tag:thedogueshop.com,2005:/blogs/dogue-s-blog?p=2Dogue's Blog2024-03-26T17:55:28-04:00Dogue Shop & Gaby Dufresne-CyrDogue Shopfalsetag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/73729342024-03-26T17:55:28-04:002024-03-27T18:07:13-04:00Derrière Chaque Animal il y a un humain<p>Par Ann-Marie Bourassa, Consultante en Comportement Canin</p><p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c3129b06323ce11ad5512c89147665b345bd4fc2/medium/14543903-1106386716105458-5623651353179017148-o.jpg?1504627277" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="169" width="300" />Comme plusieurs personnes qui font une certification pour ensuite se lancer à leur compte, je croyais que finalement j’allais travailler avec les animaux et je n’aurai plus à faire face aux humains. À ma grande surprise c’est tout le contraire! Travailler dans le domaine animalier m’oblige à continuellement travailler sur moi-même afin d’être la plus professionnelle possible, ainsi que d’être continuellement alignée ce avec quoi je m suis engagée à transformer tant pour les chiens que pour leurs humains. </p><p>Pour moi travailler avec les chiens n’est qu’une fine partie de mon travail. C’est vraiment l’humain que j’entraine sur les buts qu’ils aimeraient atteindre avec leurs compagnons poilus. Je suis là pour l’éducation canine, les protocoles d’entrainements, répondre à leurs questions.</p><p>Je suis authentique le plus possible avec mes clients et collègues. S’il y a quelque chose que je ne sais pas, je crois fortement que c’est important d’être transparent et ne pas avoir peur de leur dire que je vais devoir revenir avec l’information approprié car je n’ai pas de réponse à cette question à l’instant. </p><p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/83c6cb3ff5856d9df05309f72c346722c41f45fd/medium/20545433-1643090669055742-8114302754198344777-o.jpg?1504627204" class="size_m justify_right border_" height="169" width="300" />Je les remercie également pour leur question car ceci contribue à augmenter mes connaissances et mon expérience de travail. De plus, il est impératif pour moi de m’assurer que mes clients restent motivés à travailler les comportements de leurs chiens. S’ils ne le sont pas et ne font pas les efforts nécessaires pour avoir les résultats auxquels ils désirent, je devrai les référer à mes collègues. Je ne prends pas l’argent de mes clients juste parce que c’est mon gagne-pain. Comme avec les psychologues, les professeurs, etc. des fois il n’y a pas de synergie entre deux personnes. Je suis bien heureuse que ceci m’est arrivé qu’une seule fois dans ma nouvelle profession. </p><p>C’est incroyable combien j’apprends sur l’aspect humain. C’est très intéressant d’apprendre comment travailler avec différents types de personnalités, leurs émotions, leurs croyances, leurs jugements, comment choisir les bons mots afin de ne pas offenser les clients qui ont la mauvaise information par rapport à leur chien… </p><p>Dans un domaine non régularisé, comment être et se comporter avec les autres entraineurs qui ne font pas les choses de la même façon. Étant humaine moi-même, je dois toujours garder un œil sur mon égo si je veux être le changement que je veux expérimenter dans ma vie. Pour moi c’est la paix dans le monde. Accepter les choses que je ne peux changer, pardonner, laisser les gens qui ne t’apporte rien partir, respecter toute êtres vivants même si parfois nous ne les comprenons pas, ne pas avoir de communications non dites, d’avoir confiance tant en moi-même que mes connaissances et la liste continue, n’est pas facile.</p><p>Est-ce que je suis toutes ces choses en tout temps? Évidemment que non! Mais je peux dire que je pratique à tous les jours. Des fois j’échoue et j’apprends ma leçon afin de ne pas refaire cette erreur. Des fois je réussi haut la main. </p><p>Les chiens m’en apprennent autant. Comment sortir de ma boite lorsqu’une session d’entrainement ne vas pas bien, rester calme, être patiente, être présente, mettre mes émotions de côtés si je me lève du mauvais pied, comment me motiver lorsque je suis fatiguée, être discipliner, ne pas juger. Je n’avais aucune idée que je vivrais tout ça dans le domaine canin. </p><p>J’ai également le privilège de travailler en <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/therapy-programs" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Therapy Programs" contents="Thérapie Assisté Par Animaux">Thérapie Assisté Par Animaux</a> avec chien (à ne pas confondre avec la zoothérapie) avec des ados à risques dans des écoles secondaires. Ma mentor <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-gaby" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Dogue's Gaby" contents="Gaby Dufresne-Cyr">Gaby Dufresne-Cyr</a> a créé ce programme pour les ados afin de les aider en leurs donnant des outils pour les appuyer dans leurs réalisations. Ces ados étiquetés comme ayant des problèmes comportementaux sont brillants! Mais malheureusement pour eux, ils ne s’engouffrent pas dans le moule que la société tient tant à garder. </p><p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e1ef1d26d8cb2884533333ef93e96cfb598e9311/medium/am-6.jpg?1504627802" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="300" width="300" />Je ne peux expliquer en mots ce que je ressens lorsqu’un jeune réussi à travailler avec le chien. Combien de fois que j’ai vu les jeunes rentrer dans la classe frustrés, fatigués et démotivés pour partir à la fin du cours fières avec un sourire au visage. Ils ont tous une histoire et ils ont tous une chose en commun : vouloir se faire entendre.</p><p>Ils ont une voix cependant ils ne peuvent l’utiliser et finissent par se recroqueviller pour ensuite se faire demander pourquoi ils n’écoutent pas et ne communiquent pas. Avec les chiens, ces ados ne se sentent pas juger et leurs amis à quatre pattes sont toujours contents de les voir. </p><p>Finalement j’aime les humains et j’adore les animaux! Je suis retourné en enfance, lorsque j’étais petite je voulais que tous les animaux soient mes amis et je voulais travailler avec eux. Comme pour la plupart, nos rêves d’enfants se dissipent en vieillissant. Toute ma vie adulte j’ai toujours eu des emplois par obligation afin de payer mes comptes.</p><p>À 37 ans, je peux finalement dire que j’ai une job de rêve! Pour moi c’est un profond privilège de faire le travail que je fais. Malgré que l’expansion du Soi ne soit pas toujours facile, je suis reconnaissante littéralement à tous les jours de faire partie de ce merveilleux monde d’animaux :-)</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31482832024-03-15T19:56:33-04:002024-03-26T17:31:43-04:00Dog Training Profession - Part 2<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/3b80926e83c150ae09e3909f819a3a8f3930ff22/original/20200225-200457.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/3b80926e83c150ae09e3909f819a3a8f3930ff22/original/20200225-200457.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="3024" /></a><p><br>Before I discuss what a dog trainer does, I must explain what a dog trainer is not. The dog training profession is not a recognized one, in other words the government, via the different ministries of education, does not offer a dog trainer curriculum. No official dog training diploma exists in Canada; this means anyone can give himself or herself the title of dog trainer. Private institutions do offer courses, but no educational standard exists. Contents change from one school to another, so titles obtained vary in significance.</p><p>Certain people in our profession pretend to be what they are not. They become trainers after reading a book or attending a seminar, while others add behaviourist at the end of their name without having a university degree. Dog training does not guarantee the success of your work. Neither is it assuming you can cure undesirable behaviours. Teaching a dog is not a task; the animal should never be afraid of working. People who say they know it all are usually the ones who need to update their knowledge!<br><br><strong>So, what is a dog trainer?</strong><br>First, let us look at a few definitions in order to clarify the terms used in the business. Titles often used are master-trainer, trainer, instructor, behaviourist, ethologist and cynologist.</p><p>• The Master Trainer: a person who trains protection, security and/or guard dogs. No schooling is required.<br>• The Dog Trainer: teaches owners how to train their dogs to live in our society. No schooling is required.<br>• The Instructor: a person who repeats what he was taught without necessarily understanding the basis of conditioning. No schooling is required.<br>• The Behaviourist: from psychology, studies observable behaviours resulting from a strict relationship with the environment (stimulus-response). University degree.<br>• The Ethologist: From the theory of evolution, causes and consequences are studied from a strict ecological and physiological point of view. University degree.<br>• The Cynologist: trains and works with dogs. Refers to the French military. No schooling is required.<br><br>Behaviourists and ethologists generally do not train dogs so that we will skip the explanations. The two definitions that retain my attention are master trainer and trainer. In French, the two are very different. The master-trainer trains dogs for protection, guard, security, search and rescue and attack. From the old school, they sometimes practice outdated and dangerous techniques. Training techniques are often negative. The dog is a victim of coercion. Many of these trainers treat the dog as if it were a wolf without even knowing the Canis Lupus ethogram. The trainer teaches people how to train their dogs. In French, we call them canine educators because they teach people how to train their dogs. They generally practice more secure and humane techniques based on positive reinforcement, although this is not a prerequisite for the definition. These trainers usually do obedience and various sports. A good trainer will prevent and/or modify certain minor behaviour problems.<br><br>Next on the list is the trainer specializing in behaviour problems, not to be confused with a behaviourist. He has the same aptitudes as the regular trainer but his training will be centred on behaviour problems. This type of trainer does not have a university degree but generally studies the same course content. Curiously, behaviourists teach many trainers specialised in behaviour. These professional trainers can modify or manage serious behaviour problems with a very high success rate. Note: The University of British Columbia is the only institution offering a degree in applied behaviour in Canada.<br><br>Good trainers are conscientious people when it comes to their schooling and don’t pretend to be someone they are not. These people attend conferences, seminars and private courses on training and modifying behaviours. They work hard to perfect their knowledge; it’s not rare to see two trainers exchange information regarding the latest scientific findings. As a reference point, here are some aptitudes a good trainer should possess:<br><br>• Master the different characteristics of individual breeds of dogs<br>• Have pertinent experience in his respective domain<br>• Know the training terminology<br>• Identify the physical and emotional language of the dog<br>• Be aware of new scientific discoveries<br>• Offer himself a continuous education<br>• Have a basic knowledge of health and nutrition<br>• For specialists, master the complexity of behaviour problems</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31483482024-03-15T19:54:47-04:002024-03-15T19:54:48-04:00Dog Language 101<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE<br><br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/8012078f25e92d16308a756b658f5090f03007c8/original/20171023-185018.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ=="><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/8012078f25e92d16308a756b658f5090f03007c8/original/20171023-185018.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="3047" /></a>Dictionaries state: 1. The ability to communicate, to establish a relationship with others, which brings me to the word communicate. 2. To give knowledge and share it with someone. 3. To be in a relationship, in contact, or corresponding with someone. Hence, one can conclude from these definitions that we communicate with our dogs; however, what are we telling them?<br><br>Let us look at the Alpha Roll as an example. Does turning Fido on his back and holding him there say: I am Alpha, submit to me, or else! On the other hand, does it mean: Periodically I will scare you, with no apparent reason, by tossing you on your back until you become inhibited. If you choose the second option, you are a champion. What we communicate to Fido is a question of perception; in this case, we must look at it from the dog’s point of view. To accomplish this, we must understand the canine dictionary.</p><p>Dominance is an intraspecific concept, meaning to dominate the dog, one must be able to speak the same language, which is impossible. I cannot lift my tail, pivot my ears or raise my hackles. Submission amongst dogs is voluntary, or there is a fight. I have never seen a dog or wolf take his adversary by the scruff of the neck and flip him on his back until he submitted. I will repeat: the animal will submit VOLUNTARILY, or there is a conflict.</p><p>To illustrate this point, let us look at this example. An elephant and a buffalo challenge one another in the Savannah; I ask who dominates whom. The answer is neither nor and both at the same time. For, in their respective heads, they are displaying dominant behaviours. In this situation, there is no communication since the definition states: Establishing a relationship with others, being in a relationship.</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/981a2883986fa9f598da9c89ff94edd2badb58cf/original/20230122-150116.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/981a2883986fa9f598da9c89ff94edd2badb58cf/original/20230122-150116.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="1800" /></a><p>In our example, the buffalo tries to dominate the elephant by lowering his head and showing his horns. The elephant is displaying dominance by opening his ears and raising his trunk. They demonstrate dominance by showing behaviours they usually exhibit to other group members. We see communication is not possible. The buffalo is not dominating the elephant because the latter does not understand the behaviours. With this new understanding, how can we interpret our relationship with dogs as being dominance and submission?<br><br>The dog spends his time interpreting our behaviours because he does not understand our language. Here is another example. You must cut your dog’s nails; he does not want to. You forcefully immobilize him until he stops moving and accepts your manipulations. My question is did you dominate him, of course not! In his head, you scared him, and he froze, unable to run away. Remember, a dog faced with a situation can do one of three things: freeze, fight or fight. Although the majority of canines will prefer flight, the alternative is usually “fight.”<br><br>Most dog trainers understand the dog’s physical language, but unfortunately, few know about the emotional language. Calming and avoidance signals are integral to the canine vocabulary, and understanding them is necessary for proper communication. This understanding allows us to prevent behaviour problems, which are, more often than not, a result of poor communication. Calming and avoidance signals are fast and somewhat difficult to observe, but one can avoid many unfortunate situations once mastered. These signals are turning the eye, turning the head, turning the body, tongue flicking, freezing, closing the mouth, ground sniffing, sitting, laying down, panting, yawning, play bow, and whale eyes.<br><br>Let us go back to our nail-cutting example. The owner is on top of the dog, trying to immobilize him; the dog yawns wags the tip of his tail and invariably turns his head to avoid his owner’s stare. In other words, the dog is trying to tell you he is scared and does not understand what you expect of him. Remember, no other dog would dare do such a thing in his world. In our example, Fido could make the association between pain and you and think you are a potential danger.<br><br>Establishing a healthy relationship with an animal demands a maximum understanding of his ethogram. We must realize that communication is only possible between species exhibiting the same physical and emotional behaviour; all other relationships function on respect and positive associations. Preventing behaviour problems starts by recognizing we are not superior, or inferior, to our dogs, we are merely different; as Charles Darwin said, <i>“Differences create diversity!”</i></p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/73422242024-01-29T11:57:01-05:002024-03-15T19:51:52-04:00Anthropomorhism is Projection<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/b5080651bd62f5f9be0ecf185d9f758aa31ebb99/original/happy-george.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/b5080651bd62f5f9be0ecf185d9f758aa31ebb99/original/happy-george.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropomorphism" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Anthropomorphizing</strong></span></a>, attributing human emotions to non-human animals or objects, is part of the human experience. We all do it to varying degrees. For example, when someone describes their car as lazy or sick, they are being anthropomorphic. There is humour in saying your car is stupid or crazy; however, when people mention their dog cries or love them, the anthropomorphic nature of the statement can, and often does, create negative consequences for the pet. </p><p><strong>Positive Anthropomorphism</strong><br>It is also important to remember that humanizing dogs is not bad. It can be a positive tool to help form strong bonds between humans and their pets. For example, talking to your dog warm and friendly can help create a strong sense of understanding and companionship between both parties. Similarly, referring to your dog with endearing pet names can be a way of expressing joy and affection. Overall, anthropomorphizing can be a powerful tool when used correctly. <o:p></o:p></p><p>In human development, <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8614365/#:~:text=Anthropomorphism%20refers%20to%20the%20practices,interest%20in%20their%20well%2Dbeing." data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>anthropomorphism leads to empathy</strong></span></a>, especially during childhood. When toddlers start actively exploring their environment, they often come across dogs and learn, with their parents’ help, how to interact safely and compassionately with them. The anthropomorphic lesson eventually transfers over to the adult phase of development. People with genuine, <a class="no-pjax" href="https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2010-13289-003.html" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>empathetic beliefs</strong></span></a> are less likely to harm animals and their fellow humans when compared to apathetic individuals.</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/2bfba5eae7646005137b828c5217d3e44d3f18e0/original/sad-hariette.png/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/2bfba5eae7646005137b828c5217d3e44d3f18e0/original/sad-hariette.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p><strong>Negative Anthropomorphism</strong><br>Understanding the difference between anthropomorphizing and reality is vital to providing the best care for your beloved pet. In my previous example, when a person says, <i>my dog cried</i>, the statement leads the owner to believe their dog can cry. In reality, dogs are physically incapable of such a feat. When dogs produce watery substances from their eyes, it usually indicates blocked lacrimal ducts to ensure that anthropomorphizing does not lead to healthcare concerns for the pet.</p><p>An excellent example of <a class="no-pjax" href="https://thedogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/anthropomorphic-propaganda" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>negative anthropomorphism</strong></span></a> can be seen everywhere on social media. Instead, focusing on the animal’s characteristics and unique personality traits is essential. For example, when we refer to our dog as being <i>clever</i>, we should remember that the dog’s behaviour is based on their instincts, not their ability to reason. <o:p></o:p></p><p>Similarly, when we refer to our dog as having <i>anxiety</i>, we should take into account the fact that animals, unlike humans, do not feel or experience the same emotions that we do. It is also essential to remember that while anthropomorphizing can express love and affection, it can also be a way of projecting our feelings onto our pets.<strong><o:p></o:p></strong></p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/4e386c3ec581b9ce1e7e6db2036173a2ff0ffda9/original/screenshot-2018-04-03-12-59-21-inpixio-inpixio-1.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/4e386c3ec581b9ce1e7e6db2036173a2ff0ffda9/original/screenshot-2018-04-03-12-59-21-inpixio-inpixio-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p><strong>When Anthropomorphism Turns Into Projection</strong><br>Anthropomorphism can transform into projecting. Anthropomorphism usually involves people expecting the dog to act and behave like themselves. Wrongfully attributing emotions to a dog can lead to confusion and frustration, resulting in the dog displaying behavioural issues. For example, if we are feeling stressed or anxious, it can be tempting to think that our pet is feeling the same way if we are feeling stressed or worried.<o:p></o:p></p><p>It is important to remember that dogs are not humans in furry suits. They have their own unique needs and language that we must respect and take into account. A person’s experience dictates his or her projection, transforming the dog into a vicious killer when its behaviour displays the opposite. People often claimed that Albear looked dangerous, yet he greeted them with a plush toy in his mouth, wiggling his bum and wagging his tail. Nothing about his behaviour signified aggression or <i>mean</i> behaviour.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Anthropomorphizing can be a powerful tool if used correctly. Not only can it create strong bonds between humans and their pets, but it can also be a way of expressing love and affection. However, it is essential to remember the difference between anthropomorphizing and projecting to ensure that both humans and dogs are comfortable and happy.<o:p></o:p></p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/e409d7e0776fc4bb717fa0c95e65844bea14fa97/original/screenshot-2016-07-19-16-19-08-1.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/e409d7e0776fc4bb717fa0c95e65844bea14fa97/original/screenshot-2016-07-19-16-19-08-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" height="558" /></a><p><strong>How to Spot Anthropomorphic Projections</strong><br>The best way to avoid anthropomorphic <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/defense-mechanism" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>projections</strong></span></a> onto dogs is to take a class on dog language, a.k.a. behaviour. Once you understand dog behaviour, you can use the dog as your mirror and reflect the perception toward yourself. For example, if you say, <i>my dog likes to share his food</i>, one must know that dogs are social animals; thus, bringing food back to their dens for other members is considered normal behaviour. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://daily.jstor.org/why-do-animals-share/" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Sharing and providing</strong></span></a> are different terms. The former implies empathy, while the latter ensures survival. </p><p>My example demonstrates the deceptive trap anthropomorphism lays. Sharing is a projection in which a person might see the action from lacking something during childhood. Conversely, providing is a social concept founded on instinct. While subjectivity nourishes anthropomorphism, objectivity is the key to correcting a projection, anthropomorphic or not. <o:p></o:p></p><p>I am not asking you to stop loving your dog or saying it loves you. My aim is to make you think and ask yourself, what is love? From there, the situation will be reviewed objectively and the necessary changes will be made. I know my dog doesn’t love me. Still, she undoubtedly displays <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2781895/" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Darwin’s eight basic animal emotions</strong></span></a>: joy, sadness, fear, anger, trust, disgust, surprise, and anticipation.<o:p></o:p></p><p><span>Cheers.</span><br><span>G.</span></p><p><strong>References:</strong><br>- <span style="color:rgb(33,33,33);">Mota-Rojas D, Mariti C, Zdeinert A, Riggio G, Mora-Medina P, Del Mar Reyes A, Gazzano A, Domínguez-Oliva A, Lezama-García K, José-Pérez N, Hernández-Ávalos I. Anthropomorphism and Its Adverse Effects on the Distress and Welfare of Companion Animals. <i>Animals (Basel)</i>. 2021 Nov 15;11(11):3263. doi: 10.3390/ani11113263. PMID: 34827996; PMCID: PMC8614365.</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(33,33,33);">- Harrison, Marissa A. and Hall, A. E. (2010). Anthropomorphism, empathy, and perceived communicative ability vary with phylogenetic relatedness to humans.<i> Journal of Social, Evolutionary, and Cultural Psychology</i>, <i>4</i>(1), p. 34-48. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0099303.</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(33,33,33);">- Ekman P. Darwin's contributions to our understanding of emotional expressions. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2009 Dec 12;364(1535):3449-51. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2009.0189. PMID: 19884139; PMCID: PMC2781895.</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(33,33,33);">- Lamb, J. (2016). </span>Why Do Animals Share? Natural selection should weed out the do-gooders and leave only egoists, but animals share just the same. <i>Jstor Daily</i>. Retrieved from https://daily.jstor.org/why-do-animals-share/</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/73273112024-01-02T16:47:51-05:002024-03-15T11:09:04-04:00Animal-Assisted Therapy: A Book to Read<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/10b37c00bd6dd1a492ef3e5d8b3e911b5e1b474f/original/front-albear.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/10b37c00bd6dd1a492ef3e5d8b3e911b5e1b474f/original/front-albear.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>Last November, I released the book <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-publishing" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Animal-Assisted Therapy: Superstars Change Teen Lives</strong></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB">. The content includes laws, how to socialize and train pet partners, and case files from the teens we worked with over the years. Although I wrote the manuscript during the pandemic, most of our teens had not reached adulthood, so I waited.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Animal-Assisted Therapy</strong></span><br><span lang="EN-GB">The practice of AAT falls under the umbrella term </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7185850/" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Animal-Assisted Interventions</strong></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB">. Some animal-assisted activity (AAA) practitioners don’t strive to reach specific objectives, like those who offer zootherapy.* </span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">The definition of zootherapy goes as follows: it is the use of therapeutic drugs derived from animals, and more recently added, zootherapy is a type of therapy that uses animals. Normally, zootherapists volunteer their time and do not track goals. That said, some AAA practitioners do track goals, but most don’t. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">The main difference between zootherapy, AAAs or AATs is the animal's training level. Pet partners in AAT programs receive extensive socialization and training. A dog's education, for example, equals approximately 1000 hours within the first year of the animal’s life. I present a sample week of socializing and training of our dogs. <o:p></o:p></span></p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/641652ee0aad05f9b808cec80c51591bfc4af96f/original/hariette-front-cover.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/641652ee0aad05f9b808cec80c51591bfc4af96f/original/hariette-front-cover.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p><strong>Case Files</strong><br><a class="no-pjax" href="/therapy-programs" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Therapy Programs"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>The Dogue Shop’s AAT program</strong></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> is an innovative practice: the students train their pet partners. This allows us to challenge, educate and modify human and animal behaviour. Our teens drastically change from the first to the last day. They develop confidence, self-esteem, awareness, interpersonal communication, acceptance, critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">The skills teens learn serve them not only in the classroom but also in their personal lives. We aim to help students manage their feelings while focusing on an animal’s ability to reciprocate their moods and emotions. Each case presents different results because we tailor our sessions to the student’s needs. However, one of the leading goals is to teach students how to create secure attachments or change insecure ones.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Good Reads</strong></span><br><span lang="EN-GB">I published a dyslexia font edition for those who need a different kind of text to facilitate reading. I hope you read it for the sake of the students who gave their 200% during our classes. I’m certain our past participants would thank you for your interest in their achievements. You can come to discuss with me on </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/170698666-gaby-dufresne-cyr" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>GoodReads</strong></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB">.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">Cheers.</span><br><span lang="EN-GB">G.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">* A direct translation from the French term zootherapie.</span><br> </p><p><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>References:</strong></span><br>- <span style="color:rgb(33,33,33);">Bert F, Gualano MR, Camussi E, Pieve G, Voglino G, Siliquini R. Animal-assisted intervention: A systematic review of benefits and risks. <i>Eur J Integr Med</i>. 2016 Oct;8(5):695-706. doi: 10.1016/j.eujim.2016.05.005. Epub 2016 May 20. PMID: 32362955; PMCID: PMC7185850.</span><br><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/72783572023-09-25T13:20:39-04:002024-03-15T11:10:31-04:00The Bitting Doodles <p align="left">By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/5e686cf06d65bdbe03bd9d14e2d438b03f76a5a5/original/img-20220430-225159-656.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/5e686cf06d65bdbe03bd9d14e2d438b03f76a5a5/original/img-20220430-225159-656.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>As the year ends, dog trainers and other animal-related professionals look back on the year to try to predict the year to come. Some of my observations project a change in human behaviour. COVID-19 dogs will turn four years old in 2024, and the longevity of many dogs is bleak.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="left"><span>The main reason some pets are re-homed or euthanized is directly proportional to their lack of socialization. There is a reason the puppy phase is called the </span><i><span>critical </span></i><span>period of social development. This socialization period teaches dogs what to expect later in life; it normalizes stimuli. </span></p><p align="left"><span>I personally thought that people knew how vital it was to expose dogs to their future environment between the ages of four and twelve weeks; unfortunately, I was wrong. The technological era has set access to information back many decades. The internet has too much contradiction to make sense of conflicting facts and data.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p align="left"><span>Add to the confusion, poor breeding and financial gain, and the dog world explodes into what we are currently experiencing: aggression and fear. Bites more than doubled since early 2019. You might think pit bulls inflicted these bites and death, but you would be seriously wrong. Mixed breeds, specifically doodles, are the most popular dogs acquired during the pandemic; thus, they outrank bully breeds statistically. The numbers are similar in the US and UK. </span></p><p align="left"><span>Another factor in increased dog bites was how people selected their dogs; their purchases reflected human impulse buying behaviours. Many buyers did not visit the breeder, dogs, or puppies before they brought their dog home. Furthermore, most doodle owners are first-time pet caregivers. Mixing two hunting breeds together and expecting a calm, relaxed animal is unrealistic in a mass-market world.</span></p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/f509a83882fa9af482efd6483e58b1dee6487f1f/original/20210424-100003.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/f509a83882fa9af482efd6483e58b1dee6487f1f/original/20210424-100003.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p><strong>Dog Bites</strong><br>Bites are still on the rise, and doodles represent large numbers of incidences. 60% of Canadians became dog owners during the pandemic, and 15% plan to buy a dog in the upcoming year (2024). Unless people realize that Google is not an adequate source for dog training information, the number of bites will continue to rise. </p><p align="left"><span>Doodles are flooding shelters and rescues for a reason: they bite. Lack of socialization, poor genes, and lack of training are the recipe for aggression. You will likely comment that your doodle does not behave aggressively, but statistics prove otherwise. Look at your local dog walkers; seven out of ten dogs are doodles. </span></p><p align="left"><span><strong>Food for Thought</strong></span><br><span>In the last fifty years, the top three dog breeds sold worldwide have been the Labrador, Golden Retriever, and German Shepherd. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, in the UK, is the only bully breed to make the top ten; consequently, pit bulls* cannot be the number one bitter. </span></p><p align="left"><span>The number one reason pit bulls show up in statistics is because mainstream media solely reports on this breed. The website Dogbites is another biased source managed by a person who was a victim of a pit bull dog bite. I rarely see bully owners for aggression, but I see doodles come in weekly. </span></p><p align="left"><span><strong>Choosing a Dog</strong></span><br><span>Contrary to popular belief, there are thousands of dog breeds. Rare breeds are generally healthier. You will avoid dog bites and other unpleasant behaviours with proper selection, socialization, and training. You do not want a dog that bites or fears everything new; it is simply not a healthy situation. I urge you to do your homework and find a science-based dog trainer before you start your dog owner journey. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p align="left"><span>I have added the Breed Breed Questionnaire I use with my clients. You can scroll down and download it for your needs. The document does not offer a specific breed because I sit with clients to help them figure it out. After all, it is my job to know the various categories of dog breeds that best suit your lifestyle and personality. </span></p><p align="left"><span>Cheers.</span><br><span>G.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p align="left"><span><strong>Source:</strong></span><o:p></o:p></p><p align="left"><span>- Burnett, E., Brand, C.L., O’Neill, D.G. et al. How much is that doodle in the window? Exploring motivations and behaviours of UK owners acquiring designer crossbreed dogs (2019-2020). Canine Med Genet 9, 8 (2022). </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s40575-022-00120-x"><span><strong>https://doi.org/10.1186/s40575-022-00120-x</strong></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p align="left"><span>- CDC-QuickStats: Number of Deaths Resulting from Being Bitten or Struck by a Dog, by Sex — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2011–2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:999. DOI: </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7236a6"><span><strong>http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7236a6</strong></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p align="left"><span>- Chang, J. (2023). Number of Dogs in the US 2022/2023: Statistics, Demographics, and Trends. Retrieved from </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://financesonline.com/number-of-dogs-in-the-us/"><span><strong>https://financesonline.com/number-of-dogs-in-the-us/</strong></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p align="left"><span>- Perrin T. The Business Of Urban Animals Survey: the facts and statistics on companion animals in Canada. Can Vet J. 2009 Jan;50(1):48-52. PMID: 19337613; PMCID: PMC2603652.</span></p><p align="left"><span class="text-small"><span>*Used as a general term.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/71727492023-03-16T13:09:17-04:002024-03-15T11:11:29-04:00Dog Training App Review<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/2203d1824bd5125cc5d646f88a86011210de85b1/original/20230211-085935.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/2203d1824bd5125cc5d646f88a86011210de85b1/original/20230211-085935.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>Dog training apps seem like a blessing for dog owners, so I decided to review a few of them and report back. I selected <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.puppr.app/"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Puppr</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-GB">, </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://dogo.app/"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Dogo</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-GB">, and </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.goodpup.com/"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>GoodPup</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-GB">. The apps are available in both Apple and Android OS. I will list the apps individually, but before I do, here are the standard features. </span></p><p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB">All the apps are lure-based training, which, you know, we do not recommend or use. Lure training does not teach the dog how to think, problem-solve, or improvise new behaviours. I am a firm believer in teaching a dog to learn how to learn. Lure training poses a few problems. </span></p><p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB">First, the lure loses its modelling power when a distraction occurs. Secondly, the client becomes dependent on the lure and must always carry food. Thirdly, the lures must be constantly increased in value to distract dogs.</span></p><p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB">Another downside to these apps is that the client does not learn to read dog language. If a person cannot decode behaviours, the person can get bitten. In-person training from a science-based trainer will provide you with feedback to avoid an accident. </span></p><p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB">The prices listed below are in Canadian currency.</span></p><p align="left"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://dogo.app/"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Dogo</strong></span></a><br><span lang="EN-GB">The app offers puppy basics, basic obedience, tricks, and service dog training. Although I have only tried the trial version, my experience is that the integrated clicker often lags in timing, reinforcing the wrong behaviour. My phone’s OS (S21 Ultra) could conflict with the app. Maybe it is faster in the paid version; I do not know. The app offers access to dog trainers; you will receive feedback through video analysis. It is unclear if extra fees apply.</span></p><p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB">Price: </span><br><span lang="EN-GB">Free: 7-day trial </span><br><span lang="EN-GB">One month: $7.99 </span><br><span lang="EN-GB">Six months: $34.99</span><br><span lang="EN-GB">One year: $59.99</span></p><p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB">Overall, it is a good app for basic behaviours. I would not rely on this app to help with an unruly puppy or adult dog. Furthermore, puppy socialization is part of the app; unfortunately, all the training is lure-based. You must give your credit card information to receive your training plan.</span></p><p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB">Google rating: 4.6/5</span><br><span lang="EN-GB">Dogue Shop rating: 3.2/5</span></p><p align="left"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.goodpup.com/"><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>GoodPup</strong></span></a><br><span lang="EN-GB">Plans are detailed yet simple, and the interface is user-friendly. Unfortunately, this app relies heavily on lure training. The app is free to download, and you will pay a weekly fee after the trial. The app offers access to dog trainers; however, extra fees apply. The website does not provide much information. After you fill in the information about your dog to get your personalized plan, you must provide your credit card information. If you do not, you are blocked. I find this problematic because you cannot experience the interface.</span></p><p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB">Price:</span><br><span lang="EN-GB">Free: 7-day trial</span><br><span lang="EN-GB">Weekly: $44$ </span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">Although the app is science-based, this platform relies on lure-based training. Hiring an actual dog trainer might be more cost-efficient in the long run because the professional will help prevent other problems.</span></p><p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB">Google rating: 4.1/5</span><br><span lang="EN-GB">Dogue Shop rating: 3.6/5</span></p><p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB">Puppy</span><br><span lang="EN-GB">The developer has not updated the app since April 20, 2022. The app does have an integrated clicker, and the timing is perfect. After answering a few questions, the app prompts you to give your credit card info. However, you can bypass it and try the interface’s basic behaviours. The platform is simple to use and pretty. The clicker can be problematic if your phone sleeps after a few seconds, as does mine. You must change your settings to use the app’s clicker. </span></p><p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB">Price:</span><br><span lang="EN-GB">Free: 7-day trial</span><br><span lang="EN-GB">Monthly: $17.99</span><br><span lang="EN-GB">Yearly: $134.99 (after a 7-day free trial) paid annually in one payment.</span></p><p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB">Google Rating: 4.6/5</span><br><span lang="EN-GB">Dogue Shop Rating: 3/5</span></p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/3916cd2292fee154e6fc87a6983f0a738697b2a4/original/bieibo.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/3916cd2292fee154e6fc87a6983f0a738697b2a4/original/bieibo.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p><br><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Conclusion</strong></span><br><span lang="EN-GB">My experience with phone clickers is that your dirty, drooling hands turn the phone into a mess. When Hariette is in working mode, she drools, and my hands get messy. Plus, keeping your finger on the phone while you work is highly impractical. An excellent old clicker works best. </span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">The fact that these lessons are all lure-based training is a big turnoff for me, so I will not recommend them. Hiring professional science-based dog trainers is far superior to any app, especially when dogs display undesirable behaviours.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">I understand people’s desire to save money, but training apps cannot replace personal dog trainers. It would be unrealistic to expect them to do so. If you want to teach your dog tricks, YouTube is a better bet, and the platform is free.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB">Cheers.</span><br><span lang="EN-GB">G.</span></p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/69138892022-03-04T14:58:05-05:002024-03-15T12:17:55-04:00Ukraine Dogs<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/f57f1ebe576ec95df6e96ea75f207dea0800e4dc/original/100-9548.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/f57f1ebe576ec95df6e96ea75f207dea0800e4dc/original/100-9548.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="2128" /></a><p>The conflict between Ukraine and Russia isn’t a favourable way to solve problems, but I’m not here to talk about the war. Today, I want to discuss the articles I see on social media relating to the dog population in Ukraine. I wrote an article a few years back about free-roaming and feral dog management, and I feel it’s time to revisit the topic. </p><p><strong>New perspective </strong><br>North American people and a few other large cities around the world tend to view dogs in a very different light than we do. The WHO-WSPA’s Guidelines for Dog Population Management (1993) classify dogs as restricted, semi-restricted, unrestricted, and feral. </p><p><strong>Restricted</strong>: fully dependent, fully restricted, and supervised by a human </p><p><strong>Semi-restricted</strong>: fully dependent and semi-restricted </p><p><strong>Unrestricted</strong>: semi-dependent and unrestricted </p><p><strong>Feral</strong>: independent and unrestricted </p><p>Most dogs on the planet fall into unrestricted and feral categories. That is because, culturally speaking, people view dogs as, well, dogs. They aren’t fur babies or fur kids; dogs are simply dogs. In Ukraine, the estimated feral dog population varies between 50,000 and 100,000. The stray dog[1] population in Canada hovers around 20,000 dogs. The Ukrainian human population is 44M, and the Canadian population is 38M. You don’t need to do complex math to see how problematic feral dogs are in Ukraine. With that said, let’s look at management strategies. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/6285c269d05f5eef25c58efe2365d0b6118db27e/original/dog-4-5-d.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/6285c269d05f5eef25c58efe2365d0b6118db27e/original/dog-4-5-d.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="" /></a><p><strong>Why rescues fail</strong><br>Rescues that fly to countries to import unrestricted or feral dogs have a very noble goal: decrease the dog population and save lives. Unfortunately, the opposite occurs. When you remove feral dogs from the population, they open the ecological niche. By removing dogs, the remaining ones will reproduce and fill the niche once more. Only this time around will the local dogs produce even more puppies. </p><p>According to Izaguirre (2011), when a country combines culling and sterilization, a country can effectively reduce the population. Combining sterilization and culling increases the effectiveness of the management strategy, which, in turn, guarantees the country's overall success. I know this sounds inhumane, but when we look at it from an ecological perspective, it is the most humane way to control dog populations. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/f6bcc426f59228c99bffc83937d19816990d626c/original/albear.png/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/f6bcc426f59228c99bffc83937d19816990d626c/original/albear.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="1153" /></a><p>Currently, 471M dogs reside on Earth, of which 200M are strays. The unrestricted/feral dog population is estimated to be between 700,000 and 900,000 (WHO, 1990; Statista, 2018; NPR, 2017). It becomes clear that international adoption as a dog population management strategy is ineffective. The international adoption practice represents another major problem: health. A few years ago, Canadian rescues imported dogs from other countries, which passed on diseases to the resident dog population. The increase in imports during the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the Canadian government to change its legislation in May 2021 (CFIA, 2021). </p><p>I strongly believe new strategies must be considered to control dog and cat overpopulation effectively, safely, and humanely. A discussion needs to occur as to why dogs find themselves semi-restricted, unrestricted, or feral. Furthermore, accepting our cultural differences is mandatory to understand the foundation of the problem. Rescuing dogs from the meat market or other living situations isn’t viable. I think it’s very arrogant of one country to tell another nation what they can or cannot eat. Maybe people have no other source of food. In any case, it all starts with education. </p><p>Cheers.<br>G.</p><p><strong>References </strong><br>- Bögel, K, Frucht, Karl, Drysdale, George, Remfry, Jenny, World Health Organization. Veterinary Public Health Unit. et al. (1990). Guidelines for dog population management. World Health Organization. </p><p>- Bringing animals to Canada: Importing and travelling with pets. Canadian Food Inspection Agency. (2021). Retrieved 4 March 2022, from https://inspection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578 </p><p>- Dog and cat pet population worldwide 2018. Statista. (2022). Retrieved 4 March 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1044386/dog-and-cat-pet-population-worldwide </p><p>- In Ukraine, technology offers humans solutions to the problem of stray animals. (2021). Retrieved 4 March 2022, from https://emerging-europe.com/after-hours/in-ukraine-technology-offers-humane-solutions-to-the-problem-of-stray-animals </p><p>- Izaguirre, E. R. (2011). WIAS PhD project proposal on ecology and society. </p><p>- NPR Cookie Consent and Choices. (2022). Retrieved 4 March 2022, from https://www.npr.org/2017/12/29/574598877/no-easy-answer-to-growing-number-of-stray-dogs-in-the-u-s-advocate-says </p><p>- Smith, Lauren & Hartmann, & Munteanu, Alexandru & Villa, Dalla & Quinnell, Rupert & Collins, Lisa. (2020). The Effectiveness of Dog Population Management: A Systematic Review. Animals. 9: 1020. doi 10.3390/ani9121020 </p><p>[1] Unclassified dog population; consequently, lost dogs fall into this category.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/69136232022-03-04T10:32:11-05:002024-03-15T11:18:52-04:00Working my passion<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/225de7faa42672bd1297316ddce675e03fb6dc02/original/Girafe-Gaby_0001.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/225de7faa42672bd1297316ddce675e03fb6dc02/original/Girafe-Gaby_0001.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" /></a><p>I don't talk about my job in public or other social gatherings. I don't mention what I do unless asked because my profession quickly becomes the centre of the conversation with questions ranging from What do you do exactly? to the all-dreaded question: What do you think of the television? You know who I'm talking about. I know I'm not alone in this situation, so I decided to talk about passionate people. You know me by now: taboo topics are my thing, wink, wink. </p><p><strong>The Punishment Label</strong> <br>Every time I have to explain what I do for a living, I get confused. The fact of the matter is my answer often depends on who I'm talking with. When I'm in the presence of other professionals, I can openly say I'm a behaviour consultant or animal trainer and know I won't have to explain any further. With other people, my response is very different. </p><p>When I describe what I do for a living to non-animal workers, I can see question marks on peoples' faces, so I tend to explain another way. Finally, give concrete examples via pictures or videos. This often gets me the <i>You're obsessed</i> look, which is often followed by <i>Lucky you, you're living your dream</i>. Don't get me started on the luck part...</p><p>I'm not lucky; I worked and am still working extremely hard to do my job. I build programs, knock on doors, and pave the path for other professionals to follow in my footsteps. It's NOT easy, and luck has NOTHING to do with making my business successful. When I start explaining my job descriptions, I can see people's reactions, so it's not uncommon to hear them say You're <i>passionate about your work</i>.</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/0d57ed35da51f6108313b5338edb762a703f7b44/original/img-3683.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/0d57ed35da51f6108313b5338edb762a703f7b44/original/img-3683.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" height="1632" /></a><p><strong>Passionate People</strong> <br>When people say I'm passionate, it tends to sound like I'm crazy obsessed with animals; therefore, that's the only thing I can talk about, when in reality, being passionate is all about motivation and determination. I admit it; I'm a highly motivated and determined person who likes innovation and change. That being said, I'm not obsessed with animals. I can talk about various topics ranging from quantum physics to botany, art, music, or whatever you want to talk about. Passionate people are curious, open-minded, and always eager to learn. Obsessed people are quite the opposite. </p><p>I dislike it when family or friends continuously want to talk about animals. These people come to me during social gatherings and ask questions about their dogs or training ideas to solve various problems. I'm flattered but don't want to work while partaking in get-togethers. I especially don't want to conduct consultations during a wedding or family reunion. I want to enjoy myself. </p><p><strong>Obsessed Obsession</strong> <br>Yes, I'm passionate, but please don't confuse it with obsession. I'm a professional who makes a living from what I love; however, I can't be defined by my love of one thing. Passion is defined as a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything. It's true; I do have a strong or extravagant fondness for animals, enthusiasm for canines, or desire for anything. Please place an emphasis on anything. That being said, I'm not obsessed with animals. I love art, painting, sculpting, music, ancient Egypt, astronomy, aviation, etc. </p><p>Next time you interact or meet an animal professional, please keep in mind we do this for a living, and although we love what we do, we might not want to talk about it continuously. Why not talk about yourself? Why not tell me what you do for work or what you're passionate about? I love to hear what other people do for a living or pass the time, for it makes for wonderful discoveries and great conversation topics. </p><p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/68544572021-12-29T15:25:44-05:002024-03-15T12:21:56-04:00My dog Killed my Other Dog – Part 3<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/e20a051e060b7b00c01000536e579b6b13e83f9d/original/20180915-200658-1.