learn, grow, and potentially create lifelong friendships! Limited spots are available, so register today.

📍 Location: Kowie Vet Clinic
⏰ Schedule: 6 week course
💵 Price: R600
📞 Contact: 082 851 9521
📬 [email protected]

🐾 Tag a fellow pup guardian who would love to join in the fun! Let's give our pups the best head start together! 🐾

04/03/2024

Some of the latest graduates from The Puppy Club at Kowie Veterinary Clinic 🐾

What a pleasure it's been to watch these pups grow in confidence. So very proud of them!

21/02/2024

Our next puppy socialization class is starting soon! Please get in touch if you would like to join🐾

15/01/2024

03/01/2024

🐾 New year, new puppy? Are you interested in giving your new pup the best start in life? Join The Puppy Club socialization classes Kowie Veterinary Clinic 🐾

🌟 Why Puppy Socialization? 🌟

🐶 Build Confidence: Help your pup feel at ease in a new environment. Socialization builds confidence and can potentially reduce fears related to novel experiences.

🐾 Build a positive relationship: These classes encourage the bond between you and your new pup and can help your pup to focus and stay calm in a new environment and around other dogs and people.

🧡 Prevent Behavioural Issues: Early socialization can help prevent behavioural concerns later on, giving your pup a solid foundation for a happy, well-rounded life.

🎈 What to Expect: 🎈

💡 Expert Advice: Classes are run by a qualified animal behaviour consultant who will be there to answer all your questions, providing invaluable tips on puppy care, behavior, and training.

👣 Life Skills: While our classes focus on socialization and education, we also incorporate basic training cues using positive reinforcement and fear free training methods.

🌼 Fun-filled Sessions: Each class will incorporate exciting confidence-building exercises, enrichment and/or gentle obstacle courses. Plenty of tail-wagging and giggles guaranteed.

🐕Who can join? 🐕

Pups between the ages of 10-16 weeks who have had their first two vaccinations are welcome to join.

🎁 The Puppy Club @ Kowie Vet is a Hills Puppy School. All pups enrolled will receive a Hills puppy pack upon registration 🎁

Don't miss out on this opportunity for you and your beloved pup to learn, grow, and potentially create lifelong friendships! Limited spots are available, so register today.

📍 Location: Kowie Vet Clinic
⏰ Schedule: 6 week course
💵 Price: R600
📅 Date: TBD
📞 Contact: 082 851 9521
📬 [email protected]

🐾 Tag a fellow pup guardian who would love to join in the fun! Let's give our pups the best head start together! 🐾

13/12/2023

RESEARCH REQUIRED!

Choosing a dog just because of the way they look.

We wouldn’t choose a partner or make a commitment to sharing our lives with someone based purely on the way they look – (I suppose there could be exceptions in some cases!)

We would first really get to know them, what kind of personality they have and who they really are before making that sort of commitment.

Yet people continue to choose dogs just because of the way they look.

Maybe they saw a dog like that in a movie that they enjoyed or maybe they just really like the way they look, without having any understanding or thought to learn about what that particular breed was selectively bred to do and what behaviour might be expected.

The way a dog behaves is not always specific to the breed. Dogs are individuals, with their own unique personality and their behaviour is shaped not only by genetics, but by specific life and learning experiences and environment, but problems can happen when the traits of that breed and their specific needs are not taken into account.

Some breeds may just simply not be compatible with a particular person or family’s needs, lifestyle, environment or expectations.

Is it fair or ethical to need to suppress, train out or even punish breed specific tendencies, calling them behaviour problems, when we hold a dog in a captive environment that is unsuitable for them.

First research the breed and learn all you can about potential traits and what to expect before making that choice.

05/12/2023

Some of the latest Puppy Club @ Kowie Veterinary Clinic graduates 😍 Congratulations to you all!

25/11/2023

To cats, this might be the scariest movie of all time!

Credit: Mark Parisi

01/11/2023

Fireworks prep.

Credit - COAPE International

20/10/2023

Nature AND nurture 🐾

BORN THIS WAY?
Why is a dog the way they are? Why do they behave that way? Are they just born that way?

Genetics certainly play a part, but it’s so much more than that. Genetics, environment, life experiences and individuality all play a role in their behaviour and who they are.

Dogs are unique individuals, each with their own personalities, emotions, likes and dislikes, sociability, preferences or different health issues. These can also change over time.

Just as we learn through our life experiences, so do dogs. Negative or positive life experiences, trauma, stress, learned habits, training methods, trust, feeling safe and secure, predictability and stability are all part of how life experiences affect their behaviour.

Many dogs live in environments that are not compatible with their genetics or are not meeting their needs.

Genetics are not always predictive, but they can provide insight as to what to expect.

We selectively bred dogs to do important jobs like guarding, herding, hunting, pointing, scenting, tracking or companionship. When dogs that were bred for specific jobs, find themselves “unemployed” and have no outlet for what they were originally bred to do, this often leads to pent up frustration and behaviour problems.

Conflict between the environment and a dog’s genetics are an increasingly common reason for behaviour problems in our times.

Yes, a dog may have just been “born this way”, but always look at the whole picture to understand the why of behaviour.

Genetics, environment, individuality and experiences – they all matter.

10/10/2023

We expect a lot from these babies🐾

Should be social, but not obsessed with people and dogs.
Should be house-trained quickly, but not wake us up in the middle of the night to go outside.
Should be motivated to train with food, but not so much that they snap at our fingers.
Should play fetch with us, but not chase the cat.
Should be fun when we have time, but calm when we don’t.
…
Aren't we expecting a bit too much, too soon?
Dogs are not born knowing how to navigate our world. We have a lot of rules that make no sense to them (such as chasing a ball yes, chasing a cat no). There are a lot of things to learn and it is OUR task to teach them gently.
If you get a puppy, do not expect them to fit into your life seamlessly. There will be a lot of management and training involved in the first 6-12 months. Adapting to all the (pretty random) rules we have for them takes TIME.
I see so many requests from frustrated puppy owners who really did not consider that puppies do not come knowing how to be a “good dog”. They are annoyed by the potty training, worn down by the chewing and biting and irritated by the amount of supervision the puppy requires.
They may even feel like the puppy is antagonistic - always doing what they do NOT want.
Think about it: The puppy didn’t ask for any of it. Didn’t ask to be separated from the littermates, didn’t ask to be placed in this or that family, and didn’t ask to be taught our 100s of rules. Still, they are just happy to be with us and go along with everything.
It is the LEAST we can do to give them the time and patience to fit in!
The next time you are frustrated by your puppy, think about how complex our world and rules must be for them. How different from the first 8 weeks of their lives. And how they still wake up with a smile every day and want to be our friends.
And just be their friend and guide in this complicated human world! 🐾

26/09/2023

These are a fantastic for added enrichment, I highly recommend giving them a try. Your pups will thank you 🐾