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e20a051e060b7b00c01000536e579b6b13e83f9d/original/20180915-200658-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" /></a><p>In the articles <a class="no-pjax" href="https://thedogueshop.com/blogs/dogue-s-blog/posts/my-dog-killed-my-other-dog-part-1" data-link-type="url" contents="My dog Killed my Other Dog – Part 1"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>My Dog Killed My Other Dog – Part 1</strong></span></a> and <a class="no-pjax" href="https://thedogueshop.com/blogs/dogue-s-blog/posts/my-dog-killed-my-other-dog-part-two" data-link-type="url" contents="Part 2"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Part 2</strong></span></a>, we discussed how dogs living together sometimes kill each other. The attack is often based on resources, medical conditions, or overall conflicts. Today, we will look at some of the consequences of these situations. Should the dog be rehomed or euthanized, or do we carry on our merry way as if nothing happened? Remember, dog training has absolutely no impact on what you're about to read.</p><p><strong>Dog attacks</strong><br>Dogs don't typically attack each other without any particular reason. There is always a motivating factor behind aggressive behaviour. Today, we're not looking at why this happens but what we can do afterward. Many of our readers contact us daily either through messaging services, phone calls, emails, or comments directly on the articles for direction as to what they should do with the surviving aggressive dog. We need to consider the history of the dogs and the reason behind the attack. Every situation is different; consequently, it's difficult for me to pinpoint and solve every individual problem. Therefore, I will make general assumptions. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/1bf6a025a8d1c7c8452fc1c761b630e36166d4ae/original/sizes.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/1bf6a025a8d1c7c8452fc1c761b630e36166d4ae/original/sizes.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="" /></a><p>Let's assume the dog is attacking either because of conflict or intraguild predation. Intraguild predation occurs when a dog kills another dog based on specific resources. In this article, the resource is the dog's critical space. It's not uncommon to see attacks and conflicts in <a class="no-pjax" href="https://thedogueshop.com/blogs/dogue-s-blog/posts/dog-overcrowded-household" data-link-type="url" contents="overcrowded households"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Dog Overcrowded Households</strong></span></a>. If you want to learn more about critical space, I invite you to click the link above and read the article. When space becomes a resource, we often see conflicts and attacks arise in dogs who have been peacefully living together for multiple years. Simply put, one day, the aggressor sees and seizes the opportunity and goes for the kill. It's that simple.</p><p>Conflicts can be about anything. As I mentioned, it could be about space, food, a toy, or simply the perceived conflict. For the sake of this article, I will consider that an attack occurred, and one dog died. The owners often take the surviving dog into aversion, which is completely normal. However, it's imperative not to make hasty decisions in these situations. You must understand that dogs solve problems according to canine social behaviour, not human law. You have just experienced trauma and need time to process this information.</p><p><strong>Possible solutions after a dog attack</strong><br>Here are some possible solutions to these situations. If the survivor has a history of attacks, the decision to euthanize is sound because rehoming these dogs will be highly unsuccessful. When dogs are highly aggressive by nature, rehoming them becomes a liability to the new family, shelter, rescue, foster, or owner. This type of dog aggression tends to increase when rehoming because the dog has gone through another very stressful event. The overall survival of an aggressive dog is slim to none. Passing on the problem to somebody else is just delaying the inevitable.</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/bd633ea34b83255185b9374fa2c2d164f0ee3f8a/original/20190820-155906.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/bd633ea34b83255185b9374fa2c2d164f0ee3f8a/original/20190820-155906.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" /></a><p>Intraguild predation cases are different because the aggressor has no history of aggressive behaviour. The action is a reflex, not a thought-out process. The dog was responding to an innate motivation to eliminate a conspecific. In nature, predators often force an ill or dying member away from the group by chasing it. If that is not an option, the animal is killed. The reason is simple: an ill or dying animal will attract another predator, thus posing a threat to the entire group.</p><p>The killer ensures the group's survival by eliminating the sick or injured. Our dogs cannot chase each other away because they are confined to a house; consequently, it becomes imperative that the animals be separated and managed at the first sign of potential illness or injury. The size difference between the two dogs also increases the likelihood the smaller dog might die. Euthanization should be thoroughly thought out in these situations, and the decision should remain objective. If you cannot take care of this dog after the event, relocating or rehoming the dog might be a solution.</p><p>At the first sign of conflict between dogs, it is vital to seek out the help of a professional. When left unattended, the aggression will undoubtedly escalate, which increases the possibility of injury or death. I think each dog owner should take a dog behaviour class to identify problematic behaviours from the get-go. The hard eye is a typical dog behaviour that precedes conflict, yet it's a behaviour most people don't know exists. On the Dogue Shop's YouTube channel Husky Kills Poodle, we see hard eye at work; unfortunately, no one witnessed the behaviour and could not prevent the tragic death of a client's dog. </p><p>All animals display aggression, and to believe certain breeds of dogs cannot bite or kill puts humans and dogs at risk. I find myself in this exact situation. Hariette is larger and heavier than Albear; therefore, Albear is at risk of being killed by Hariette. I constantly manage the situation because I'm very aware of the consequences of my inactions. Although my dogs have not displayed aggression towards each other, I remain fully mindful and objective that this could happen. Ignoring dog conflicts doesn't make them go away. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/bfafacf34e6d1d8c86e45d3518ac40a28ee59892/original/youtube-logo.png/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/bfafacf34e6d1d8c86e45d3518ac40a28ee59892/original/youtube-logo.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_s justify_right border_" height="1771" /></a><p><strong>Be proactive</strong><br>When a person lives with dogs, it's their responsibility to ensure everybody's safety. You can do this by educating yourself through dog language seminars and supervising dogs at all times. I will never stress this enough: dogs are predators. Like any other predator, canines behave according to their rules. Don't let anthropomorphism cloud your judgment. Attributing human characteristics to dogs can only be detrimental to both species. </p><p>I strongly recommend you visit the Dogue Shop's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/c/Dogueshop" data-link-type="url" contents="YouTube"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>YouTube</strong></span></a> channel. Navigate to the playlist titled What Dogs Are Saying; you can watch the edited videos from there. I suggest you watch these videos repeatedly to familiarize yourself with actual dog language, AKA behaviour.</p><p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/67806332021-10-19T14:22:12-04:002024-03-15T11:25:43-04:00Covid Dog - Back to Square One<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/82aae29b0e3984cc9ffd393f2c6787f0a6e5d8dc/original/20211009-102500.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/82aae29b0e3984cc9ffd393f2c6787f0a6e5d8dc/original/20211009-102500.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" /></a><p>Nearly two years have passed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and people are still in a rush to get a dog. Unfortunately, the current situation reveals a much darker side to the pandemic. Almost every dog professional on the planet saw it coming, so let’s look at where we are in the COVID dog saga. </p><p>Many people are still searching for a dog and are desperate to find one. They shop online, adopt from shelters, or acquire dogs from overseas. I firmly believe we don’t need dogs from other provinces or other countries. We have plenty of dogs in shelters and rescues, which brings me to my first argument. Shelters and rescues are overflowing with returned COVID dogs. People got dogs thinking it would be a love affair only to realize it’s not. Dogs are time-consuming, especially when they are puppies. Consequently, when dogs transition into adolescence, and their behaviour becomes even more rambunctious, pet owners don’t want to deal with the situation and return the dog. </p><p><strong>Puppies are hard work.</strong> <br>I constantly hear pet caregivers say I didn’t know a puppy would be so much work. Clients call in dog trainers and soon realize that the cost of a professional is higher than they estimated. Their expectations are also unrealistic. Puppies require time to mature and are physically unable to hold urine or feces until they are approximately 3 to 4 months old, sometimes for even longer. </p><p>Young canines have critical phases of development, and sociability is the most important of them. When a person doesn’t expose their dog to the elements, such as people young and old, dogs, cats, animals in general, and things such as buses, traffic, sounds, and smells, the dog will most likely fear these living and non-living things FOR THE REST OF ITS LIFE. Unsocialized or improperly socialized dogs can also display insecure aggression. My workload has undoubtedly increased during COVID-19, and I only deal with aggression cases. </p><p>Another contributing factor to misbehaving puppies and teens is the lack of sleep. Puppies must sleep anywhere from ten to eighteen (18) hours a day. You read that right. Because people work from home, puppies don’t get enough sleep, and by 3 p.m., they turn into little monsters biting and barking. Sleep-deprived dogs are grumpy and highly unpleasant to be around. Pet owners' biggest complaint is that they can’t work because the dog keeps barking. For this reason, they leave the dog out of the crate; however, a free-roaming puppy doesn’t sleep. Furthermore, puppies chew on anything and everything when they are not supervised. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/c55efb362d3e7208e6e591a79912cb5cd3ddf43f/original/20201006-103506-1.png/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c55efb362d3e7208e6e591a79912cb5cd3ddf43f/original/20201006-103506-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="" /></a><p><strong>A doggone problem is a dog gone </strong><br>The easy way out of a problem when it comes to animals is to get rid of it. Releasing an animal into the wild, to a rescue, or a shelter is simple. The first approach doesn’t require any effort whatsoever, whereas the other options mean facing your guilt, and who would want to do that, right?! I know I’m generalizing; however, I often see posts for lost dogs that one must wonder what’s going on. I believe some of these runaways are simply people’s easy way out. Leave the gate open. Problem solved. </p><p>For those who do face their quilt, rescues or shelters are the options they choose. I see so many dogs between 3 months and 1.5 years, having had 3 to 5 families. They are adopted and soon returned because pet owners realize how much work they must put in. One client adopted a dog and wanted to go to a dinner party two days later, expecting the dog to be calm and quiet in its crate. Guess what, it wasn’t. The person complained about the situation, and all I could say was, what did you expect? </p><p>I wish I could get a few Aibos (robot dog) and lend them to people who think about adopting a dog. The AI behind this fantastic toy can teach people how demanding a pet can be. Until I can get the funds to buy a few of them, I can only say the following: if you are thinking of bringing a dog home: </p><ol>
<li>Make sure EVERYONE in the family wants a dog </li>
<li>Fill out the breed questionnaire attached to this article and bring it to your future trainer </li>
<li>Pay a trainer to help you find the right breed for you or your family </li>
<li>Please DO NOT get a dog because it’s cute </li>
<li>Do the math to figure out the monthly or annual cost involved with housing a pet </li>
<li>Buy everything you need BEFORE you get the dog </li>
<li>Ask the veterinarian for expenses related to healthcare </li>
<li>You will need between 2 to 5+ hours a day to devote to the dog (feeding, walking, training, grooming, etc.) </li>
<li>Make sure you have the financial resources if an accident happens </li>
<li>Think about what you would do if you didn’t like the dog </li>
</ol><p>Cheers.<br>G.</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="/files/1147822/dog-breed-questionaire.docx" target="_blank" data-link-type="file" data-link-label="dog-breed-questionaire.docx" contents="Dog Breed Questionaire"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Dog Breed Questionnaire</strong></span></a> - Work with a dog trainer to determine which dog breed suits your lifestyle better.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/66152272021-04-27T13:48:15-04:002024-03-15T11:27:19-04:00FAST Dog Training<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/5767ffcd80ad1363450f3de830cc6f97c1e9e050/original/178857033-204222307925391-7477199488339624632-n.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/5767ffcd80ad1363450f3de830cc6f97c1e9e050/original/178857033-204222307925391-7477199488339624632-n.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" /></a><p>What is FAST dog training, and why should you care?! I spend a lot of time coaching people on how to change undesirable behaviour, namely aggression, into more desirable behaviours. The best way to accomplish this goes is to FAST train. Let’s look at what that means and how it relates to dog trainers. </p><p><strong>Functionality</strong> <br>Think of functionality as what works and what doesn’t work. If you are training a dog to stop reacting to other dogs by counter-conditioning <i>sit</i>, will this behaviour work in the long term or not? The answer depends on the environment, attachment style, and cognitive abilities of both the dog and the person. Remember the SCAT model? All determinants have to be present for learning to occur; however, that isn’t enough to guarantee long-term adaptable behaviour. </p><p>If the consequence of the behaviour doesn’t work, we need to change it into something that does. Before we can do that, we must consider the antecedent of the behaviour and its consequence (ABCs). What comes before the behaviour and what comes after it is vital to a functional training protocol. When you can identify A and C, you can let the dog choose what B will work. </p><p><strong>Adaptability</strong> <br>Behaviour adaptability is the process by which the dog can change its behaviour to suit the situation. Let's say your dog is reactive to other dogs. You are walking in the park when you see an approaching canine. You ask your dog to <i>sit</i> to avoid the behaviour that doesn’t work, lunge and bark, but the dog refuses to comply and goes off to <i>sniff a fence post</i>. Now you think the dog is disobedient and untrainable. This problem begs the question, is the dog genuinely unruly? </p><p>From the dog’s perspective, <i>sit</i> might not work in the situation, but increasing the social distance by using a redirecting behaviour might work. The dog has thus chosen to disobey to obey. Dog behaviour needs to be adaptable to satisfy what works from what doesn’t work for itself. Our job is to provide for such adaptations. Training adaptable behaviour is more important than simply training operant behaviours. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/35c194d2904feb96d5d49ce2a5f161f761b3d6ea/original/2020-03-31-09-38-04-1.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/35c194d2904feb96d5d49ce2a5f161f761b3d6ea/original/2020-03-31-09-38-04-1.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" /></a><p><strong>Sustainability</strong> <br>Functionality and adaptability result in sustainability. Sustainable behaviours are functional and adaptable actions that work overtime. I teach dogs to learn how to learn and allow them to change their behaviours as they see fit for success. The key role here is to let dogs adapt their behaviour to problematic situations. Trust is the process that gets the task done. I might see dog behaviour that works, but my dog doesn’t. If I allow it to adapt by offering a different behaviour, my training becomes sustainable. </p><p>Putting behaviour into maintenance isn’t a real-world process if you don’t consider the environment and your relationship. I see this way too often. People ask dogs to perform behaviour rather than let them choose what works from what doesn’t work. I see dogs making those decisions all the time; unfortunately, people demand the behaviour they want the dog to execute, and everyone fails. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/ce9edf60d7498774f12b69cbfd7fea0ee21a8366/original/2020-04-07-09-28-38.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/ce9edf60d7498774f12b69cbfd7fea0ee21a8366/original/2020-04-07-09-28-38.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="" /></a><p><strong>Trainability</strong> <br>The SCAT model focuses on the social cognitive learning theory. The FAST model occurs between the social and cognitive determinants and directly influences the attachment style between dogs and humans. When I allow my dog to choose a behaviour it prefers within a situation, we have both succeeded. Trust is the consequence of choosing what works and what doesn’t work from the dog’s perspective, not the human’s. </p><p>The choice of behaviour to execute also relies on its training. If the dog cannot perform the behaviour because of a physical, physiological, mental, emotional, social, cognitive, or environmental problem, we need to rely on other behaviours. Let’s take the reactivity example again. I like to train dogs to jump on higher surfaces to get out of problematic situations, but if the dog is a Chihuahua, that won’t work, so either I ask something else or allow the dog to choose which behaviour works for it. The Chihuahua might decide to <i>sniff the fence post</i> or <i>walk the other way</i>, in which case both behaviours would work for me, too. </p><p>I often find humans ask very little of their dog’s cognitive abilities. Trainers and clients train but don’t allow for functionality, adaptability, and sustainability. Professionals and pet caregivers both need to revisit training behaviours and how dogs problem-solve and make decisions. There needs to be more trust in the process and flexibility of execution. When dogs refuse to perform behaviours, maybe it’s because they ultimately know what works and what doesn’t work for them.</p><p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/65090972020-12-28T14:21:48-05:002024-03-15T11:29:11-04:00Stop Using Lures to Train Dogs!<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/9406e1816b8032a51232ac8d2c695fe060fdd0d3/original/fist.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/9406e1816b8032a51232ac8d2c695fe060fdd0d3/original/fist.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></a><p>I haven't written in a while because the<a class="no-pjax" href="/dogue-s-home" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Dogue's Home" contents=" Dogue Shop"> <span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Dogue Shop</strong></span></a> and <a class="no-pjax" href="/dogue-s-academy" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Dogue's Academy" contents="Dogue Academy"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Dogue Academy</strong></span></a> have been super busy this year. But, with a drastic increase in dogs worldwide and behaviour issues skyrocketing, I decided it was time to speak up about lures and their negative effect on COVID-19 dogs. </p><p><strong>Why Lures are problematic </strong><br>Everybody, it seems, uses lures to train dogs, and it's highly unnecessary to do so. It is counterproductive. Top trainers and behaviour experts worldwide all use lures to teach dogs, so I know I'm swimming against a powerful current, so be it; it won't be the first time. Plus, I know how to swim, so I'm not scared. </p><p>Lures are used to model dogs into desired behaviours; unfortunately, the dog doesn't need to think about what it's doing; it just needs to follow a cookie to get rewarded. Here's the problem: the lure becomes the cue and eventually the prompt to do the behaviour, AND it serves as the reward. Sometimes, the lure also becomes the conditioned stimulus and the reinforcement. If you're confused, imagine your dog. </p><p>When people do not fade lures out as fast as possible, they become crutches. Trainers come to rely on lures to train, distract, and modify behaviour when the lure in question no longer serves as a distraction. Dog trainers then teach their clients how to use lures, and the cycle of behaviour problems starts. </p><p>The ultimate reason why luring is so problematic is because it doesn't teach the animal how to think. There's no room for creative thinking and problem-solving. In lure training, the animal can't modify, change, adapt, or substitute the desired behaviour. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/13cff5c07501b95f059ee8098b908a48a38c4379/original/george.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg" data-link-type="url" contents="" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/13cff5c07501b95f059ee8098b908a48a38c4379/original/george.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p><strong>Avoid Using Lures at All Costs</strong> <br>Lure training is lazy training. Some professionals say it's a fast way to train animals, but is it? Trainers with excellent shaping skills can train complex behaviours much faster than lure trainers. One ABA student trained a dog to fetch a beverage from the refrigerator in 20 hours without using a single lure (watch the video to the right). </p><p>With social cognitive learning theory (SCT), animals are encouraged to think, problem-solve, and develop new strategies to make desirable behaviours better. In the beverage behaviour, the dog was initially trained to pull a rope to open the door, but he offered a new solution to use its nose. Seeing the dog preferring his solution, the trainer adapted and moved along much faster in the training process. I always wonder what a lure trainer would do in this scenario. </p><p>Lure training doesn't create a secure attachment; without a secure attachment, it's almost impossible to train a dog. Let me rephrase that. Dog training using shaping is much faster than luring because the dog has learned that we, as a team, can work through difficult problems. After all, we have built a relationship based on trust. Plus, a dog trainer who uses shaping and the <a class="no-pjax" href="/dogue-s-publishing" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Dogue's Publishing" contents="SCAT model "><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>SCAT model</strong></span> </a>doesn't have to fade lures at each step; thus, he saves training time. You might have noticed that lures don't work when dogs are faced with difficult problems. There's no amount of food, play, or petting that will break a reactive dog's focus. Conversely, when dogs are encouraged to offer new solutions, they quickly learn they have decision-making power that can work through complex situations. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/6f4569827817a1cd83cf9ff7abe0df85d2f68efe/original/final-064-2.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/6f4569827817a1cd83cf9ff7abe0df85d2f68efe/original/final-064-2.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p><strong>Social Cognitive Learning Theory and Attachment in Dog Training</strong><br>The social cognitive attachment training (SCAT) approach to training explicitly requires dogs to think and problem-solve their way through behaviours because it's the essence of a secure attachment and cognitive development. George, the dog in the video, was taught using the SCAT model, and as an animal-assisted therapy partner, he loves to solve his problems. We can see the joy in his prance when he breaks through a physical or mental barrier. </p><p>The SCAT model states that to build a secure attachment, the dog first learns to solve problems cognitively with the trainer's direct help and, eventually, the owner's. It also describes how people must surrender their beliefs and projections about the animal and concentrate on the cognitive task. In turn, mental stimulation generates trust between the dog and the human. Trust nourishes the attachment and changes it from an insecure to a secure one. This interspecies problem-solving and decision-making connection generates a level of behaviour you never thought possible. </p><p>Covid dogs have not been socialized because of isolation regulation, and with Canadian winters being what they are, an entire generation of dogs is now heading toward <a class="no-pjax" href="https://thedogueshop.com/blogs/dogue-s-blog/posts/winter-puppy-syndrome" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="winter isolation"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>winter isolation</strong></span></a>. Spring 2021 will bring a dog population out of isolation and nearing adulthood; these dogs won't fare well in society. Lures will be of little use, and insecure attachments will yield frustration and anger. </p><p><strong>Dog Lure Training is Lazy Training</strong> <br>To summarize this article, here's a bullet point on what has been discussed. </p><ul>
<li>Lures don't teach dogs how to think or problem-solve </li>
<li>Lures are useless in behaviour modification </li>
<li>Lures require fading out, thus adding an unnecessary training step </li>
<li>Lures do not create or change attachment styles </li>
<li>Lures quickly stop working as distractions </li>
<li>Lures can be dangerous when dealing with aggression </li>
<li>Lures tend to become conditioned stimuli, cues, prompts, and rewards </li>
<li>Lures don't build trust between trainer and dog </li>
</ul><p>Professional trainers with decades of experience who use lures sadden me. There is no reason to use them. Lures are unnecessary, and I wish everybody would stop using them and teach others how to use them. I've been teaching <a class="no-pjax" href="/group-classes" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Group Classes" contents="puppy classes in Montreal's busiest park"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>puppy classes </strong></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">in Montreal's busiest park for </span>decades, and we have never used lures. When clients come to us using lures, we stop them immediately. In five weeks, puppies learn to work for people despite lures, not because of them. </p><p>I urge you to stop using lures because COVID-19 dogs won't respond to treats, leaving you with devastating consequences. Dogs are exceptional when it comes to creative thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making, so why not encourage them to learn?</p><p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/63966402020-07-29T15:33:49-04:002024-03-15T11:39:49-04:00Dog Aggression; Have Behaviours or Beliefs Gone Wrong<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/85e4987dd39f336f2a9ad00e8d6bb672d9e7e7ec/original/aggression-1.png/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/85e4987dd39f336f2a9ad00e8d6bb672d9e7e7ec/original/aggression-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="1746" /></a><p>With the import of dogs from around the world, there is a growing concern for people's safety, which bothers me tremendously. Today, I want to discuss the ins and outs of dog aggression. I warn you that you might not like what you read, but that does not change the truth or the facts. Emotions almost always get in the way when assessing and working with aggressive dogs; therein lies dangerous situations and unethical practices. Dogs are dying, and people are getting injured or killed. Journalists point to the Staffordshire breeds, all the while omitting northern breeds that kill more people each year. This is unethical and biased reporting. </p><p>Aggression is considered morally unacceptable in dogs, yet people tolerate aggression from other humans. Guy Turcotte admittedly killed both his children, and yet it took two trials to convict him. Montreal by-laws state that a dog that kills a cat will be euthanized, yet a cat that kills birds and other wildlife is free to walk. Why does an aggressive, biased view exist within the animal kingdom? If people feel the need to carry guns for self-defence, why are dogs not allowed to defend themselves with their teeth when threatened? </p><p><strong>Aggression Defined </strong> <br>We discussed in past articles how fear and anger are opposite emotions; consequently, a dog cannot be fearful and aggressive at the same time. Aggression is the expression of anger, not fear. Expressed aggressive behaviours serve to either kill a threat or make it retreat. When a dog is confident, it will try to kill the threat. When a dog is insecure, it displays behaviours that make the threat disappear. A fearful dog will retreat while displaying fearful behaviours. In summary, we have three types of reactions: confident aggressive, insecure aggressive, and insecure fearful. In true ethological description, these three reactions are dominant aggressive, submissive aggressive (active submission), and submissive fearful (passive submission). </p><p><strong>Aggression Categories</strong> <br>Depending on who you read, there are between thirteen and sixteen aggression categories. I like the thirteen list because it groups a few categories into one; for example, pain aggression includes illness and disease aggression. When I evaluate aggressive dogs, it is important to determine which category they belong to (see list below) because behaviour modification protocols and euthanasia recommendations are dependent on proper assessments. I know; I said the taboo word, euthanasia. I will get back to that later. Some categories are easier to determine and yield a higher success rate than others. Redirected aggression and conflict aggression can be categories; however, redirected aggression is normally the consequence of another aggression category. Most aggressive displays are indirectly based on conflict; hence, I removed conflict-related aggression from this list for simplification purposes.</p><ul>
<li>Dominance aggression </li>
<li>Possessive aggression </li>
<li>Sibling rivalry </li>
<li>Territorial aggression </li>
<li>Inter-male aggression </li>
<li>Predatory aggression </li>
<li>Play-induced / Excitement aggression </li>
<li>Excitement induced aggression </li>
<li>Insecure aggression </li>
<li>Maternal aggression </li>
<li>Learned aggression </li>
<li>Irritable aggression </li>
<li>Pain-induced / aggression* </li>
</ul><p>Other categories to consider: </p><ul>
<li>Intraguild aggression </li>
<li>Human directed aggression </li>
<li>Idiopathic aggression </li>
<li>Genetic predisposition to high aggression (non-breed specific) </li>
</ul><p>Idiopathic aggression relates to aggressive displays or attacks toward non-living objects and people for no reason. For example, a dog sees rubber bins and attacks them ferociously. Of this list, intraguild aggression is the least known and discussed. I wrote two articles on the topic called <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/my-dog-killed-my-other-dog-part-1" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="My Dog Killed My Other Dog Part 1"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>My Dog Killed My Other Dog Part 1</strong></span></a> and <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/my-dog-killed-my-other-dog-part-two" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Part 2"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Part 2</strong></span></a>. We receive e-mails daily, and the articles, pre and post-hacking, still generate the most attention. Before hackers, we had over one hundred comments and just as many private e-mails. We crunched the numbers, and it turns out one dog kills another dog in the same household every 1.3 days, year-round. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/f7a9018e785a9cf43898cc1988d19a4c47e0d17c/original/20190610-114311-0.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/f7a9018e785a9cf43898cc1988d19a4c47e0d17c/original/20190610-114311-0.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="" /></a><p><strong>Aggression Cases</strong> <br>Once I have identified the category of aggression, a discussion takes place. During the session, clients and I discussed time investment, financial investment, emotional investment, public and private risk assessment, and possible outcomes. Euthanasia is normally discussed in this meeting. I do not recommend euthanasia often, but on the upside, I do know how long and time-consuming the behaviour modification process can take. Pet owners are not animal trainers; consequently, their lives can become consumed by an aggressive dog and the training process. Furthermore, my training has prepared me to remain emotionally neutral when animals display aggression, but that is not the case for clients. Clients are often afraid of their dogs. </p><p>Public and private bite risks need to be considered in aggression cases because the dog and its caregiver become liabilities to the public. I know it can be heartbreaking to learn that the family dog poses a very high risk to the human and non-human populations; therefore, euthanasia is considered a solution. If the dog has a biological issue and medication is not an option because of cost, side effects, values and beliefs, or inefficacy, then euthanasia becomes the most ethical decision. </p><p><strong>Aggression Adoptions</strong> <br>Too many dogs are surrendered with known aggression issues each year. Rescues and shelters, through no fault of their own, are often unaware of aggressive behaviours because people abandon their pet's life. Furthermore, an animal in a crisis often exhibits its best behaviour. However, once relocated and the three-month adjustment period is over, aggressive behaviours emerge, and people are left with difficult decisions. I have seen a rescue take back an aggressive dog I classified as dangerous only to make it available for adoption the very same day without the mention of aggression. That is highly unethical and dangerous. </p><p>Some people adopt a second dog, and as time goes by, adopt another and another. A year or two down the line, the young, confident dog kills one, two, or three other dogs within the same household. Intraguild predation is one of the least known aggression types because it is not well documented or discussed. Often, this type of aggression falls into the sibling rivalry category, yet these dogs are not siblings; normally, a noticeable age gap separates the dogs. Intraguild predation does not necessarily mean your dog will kill again or is a vicious killer. A predatory brain does what a predatory brain does. </p><p><strong>Aggression Is What Anger Does</strong> <br>By calling dogs fur babies or fur kids, people have come to anthropomorphically reduce the dog to a plush toy without any wrongdoing. Regrettably, people have forgotten that when the stars align, dogs will bite or, worse, kill. That is their nature, and that is their function. To forget dogs are predators capable of hunting, capturing, killing, dismembering, and eating prey puts humans and non-humans at risk of such a fate. Aggression is not necessarily bad; it is simply part of an animal's genetic makeup. Organisms need a certain level of aggression to stay alive; thus, the emotion should not be ignored, but rather discussed and effective solutions implemented. One such solution is highly effective and has already been written into by-laws. Mandatory leashing of dogs is a law; consequently, law enforcers need to enforce the law without biases to reduce dog bites and attacks to nearly zero. </p><p>I will let you share your thoughts on the questions asked at the beginning. In the meantime, I propose a long reflection as to why dogs no longer have the right to exhibit aggression, why dogs cannot display their species-specific behaviours, why are dogs systematically killed because of people's ignorance, why cats can kill wildlife but not dogs, why cats who bite people are not euthanized, and why are people allowed to breed dogs who physically and behaviourally suffer their entire lives without any form of reprimand? </p><p>Cheers, <br>G. </p><p><strong>References:</strong> <br>- Casey, R. A., Loftus, B., Bolster, C., Richards, G. J., & Blackwell, E. J. (2014). Human-directed aggression in domestic dogs ( Canis familiaris ): Occurrence in different contexts and risk factors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 152, 52–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2013.12.003 </p><p>- De Oliveira, T.G. & Pereira, J.A. (2013). Intraguild Predation and Interspecific Killing as Structuring Forces of Carnivoran Communities in South America. Journal of Mammal Evolution. http://.doi.org/10.1007/s10914-013-9251-4 </p><p>Echterling-Savage, K., DiGennaro Reed, F. D., Miller, L. K., & Savage, S. (2015). Effects of Caregiver-Implemented Aggression Reduction Procedure on Problem Behavior of Dogs. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 18(2), 181–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2014.977383 </p><p>- Siracusa, C. (2016). Status-related aggression, resource guarding, and fear-related aggression in 2 female mixed breed dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 12, 85–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2015.12.001 </p><p><span class="text-small">* Pain aggression includes illnesses, diseases, and accidents.</span></p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/63822242020-07-10T16:20:45-04:002024-03-15T11:43:19-04:00COVID Dog Syndrome<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/61c2ea0d8662ecbdc7b96df67c9f40b785b8e566/original/hariette-mask.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/61c2ea0d8662ecbdc7b96df67c9f40b785b8e566/original/hariette-mask.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p>If you are a Dogue Academy subscriber, then you have read our Newsletter and know about <i>COVID dog syndrome</i>. Yes, I chose that title because it reflects the 2020 dog population. For the next ten years, a generation of dogs will display behaviour problems due to non-socialization during self-isolation and quarantine. </p><p><strong>Socialization periods</strong> <br>I have talked about critical periods of <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/dogs-socialization" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="socialization"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>socialization</strong></span></a> many times before; in case you have not read our past articles, here is a little recap. There are many critical periods in dogs’ physical and psychological development; to make things easier, we summarized them as the neonate, socialization, adolescence, and adulthood periods. The period we are most interested in is socialization. </p><p>The socialization period starts at four weeks and is at its peak at eight weeks (Scott & Fuller, 1965), after which it starts to close and be completely closed at sixteen weeks. Critical periods are not on-off buttons; therefore, the onset of transition periods varies from individual to individual. For the sake of argument and simplicity, socialization occurs mostly at the breeders. Once people acquire their puppy, the critical period starts to close, and there is little time to expose the dog to social encounters and habituate it to life’s multitude of stimuli. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/a32c52e40504eda3a70b17c1fbd93161449c9e02/original/20200517-153204-0.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/a32c52e40504eda3a70b17c1fbd93161449c9e02/original/20200517-153204-0.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" /></a><p>During the pandemic, many people introduced a puppy to their family and, because of quarantine, did not expose their dog to other people, animals, objects, sounds and smells. Four months into the pandemic, people are coming out of isolation and want to take socialization classes. Unfortunately, four-month-old puppies will start to transition into adolescence, leaving socialization behind. </p><p><strong>What does this mean?</strong> <br>Socialization is the result of exposure to stimuli. The effect can be positive or negative. During this critical period of development, dogs learn that people, animals, objects, sounds, and smells are regular occurrences; hence, they are non-threatening. The more exposure to life during this time, the better adjusted a dog will be in society. </p><p>When dogs are isolated or shielded from stimuli, the outcomes are usually insecure-fearful or insecure-aggressive dogs. Insecure, fearful dogs want to run away, and insecure-aggressive dogs make people, animals, objects, sounds, and smells disappear. Unfortunately, COVID dogs are highly likely to fall into an insecure category. This process is similar to the <a class="no-pjax" href="https://thedogueshop.com/blogs/dogue-s-blog/posts/winter-puppy-syndrome" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Winter Dog Syndrome"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Winter Dog Syndrome</strong></span></a> I discussed in a previous article. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/e655346676e113287e369f939af131466a4c1fec/original/20160924-185207.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e655346676e113287e369f939af131466a4c1fec/original/20160924-185207.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p><strong>COVID generation dog outcome</strong> <br>Every dog professional saw this wave coming; unfortunately, we do not know the overall outcome. I suspect we will have very insecure dogs that will require patience, training, compassion, and patience. Society might start to view dogs as they were before dogs. The surrogate child and the <a class="no-pjax" href="https://thedogueshop.com/blogs/dogue-s-blog/posts/anthropomorphic-propaganda" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="anthropomorphic view"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>anthropomorphic view</strong></span></a> of animals that have possessed humans for the last two decades might finally dissipate. Dogs are not people, children, kids, or babies. They are domesticated opportunistic predators and scavengers. They display fear and anger through passive or active threats, and we should view and care for dogs as such. </p><p>Do not get me wrong; I love dogs. However, my view and approach have always been a symbiotic partnership and trustful relationship. I complete my dogs, and they complete me in return; I trust their hearing, and they trust my sight. They help me with my illness, and in return, I feed them for all their services, open doors, pick up what I drop, film for YouTube, and allow me to train them for all the crazy ideas I have. </p><p>SARS-CoV-2 will have lasting effects on people and dogs alike; consequently, the next ten to fifteen years will be incredibly different than previous centuries. For my part, I am anticipating an increase in aggression and fear cases. If you are a professional, be prepared to help; if you are a pet caregiver, be patient and seek help. </p><p>Cheers.<br>G. </p><p><strong>References</strong> <br>- Scott J.P. and Fuller J.L. (1965). <i>Genetics and the Social Behaviour of the Dog</i>. Chicago, IL: Chicago Press.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/63616522020-06-21T18:53:16-04:002024-03-15T12:24:09-04:00My Dog Has a Behaviour Problem. Really?!<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/bdb6b3f2651e2c258703999ee8752d34a237aeda/original/insecure-bitter.png/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/bdb6b3f2651e2c258703999ee8752d34a237aeda/original/insecure-bitter.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="1888" /></a><p>When people call in for help, the most common question is, “<i>Can you fix my dog?”</i> First things first, for the most part, dogs are not broken. They are not objects we can repair, and they do not have parts we can change. Dogs often display desirable, aka normal behaviours or species-specific behaviours that occur most of the time. So, why are so many people calling in for behaviour problems? Let us look at the fundamental reason, and I am warning you that you might not like my answer. </p><p><strong>My pet peeve, and yes, the pun is intended! </strong><br>One of my pet peeves is when trainers and other behaviour consultants write on their websites that they can address behaviour problems such as barking, biting, jumping, digging, stealing food, displaying aggressive behaviours, etc. They can change your problematic dog into a well-behaved member of society. Here is the problem: none of those behaviours are problematic behaviours. The majority of dog behaviour problems are human problems. </p><p>Dogs bark. In fact, humans breed dogs to bark. Compared to their wild counterparts, dogs are hyper-barkers. Any occasion is a vocalization opportunity in Fido’s head, so too are jumping, running away, digging, growling, and biting. Dogs love to react and pull on the leash; they enjoy chasing small animals; they like to eat trash or poop; canines roll in disgusting things; in essence, dogs display whatever behaviours they find enjoyable, and to them, that is not a problem. </p><p><strong>True dog behaviour problems </strong><br>Problematic behaviours, or what professionals call clinical behaviour problems (CBP), are genuinely dysfunctional behaviours. We define a CBP as an action or reaction that prevents the organism from functioning normally. For example, a dog that guards its food does not suffer from a CBP; food guarding is a healthy dog behaviour. If a dog did not guard its food, it would have nothing to eat and die. A dog that guards its food to the point where it cannot eat can, and often does, suffer from anorexia. The dog’s weight will be dangerously low and will need pharmacological and behavioural therapy to help modify its eating habits. The same can be observed when a dog eats so fast it vomits and eats the food again. When the cycle goes on, the dog can suffer from bulimia and anorexia, and its overall health will suffer. </p><p>Another common dog behaviour problem that is not a problem is aggression. Dogs are predators and function under different rules when it comes to conflict management. When dogs tell other dogs to get out of their space or face, they do it with growls and teeth, not flowers and chocolates. Those behaviours might be problematic for people who are unfamiliar with dog behaviour, but in reality, these behaviours are necessary and, thus, considered healthy behaviours. Aggression-related CBP often results in self-mutilation or phantom conflicts with a body part. You most likely have seen these behaviours on television or YouTube, most often labelled funny dog videos. </p><p><strong>Animal behaviour professionalism </strong><br>In my professional experience, people do not know the difference between desirable and undesirable dog behaviours, which is perfectly fine. That is why clients hire us. That said, I have an issue with websites that list dog behaviour problems that are not. The downfall with this type of approach is that clients are led to believe their dogs can be <i>fixed</i> when, in reality, they are not broken. When a human goes to a psychologist or psychiatrist, do we expect the person to be <i>fixed</i>? No, we do not! So, if we cannot <i>fix</i> a person, how can people claim, as dog professionals, to be able to <i>fix</i> dogs? </p><p>Throughout my thirty-four years in the dog training and animal behaviour industry, I have seen and heard many strange things; however, I have never lost my direction when it comes to transforming a pastime into a professional business. Exotic and domestic animal trainers need to step up and answer the professionalism call. Trainers need to educate clients and tell them what are the differences between normal and abnormal behaviours. </p><p>There needs to be a discussion on why training goals are critical components of outcome expectations. If you are training or modifying animal behaviour in exchange for money, your criterion must be realistic and professional. To tell a client their Australian Cattle dog’s ankle-biting behaviour can be <i>fixed</i> is unrealistic and unethical. Working to eliminate dog behaviours that humans created is unfair to the dog and, in my opinion, cruel. </p><p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/63408642020-06-03T15:07:15-04:002024-03-15T11:45:23-04:00Enrichment vs Brain Games, What’s the Difference?<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/78516c09007e7c59ef1531ca1f4000d2a12cb801/original/241443057-222197249956656-775483146209511200-n.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/941a42d3ef3af664fdd075c3a70962d270cfb0bd/original/241443057-222197249956656-775483146209511200-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" /></a><p>Captive domestic and exotic animals, including dogs and cats, live a very different life regarding environmental stimuli. Humans directly or indirectly control every single aspect of an animal’s environment. People allow animals to roam and interact with other living beings and objects. Consequently, animals in captivity lack essential stimuli that allow them to thrive psychologically. To compensate for undesirable behaviour like pacing and chewing, people have designed and offered animal enrichment and brain games (BG) to improve their overall well-being. That said, there is a misconception about brain games that I need to clarify. </p><p><strong>Enrichment</strong> <br>We define enrichment as <i>the action of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something</i>. In this case, the improvement directly correlates with wellness. Enrichment strives to increase basic physiological needs ophthalmoception (eye), audioception (ear), gustaoception (taste), olfalcoception (smell), and tactioception (touch). </p><p>Enrichment should be part of every captive animal’s daily regimen of behaviour expression. Suppose Maslow’s basic needs, such as air, safety, water, food, play, walking, reproduction, and thermoregulation, are fulfilled through fixed action patterns (FAP). In that case, enrichment serves as a natural expression of those needs. Thermoregulation is the only exception to the rule in warm-blooded animals.</p><p>When we place hay in a weaved firehose contraption, the animal does not need to solve a problem; it merely needs to use its foraging FAP behaviours. When we throw a ball, and a dog retrieves it, no problem-solving skills are involved. The dog does not need to think or plan on how to get the ball; it solely needs to run after it, catch it, and bring it back. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/a5f248c2698612363990521d5b9440d3a6a1e070/original/img-4666.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/a5f248c2698612363990521d5b9440d3a6a1e070/original/img-4666.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p><strong>Brain Games </strong><br>We design brain games to satisfy psychological needs. When we offer a BG to an animal, the goal is to stimulate processes that naturally occur in an environment but are lacking in a controlled space. Domesticated animals do not need to think about anything because people provide everything to them. Dogs do not need to find food; conversely, wild animals rarely stumble upon <i>freebies</i> and thus have to satisfy the eating FAP. Yes, a lion might discover a dead zebra and get to eat for <i>free</i>, but that does not usually happen. Most frequently, lions have to find, chase, kill, and eat the zebra. </p><p>We design BG to teach animals how to problem-solve. There are multiple steps involved in solving the game, and domestic animals might require our guidance and feedback to accomplish the required actions. A crow can get a piece of food when it solves all eleven steps of the BG. A dog removes a bone to unlock the drawer and then opens the compartment to receive the reward. </p><p>A well-designed BG includes more than a one-step process. Depending on the animal species and their cognitive abilities, BGs can consist of thirteen steps or more. Birds are notorious for solving lengthy procedural sequences. Dogs are good at solving two or more steps within a problem. The critical part to remember about BGs is that they teach the learner how to learn. Eating from a weaved firehose apparatus does not teach the animal how to forage; the animal already knows how because it is a FAP. </p><p><strong>Overall Differences </strong><br>To summarize the differences between enrichment and BGs, I have created a table with yeas and nays on the goal of the object/s used. Brain games are enrichment opportunities; however, the opposite is not true. Brain games are usually too difficult to be considered as enrichment. When designs are too complicated, animals give up. It is not worth the effort. </p><figure class="table" style="width:500px;"><table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border:1.0pt solid windowtext;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:325.8pt;" width="434"><span><strong>Object</strong></span></td>
<td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:solid;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:63.8pt;" width="85"><p style="text-align:center;"><span><strong>Enrichment</strong></span></p></td>
<td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:solid;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:77.9pt;" width="104"><p style="text-align:center;"><span><strong>Brain Games</strong></span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:325.8pt;" width="434"><span>Kong filled w/ food</span></td>
<td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:63.8pt;" width="85"><p style="text-align:center;"><span>√</span></p></td>
<td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:77.9pt;" width="104"><p style="text-align:center;"><span>X</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:325.8pt;" width="434"><span>Plastic container w/ lid and food</span></td>
<td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:63.8pt;" width="85"><p style="text-align:center;"><span>X</span></p></td>
<td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:77.9pt;" width="104"><p style="text-align:center;"><span>√</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:325.8pt;" width="434"><span>Milk jug in a box wrapped in a taped towel</span></td>
<td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:63.8pt;" width="85"><p style="text-align:center;"><span>X</span></p></td>
<td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:77.9pt;" width="104"><p style="text-align:center;"><span>√</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:325.8pt;" width="434"><span>Container w/ treats</span></td>
<td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:63.8pt;" width="85"><p style="text-align:center;"><span>√</span></p></td>
<td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:77.9pt;" width="104"><p style="text-align:center;"><span>X</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:325.8pt;" width="434"><span>PVC pipe w/ holes filled with food</span></td>
<td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:63.8pt;" width="85"><p style="text-align:center;"><span>√</span></p></td>
<td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:77.9pt;" width="104"><p style="text-align:center;"><span>X</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:325.8pt;" width="434"><span>Egg carton w/ food closed w/ elastics sealed in a plastic box</span></td>
<td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:63.8pt;" width="85"><p style="text-align:center;"><span>X</span></p></td>
<td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:77.9pt;" width="104"><p style="text-align:center;"><span>√</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom-style:solid;border-color:windowtext;border-left-style:solid;border-right-style:solid;border-top-style:none;border-width:1.0pt;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:325.8pt;" width="434"><span>Egg carton w/ food closed</span></td>
<td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:63.8pt;" width="85"><p style="text-align:center;"><span>√</span></p></td>
<td style="border-bottom:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-left-style:none;border-right:1.0pt solid windowtext;border-top-style:none;padding:0cm 5.4pt;vertical-align:top;width:77.9pt;" width="104"><p style="text-align:center;"><span>X</span></p></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table></figure><p>Although both terms are used interchangeably, enrichment and BGs are not the same. Most enrichment designs serve to stimulate physiological needs, and BGs address psychological needs. I often give the following analogy. Going to the movies is enriching; playing sudoku is mind-stimulating: movies = Enrichment, and Sudoku = Brain Games. </p><p>My point is not to make one seem better than the other; my goal is to differentiate them so you know what your design is doing to your animal. Enrichment does not tire out dogs as efficiently as BGs, yet we do not give dogs BGs thinking they will solve the problem on their own; our direct influence, guidance, and feedback are required. In other words, use what is best for you and your animals and have fun. </p><p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/62721212020-04-04T20:36:09-04:002024-03-15T11:46:43-04:00Doggone Pandemic; How SARS CoV-2 and COVID-19 Changed the Dog World<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/a4d1e7a55ccde731e50c76b9ac8465a5aecefa1a/original/hariette-scarf.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/a4d1e7a55ccde731e50c76b9ac8465a5aecefa1a/original/hariette-scarf.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>Over the last few weeks, I have been wondering about what to write for this blog. What could I possibly say about dogs that could relate to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19? The only thing I am prompted to discuss is our inter-species connections. As animals of the earth, humans have placed themselves way above the species totem pole, yet, in the blink of an eye, a microscopic organism has changed the world. </p><p>I live in front of a giant park, and each day, I see how nature and dogs pull humans out and force them to reconnect with their humanity. People cannot come close to one another, yet have found talking grounds to connect. It is as though the very worst gave rise to the very best. A balance. A dichotomy. The dog: our stable mind throughout this pandemic. </p><p>A virus is causing humans to rethink their life choices, prioritizing family time, dog time, and, inevitably, outside time. Once taken for granted, Mother Earth now becomes the beacon of hope. Every day, for the last twenty-two days, we get excited about going outside like we once did when we were young. Every day for the last three weeks, the dog has been requesting to go out, and we are grateful it does so. People have stopped fast-tracking their lives and now reflect on priorities. What humans are and what they should be now holds in the balance. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/ff1d7c4d1536e05e485753336d4adce497747a61/original/20200102-121100.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/ff1d7c4d1536e05e485753336d4adce497747a61/original/20200102-121100.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p>The planet screams climate change as pollution kills its inhabitants, and then a viral infection attacking the human lungs is sent. The irony!!! It is a blessing, and we can thank Mother Earth for this gift, for I am reminded how life is precious no matter what species, race, culture, education, size, sex, social status, or wealth one is or has because SARS-CoV-2 does not discriminate. In the micro-world of viruses, BSL does not exist. </p><p>Today, I took both dogs out for a long walk. Our daily pleasure is taken to a new level of enjoyment. The sun was shining, and for the first time, my neighbour and I said hello. We did not say hello because we needed to; we said hello because another organism made us do it: our dogs. We were rallied outside at the same moment for the same purpose. Our dogs do not like each other, but we both love our dogs and today, the call of nature imposed on us by SARS-CoV-2 made us greet each other. Dogs made us say hello because we now acknowledge the value of being outside and having a wonderful park to share with them. </p><p>Animals, however big or small, all play an important role in the dichotomy of the universe. As they did many times in the past, microorganisms keep humans in line with earthly rules, reminding us that we are a part of Earth, not apart from it. It reminds me of my favourite poem by Emily Dickinson.</p><p style="text-align:center;"> <i>We never know how high we are</i><br><i>Till we are called to rise; </i><br><i>And then, if we are true to plan, </i><br><i>Our statures touch the skies. </i></p><p style="text-align:center;"><i>The heroism we recite </i><br><i>Would be a daily thing, </i><br><i>Did not ourselves the cubits warp </i><br><i>For fear to be a king.</i></p><p>Our day ends as the sun goes over the horizon, setting the stage for another adventure. One in which families anticipate that moment when they get to go outside and play together with the kids or with the dog. I deeply wish COVID-19 did not kill people, but I also wish it never goes away. Just like dogs make us feel connected to nature, coronavirus makes us feel connected to each other. Looking at my dogs sleeping, I can only be thankful for this pandemic because it reconnected us to our humanity. Our dogs will not remember this historical event, but our children will share with them how important their creativity, thoughts, ideas, solutions, and dreams impact humanity. </p><p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/62383192020-03-05T12:58:02-05:002024-03-15T11:48:20-04:00Quebec's New Dog Law<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/330a071330db198dec432f8bee5c86b0a60905bd/original/100-6642-1.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/330a071330db198dec432f8bee5c86b0a60905bd/original/100-6642-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="2128" /></a><p>My answer to the article published on the CBC website (see sources). </p><p>The rules, first announced last December, are aimed at preventing dog attacks and maulings. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Really? Nowhere on earth where this type of law exists has there been a decrease in dog bites? </span></p><p>Under the law, municipalities are required to enforce the province's regulations, which include ordering dangerous dogs to be euthanized. A municipality can also pass its own stricter rules. Montreal adopted its own bylaw in 2018. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Please consult your own municipalities.</span></p><p>Doctors and veterinarians will be required to report dog bites. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">People will now avoid veterinarians or lie about what happened. </span></p><p>If a person is bitten, the doctor who treats them has to tell the municipality about the bite. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Fair enough, we do need that, but are municipal inspectors truly professionals, and can they actually assess aggressive dogs?</span></p><p>In the case of a veterinarian, if a dog that has been bitten is brought in for treatment, the veterinarian will be forced to report it. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">What good will that do? If no one knows the perpetrator, that's just inefficient. Most people involved in these situations leave. Will the city or the province be hiring detectives? </span></p><p>Dr. Caroline Kilsdonk, the president of the Quebec Order of Veterinarians, said vets can report bites that happen in the vet's office or waiting room. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">So stress and critical space invasion are reason enough to have dogs euthanized? Today, my dogs reacted to a dog who appeared from behind, silent like a hawk and entered our critical space while I was doing a training exercise. Under this new law, if the person complains, my dogs could risk the death penalty because an untrained vet or city clerk can decide if my dogs are aggressive or not.</span></p><p>She said vets will probably not report small bites that can happen during an examination since the dog can be frightened or in pain. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Well, this is just another form of BSL. I am seriously against that. <strong>ALL</strong> bites should be reported then. PERIOD!!! </span></p><p>"[But if] we're doing a basic manipulation and the dog bites four or five times, you know, it's not proportional," she said. "So that could be reported." <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Again, BSL!!! </span></p><p>People who have aggressive dogs and seek out veterinary advice may also be reported if their dog has bitten before, Kilsdonk said.<span style="color:#e74c3c;"> We now know what's going to happen. People will not ask veterinarians. People don't want to lose their dogs, so I predict vet visits will decrease significantly. </span></p><p>Once a bite is reported to a municipality, the municipality will order an assessment by a veterinarian to see if the dog is actually dangerous. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">OK, this is where I have a huge issue. Since when are veterinarians equipped to assess aggression? Will they have to come with my clients and me on walks? Will they ask me what clients and I have been doing to address the problem? You are asking medical doctors to be professional psychologists and psychiatrists. This is the worst decision EVER. So many dogs are going to die. </span></p><p>"Dog owners with dogs who bite will want help from veterinarians who are experts on dog behaviour," she said. "[But] there's a possibility that the veterinarian will have to report." <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Again, such a wrong decision. Regular vets received a weekend workshop on aggression and are now experts. Sorry, vet friends, but we both know that's just a flat-out lie. </span></p><p><strong>Dogs deemed dangerous will face restrictions</strong></p><p>If a dog is deemed potentially dangerous, restrictions on the dog will apply. </p><p>A potentially dangerous dog must be sterilized, microchipped and have all its rabies vaccines up to date. The dog will also need to wear a muzzle in all public places. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">I agree with this. It's just basic common sense. But what about enforcing leash laws??? </span></p><p>The animal will also be prohibited from being alone with kids under the age of 10 without adult supervision. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Why 10? The actual age should be 18. </span></p><p>If the dog owner's home does not have a fence or does not have a fence that will adequately contain the animal, other measures will be required. A sign must also warn people that a potentially dangerous dog is on the property. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">I agree with this, too, because it's just common sense.</span> </p><p>If a dog is declared potentially dangerous in one municipality, the ruling applies to the entirety of Quebec. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Sounds reasonable</span>. </p><p>Dominique Alain lost her triceps after being attacked by three dogs last spring. The incident left her disfigured and left her arm weak. (Denis Gervais/Radio-Canada) <span style="color:#e74c3c;">If you're going to use scare tactics, at least write the circumstances of this situation. </span></p><p>Dogs can be euthanized under specific circumstances. </p><p>If a dog bites or attacks a person, leading to serious injury or death, the municipality can order that the dog be euthanized. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">With or without an evaluation? I'm assuming the latter. I have a question. Who will evaluate the dog? With only three veterinarian behaviourists (verified March 4, 2020 - see names below) for the entire Province, I wonder how Quebec will manage dog aggression evaluations?! </span></p><p>A serious injury is defined as a physical injury that could result in death or "significant physical consequences" to the person. </p><p>The rules also leave the door open to euthanasia if the dog presents a risk to the "health of public security" of the population. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">We have already seen this happen. Suppose your neighbour makes a complaint stating your dog is dangerous. In that case, the city patrol (read non-professional person trained by another non-professional clerk) can decide if your dog lives or dies. WOW!!! That might open a Pandora's box. Wait, it did actually open just a few months ago.</span></p><p><strong>What if an owner doesn't follow the rules?</strong> </p><p>There are penalties for owners who fail to comply with the new rules. </p><p>The owner can have their dog seized and be banned from owning or keeping it for a determined period. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Let's get real here, "seized" and killed, you forgot the word KILLED!!! What happens if your dog bit you? As in the image to the left. Is the dog reported? Seized? Killed? Again, people will lie because they don't want to lose their pets.</span></p><p>Depending on the infraction, owners can also face hefty fines, up to $2,500. If an owner hinders someone enforcing the regulation, including by giving "deceiving" statements, the fine can go up to $5,000. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Sounds good to me. </span></p><p>Fines can also double if it applies to a dog deemed potentially dangerous. </p><p><strong>Will this actually make things safer?</strong> </p><p>Kilsdonk, the president of the Order of Veterinarians, thinks so. She said there has been a "major improvement" in how governments tackle the question of dangerous dogs. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Here, you need to read the sentence properly. The sentence talks about the government's actions, not an actual decrease in dog bites: "There has been a "major improvement" in how governments tackle the question of dangerous dogs." this translates to <i>We, as bureaucrats are doing good, but dogs still bite</i>. All this political nonsense will do is build a data bank on dog bites. </span></p><p>"There was some level of just letting things go, and some municipalities did not have any regulations. Some did not apply it seriously," she said. </p><p>She said that most dog attacks in recent years took place in areas that did not have basic regulations for dealing with dangerous dogs. She said that if there were rules in place, some of those attacks would not have happened. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Excuse me, if every municipality enforced leash laws, all this would be unnecessary. The vast majority of bites and attacks would not have happened if dogs were LEASHED. PERIOD!!! </span></p><p>Kilsdonk also said there was some concern about how veterinarians are supposed to get in touch with their municipalities since every city and town will likely have a different system. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Good luck with that. </span></p><p>But she said she's optimistic that things will be better than they were before. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Sweet dreams, people. USA doctors and vets have been obliged to report dog bites for decades, and guess what??? Bites did NOT decrease.</span> </p><p>"I think just the fact that now we will have a basic regulation everywhere … that there will be an improvement." <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Again, NO, there will not!!! The government and veterinarians need to get real. Seriously!!! </span> </p><p><strong>Gaby’s Two Cents. </strong><br>All of this means people will go underground, and some vets will accompany them. People will stop going to the vet because they will be afraid of a potential bite. With this law, dogs that are bitten will need to be reported, but what happens when these “bitten” dogs start to defend themselves? They will eventually be reported and die, too?? I’m so disappointed, not to say angry, about all this. This law was not the original proposal. </p><p>The weekend workshop veterinarians received a few months ago on aggression is by FAR adequate knowledge to evaluate dogs and decide on the outcome of their lives. What happens if a veterinarian dislikes, not to say hates, certain dog breeds? I want vets to contact me before they assess aggression cases; that way, I know it’s done properly. Go to a vet behaviourist, you say. Turns out we don’t have enough of them around; consequently, they are booked solid, sometimes months away. </p><p>Maybe I should design a test for vets to see if they are indeed qualified to assess aggression. </p><p>So many things are wrong with this law... </p><p>Cheers.<br>G.</p><p><strong>Sources:</strong> <br>Quebec's new dangerous dog law comes into effect today. Here's what you need to know. <br>https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/dangerous-dog-explain-1.5483630 March 3rd, 2020.</p><p>Ordre des Medecins Veterinaires du Quebec<br>https://www.omvq.qc.ca/trouver-medecin-veterinaire.html </p><p>* Board Certified Veterinary Behaviourists in the province of Quebec:</p><p>Centre Veterinaire DMV, Montreal<br>- Isabelle Demontigny-Bédard<br>- Sabrina Poggiagliolmi</p><p>Globalvet, Quebec<br>- Martin Godbout</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/62223992020-02-20T22:35:49-05:002024-03-15T11:49:40-04:00How to Avoid Burnout<p>Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c2253491e561340d105e026bf0b5ccf22be28013/original/sleepy-hariette.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c2253491e561340d105e026bf0b5ccf22be28013/original/sleepy-hariette.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="196" width="300" /></a>A topic that often comes up in professional group meetings is dealing with difficult clients and social media and avoiding burnout. There is no cookie-cutter answer to that question. However, l have nearly 35 years of experience dealing with people, animals, self-care, and a degree in family education. Let me share my experiences with you; hopefully, my recommendations can help you. </p><p><strong>Difficult Clients</strong> <br>Some people tell me during their interviews to become a professional that they do not like working with people; unfortunately, every single animal on earth is, in one form or another, controlled by humans. In our field, clients are those people. Some people are nice, while others are not. It is how we deal with each unique situation that makes us professionals. If clients can hire us, we can fire them because the client is not always right. Deviant behaviour from people places our professional reputations on the line. I have a few rules in place to help guide me when potential problems occur. I base my professional relationship with clients on these critical rules. </p><p>1. Clients must remain respectful even when emotions run high. <br> I. Verbal and physical abuse are NOT acceptable. And by physical abuse, imagine a client asking you to walk their dog at -35°C with a windchill of -41°C; that is abuse to the dog and you.<br>2. Clients must do their homework. <br> I. Investing time in clients and dogs means we expect changes to occur. We get remuneration in return, but when people do not help themselves help their dog, we have a responsibility to ask ourselves, is this acceptable to us? <br> II. Dogs are your business card, so imagine a client with a reactive dog who meets another person. That person says <i>You should get a dog trainer and the client answers I do; I've been working with them for eight months now!</i> Each case is different, but if you know the client is not working on the behaviour, your credentials fly out the window, especially if the stranger asks for your name.<br>3. Clients must be on time. <br> I. There must be a plan in place to avoid latecomers, no-shows, or overstays. Trying to deal with a problem as it unfolds is difficult, not to say impossible, to manage. We have a terms and conditions waiver that each client must sign. The waiver states how we will deal with each situation and the financial compensation we expect. <br> II. Firing clients who are chronically late, show-don't-show, or stay longer because they arrived later is reason enough for me to cease our professional relationship. I do not want clients who do not take their dog's behaviour issues seriously.<br>4. Clients cannot take two types of training simultaneously. <br> I. Over the years, I have had many clients take two classes at once: our and punishment-based classes. I ask these clients to stop; if they do not wish to do so, they will have to go. Remaining passive is contributing to an outdated dog training practice. <br>5. Birds of a feather flock together. <br> I. Saying no to future clients is OK. I understand the need to make a living, but money often buys into problems (all four previous ones), which is NOT how professional service providers should think. <br> II. Consider your job as a psychologist and ask yourself, <i>Would I tolerate this or that situation? Is this situation acceptable? Is anybody </i>(dog or human) <i>getting emotionally or physically hurt? Would a psychologist do this?</i> Listen to your answer and go from there. <br> III. If you have never dealt with a psychologist, I suggest you see one and ask him/her how they deal with certain situations, or better yet, consult the following link to read up about their <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>professional order's ethics and rules</strong></span></a>. <br>6. Seek out mentorship when necessary. <br> I. If you are new to the trade, find a professional who shares your core values and ideas and understudy your mentor during their sessions. The experience is enlightening and rewarding. <br> II. How to interview and be interviewed are fantastic assets in our profession. </p><p><strong>Social Media</strong> <br>Social media is a new reality, and unfortunately, most professionals do not know who, what, when, where, why, and how to use it, which can lead to the following topic or even ruin someone's career. When social media started to take on its own life, I decided to study it and establish a rule for myself, the Dogue Shop, and now the Dog Academy. Here are some of those rules. <br><br>1. Post on your social media content that reflects who you are and walk away. <br> I. Remove the notifications and let your army do the rest. Your followers will fight your battles for you. This way, you do not risk screen captures taken out of context. <br> II. Negativity affects us whether we want it or not. Social media can quickly explode into a chaotic situation and find yourself in damage control situations. <br> III. Check your ego at the virtual social media door. Flared opinions destroy careers in an instant, i.e. Don Cherry <br>2. Think before you post, comment, like, or share. <br> I. Make 100% sure what you are about to do is positive and educational. <br> II. Some people like catchy news titles but do not read the actual articles. If that is the case, your comment should include an I did not read the statement. <br> III. Sometimes, ranting is necessary; therefore, do it with someone you trust 200% and do it in private, ideally over coffee. <br> IV. When you upload a client's video or photo, ensure you have their written consent in e-mail, text, or paper form. You are sharing a third party's information, and their privacy needs to be respected (see rule 5-II in the previous section). <br>3. Never go live on social media with animals. <br> I. It can get you into sticky situations. Random photobombers can ruin your moment and your career, for that matter. Should a dog bite you, that can mean the end. <br> II. Stay clear of compromising associations. If you want to have a different private life on social media, create an alter ego profile. <br>4. Do not mix professional and personal profiles. <br> I. Your personal profile should include people you know, if not, make lists and choose your privacy setting when you post. <br> II. I have three lists: friends, family, and acquaintances. Depending on what I share, I select the appropriate list. <br> III. Your professional profile should be for everybody else. I direct friend requests to visit the Dogue Shop page and tell them how they can get our notifications in their feed. <br>5. Get to know your preferred social media's rules. <br> I. Facebook rules, for example, do not allow for certain topics, words, or content. <br> II. Social media algorithms work differently for different companies; ensure you know the basics to avoid redundancy and negative feedback. <br> III. Post different things on different platforms; it helps prevent viral defamation. <br> IV. There is no need to share past posts; you are at another place and time. <br> V. Report negative posts, whether they are directed at you or not.</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/cb50c2e77b90bbe611aa35cdd7d2776c8b185753/original/20200122-110117-1.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg" data-link-type="url"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/cb50c2e77b90bbe611aa35cdd7d2776c8b185753/original/20200122-110117-1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="2264" width="3768" /></a><strong>Burnout </strong><br>Why are all these rules necessary? Because the number one reason people stop working with animals is that they burn out. We love animals, and we love to help, but taking on too much does nobody any favours—most people burnout within five years of becoming a professional. Trainers, groomers, vet techs, dog walkers, and dog sitters want to help; conversely, they cannot say no, fear not making ends meet, think they will fail or do not know how to deal with clients and social media.</p><p>In a nutshell, professionals do not have effective coping strategies and rules set up beforehand. To avoid burning out, consider the above rules and try to adapt them to your specific service. You can also add the following rules to your list. <br><br>1. Learn to center yourself. <br> I. Yoga* is an excellent place to start because its core philosophy is about centring the mind. Yoga in Sanskrit means to unite the mind with the divine. <br> II. Meditation is all about clearing the ego's nonsense blabbering. You know, that voice inside your head that never stops? well, it turns out you can quiet the chatter. <br> III. Try mindful meditation classes or apps such as <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.calm.com/?url=https://www.calm.com/&pid=google&af_channel=g&af_c_id=6459091402&af_adset_id=81030215207&af_ad_id=378985127690&af_sub_siteid=&af_keyword=calm%20app&af_sub3=e&af_sub4=EAIaIQobChMIqLib-anf5wIVApyzCh2rCwRkEAAYASAAEgIhdPD_BwE&af_sub5=" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Calm</strong></span></a> or <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Headspace</strong></span></a>. <br>2. Learn to center your body. <br> I. Asanas, aka physical poses found within the yoga philosophy, refer to <i>being comfortably seated/established/rooted within yourself</i>. Learning to center the mind by first centring the body can only be beneficial. <br> II. Learning to breathe, aka prayanamas in yoga, can help clear one's head when other techniques are unavailable. <br> III. Massages and acupuncture are beneficial, too. <br>3. Learn to center your emotions. <br> I. Healthily evacuate your emotions: movies, music, screams, cry, or flip through photos; do whatever it takes. Wine does not count. <br> II. Art therapy is another fantastic option for emotional release. Animal-assisted therapy does not count. <br> III. Go running, jogging, or do any other solo physical activity except going for a walk with the dog. You need to distance yourself to create a new mind space. <br> IV. Write or journal, then burn your paperwork; it helps to evacuate stored emotions. <br>4. Evaluate your Umwelt (oom-velt) <br> I. The world experienced by the experiencer refers to how you evaluate your experience of any given situation. Where do you find yourself on a scale of 0 to 10, with zero being dead and ten being euphoric? <br> II. When events occur in our daily lives, we can assess our Umwelt by merely telling ourselves the number corresponding to the feelings and emotions we have at that moment. <br> III. When your Umwelt is under five, it is time to go, make a change, reassess, move on, etc. </p><p>If you feel you are on the verge of tossing everything out the window and screaming <i>Screw you life!</i> then you are already burned out. You need to make drastic changes. Ideally, do not wait until that moment to make adjustments. Preventing burnout is essential I highly recommend you set up your own rules as soon as possible. Over the last thirty years, many talented professionals have tossed the baby out with the bathwater. I know firsthand how our jobs wreak havoc on emotions, minds, and bodies, but I have never burned out because I have set rules for myself. Please consider doing the same. </p><p>I hope this article was helpful and you can start creating self-care strategies that work for you. The dog world can be cruel, but it can also be rewarding, not to mention reinforcing when the right strategies are in place. In the meantime, try to find another professional who can lend an ear and empathize with you. </p><p>* There are eight limbs to the yoga philosophy they are Yama, Nyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Samadhi</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/60997812020-01-14T16:07:18-05:002024-03-15T12:26:42-04:00Sometimes Positive Reinforcement is Unethical<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><p>There is an old saying that <i>too much of a good thing can be a bad thing</i>. You are probably thinking, how does this apply to our profession, and with cause? If you have read my articles in the past, you know I am not one to hide behind controversy; hopefully, the title got your attention, and you will continue to read about why science and beliefs both influence dog training and behaviour. </p><p><strong>Positive Reinforcement</strong> <br>Positive reinforcement (R+) is a quadrant within operant conditioning, which is part of a bigger learning theory called behaviourism. The other three quadrants are negative reinforcement (R-), positive punishment (P+), and negative punishment (P-). For the sake of this article, we will focus on R+ and P+. </p><p>The definition of R+ is to<i> add a desirable stimulus to increase the probability that a behaviour will occur again</i>. R+ is an effective and ethical way to train animals and humans. When the dog has exhibited desirable behaviour, it receives reinforcement and a reward. The reward is whatever the ANIMAL wants: water, sex, food, safety, shade, warmth, air, and affection. Obviously, some of these elements are unethical to use, such as air or sex, but for the most part, the other basic needs can and are used to train animals. Whether you are aware of it or not, animals can and do reinforce themselves with rewards you are unaware of. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/ee7f5eda89fdaac08e822f5270e6a1990be3b790/original/862.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/ee7f5eda89fdaac08e822f5270e6a1990be3b790/original/862.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p><strong>Positive Punishment</strong><br>Positive punishment (P+) is another operant conditioning learning theory quadrant. The definition of P+ is adding an undesirable stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behaviour occurring<i> again</i>. This requires precision timing and efficacy, which are very hard to administer. In essence, punishments, both positive and negative, serve to make behaviours go away. When you think about it, punishment makes a lot of sense when we try to create new behaviours. For example, to teach a dog to sit, P+ trainers will pull on a choke chain in order to teach the dog the behaviour; however, what is truly occurring, scientifically speaking, is people are punishing standing. From there, the dog is supposed to guess that a down sit is required. To summarize P+, dogs go through life avoiding pain and guessing which behaviours yield no pain. </p><p><strong>Human Reinforcement </strong><br>Humans acquire information from the same learning theories we utilize to train dogs and animals in general. Whether we are conscious or unconscious of our actions, P+ occurs in our lives on a daily basis. Red lights make you stop; social media notifications make you operate your cell phone; cold coffee makes you get up; a child crying makes your usher <i>shush</i>; your chronic lateness gets you fired; whatever the punisher is, they all serve to make behaviour decrease. Unfortunately, people have associated punishment with severe pain. Most likely because they were victims of physical punishment or have seen or heard of physical punishments occurring to others. Nobody wants to go to jail because we like our freedom; therefore, the severity of the punishment regulates our behaviour. In other words, we behave because we want to avoid jail. </p><p><strong>Two and Two Together</strong> <br>Our entire society is based on punishment; consequently, the vast majority of people believe in punishment, and a smaller and smaller amount of people believe in corporal punishment as a means of education. Whichever way we look at it, we were punished as children. When my son tried his first tantrum in a store, I looked at him and said <i>Stop, or I’m walking away!</i> He threw himself on the ground, so I walked away. By doing so, I removed myself, thereby adding vulnerability to decrease the likelihood of another tantrum (behaviour). You might agree with the process or not, but that is not the point*. The point is that my son never attempted a tantrum because the punishment was well-timed and effective. Punishment does not need to be physically or mentally painful to be effective. Thankfully, reinforcement is on the rise, but let us be honest for a moment: R+ is lagging behind. This brings me to the introduction point. </p><p>As professionals, we are required to change behaviours, normally from undesirable to desirable, for the well-being of our clients. Herein lies the problem, which raises a serious ethical question. When dogs have learned from a punishment approach, and we are called in to readdress behaviours that have gotten worse over time, we go in confident R+ will positively change the dog’s behaviour. Unfortunately, that is an extremely false and dangerous assumption. </p><p>A P+ trained dog living with a P+ human will suffer greatly in the hands of an R+ trainer. Why? For X years, the dog learned by being told what not to do, and therein comes an R+ trainer who starts to teach the dog that it has control of its reinforcement. The dog now learns <i>what to do</i>, and finds it pleasurable, but at the end of the session, it will return to a P+ home. The dog now finds itself in a desirable and undesirable conundrum. Obviously, some people can shift their beliefs and start R+ training the dog; however, there is a big proportion of the owner population for whom punishment is not only a rule, it is a belief system deeply ingrained within themselves, and no amount of R+ dog training they receive, their punishment behaviours will not change. Reinforcement is simply unattainable, and the dog will suffer. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/97847ea00a342ab12edacfda7b80d399cdaf9b83/original/20161029-132851.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/97847ea00a342ab12edacfda7b80d399cdaf9b83/original/20161029-132851.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="5312" /></a><p><strong>Ethically Speaking</strong> <br>When we are confronted with owners who firmly believe in punishment, our roles shift from dog trainers to wellness agents. We now have to assess whether it is ethical to keep training. We must ask ourselves: Is it ethical to teach a dog for one hour a week that it can get all it wants (so to speak) in exchange for reinforcement, but the rest of the time, it will continue to be punished? Pleasure vs Displeasure. Humans who strongly believe in punishment are refractory to change, consciously or unconsciously; consequently, dogs in these situations become very conflicted, and aggression can inadvertently increase. R+ dog trainers are making matters worse by no fault of their own. As professionals, what should we do? Here are some ideas. </p><ol>
<li>We walk away after advising the caregiver you can no longer work with them if they are unwilling to change their belief system. Explain why behaviours will worsen. </li>
<li>Advise owners to stop training altogether and offer a management approach for the behaviour problem. This way, everybody wins by not learning. </li>
<li>If they are adamant about working with their punishment tools, teach them how to use them effectively. The goal is to decrease the use of punishment. </li>
<li>Demonstrate how to say <i>good boy</i> and pet the dog after the behaviour, this way there will be some reinforcement in the dog’s life. Obviously, the dog should like being petted. </li>
<li>Propose rehoming or surrendering if undesirable behaviours require such a solution. </li>
</ol><p>I have worked with hardcore clients who unconditionally believed people and animals could solely learn from being punished. I once worked with a 79-year-old woman who owned an out-of-control Belgium Sheppard. The lady refused to use R+, even after I demonstrated its efficiency and made it clear I was not there to teach her otherwise. Before I told her I could not work with her, I did demonstrate how to use the choke chain efficiently and effectively. It was upside down for all matters of purpose and created more pain by getting tangled in the dog’s fur. </p><p>My approach has always been nonjudgemental. I prefer to explore both sides of a situation, problem, or belief system and come up with an ethical solution for all involved. Sometimes difficult decisions have to be made, but one thing remains, we all strive to improve the well-being of both humans and dogs. In certain situations, R+ is simply unethical. Thus, we need to cease and desist. Our profession dictates the use of science; consequently, to deny one or all three quadrants of learning because they do not reflect our belief system causes more problems than it solves. Extremism never benefits anyone. I am not saying you should go out and use P+; that would be unethical nonsense. What I am suggesting is to think about how being narrowminded and unscientific affects animal and human wellness. I am suggesting we discuss science in its integrity and apply it ethically, even if sometimes it requires going against our beliefs because too much of a good thing is bad! </p><p>* When my son reached the end of the aisle, I was there to greet him with open arms and a kiss (R+). The explanation of that process is an entirely different article.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/34549432020-01-07T12:02:42-05:002024-03-15T11:55:56-04:00Dog Emotional Attachment<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><p>We know dogs have emotions and form bonds with us; however, sometimes human-animal attachments seem broken or unable to develop. Today, we will explore the various reasons why this happens, but more importantly, how we can change an insecure emotional attachment into a secure one. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/49676162b597f05146c3e7633636e5f98516003e/original/100-5649.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/49676162b597f05146c3e7633636e5f98516003e/original/100-5649.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="1888" /></a><p>Konrad Lorenz influenced John Bowlby when he decided to research and discuss attachment theory in the late sixties. His model proposed three attachment outcomes: secure, avoidant, and resistant. During the same time period, Mary Ainsworth added a research method to assess different forms of attachment, she called it the Strange Situation Classification. Her conclusion gave way to three types of attachment styles: secure, insecure, avoidant, and insecure resistant.</p><p>Although similar, Bowlby focused on attachment as a fixed action pattern (FAP), whereas Ainsworth focused on acquired emotional connectedness. Both psychologists contributed to our understanding of attachment, but what about the human-dog bond? Can we form secure or insecure attachments with dogs? When you read the following definitions, replace the word <i>infant</i> or <i>children</i> with the word dog and see for yourself. I purposefully omitted sources to help readers make a non-scientific judgment.<br> <br><strong>Secure Attached dogs - </strong><br>"Such children feel confident that the attachment figure will be available to meet their needs. They use the attachment figure as a safe base to explore the environment and seek the attachment figure in times of distress. Securely attached infants are easily soothed by the attachment figure when upset. Infants develop a secure attachment when the caregiver is sensitive to their signals and responds appropriately to their needs." (Bowlby, 1988)<br><br><strong>Insecure Avoidant dogs - </strong><br>"Insecure avoidant children do not orientate to their attachment figure while investigating the environment. They are very independent of the attachment figure, both physically and emotionally. They do not seek contact with the attachment figure when distressed. Such children are likely to have a caregiver who is insensitive and rejecting of their needs. The attachment figure may withdraw from helping during difficult tasks and is often unavailable during times of emotional distress." (Bowlby, 1988)<br><br><strong>Insecure Resistant dogs -</strong><br>"Here, children adopt an ambivalent behavioural style towards the attachment figure. The child will commonly exhibit clingy and dependent behaviour but will reject the attachment figure when they interact. The child fails to develop any feelings of security from the attachment figure. Accordingly, they exhibit difficulty moving away from the attachment figure to explore novel surroundings. When distressed, they are difficult to soothe and are not comforted by interaction with the attachment figure. This behaviour results from an inconsistent level of response to their needs from the primary caregiver." (Bowlby, 1988)<br><br>If you believe these attachment definitions apply to you or someone you know, you are not alone. Most dog owners fall under one of these attachment styles. The good news is we can change insecure attachments to secure ones because dogs are cognitively and emotionally eternal infants, so to speak.</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/8ba9a48ee3dc6c3369177fbfbd4b20fc7bcc6c2d/original/231353.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/8ba9a48ee3dc6c3369177fbfbd4b20fc7bcc6c2d/medium/231353.jpg?1420597030" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p><strong>Insecure Means Behaviour Problem</strong><br>When dogs exhibit undesirable behaviours, the problem often resides in an insecure attachment. The important thing to know is behaviour cannot be modified if the human-dog team has an insecure attachment; therefore, dog professionals will assess and address attachment issues first. Remember the <a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/reinforce-resilience" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Social-Cognitive"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Social-Cognitive</strong></span></a> article? We need to change dysfunctional units into functional teams through social-cognitive exercises before we can address the behaviour problem. Attachment functions in the same way.</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/brain-games" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Brain Games"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Brain Games</strong></span></a> increase emotional control, and secure attachments develop through direct positive associations between games and humans. In other words, when humans help their dogs solve problems, dogs learn to connect, bond, relate, and attach to their humans; consequently, securely attached human-dog teams display better problem-solving skills and desirable behaviours.<br><br>To help you grasp the idea further, imagine you are in the kitchen, and your dog rolls his ball under the couch. Your dog barks or runs back and forth from the couch to you. You realize something is wrong and investigate. You then see the dog heading to the couch and bark at it. You quickly understand there is something <i>wrong</i>. You bend over, see the ball, and grab the toy with your extremely long <i>paws</i> to solve your dog's problem. If you see yourself in this situation, kudos, you have a secure human-dog attachment.<br><br>Secure or insecure attachments are neither good or bad, they are what they are. I see attachment issues as tools to help us understand how dog behaviour evolves and why. As the old saying goes, half the work is done once we recognize the problem.<br><br><strong>References</strong><br>Bowlby, J. (1988). <i>A Secure Base</i>. Oxon, UK: Routledge.<br>Boyd, D., Bee, H., & Johnson, P. (2009). <i>Lifespan Development</i> (3ed.) Toronto, ON: Pearson.<br>McLeod, S. (2007). Bowlby's Attachment Theory. Retrieved from: http://www.simplypsychology.org/bowlby.html<br>McLeod, S. (2008, updated 2014). Mary Ainsworth. Retrieved from: http://www.simplypsychology.org/mary-ainsworth.html<br>Horse Attachment - http://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2013/12/andrew-mclean-on-attachment-theory/<br><br>P.S. The beer bottle contained water. I use this image to represent behaviour problems visually.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/59940532019-12-05T17:41:45-05:002024-03-15T12:27:19-04:00I Broke the Dog Trainer<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/b8426702b5f63dee3f513c25802b35fc9b470fc0/original/20191024-201509-1.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b8426702b5f63dee3f513c25802b35fc9b470fc0/original/20191024-201509-1.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>I have been told by students over the years, <i>Thanks to you, my dream has been destroyed!</i> I am here to tell you why I did it and why am happy I did. As a teacher and educator, I make sure your career in the animal world is safe and long-lived. That process is based on the time we share together. The Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship (ABA) and Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) programs are respectively 200 and 100 hours, which is a very short amount of time to become a professional, but that does not mean it is impossible... </p><p><strong>Why I Broke the Dog Trainer </strong><br>The first thing people write on their letter of intent when they apply for a program is<i> I've been around dogs all my life,</i> or <i>I just want to work with animals</i>. The first realization of being a student is that you will always work with a human and an animal. It is not the other way around. Breaking the dream refers to the reality check future animal behaviour professionals get when they take one of the Dogue Academy’s programs. </p><p>The second <i>break</i> comes when future professionals realize how little they actually know about dogs. Even though a person might have been around dogs all their life, dog behaviour is far more complex than one imagines. Dog behaviour is an actual language canids use to communicate. When you learn it, you cannot unlearn it, and all the innocence of joyfully <i>playing</i> with dogs now turns from an emotional to a cognitive perspective. When students learn this harsh reality, my job here is done. </p><p>Learning to work safely with animals is also a belief crusher. Once a person learns what dogs are truly saying, they realize how much dogs do not want to serve us unconditionally. Dogs are living organisms, and at times, they have an agenda of their own. Dog behaviours are not always the direct result of human intervention or lack thereof. Dogs have clinical behaviour problems and do not love everybody unconditionally. My job here is done when students learn to work safely with dogs. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.onlymyhealth.com/health-slideshow/kutte-ke-katne-pe-turant-kare-ye-kam-in-hindi-1416472177.html" contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/96f01ee672c13c85310710078800c5fcd2fe0cd2/original/dogbite2.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p>In my class, you are faced with the realization that you do not have a special connection to animals, you just had luck, thus far. When the stars align, bites happen, regardless of the number of papers on the wall, and when aggression manifests itself, careers can end abruptly. So the question becomes, do you prefer a short, pleasant emotional <i>passion</i> or a long cognitive animal career? When you can answer the question, my job here is done. </p><p><strong>Why I Am Happy I Broke the Dog Trainer </strong><br>I am happy I broke my dog trainers because the process ensures a long, healthy, bite-free career. Broken trainers are able to safeguard the public from possible disastrous situations professionally. I am happy I broke my students because they can uphold objective discussions without emotional interference. I am joyful that future professionals improve the lives of dogs and the people who care for them. That statement is actually part of the Dogue Shop's mission statement. </p><p>Finally, to my past, present, and future Dogue Academy students, I must say I am happy you are living your dream, but most of all, I am delighted you will have a long and safe career because <i>I Broke You! </i></p><p>My job here is done.</p><p>Cheers,<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/59558752019-11-10T14:54:20-05:002024-03-15T11:58:51-04:0025 Dog (Canis Familiaris) Facts<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><p>The following is factual information. When you need information about something, you should never ask your friends and learn how actually to use Google. Anecdotes and stories are not scientific. Science is not opinion-based, it is a tangible, measurable, quantifiable, and qualifiable information gathering process, also known as data collection. This article might seem controversial to some people, but facts are facts. The time has come for people to return to the time when dogs were treated as such and when being approached or touched by complete strangers was NOT acceptable. Remember that time in history when people educated their children on how to respect dogs as sentient beings? That is where these 25 facts will take you. <br> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/bde58fa388933e7c4416f62d74d0a9f03ce76813/original/dog-classification.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.png" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><ol>
<li>Taxonomy (see photo)</li>
<li>Designer dog breeds are NOT hybrids. Your doodle, pomsky, poky, Skidoo, etc, are NOT F1s or even F4s. They are mixed breeds, NOT hybrids.<br>- A hybrid is a cross between two animals from the same genus -> dog and wolf = F1 or wolf and coyote = F1<br>- A cross-breed is a cross between two animals of the same species -> Labrador and poodle = cross-breed dog or -> red wolf and grey wolf = cross-breed wolf</li>
<li>Dogs are NOT pack animals. </li>
<li>Dogs display dominance. <br>- Wolves display dominance. <br>- Humans display dominance.<br>- Birds display dominance.</li>
<li>Dogs are NOT omnivores.<br>- Canids do NOT have flat molars to chew plants and extract vitamins and minerals.<br>- Dogs are NOT vegetarian or vegan. </li>
<li>Dogs see yellow and blue. <br>- Dogs do NOT see in black and white only. </li>
<li>Dogs do NOT transpire through their skin. They excrete heat through their feet, ears, and panting. <br>- Pomeranians do NOT need a winter jacket. <br>- Huskies do NOT need winter jackets.<br>- Labradors do NOT need winter jackets. <br>- Shelties do NOT need a winter jacket. </li>
<li>Salt does NOT corrode dog footpads during walks. Moisture freezes upon contact with cold snow, ice, frozen cement, etc. That is painful.</li>
<li>Dogs are 15 000+ years old as a species. Dog kibble hit the market in 1951. Dogs did NOT evolve a new digestive system within 68 years. </li>
<li>Dogs are opportunistic predators. </li>
<li>Dogs are NOT humans.</li>
<li>Dogs are NOT like people. </li>
<li>Dogs bite. </li>
<li>Dogs kill. </li>
<li>Dogs die. </li>
<li>Dogs have emotions: anger, anticipation, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, surprise, trust.<br>- Dogs are not jealous.</li>
<li>Dogs CANNOT physically release tears, aka cry. </li>
<li>Bladder size is proportionate to dog size.<br>- Chihuahuas can hold their urine as long as Irish Wolfhounds.<br>- Retention is a learned process. </li>
<li>Dogs can eat 10% of their body weight in one sitting. </li>
<li>Training does NOT cause obesity. </li>
<li>Overfeeding and lack of exercise cause obesity. </li>
<li>Dogs do NOT like being hugged. </li>
<li>Dogs do NOT have fail-safe mechanisms. </li>
<li>Canada has four official dog breeds: Labrador Retriever, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, and the Canadian Eskimo Dog. </li>
</ol><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/b208b29d6ecb80d8f1cb95bbb071b8bcf28eb6e4/original/canada.gif/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.gif"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b208b29d6ecb80d8f1cb95bbb071b8bcf28eb6e4/original/canada.gif/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><ol>
<li>
<br>- The Tahltan Bear Dog is extinct. <br>- British Labradors are NOT a dog breed <br>- American Labradors are NOT a dog breed.</li>
<li>Labradors are from Labrador, CANADA.</li>
</ol><p><strong>Five bonus factual tidbits of information for those curious minds</strong></p><ol>
<li>Dog jaws do NOT lock.</li>
<li>The Canadian Kennel Club recognized 175 dog breeds<br>- The FCI recognizes 344 dog breeds.<br>- The FCI has 98 member countries. Canada is NOT one of them.</li>
<li>Dogs can taste a smell.</li>
<li>Behaviourism is NOT the only learning theory applicable to dogs.<br>- Social-cognitive learning theory in animals has been studied since the 1950s. <br>- Dogs learn by imitation<br>- Dogs learn by cognition</li>
<li>The clicker originates from WWII.</li>
</ol><p>Cheers,<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/59143402019-10-03T15:03:58-04:002024-03-15T12:00:38-04:00Animal-Assisted Therapy; The Bonding Agent Between Humans<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/9cac3386c11dd5ac76164bd945c456365326cb66/original/received-2100797296915745.jpeg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/9cac3386c11dd5ac76164bd945c456365326cb66/original/received-2100797296915745.jpeg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a human intervention system that connects two individuals to facilitate therapeutic goals and objectives. The process can also be preventative in nature. When I tell people what I do for a living, the first comment I get is “I wouldn’t be able to do that, I’d get too attached.” Actually, the goal of AAT is getting attached. In my upcoming book, I will discuss the role of animal-assisted therapy on attachment.</p><p>My teams and I work very hard to attach to the participants in our programs because we are there to make a difference in their lives. The goals are to build secure attachments between ourselves and teenagers, communicate their emotions, develop confidence and self-esteem, and experience positive social exchanges. Animals facilitate the process because of their non-judgmental personas. </p><p>Dogs do not care about social status, branded clothing, vocabulary, finances, and other artificially created concepts. Dogs express joy or they do not, it is that easy. Similarly, we do not care about those things either. Our egos are checked at the door during AAT, and teens appreciate that, which, in turn, solidifies the bonds we are trying to build. In AAT, teens are allowed to be tired, frustrated, angry, joyful, fearful, or even disgusted. When people have issues, we encourage them to keep trying until they make a choice. We will do the same the next time around and remain consistent throughout the process. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/92d4aaece89bf1640f681454185587b7263da494/original/20190508-113423.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/92d4aaece89bf1640f681454185587b7263da494/original/20190508-113423.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p>It takes, on average, six to eight weeks to create secure attachments with teens. Rats accelerate the process by one to two weeks. That said, time is of no concern to my team or me. Actually, it is the opposite; we pride ourselves on the connections and changes we see in students. School personnel also appreciate the changes they see in students, especially when we are physically on location. I enjoy working with each teen, even if the results are negative, for we never truly know our impact on a person. The exercises we propose to the participants are not always easy, but we do it together, which builds attachments. We never let a person fail; in return, teens never let animals fail. The cycle is one of deep connections based on mutual agreements of non-abandonment. In our social-cognitive triangle, we build the foundations of secure attachment. Rats a very proficient at creating secure attachments. </p><p>Some cases are more poignant than others; consequently, when the end of the school year approaches, we sometimes need to swallow our tears, not because we are sad, but because we are happy to have experienced such positive changes. I believe it is inhumane to allow distance between people purposefully. In AAT, I build connections along the way to eventually hug the teens. That said, we ask before we hug and accept no for an answer. Some students prefer not to be hugged, and we respect their wishes. The end of the 2018-2019 school year was particularly hard for me because we were seeing off three students who had been in AAT for some time. I hope one day to cross paths with them and chat about their lives since AAT, but I remain extremely joyful to have shared the time we did. </p><p>I love adolescent energy; the mind is so creative during this period of development. Erickson’s called the developmental phase of adolescence Identify vs. Role Confusion. If we want teens to become well-adjusted adults, getting attached is easy when you know the outcome is positive, even if the results seem like a failure. We can never know or say we failed because we tried. To me, failing a teen comes in the form of detachment, not caring, or avoiding bonding with them altogether.</p><p>Cheers,<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/57711592019-05-28T15:06:22-04:002024-03-15T12:00:44-04:00The Ethics of Dog Training Prices<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><p>After chatting with Dogue Shop graduate students, I summarized our discussion to help other novice trainers and clients. It might seem like a clear-cut process, but an unregulated profession yields unregulated prices. The following article attempts to shed some light on the topic. </p><p><strong>Dog Trainer Profession</strong> <br>The dog training profession is not a regulated industry; consequently, the question of pricing in an unregulated service becomes an interesting topic. Some dog trainers might not agree with my ideologies, but it makes much sense if you think about it. In an unregulated profession, one should act professionally to be considered professional. </p><p>A professional should be ethical, educated, efficient, and effective. As a professional, ethics requires one to impart the necessary information in the least amount of time and at the lowest cost possible. In other words, get in; get out as fast as possible. Professionals should never make their clients dependent on their services. </p><p><strong>Dog Trainers vs. Psychologists</strong> <br>I teach my students to be ethical about pricing. I explain why I chose psychology as the closest profession resembling our own. Psychologists must adhere to their professional order in order to practice. Although their order does not regulate prices, psychologists have developed an unofficial price average that most members adhere to. Their pricing guideline sets a precedent for our industry because it states a clear message. Before we talk about amounts, please take a look at the following table. It illustrates the different requirements needed between professionals after graduation. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c2a4d59091b091a0ab4762aa461e0a79494efe08/original/clipdata-20190528-145021.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p><strong>Ethical Prices</strong> <br>Prices for a psychologist with a Ph.D. vary between 80$ and 130$. This pricing scale is also accurate for the national average. A psychologist in Quebec will roughly cost you the same in Alberta or New-Brunswick. Like other experts, psychologists specializing in a specific area of the human psyche cost more per hour. Specialized professionals might cost 150-200$ per hour. If you ask me, the price is still affordable for someone with a Ph.D. </p><p>It baffles me when dog trainers charge upwards of 300$ per hour with three years of experience in dog training. I have seen many things in the last 32 years, but the craziest thing I heard is a client who paid 800-900$ for life for dog training and only did three sessions before they came to me. That is 300$ per hour. That should not happen. </p><p style="text-align:center;">“<i>If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to train your dog, wait until you hire an amateur!</i>” - Unknown </p><p><strong>Pricing Strategies </strong><br>There are different ways to set prices in the service industry. I will explain the sliding-scale, cost-oriented, value-based, and competition-oriented pricing models and give an example. Pricing models help standardize service fees. Once implemented, your model should not change. As a point of reference, the most prevalent pricing models for psychologists are value-based and sliding-scale. Still, competition-oriented and cost-plus pricing seem to be the preferred strategies in the dog training industry. The following explains the three models. </p><p><strong>- Sliding-scale</strong>: is a variable price for a service based on the client’s ability to pay. In this model, you create the amount based on a previously established percentage of your maximum and a minimum charge. Proof of revenue is customarily required to benefit from this form of payment. This payment method might seem drastic, but it is a very fair approach. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/f1ca0176d8ab39a96c897cb55e6cf753fd4fed7f/original/finished-chart.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.png" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /><p> <strong>- Value-based</strong>: the price is based on the estimated value of the service to the client. The base price plus an added cost for a specialization reflects the overall service fee. Professional experience might also be considered in this pricing model. For example, your flat rate is 90$/h, but since you specialize in aggression, the cost jumps to 175$/h. </p><p>The difference in price is validated by the risks encountered. Value-based pricing strategy is very subjective because you must base the value on your perceived worth, not actual market value. Cost-plus and competition-oriented should be established to offer your clients the best cost/value. </p><p><strong>- Cost-plus</strong>: the cost price for a session plus a certain percentage. Typically the cost price plus 10% is a standard. To figure out the cost price, you must first calculate ALL your monthly expenses associated with a session: car monthly payments, gas, registration, driver’s license, files, paper, ink, printer, pens, electricity, computer, internet service, cell phone, cell phone provider, rent, heat, insurance, leashes, collars, poop bags, harnesses, etc. </p><p>The amount is then divided to reflect an hourly fee. For example, if the total of the above expenses comes out to 2740$/month (≈ 32 900$/year). Say you plan to work 30 hours/week; your hourly cost would be $ 22.83$/h. To this amount, you would add 10%. Therefore, your hourly salary would be 25.66$. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://icon-library.com/icon/search-icon-google-4.html" contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/31ccfa6eb9820d3d22a0969355c01c55cb6b3b77/original/google1.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p><strong>- Competition-oriented</strong>: this method of pricing requires a lot of <i>finger work</i>, aka Googling. The objective is to determine your competitors' charging and make an average based on those findings. The average price might be on the higher or lower end of the scale, depending on your neighbourhood. Say you find five professionals in your area; you would add their prices and divide by five; therefore, your price would be the result of that average. </p><p>For example, the hourly rate of your five competitors is #1 = 95$, #2 = 87$, #3 = 125$, #4 = 95$, and #5 = 80$. The sum of those prices is four-hundred-eighty-two. Now divide 482/5, and you obtain 96.40; consequently, your hourly rate would be 96$ per hour. </p><p><strong>Dog Trainer Ethical Pricing</strong> <br>There is no cookie-cutter price for the service industry; I propose you do the following calculation. Shop for prices and do the equation from the competition-oriented model. Then, look at each person’s credentials and see which one offers the best value for your money. You should look for a long list of education opportunities (2) for a reasonable hourly cost. I know it can be lengthy, but it is worth the effort in the long run. </p><p>A professional dog trainer should cost you between 70$ and 250$ per hour, depending on their expertise. In my opinion, prices that exceed these costs are abusive and unprofessional. Remember, a psychologist with a Ph.D. earns between $ 80$ and $ 130$ per hour. Granted, our four-legged customers bite, but exploiting clients is unethical and unprofessional. </p><p>Cheers,<br>G.</p><p><strong>References</strong>: <br>- Association des Psychologues du Quebec. <i>Distinction Association/Ordre</i>. Retrieved from https://www.apqc.ca/ May 2019 <br>- Nagle, T.T., Hogan, J.E., and Zale, J. (2016). <i>The Strategy and Tactics of Pricing: New International Edition</i> (5th Edition). Oxford, United Kingdom: Routledge. <br>- Ordre des Psychologues du Quebec. <i>Combien ça coute</i>? Retrieved from https://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca/web/ordre-des-psychologues-du-quebec/combien-ca-coute- May 2019 <br>- Smith, T.J. (2012). <i>Pricing Strategy: Setting Price Levels, Managing Price Discounts and Establishing Price Structure</i>. OH, USA: South-Western Cengage Learning. </p><p><span class="text-small">1 Newly graduated psychology students require a Ph.D. to practice. </span><br><span class="text-small">2 Make sure to verify the professional’s credentials.</span></p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/57601052019-05-19T11:41:33-04:002024-03-15T12:02:21-04:00Working Dogs, Part Two<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/c13b8644b8662a4470bce4f19c991c07b2d52417/original/20181010-105640.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/c13b8644b8662a4470bce4f19c991c07b2d52417/original/20181010-105640.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="5312" /></a><p><strong>Zootherapy</strong>: In my field of work, I call this practice pet the puppy. Most human-dog teams have little to no formal training. People do not implement or document behavioural changes or have specific goals for their target population. A side product of being in the presence of an animal often results in a feel-good state. This type of service is usually a volunteer position, and the person does not receive monetary compensation for the service. The Quebec legislature does not protect this kind of activity. </p><p>This activity usually consists of a person bringing their animal to an establishment and allow the client to pet their animal. The person brings their animal to sick children, seniors, or people in palliative care. The goal of the connection is to make the client feel better. Selected dogs are valued if they do not display any negative behaviours. I call these animals carpet dogs. </p><p><strong>Animal-Assisted Therapy</strong>: Animal-assisted therapy falls under the umbrella term Animal-Assisted-Interventions. Dogs and other species are trained to perform specific behaviours according to the needs of the target clientele. Animals are required to facilitate the intervention process between the therapist and client or help prevent rebound behaviours in vulnerable people. The AAT professional plans specific goals and objectives and receives monetary compensation for the service. The Quebec legislature does not protect this kind of activity. </p><p>The animal-assisted therapy practitioner works with an animal partner. The training process begins during the critical period of the social development of the animal. Each field of work will target specific behaviour since each clientele is different. I work with teenagers; consequently, I socialize our dogs with this clientele. </p><p><strong>Emotional Support</strong>: The vast majority of people with emotional support dogs do not receive training. Untrained dogs do not serve a purpose other than accompanying a human; most likely, it makes them feel good. Without professional documentation and data collection, it remains unclear what biological, physiological, emotional and behavioural conditions are modified. Most people with an emotional support dog are refused access to establishments. The Quebec legislature does not protect this kind of activity. </p><p>A person brings their dog everywhere to alleviate symptoms such as anxiety, fear, stress, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. The role of the animal is unclear, and the vast majority of these dogs are untrained. When I ask the people who e-mail me what they wish their dog to accomplish, they often do not know. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/de70ac2ee9f01dab95e3c1344795601fa0ece4df/original/20190411-101314.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/de70ac2ee9f01dab95e3c1344795601fa0ece4df/original/20190411-101314.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="Guide dog training process." /></a><p><strong>Service Dog</strong>: A service dog provides a service. This type of dog is a highly trained animal that physically helps a human accomplish any given task. Some examples are guide dogs, sound dogs (1), physically disabled assistance dogs (2), or military and law enforcement dogs. Dogs can also be trained to detect diabetes or epilepsy; unfortunately, the science behind this practice is still trying to figure out what dogs are detecting and if their behaviour does indeed constitute a service. The Quebec legislature does protect this type of activity. </p><p>The person with a service dog needs the animal to accomplish tasks they cannot do on their own; as a result, the dog accompanies them everywhere. Training a service dog is often lengthy and costly; therefore, the vast majority of service dogs come from non-profit companies and organizations. The cost of a real service dog costs over ten thousand dollars. Yes, 10000.00$+. </p><p><strong>A Social Problem</strong> <br>There is a rise in fraudulent service dogs everywhere in the country. People who claim their untrained dogs as a service animals pose a direct problem to people who are legitimately disabled and need their animal partner to accompany them everywhere. </p><p>There are a few reasons why I do not train service dogs for other people. First, people buy a puppy thinking any dog can become a service dog. That is false; most dogs do not get through the training process. Second, the cost. People do not want to pay upwards of ten to twenty thousand dollars for the training of their dog, which might ultimately fail. Finally, it is time-consuming to train service dogs. There needs to be an adjustment period where trainers and clients work together to transfer skills once the dog finishes its training. </p><p>My team and I trained the animals in our animal-assisted therapy program; consequently, I know and trust these animals because they grew up in the presence of the very teens with whom we work. One can now see why incorporating a stranger’s dog into the Dogue Shop’s animal-assisted therapy program is merely impossible. </p><p>Cheers,<br>G.</p><p><strong>References</strong>: <br>- C-12 - Charter of human rights and freedoms. Part I: Human Rights and Freedoms; Chapter I: Fundamental Freedoms and Rights; Chapter I.1: Article 10. Retrieved from http://legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/ShowDoc/cs/C-12 May 2019 </p><p>- Fine, A. H. (Ed.). (2010). Handbook on animal-assisted therapy: Theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice (3rd ed.). San Diego, CA, US: Elsevier Academic Press. </p><p>- Parenti, L., Foreman, A., Meade, B. J., & Wirth, O. (2013). A revised taxonomy of assistance animals. Journal of rehabilitation research and development, 50(6), 745–756. doi:10.1682/JRRD.2012.11.0216 </p><p><span class="text-small">1 Dogs trained to signal phone, alarm, fire alarm, and other sounds relevant to the person. </span><br><span class="text-small">2 Dogs trained to pick up objects, fetch medication, or help with mobility.</span></p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/57521682019-05-12T19:13:02-04:002024-03-15T12:04:56-04:00Working Dogs, Part One<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/4f82dc7aea958816e28fbc12a705153f954d054a/original/img-4245.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/4f82dc7aea958816e28fbc12a705153f954d054a/original/img-4245.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>I get many e-mails from people proposing their dog as an animal-assisted therapy partner in our programs. I also receive multiple messages each month from people who ask me to train their new puppy for emotional support. I do neither, and the following article explains why. Please note, I wrote this article from a Canadian perspective. </p><p><strong>Definitions</strong> <br>Dogs cannot be made into a working partner just because someone decided to. Out of every ten dogs born, one might make it as a service or therapy work partner. Yes, training is an essential component, but it is by far the only one. Dogs have genes and temperament of their own, and humans absolutely cannot change these characteristics. Before I can answer the question “Will my dog be good at…” I must first answer what does the job description require; consequently, the following definitions serve to clarify the differences between a service dog, zootherapy, animal-assisted therapy, and emotional support are. </p><p><strong>Zootherapy</strong>: Not found in the Oxford dictionary; Merriam-Webster: veterinary therapeutics; Collins: 1. Medicine - the use of therapeutic drugs derived from animals, 2. Psychology - a type of therapy that uses animals. </p><p>The English use of zootherapy does not mean the same as the French definition. In English, the term zootherapy refers to the use of a medicine or treatment made from animals, i.e. glucosamine made from shark cartilage or omega supplements made from salmon oil. In French, they use the word as an umbrella term to define pretty much anything that involves an animal. When professionals incorporate animals into their human science practice, we refer to the process as animal-assisted therapy. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/d03a05944644852a693203cad0b011120fb4e939/original/20180912-115109.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/d03a05944644852a693203cad0b011120fb4e939/original/20180912-115109.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p><strong>Animal-Assisted Therapy</strong>: Not found in the Oxford dictionary; Not found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary; Not found in the Collins dictionary; Wikipedia - Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is an alternative or complementary type of therapy that involves animals as a form of treatment. </p><p>When I conduct AAT programs, I often become a professional within a multi-disciplinary team such as social workers, psychologists, and specialized educators. The Dogue Shop’s program includes parents, teachers, and the school principal. Everyone collaborates in order to achieve specific goals and objectives such as communication, attachment, self-esteem, and self-awareness. </p><p><strong>Emotional Support</strong>: Not found in the Oxford dictionary; Not found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary; Not found in the Collins dictionary; Wikipedia: An emotional support animal (ESA), assistance animal, or support animal, is a companion animal that a medical professional says provides some benefit for a person disabled by a mental health condition or emotional disorder. </p><p>The above definition is not present in the federal government legislature because Canada does not have a disability act. Each province is required to stipulate their position on the matter of assistance and service dogs. In Quebec, therapy animals are not covered by the legislature; therefore, the establishment a person wishes to enter with their dog has the right to say no. The only two service dogs protected by the Quebec provincial legislature are visual and autism assistance dogs (C-12, 1975). Other service dogs fall under Article 10 and are subject to interpretation by law enforcement. Cases are assessed one-by-one. </p><p><strong>Service Dog</strong>: Oxford: An animal, typically a dog, that has been trained to assist a person who has a disability; Merriam-Webster: a dog trained to assist a person with a disability; Collins: a dog that has been specially trained to live with and accompany a disabled person, carrying out such tasks as prompting them to take medication or assisting them to cross a road </p><p>As mentioned above, visual and autism assistance dogs have the constitutional right to enter establishments and use public services. Other service dogs are covered by Article 10; however, they must get a medical recommendation for the service animal. Most of the following are accepted conditions: auditory impaired, visually, autism, physically impaired, and certain mental illnesses. Psychologists can diagnose mental illnesses; however, psychiatrists are medical professionals who can prescribe medication.</p><p>To be continued next week.</p><p>Cheers,<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/56651102019-03-01T12:00:23-05:002024-03-27T18:07:13-04:00No, You Cannot Pet My Dog!<p>By Gaby Dufrense-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://fi.pinterest.com/pin/610519293218262422/" contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b7e981dff52d8e400dae02fb3136a802ef6bf2ac/original/man-in-dress-shirt-petting-a-dog-4451138-m-123rf.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></a><p>I have not written in a while because I am very busy with the Dogue Shop, university classes, promoting the book, and raising a Broholmer puppy. All that said, there is a topic on my mind I wish to share with you. Too many people impose themselves into our dogs’ space to pet them, and these same people get angry when we tell them no. If you are one of those people, please read on carefully. If you respect others' space and retreat when dogs pass by, I commend and thank you. </p><p><strong>Unrealistic Expectations</strong> <br>Humans expect dogs to behave flawlessly in any and every type of social situation. Well, guess what, people are unable to achieve that social norm themselves. Dogs are animals, and although our canine companions talk, most people do not understand dog language; consequently, our role as responsible animal caregivers is to translate for our dogs. When people ask if they can pet Hariette and I answer no, people tell me I am rude, and that is why my dog is fearful. Uhhh, what kind of logic is that? </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/445be4342685f4db0a4d6128a51e4d1958aecf7c/original/230-2306153-unbalanced-balance-scale-clip-art-download.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_right border_" alt="" /><p>Frequently, people reach out and try to force themselves on our dogs to pet them, and I am here to tell you, this HAS to stop! First, how do people come up with the idea they can touch dogs whenever and wherever they want? By human standards, that is considered an assault. Secondly, do people not see most dogs do NOT want to be touched by random strangers? By human standards, that forceful behaviour is considered harassment. Thirdly, when someone tells you do not touch or pet my dog, there is a reason. Just continue on your journey and let us be. By human standards, that is the most respectful and courteous thing to do. Not all dogs are created equal. </p><p><strong>Insecure Fearful, Insecure Aggressive and Confident Aggressive Dogs</strong> <br>There is no right or wrong reason why dogs do not want to interact socially. Some dogs are fearful and some are aggressive, just like people. There are three types of possible reactions in social situations involving dogs: they want to leave, they want you to leave, or they want to fight. </p><p>- Insecure-fearful dogs will try to remove themselves from an unpleasant situation because they are afraid. The emotional response, in this case, is fear. For fearful dogs, strangers forcing themselves into their critical space (I will define this below) is considered unpleasant, hence the fearful reaction. The problem, from the dogs’ point of view, is that they are tethered to us and cannot effectively retreat. These situations increase their social fears and entertain the emotional response. </p><p>- Insecure-aggressive dogs manage their social encounter with different emotions. Dogs who are insecure-aggressive want an unpleasant situation to go away, and they will be very adamant about making that happen. In these cases, the underlying emotion is anger, expressed as an aggressive response. There is no such thing as a fear bitter since fear and anger are opposite emotions and require a different set of chemicals to be expressed by the brain. </p><p>- Confident-aggressive dogs are just that, confident. Such dogs might want to interact socially or not, it all depends on how they feel at that specific moment in that particular situation. Note that the situation can change in a fraction of a second. Confident-aggressive dogs are pleasant until they are not. It is touch-and-go with them. </p><p><strong>Critical Spaces</strong> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/df51a55f9863cc48bb453d3f0858bb0ebcbd4987/original/socialspace-1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_" /><p>All three categories of responses are problematic for dogs when they are outside in public situations. Fortunately, there is a simple concept every human can adhere to; it is called critical space. Humans have a critical space; it is called intimate space. The critical space of a dog varies based on its size (see image). Think of it as an invisible bubble around them that ensures self-preservation. The social space protects the dog's critical space. It is the tampon area between critical and public space and serves to evaluate possible incoming conflict. </p><p>Take a moment to think about all this. Would you like a strange to come up to you unannounced and stroke your hair and say “you’re so cute; I just want to cuddle with you,” I guess not, so why do people force themselves into unfamiliar dogs’ critical spaces? I have a few ideas about why, but I will keep that for another article.</p><p>What I can say about people forcing themselves into and onto a dog is that it is dangerous and irresponsible. In Montreal, should the dog bite out of self-preservation because a person forced himself/herself onto a dog, city officials will most likely euthanize the dog. The municipal ruling means your irresponsible gesture has cost the dog’s life and created a traumatic event for the owner.</p><p><strong>Effective Solutions</strong> <br>When you see a dog, open the space around it and ask the person if you can pet the dog. Keep in mind, the answer can be no, and if you are offended by the negative response, some soul searching needs to take place on your part. Dogs are not universal properties. My dogs are my working partners that benefit many lives. If something happens to my dogs, I can no longer work, and the students in our animal-assisted therapy programs would suffer the consequences. Our dogs are our responsibility, and we need to make sure they avoid harm from others. So, one thing needs to be very clear, if we need to be rude and unpleasant because you are forcing yourself onto our dogs, so be it, we will bark at you and bare our teeth. </p><p>If you are on the receiving end of the leash, please use the hashtag #MyDogToo in the comments. You can do so anonymously when you comment, so no worries, we will not know who you are. The idea is to raise awareness by showing readers just how many pet caregivers are harassed by strangers. </p><p>Cheers.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/52908852018-06-12T09:41:44-04:002020-01-03T23:38:30-05:00Dogs’ Need to Control<!-- ManyChat --><script src="//widget.manychat.com/100554703355336.js" async="async"></script><p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/8bb410e8b315534ae3ce7370f92f735080af10eb/original/100b7681.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Dogs are social creatures; consequently, social animals socially learn from one another. It sounds redundant, but it is true. Life is not all about behaviourism. Other learning theories apply to dogs, and today we will look at social learning and locus of control. Perceived control is a fundamental component of wellbeing. Human and non-human animals need to know they have some control over the outcome of their lives because it makes them feel good. </p>
<p><strong>Dog Locus of Control</strong> <br>Locus of control is the perceived control one has over the outcome of life events. If you are at a party and feel uncomfortable, your perception of leaving or staying reduces stress or anxiety because you know you can walk out the front door at any time. If the door is locked, your stress and anxiety will increase and possibly turn into a panic because you have no control over staying or leaving. It is essential for social animals to have control, or at least perceived control, over their environment and lives. Dogs are not exempt from this rule. </p>
<p>Dogs who have some control over their environment are generally less reactive, aggressive, fearful, stressed, or anxious. Animals behave more efficiently when the outcome of a situation is socially and cognitively predictable; consequently, classical and operant conditioning is by far the only training options. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/330a071330db198dec432f8bee5c86b0a60905bd/original/100-6642-1.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" />You can classically or operantly train a behaviour, but ultimately, the perception the dog has about an event might not change. Emotions are good predictors of behaviourism failure. You can train a dog to sit in front of a firecracker yet it remains fearful of the stimulus (the noise). Yes, behaviourism addresses conditioned emotional responses, but social learning tells us results can be achieved much faster if the dog has a relationship with the human and has gained control over its environment as a result. </p>
<p><strong>Dog Social Learning vs. Behaviourism</strong> <br>The old school dominate or be dominated mentality is an outdated and ridiculous idea that essentially boils down to removing (read punish harshly) all the dog’s possible control options. First, dogs do not care about world domination. Secondly, control and dominance are not the same. Dominance is a form of influential power between two members of the same species: dogs dominate dogs, humans dominate humans. Control is knowing or predicting the outcome of a behaviour.</p>
<p>Locus of control is the perceived outcome of an event based on internal motives and does not involve dominance. If a dog wants to go for a walk by exhibiting typical barks and tail wag behaviours, and the human responds by taking the dog outside, the dog has indeed controlled the human. Thus, Fido concludes he has some control over the outcome of the event because he made the human take him outside. That is not dominance, that is a symbiotic relationship established and maintained through social learning. </p>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e522fcbe692d503afe6a7b58eec8ec06c2b00673/original/100-7594.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />The Importance of Control</strong> <br>At the Dogue Shop, we purposefully teach dogs to take control of their environment because it prevents behaviour problems from developing in the first place. A dog that can make a human move away from a potential dog-dog interaction is less likely to act aggressively towards the incomer. </p>
<p>A locus of control allows dogs to experience a positive <a contents="umwelt" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/dog-umwelt" target="_blank">umwelt</a>. The reason is simple, social cognitive learning and perceived control increases feel-good neurotransmitters and hormones. When you work and achieve a positive result, you feel a strong sensation of joy. </p>
<p>Imagine your latest successful accomplishment and how it made you feel. Did you experience joy, satisfaction, peace, or comfort? Did you rejoice in the achievement via self-gratifying behaviours like drinking a glass of wine or eating a piece of cake? If the answer is yes, then you know how your dog feels when he has some control over his life, especially when they lead to a positive outcome. </p>
<p><strong>Locus of Control Training</strong> <br>The ability to control and avoid being control summarizes the life of any organism, plants included. In dog language, we talk about dominance and submission (all three types) as a means to an end of control, not as aggression or fearfulness. When dogs have a perceived sense of control, their emotions are less likely to escalate in either direction. </p>
<p>The takeaway message is to train and allow your dog to have some control over his life and environment. I know, old school dominance trainers will disagree since their philosophy is based on dogs wanting to control, AKA dominate our lives. I assure you, dogs are not out there to control or dominate our lives. </p>
<p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>
<p><strong>References</strong> <br>- Bandura, A. (1994). Self-efficacy. In V. S. Ramachaudran (Ed.), Encyclopedia of human behavior (Vol. 4, pp. 71-81). New York: Academic Press <br>- Rotter, J. B. (1954). Social learning and clinical psychology. New York: Prentice-Hall <br>- Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs: General & Applied. 80 (1): 1– 28. doi:10.1037/h0092976 <br>- Rotter, J. B. (1982). The development and applications of social learning theory. New York: Praeger <br>- Rotter, J. B. (1989). Internal versus external control of reinforcement: A case history of a variable. American Psychologist, 45, 489-493</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/52208112018-05-07T12:37:15-04:002022-02-16T08:31:54-05:00Dog Overcrowded Household<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.pinterest.ca/mediadeus/mixed-breed-dogs/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/a120958c770b2021a096cb8af50588f51c01f21c/original/204184-675x450-mixedbreeds.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>I get daily emails and private messages about dog deaths within the same household. You can read when or why dogs kill other dogs <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/my-dog-killed-my-other-dog" target="_blank">here</a> and <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/my-dog-killed-my-other-dog-part-two" target="_blank">here</a>. The articles discuss some of the more common reasons canines kill dogs they were living with for some time. Today, I want to add a very important notion about dogs you might not know. I am referring to the invisible spaces that govern non-verbal behaviour. </p>
<p><strong>Canine Spaces</strong> <br>Dogs live under one rule: live to see another day. Consequently, dogs evolve under invisible spaces that serve to protect and keep them alive. The three spaces have names and functions, which, I will describe in a minute. First, I want to establish dogs are not pack animals. They are not wolves; therefore, dogs do NOT function socially like wolves. Yes, canids share behavioural similarities, but they all evolve in different niches. Dogs evolve in a niche that does not require cooperation to hunt; consequently, dogs are solitary animals that come together for specific needs but do not live together. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/8b399d67e1a1e4e072bb65650cb34b38c16c90c3/original/socialspace.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Second, humans <em>created</em> dogs for humans, not other dogs. The human-dog social bond outranks the dog-dog social attraction. Many scientific experiments demonstrate that dogs follow human cues more easily than their wild counterparts do. Dogs actually seek assistance from humans, not other dogs, to solve problems. The proof is in the pudding, when the ball rolls under the sofa, my dog asks me for help, not my other dog.</p>
<p>Back to the topic. The three spaces are critical, social, and public. The red circle represents my dog Albear. The critical space is in light blue. It is calculated from the tip of the dog’s nose to the end of its back, excluding the tail and projects outward all around the dog, just like an invisible bubble. The yellow space is the social space and it stretches outward from the dog to approximately 150’, which is 45.7m in metric. Finally, the public space of a dog extends to approximately 1.5 miles or 2.4km. </p>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/6736aa6c2ec26d4ddb7ebd692b4cd895cfd64acd/original/socialspace-2.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Reasons for Communication</strong> <br>Dogs have adapted their language to accommodate these distances. Their language evolved to fill in the gaps, so to speak. Think about it for a minute. If you were far away from a friend and tried to signal her with your eyes <em>I'm over here!</em> would your friend see you? Most likely not. You would need a bigger signal like a fully extended arm waving in her direction. Conversely, if you are next to each other, the arm signal will appear out of context; therefore, you will make a small signal, say from your eyebrows, to signify follow me. </p>
<p>Dogs have adapted their language in the same manner. If a dog perceives a conflict at the extremity of his social space, breaking eye contact will not work. At a far distance, the dog needs to adapt his communication. In this case, he would likely lower his tail and ears. If the dogs are next to each other, breaking eye contact is more appropriate. To summarise, big signals, aka behaviours, communicate information to far away dogs while small signals communicate information up close. </p>
<p><strong>Dog Overcrowded Households</strong> <br>You probably realized while reading that a house can become overcrowded with two or more dogs, especially if the dwelling is small and the dogs are large. For an untrained eye, dogs might seem to live in harmony, yet as a professional, I see dogs displaying displacement behaviours, stress signals, agonistic postures, and so on. Silent conflicts often take place in front of humans, but when people are absent, dogs settle their unresolved quarrels and conflict resolution frequently leads to death. If you have a strong stomach, watch this <a contents="video" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-RicEuxhP8&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">video</a> (very graphic, but not gruesome). It will give you an excellent understanding of how silent conflicts can occur in front of your eyes, and how powerless we are to solve them. Then, imagine all this occurring while you <em>stepped out</em>.</p>
<p>The best way to avoid overcrowding is to evaluate the size of the house, dogs, and the history of the animals. Dogs that have had past conflicts, with an injury history, are more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviours again and most likely with an escalating response. The following image demonstrates the space required for two medium-sized dogs to coexist comfortably. This means each room the dogs find themselves in would need to be minimally 6’ by 12’ or 1.8m by 3.7m. A two-bedroom house surface would have to be no less than 1152ft2 (ft2 = square feet) or 107m2 (m2 = square meters). These measurements only refer to critical spaces, ideally, dogs would require a house that covers their social space needs. That would make for a very BIG house; actually, it represents a 22 500ft2 or 2090.3m2 building. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/1bf6a025a8d1c7c8452fc1c761b630e36166d4ae/original/sizes.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><strong>Last Considerations</strong> <br>Before you embark on a journey that involves multiple dogs in your house, please consider their space requirements. For each comment I receive on the articles mentioned in the introduction, I receive two emails about unnecessary deaths. Approximately a quarter of the people who write to me have witnessed the death of their beloved pets. These traumas are lifelong lasting and most cases end with the death of the attacker/s, so in reality, two or more dogs have died because of overcrowding. If you watched the video, you now know you will never be fast enough to curb the death of a dog nor could you stop the attack. The average time it takes dogs to kill animals smaller than themselves is approximately 3-5 seconds. Yes, seconds. Canines are very efficient predators; never forget that, and never assume <em>My dog would never do that!</em> Avoid dog overcrowding through prevention, for it remains by far the best medication.</p>
<p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/51844322018-04-16T13:20:51-04:002024-01-04T13:45:02-05:00My Dog Killed My Other Dog - Part 2<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/7c236ba62c801a3eeab958af19de8664711774da/medium/kirkland-20121118-00527.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />I receive messages daily in private and on the blog post <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/my-dog-killed-my-other-dog" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="My Dog Killed My Other Dog">My Dog Killed My Other Dog</a>. I am very saddened to hear all your stories, so today, I thought I would write to you and give you some answers and possibly peace and closure to mourn your loss. </p><p>Amongst the people who write to me, many inquire about the outcome of their <i>killer</i> dog. I am going to explain it as straightforwardly as possible because people often ask me if they should have their dogs euthanized. Unfortunately, I cannot give feedback on a case I do not know; thus, I write this article in hopes you find solace here, in these words. </p><p><strong>Why do dogs kill each other</strong> <br>Dogs are opportunistic predators that exploit vulnerabilities. Their main function is to survive and see another day; as such, dogs and their wild cousins, have developed complex behavioural processes to reach their intended goal. As you read on, please do not confuse predatory instincts with aggressive responses. The intent behind a predatory kill is to <i>fill one’s belly with food</i>. </p><p>As mentioned above, the following descriptions explain why dogs kill other dogs. I will enumerate and briefly discuss them. Remember that each case is unique; therefore, all that follows refers to the general dog population. </p><p>- <strong>Death by food</strong> <br>Dogs need to protect their food or food source in order to survive. If they did not protect their food, aka resource guards, dogs would die relatively quickly; hence, it is abnormal for a canine to relinquish its food to another dog or person continuously. </p><p>Death by Food can be spontaneous or highly predictable. Normally, dogs will give off signs that their food is sacred and will do anything to prevent theft. When a little dog defends its food, it will growl, snap, or soft bite the intruder. When a small dog warns a bigger dog, the size difference can mean death to the little one. These arguments contain loud growls, teeth, and fast action behaviours. </p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/587790188840243545/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents=""><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c2a5390eac6c5387d7506bc6754677a926277d28/medium/rabbies.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></strong></a><strong>- Death by age or sickness</strong> <br>Dogs, like their wild ancestors, are opportunistic predators. This means anything that falls out of sync with normal behaviour can, and most likely will, be eliminated. A few examples are locomotion discrepancies (limping), smells of diseases (cancer, diabetes, or postulant sores), and high-pitched cries, all giveaways that something is wrong. </p><p>Canines will kill a sick or injured animal to prevent drawing attention to themselves from other predators. Rarely will they consume the corpse. Younger dogs normally kill older animals in a completely silent and unpredictable fashion when the human is absent. In this case, size has little to do with the actual death. </p><p>These unpredictable silent attacks are very slow-moving and meticulous. The attacker takes the dog by the neck, shakes it, and kills the dog in a few seconds. Same-size dogs often kill their housemates of similar weight and height in the same inaudible manner; the difference is the length of time it takes to accomplish the kill. </p><p><strong>- Death by conflict </strong><br>Conflict is another common cause of death in canids. Agonistic behaviours and aggression are means by which dogs manage conflicts. When there is a size discrepancy, some conflicts can and do, escalate into deadly situations. A conflict can occur over social and critical space invasion or because of overpopulation. Households that have too many dogs for the available social space create tension, which in turn creates conflict. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/384b7f54a83878f1fd26c4ef28a584201e2b8fd7/medium/img-9307.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Arguments can also occur over breeding rights, toys, sleeping areas, attention from humans, or water bowls. When dogs feel their vital space, basic needs, or resources are at risk, they will defend them. These arguments contain loud growls, teeth, and fast action behaviours. </p><p><strong>Management is best</strong> <br>The major difference between these types of deaths is silence and intent. When a dog wants to kill another dog to eliminate it from the environment, the attack is completely inaudible. You will not hear growls or barks from the offender. The victim might yelp for help if it can, but otherwise, the death is rapid and efficient, from a predatory point of view, that is. </p><p>When you have two dogs of different sizes, NEVER assume they are best buddies, especially when age and size differences are factors. It is best to separate them when you are absent or unable to supervise them. If your household contains multiple dogs, separate them into small groups based on size and health condition. </p><p><strong>Outcome scenario</strong> <br>Death does not necessarily mean your dog is a killer. It might simply be circumstantial and never occur again. That said, people often know instinctively their dog is aggressive before the event occurs. In these cases, it is best to seek a professional evaluation before you decide on your next course of action.</p><p>If you have a multiple-dog household, I urge you to take a dog language or aggression course and learn what dogs say to each other. Behaviour is highly predictable when it comes to assessing aggression or predatory instincts. Terriers are notorious for killing other dogs because of their high prey drive, so make sure you understand dog group dynamics if you have different ages and sizes of dogs. </p><p>For morning resources, you can read the <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/time-to-say-goodbye" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Time to Say Goodbye">Time to Say Goodbye</a> article found on this blog. Please Note: I empathize with you; however, if you send me an email, I will read it, but it is impossible for me to answer your specific cases as I do not know you or your dog. Best wishes on your journey, and I sincerely hope you can find peace of mind with this article.</p><p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/51507842018-03-27T17:05:40-04:002021-07-09T12:22:28-04:00Bill 128 Kills All Dog Breeds<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/55fa3aca889309c1b8dc48308ac0d0a1dbe2090c/original/20190724-080716.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_none" alt="" />I didn’t think I would have to write about breed-specific legislation, aka BSL, so soon after Montreal reversed the BSL by-laws forbidding certain breeds. So, why am I writing? Because the provincial government wants to pass a province-wide ban on breeds, and dogs you didn’t think would be targeted, are. </p>
<p>As such, all Staffordshire terriers, Bull terriers, Rottweiler, and eventually Huskies, German Shepherd, and all northern breeds and mixes of those breeds will not be allowed to reside in the province. Think about that for a moment, look at your dog or your friends’ dogs, and tell me without any doubt you can guarantee the breed/s of your mixed dog. Genetic tests can’t even prove your dog is a specific breed, let alone a combination of breeds.</p>
<p>When you stop to think about it, assessing dog breeds based on looks is equivalent to trying to identify the real Tom Cruise from his look-a-like. Unless you know who their parents are, there's no way we can differentiate them. When I assess a dog, I'm guessing which breeds were its parents, and contrary to what you might hear, nobody can identify the genetic makeup of a breed based on looks. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/f6c481e22f388aac1d4657293c5999bad0691ba9/medium/100-0474.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Veterinarians will be obliged to identify breeds visually and assess their dangerousness. If your pure bread or mixed dog is classified as dangerous, regardless of circumstances, it can be sold to research facilities or laboratories that conduct animal testing. Yes, you read that right. The provincial government wants to end your precious pet’s life in the most horrific way possible: torture. </p>
<p>The most concerning thing about Bill 128 is that it’s written to bypass Bill 54 which declared dogs and other animals as sentient begins. So, on one hand, our dogs are sentient beings, but on the other hand, they can be disposed of and tortured at will. If you are not outraged, you should be.</p>
<p>I will make this blog brief. Contact your representative and politely tell them what you think of Bill 128 and their disposable dog law. Use every social and print media you can think of to protest and say we do not want this law because ALL dogs are at risk. ALL dogs in these images are at risk.</p>
<p>Below is the link to Bill 128, read it, get informed, tell your veterinarian because they don’t know, tell your family, friends, and finally, get your dogs genetically tested, even if unreliable, it’s all you've got should you need it in court one day.</p>
<p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>
<p><a contents="Proposed Bill 128" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/travaux-parlementaires/projets-loi/projet-loi-128-41-1.html" style="" target="_blank">Proposed Bill 128</a></p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/50149232018-01-09T14:07:20-05:002021-07-09T12:27:31-04:00No Need for International Dog Adoptions<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr</p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/cases-of-canine-influenza-confirmed-in-southern-ontario-1.3750865" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/ad8ae96ae2949bbe675964d559479f6feac947db/medium/china.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="Photo (c) CBC" /></a>The rescue industry has a new source of dogs. Big rescue organizations go to South Korea or the Philippines and bring back canines destined to be on a restaurant or on the home menu. Some dogs come from the street while others are family pets stolen and sold for human food. This might seem like an honourable cause, yet a few reasons tell us it’s a bad idea. </p>
<p>Today’s news headline is one of those reasons. The<a contents=" first case of dog influenza" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/cases-of-canine-influenza-confirmed-in-southern-ontario-1.3750865" target="_blank"> first case of dog influenza</a> has been confirmed, and the dogs in question come from the latest seizure made in South Korea; most likely, they are the canines who were destined to be eaten, but the story doesn’t tell. In my opinion, the coincidence is too obvious to be a random occurrence. Rescues are directly contributing to the spread of diseases. Plus, what right does one culture have to tell another culture what they can or cannot eat?</p>
<p>Another reason to not import dogs from other countries relates to population control. Most of the worldwide dog population lives as free-roaming or feral animals. The vast majority survive by eating trash and a few handouts from tourists. When feral dogs reproduce, puppies are pushed away from the immediate environment because there’s not enough food to sustain an entire family. <a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://wantubizhi.com/pic/%E6%9D%80%E7%8B%97%E6%97%B6%E7%8B%97%E5%8F%91%E5%87%BA%E5%A3%B0%E9%9F%B3/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/9b5afa6fb226307c435bdfb88ce1b3455d296d2c/medium/25-china-dog-epa.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a>Once the 4-month-old puppies leave, natural selection controls populations. Dogs die from famine, diseases, or accidents. When rescues pull out litters, what they don’t see are dogs breeding to fill the now empty niche. Rescues are actually contributing to the problem; they are not solving the overcrowded worldwide dog population crisis.</p>
<p>My pet peeve is the actual, or should I say factual, problem feral dog populations pose to urban societies. When rescues pull dogs out of their environment, they are not prepared for our climate or environment. Most of these animals live on the street and are poorly socialized to live in such close proximity to one another. Serious behaviour problems are common in imported dogs. Furthermore, local human populations from those countries are not educated as to why sterilization should be a priority, or why sanitary living conditions or breeding should be mandatory. </p>
<p>Finally, rescues should focus on dogs that need help within our borders. Quebec euthanizes approximately 500 000 dogs per year. I believe we have more than enough adoptable dogs in Canada without having the need to fly halfway across the world to get ill or socially maladapted animals. I believe we need to educate, not perpetrate. What do you think? </p>
<p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>
<p>UPDATE:<br>Wednesday, January 10, 2018 -- The dogs in this story that imported from South Korea came from an organization in the USA. <a contents="Please follow the link to read their statement" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/south-korea-dog-rescue-flu-canada-1.4480058" target="_blank">Please follow the link to read their statement</a>. </p>
<p>References:<br>https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/cases-of-canine-influenza-confirmed-in-southern-ontario-1.3750865 <br>http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/confirmed-case-canine-influenza-essex-1.4477588<br>http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/south-korea-dog-rescue-flu-canada-1.4480058</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/63796572017-11-15T10:30:00-05:002024-03-15T18:38:04-04:00My Dog Killed my Other dog - Part 1<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/7c236ba62c801a3eeab958af19de8664711774da/original/kirkland-20121118-00527.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/7c236ba62c801a3eeab958af19de8664711774da/original/kirkland-20121118-00527.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>The following taboo topic article might surprise some, but I assure you that dogs killing dogs within the same household is common. You have probably never heard of this phenomenon because people rarely talk about the situation. Today, I want to shed some light on the problem and offer tips on preventing deaths. </p><p><strong>Second Dog Introduction</strong> <br>When you decide to get a second dog, meetings and introduction processes usually occur before the second dog becomes a full-time family member. The most common situation for a multiple-dog household is dog two (Fido) is younger than dog one (Rex). When Fido moves in, all is well, and friends might start to blossom. Both dogs enjoy each other and seem to do everything together. In other cases, Rex and Fido tolerate each other; tolerance turns to annoyance over time. </p><p><strong>Dog Aggression vs. Dog Attack</strong> <br>There is a big difference between dog aggression and dog attacks. The former is a boisterous and fast-paced action exchange where individuals try to settle a conflict. The latter, on the other hand, is silent and somewhat stationary. A dog attack serves to kill the individual. In some cases, aggression can turn deadly, but in most cases, it never comes as a surprise. </p><p><strong>Multiple Dog Household Deaths</strong> <br>Pet caregivers will consult when dogs with an age difference display aggressive behaviours. From there, we can work on behaviour modification and management. Clients leave with dog behaviour and training protocols designed to facilitate peaceful living arrangements. On other occasions, clients consult for aggression because one dog <i>killed</i> the other. This claim might surprise you, but unfortunately, it’s real. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/330a071330db198dec432f8bee5c86b0a60905bd/original/100-6642-1.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/330a071330db198dec432f8bee5c86b0a60905bd/original/100-6642-1.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p>Younger dogs like Fido often kill older, more vulnerable dogs like Rex. From a canine point of view, the kill behaviour is expected. Dogs are opportunistic predators who exploit vulnerabilities. When dogs see an injured, sick, juvenile, or otherwise compromised individual, their predatory brain tells them to kill. Humans have tried to breed this out of dogs; unfortunately, most individuals retain their genetic makeup. </p><p><strong>Death by Dog</strong> <br>So far in my career, I’ve evaluated over two dozen dogs for the death of an older dog within the same household. Clients present the case as a silent, unexpected attack. People are shocked by the situation and think Fido just turned into a monster. Fido is rarely a monster; he is merely a dog. The proof is in the pudding: Fido never attacks or displays aggression towards the other canines when the household has more than two dogs. </p><p>The attack occurs when people are in another room or on a short errand. There is no sound from the attacker. The cries come from Rex. The high-pitched cries tell the attacker <i>I am in pain; let me go!</i> An attack never lasts long; it is usually over within a few seconds up to a minute. People never saw it coming; more often than not, they could not recognize the subtle signs. Dog language is complex. </p><p><strong>Take-Home Message</strong> <br>Learn dog language if you have more than one dog in your household. You will need to identify the situation before it occurs. From there, you can separate dogs to manage the situation. Dog training can go a long way, but remember, we are working against natural behaviours. </p><p>Please do not feel guilty about the death of a dog within your household; you didn’t know and couldn’t have prevented the situation. I recommend you take a dog language class and invite your friends with multiple dogs to join you. Make your experience known, for together, we can educate and prevent tragic deaths. </p><p>I suggest you discuss the situation or comment below to share your knowledge. If you recently lost a pet and need counselling, please drop me a line. I know how hard it is to lose a friend under such tragic events. </p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>For the second time now, this blog post has been removed (without an explanation from our web host), along with the nearly 300 comments you shared. I am truly sorry and apologize for the problem. We read every comment and daily e-mail you send. </strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Please leave a comment; others seek solace in knowing they are not alone.</strong></span></p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/48768942017-10-04T13:09:15-04:002024-01-31T09:56:15-05:00Why I Don’t Use Lures to Train Dogs<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/3b80926e83c150ae09e3909f819a3a8f3930ff22/original/20200225-200457.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" />Many dog trainers use lures to train dogs. Lures are most often food, but they can be toys or even safety. There are multiple reasons to use lures, but the most common motive is to teach new behaviours. I don’t use lures to teach new behaviours, and you will read why in the following paragraphs. </p><p><strong>Lure Definition</strong> <br>The Oxford Dictionary defines lures as <i>something that tempts or is used to tempt a person or animal to do something</i>. The lure can be any primary need, such as food, water, safety, sex (yes, sex), social contact, thermoregulation (environmental temperatures), etc. In essence, a lure is anything the dog wants. Oftentimes, food is used as a lure. </p><p><strong>Lure Pros & Cons</strong> <br>The following reasons are not an exhaustive list, but they do convey the main reasons for or against lure training. Furthermore, this is my list and doesn’t represent the entire Dogue Shop students or staff’s reasons to lure or not to lure. For my part, I can honestly say I’m a lure-free trainer. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/7c09f0201723c3ac85f0027d8a20c7514612d391/medium/20150109-160746-1.jpg?1507136211" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Pros: </p><p>- Speed: lures allow dog trainers to capture behaviours faster. </p><p>- Efficacy: lures produce a desired or intended result. </p><p>- Learning: models the dog into a behaviour. </p><p>Cons: </p><p>- Efficacy: unreliable if the trainer does not fade out the lure immediately. </p><p>- Learning: doesn’t allow for problem-solving skills to develop. </p><p>- Confusion: lures are cues and rewards at the same time. </p><p>- Generalisation: We can’t lure exotic animals into behaviours. </p><p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/4e84c4190063f39a90134bae1f6df0b4aefa712c/small/img-5421.jpg?1507136721" class="size_s justify_left border_" />Why I Don’t Use Lures to Train Dogs</strong> <br>Lures can, and often do, become crutches. When lures are not faded out in the initial capturing sequence, they become difficult to eliminate later on in the training process. I know many renowned dog trainers promote the use of lures because it’s <i>easy</i>, and there lies problem number one. I believe luring is lazy training because lures don’t teach dogs how to think and solve problems. Problem number two is co-dependency, which develops when trainers use lures.</p><p>It’s too easy to go back to luring when dogs don’t respond to the cue, and with time, the lures lose their efficacy, and behaviour deteriorates. The third problem is found within the definition. The word <i>tempt</i> means to present a desirable stimulus (primary need) to someone (or an animal) but not give it to them in the hopes they exhibit the desired behaviour. The animal might not exhibit the desirable behaviour; thus, the trainer will repeat the lure sequence. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/7ae6f7b6985be8c88dfd476d76ad236d5a4438b7/small/img-5389.jpg?1507136907" class="size_s justify_right border_" />Problem number four is, to me, the most compelling reason why I don’t use lures. Exotic animals can kill us if we bribe them, and in my practice, if I cannot use a technique with all animal species, then I’m not using it with our dogs. Lure trainers argue <i>dogs are not exotic so we can lure them, it’s easier</i>. It might seem easier (that is totally debatable) or faster, but I prefer to take my time and teach animals how to problem-solve and think for themselves, and that includes dogs. </p><p><strong>Dog Social-Cognitive Learning Theory</strong> <br>If you think social-cognitive learning is just about imitation, then you do not understand social learning. Learning to learn is the foundation of social-cognitive learning theory, and let me tell you, when you learn how to use the theory, your animal will present you with behaviours you never thought possible. </p><p>Social learning is easier and faster than luring, but to see the process, dog trainers must allow new ideas to take root. The same applies to exotic animals. Wolves that learn how to learn will offer new behaviours faster, their behaviours will be more reliable, and the outcome will be a deepened bond. Finally, social learning requires A1 capturing and shaping skills, which, when compared to luring, might take a tad longer, but in the end, the animal will outperform a lure-trained dog.</p><p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/48534142017-09-16T17:49:48-04:002023-12-04T08:49:11-05:00How to Train a Dog to Stay<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/51991a93e4893eca25f752552dfdbb53d325d252/small/100-0705.jpg?1505598394" class="size_s justify_left border_" />The question I am most often asked is how do we teach a dog to <em>stay</em>. It does not matter which behaviour you teach the dog because <em>stay</em> will be trained the same way. It is important to teach<em> stay</em> because it allows us, humans, to manage situations more efficiently. In addition, a solid <em>stay</em> conveys feedback to the dog. So, how do we train a dog to <em>stay</em> at the Dogue Shop? Well, we do it the social-cognitive way of course. </p>
<p><strong>My dog will not stay</strong> <br>Dogs are curious animals who love to meet and greet new people, dogs, and pretty much everything else. Dogs love novelty, so the question then becomes why would a dog <em>stay</em> in one position knowing he loves to explore. Exploratory behaviours are a section in the dog ethogram, aka dog dictionary. Without exploration, canines would not find food, mates, shelter, water, etc. so it becomes mandatory to move. If your dogs do not <em>stay</em>, rest assured, they are normal. </p>
<p>The environment is also a determining factor for the <em>stay</em> behaviour to occur. If distractions are present, the <em>stay</em> behaviour will undoubtedly be difficult to succeed. This is where most pet owners fail: practice. It is important to generalize the behaviour through variable environments at variable times. </p>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/2fc0f98fd833b7e90111c31b52076f36f1c944ad/medium/100-0258.jpg?1505598464" class="size_m justify_right border_" />How to train a dog to stay</strong> <br>I will make it very easy and describe, in the lowest amount of steps possible, how to train <em>stay</em>. For the sake of this article, we will work on the behaviour sit-stay. I chose the <em>sit</em> behaviour because it is the most common behaviour people wish to train. Therefore, here is the recipe to train the perfect dog sit-stay behaviour. </p>
<p>1. Teach the dog to <em>sit</em>. We wrote <a contents="how to train sit the social-cognitive way" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/how-to-train-sit-the-social-cognitive-way" target="_blank">how to train <em>sit</em> the social-cognitive way</a> in our past blog article. <br>2. Practice the sit behaviour everywhere you can: inside and outside. <br>3. Once you have a consistent <em>sit</em>, name the behaviour and practice the command everywhere. <br>4. Once you achieve the previous steps, you can address <em>stay</em>. <br>5. Ask the dog to <em>sit</em>, count in your head <em>Mississippi one</em> and reward. If you are a clicker trainer or owner, count <em>Mississippi one</em> click and reward (R+ for short). <br>6. Repeat step five, this time count <em>Mississippi one</em>, <em>Mississippi two</em> and reward or R+. <br>7. Repeat step six, this time count to <em>Mississippi one</em>, <em>Mississippi two</em>, <em>Mississippi three</em>, <em>Mississippi four</em> and reward or R+. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e5a570a7e00fa0088331827c289c6a23eeb60d5b/original/241545783-4364123640309881-4517218496612105094-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />In summary, you will repeat step five and double seconds each time. When you hit your dog’s threshold or the maximum length of time he can <em>stay</em>, you will remain on this number till you can push through in seconds. You will push through by increasing one second at a time and then try to double it. If he succeeds, continue with the original number. Here is an example for visual learners. </p>
<p><em>Mississippi 1</em> + R+ <br><em>Mississippi 1</em>, <em>Mississippi 2 +</em> R+ <br><em>Mississippi 1</em>, <em>Mississippi 2</em>, <em>Mississippi 3</em>, <em>Mississippi 4</em> + R+ </p>
<p>Fast-forward to 26 seconds. </p>
<p>On <em>Mississippi 26</em> the dog stands or moves away. Ask for <em>sit</em> and go back to 24 seconds and R+ for 5 to 10 times. Try 26 seconds again. If he succeeds R+, if he fails, go back to 24 seconds and R+ another 5 to 10 times. When you get to 26 seconds, R+. From here, you will not double time; you will work on 27 seconds, then 29 seconds, and 33 seconds, so on and so forth. </p>
<p>You will only name the behaviour, in this case, <em>stay</em>, once the dog has reached your target time, say 30 seconds and can exhibit the behaviour 10 times in a row, in 10 different locations, hence, the practice part. It is easy to teach <em>stay</em> the social-cognitive way because the dog will notice your body. </p>
<p><strong>Sit and stay does not mean move away </strong><br>Did you notice the <em>stay</em> plan does not involve you moving away from the dog? If you did, congratulations! If not, here is why. Distance, as it goes, requires the passage of time. If your dog cannot sit and <em>stay</em> in one place, he will likely stand and follow you as you leave him. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/fac38d53a398b945f3348a4975ac3d8aab2fbe47/original/100-6387.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_none" alt="" />You will only add one of the 3Ds once your dog masters your target <em>stay</em> length ten times in 10 different locations. The 3Ds are duration (<em>stay</em>), distance (you, moving away), and distractions (life in general). Start with duration, followed by distance and end with distractions. You can practice inside first and move outside as soon as possible to generalize the behaviour. Remember to only practice one behaviour at a time. People tend to jump the gun and set up their dogs for failure, and we would not want that.</p>
<p><strong>My dog can sit and stay</strong> <br>I hope you will enjoy our nice little DIY sit-stay training plan. If you did or would like precision, leave a comment. We like to read what worked, did not work, or maybe you would like to add to the plan. We are always open to new ideas. </p>
<p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/73729022017-09-05T12:10:50-04:002024-03-26T17:31:42-04:00Derrière Chaque Animal Il y a Un Humain<p>Par Ann-Marie Bourassa, Consultante en Comportement Canin</p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c3129b06323ce11ad5512c89147665b345bd4fc2/medium/14543903-1106386716105458-5623651353179017148-o.jpg?1504627277" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Comme plusieurs personnes qui font une certification pour ensuite se lancer à leur compte, je croyais que finalement j’allais travailler avec les animaux et je n’aurai plus à faire face aux humains. À ma grande surprise c’est tout le contraire! Travailler dans le domaine animalier m’oblige à continuellement travailler sur moi-même afin d’être la plus professionnelle possible, ainsi que d’être continuellement alignée ce avec quoi je m suis engagée à transformer tant pour les chiens que pour leurs humains. </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/83c6cb3ff5856d9df05309f72c346722c41f45fd/medium/20545433-1643090669055742-8114302754198344777-o.jpg?1504627204" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Pour moi travailler avec les chiens n’est qu’une fine partie de mon travail. C’est vraiment l’humain que j’entraine sur les buts qu’ils aimeraient atteindre avec leurs compagnons poilus. Je suis là pour l’éducation canine, les protocoles d’entrainements, répondre à leurs questions.</p>
<p>Je suis authentique le plus possible avec mes clients et collègues. S’il y a quelque chose que je ne sais pas, je crois fortement que c’est important d’être transparent et ne pas avoir peur de leur dire que je vais devoir revenir avec l’information approprié car je n’ai pas de réponse à cette question à l’instant. </p>
<p>Je les remercie également pour leur question car ceci contribue à augmenter mes connaissances et mon expérience de travail. De plus, il est impératif pour moi de m’assurer que mes clients restent motivés à travailler les comportements de leurs chiens. S’ils ne le sont pas et ne font pas les efforts nécessaires pour avoir les résultats auxquels ils désirent, je devrai les référer à mes collègues. Je ne prends pas l’argent de mes clients juste parce que c’est mon gagne-pain. Comme avec les psychologues, les professeurs, etc. des fois il n’y a pas de synergie entre deux personnes. Je suis bien heureuse que ceci m’est arrivé qu’une seule fois dans ma nouvelle profession. </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/26c8dc7e9053a4cc96ecdcf885102452cfae8be7/medium/100-0596.jpg?1504626990" class="size_m justify_left border_" />C’est incroyable combien j’apprends sur l’aspect humain. C’est très intéressant d’apprendre comment travailler avec différents types de personnalités, leurs émotions, leurs croyances, leurs jugements, comment choisir les bons mots afin de ne pas offenser les clients qui ont la mauvaise information par rapport à leur chien… </p>
<p>Dans un domaine non régularisé, comment être et se comporter avec les autres entraineurs qui ne font pas les choses de la même façon. Étant humaine moi-même, je dois toujours garder un œil sur mon égo si je veux être le changement que je veux expérimenter dans ma vie. Pour moi c’est la paix dans le monde. Accepter les choses que je ne peux changer, pardonner, laisser les gens qui ne t’apporte rien partir, respecter toute êtres vivants même si parfois nous ne les comprenons pas, ne pas avoir de communications non dites, d’avoir confiance tant en moi-même que mes connaissances et la liste continue, n’est pas facile.</p>
<p>Est-ce que je suis toutes ces choses en tout temps? Évidemment que non! Mais je peux dire que je pratique à tous les jours. Des fois j’échoue et j’apprends ma leçon afin de ne pas refaire cette erreur. Des fois je réussi haut la main. </p>
<p>Les chiens m’en apprennent autant. Comment sortir de ma boite lorsqu’une session d’entrainement ne vas pas bien, rester calme, être patiente, être présente, mettre mes émotions de côtés si je me lève du mauvais pied, comment me motiver lorsque je suis fatiguée, être discipliner, ne pas juger. Je n’avais aucune idée que je vivrais tout ça dans le domaine canin. </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/1806c596bb10346bd1cbd0135e7d6a5f9471e7ff/medium/18817012-10155300787983187-779654104-n.jpg?1504627084" class="size_m justify_right border_" />J’ai également le privilège de travailler en <a contents="Thérapie Assisté Par Animaux" data-link-label="Therapy Programs" data-link-type="page" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/therapy-programs" target="_blank">Thérapie Assisté Par Animaux</a> avec chien (à ne pas confondre avec la zoothérapie) avec des ados à risques dans des écoles secondaires. Ma mentor <a contents="Gaby Dufresne-Cyr" data-link-label="Dogue's Gaby" data-link-type="page" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-gaby" target="_blank">Gaby Dufresne-Cyr</a> a créé ce programme pour les ados afin de les aider en leurs donnant des outils pour les appuyer dans leurs réalisations. Ces ados étiquetés comme ayant des problèmes comportementaux sont brillants! Mais malheureusement pour eux, ils ne s’engouffrent pas dans le moule que la société tient tant à garder. </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e1ef1d26d8cb2884533333ef93e96cfb598e9311/medium/am-6.jpg?1504627802" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Je ne peux expliquer en mots ce que je ressens lorsqu’un jeune réussi à travailler avec le chien. Combien de fois que j’ai vu les jeunes rentrer dans la classe frustrés, fatigués et démotivés pour partir à la fin du cours fières avec un sourire au visage. Ils ont tous une histoire et ils ont tous une chose en commun : vouloir se faire entendre.</p>
<p>Ils ont une voix cependant ils ne peuvent l’utiliser et finissent par se recroqueviller pour ensuite se faire demander pourquoi ils n’écoutent pas et ne communiquent pas. Avec les chiens, ces ados ne se sentent pas juger et leurs amis à quatre pattes sont toujours contents de les voir. </p>
<p>Finalement j’aime les humains et j’adore les animaux! Je suis retourné en enfance, lorsque j’étais petite je voulais que tous les animaux soient mes amis et je voulais travailler avec eux. Comme pour la plupart, nos rêves d’enfants se dissipent en vieillissant. Toute ma vie adulte j’ai toujours eu des emplois par obligation afin de payer mes comptes.</p>
<p>À 37 ans, je peux finalement dire que j’ai une job de rêve! Pour moi c’est un profond privilège de faire le travail que je fais. Malgré que l’expansion du Soi ne soit pas toujours facile, je suis reconnaissante littéralement à tous les jours de faire partie de ce merveilleux monde d’animaux :-)</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/48301102017-08-29T13:35:07-04:002021-07-09T12:36:10-04:00Dog Umwelt <p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.bildungszentrale.at/blog.html" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/87e689a94fb6a19a47b31d976dd7dec007557588/medium/blog-world-in-hands.jpg?1504026348" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>Umwelt is pronounced o͝omvelt and is defined as<em> the world as it is experienced by a particular organism</em>. For the sake of this article, we will discuss the canine Umwelt or <em>the world as it’s experienced by the dog</em>. Why address this particular topic? Because you will vote on November 5th and I feel it’s important you know why you should <strong>not</strong> vote for the current mayor. </p>
<p><strong>The Dog’s experience of the World</strong> <br>The dog experiences the world in a very different way when compared to humans. First, dog vision isn’t their <em>go-to</em> sensory organ. I’m sure you already knew that, but most humans tend to forget because our Umwelt relies strongly on vision. Second, the dog’s sense of smell offers a dimension we cannot even begin to understand as people. Dogs can taste smells…. What?! Yes, dogs can taste odours through their vomeronasal organ located behind their incisor teeth on the upper jaw. Thirdly, dogs can hear high-pitched sounds much better than we can. In this way, dogs complement humans. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/64c066c4e60aebd3e3a3356da306bfc438af8a6d/medium/img-20130117-00762.jpg?1504027958" class="size_m justify_right border_" />You can see how different sensory intake modifies your perception of the world. Dogs cannot see red, yet for humans, red is an eye-catching colour, which requires attention. What is obvious to you is imperceptible for your dog and vice versa. My dog can smell high cortisol levels in other dogs (and people) and will react strongly to the olfactory trigger. I, on the other hand, am left in total darkness. </p>
<p><strong>Emotional Umwelt</strong> <br>Dogs experience emotions. That too, I’m sure you already knew. What you might not know is that dogs have a bigger limbic system or smaller frontal lobes, it depends on your point of view, which means dogs react very strongly to emotional triggers. I always say dogs don’t talk with flowers, they talk with teeth. When dogs are unhappy or scared, they want the negative experience to go away, and canines will do whatever it takes to make that happen NOW. The opposite is also true. When dogs experience joy, they will do whatever it takes to make the joyful event occur again. </p>
<p>We, humans, tend to stay with our negative emotions for way too long. Some people repeatedly recite negative emotions throughout the day. The negative emotions should have been addressed while they occurred, not three days later. Plus, when we get upset, it takes all the energy we have to say <em>stop, I don't like this</em>, and when we finally do, we tend to sugar coat it. We are a strange species that way. I think we can take a few life lessons from dogs and deal with our emotions as they unravel. </p>
<p><strong><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.lapresse.ca/debats/debat-du-jour/201311/01/01-4706346-les-priorites-de-denis-coderre.php" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/d754eeb313447bd531ceba42ab4126cd4d718297/medium/coderre-jean-420x279.jpg?1504028085" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>Why Vote Projet Montréal </strong><br>Why a political paragraph in a dog article? Because the current mayor has disrupted the dog Umwelt, and in doing so, has disrupted our experience of life too. When we make decisions about our lives, it’s important to keep Umwelt in mind. What do we want to experience as collective humanity? What do we want for our dogs and cats? Why should you care about politics? The answer is simple because <em>a world experienced by a collective group should be a positive one</em>. </p>
<p>My duty to my dog and myself is to demand our leaders care about us and all the experiences we chose to have within that collectivity. I think there’s room for public safety laws and dog ownership, regardless of the breed. When you hit the polls, and god knows I hope you do it in large numbers, consider Umwelt as your life experience, and how you can control the outcome through politics. If anything, look at all the unnecessary money spent, that alone should be a green light for a change. This time around, I propose we try a woman as our leader. Valérie Plante, from Projet Montréal, is my choice because she cares about our and our dogs' Umwelt. If you don't know who Valérie Plante is, follow this <a contents="link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.projetmontreal.org/valerie_plante" target="_blank">link</a>. I guarantee you, she will make Montréal the best experience of our collective world.</p>
<p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/48237452017-08-23T22:49:57-04:002021-09-14T10:59:54-04:00To Ray Coppinger - Cheers!<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.hampshire.edu/cognitive-science/school-of-cognitive-science-faculty" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/996de3e7a7c029363a3096f0fb68d927e463b77f/medium/ray-coppinger.jpg?1503542874" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a>If you haven’t heard the news already, Raymond Copping died on August 14th at the age of 80. Ray left his family, friends, dog professionals, colleagues, researchers, and students too soon if you ask me. If you didn’t know Ray, you certainly missed out on a wonderful person and scientist. We exchanged on and off throughout the years. Sometimes we talked about dogs, OK, we mostly talked about dogs, but oftentimes we talked about life and our experience of it. This piece is for him. </p>
<p><strong>The First Time I Met Ray Coppinger</strong> </p>
<p>I first met Ray was in 2003. I say <em>first</em> because I met him a second time for the first time, in person that is, later the same year. I was scheduled to translate his weekend conference on the evolution of dogs, so we met online first. The topic covered his then-popular book: Dogs. We exchanged messages back and forth on terminology and evolution concepts to help me master the content and offer a high-quality translation. </p>
<p>When we talked over the phone, our conversations often ended off-topic. Ray and I would talk about our lives, our dogs’ lives, and our role in it. He would ask me complex questions that made me think. The hardest question he asked during those discussions was <em>Why did you wait so long?</em> He asked the question not for him but for me. He wanted me to reflect on why I had waited so long to live my passion. I would later discover, Ray always wanted me to think, and at that, he succeeded. </p>
<p><strong>The Second First Time I met Ray Coppinger</strong> </p>
<p>The second time I met Ray, it was for the actual weekend conference. When we met, it felt more like a reunion than a meeting. Needless to say, we hit it off. I meet Lorna, his wife, and the three of us talked about a lot of stuff during that weekend, OK we mostly talked about dogs. We discovered our mutual fondness for wolves, dogs, beer, writing, and storytelling. When the weekend ended, it was hard to say goodbye. </p>
<p>We parted knowing we would stay in contact, but somehow, it didn’t make it any easier. When I got home that night, I felt changed inside. Ray had that superpower, you know, the one where he transforms into a little bug that crawls into your brain and makes you think and do things. He also had the <em>freeze</em> superpower. People would go about their business and Ray would say something outrageous that made everybody freeze and look at him. I will miss that the most. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/ea881a9948ca8ff503a744ffafea4d84853a7f56/medium/k-k2003-1.jpg?1503542906" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><strong>Ray Coppinger – Life Changer</strong> </p>
<p>The last fourteen years have been a blessing, and thanks to Ray’s persistent recommendation, I met an awesome group of wolf people. I don’t go to Wolf Park as often as I wish I could, but when I do, I remember Ray’s voice <em>Go to Wolf Park!</em> as I enter the premises. You never know the impact you have on someone’s life until it’s often too late. Ray has certainly changed my life. Wolf Park has also greatly influenced who I am, and I’ll make sure to tell them one by one. </p>
<p>Ray sent regular emails to check on me. He would drop a one-liner like <em>What are you doing now? Explain the universe in 200 words</em>, and my all-time favourite, <em>Tell me a story</em>. I would write elaborate stories about my life with a different theme each time. Sometimes, Ray gave me a grade. The following is an excerpt from a 2016 email. </p>
<p><br>Ray, </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">I love your e-mails. Your few words make me laugh and think at the same time, not an easy feat when it comes to these two responses of mine. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">What am I doing now? </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In the realm of once upon a time, a beautiful princess lived in a time where fast-paced lives and stress-ridden bodies ruled the land. The princess told a story which to this day is remembered by all. In a time not so long ago, there was much ado about a native sorceress who could talk to the mighty Adlet. The sorceress was already juggling multiple employments when the mythical creature came and tried to persuade the sorceress to bestow upon humanity the book of languages. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The task was a destitute attempt to merge incompatible ideologies, or so it seemed. On one hand, the sorceress knew the codex would change the kingdom forever. On the other hand, she knew the time would only accelerate once she found herself taken by the manuscript. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In this kingdom, the speed at which time passed was not the same as in other worlds. The writing of such a codex meant certain banquets would be omitted. Saddened was the hag. Her desires were not congruent with her heart's desires. The manipulation of time was beyond her powers and to make du with the devil's request would require a change in her almanac. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The native sorceress took on the task and began the composition of Adlet's prose. To this day, the sorceress still implores the mighty powers above to slow down time or decapitate slayers who, to the king's profit, kill time passages and replace them with false ideological pretences. </p>
<p>To which Ray answered, amongst other things, <em>Gaby -- great essay -- I can just see that "native girl."</em></p>
<p>Other messages were more personal in nature and most often revolved around writing. I remember telling Ray about my crazy idea. Little ole me, a dyslexic person, wanted to write a book. He thought it was a marvellous idea and never made me forget. I’m almost done with the book and wish I could have given him a copy. He knew what the topic is about and one day, when you read it, you’ll know why his encouragement was a blessing. I learned one thing from Ray and it’s never, ever, think within the box. For that life lesson, I’m forever grateful. </p>
<p><strong>Blessings From Above </strong></p>
<p>A few years ago Ray broke his leg pretty bad. I remember our discussion as if it were yesterday. He started the conversation with his freeze superpower one-liner <em>You owe me another zoo jacket!</em> Obviously, I went <em>What?!</em> He told me about the ordeal and I cried, sometimes of laughter, sometimes of sadness. That event wasn’t easy for him. </p>
<p>In retrospect, Ray was the kind of person you only meet once in a lifetime. He was a genuine human being who cared about people and animals. He loved to read about dogs but loved to write about them even more. He is, was a generous and kind scientist who cared about research and what each person could bring to the table. He was also compassionate when it came to my stories and rants. </p>
<p>My students have heard me talk about Ray over the years; I just hope they got to know him a little through me. I will miss his encouragement and dedication to my passion, our passion. I will miss his emails, his lists of people to contact, his writings, his knowledge, but most of all his contagious desire to educate. They say what goes around comes around, Ray certainly made sure of that. </p>
<p>If you didn’t know Ray…………... the only thing that comes to mind is <em>sucks to be you!</em></p>
<p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/47969932017-07-31T08:33:29-04:002018-05-30T17:25:57-04:00Dog Social Learning Boom<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/fc4bb6c9d69e4175dfb456635684d05528968cfa/medium/20170720-134830.jpg?1501439709" class="size_m justify_left border_" />As more and more people discover social cognitive learning theory (SCT), I’m reminded just how slow the dog training and behaviour industry evolve. I practice and teach social learning on a regular basis. Actually, I’ve been writing about SCT for over a decade now. Although people claim social learning is new, rest assured, it’s not. The science of imitation in the form of Do As I Do (DAID) has been around since the 50s. </p>
<p><strong>Social Learning Brief History</strong> <br>Once upon time, two scientists by the name of Keith Hayes and Catherine Hayes did a research on a chimpanzee's ability to imitate (Hayes and Hayes, 1952). In their paper, the researches mention their chimp learned the rule of imitation and would copy a signal after the request “Do this”. From then on, the Do As I Do protocol was born. More recently, advances in dog imitation come from Ádám Miklósi’s leading team of researchers, more specifically, Claudia Fugazza (2014, 2015). For those who don't know, Claudia gave a weekend seminar at the Dogue Shop during the summer of 2017.</p>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b60d069421f3f2ab7b44591c1566b0ed02f929d6/medium/mark-reggie.jpg?1483738878" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Social Learning Experience</strong><br>My experience with SCT via imitation proves to be the fastest, most efficient training approach, and proves to be a wonderful complement to other training methods. Eleven years ago, I foretold my clients and students SCT would revolutionise dog training. It does. Science finally caught up, and we are happy the Dogue Shop school is leading the way. Every other day, Albear and I work on a special SCT project and will share info once available.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, We use SCT to teach many aspects of behaviour varying from emotional control to cognition, trust, and attachment. Because social learning requires cognition and memory, certain dogs will outperform others. That should not come as a surprise. The environment is also a predictor of learning; therefore, we modify space as needed to facilitate animal learning. </p>
<p>The side effects to SCT are resilience and fatigue, the good kind. I’ve talked about <a contents="social learning" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://blog.petmasters.com/social-learning-in-dogs/" target="_blank">social learning</a> and <a contents="resilience" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://thedogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/reinforce-resilience" target="_blank">resilience</a> in the past, so if you follow my blog you know what I’m talking about. Resilience serves to heighten emotional threshold, which allows dogs to evolve in their environment as best as they possibly can. DAID will help us achieve that prerogative, faster and more efficiently.</p>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/1980600178d10d50e61e531f4a9ed00f8c32aed5/small/20170728-135545-1.jpg?1501441615" class="size_s justify_left border_" />Future of Dog Social Learning</strong><br>Social learning will not replace behaviourism; it will complement it. With my experience, I foresee other learning theories, which will benefit dog training in the next decade, hopefully the sooner the better. People need better human intervention strategies, clients need a less expensive and time consuming training method, and dogs need clarity and direction from people, not commands and reprimands. </p>
<p>The future of dog training will change in the next ten years, and I’m very excited to see other trainers and schools embark on the social learning bandwagon. Until then, I’ll keep you posted on new learning theories which will undoubtedly change the forthcoming decade. </p>
<p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>
<p><strong>Reference</strong></p>
<p>- Fugazza, C. (2014). Social learning and imitation in dogs (Canis familiaris). <em>Doctoral Thesis</em>. Eötvös Loránd University Faculty of Science Doctoral, Hungary. </p>
<p>- Fugazza, C. and, Miklósi, Á. (2015). Social learning in dog training: The effectiveness of the Do as I do method compared to shaping/clicker training. <em>Applied Animal Behaviour Science</em>. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2015.08.033 </p>
<p>- Hayes, K. and Hayes, C. (1952). Imitation in a Home-raised Chimpanzee. <em>Journal of comparative and physiological psychology</em>. Vol. 45, 5. pp. 450-459 doi: 10.1037/h0053609</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/47064182017-05-12T12:47:37-04:002021-09-14T11:01:10-04:00Motivating Delinquent Clients<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/14c15ba073ca30a6af441f217b0134e2f6f573ad/medium/img-9334.jpg?1437930849" class="size_m justify_left border_" />As the busy season comes to an end, I’m happy to blog again and hear what you have to say. This week, I want to talk about delinquent clients, and by delinquent, I’m referring to clients who don’t do their homework. You know, people who say “Yes, we’ll practice”, but each week have an excuse for why they didn’t. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to waste my time, even if it brings in money. So, let's look at the delinquency problem and talk about solutions.</p>
<p><strong>Occurrence of Delinquency</strong> <br>Delinquency often occurs because training exercises are perceived as too difficult, time-consuming, or outright ineffective. From my professional point of view, training exercises might seem simple, but from clients’ perception, they can be hard. Some people start off with a bang only to stop after a week or so because of, well, life. Training stops for a multitude of reasons; however, the most common explanation is motivation. </p>
<p>Another reason clients become delinquent in regards to training exercises is the benefit. What will I gain from conducting such and such practice? The reason might seem obvious; we wish to solve a problem, but do we really? Training is responsible for about 30% of the problematic situation; the other 70% has to do with communication and understanding. </p>
<p>In other words, professionals work with clients to build or re-build, functional relationships. If, as a professional, you don’t address the relationship, you will fail. Without a true connection, humans eventually stop training their pets. That is an inevitable fact. </p>
<p><strong>Client Motivation</strong> <br>There are countless theories that address possible ways to modify and maintain human behaviour which I won't address today; however, you must know human motivation is hard to tap into and even more difficult to maintain. Just think of exercise, nail-biting, drinking, smoking, gambling, or any other psychologically or physically destructive behaviour and you’ll see just how hard it is to change human behaviour. At Concordia University, the wellness class which addresses human behaviour change is a 6 credits class given over 2 semesters.<br><br>Knowing human behaviour is difficult to change, we can now look at ways to motivate clients. You motivate the client, the client motivates the dog. Sounds easy right? It’s not. We need to tap into delinquent clients' limbic systems; these are the same pleasure structures found in dogs' brains. Furthermore, we can motivate clients with the same reinforcers we use with dogs, plus, we can add psychological reinforcers: cognition and social proximity. </p>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b3733a2bd93b67eacfc7e0ed81c2b59651d1822f/medium/img-3527.jpg?1494607412" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Motivation Method</strong> <br>First, when you design a training plan, make sure the exercises are broken down into small approximations to facilitate training and learning for both humans and dogs. Once completed, implement the following ideas to tap into your delinquent clients' motivation. Here’s how it works. </p>
<p>1. Explain the exercise in all 3 encoding memory types: visual (picture), acoustic (sound), and semantic (meaning). Why: because each person learns differently. <br><br>2. Make sure the client tries the exercise before you part. Why: to set the client up for success and to correct exercise if need be. <br><br>3. Send the client off and ask them to check in with you 48h later for an update. Why: to make client accountable, and to receive verbal praise from the professional. </p>
<p>4. Send an e-mail or text to check-in. If the client is successful, send a reply filled with emojis celebrating the 3rd or 4th (you pick) day of training. <br> - If the client was unsuccessful, ask why and adjust the training plan to make it easier or shorter. <br> - If the client is feeling overwhelmed, tell them to take a break and celebrate the day off. <br> - Offer a 5min drop-in or stop-by to clarify the exercise.</p>
<p>5. Encourage clients to softly pet their dogs while the dog receives reinforcement. Why: social proximity will motivate both humans and dogs. <br><br>6. Send a tidbit of information relating to the species of dog they have, i.e. “Did you know, Boxers originate from Germany?” or “Did you know, dogs can taste a smell?” Make the client feel smart through camouflaged education. <br><br>7. Send a “massage day” virtual certificate to remind clients to simply massage and enjoy their dog. Why: believe it or not, many clients forget why they actually have a pet. <br> - If it’s sunny, tell them to go out and play, run, or just hang with their dog. <br> - If it’s rainy or cold, tell them to play a social game. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/d97c9c2959bad804de784a6550593706fd7ab842/medium/100-5649.jpg?1494607796" class="size_m justify_right border_" />8. Finally, when clients attend the following session, have a few human treat options already set out: cookies, candy, chips, fruits, granola bars, cheese, etc. to celebrate the end of a hard work week. Why: food serves as a reinforcer for people too. </p>
<p><strong>Partnership</strong> <br>If you support your clients and they feel you are sensitive to their condition, they will do the work. People who contact us need help, but if you simply address the dog’s problem, you aren’t doing your job. Working with animals means you always work in a triad: trainer, client, dog. <br><br>A professional doesn’t rehabilitate dogs and train humans; a professional teaches human clients how to train their dogs, and we, in turn, reward clients for doing the work. Our job is simple; we change dysfunctional relationships into functional ones through predetermined cognitive exercises destined to enrich both partners' lives. </p>
<p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/46324482017-03-16T12:03:00-04:002017-09-05T12:23:33-04:00I kissed a Wolf and I Liked it!<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c27ccc280e370306d78703ebdd0fa254eefbbaf3/medium/2016-08-25-14-01-52.jpg?1489679990" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Actually, I kissed many wolves throughout my career and yes, I did like it. The question is why? Why do we seek inter-species interactions and displays of affection? Some people risk their lives to touch an animal, while others purposefully buy illegal exotic animals off the black market only to realise how dangerous those animals are. Today, I’ll share my views, knowledge, and experiences with you to try answer the question. </p>
<p><strong>Big Bad Wolf </strong><br>Growing up in Goose Bay, Labrador, my childhood was undoubtedly atypical; however, I know the stories most kids were told led them to believe wolves were bad. <em>Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, Mr. Wolf and the Three Bear, Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf, </em>and <em>Little Wolf's Book of Badness</em>, to name a few, all tell us how wolves can’t help themselves express undesirable behaviours (read eat, kill, injure, etc.). Thank goodness, our childhood stories couldn’t be further from the truth. Wolves can, and do, control their impulses. </p>
<p>In our disconnected urbanised life, we have come to cherish the stories of our youth. As such, the yearning to reconnect with nature is what motivates most people to seek inter-species connections. To satisfy their desires for social contact, proximity, monotony relief, non-judgmental encounters, or unconditional love, people go to great lengths. Some people even die in the process of fulfilling their needs. </p>
<p><strong>Desire Motivates</strong><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b9a905cfc0c6c3a228acb284b7dfd8c0eb6758da/medium/20160406-102320-012.jpg?1489680104" class="size_m justify_right border_" />The desire to interact is motivated by an intrinsic curiosity we share with all living creatures. The connection itself is reinforcing because it satisfies our need for closeness. When we associate with others, neurobiological processes are triggered. Mirror neurons instil empathy, which in turn, deepens the attachment through increased mirror neuron activity. When you touch a dog, a dolphin, a wolf, a whale, a cat, or whatever animal you happen to come by, your brain is firing like mad. </p>
<p>Your fight or flight defense system is also on high alert and releases epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) hormones. The joy of the interaction also contributes to the hormonal cocktail by releasing serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. In essence, your body experiences your emotions, and your emotions experience your body. One could say you become <em>addicted</em> to <em>relationships</em>, so to speak. </p>
<p><strong>My Experience</strong><br>Another reason we love to interact with animals is the environment. Like animals, we both enjoy open spaces, fresh air, clean water, cool breezes, and wholesome foods. So, when we happen to cross paths with animals, we rejoice and often turn to our inner child for guidance. The young human ambassador in us takes center stage and starts an inter-species dialog. In the exchange, we share our secret message: <em>I love you</em>. </p>
<p>Of all the exchanges I’ve had with animals; of all the kisses I’ve given or received; each encounter shares the same components: trust and empathy. We believe, in that very short moment, we are connected to a power bigger than ourselves. In some cases, size is an actual component of the inter-species meeting, but what I’m referring to here is the figurative bigger power. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/73609bf93db20bd0f5823ccef542edd62c4bf0f5/small/dsc-0152.jpg?1489680424" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" />A shared moment with my fellow wolf is one of unity. For a brief second in life, I become one with an animal that trusts me so unconditionally, it’s ready to break the intra-species bond and create an inter-species <em>relationship</em>. At that very instant, I feel accepted for who I am. The infinitely small fraction of time creates a lifelong, unforgettable, experience based solely on trust and empathy. </p>
<p><strong>Personal Boundaries</strong><br>When I interacted with my first exotic wild animal, a goose, I was probably four years old. Geese were everywhere, so it wasn’t hard to find and interact with them. If anything, geese would seek out people first. It was a strange encounter, but a memorable one. I also remember when, a few years later, I picked up a garter snake and played with it. All was wonderful, till I showed the snake to my grand-mother. She screamed; the snake disappeared. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b640b183cae397e8f5246924552ab6d0f4ae5814/medium/gabyloup2011.jpg?1489680563" class="size_m justify_right border_" />I’ve always had a high attraction to animals and vice versa, but, I’ve never forced animals into interactions they didn’t desire. I approach all animals (yes that includes dogs and other domestic animals) with baby steps. On the final approach, I let the animal make the decisive move. They choose to interact, or not. I’m simply a passive observer. </p>
<p><strong>Human-Animal Bond</strong><br>To answer the question, we seek inter-species interactions and displays of affection because they make us feel good. Heck, an entire industry saw the light of day because humans desire connectedness and unity in a disconnected and divided world. If we didn’t love animals so much, we wouldn’t have zoological institutions or marine mammal parks.</p>
<p>Before I end, I’d like to add I’m not here to pick a battle with you on the pros and cons of captive animals. I’m simply here to share with you reasons why the human-animal bond is so powerful. Please keep that in mind when you comment or send nasty e-mails. On the other hand, if you had an experience with an animal that changed your life, please share it with us in the comments. As you know, we conduct animal-assisted therapy and would love to hear your human-animal encounter story.</p>
<p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/46225692017-03-08T20:52:40-05:002021-07-09T14:28:46-04:00Morphological Characteristics <p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.pinterest.ca/anrodman09/bull-breed-education/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/bb7e819ba6028509d2517a774151b82c8a5be19a/medium/en-standard4.png?1489024330" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>Morphological characteristic is a newly debated topic to which I’d like to shed some light. Recently, or should I say finally, the city of Montreal established what the morphological characteristics are for <i>pitbull-type</i> dogs. The topic is once again a compilation of nonsense criteria, and I’d like to discuss the reasons why. </p>
<p><strong>Dog Physical Characteristics</strong> <br>Here is a list of the morphological characteristics of <i>pitbull-type</i> dogs in Montreal. I know it’s a little long and confusing, but this is what mayor Denis Coderre’s team came up with five months AFTER the by-law was passed. You’ll find my explanation or clarification, in red, next to the criterion. Professionally speaking, the following twenty points seem improvised and are highly discussable.</p>
<ol> <li>Muscular, short-haired, powerful and athletic-looking dog. The dog has a square shape when viewed laterally. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">By definition, this characteristic includes ALL dogs from the molosser group, and could possibly include deep-chested Labradors, Boxers, Doberman Pinchers, etc.</span> </li> <li>The male weighs 12 to 35 kg <span style="color:#e74c3c;">(27-77lbs)</span> and is 36 to 53 cm <span style="color:#e74c3c;">(14”-21”)</span> high at the withers. The female weighs 10 to 30 <span style="color:#e74c3c;">(22-66lbs)</span> kg and is 30 to 50 cm <span style="color:#e74c3c;">(12”-20”)</span> high at the withers.<span style="color:#e74c3c;"> The height to weight ratio is usually proportional. Weight as a breed characteristic can open the door to malnutrition and subsequently abuse.</span> </li> <li>
<a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.quora.com/Why-do-some-dogs-not-shed" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/0a956a050ab6fe424f7e8b488e3ec573baa0bcc8/medium/dog-hair-follicle-diagram-e1428577505369.jpg?1489023574" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a>Its coat is close-hair, short and smooth. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">It’s unclear if only single coats are allowed. The criterion doesn’t say if dogs are considered <i>pitbull-type</i> animals if they have double, 2-5 secondary hair, coats. </span>
</li> <li>Its head is wedge-shaped when viewed laterally or above, but round when viewed from the front. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">This is confusing. Most dogs have a wedge-shaped head when seen from the side. As for a round-shaped head when seen from the front only a few breeds like Bulldogs (English and French), Pugs, Dogue de Bordeaux, and possibly Boston Terriers come to mind. </span>
</li> <li>The head is about 2/3 the width of the shoulders and 25% wider at the cheeks than at the base of the skull. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">I wonder if the measurements are actually calculated or guesstimated. </span>
</li> <li>The distance from the back of the skull to the eyes is equivalent to the distance from the eyes to the tip of the muzzle. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Again, this is so general that most dog breeds conform to the criterion. </span>
</li> <li>Well-defined stop. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">No mention of the stop’s angle is discussed or proposed: 45o, 60o, or 90o are all well defined.</span>
</li> <li>The muzzle is straight and square. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">A bit better, but still too general to decide the faith of dogs. </span>
</li> <li>The lips are tight and dental occlusion is normal.<span style="color:#e74c3c;"> I’m uncertain how this condition can be considered since it’s impossible to prove if the dental occlusion is a biological breed characteristic or genetic fault.</span>
</li> <li>The eyes are small and triangular when viewed laterally. They are round or slightly elliptical when viewed from the front.<span style="color:#e74c3c;"> I’m trying not to let my opinion interfere, but common, this describes pretty much the entire canid genus.</span>
</li> <li>The ears are high set and small. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Again, this criterion is too general to decide the faith of a dog. I mean, official CKC and AKC breeds banned by the city of Montreal have very specific ears and ear placement shapes and sizes. So why not be a little more clear?!</span>
</li> <li>The neck is muscular. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">All canids have a muscular neck. FYI: the neck is the second most powerful muscle after the jaw. </span>
</li> <li>
<a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/371758144233047284/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/cd00431fffb812b74393bc389e6df5b5ea76d4d0/medium/dog-horse-skellaton.jpg?1489023785" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" style="margin-right: 25px;" /></a>The shoulders are a little wider than the rib cage at the eighth rib level. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">This is getting a little ridiculous. So many dogs fall into this category. If you cross a Bulldog with Labrador this characteristic is highly likely to occur. </span>
</li> <li>The elbows are not prominent and the front legs are parallel. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Obviously, it's a dog. But, on a positive note, thank God most <i>pitbull-type</i> dogs out there have misaligned legs which disqualify them as <i>pitbull-type</i>.</span>
</li> <li>The front legs are heavy and solid-looking. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Hun?! My mother use to say <em>When you don't know what to say, say nothing</em>.</span>
</li> <li>The front is massive, with a comparatively delicate back. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">This describes most </span><font color="#e74c3c">dog breeds, maybe except sight-hounds. The problem with this criterion is that if you mix any breed with a massive front you'll get this definition, without having any terrier in the mix. Mix a Bulldog with a Dalmatian and you'll get a <i>pitbull-type</i> dog according to Denis Coderre and Anie Samson.</font>
</li> <li>The back slopes slightly from the withers to the rump.<span style="color:#e74c3c;"> Which would mean their back legs are shorter than the front. doesn't this contradict points 16, 18, and 19?!</span>
</li> <li>The hips are broad for firmly attached muscles and the hind legs are muscular. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">I can't take these descriptions, they're so misleading and confusing. Obviously, muscles are firmly attached to broad hips, it's a dog people. </span>
</li> <li>The hocks are low and the hind legs appear slim under the knees.<font color="#e74c3c"> In other words, the back area is a great big muscle, firmly attached (as we just learned) to short, thin legs. I'm starting to wonder how this dog can actually stand. </font>
</li> <li>The tail is of medium length, becoming slimmer from the base to the tip, and generally kept down. <span style="color:#e74c3c;">Pardon my expression, but WTF?! Sorry, I just lost it for a second. This is a definition for Every. Single. Dog. Tail. </span>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Do you see a problem with Montreal’s <i>pitbull-type</i> dog criteria? If not, let me point it out. The problem is the following; there’s no indication as to which criteria and how many of them turn dogs from non-pitbull<em> </em>to <i>pitbull-type</i> dogs. The above document only states, and I quote "<em>several of the morphological traits listed</em>". When the life or death of an animal depends on objective observations as means of classification, one would expect to have measurable data and a set number of characteristics. A dog's body could be measured and compared to a <em>template, </em>so why not create one?! For example, if a dog conforms to a minimum of 17/20 characteristics, which were measured and determined as a positive match to the predetermined standard, then, and only then, would you have a <i>pitbull-type</i> dog.</p>
<p><strong>Morphology Isn't Guess Work</strong> <br>Pick a breed, any breed, and read through the CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) or the AKC's (American Kennel Club) list of morphological criteria. You’ll find that what makes a Staffordshire Bull Terrier different from a Bull Terrier isn’t just the word Staffordshire. The AKC and CKC have very specific standards, plus subjects from a breed need to have a pedigree in order to be called a Staffordshire Bull Terrier or Bull Terrier. There’s simply no guesswork in determining a purebred dog. </p>
<p>I think the city of Montreal, and other BSL cities, need to clarify this question. People need to know how many of the criteria qualifies their dog as <i>pitbull-type</i> and to which extent. If a 90o stop is required, does a +/- 5o rule apply? If a dog has twenty of the above-mentioned criteria but has a misaligned dental occlusion, is the dog immediately disqualified? Does a dog need to have all twenty criteria to be considered <i>pitbull-type</i>? </p>
<p><strong>Morphology Shishmology </strong><br>I want to end with the notion that dogs aren’t machines. They come in many, many, different shapes, sizes, and colours, and to qualify them based on nonsense criteria is simply irresponsible and unprofessional. Dog caregivers need a better-defined morphological chart. Furthermore, elected city officials need to step up and take their biased and idiotic approach to dangerous dog management and try to make something professional and coherent out of it. Till then, I know who I’m going to vote for, do you?</p>
<p>Cheers.<br>G.</p>
<p>References<br>- PIT BULL-TYPE DOGS: MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS. (2017). Retrieved from http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/animaux/assets/doc/identification_pitbull_EN.pdf March 8th, 2017</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/73729032017-02-12T16:18:46-05:002024-03-26T17:31:42-04:00Des PrésentationsPar Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/ef39b6b6d37f50f34698724f9e9ac129599e508c/medium/screenshot-2017-02-10-15-48-18.png?1486933811" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Le Dogue Shop est officiellement reconnu comme établissement d’enseignement par le gouvernement provincial et fédéral. Rétroactivement depuis 2016, nos étudiants pourront déduire nos programmes en comportement animal et zoothérapie. De plus, Je suis heureuse de vous présenter <a contents="Ann-Marie Bourassa" data-link-label="Dogue's Ann-Marie" data-link-type="page" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-ann-marie" target="_blank">Ann-Marie Bourassa</a> et <a contents="Amélie Martel" data-link-label="Dogue's Amélie" data-link-type="page" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-amelie" target="_blank">Amélie Martel</a>, nos deux nouvelles bloggeuses francophone. <br><br><strong>Redistribution</strong> <br>Ann-Marie s’est joint à l’équipe du <a contents="Dogue Shop" data-link-label="Dogue's Home" data-link-type="page" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-home" target="_blank">Dogue Shop</a> depuis bientôt un an. Elle enseigne les cours de groupes : chiot, adolescent et possiblement les cours de Doga. Ann-Marie est notre associée et s’occupera de certaine composante administrative. Sa personnalité est débordante de bonheur et sera un atout incroyable pour notre école. <br><br><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/8110ac17c2d21b47ab9822f7b6ba8dbfd3ab9849/medium/am-lie.jpg?1486934186" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Amélie est notre conférencière francophone. Elle vous présentera d’extraordinaires conférences sur la protection des ressources, la réactivité, et les troubles de comportement les plus communs. Son expérience et son professionnalisme sont exemplaires et elle saura, sans aucun doute, vous enseigner de nouvelle habileté. <br><br><strong>Les "Girls"</strong> <br>Nos deux nouvelles collègues prendront certain dossier à leur charge et je (<a contents="Gaby" data-link-label="Dogue's Gaby" data-link-type="page" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-gaby" target="_blank">Gaby</a>) continuerai à prendre les dossiers plus complexes tels que l’agressivité, la peur, trouble obsessif compulsif, stress post traumatique, trouble d’anxiété, et autre trouble de comportement. <br><br>Je vous invite donc à communiqué avec Ann-Marie et Amélie pour les connaitre. Vous pourrez également les suivre sur ce blogue. Les filles ont libre choix de parler des sujets qu’elles aiment ou leur semble d’actualité. Quant à moi, je poursuis avec mes récits anglophones. <br><br><strong>Bonne Lecture</strong> <br>Je vous souhaite bonne lecture et n’hésitez pas à commenter les articles proposés sur nos blogues, ceci constitue un renforcement très positif pour nos écrivaines. D’ici les prochains articles de nos filles je vous souhaite une bonne semaine.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/73729042017-02-11T12:36:31-05:002024-03-26T17:31:42-04:00La Communication Canine<p>par Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/8b58adef2656f7f2f12015f4c3ef26f5a565a240/medium/albear.png?1367861525" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Qu’est-ce que la communication? Dans le dictionnaire il est écrit : 1. Fait de communiquer, d’établir une relation avec autrui. Ce qui m’apporte à voir le mot communiquer : 1. Transmettre. 2. Donner connaissance, faire partager à qqn. 3. Être en relation, en rapport, en correspondance (avec qqn). Donc, nous communiquons bel et bien avec nos chiens, mais que leur disons-nous réellement? </p>
<p>Prenons le Alpha Roll[1] comme exemple. Est-ce que rouler Fido sur le dos et lui tenir la poitrine clouée au sol veut dire : Je suis l’alpha, soumet toi, si non! Ou est-ce que cela veut dire : Périodiquement je vais te foutre la trouille, sans raison apparente, et te virer sur le dos jusqu’à ce que tu deviennes inhibé. Si vous avez choisi les deux options vous êtes champion. Ce que nous communiquons à Fido est une question de perception et dans ce cas si elle doit être faite à partir du point de vue de l’animal. Mais, pour ce faire nous devons connaître son dictionnaire. </p>
<p><strong>La Dominance</strong><br>La dominance est un concept intra-spécifique, c’est-à-dire que pour dominer le chien il faut être capable de parler le même langage que lui, ce qui est impossible. Je ne peux pas lever ma queue dans les airs, je ne peux pas relever mes oreilles et je ne peux surtout pas hérisser le poil sur mon dos. La soumission chez le chien ou tout autre animal se fait volontairement ou il y a bagarre. Je n’ai jamais vu un chien ou un loup prendre son adversaire par la peau du coup, le virer et le tenir sur le dos jusqu’à ce qu’il se soumette. Je le répète, l’animal se soumet VOLONTAIREMENT ou il y a un conflit! </p>
<p>Pour illustrer ce point d’avantage prenons l’exemple d’un éléphant et d’un buffle qui s’affrontent dans la savane afin d'acceder à un point d'eau. Je vous demande alors qui domine qui? La réponse est ni un ni l’autre et les deux à la fois, car dans leurs têtes respectives ils exhibent leur comportement de dominance. Dans cette situation il n’y a pas de communication puisque la définition dit : établir une relation avec autrui, être en relation. </p>
<p>Dans cet exemple le buffle se fait gros et essaie de dominer l’éléphant en baissant la tête et en montrant ces cornes. L’éléphant aussi démontre ses comportements de dominances en ouvrant ses oreilles et en levant sa trompe dans les airs. Il offre les mêmes comportements qu’il offrirait à un autre éléphant s’il voulait le dominer. Dans l'example l'éléphant ira boire en premier simplement parce qu'il est plus gros. Avec cette nouvelle compréhension comment pouvons nous interpréter notre relation avec le chien comme étant dominance et soumission ? </p>
<p><strong>Interprétations et Non Compréhension</strong><br>Le chien passe son temps à interpréter nos comportements car il ne comprend pas notre langage. Je vous donne un autre exemple. Vous devez couper les griffes de votre chien et il ne veut pas. Vous l’immobilisez de force jusqu’à ce qu’il cesse de bouger et accepte vos manipulations. Je vous pose la question : l’avez vous dominez ? Bien sûr que non! Dans sa tête vous lui avez fait peur et ne pouvant pas fuir, il s'est inhibé. Rappelez-vous, lorsqu’un chien a peur il a trois réactions possibles ; figer, fuir ou frapper[2]. Bien que la majorité des chiens préfèrent fuir, frapper est souvent l’alternative de choix. </p>
<p>Nous connaissons le langage physique du chien mais malheureusement très peu de gens connaissent son langage émotionnel. Les signaux d’apaisements et d’évitements font partie intégrante de leur vocabulaire et reconnaître ceux-ci est une nécessité pour comprendre ce qu’il nous dit. Cette compréhension permettrait de prévenir les troubles de comportements souvent issus d’un manque de communication. </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/cb0daba1206590ae6f34302e64739181108a711c/medium/dog-grooming-nail-trim.png?1486834557" class="size_m justify_right border_none" alt="(c) http://www.beachfordogs.com/" /><strong>Relation Humain Chien</strong><br>Revenons à l’exemple ci-haut du chien qui subit une contention pour se faire couper les griffe. Son maître est par-dessus lui et essaie de l’immobiliser, le chien baille, fait aller le bout se sa queue rapidement, pleure et détourne constamment votre regard, bref il essaie de vous dire qu’il vut éviter cette situation et il ne comprend pas ce que vous exigez de lui. Rappelez-vous, dans son monde canin aucun chien ne ferait une telle chose! Dans notre exemple Fido pourrait faire l’association entre vous et douleur et penser que vous êtes un danger potentiel. </p>
<p>Établir une relation saine avec un animal exige une compréhension maximale de son éthogramme[3]. Nous devons comprendre que la communication n’est possible qu’entre deux espèces démontrant les mêmes comportements, langage corporel et émotionnel. Toute autre forme de relation est issue du respect et des associations positives qui résultent de ces échanges. Prévenir un trouble de comportement commence par reconnaître que nous ne sommes ni supérieurs ni inférieurs à nos chiens, nous sommes tout simplement différents. Je vous laisse sur les paroles de Charles Darwin qui en revenant de son tour du monde a dit : les différences créent la diversité ! </p>
<p>[1] Roulade dorsale avec maintien de posture jusqu’à ce que le chien cesse de réagir. <br>[2] Un animal n’a que trois réactions possibles face à un stimulus; figer, fuir ou se battre (traduit de l’anglais feeze, flight or fight). En français nous utilisons le terme frapper afin de respecter le plus fidèlement possible la règle des 3Fs. <br>[3] L’éthogramme est le répertoire complet des comportements d’une espèce.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/73729052017-02-11T12:31:44-05:002024-03-26T17:31:42-04:00Le Jappement<p>Par Gaby Dufresne-Cyr </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/7e1efb8e1eda5114150893d831552d46041c2388/medium/dog-900215-960-720.jpg?1486422328" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Le jappement est un problème courant. Souvent incompris, ce comportement normal crée des conflits entre voisins. Avant de répondre aux questions «D’où vient ce comportement?», «Pourquoi est-il si difficile, voire impossible, de faire taire Fido?» et «Est-ce que certaines races sont prédisposées au jappement?», discutons brièvement de l’origine de ce canidé afin de mieux répondre à ces questions. </p>
<p>Historiquement, le chien a évolué du loup en exploitant une nouvelle niche écologique, c’est-à-dire les dépotoirs d’humains sédentarisés. En quelques générations, cet hybride a effectué une mutation sur deux plans. Physiquement, il a commencé à avoir deux périodes de chaleurs, des oreilles tombantes, différentes couleurs de pelage, un plus gros corps et un plus petit cerveau. Au niveau comportemental, la transformation fut remarquable; il devint charognard, démontrait moins d’agressivité, se mit à japper et la sociabilité envers les humains devint pratique commune. </p>
<p>Le jappement, chez le loup, est un comportement instinctif d’avertissements rarement utilisé. Chez le chien primitif, ce comportement avait deux fonctions. Premièrement, il servait à avertir les intrus que quelqu’un exploitait cette partie du dépotoir et deuxièmement, il éloignait les intrus de son territoire. Voyant l’efficacité de ce comportement, l’humain l’exploita. Le chien qui jappe est sélectionné, isolé et nourri plus abondamment. Cette sélection a eu comme effet de renforcer le jappement chez le chien domestique. </p>
<p><strong><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/5eec43f0d89d133842774254a00c0d14880102c0/medium/pomeranian-dog-breed.jpg?1486834229" class="size_m justify_right border_" />De la théorie à la science</strong> <br>Chez l’espèce Canis, le jappement est un comportement instinctif qui est géré par le cerveau primitif. Autrement dit, le chien perçoit un stimulus, les sens envoient cette information au cerveau qui passe la commande, via l’amygdale, au cervelet. En retour, ce dernier émet la commande de japper. Cette réaction, imprégnée dans cette région via une association entre la génétique et l’environnement, est permanente et ne peut pas être retirée du répertoire. Elle peut seulement être modifiée en plus ou en moins c’est-à-dire augmentée ou réduite en intensité. Bref, le cerveau ne contrôle pas le jappement, il ne fait que le déclencher. </p>
<p>Deux possibilités s’offrent pour cesser le jappement; punir le comportement ou le prévenir. Punir le jappement est quasi impossible car pour ce faire le stimulus aversif doit être suffisamment puissant pour cesser le jappement du premier coup et ensuite empêcher l’animal de le manifester à nouveau. Très peu de personnes peuvent correctement administrer une punition en temps et en intensité, ce qui à long terme augmente le problème. Comme le jappement est motivé par un mécanisme instinctif très puissant, il est préférable de le prévenir. </p>
<p>Il faut savoir que la sélection artificielle favorise le jappement. Certains groupes de chiens tels que les terriers, chiens courants, teckels et chiens de compagnie ont été développés pour leurs caractéristiques vocales. Les groupes de lévriers, rapporteurs, chiens d’arrêt, spitz, molossoïdes et bergers sont reconnus pour leur silence. Il est évident que le jappement varie non seulement d’un groupe à l’autre mais d’un individu à l’autre. Un sujet peut être plus vocal que son frère ou sa sœur, le tout dépend habituellement du tempérament et de l’environnement. L’homme a développé le jappement chez le chien et il est rapidement devenu un comportement normal chez celui-ci. Seules une connaissance génétique et une sélection rigoureuse peuvent contrôler son intensité. </p>
<p>La question devient alors pourquoi voudrions-nous retourner en arrière? Le jappement est utile et vouloir l’éliminer est basé sur un désir égocentrique de contrôle influencé par notre incapacité de comprendre et d’accepter ce qui est différent de nous.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/73729062017-02-11T12:27:02-05:002024-03-26T17:31:43-04:00Le Métier d'Éducateur Canin<p>Par Gaby Dufresne-Cyr </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/3925435cc8b3eb73bad604556ef346b8d074438a/medium/100_0473.JPG?1366152473" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Voilà plusieurs années que cette description me tracasse, mais avant de définir ce terme j’aimerais éclaircir ce qu’il n’est pas. Le métier d’entraîneur n’est pas une profession reconnue, c’est à dire qu’aucune norme descriptive ou forme de contrôle n’existe. Il n’y a aucune institution scolaire publique qui reconnaît et/ou forme des entraîneurs de chiens au Canada, donc n’importe qui peut s’improviser éducateur canin. Des institutions privées offrent ces cours, mais aucun standard d’enseignement n’existe. D’une école à l’autre les contenus changent, ce qui fait que les diplômes obtenus n’ont pas de signification juste. </p>
<p>Trop souvent dans notre profession des gens prétendre être ce qu’ils ne sont pas. Certaines personnes deviennent entraîneur après avoir lu un livre tandis que d’autre écrivent béhavioriste après leur nom sans avoir le diplôme universitaire qui l’accompagne. Être éducateur ce n’est pas garantir la réussite de son travail. Ce n’est pas non plus prétendre être capable de <em>guérir</em> un comportement indésirable. Enseigner au chien n’est pas une tâche, et l’animal ne devrait jamais avoir peur de travailler. Les personnes qui prétendent maîtriser toutes les connaissances dans le domaine de l’entraînement ont souvent besoin de rafraîchir leurs acquis! </p>
<p><strong><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/a0e2a58e796156ae08fe1cb3900f663a9bbc3bf1/medium/dog-training-12.jpg?1486833874" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Mais en fin, qu’est-ce qu’un entraîneur?</strong><br>Voyons d’abord quelques brèves définitions afin éclaircir les termes employés. Les titres les plus souvent utilisés dans notre domaine sont; maître-chien, éducateur canin, entraîneur/dresseur, béhavioriste/comportementaliste, éthologue, cynophile. </p>
<p>· <strong>Le maître-chien</strong> : est une personne qui entraîne des chiens pour la protection, la garde et/ou la sécurité. Aucune formation requise. <br>· <strong>L’éducateur canin, Intervenant, Comportementaliste, Consultant, Specialiste en Comportement, etc. </strong>: enseigne aux maîtres comment éduquer leurs chiens à vivre en société. Aucune formation requise. <br>· <strong>L’entraîneur/Dresseur </strong>: est la personne qui réitère ce qu’ont lui a montré sans pour autant connaître les fondements du conditionnement. Aucune formation requise. <br>· <strong>Le béhavioriste</strong> : de la psychologie, il étudie les comportements observables issue d’une relation stricte avec l’environnement (stimulus-réponse). Formation universitaire. <br>· <strong>L’éthologue</strong> : de la théorie de l’évolution, étudie les causes et conséquences du comportement d’un point de vue strictement écologique et physiologique. Formation universitaire. <br>· <strong>Le cynophile</strong> : dresse et travail avec les chiens. Se réfère au domaine militaire. Aucune formation requise. </p>
<p>Les éthologues et behviouristes ne travaillent généralement pas à entraîner des chiens, donc nous passerons par-dessus. Les deux définitions qui retiennent mon attention sont : le maître-chien et l’éducateur canin. </p>
<p>Le maître-chien entraîne des chiens pour ; la protection, défense, patrouille, sécurité, attaque et la garde. De la vieille école ils pratiquent des techniques souvent dépassées et dangereuses. Les méthodes d’enseignement sont généralement négatives et le chien est souvent victime de coercition. Beaucoup de ces entraîneurs traitent le chien comme s’il était un loup, et ce sans même connaître les comportements normaux de ce dernier. </p>
<p>L’éducateur canin enseigne aux gens comment éduquer leur chien, d’où le nom éducateur canin. Ils pratiquent des techniques plus adéquates et sécuritaires pour le chien. Les méthodes sont souvent axées sur le renforcement positif, bien que ce ne soit pas un pré-requis à la définition. Ces personnes font souvent de l’obéissance et des sports divers. Un bon éducateur devrait être en mesure de prévenir et/ou régler certains troubles comportementaux mineur. </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/06b276012bf3f5a6c27ada22e5bbdb2baf98ca57/medium/pullingonthelead.jpg?1433364764" class="size_m justify_right border_none" alt="" />Vient ensuite l’éducateur canin spécialiste en comportement, d’où la confusion avec le terme comportementaliste. Il a les mêmes aptitudes que l’éducateur canin mais s’offre des formations axées sur les troubles comportementaux. Il n’a pas le diplôme universitaire du comportementaliste, mais de façon générale étudie le même contenu. Curieusement ce sont les comportementalistes qui forment les éducateurs canins spécialiste en comportement. Ces éducateurs professionnels sont en mesure de gérer des troubles beaucoup plus complexes avec un taux de réussite très élevé. </p>
<p>Revenons aux éducateurs. Les bons entraîneurs sont des gens consciencieux de leurs formations. Ces personnes s'offrent une formation continue en assistant à des conférences, séminaires et cours privés en éducation. Ils travaillent très fort pour parfaire leurs connaissances et il n’est pas rare de voir certains éducateurs échanger entre eux les dernières découvertes scientifiques. À titre de référence un bon éducateur canin devrait maîtriser les aptitudes suivantes : </p>
<p>· Maîtriser les caractéristiques individuelles des races de chiens <br>· Avoir une expérience pertinente dans son domaine respectif <br>· Connaître la terminologie du milieu <br>· Identifier le langage corporel et émotionnel du chien <br>· Rester à l’affût des découvertes scientifiques <br>· S’offrir une formation continue <br>· Posséder des notions de base en santé et alimentation <br>· Pour les spécialistes, maîtriser la complexité des troubles comportementaux </p>
<p>Cet extrait d'article parut dans le Passionnément Chien. Volume 3, Numéro 2 - Printemps 2005</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/73729072017-02-11T12:16:29-05:002024-03-26T17:31:43-04:00Le Gène de la Sociabilité<p>Par Gaby Dufresne-Cyr </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/27accb7f18defd1f93455a0aba545a0d0f2e8331/medium/81nd3qg05ll.jpg?1486832941" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Plusieurs années d’observations me portent à croire que la sociabilité est génétique, c’est-à-dire que l’on naît sociable ou non. Instinctivement la majorité des gens croient cette affirmation sans pour autant avoir de preuve scientifique à l’appuie. Ont-ils raisons? Je crois qu’oui. Dans ma pratique j’ai vu des chiens (<em>Canis Familiaris</em>), ayant reçu une socialisation adéquate, développer des troubles de comportement.<br><br>J’ai également travaillé avec des chiens, isolés pendant cette même période, socialement équilibrés. Dernièrement j’ai eu la chance d’observé quatre loups (<em>Canis Lupus</em>) socialisés. Trois d’entre eux étaient peureux et l’autre simplement craintif. Le loup craintif fini par m’approcher mais seulement après une longue période d’encouragement. Alors comment ce fait-il que la recette de la socialisation échoue? </p>
<p>La phase de socialisation du chien est bien connue des chercheurs et des intervenants canins. Elle fut introduite par John Paul Scott et John L. Fuller dans leur livre intitulé “<em>Genetics and Social Behavior of the Dog</em>” publié en 1965. Cette phase commence environ à la quatrième semaine de vie du chien pour se terminer vers la douzième. Nous savons également que négliger d’exposer le chien à des stimuli durant cette phase crée des lacunes au niveau de son développement.<br><br>Nous y reviendrons. Je ne remets aucunement cette théorie en doute, toutefois des questions me viennent à l’esprit. Si le chien naît sociable est-ce que le fait de constamment l’exposer à des stimuli peut créer des troubles comportementaux? Créons-nous des chiens hyper-réactifs en les envoyant systématiquement à la maternelle? Est-ce que le fait d’être continuellement placé en contexte social est positif ou négatif? Avant de répondre à ces questions voyons d’abord les recherches scientifiques explorant le gène de la sociabilité. </p>
<p><strong><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b48e1be1e1a0699374c2a3919521b68ad14e34bc/medium/100_0446.JPG?1366152473" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Les Recherches</strong><br>En 1997 le Dr Anthony Wynshaw-Boris du National Human Genome Research Institute (É-U) découvre un gène responsable de la sociabilité chez la souris moustachue (<em>Mus Musculus Musculus</em>), une sous-espèce de souris de laboratoire sociable et reconnu pour l’entretient des moustaches d’autrui. Le gène étudié se nomme Ébouriffé et les souris provenaient d’un groupe dit knock-out. Les chercheurs ont trouvé trois versions de ce gène, soit Ébouriffé 1,2 et 3. Afin de connaître le rôle de ces gènes le Dr Wynshaw-Boris a retiré Ébouriffé-1 des souris moustachues. À son grand étonnement celles-ci grandissaient normalement, cependant, une fois adulte il constata que les souris avaient les moustaches mal entretenu. L’équipe se demanda pourquoi.<br><br>En observant de plus près ils notèrent une diminution de l’interaction sociale. Ils remarquèrent également que les souris avaient de la difficulté à éliminer les stimuli extérieurs et à se concentrer sur un seul stimulus. Ces mêmes comportements sociaux anormaux sont observés dans certains désordres psychiatriques humain tel que la schizophrénie et l’autisme. Contre toute attente ces souris génétiquement modifiées interagissaient, nidifiaient, dormaient et se toilettaient beaucoup moins. Visiblement quelque chose avait changé dans le groupe, les souris étaient devenues asociales. Le gène retiré était-il celui de la sociabilité? La conclusion de l’étude n’était pas claire. Cependant, les faits démontraient que l’interaction sociale n’y étant plus, leurs comportements avaient changé et ce gène en était responsable. </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e3ac5c08afb2a779115f58f49f3b21a2c3659637/medium/dogue-shop-12.jpg?1461686860" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Quelques années plus tard, soit en 1999, les Dr Tom Insel et Larry Young de l’Université d’Emory (É-U) publient une recherche dans le journal <a contents="Nature" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.nature.com" target="_blank">Nature</a>. L’étude visait à découvrir les mécanismes d’un neurotransmetteur responsable de l’attirance sociale et de l’intimité, l’hormone vasopressine. Cette fois les chercheurs créaient une souris en insérant le gène provenant d’une espèce de mulot des prairies (<em>Microtus Ochrogaster</em>) qui est reconnue pour sa sociabilité et fidélité. L’hormone vasopressine fut donc injectée dans une espèce de souris plutôt polygame et asocial. La nouvelle espèce transgénique démontre alors les mêmes comportements sociaux et grégaires que le mulot des prairies. Ce fut la première fois qu’un gène étaient identifié comme responsable de la sociabilité. </p>
<p><strong>Un Géne Social</strong><br>Là ne s’arrêtent pas les découvertes. En 2001 une étude publiée dans le journal <a contents="Science" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.sciencemag.org" target="_blank">Science</a> démontre qu’un seul gène peut régulariser le comportement social chez la fourmi rouge (<em>Solenopsis Invicta</em>). Les chercheures de l’Université de Georgie (É-U) Michael Krieger et Kenneth Ross ont découvert le gène responsable de l’échange d’information permettant aux fourmis d’interagir socialement, une protéine nommé le Gp-9. Cette protéine fonctionne en permettant aux fourmis d’envoyés et recevoir des signaux olfactifs (phéromones) servant à reconnaître les membres de la colonie. </p>
<p>La découverte la plus extraordinaire fut publiée en août 2003 dans le journal <a contents="Medical Genetics" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/home" target="_blank">Medical Genetics</a>. Les chercheurs Teresa Doyle et Ursula Bellugi de l’institut Salk (É-U) en collaboration avec Julie Korenberger et John Graham du UCLA et Cedars-Sinai Medical Center de Los Angel (É-U) publient une recherche sur les enfants atteint du syndrome de Williams. Les enfants souffrant de ce syndrome ont une personnalité extrêmement extravertie et hyper-sociable. Ils ont également des problèmes cardiovasculaires, des caractéristiques physiques et faciales particulières et un certain retard mental. Les adultes, soufrant de ce syndrome, démontrent des capacités inhabituelles au langage malgré leurs habiletés cognitives réduites. </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/76a83b2f1540d71d5cf47c4cadff39b98fc24c49/medium/embraceableimage2.jpg?1486833371" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Le syndrome de Williams est rare, environ 1 personne sur 20,000 en souffre. Il est la conséquence de l’absence de vingt gènes provenant d’un chromosome situé sur la septième paire. Pratiquement toutes les personnes atteint du syndrome ont la même série de gènes manquants. Les chercheurs ont découvert que les enfants atteint du syndrome de Williams obtiennent des notes très élevées lors de test portant sur le comportement social. Ces testes incluent l’habileté à reconnaître les visages et les noms, le désir de plaire, l’empathie et la tendance à approcher un étranger.<br><br>Dans cette même étude il fut découvert qu’une enfant avait conservé un seul des 20 gènes habituellement absents. Après cette découverte ils étudièrent à nouveau les comportements de cette petite fille. Étonnamment elle ne démontrait pas les caractéristiques sociales extraverties des autres enfants atteint du même syndrome. Elle était plutôt introvertie, peu sociable et craintive des étrangers. Cela signifiait que la présence de ce gène altérait l’hyper-sociabilité typiquement observé chez les personnes atteint du syndrome de Williams. Les chercheurs conclurent l’étude en disant qu’ils ne savent pas si le gène impliqué à la régularisation du comportement social s’applique à la population générale ou simplement à ceux atteint du syndrome de Williams. </p>
<p><strong>La signification des découvertes</strong> <br>Bien qu’elles ne soient pas concluantes les recherches démontrent qu’un gène ou une série de gène responsable de la sociabilité pourrait exister. Voyons maintenant les conséquences plausibles d’une telle découverte. </p>
<p>Ceci est un extrait de l'article parut dans le Passionnément Chien. Volume 3, Numéro 3 - Été 2005.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/73729082017-02-11T11:57:21-05:002024-03-26T17:31:43-04:00La Projection Émotionnelle<p>Par Gaby Dufresne-Cyr </p>
<p>Fidèle à mes habitudes de vous écrire des articles plutôt controversés ce numéro du Passionnément Chien n’échappe pas à la règle. C’est donc avec un grand enthousiasme que je voudrais vous parler de projection émotionnelle sur nos animaux et des conséquences de cet échange. Mais avant d’aller plus loin il devient impératif que je vous explique certaines théories énergétiques. Ainsi, dans ce premier numéro il sera principalement question de théorie scientifique, ce n’est que dans la prochaine parution que je vous parlerai des conséquences, chez les animaux, de l’échange énergétique. </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e06d00478eb8b59699b096629a01c1221cd16092/medium/einstein.jpg?1366152473" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Albert Einstein n’était pas une personne facile, enfant il revendiquait tous et une fois adulte se rebellait contre les conventions. Sa plus grande motivation dans la vie était de prouver l’existence de Dieu, il en était obsédé, mais après plusieurs années, calculs scientifiques et théories révolutionnaires il n’y arriva pas. En réalité il mourut avant de prouver l’existence du créateur. Toutefois notre génie favori était sur le bon chemin. En 1928 Einstein parle ouvertement, pour la première fois, de la théorie de l’énergie unifiée. Bien qu’il n’ait jamais pu prouver qu’une seule énergie était responsable de tous ce qui compose notre univers d’autres scientifiques y parviendront. </p>
<p><strong>Théorie des Cordes</strong><br>Ainsi, dans les années 90s un groupe d’astrophysiciens, cosmologues et mathématiciens se mirent à la tâche de prouver que notre univers était bel et bien composé d’une seule et unique particule. Les électrons, protons et neutrons ont cédé leurs places aux particules encore plus petites soit les quarks, hadrons et compagnies. La particule la plus extraordinaire est sans aucun doute le <a contents="Superstring" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/" target="_blank">Superstring</a> ou Flux String.<br><br>Ces petites particules auraient une dimension estimée à 10 puissance -33 ou 0.000000000000000000000000000000001 et auraient la forme de petits cordons ondulés vibrant à différente intensité. À une vibration très basse ces particules s’uniraient les unes aux autres pour former notre réalité physique. Bien que l’existence de ces particules n’ait pas encore été confirmée, aucun microscope n’est assez puissant pour les observer, la signification de cette découverte est grandiose.</p>
<p>Revenons à Einstein. Dans ses calculs Albert n’arrivait pas à expliquer sa théorie de l’énergie unifiée. Il lui manquait quelques choses. Notre grand savant basait ses calculs sur les quatre dimensions connues et c’est là qu’il faisait fausse route. Six dimensions de plus étaient nécessaires pour expliquer la théorie de l’énergie universelle. En prenant en considération que dix dimensions régissent notre univers les hommes de science ont finalement prouvé qu’Einstein avait raison, l’énergie créatrice existe vraiment. </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/db4b9d0bce0f5f3ff17baf9ecd46748f0a8c61e6/small/untitled.jpg?1366152473" class="size_s justify_right border_" />Le Dr Rupert Sheldrake explique dans son livre "<em>Dogs that Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home</em>" que toutes les particules de l’univers sont régit par des champs morphiques, c’est-à-dire que toute matière (simple ou complexe) est unit par une force énergétique comportementale, sociale, culturelle et mentale très complexe. L’unité morphique compose le champ morphique qui lui est stabilisé par une résonance morphique antérieure. Conséquemment le champ morphique contiennent une sorte de mémoire cumulative. La mémoire de l’inconscience collective porte un autre nom, l’Égrégore. Voici deux études qui expliquent ce phénomène. </p>
<p>Cet extrait est le premier de deux et parut dans le Passionnément Chien. Volume 4, Numéro 3 - Été 2006</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/73729092017-02-11T11:48:51-05:002024-03-26T17:31:43-04:00Les Chiens Peuvent Décoder nos Émotions<p>Par Gaby Dufresne-Cyr </p>
<p>Les propriétaires de chiens disent souvent Mon chien sait quand je me sens bien ou mal. Jusqu'à présent, cette affirmation n'était pas fondée scientifiquement. Mais voilà qu'une recherche publié dans le journal New Scientist (Guo, 2008) nous apprends que les chiens décode effectivement nos émotions et ils le font de la même manière que nous, c'est-à-dire de gauche à droite. Le processus de lire les émotions se nomme Préférence Regard Gauche ou PRG (de l'anglais, Left Gaze Bias). </p>
<p>PRG est le processus par lequel une personne confirme les émotions d'une autre personne en lisant le visage de gauche à droite avec une emphase sur le côté droit du visage. La raison de cette préférence est du à la structure asymétrique du visage et du cerveau. Vous vous souvenez de votre cours de biologie 101, l'hémisphère gauche contrôle le côté droit du corps et vice versa. C'est pour cette raison que notre cerveau observe le côté du visage contrôlé par le centre émotif, c'est-à-dire le côté droit du visage de notre interlocuteur.<br><strong><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/cf4d116ef5146c00c59ec0b63ab05fcffa5b4bad/small/gabyLGBLeft.jpg?1366152473" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="Photo 1" /></strong> <img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/daa3d88bc8ca282127be2978878cd3402df071f4/small/gabyLGBRight.jpg?1366152473" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="Photo 2" /><br>Regardez les images. La photo 1 (gauche) est le côté gauche du visage copié, tourné et collé sur lui-même et la photo 2 (droite) est le côté droit copié, tourné et collé sur lui-même. Quel côté vous semble plus heureux? Si vous avez dit la photo 2 c'est que vous faite l'expérience du PRG. Les subtilités émotives sont difficiles à observer sans ce truc mais votre cerveau a apprit à faire cette distinction, ce qui permet une lecture beaucoup plus précise des émotions.<br><br>Lorsque les chercheurs ont présentés des images de visage humain, de singe, de chien et objet inanimé, nos compagnons canins ont démontrés qu'ils utilisaient la PRG seulement envers les visages humains. Les chiens ne démontrent pas de PRG envers les autres chiens, singes ou objets inanimés. </p>
<p>En termes de modification du comportement et d'éducation canine, la PRG prouve que les chiens peuvent lire nos émotions et le font. Conséquemment, les propriétaires peuvent utiliser cette information à leur avantage en identifiant l'état émotif de leur chien et rediriger le comportement de celui-ci en réajustant leurs propres émotions. Ce processus fait référence à la projection émotionnelle et à la technique du miroir. </p>
<p>Source: <br>- Guo, K. October 2008. <em>Left Gaze Bias</em>. New Scientist, U.K.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/73729102017-02-11T11:39:59-05:002024-03-26T17:31:43-04:00Proposition de Projet – Chiens Dangereux <p>Par Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/fd6d72bbaf65109fb023cea92262fc55ef6e62ef/medium/Havana.JPG?1366152473" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Si vous voulez changer les choses vous devez prendre position et faire entendre vos voix. Je prends officiellement la parole, mais j’aurai besoin de votre voix afin de me faire entendre. Je veux présenter cette proposition à vous tous qui êtes propriétaires de chiens, éducateurs canins, consultants, vétérinaires, aides-vétérinaires ou politiciens, et à toute personne qui travaille avec les animaux. </p>
<p><strong>Chiens dangereux </strong><br>J’entends souvent les gens dire qu’il n’y a pas de mauvais chiens, il n’y a que de mauvais humains. Je ne suis pas d’accord avec cette expression, car il y a bel et bien des mauvais chiens, tout comme il y a de mauvais humains. Certains chiens ont hérité d’une mauvaise génétique et démontrent des troubles de comportement comme la peur et l’agressivité. Ces chiens devraient systématiquement être retirés de l’élevage et euthanasiés. </p>
<p>Est-ce que je vous ai choqués? Si oui, voici pourquoi. En tant que professionnelle, je sais exactement combien de temps et d’argent vous devez investir afin d’éduquer et de rendre votre chien socialement acceptable. Par acceptable, j’entends un chien qui peut marcher sur le trottoir sans réagir à une personne ou à un autre chien. Je ne parle pas ici de chien qui accepte l’affection des étrangers ou qui veut rencontrer d’autres chiens. Je parle simplement de passer près d'un humain ou d'un chien sans réagir. </p>
<p><strong>Project proposition No 1 </strong><br>L’éducation est le remède tout indiqué. Les gens éduqués ont tendance à faire de bon choix parce qu’ils savent qu’ils peuvent être tenus responsables de leurs actes. Voici ce que je propose : </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e8c85a0680e8e2c18a08fa15a0ffdb6b584cf053/medium/Albear.JPG?1366152473" class="size_m justify_right border_" />1. Tous les propriétaires de chiens devront suivre une formation de base en éducation canine afin d’obtenir de la Ville une médaille de chien rouge. L'obtention de cette médaille est déjà obligatoire. </p>
<p>Les médailles jaunes et vertes sont obtenues au même endroit sur une base volontaire. <br>Les médailles jaunes et vertes offrent des avantages aux propriétaires de chiens. </p>
<p>2. Les cours d’éducation sont obligatoires pour toute acquisition de chien et ce, sans égard à l’expérience du propriétaire. </p>
<p>Chaque race est différente et nécessite des habilités particulières. <br>La recherche en comportement canin évolue rapidement, tout comme l’éducation canine. </p>
<p>3. Les gens seront tenus responsables des actions de leur(s) chien(s) et seront passibles de poursuites au criminel. </p>
<p>Renforcer les lois existantes concernant l'utilisation des laisses avec des pénalités plus sévères. <br>Les chiens ne portant pas de médaille seront immédiatement saisis. <br>Les gens reconnus coupables devront subir une peine d'emprisonnement. </p>
<p>4. Une loi sur les chiens dangereux serait équitable pour tous les propriétaires de chiens. </p>
<p>Une morsure est une morsure. <br>Pas de discrimination. <br>Éducation obligatoire. </p>
<p><strong><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/3bbd13609d579194691a527ad53bc3f2e8944708/medium/100_0474.JPG?1366152473" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Project proposition No 2 </strong><br>Cette proposition de projet est simple et efficace. Tout ce que le maire ou le gouvernement provincial ont à faire, c'est rendre l’éducation canine obligatoire. L’infrastructure est déjà en place et ne coûterait pas un sou de plus à la ville. De plus, ce projet créerait de l’emploi et sauverait des vies. </p>
<p>Les cours obligatoires seraient payés par les propriétaires de chiens. Les gens se procureraient leur médaille rouge dans les centres canins désignés par la Ville (où l'on peut déjà se procurer les médailles). Les médailles jaunes et vertes seraient acquises au même endroit, mais sur une base volontaire. Encore une fois, la Ville n’aurait pas besoin d’investir dans l’infrastructure, puisqu’elle est déjà en place. Tout ce que la Ville doit faire, c’est rendre les cours d’éducation canine obligatoires. </p>
<p>Il est impératif que la loi soit revue dans son ensemble. Les gens doivent être tenus responsables des actions de leurs chiens. Je vois trop de chiens sans laisse, que les propriétaires ne maîtrisent pas, ou qui sont agressifs. De plus, les dresseurs de la vieille école qui utilisent la punition et la force comme méthodes font augmenter l’agressivité du chien. Avec une nouvelle loi, ces dresseurs seraient tenus responsables des chiens qu’ils éduquent. <br><br><strong><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/a8cc63846d23c1512528a3f4571337f7f16a0fe6/medium/ivy3.jpg?1366152473" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Éléments de réflexion additionnels</strong> <br>Les gens parlent beaucoup des dommages physiques causés par les petits chiens comparativement aux grands chiens, mais personne ne semble tenir compte des dommages psychologiques. La population la plus à risque, ce sont les enfants de neuf ans et moins. Un enfant peut être traumatisé par la morsure du Lhasa Apso de sa grand-mère et un adulte peut vivre des crises de panique à la suite de l’attaque d’un Golden Retriever. </p>
<p>Si vous avez déjà lu mon blogue, vous savez que je crois fermement à l’éducation et <br>a une approche équitable. Nous devons apporter des changements et nous avons les ressources et les études scientifiques pour nous aider à faire les meilleurs choix possibles pour toutes les parties prenantes. Les chiens sont des chiens et ils ont effectivement la capacité de tuer, mais avec l’éducation et de nouvelles lois nous pouvons éviter que de telles situations tragiques se reproduisent. </p>
<p>Je vais vous demander de partager cet article. Partagez-le jusqu’à ce qu’il parvienne à la table des élus municipaux et provinciaux. Si on peut se rendre jusqu’au palier fédéral et en faire un projet national, pourquoi pas! Nous pouvons sauver des vies, beaucoup de vies, mais pour ce faire nous devons crier haut et fort le mot ÉDUCATION.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/45789672017-02-06T17:45:43-05:002021-09-14T11:05:19-04:00Dog Training Profession - Part 4 <p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/7ed3ebb82da7ee4ae6314bbad23d3eb441d3ba8e/original/207365709-506163537268694-9148071737080795381-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />Someone asked me a pertinent question the other day: “<em>Why do some trainers feel they need to dominate, punish, control, choke, or even electrocute* dogs?</em>” The following is my summarised answer. As is the case with most of my articles, I invite you to comment but please leave your egos at the keyboard. <br><br>In <strong><a contents="Dog Training Profession – Part 3" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/dog-training-profession-part-3" target="_blank">Dog Training Profession – Part 3</a></strong>, I discussed different possibilities we could endeavour in order to standardize our profession. The purpose of today’s article is to open the discussion about the dog training profession. How does this piece tie in with the series on dog training? By exploring <em>why</em> we need recognition in the first place. <br><br>The entire question you saw above was in fact a series of questions that went like this: “<em>If trainers love animals, which I believe they do, why do some trainers feel they need to dominate dogs, punish, control, choke, electrocute, or treat them with force and fear? I mean, we know dogs aren’t pack animals, so why treat them like wolves? Why don’t these people pursue their education?</em>” The answer lies within the trainer’s motivation and education. <br><br><strong>Motivation</strong> <br>Why are some trainers motivated to treat dogs as competitors who should be controlled is a valid question, and concern. Certain groups of dog trainers believe dogs are out to dominate humans; consequently, these disobedient canines require a firm hand in order to put them back into their <em>inferior to a human</em> place.<br> <br>We know dogs aren’t pack animals, we know they don’t strive for world domination, and we unequivocally know dogs don’t need a firm hand. The only motivation which can drive a human to believe an animal, a much smaller animal (well maybe except Great Danes), can and would dominate them stems from human defence mechanisms: denial, repression, displacement, projection, reaction formation, regression, rationalization, sublimation, and identification. <br><br>Humans develop defence mechanisms in order to avoid emotional pain or control unacceptable inner drives, desires, urges, or feelings. Humans have many defence mechanisms in place, but we’ll stick to the projection for now. <strong><a contents="Humans unconsciously project" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.thedogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/emotional-projection" target="_blank">Humans unconsciously project</a></strong> onto their clients, the domestic dog, for many reasons, but the majority of the time the process evolves either from <em>who we think we are</em> or <em>who we think we should be</em>. <br><br>Unconsciously, if a person thinks aggression is an unacceptable emotion within them, they project the emotion onto dogs and see the client as aggressive, and <em>aggressive</em> dogs need to be controlled, right? Or, if a person unconsciously believes an aggressive behaviour is a sought-out trait, they will view the dog as aggressive, an emotion that needs to be expressed. The best way to ensure dogs express aggression is for the person to treat dogs aggressively. Are you still with me? <br> <br><strong>Education</strong> <br>Attachment and education greatly contribute to the creation of defence mechanisms. People with insecure type attachments combined with a lack of education (say in dog behaviour and training) will more likely revert to negative and punitive training approaches because they will unconsciously see themselves in their clients’ dogs. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/00bc73d939862eb7cc80baba57a0a1d19640af27/medium/screenshot-2016-07-19-16-19-08-1.jpg?1486421085" class="size_m justify_right border_" />The only way one can stop the projection is to realize it exists. Once the defence mechanism is discovered, education, and possibly therapy, can contribute to its demise. One has to bring the once unconscious process into the realm of the conscious. To achieve defence mechanism recognition, a skilled professional uses a technique called mirroring. In essence, professionals send triggering emotions back to dog trainers to address motivations for their behaviours. <br><br>Dog trainers don’t use negative training methods and tools because they're bad people. I don’t believe dog trainers wake up one day and think <em>today I’m going to choke or electrocute dogs for a living</em>. I believe most dog trainers simply don’t know their inner-workings are playing them. Plus, we all know dog training isn’t regulated which contributes largely to poor, or lack thereof, education.<br><br><strong>Dog Trainer Awareness</strong> <br>The problem with inadequate education is it’s self-sustaining, AKA self-reinforcing. Let me explain. If dog trainers point out to other dog trainers their techniques are outdated and wrong, the observation is perceived as an attack which, guess what triggers the defence mechanism observers are trying to avoid in the first place. By telling or calling out irresponsible, dangerous, or unethical practices, the well-intended observers just triggered and reinforced the defence mechanism system. Not only have they closed the door to change, but they’ve also justified resistance to it. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/1d6ed3506e9feea6f58210dbba96e4276131584e/small/img-3595.jpg?1486421781" class="size_s justify_left border_" />Pointing out inadequacies is not mirroring, it’s attacking. To mirror is to show the actual emotion occurring within the animal and let trainers see the truth for themselves. Once perception is achieved, the underlying emotions which motivate the defence mechanism can be challenged. Then, and only then, will we see changes in dog training practices? <br><br><strong>Dog Social Learning</strong> <br>Social learning between humans and dogs will revolutionize the dog training industry because defence mechanisms will no longer interfere with learning. Dog training will be faster and behaviours will become more resistant to extinction. <br><br>The Dogue Shop team strongly believes in social learning and we're proud to have incorporated the theory into our practice over ten years ago. I sincerely hope you join us in building a brighter future for our furry friends. If anything, man's best friend deserves that much. <br><br>Cheers.<br>G.<br><br>* E-collars, electric, vibration, citronella, or whichever battery-operated device collar is used to inflict pain. </p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/45754532017-02-03T15:15:29-05:002017-10-23T10:14:16-04:00Dogue Shop Update<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/68be7cac4db9655dd0188cb3a124568f80621964/medium/13702294-10155297882584988-264884391-o.jpg?1486147386" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Much time has passed since our last entry, and I think it’s fair I give you an update. Last summer, during the dangerous dog crisis, I graduated from Concordia University’s Family Education program. Following graduation, I returned to school. Regardless of the summer madness, we’ve been very active in the dog community. Here’s a summary of what happened and what’s to come. <br><br><strong>Summer 2016</strong> <br>We walked, protested, and worked with a great group of people to try and change the new (I really want to say stupid, but I’ll remain professional) by-law. We took time out of our busy schedules to communicate and explain to politicians what this by-law proposal really meant. We are confident the November 2017 election will bring on a change of power and leave room for a grounded, educated, and politically savvy party. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/4c74d72214dc4e1514f6c25083aaaeaa71233108/medium/daidgrouppic.jpg?1486147643" class="size_m justify_right border_" />In August, the Dogue Shop hosted the <em>Do As I Do</em> workshop with <a contents="Claudia Fugazza" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.doasido.it/en/claudia-fugazza/" target="_blank">Claudia Fugazza</a>, the woman behind the social learning revolution. It was an honour to meet, talk and hang around Montreal for a week with her. The entire experience was remarkable and filled my brain, our brains, with new projects. <br><br><strong>Fall 2016</strong> <br>As mentioned above, I got my letter of graduation and my acceptance letter into the psychology department one day apart, so back on Concordia University’s benches, I go. For the next couple of years, I’ll be studying to become a cognitive-neuroscientist. The focus of my studies will be on merging two topics: attachment and social-cognitive learning in Canidae. <br><br>Fall yielded a wonderful brew within the <a contents="Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship" data-link-label="Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship Program" data-link-type="page" href="/animal-behaviour-apprenticeship-program" target="_blank">Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship</a> level two (ABA-2). That being said, it’s with a sad heart I made the decision to no longer offer the ABA during the summer. We are working on different programs and it was very difficult to schedule all the upcoming events. No worries, we still offer fall and spring sessions, but for those who like to plan, you’ll want to check for dates as spring 2017 is full and the fall session only has two spots left. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c08c94c989692239b1ff6dba3c94fabc3df27b47/medium/2016-11-28-02-22-53.png?1486152890" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Dogue Shop training centre hosted the November <em>Networking Wine & Cheese</em> and we were happy to talk with Guillaume Lavoie from <a contents="Projet Montréal" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://projetmontreal.org/?lang=en" target="_blank">Projet Montréal</a>. He stayed extra-long to discuss future plans for the dog by-law. What an educated and articulate gentleman. It was an honour and we all felt heard. <br><br><strong>Winter 2017</strong> <br>After a challenging 2016, we look to the future with new amazing workshops and learning opportunities. Dog research is a highly productive field, and we try to stay scientifically current; therefore, I have put together a series of workshops on dog social learning: attachment theory, imitation, and cognitive stimulation. On January 26th, we hosted the attachment workshop with great success. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/42b893294fde7014b99034bf82608b7d191b4e2f/small/albear49ers.jpg?1486167289" class="size_s justify_right border_none" alt="" />The Dogue Shop team is expanding its human team. <a contents="Ann-Marie Bourassa" data-link-label="Dogue's Ann-Marie" data-link-type="page" href="/dogue-s-ann-marie" target="_blank">Ann-Marie Bourassa</a> and <a contents="Amélie Martel" data-link-label="Dogue's Amélie" data-link-type="page" href="/dogue-s-amelie" target="_blank">Amélie Martel</a> have graciously accepted my offer to join the ranks of trainer and behaviour consultants. Follow the link to read their respective bios (still under construction). In a nutshell, Ann-Marie is my new assistant in charge of <a contents="group classes" data-link-label="Group Classes" data-link-type="page" href="/group-classes" target="_blank">group classes</a> and other office duties. Amélie will present a series of French workshops on topics such as possession aggression and common behaviour problems. To learn more about our events, click on the <a contents="Dogue’s Event" data-link-label="Dogue's Events" data-link-type="page" href="/dogue-s-events" target="_blank">Dogue’s Event</a> page. <br><br><strong>Spring 2017</strong><br>On the Dogue Shop website, you’ll find a new page titled <a contents="Dogue’s Staff" data-link-label="Dogue's Staff" data-link-type="page" href="/dogue-s-staff" target="_blank">Dogue’s Staff</a>. If you hover over the tab, you’ll see the three active members, but you’ll also see a list of <a contents="graduated students" data-link-label="Dogue's Students" data-link-type="page" href="/dogue-s-students" target="_blank">graduate students</a>. The idea behind the page is for clients or professional to use the page in order to find a service or resource. The page is under construction at the moment and looks a bit strange. Please come back soon to visit. <br><br>As you can see we’ve been pretty busy. I hope this little update can make-up for the lack of educational material I haven’t posted. I wish you tender days filled with dog joy. Ohh, and enjoy the Super Bowl.<br><br>Cheers <br>G.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/43829442016-09-21T10:09:54-04:002021-07-09T14:47:48-04:00Who Really Killed Christiane Vadnais?<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHLnjiISsOo&t=11s" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/4caa9d5533671300fc1d1b1671909572e32acbbc/medium/german-shepherd-attacking-someone-iowa-sportsman-forum-printable-version-of-topic-755139.jpg?1474468526" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></a>Here’s an interesting question no one thought of asking; who killed Mme. Vadnais? The first answer which comes to mind is <em>the dog did</em>. What if the system is responsible and Montreal doesn’t want to take responsibility for Mme. Vadnais’ death? Let’s explore that system together for a moment. <br><br><strong>Dog Bites & Deaths </strong><br>Cities create by-laws to protect people; therefore, when a dog bites a person or another dog, a few things can happen. Here are a few examples of a dog-dog or dog-human bite situation.<br><br>1. The victim doesn’t go to the hospital/veterinarian and doesn’t report the event to the police. Consequence: Nothing. People move on.<br>2. The victim goes to the hospital/veterinarian and doesn’t report the event to the police or hospital/veterinarian. Consequence: Dog owner goes free.<br>3. The victim doesn’t go to the hospital/veterinarian but reports the event to the police. Consequence: the police and/or canine patrol investigate, dog could die.<br>4. The victim goes to the hospital/veterinarian and does report the event to the police or hospital/veterinarian. Consequence: police and/or canine patrol investigate, dog normally dies. </p>
<p>When police investigate they assess and identify the dog. If the dog is deemed dangerous police can shoot to kill the canine, take the animal into custody, call the canine patrol, or leave the dog in his family. Once police are called, a mandatory ten-day quarantine is established. The following by-laws are from Mme. Vadnais’ borough of Pointe-aux-Trembles (sorry, it’s in French). <br> <br><strong>En Français - Règlement en Vigeur à Pointe-aux-Trembles </strong><br><br><em>SECTION III COMPORTEMENT À L’ÉGARD D’UN ANIMAL</em> <br><br>10. Tout chien doit être conduit au moyen d’une laisse d’une longueur maximale de 1,85 mètre. <br>Le premier alinéa ne s’applique pas lorsque le chien : </p>
<ul> <li>2° est gardé sur le terrain où est située l’unité d’occupation du gardien au moyen d’un dispositif de contention l’empêchant de sortir lorsque le terrain n’est pas clôturé; </li> <li>3° se trouve sur le terrain où est située l’unité d’occupation du gardien, lequel est clôturé de manière à le contenir à l’intérieur des limites de celui-ci; </li>
</ul>
<p>18. Le gardien d’un chien qui a mordu un autre animal ou une personne, doit museler l’animal en tout temps ou pour une période déterminée par l’autorité compétente lorsqu’il se trouve à l’extérieur de l’unité d’occupation. <br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/786389/pointe-aux-trembles-femme-morte-pitbull-spvm-voisin-temoignage" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/07d5eec1b5826333f1feacd7b0694108e88873cc/large/14390907-10210692391976656-3987915210989601991-n.jpg?1474466579" class="size_l justify_right border_" /></a>By the look of things, the fence that separated the two homes had to be known as problematic. Someone, somewhere, must have complained. I mean dogs and fences don’t become problematic overnight. My experience tells me if the city of Montreal had applied the current by-laws Mme. Vadnais would be alive today. <br><br><strong>Dog History</strong> <br>When a dog bite is reported, police, veterinarians, canine patrol, thus the city, create a file. From there on, the dog has a known bite history. The dog that killed Mme. Vadnais had a known bite history. Heck, I can name a few dogs right now without having to think about that have a known bite history.<br><br>The victim’s family is grieving a tragic event, and they are angry. I totally understand their plea, but the dog is not the one responsible for this crime. I’m weighing my words because I really want to write murder. The owner of the dog has a criminal record (not that it's important), his dog had a bite history (this IS important), and the city knew about it, yet humans cried wolf and blamed the dog. I’m flabbergasted!!! It’s a DOG people, just another canine from the genus Canidae. <br><br><strong>Barking Up the Wrong Tree</strong> <br>How can a dog be blamed for a person’s death while his human walks free? How can Denis Coderre, Montreal mayor, head of the bureaucratic process, and the victim’s family not press charges against the human behind the dog? Why doesn’t the Vadnais family sue the city of Montreal? After all, a dog is a DOG, and Montreal is in charge of our safety against dangerous dogs. <br><br>Let me tell you who killed Mme. Vadnais, the city of Montreal did. Through inefficient, or should I say nonexistent, application of the current by-laws, a lady lost her life. Denis Coderre knows this, yet refuses to take responsibility for the tragic death. Banning a specific breed is not going to solve the problem. It certainly won’t bring Mme. Vadnais back. BSL isn’t going to make people accountable for their dogs, it won’t address the current off-leash dog problem, and it absolutely won’t prevent another tragedy.<br> <br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/d287e626585342fd8fb4c91cf18934ce19c73e2e/original/205141392-248845866698648-5694884933769036549-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />Better Safe than Sorry</strong> <br>I understand you might hate dogs or a specific kind of dog, but the only way to prevent a human death is through accountability and education. Unfortunately, Denis Coderre has no leadership or long-term vision for both solutions. Montreal’s mayor has lost all credibility. To blame a dog for a human death is just ludicrous. If my car rolled out of the driveway and killed your son, whose fault would it be? My car? No. I would be responsible. <br><br>It doesn’t matter which breed of dog killed Christiane Vadnais. What matters is that Denis Coderre and his administration took three (3) years to address a problem, and now they are addressing the situation out of anger and media-made fear-mongering. If M. Coderre had taken his responsibility seriously and addressed the off-leash dog problem in 2013-2014 by simply enforcing current by-laws, Mme. Vadnais would undoubtedly be alive today. <br><br>I rest my case. <br><br>References <br>Hugo Duchaine and Frédérique Giguère. (2016) <a contents="Le chien avait déjà attaqué deux fois" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2016/06/10/le-chien-avait-deja-attaque-deux-fois">Le chien avait déjà attaqué deux fois</a>. Retrieved from http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2016/06/10/le-chien-avait-deja-attaque-deux-fois September 2016.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/43801072016-09-19T17:04:54-04:002021-09-14T11:08:11-04:00Common Sense Plight<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/2feb9ea6868b9d56c5e11b25df3ac0efa5bee019/medium/100-0283.jpg?1474318972" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Dear M. Trudeau, <br><br>I know you’re a busy man, so I’ll make my plight short, at least I'll try. <br><br>As a Quebec citizen, you must be aware of Montreal mayor Denis Coderre’s decision to unilaterally ban a certain breed of dog. Please don’t stop reading because I mentioned dogs, I’m not a freak. Actually, I’ve been an animal behaviour consultant, wolf trainer, Concordia University Family Educator undergraduate, Concordia University psychology student, founder and operator of the Dogue Shop animal behaviour school, CEGEP animal behaviour and training teacher, and high school animal-assisted therapy in three EMSB establishments for nearly 30 years.<br><br>M. Trudeau, might I call you Justin? It’s easier for my learning disability. You see, I learned I had a learning disability at Dowson College when I was 22. Why is this important and relevant to Denis Coderre’s plan to kill all dogs with square heads? My short answer is the following. I stayed in school and achieved all that I have because of my dogs. We had Great Danes and my love for them has taken me way beyond what I thought I could accomplish in life, and that, Justin, is specifically why I teach animal-assisted therapy to at-risk teens and teach animal behaviour in general. <br><br>My animal-assisted therapy program is run in collaboration with an awesome team of, you guessed it, human volunteers and their <em>Pitbulls</em>. There, I said it. I said the “P” word, but please let me explain. The <em>pitbull</em> is not a recognized breed, even Coderre acknowledged that <strong><a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/protectionpitbulls/videos/1789190511329802/" target="_blank">here</a></strong> at 18 seconds. Staffordshires belong to a class of dogs called molossers. Molosser means big head, square body, and rose ears (or variants). This group of dogs is agile, multifunctional, athletic, motivated, and smart. They have been around for over a century because of those <em>human-made</em> characteristics. If anything, those are the reasons we love them so darn much.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/96421ad915e5e9fd7ea71a804015b5bb818575f6/medium/ivy.png?1464710587" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />I'm airing on the long side of things, dagnabit, but don’t worry, I’m getting to the point. Remember, I have a learning disability and I’m writing this without help. <br><br>Denis Coderre wants to pass a by-law that makes no sense whatsoever, plus he doesn’t want to listen to the committee he put in place to study the problem. As a matter of fact, he doesn’t want to listen to experts, the SPCA, lawyers, dog trainers, vets, and the general population who keeps demanding owner responsibility and mandatory owner education.<br><br>I don’t want to get into finances, so let me just say BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) is very expensive and it doesn’t reduce dog bites or deaths. Heck, the Canadian dog death average hasn’t dropped since Ontario banned <em>Pitbulls</em> in 2005. Canada still counts 2-3 dog-related deaths per year in our country. FYI, those statistics are found on your government website. <br><br>Justin, I’m personally asking you for a giant favour. Could you talk to M. Coderre before September 26th and explain to him that: </p>
<ol> <li>Banning specific breeds will NOT reduce dog bites or deaths. </li> <li>Banning <em>Pitbulls</em> will not make them go away (ask Ontario).</li> <li>Molossers are not one breed and are not more aggressive. </li> <li>Dogs cannot be muzzled 24/7 (by-law 55) till December 2016. </li> <li>
<em>Pitbulls</em> don't have a bigger bite pressure.</li> <li>The website dogsbite .org is a biased organization with no valid or verifiable sources or references. In short, it lies about everything.</li> <li>Montreal needs to take ownership of Mme. Vadnais' death because the city already knew the dog who killed her was problematic*.</li> <li>There are no educational programs discussed in the by-law.</li> <li>Hundreds, not to say thousands, of dogs, will die, and families will be devastated.</li>
</ol>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/3924c9a6a797e9c0d1146c34b991657c222b7bb3/medium/capitain.png?1464714682" class="size_m justify_right border_" />I could go on, but I said I would keep it short. <br><br>As mentioned above, I teach and conduct animal-assisted therapy with at-risk teens. How could I conduct my sessions with muzzled dogs? Change breeds you say? I can’t imagine our teens working with Poodles and Chihuahuas. Teens connect with <em>Pitbulls</em> because they remind them of themselves. Staffies (as we affectionately call them) are stereotyped and it’s that very specific association that allows us to enter and teach adolescent kids life can be different. Teens learn they can do whatever they set their minds to BECAUSE dogs can do it. And by <em>it,</em> I mean good things, obviously.</p>
<p>Justin, this by-law proposal is the least thought-out project I’ve ever read; it’s not even coherent. Denis Coderre needs to be stopped so we can create by-laws that would reduce bites (ask Calgary) and educate people. Heck, Montreal could make money from such programs. I know, it sounds awesome, right? Unfortunately, M. Coderre won’t listen. He even said, “<em>I’ll answer all the dog people’s questions with the same answer</em>” at last week’s council.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c5ef3f12bb2e741a9872d6be19378bae60ca7210/medium/img-9215-11.png?1452374803" class="size_m justify_left border_" />So, Justin, it's come down to this. One person (me) asking another person (you) to place a hold on a by-law. M. Coderre needs to hear from a higher power that his by-law is not the solution. At least not the one he proposes. I know my quest is not a matter of national security or about military paychecks (you met one of my students last Saturday at the Longue-Pointe army base; he volunteers with his <em>Pitbull</em> Reggie in my animal-assisted therapy program).<br><br>I just put that last bit of information there because the world is a small place, and what affects one affects others. Many people find themselves in my position; their dogs are family or work partners. As you know Justin, dogs play an important role in our lives, and as my friend would say <em>Haste makes waste!</em> I risk losing part of my income with this by-law, and, like many others, I risk losing my partner in the process. Therefore, I’m asking you, dear Justin, to at least call the man and talk some sense into him. <br><br>Till then, many thousand thanks in advance. <br><br>Cheers.<br><br><br>References:<br>My list is long, way too long to post here, so I'll send them to you should you need information when you talk with M. Coderre. My e-mail is info@dogueshop.com <br><br>* Many other dogs are known to be problematic by the city's canine patrol officers, but M. Coderre still doesn’t do anything about those cases. Might he be waiting for another death to ban those breeds? I don't know! I have learned one thing from all this though, when push comes to shove, Denis Coderre is the real bully!</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/43495732016-08-30T18:16:23-04:002021-09-14T11:11:23-04:00Ban or Be Banned<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e26e89830fb0ac2c45c71845195064bf60912ec0/medium/anibslsing.jpg?1472594753" class="size_m justify_left border_" />The 2016 summer has been, without a doubt, the busiest anti-BSL season on record. I’m not an activist by any means, but when absurdity manifests itself, one reciprocates. Montreal mayor Denis Coderre absolutely wants to pass a law that, we all know, will be financially impossible to enforce, will not reduce dog bites or deaths, and will continue to make Montreal the laughing stock of Canada. <br><br><strong>Montreal 2016: Year of the Bully</strong> <br>M. Denis Coderre, I think your administration needs to stop consulting the media as your primary source of information to pass legislation. We are in 2016; we have the resources to make strategically sound and financially viable choices. Education and criminal responsibility, M. Coderre, are the only strategies that will actively reduce dog bites and deaths. To deny these choices is to deny democracy and logic. <br><br>I look at this desperate BSL move as a re-election strategy that will undoubtedly backfire. You see, M. Coderre, no one likes a bully. In case you forgot what bully stands for, when one person tries to forcefully impose his or her beliefs onto another person, we call them bullies. From my point of view, you are a bully trying to eradicate media-made <em>bullies</em>, but, M. Coderre, top dogs never last for long. <br><br><strong><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.quora.com/Whats-wrong-with-Montreal" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/1eeeb4488e6fa9152c05a13826650fd81f248c5c/medium/enhanced-1425-1435943119-1.png?1472594847" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a>Montreal Division</strong> <br>I have been living in Montreal for a few decades and am saddened by what Montreal looks like. Mayor Coderre has turned Montreal into a joke. There are no parking spaces, and when you can find one, the cost is incredibly expensive. Furthermore, there’s so much construction on the island; no one wants to come and spend their money. Businesses are closing and moving away, streets and parks are falling apart, cyclists get hurt and killed, traffic is a nightmare, heck, if I didn’t have a business on the island, I wouldn’t come to Montreal either. <br><br>Starting September, mayor Coderre will give people yet another reason to avoid Montreal. This fall, you will no longer be able to visit Montreal with your dog that is 1. An American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, or Staffordshire bull terrier, 2. A mix with one of those breeds, or 3. A dog which presents many morphological characteristics from groups 1 or 2.” Whatever that means.<br><br><strong>Take a Stand</strong> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/f17a5c31c8b3e164a8f034c2adfd085ba1c47f2e/original/20201209-225044.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />I urge every person who owns a dog with a big head, quasi floppy ears, a large chest, and a big rectangular muzzle (I’m assuming these are the <em>characteristics</em> politicians are referring to because we still don’t know what they are) to take this by-law very seriously. You might think <em>My dog’s not a pit bull, I don’t have to worry about this</em>. You are wrong. You should worry, and worry big time because if your dog fits one of the three previous profiles it can be taken away and euthanized. <br><br>I urge everybody to call your municipal and provincial politicians and make your voice be heard. If you don’t, we ALL risk losing our furry friends. We can provide lists of names and e-mails if needed. There is power in numbers; hopefully, you can remember that principle and act now. I don’t want to write about BSL and Staffordshires in the near future, so please voice your opinion. Till the end of September comes, I can only hope we have a positive impact and continue to educate people.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/42552362016-06-29T10:33:38-04:002024-03-15T18:45:25-04:00Dog Behaviour: Agonistic or Aggressive<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT/FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/b055524a4635ff954e3d8dbd35a68ec3406dfa9c/original/aggressive-dog3-thepracticaldog.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b055524a4635ff954e3d8dbd35a68ec3406dfa9c/medium/aggressive-dog3-thepracticaldog.jpg?1458587884" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>With all the media hysteria (you can thank journalists and columnists for that) surrounding <i>pit bulls</i>, I thought I’d explain the difference between agonistic and aggressive behaviour for you. My goal is to demonstrate there are no <a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/staffordshires-bull-terriers-are-just-dogs" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="breed&nbsp;differences"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>breed differences</strong></span></a> in aggressive behaviours from one dog breed to another. </p><p><strong>Definitions</strong> <br>First, let’s review a few terms. The term agonistic is defined as such <i>of or</i> <i>relating to, or being aggressive or defensive social interaction (as fighting, fleeing, or submitting) between individuals usually of the same species. </i>Will come back to what the <span style="color:#000000;"><i>same species</i></span> means. <br> <br>Merriam-Webster defines aggressive as <i>ready and willing to fight, argue, etc.: feeling or showing aggression: using forceful methods to succeed or to do something: tending toward or exhibiting aggression, i.e aggressive behaviour: marked by combative readiness i.e. an aggressive fighter</i>. <br> <br>Can you see the subtle differences between the two definitions? If not, let me explain. Agonistic dog behaviours relate to all behaviours which involve conflict; more specifically, how to avoid conflicts or resolve them if inevitable. Aggressive behaviours are actual actions intended to solve conflicts. Agonistic behaviours can be motivated by anger or fear; however, anger is the emotion that drives aggression.</p><p>Although agonistic behaviours are conflict-oriented in nature, they aren’t necessarily driven by anger. Both dogs in the image (to the right) displayed agonistic behaviours called posturing and agonistic pucker, but they never acted on the emotion. The dogs never became aggressive; their intent was to settle the conflict before it escalated. <br> <br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/d2f00356ec2fa149d5a50a71f781bc62510090b3/original/draka04.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg" data-link-type="url"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/d2f00356ec2fa149d5a50a71f781bc62510090b3/medium/draka04.jpg?1467210359" class="size_orig justify_left border_" height="200" width="300" /></a><strong>Dog Aggression</strong> <br>Dogs display aggressive behaviours all the time. Why it comes as a surprise to pet caregivers baffles me. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with agonistic or aggressive dog behaviour. As mentioned above, agonistic behaviours settle conflicts. Dog aggression increases when people interfere with communication. <br> <br>Humans create aggressive dogs in a multitude of ways: poor socialization from zero to sixteen weeks of age, communication interference, punishment-based training practices, neglect, abuse, and/or purposefully training aggressive responses. Aggression becomes a behaviour problem when dogs can’t successfully function in their environment. Not surprisingly, learned aggression is the most common form of aggressive behaviour.</p><p><strong>Normal Dog Aggression</strong> <br>Anger levels vary from dog to dog, that being said, when conflicts arise disagreements are addressed with healthy aggressive displays. Conflicts bring injuries; consequently, canines have developed a sophisticated language to avoid and/or settle arguments. I always say <i>dogs don’t settle conflicts with flowers</i>; I believe people should remember that saying.<br> <br>This means your dog fundamentally doesn’t want to fight. Your miniature Poodle, Cocker Spaniel, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boxer, German Pointer, Collie, Doberman, Anatolian Shepherd, Saint-Bernard, Great Dane, and Irish Wolfhound ALL speak the same language: canine. If you let dogs communicate amongst themselves with their own language, you’ll end up with a well-adjusted animal. Guess what, your <i>pitbull </i>isn't more aggressive than any other dog.<br> <br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/1029b37c387a93ddb6ac0482858e587e04bc7b8f/original/20210728-183456.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg" data-link-type="url"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/1029b37c387a93ddb6ac0482858e587e04bc7b8f/original/20210728-183456.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_right border_" alt="" height="423" /></a>I’ll be honest, normal dog aggression levels do involve superficial cuts and bruises; however, dogs rarely let aggression escalate beyond minor bites. When dogs settle a conflict it’s loud, scary, and <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX6gCGn0e4w" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="fast action"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>fast action</strong></span></a>. Think of two guys in a bar who, after a few drinks, get into an argument over the winning goal. The fight is loud, a few punches are thrown, yet the argument is short-lived. The winner offers a beer to the loser. As with dogs, after a fight, our canine companions need resolution, and dogs have an entire section in their dictionary devoted to <i>makeup</i> behaviours. </p><p> <strong>Same Species Aggression</strong> <br>Only canines speak canine. Yes, some humans are pretty good at speaking dogs, but when it comes to the actual aggressive responses, people will always lose. Canines are simply too fast and strong for humans. That being said, well socialized and trained dogs don’t exhibit aggression towards people. Poorly socialized and trained dogs will in fact attack humans. All things considered, unless a dog has a neurological disorder, you're safe as can be.<br><br>So, to directly answer the question <i>Are pit bulls more aggressive than other breeds, </i>the answer is<i> NO! </i>I know I'm repeating myself, but some things need to be said, over, and over, and over again. Dogs speak dog, and unless your Terrier has an underlying neurological issue, his behaviour isn't different than from any other Terrier. Again, I know I'm repeating myself; I'm doing this purposefully so the information becomes ingrained in your mind.</p><p><strong>Dog Speak</strong> <br>Dogs all speak the same language. Communication between canines is achieved when two members exchange species-specific behaviours. Canine agonistic and aggressive behaviours aren’t intended for people, they’re intended for other canines. I hope you leave with a clear understanding of what dog agonistic and aggressive behaviours are.<br> <br>If people stop meddling in dog-dog-related conflicts, aggression would reduce significantly, not to say entirely. It’s OK to let dogs growl and display agonistic behaviours because the likelihood a conflict will escalate into a full-blown attack is improbable. Dogs all want the same thing; they want to live and see another day, and while they're at it, be left alone.<br><br>I'll end with my age-old question, why do you have a dog?<br><br>Cheers.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/42396142016-06-21T09:40:23-04:002022-04-23T18:23:35-04:00Dog Breed or Pitbull Type <p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT/FLE<br> </p>
<p>In light of yesterday’s city council in Montreal on <em>Pitbulls</em> and other dangerous dogs (<em>pitbull-type</em>) hearing, I’d like to take a minute and point out the many Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) advocates that using the term <em>pitbull-type</em> dog is as specific as saying <em>tree-like plant</em>. There's no way we can describe <em>type</em> because taxonomy doesn't refer to this word as a descriptive element; furthermore, the mayor didn't answer any of the questions, thus, the population still doesn't know how law enforcement groups will classify our dogs. This is a very important topic that should concern all dog owners.<br> <br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/bde58fa388933e7c4416f62d74d0a9f03ce76813/original/dog-classification.png?1466517910/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png?1466517910" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />Canine Taxonomy</strong> <br>Taxonomy is the system by which we classify living and non-living things. Taxonomic terms are very clear and are presented as follows: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum (<em>Subphylum</em>), (<em>Superclass</em>) Class (<em>Subclass</em>), Order, Family, Species (<em>Subspecies</em>).<br><br>The canine taxonomy is documented in the image to the left. The current dog taxonomy was changed in 2005 from Linnaeus’ <em>Canis Familiaris</em> to <em>Canis Lupus Familiaris</em> by the Smithsonian Institution; however, not every scientist agreed. <br> <br>Linnaeus taxonomy places the dog as a subspecies of the wolf: Animal, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Canidae, Canis, Canis Lupus, Canis Lupus Familiaris. Scientists are currently debating reclassifying the dog to its former description <em>Canis familiaris</em> because on the inside dogs are similar to wolves, but on the outside, not as much. <br><br>For the time being, domestic dogs are already classified as subspecies of the grey wolf; consequently, dog breeds have to be <em>sub-subspecies</em>. Scientifically speaking though, <em>pitbull-type</em> dogs can't be considered any different than say, your cocker spaniel. <br> <br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/027ca36b7b5277ef63d5e603ca12d25c2ff0b863/original/208547465-399769168190725-9084505065977839300-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_none" alt="" />Mastiffs Leadeth</strong> <br>Jean-Pierre Mégnin classified dogs according to scull types; however, when scientists use DNA tests to classify dogs, the results don't take Mégnin’s sub-groups into consideration. <br><br>For those inquiring minds who want to know. Mégnin's four classification categories are Lupoides (spitz), Braccoides (scenthounds), Graioides (sighthounds), and Molossoides (true mastiffs). Although rarely used today, people still refer to these groups to describe dogs. According to Mégnin's definition, the only true mastiffs are the English Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux, Neapolitan Mastiff, Bullmastiff, and Boxer. Other breeds are considered <em>molossers</em>. <br><br>Wikipedia's definition for molosser reads as follows <em>Molosser is a category of solidly built, large dog breeds that all descend from the same common ancestor. The name derives from Molossia, an area of ancient Epirus, where the large shepherd dog was known as a Molossus</em>. As you can see, the definition of molosser doesn't offer a clear-cut description. Not all is black or white; dogs come in every shade of grey. I believe our approach to dangerous dog management shouldn't be black or white. But, that's another topic for another day. <br> <br><strong>Definition Importance</strong> <br>A clear definition is important because when it comes to breed-specific legislation, the breed can make or break your human-dog family. If <em>pitbull-type</em> referrers to molossers, then any big dog could be poorly labelled as dangerous and fall under local BSL. The term molosser, as does the <em>pitbull-type</em> term, needs to be described further. If, on the other hand, laws clearly identify targeted breeds, no one needs to worry, confusion and ambiguity won't cause any problems. A dog, is a dog, is a dog. I disagree with BSL, but let's at least make it clear.<br> <br><strong><a contents="Science" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/pitbull-bites-through-scientific-eyes" target="_blank">Science</a></strong> has concluded bred specific laws are inefficient and costly. Education should set forth laws that will encourage responsible ownership, make deviant owners accountable, and overall reduce bites and deaths. If you don't think BSLs can fail, <strong><a contents="read this article" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://globalnews.ca/news/2527882/torontos-pit-bulls-are-almost-gone-so-why-are-there-more-dog-bites-than-ever/" target="_blank">read this article</a></strong> written by Patrick Cain in February 2016.<br><br>My objective today was to get pro and anti BSL believers to reflect on how, when and why we should let the government interfere in our life companion choices. Management strategies like BSL don’t keep populations safe, they're inefficient, ineffective, and costly. So, where do we go from here? Where and how do we educate people? <br> <br><strong>References</strong> <br>- Federation Cynologique International. Breed-specific education. http://www.fci.be/en/Nomenclature/Education.aspx Retrieved on 06-20-2016 <br>- Hancock, D. (2001).The Mastiffs: The Big Game Hunters: Their History, Development and Future. Publisher: Charwynne Dog Features. <br>- Royal Canin. (2001). The Royal Canin Dog Encyclopedia.<br><br><strong>Video References </strong><br>If you think only <em>pitbull-type</em> dogs kill, you're wrong. Watch, read and share these articles and videos because BSLs create a false sense of security. ALL dogs bite.</p>
<p>Teckel (Dachshund)<br>http://articles.latimes.com/2002/dec/17/nation/na-maul17 <br>www.thefreelibrary.com/DACHSHUNDS+KILL+MONTH-OLD+TOT+IN+JEALOUS+RAGE.-a061124133 </p>
<p>Pomeranian: <br>http://amarillo.com/stories/100900/usn_pet.shtml#.V2lCtxkXbqB </p>
<p>Lab x golden mix <br>http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/dog-killed-2-month-old-baby-ripped-child-legs-father-slept-room-police-article-1.1065711 </p>
<p>Jack Russell (Terriers)<br>http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/359723/Family-distraught-as-dog-kills-baby-with-single-bite<br>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3132523/Three-week-old-baby-died-bitten-terrier-dog-Sunderland.html<br><br>German Shepherd<br>http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/i-just-started-running-for-my-life-calgary-police-dog-attacks-boy-1.2842696</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/42297962016-06-14T15:57:54-04:002022-04-22T12:53:33-04:00“Pitbull” Bites Through Scientific Eyes<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/4f0d2c93e4bb071fae8060978a6add1f76fbe00a/original/screenshot-2016-06-14-13-19-54.png?1465932956/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.png?1465932956" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" />By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT/FLE</p>
<p>I normally don't write two articles in the same week, but this week is special. I decided to disregard my own rule and write a second piece. What follows is a huge summary of my very elaborate research file.<br><br>Seems people need to see graphs and data in order to believe what a columnist writes; therefore, I decided to give you an eye full and present some very interesting science behind the dog bite <em>statistics</em> the media and pro-kill people try to push down our throats.<br><br>I’m telling you, this information doesn’t come from a dog bite website, nor does it come from newspaper columnists quoting or referring to other columnists as <em>data</em>. I won’t do that because we ALL know the media only writes about what sells papers. <br> <br><strong>Research</strong> <br>Contrary to popular belief there’s quite a significant amount of research done on dog behaviour. I’ve mentioned a <a contents="few" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/staffordshires-bull-terriers-are-just-dogs" target="_blank">few</a> in the past, but today I decided to go full out and waste half a day taking screenshots for you to look at. I might sound irritated, but don't get me wrong, I love going through papers; I'm just annoyed I have to knock some common sense into senseless people. What is obvious to the vast majority of us seems invisible to a few others.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/413e1df9b718fb0b45fa1e6c4d671d4403948802/original/stats1.jpg?1465932989" class="size_l justify_right border_" />I’m only providing you with this information so we, as a society, can make the right choices for the rest of us. So, before you write me hate mail or post foul language in the comment section, please know I’m a safety advocate. Anyone who actually knows me can attest to that, so keep in mind I’m not advocating pro-<em>pitbull</em> propaganda, I’m simply concerned with overall safety for both dogs and humans.<br><br><strong>What the Research Says</strong> <br>I first met Dr. James Serpell in a conference at Guelph University in 1999 (might be 2000). He had newly designed the C-BARQ, a dog evaluation test made specifically for his clients.<br><br>A colleague and I saw the usefulness of this document and asked if we could use it. He was kind and gracious enough to say yes. Seventeen years later he has the largest database known on dog behavioural characteristics grouped into thirteen categories. <br> <br>M. Serpell’s career revolves around understanding dog behaviour and scientifically prove, or disprove if certain breeds are more likely to bite than others, and if so, why. In his conclusion, most bites are occasioned by dogs less than twenty pounds. I'm repeating myself here, I know, but it seems necessary to do so over, and over, and over again. <br><br>Scientist Duffy et al (2008) concluded their paper on dog bites with <em>The substantial within-breed variation…suggests that it is inappropriate to make predictions about a given dog’s propensity for aggressive behavior based solely on its breed</em>. <br> <br>Last year the American Veterinary Medical Association concluded <em>Breed is a poor sole predictor of dog bites. Controlled studies reveal no increased risk for the group blamed most often for dog bites, ‘pit bull-type’ dogs</em>. Even the Quebec Veterinary Order <a contents="recommends" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.omvq.qc.ca/l-ordre/positions-et-politiques.html" target="_blank">recommends</a> dangerous dog laws instead of breed-specific regulations. <br><br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/946686095dd7bac89d9f695de77f462bb55ea8a9/medium/100-7829.jpg?1465933057" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Media Perception </strong><br>If I told you the sky is pink and showed you proof it is, you would have to believe me. But, we all know the sky isn’t pink. Well, I can tell you this picture wasn’t photoshopped because I took it. A friend of mine took a similar picture in a different part of Montreal. We are now two people with <em>proof</em> the sky is pink. <br> <br>Now imagine what would happen if our pictures went viral and reporters or columnists wrote about it? What would happen if all reporters referred to the same two pictures and kept telling you the sky is pink… I’ll tell you what would happen; the entire world would believe the sky is indeed pink. Now here’s what you don’t know. The sky was indeed pink on that day, but it only occurs when the conditions are favourable for pink skies to manifest themselves. Does it mean the sky is pink ALL the time? Of course not!<br> <br>This is what's occurring with media. Columnists only report one side of the story and then quote or refer to each other as proof their claims are indeed real. I’m not here to tell you Staffordshire and Bull Terriers don’t bite. I’m here to tell you the sky isn’t pink; I’m here to tell you <strong>ALL</strong> dogs bite and to ban one breed is equivalent to saying the sky is always pink because I saw it once. We should all advocate dangerous dog laws and education because that is what will ultimately save lives.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/92f70f7f5b66868a7673af50b65838cb6c5b94f1/original/avma.jpg?1465934144" class="size_l justify_right border_" />On a last note, the following table was taken from the AVMA paper and clearly shows the breed responsible for serious dog bites in 2015 was the German Shepherd and dogs under 20 lbs. Get it...?!<br><br><strong>References</strong><br>- American Veterinary Medical Association (2015). <em>The Role of Breed in Dog Bite Risk and Prevention</em>. <br><br>- Maksymowicz, K., Janeczek, A., Szotek, S., Qukomski, R. and Dawidowicz, J. (2015). <em>Dog bites in humans in a large urban agglomeration in the southwest of Poland, an analysis of forensic medical records</em>. Journal of Veterinary Behavior.<br><br>- Serpell, J.A. and Duffy, D.L. (2014). Dog Breeds and Their Behavior. A. Horowitz (ed.), Domestic Dog Cognition and Behavior, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-53994-7_2,</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/42277952016-06-13T15:57:32-04:002024-01-05T10:41:33-05:00Staffordshires & Bull Terriers Are Just Dogs<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT/FLE</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/staffordshire-bull-terrier/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents=""><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/370bb1f79dd71b1a9b742bdc24b03ac225ae395c/medium/bullterrier.jpg?1465847409" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>There’s never a dull moment at the Dogue Shop, and this week is certainly no exception. On Monday I was on Breakfast Television to talk about dog safety. After the show, it dawned on me people simply don’t know what a dog is. It shouldn’t come as a surprise since science has only recently started to answer the question<i>.</i> People fear dogs, but is a systematic ban on Terriers going to fix the problem? The only true answer to this question is no! <br> <br><strong>Dog 101</strong> <br>The dog is an opportunistic predator who has shared our homes for many centuries. It’s our companion, alarm system, work partner, soldier, police officer, security guard, service provider, and yes, a weapon, yet most people don't know what dogs can or cannot do. The reason people fear dogs is because they don't understand the animal behind the word.<br> <br>The dog (<i>Canis familiaris</i>) has 42 teeth in its mouth and an average of 500 pounds per square inch of pressure in its jaw. The American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Bull Terrier are no exception. Compared to wolves at 1500 pounds per square inch, it’s actually not that much. Terriers don’t have more bite force or magical jaws that lock. <br> <br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-staffordshire-terrier/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents=""><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/57834ecf6f397e5689ffde87d145697c0c076282/medium/americanstaffordshireterrier.jpg?1465847464" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a>All dogs come equipped with a propensity to bite, and when the stars align, they do so equally. Some will say Staffies never let go when they latch on, but did you ever consider that the people who are trying to remove the dog are actually making the problem worse? Screaming and hitting a dog will make it madder if you don’t believe me, just Google Schutzhund training video or click on this <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn_AnOiYi_c" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="link"><strong>link</strong></a>. The dog in this video is a Belgian Malinois. <br> <br>Dogs are pretty amazing animals in general, but terriers can work in extreme conditions, pull 1000X their own body weight, jump over fences, leap into the air like planes, and pull down objects in motion; this group of dogs is the epitome of working breeds. But guess what? They didn’t become this way on their own. Let's not forget humans made dogs. <br> <br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/ba6d427dcc855260eca74e0f65dec5ea187b3965/original/207086811-2973047543022503-1484526394786167162-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" />Future Dog</strong> <br>I see more designer dogs and Huskies in my practice than any other breed put together, Staffies included. Designer dogs account for more problems and bites than you are led to believe. But I’m not here to talk statistics; I’m here to tell you ALL dogs bite. The three most dangerous cases I’ve seen in the office involved a Jack Russel, a Colley, and a Bulldog. All three humans required facial reconstruction. <br><br>Our safety and the future of dogs don’t reside in lawful bans. Our safety will come from education and legal responsibility. If you think you’ll be safe when Staffies are all gone, you are seriously delusional. I invite you to play the <i>Pit</i> <i>Game</i> and identify which dog is the actual breed you wish to see annihilated. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, ALL DOGS BITE, and all dog breeds kill. <br> <br><strong>Gun Ban</strong> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/a1dd476a7ef3c4e243038cde4dc9457cde241b63/original/pitbullgame.jpg?1465847601" class="size_l justify_right border_" />For all those pro-kill <i>pitbull</i> people, I invite you to read the following reference list and open your eyes to reality as it presents itself. All dogs bite and kill, yes, ALL DOGS. Do I need to say it a fourth time for you to understand? The problem mainly resides in the fact that a large percentage of the population has no working knowledge of dog behaviour.<br><br>The problem is equivalent to giving loaded guns to people, asking them to play with them and shooting every now and then. Some people will take a weapon handling class before they start randomly shooting at people because they don’t want to kill anybody, while others will just go by luck.<br><br>Canadian politicians were smart enough to require weapon handling classes in order to possess a gun. The same should be said of dog owners. All dog owners should be required to take a dog handling class. <br> <br><strong>Many Prayers </strong><br>I know this article comes at a bad time, so I wish to offer my sincerest condolences to the families and friends who lost a loved one in the mass shooting in Orlando late Sunday night. My heart feels for you and hopes you find solace in this very painful situation. <br><br>Maybe the time has come for United States politicians to consider gun control, just like we are faced with dog control. These are certain situations we need to reflect on...<br> <br><strong>References</strong><br>Labradors <br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ihXq_WwiWM <br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gse2J5bqWw <br>http://patch.com/new-jersey/belleville/nutley-dog-attack-lab-mix-bites-boy-6-police-say <br>http://www.inquisitr.com/2642813/florida-dog-bite-law-unconstitutional-padi-the-labrador-wont-be-killed-for-biting-a-childs-ear-during-attack/ <br>http://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/lake-worth/5-year-old-bitten-by-labrador-recovering-says-her-pit-bull-saved-her-from-being-seriously-injured <br>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2003849/Boy-3-left-horrific-facial-injuries-Labrador-savages-Poole-Harbour.html <br> <br>Golden Retriever <br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CydSqoOFiQ <br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y9W-X1s8rQ <br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eaUdbLZNLY <br> <br>Designer Breeds <br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1rwCymZhiI <br>http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/richmond-dog-attack-yogi-sentencing-1.3389365 <br> <br>German Sheppard <br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DTmtzUh6IQ <br> <br>French Bulldog <br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_efQp2YqSUk <br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PerOmnky0kA <br> <br>Husky <br>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3406620/Siberian-husky-attacks-schoolgirl-leading-horrific-injuries-face.html <br>http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/perth-toddler-mauled-by-pet-siberian-husky-in-westminster-20151224-glukul.html <br>http://wspa.com/2015/08/02/child-attacked-by-dog-in-henderson-county/ <br>http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2016-02-05/peterborough-mother-given-suspended-sentence-after-husky-attacks-young-girl/ <br>http://www.newsherald.com/article/20160524/NEWS/160529542 <br>http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/justice-et-affaires-criminelles/201006/08/01-4287783-bebe-tue-par-un-chien-la-mere-accusee-dhomicide-involontaire.php <br>http://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2010/06/07/un-bebe-tue-par-un-chien <br>http://ici.radio-canada.ca/regions/alberta/2012/02/16/004-husky-bebe-airdie.shtml <br>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2529831/Family-war-girl-three-left-needing-EIGHTY-stitches-husky-attack-grandmothers-house-owner-refuses-down.html <br> <br>Dog Breeds and Their Behavior, Chapter · January 2014, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-53994-7_2 <br> <br>Human directed aggression in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): Occurrence in different contexts and risk factors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 152 (2014) 52– 63 <br> <br>Andrew U. Luescher, DVM, PhD, Ilana R. Reisner, DVM, PhD. Canine aggression toward Familiar people: A new look at an old problem. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, Vol. 38, Issue 5. Sep 1, 2008 </p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/42235502016-06-10T13:28:28-04:002017-01-11T09:29:49-05:00Dangerous Dog Act – Project Proposal By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT/FLE<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e8c85a0680e8e2c18a08fa15a0ffdb6b584cf053/medium/Albear.JPG?1366152473" class="size_m justify_left border_" />If we want to make things happen, we have to stand up and make our voice be hear. I’m officially standing up, but I’ll need your voice to be heard. I want to present to you, pet owners, trainers, consultants, vets, vet techs, politicians, pet store owners, and every single person who works with animals a dangerous dog project proposal. <br> <br><strong>Dangerous Dogs </strong><br>I often hear people say that dogs aren’t the problem, humans are. I disagree because some dogs are dangerous, just like some people are dangerous. Some canines are born with bad genetics and display behavioural problems such as extreme fear or aggression. These dogs should systematically be removed from the breeding pool, and yes some dogs should be euthanized. <br> <br>Did I shock you? If I did, here’s why. As a professional, I know exactly how much time and money people have to invest into training their dogs in order to make them socially <em>acceptable</em>. By <em>acceptable</em> I mean capable of walking on the sidewalk without reacting to people or dogs. I’m not talking about a dog who can accept affection or can do dog-dog interactions; I mean simply walk past a person or canine without reacting. <br> <br><strong>Project Proposal I</strong> <br>Education is the best medicine. When people are educated they tend to make better choices because they know they could be held accountable for their actions. So, here’s what I propose. If you have ideas, add them in the comment section. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/fd6d72bbaf65109fb023cea92262fc55ef6e62ef/medium/Havana.JPG?1366152473" class="size_m justify_right border_" />1. All dog owners will need to take a basic training course in order to acquire their red city tag. City tags are already mandatory. </p>
<ul> <li>Yellow and green city tags are obtained on a voluntary basis</li> <li>Yellow and green tags provide benefits to pet owners</li>
</ul>2. Training classes are mandatory for every dog acquisition, regardless of experience.
<ul> <li>Each breed is different and requires specific skills</li> <li>Dog behaviour research changes rapidly so too does dog training</li>
</ul>
<p>3. People will be held criminally accountable for their dogs’ actions. </p>
<ul> <li>Enforce leash laws with stiffer fines</li> <li>Dogs without tags will be immediately seized </li> <li>Mandatory jail time for convicted criminals</li>
</ul>
<p>4. A <em>dangerous dog</em> law will be equitable for all dog owners. </p>
<ul> <li>A bite is a bite</li> <li>No discrimination</li> <li>Mandatory education</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/a8cc63846d23c1512528a3f4571337f7f16a0fe6/medium/ivy3.jpg?1366152473" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Project Proposal II</strong> <br>The project proposal is simple and effective; all the city mayor or provincial government needs to do is make education mandatory. The infrastructure is already in place and wouldn’t cost the city a dime. Furthermore, this project proposal would create jobs and save lives. <br> <br>Mandatory classes would be paid by the dog owner. People would acquire their red tag in designated training centres (who by the way already sell city tags). Yellow and green tags could be acquired in the same establishment. Yellow and green tags would also be financially covered by the owner. Again the city doesn’t need to invest in infrastructure because we already offer the service. All the city needs to do is make education mandatory. <br> <br>The law seriously needs a facelift. People should be made accountable for their dogs’ actions. I see too many off leash dogs out of control and/or aggressive. Furthermore, old school trainers use force and punishment which increases dog aggression; new laws would insure they too are held accountable for their actions towards clients. <br> <br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/7a3b5447fe299d0a693e00c4154eb452dff3b213/small/boreal-2.jpg?1366152473" class="size_s justify_right border_" />Consideration</strong> <br>People talk a lot about physical damage from small vs. large dog breeds, yet no one takes into consideration psychological trauma. The largest percentage of the population victim of dog bites is children under 9 years old. Children can be traumatized by their grand-mother’s Lhasa Apso, so too can an adults experience panic attacks from a Golden Retriever attack. <br> <br>If you have read my blog in the past, you know I stand for education and equitability. We need to make changes and we have the resources and research to make the best choices possible for all parties involved. Dogs are dogs and yes some dogs kill, but with education and new laws we can prevent accidents from happening in the first place. <br> <br>I’m going to ask you to share this article. Share it till it reaches municipal and provincial governments. Heck, if we can reach the federal government and make this a nationwide project, go! We can save many, many lives with education, so let our voices be heard and scream the word EDUCATION with me. <br> <br>Cheers.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/42047352016-05-31T12:04:54-04:002017-01-11T09:29:49-05:00Yes, "Pitbulls" Are Erotic<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c5ef3f12bb2e741a9872d6be19378bae60ca7210/medium/img-9215-11.png?1452374803" class="size_m justify_left border_" />This piece is a direct answer to Joseph Facal's article L'Érotisme du Pitbull which appeared in the Journal de Montréal, May 26, 2016.<br><br>De Quelle est la motivation profonde de quelqu’un qui se procure un pitbull? J’imagine que les motivations varient selon les individus, mais j’aimerais quand même qu’on m’aide à comprendre. <span style="color:#FF0000;">Dear M. Facal, I’ll try to keep my answers simple so you can follow along. </span><br><br>Est-ce parce que cette race est particulièrement gentille et affectueuse? Euh, non. <span style="color:#FF0000;">Euh yes! First, <em>pitbulls</em> are not recognised breeds within the Canadian Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club. The term <em>pitbull</em> is actually a job description termed by people (yes, bad people) who bread various terriers, bulldogs, and god knows what, to fight. What you call <em>pitbulls</em> are actually specific breeds referred to as Staffordshires and Bull Terriers (all sizes). All three breeds were created to be the perfect working dog. Designed to be versatile, highly intelligent, extremely motivated, and easy to take care for, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Terrier, and Bull Terriers are part of the, you guessed it, the Terrier group.</span> <br><br>Est-ce parce que cette race est particulièrement intelligente? Euh, non. <span style="color:#FF0000;">Euh, yes! Your answer proves to us your knowledge of canids is equivalent to a six year old kid (since you insult people, I thought I’d give you a taste of your own medicine). Terriers are one of the most intelligent breeds out there. Anybody who has ever owned a dog knows that. Heck, why do you think the military trained them? Because they’re dumb? Euh, no! </span><br><br>Est-ce parce que cette race est particulièrement facile d’entretien et adaptée à la vie urbaine? Euh, non.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/bc165ef6fb366a03abda9ee043b4a7806c685b65/medium/100-7266-1.png?1464711454" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><span style="color:#FF0000;"> Euh, yes! These breeds don’t shed, don’t eat much, hate winter, are active but also love to stay inside when it’s wet, cold, damp, or too hot. Staffies (Staffordshires, in case you couldn’t make the connection) are easily trained, don’t bark much, are the perfect apartment pets, are excellent service dogs, and enjoy an active social life. </span><br><br>Je repose donc la question: pourquoi choisir cette race parmi les 350 disponibles? <span style="color:#FF0000;">To be fair, over 800 dog breeds exist around the world, but since this is clearly not your field of expertise, I’ll let this one go by. Simple math should tell you, M. Facal, that if more and more people chose Staffordshires as their family pet, out of all those breeds in the world, it must be because they’re exceptional animals. In my practice, I get more Sheppard crosses and dogs less than 20 lbs who bite than Staffies and other molossoids (I don’t expect you to understand this term, so you might want to Google it) put together. Again, since this isn’t your field of expertise, I’ll let this one slip by too. </span><br><br><strong>Danger! </strong><br>Je ne me suis jamais interdit de dire du bien de la concurrence. Dans La Presse des 20 et 23 mai, la journaliste Marie-Claude Malboeuf livre les résultats de sa longue enquête sur les pitbulls dans la région de Montréal. <span style="color:#FF0000;">You know, as an ex-politician, just how well one can manipulate information to make it seem as something else. Mme. Malboeuf didn’t look at all the information, just the one she needed to write her very bias piece. </span><br><br>Leur nombre est en hausse fulgurante.<span style="color:#FF0000;"> I just told you why, they are awesome animals. </span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b8868011bbbea80f069a93292caa68e7d28acf9f/medium/montr-al-20130107-00736-1.png?1464714173" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Toutes sortes de chiens attaquent, mais les attaques par des pitbulls sont beaucoup plus nombreuses et beaucoup plus dévastatrices. <span style="color:#FF0000;">They might cause more damage than a small dog, but size for size, no. If you did your homework and looked at longitudinal studies done by Dr. James Serpell, (yes, M. Serpell is a real doctor, and guess what, he writes about topics within his field of expertise) you would see how inaccurate your statement is. </span><br><br>Le chirurgien plasticien Nicolas Hamelin dit: «On pourrait bien débattre sur les pourcentages, mais l’écart est si grand entre les pitbulls et les autres chiens qu’on ne peut fermer les yeux sur ces statistiques». <span style="color:#FF0000;">Uh, as a journalist you should know that sources would be nice to mention at this point because you have lost all credibility on the subject matter, but that’s your choice. Yes bigger dogs cause more damage, I agree, but it’s not specific to one breed. I can send you the content of my hard drive so you can read research papers on the topic, but just Google Dr. James Serpell and you should get an eye full since he has devoted his entire career to breed specific behaviours. </span><br><br>La réalité est probablement pire que les chiffres, car plusieurs propriétaires paient les victimes d’attaques pour qu’elles ne portent pas plainte. <span style="color:#FF0000;">So too do other dog breed owners. That was just a <em>sand in your eyes</em> statement unsubstantiated and unsupported. How would you know people are paying off to cover their dog’s aggressive behaviour if they haven’t reported it? Again, sources….. </span><br><br>Toutes les armes à feu font des dommages, mais certaines sont plus meurtrières que d’autres. On connaît d’avance la cassette du lobby des pitbulls: c’est le maître qui est le problème, pas le chien. <span style="color:#FF0000;">You really do NOT know what we are about, do you?! We are all about responsible ownership, not breed bashing, but since people like you keep writing trash statements, we don’t have a choice but to keep telling you, over and over again, it’s not breed specific. </span><br><br>Oui et non. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/3924c9a6a797e9c0d1146c34b991657c222b7bb3/medium/capitain.png?1464714682" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Oui, parce qu’il semble que les nouveaux propriétaires de pitbulls sont surtout des jeunes hommes qui n’ont rien à foutre des cours de dressage et de la réglementation sur les licences et le port des laisses. <span style="color:#FF0000;">Where did you get THAT information, the <em>Allo Police</em>? Seriously, I want to finish this rebuttal because I feel I’m getting dumber by the minute. Almost everybody I know owns or has owned a Staffy. Every single one of them are families, people above 30, are women who just love to cuddle with an awesome pet, or animal-assisted therapy practitioners. Yes, some twits do get dogs for the wrong reasons, but I don’t see you offering any solutions. Oh yah, I remember, because this isn’t your field or line of work. </span><br><br>Non, car c’est indiscutablement un chien plus «compliqué» que les autres. <span style="color:#FF0000;">OMG, you couldn’t be further from the truth. Staffies are the simplest breed I can think of. What I find complicated are people who write about things they know nothing of. This makes me think, I should write my next article on ineffective politicians who just write stuff because they like the sound of their own thoughts. </span><br><br>Toutes les armes à feu font des dommages, mais certaines sont plus meurtrières que d’autres. <span style="color:#FF0000;">So, if I follow your logic, people go out of their way to buy a breed they know could inflict more damage while understanding a small calibre dog could do the job. Did I get that right?</span> <br><br>Toutes exigent cependant un permis valide et des cours de maniement. Certaines sont carrément interdites. <span style="color:#FF0000;">Well, here’s a solution (too bad I thought of it before you). Educate people. Education is the way to control dog bites, attacks, and deaths. Notice I wrote dogs and not <em>pitbulls</em> because ALL dogs bite. I have proposed many ideas to make that happen, but people with a tribune like yours prefer to vomit words onto paper because it sells newspapers, which in turn, pays for your salary. I, on the other hand, have nothing to gain from writing this rebuttal other than peace of mind, and possibly a chance to educate someone.</span> <br><br>Rien de tout cela dans le domaine canin, avec des conséquences chiffrées et irréfutables qui donnent froid dans le dos. <span style="color:#FF0000;">Why not write about the lack of education and possible solutions; after all, if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem, but that we already knew. </span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/96421ad915e5e9fd7ea71a804015b5bb818575f6/medium/ivy.png?1464710587" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Je reviens donc à ma question: pourquoi diable se procurer CETTE race parmi toutes celles qui existent? <span style="color:#FF0000;">Because THAT breed is awesome.</span> <br><br><strong>Virilité?</strong> <br>Il y a des crétins partout, mais le chroniqueur Yves Boisvert avançait l’hypothèse qu’ils sont probablement surreprésentés chez les propriétaires de pitbulls. <span style="color:#FF0000;">This is getting slightly boring and repetitive.</span> <br><br>Intéressons-nous un instant à cette frange idiote, sans doute majoritairement composée de jeunes à la testostérone vigoureuse. <span style="color:#FF0000;">You really like to insult people don’t you? If anything, your article makes you sound like a bully. You’re what I call a<em> penbull</em>, a person who forces inaccurate statements in order to scare people.</span> <br><br>Se pourrait-il qu’ils éprouvent une sorte de plaisir viril à se promener avec un chien qui installe la peur dans les yeux de ceux qui l’aperçoivent? <span style="color:#FF0000;">Seems you’re doing the same thing with this piece of trash writing, but what can we expect from a columnist at the Journal de Montréal other than trash.</span> <br><br>Se pourrait-il que ce soit un peu l’équivalent de se pavaner avec un Colt 45, chromé argent, dans leur ceinture de pantalon? <span style="color:#FF0000;">Maybe this is a projection on your part. Maybe your deep inner desire is to be a bad boy, only you’re too afraid of guns or dogs, so you carry around a pen and write vial sentences. On that note, I grew up in the army and my father made sure we knew how guns worked. My father educated us in order to prevent accidents from happening, and guess what, although we had guns in our house, I never had the desire to kill anybody. Knowledge empowers people to do the right thing. Ignorance fuels fear. </span><br><br>Se pourrait-il que ce soient des jeunes dont les études ou les carrières ne gonflent guère leur estime d’eux-mêmes? <span style="color:#FF0000;">Maybe you could propose a solution and become a role model to these teens. I created a program to help the kids you criticise. I go to their school once a week for ten weeks. During this program, the at risk teens work with my students and learn to train dogs. Now, you might want to hold on to something before you continue reading, all the dogs in the program are Staffies rescued from the SPCA. Yes, the dogs you were ranting about help at risk teens learn to communicate, develop their self-esteem, increase their confidence, and learn to exchange with other adults. Overall, these teens love the program. Again, what do you do? </span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/2dab774d21b1765a4da017493456260ca8334f4a/medium/dogue-shop-16.jpg?1464710638" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Je demande ça, comme ça... <br><br>Comme on ne peut légiférer contre la bêtise humaine, on devrait viser l’arme: l’Ontario a interdit cette race sur tout son territoire, tout simplement. Faisons pareil. <span style="color:#FF0000;">Only to find dog bites have increased. Ontario is currently studying the abolishment of BSL for a better, more equitable, dangerous dog act. You forgot to mention that fact probably because it didn’t make your argument seem plausible. Journalism, after all, isn’t about reporting facts from both sides without being biased, right? </span><br><br>D’ici là, je continuerai à habiter Laval. Allons, Monsieur le Maire Demers, un geste courageux? <span style="color:#FF0000;">The only courageous decision the mayor Demers could take, in my opinion, is to kick you out of town.</span></p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/41541832016-04-26T12:04:13-04:002017-01-11T09:29:49-05:00The Future of Dog TrainingBy Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e3ac5c08afb2a779115f58f49f3b21a2c3659637/medium/dogue-shop-12.jpg?1461686860" class="size_m justify_left border_" />The study of dog behaviour and training is evolving at the speed of light. Learning theories are presently studied, and with a new understanding of our canine companion comes a new training approach. In a few years from now, I believe we won’t use many treats to train dogs. <br> <br><strong>Behaviourism </strong><br>At the moment most dog trainers use behaviourism as the corner stone of their training approach. Classical and operant conditioning have been well documented and used for decades. We use these two principals of learning to modify animal behaviour, but what if other models of learning could benefit dogs. I’m talking about an <em>outside the box</em> approach. <br> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/4f08d870deacb4e4a8e09d75f89c5dc43ac1d8f5/small/dsc-6458.jpg?1461686633" class="size_s justify_right border_" /><br>New fields are currently studied in order to determine if dogs, and other animals, can learn within these new models. The following theories are not only being studied, they are now used to train animals, more specifically the dog. I’m talking about social cognitive and mimetic learning theories. Attachment theory is also studied and research papers seem to confirm this model applies to canines, and possibly equids too. <br> <br><strong>Practical Application in Dog Training</strong> <br>The practical approach is jaw dropping. We can now train complex tasks with a simple mimetic approach. Dogs look at us and learn. You’ll tell me you knew that, and I’ll say you’re right, but to which extent this was possible was unknown till now. Same thing goes for social cognitive theory. Ten years ago, no research papers could be found on the topic of dog cognition, yet I managed to incorporate this theory with amazing success. <br> <br>The impact of these new learning theories on dog training is twofold. One, we work with a reduced amount of treats. Two, training sessions are greatly reduced in time and frequency. Consequently, clients and dogs experience an improved human-animal bond. In other words, we can address the attachment between human and dog and modify it from an insecure to a secure connexion. <br> <br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/15ed8a096f91729d52c91c19311b25a205de5e45/medium/dogapresentation.jpg?1400513162" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Endless Possibilities </strong><br>Think about it for a moment. Fearful and anxious dogs that don’t eat during training sessions would now be able to learn. Tool and treat management would be so much easier for clients. No clickers to carry around. No more struggles to create behaviour modification protocols that work in any given situation at any given time. No more frustration from clients. And best of all, no more ambiguous training tools made to punish and torture dogs. <br> <br>At the Dogue Shop not only do we teach these learning theories, we use them to train our animals, from rats to horses. Dogs are amazing animals and we have denied their full potential for way too long. The time has come to give dogs the place they truly deserve. Dogs are our buddies and our co-workers, so why not treat them as such. <br> <br>Albert Einstein said “<em>The dog is very smart. He feels sorry for me because I receive so much mail; that’s why he tries to bite the mailman</em>.” Dogs are amazing partners who make sure we remain true to ourselves. I, for one, am truly grateful for their gift. </p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/41453832016-04-20T11:45:02-04:002017-08-01T21:11:25-04:00Dog Trainer, It’s Just Another Job<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e6492b620221c4e780e296438e07538de6a259f4/medium/100_6158.JPG?1361951003" class="size_m justify_left border_" />The variety of people who read this blog is astonishing. Some followers are dog trainers, behaviour consultants, groomers, dog walkers, doggy daycare workers, rescues, veterinarians, veterinary assistants, and pet owners. With this knowledge, you can see how difficult it is to write articles which are relevant to everybody. Instead of writing about another taboo topic, I decided to share my thoughts about <em>the job</em>. <br> <br><strong>Dog Trainer Definition</strong> <br>My job covers various areas of expertise such as consulting clients, teaching animal behaviour, training domestic and exotic animals, and networking. If I could describe my job in one word, it would be <em>educator</em>. The fields of practice mentioned have one theme in common, <em>education</em>. I educate pet owners on how to train their animals, I teach students about behaviour and training, I teach animals to execute certain behaviours, and talk about the animal profession in the media. <br> <br>Training animals is certainly exciting, but it’s not all fun and games. We are faced with communication barriers, frustration from clients, aggression or fear from animals, lots of human emotions, and euthanasia. Sometimes we act as trainers, coaches, and consultants, and at other times we become counsellors or confidants to our clients. One thing’s for sure; we need to be flexible and resourceful. <br> <br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/4f82dc7aea958816e28fbc12a705153f954d054a/medium/img-4245.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Dog Trainer, It’s Just a Job</strong> <br>I don’t like telling people what I do for a living because it makes me feel uncomfortable. First, I dislike being the centre of attention during parties; secondly, I hate <em>working</em> during a non-animal related event. Don’t get me wrong, I’m passionate about the work I do, but it’s still just <em>a job</em>. <br> <br>When people realise what I do for a living, it quickly turns into a consultation. People will talk to me not because I’m a cultivated or funny; but because they have a dog that… I’ll let you fill in the blank. When these situations arise, I find myself in a precarious situation because I don’t want to work, yet I don’t want to be antisocial either. <br> <br>I try to make this funny and tell people (in my best radio/message recording voice) <em>I’m sorry, but I’m not in right now, please leave me a message at the sound of the beep, and I’ll contact you as soon as possible, thank you</em>. I beep and laugh. I’m sure all service market professionals experience the <em>free service </em>situation. <br> <br><strong>Google Dislike</strong> <br>I love people, but just like anyone else, I want to enjoy myself and have fun. As I said, I’m passionate about animals, behaviour, and training, but there’s a place and time for everything. If I’m in a networking event, am with students or other animal professionals, then yes, hit me up for a conversation and ask me your questions. If not, you’ll be faced with tongue flick, turn eye, turn head, curve, and walk away. <br> <br>The worst of these situations is when people Google my name during an event and see I work with wolves. At this point, the proverbial shit hits the fan. Everybody wants to meet the wolves because it’s a <em>dream they have</em>. I understand the curiosity and the enthusiasm of possibly scratching something off your bucket list, but life doesn’t work that way. <br> <br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/d893640c722ebd926eb013ab4da4810e7ecb9af6/small/j0422237.jpg?1362282888" class="size_s justify_left border_" />Service vs. Product Industry</strong> <br>Keep in mind the service industry is a kind of <em>invisible</em> product. Even though our services might seem abstract, we do supply people with knowledge, and the exchange of information for money is the source of our income. In other words, I use my education to gain money, and although in Quebec it seems earning a living is frowned upon, I don’t feel guilty in providing top quality services. Other professionals shouldn’t either. <br> <br>Should you Google my name in a non-animal related event and approach me to talk about your dog, please take note, I might decline your request. However, I’ll be happy to talk about art, culture, spirituality, or cooking.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/41324342016-04-12T12:28:07-04:002021-07-09T15:27:52-04:00No Reward Markers: The Ultimate Taboo Topic <p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT</p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://eileenanddogs.com/blog/2015/02/17/shaping-without-clicker/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/aa3e1fd1f243fdd59ac04ba7ca0d20d7a2a0820c/medium/download.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>The No Reward Marker (NRM) makes our list of the top ten taboo topics in animal training. I honestly don’t know why though, so today I decided to explore the subject matter with you. I know this topic will make people react, but then again, most of my articles do. Before we start, let me define NRMs. <br> <br>NRMs are usually sounds or words that tell animals, yes people too, the behaviour they just performed will not yield a reward, but they should keep trying because a reward is available. Seems pretty straight forward doesn’t it? But here’s why some debates get nasty, people don’t agree on the efficiency, or lack thereof, of NRMs. Another hell-raising question is <em>Are NRMs true punishers or informational feedback?</em> The answer depends on how, why, and when you use it. <br> <br><strong>Research on NRMs</strong> <br>Simply put, there aren’t any, even according to Simon Gadbois, PhD, Canid Behaviour Research Team, Dept. of Psychology & Neuroscience Dalhousie University, in the Facebook group Canine Behaviour Research Studies “<em>There are none published on the topic addressing this</em> [no reward marker] <em>directly</em>.” <br> <br>The only paper I found on the topic of <em>no reward makers</em> is cited below. Naomi Rotenberg conducted research that involved twenty-seven dogs. The task was to teach the dogs to touch a cone with their paws. The method is described in the paper which I highly recommend you read because it’s important to understand all the information, not just convenient passages. <br> <br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/384b7f54a83878f1fd26c4ef28a584201e2b8fd7/medium/img-9307.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Training </strong><br>In her paper, Training a New Trick Using No-Reward Markers: Effects on Dogs’ Performance and Stress Behaviors (2015), Rotenberg concludes her research with the following statement “The results of this study indicate that when training a dog to perform a new behaviour on cue, using a NRM can be detrimental to how efficiently the dog is able to acquire the new trick.” <br> <br>One can easily jump to the conclusion and say dogs trained with a NRM are stressed; however if you read her paper and continue slightly past the previous quote, you will also read “However, there was no overall difference in the number of stress behaviours exhibited by the dogs in either condition.” Trained with or without the NRM.<br> <br>I don't recommend the use of NRMs when new behaviours are trained; however, the dog’s experience and motivation should be taken into consideration if the choice to use NRMs is made. Both motivation and experience are unmistakably important. Another important factor to consider when you train an animal, and this one is often overseen, is the environment. The place in which you train is unavoidably part of the equation, for the dog <em>and</em> you. <br> <br><strong>Stress</strong> <br>I don’t know why stress is such an ugly word. <em>No reward markers</em> create stress, that we know, but dogs are stressed regardless of what or how we train. Some stress is good and some stress is bad. The problem is that stress and eustress are generally manifested in the same way. The unfortunate problem is no one knows which form of stress dogs are exhibiting during training sessions. <br> <br>I believe some stress is actually beneficial in the development of problem-solving skills. Professionalism resides in how well one can handle all the factors we’ve discussed so far, without going above the animal’s pre-determined stress threshold. If an animal is too stressed, it will not learn, if it’s too relaxed, it might learn without you knowing (Tolman, 1948; Rotenberg, 2015). <br> <br><strong>The Real Question</strong> <br>The real question is how, when, or why use NRMs. If you understand the science behind <em>no reward markers</em>, the decision becomes a personal choice. What I’m really trying to say is your choice to use, or not use, a NRM is OK. If you use <em>no reward markers</em> and you are making headway, continue what you’re doing. If on the other hand you find yourself struggling with the behaviour, or worse yet, are regressing, then maybe you need to stop and reassess the situation. <br> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/15bd7bb5cb3e8baf636ab57460ca67c1a0536d5e/medium/clciker.jpg?1362375817" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Do I use NRMs? Yes, but rarely. Do I know how to use them? Yes, totally. Was my <em>no reward maker</em> purposefully trained? Yes, I use <em>try again</em> when faced with very difficult tasks. Am I punishing my dog? No, my dogs know what it means. If anything, they get more frustrated if I leave them in a vacuum, or without a reward. Does that make me a bad person or trainer? No. You’re not either. <br> <br><strong>Be Yourself </strong><br>All I’m trying to say is be yourself. Stop worrying about definitions, research papers, or social pressure. Learn your science and work with it. If you do, you’ll be the best trainer you can possibly be. If you don’t, then we need to talk. <br> <br>Cheers. <br> <br>References <br>- Jensen, R. (2006). Behaviorism, Latent Learning, and Cognitive Maps: Needed Revisions in Introductory Psychology Textbooks. <em>The Behavior Analyst</em>, 29(2), 187–209. <br> <br>- Rotenberg, N. (2015). Training a New Trick Using No-Reward Markers: Effects on Dogs’ Performance and Stress Behaviors. <em>CUNY Academic Works</em>. Retrieved from http://academicworks.cuny.edu/hc_sas_etds/12 <br> <br>- Tolman, E. C. (1948). Cognitive maps in rats and men. <em>Psychological review</em>, 55(4), 189.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/41130172016-03-31T08:42:48-04:002017-01-11T09:29:49-05:00Play Bow: An Unfamiliar Dog BehaviourBy Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c7078964b51f3f32baf8e59e50ad54e73bf139ba/medium/100-1321.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_left border_" />When compared to other species, <em>C. familiaris</em> (dog) research is still in its infancy; therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise a behaviour we once thought held a certain meaning has now changed. Research serves to clarify our understanding of the world, so let’s discuss the significance of those changes. <br> <br><strong>Dog Play Bow</strong> <br>One example quickly comes to mind when we talk about dog research, the play bow. The idea behind play bow has always been thought to mean one dog invites another dog to play by tilting his head and dropping the front part of his body down. My entire life has been focused around this significance, even if I always doubted its meaning. <br> <br>In their research, Byosiere, Espinosa, and Smuts (2015) describe Mark Bekoff’s (1995) hypothesis <em>Canines use play bows to reinforce ongoing social play and to clarify the bower’s intentions so as to maintain a playful atmosphere</em>. The following hypotheses are drawn from Byosiere, Espinosa, and Smuts paper (2015). In italic, you’ll find my laymen description of the behaviour. This is strictly to provide you with a better understanding. <br> </p>
<p>- Hypothesis 1: play bows often functioned to stimulate play after a pause. </p>
<p><em>After this pause everything I’m going to do is just for fun.</em> <br> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/930d986a5f7b8fdc2f8f4af56cb66f1e8a587f9e/medium/100-0333.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_right border_" />- Hypothesis 2: play bows function to clarify easily misinterpretable behaviours. </p>
<p><em>I’m going to allow you to attack me. </em><br> </p>
<p>- Hypothesis 3: play bows might function to better position the bower to escape from the play partner. </p>
<p><em>I’m going to run away after you pretend attack me, so chase me</em>. <br> </p>
<p>- Hypothesis 4: play bows in general may help partners to synchronize behaviours. </p>
<p><em>I’m going to do this behaviour after I bow, you should do the same as me so we can play fair</em>. <br> </p>
<p>- Hypothesis 5: play bows would almost always be limited to times when the bower and partner were within one another’s visual field. </p>
<p><em>Look at me, I’m gonna get you, or are you gonna get me.</em> <br> <br>In summary, research shows that bowers normally exhibit this behaviour to demonstrate they will be the victim. In other words, a dog who positions himself in play bow is trying to convey cooperation through victimisation. I’ll end this paragraph with an interesting side note on play from Byosiere, et al. (2015) <em>Of the 1656 behaviours recorded for both the bower and the partner before and after the bow, only 99 (5.97%) were </em>[play]<em> bites</em>. <br> <br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/445a3c1c2c913bdf570409dc185ff477056aeda9/medium/montr-al-20130724-00937.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Professional Adaptation</strong> <br>The play bow is one example amongst many researched behaviours to change in significance. New papers are published on a regular basis which means trainers and behaviour consultants need to continue their education if they want to stay up to date on behaviour problems, learning theories, training techniques, and behaviour modification protocols. <br> <br>Professionals who don’t comply with new animal wellness, cognition, and emotional demands will be considered dangerous, and, hopefully by then, will be prosecuted. Sorry, I was daydreaming for a second, but I do believe one day our profession will be recognised and regulated. Till then, we need to continue our education, remain professional, and strive to implement scientific discoveries into our training protocols. <br> <br><strong>Expectations</strong> <br>One thing is clear, dog behaviour, more specifically our understanding of it, will undoubtedly change within the next decade. From these changes, we can expect an increased division between old school and science based trainers. <br> <br>I know my view and approach of dog behaviour and training keeps changing. This phenomenon occurs because I download and read upwards of twenty research papers each week.<br><br>When I was a kid, we did things differently. As a young teenager and emerging professional, my view drastically changed once again, and as I get closer to the halfway mark of my life, my views have changed yet again. The last ten years have radically modified my approach. <br> <br>I don’t think I’ll stop evolving, especially with a slogan like <em>Doing It Differently, Doing It Dogue Style!</em> But most of all, I hope we’ll be doing it together. <br> <br><em>Cheers! </em><br> <br><strong>References</strong> <br>Bekoff, M. (1995). Play signals as punctuation: the structure of social play in canids. <em>Behaviour, 132,</em> 5–6. Retrieved from http://cogprints.org/158/1/199709003.html<br> <br>Byosiere, S.E., Espinosa, J., & Smuts, B. (2015). Investigating the function of play bows in adult pet dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). <em>Behavioural Processes, 125,</em> 106–113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2016.02.007</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/40982912016-03-21T15:24:25-04:002024-03-15T18:49:53-04:00Fear Biters, The Insecure Aggressive Dogs<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/bdb6b3f2651e2c258703999ee8752d34a237aeda/original/insecure-bitter.png/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/bdb6b3f2651e2c258703999ee8752d34a237aeda/original/insecure-bitter.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" /></a><p>Does your dog snarl, snap, or bite? Was your dog labelled fear-biter by Google or another trainer? If so, you might want to read what follows because this week I will discuss misunderstood dog behaviours, more specifically fear biting. My objective with this article is to clarify terminology in order to establish a better understanding of dog behaviour. <br> <br><strong>Terminology 101 </strong><br>Fear: <i>an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat</i>. Fright is the expression of fear: <i>a sudden intense feeling of fear</i>. </p><p>Anger: <i>a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility</i>. Aggression is the expression of anger: <i>hostile or violent behaviour or attitudes toward another; readiness to attack or confront</i>. <br> <br>Dominance[1]: <i>exert power and influence over others</i>. To understand the term dominance, replace the word with confident: <i>a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities</i>. <br> <br>Submission[2]: <i>the action or fact of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person</i>. To understand the term submission, replace the word with insecure: <i>not confident or assured; uncertain and anxious; unsafe</i>. <br> <br>Inhibition: <i>unable to act in a relaxed and natural way because of self-consciousness or mental restraint</i>. Inhibition can also refer to the freeze response: <i>to become immobilized through fear, shock, etc</i>. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/c09d64cfb9261cdcf4b6bfb1a0168acefc29c6b2/original/plutchik-wheel-svg.png/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c09d64cfb9261cdcf4b6bfb1a0168acefc29c6b2/medium/plutchik-wheel-svg.png?0" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p><strong>Biology 101</strong> <br>Fear and aggression are emotions; more specifically; these two emotional reactions are experienced in opposition by the brain. Different chemicals are released when dogs experience fear or aggression. </p><p>A fearful response will release dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid <span class="text-small">(GABA)</span>, and serotonin, whereas anger will be associated with acetylcholine, serotonin, adrenaline, noradrenaline, vasopressin, testosterone, and oxytocin. <br> <br>When dogs experience fear they normally react fearfully by running away. When dogs cannot run away because of environmental constraints, two responses are left: freeze or fight. The emotional confusion gave birth to an inappropriate term, the fear-biter. A dog that bites out of fear is labelled fear aggressive, yet fear and aggression are two distinct emotions.<br><br>I know I'm repeating myself, but I really want you to understand the distinction because a new understanding will help address the problem for what it really is, insecurity not fear. We can teach dogs to become more secure and when dogs feel they have some control over the outcome of a situation, confidence increases while aggression decreases. <br> <br><strong>Dog Fear or Dog Aggression</strong> <br>As mentioned above, fear and anger are diametrically opposed. A dog cannot respond fearfully and aggressively at the same time. A choice has to be made in the animal’s mind; the dog must change strategies and choose between retreat and charge. If we replace dominance and submission with confident and insecure, the fear-biter label disappears. <br> <br>Insecure dogs can react aggressively or fearfully whereas confident dogs can only react aggressively. If fear aggression was indeed possible, we would observe confident dogs displaying fearful behaviours. Unfortunately, that has never been observed; hence, fear aggression is not a valid term to describe canine behaviour. If you take notice, the top right quadrant of the following image is empty. Again, dogs cannot display confidence and fearful behaviours simultaneously. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/71113009efe531b626a45c16fd6ed9d034ad2112/original/dominancera1999-page-001.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg" data-link-type="url"><div class="captioned justify_left"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/71113009efe531b626a45c16fd6ed9d034ad2112/medium/dominancera1999-page-001.jpg?0" class="size_orig justify_left border_" /><p class="caption"></p></div></a><p><strong>New terminology</strong> <br>New terminology needs to accompany our descriptions if we're to discuss appropriate dog behaviour. Fear biter labels should no longer exist. The old term should be replaced with either submissive or insecure bitter. Why is this so important? Because it removes a third misconception we hold about dog behaviour which is dominance equals aggression. <br> <br>Because dominance is a state of being and aggression is the expression of emotion called anger, dogs can be dominant without being aggressive. Submissive dogs can display fear, aggression or inhibition; however, canines simply cannot display fear and aggression simultaneously. I know I'm being repetitive, but this is important. <br> <br><strong>EndNote</strong> <br>Healthy doses of fear and anger are positive outcomes for animals. People don’t like to see aggression in their pets for fear of judgement, yet both emotions are useful because they help keep humans and non-humans alive. </p><p>I don’t know why fear and aggression are such dirty words when it comes to dog behaviour. We are aggressive and fearful animals, but that doesn’t make us bad humans. Extremes are counterproductive which renders individuals unhealthy. I don’t want to start on the United-Sates’ presidential campaign, but it should be obvious to people that <i>too much of a good thing, can be a bad thing</i>. The same goes for dog behaviour. <br><br><strong>References</strong><br>- Abrantes, R. (1997). <i>Dog Language: An Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior</i>. Publisher: Wakan Tanka.<br><br>- Abrantes, R. (1999). <i>Evolution of Canine Social Behavior</i>. Publisher: Wakan Tanka.<br><br>- Casey, R.A., Loftus, B., Bolster, C., Richards, G.J. and Blackwell, E.J. <i>Human directed aggression in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): Occurrence in different contexts and risk factors</i>. December 2013. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 152 52– 63. <br><br>- Febo, M. and Ferris, C.F. <i>Oxytocin And Vasopressin Modulation Of The Neural Correlates Of Motivation And Emotion: Results From Functional MRI Studies In Awake Rats</i>. Brain Res. 2014 September 11; 1580: 8–21.<br><br>- Siegela, A., Roelingb, T., Gregga, T.R., and Krukc, M.R. <i>Neuropharmacology of brain-stimulation-evoked aggression</i>. Neuroscience & Bio Behavioural Reviews. February 1999. <br><br>- Tulogdi, A., Biro, L., Barsvari, D., Stankovic, M., Haller, J., and Toth, M. <i>Neural mechanisms of predatory aggression in rats - Implications for abnormal intraspecific aggression</i>. Behavioural Brain Research. January 2015. </p><p>[1] Dominance defined as intraspecific; conspecific behaviour; between individuals of the same species. <br>[2] Submission defined as intraspecific; conspecific behaviour; between individuals of the same species.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/40906602016-03-16T12:48:05-04:002021-07-09T15:31:54-04:00A Swine Affaire<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT</p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tmz.com/2016/03/14/cesar-millan-pig-dog-training/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/a381fa43bf3b6f14cd666e74e6ce03d38812f7c2/medium/natgeo.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>In the light of recent events regarding a dog named Simon and a pig, I would like to address beliefs. You might wonder why I wish to chat about convictions when I could discuss aggression, trainer qualifications, ethics, or even training. I feel a sense of urgency amongst professionals, faced with a punishment-type persona, to talk about ways we can educate trainers and clients. <br> <br><strong>Beliefs </strong><br>A belief is something we hold true to ourselves without proof. The dictionary defines belief as <em>confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof</em>. The problem is that some people don’t or won’t seek proof and, to that fact, there’s nothing you can do about it. <br> <br>Beliefs can be held onto because the concept of changing one’s mind about an idea, a principal, or thought creates discomfort, insecurity, or fear; therefore, letting go of the belief, even for just a moment, produces emotional distress to that person. In other words, we cannot change someone’s belief if they, themselves, don’t realize the belief they hold is questionable. <br><br><strong><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.theodysseyonline.com/why-good-divorce-is-better-than-bad-marriage" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/226327e49fae8eb34b7e53d582d49b782ee4b57c/medium/hqdefault.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a>Educational Foundation</strong> <br>People who believe punishing dogs is acceptable are not bad people, most of them are responsible dog owners and seek help when things go wrong. And yes, some people believe in punishment just as they believe the sky is blue. The sad news is, you cannot change a person’s belief system if they fundamentally believe their ideas to be true and genuine. <br> <br>We are taught from day one that punishment is the way of life <em>If you don’t eat your broccoli you can’t watch your favourite movie</em> or <em>You didn’t take out the trash so go to your room without diner!</em> and this goes on for the rest of your life. Work isn’t any better. When have you received a <em>Great work, happy to have you in our team!</em> or <em>Awesome job on that account!</em> or even <em>What awesome problem-solving skills you demonstrated!</em> That’s what I thought. <br> <br>Our entire social fabric is based on punishment, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that people love and adore trainers who use punishment, even when science demonstrates better results with reinforcement. I'll say it again, people fundamentally believe punishment is the right thing to do.<br> <br><strong>What Now</strong> <br>We can strive to educate trainers and the general public; however, social media is not the place to set the stage. People need to see us in action. People need to experience the process and emotionally connect. Without the sensory experience, people won’t change their beliefs. <br> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/bc3c7ef60549cf8a7d5cf3076510eec3f9e7a517/medium/10703890-710561635687970-975067843310719931-n.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_left border_" />We can be proactive about change and demonstrate how dogs learn. As the old saying goes <em>Be the change you want to see</em>. Professionals, yes you, go to your local parks and work with your dogs. Be active in your own field, demonstrate what it is you do best and clients will come to ask what you’re doing, but more specifically, how you’re doing it. You can train next to punishment-based trainers to demonstrate, without attacking, how fun, pleasurable and interactive training can be. <br> <br><strong>Be The Change</strong> <br>I have an idea, let’s regroup and create a flash mob training event. If every positive or force-free trainer in North America were to coordinate a global training event on a specific day and time, we could, we would make a difference, and we would do so without hitting, kicking or pinning our dogs to the ground. <br> <br>Trainers and pet owners would be more open to change their beliefs if such a global experience were created. I’m ending this post with a challenge. I challenge every positive, force-free, and clicker trainer to put your money where your mouth is and partake in a global event during which we will simultaneously train our dogs to perform a given behaviour. Who’s with me?</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/40779952016-03-08T11:54:29-05:002017-01-11T09:29:49-05:00Dreary Dog<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/19b5950dab02b178568be35bbe038574794349f6/medium/2016-02-20-08-10-13-1.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_left border_" />It's snowy and rainy today. The overcast weather is predicted for the entire day, ugh! This is the type of day I dread the most because I feel grumpy, tired, and unproductive. I look at my dogs and like to imagine they too feel the same way. They sleep curled into a ball, and I, on the couch, wish I could do the same.<br><br>I don't know about you, but sometimes I just want to stop and discover new worlds. Living your passion is like living in the same clothes year round, but at some point in time you just want to wear a dress. What does this have to do with dog training or dog behaviour? Everything! <br> <br><strong>Passionate Dog Job</strong> <br>Our moods influence training and our ability to judge efficiently. When the weather, family, friends, or our health affects our person, we have to acknowledge these changes and work with them. As mentioned before, it's overcast, rainy, grey, and somewhat depressing. If I tried to train my dogs, I would be setting us up to fail. When dogs feel dreary, it's best to leave them be. <br><br>If clients are scheduled for the day and I feel like I'm feeling at this very moment, I have two options: reschedule or proceed with caution. The former is self explanatory, the latter not so much. Let me explain. When I see clients on days like today, I know I won't be at my best, then again, the client won't notice and we'll still reach our session's objectives. However, with time my professionalism might suffer, and without notice I might start to work at a diminished level of competency and productivity. <br><br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/a7187845d6d6b8a00239e20a55ba30dfb52224b3/medium/albearsleep.jpg?1446588422" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Dreary Dog Trap</strong> <br>The dreary dog trap is the phenomenon by which professionals inadvertently and subconsciously accept mediocre performances from themselves. Clients then train their dogs and obtain, well, mediocre results. Catching one's self working at an impoverished level of satisfaction isn't easy. What are some ways to counter the dreary dog trap? Here are a few pointers. <br><br>- Reschedule you session if you feel physically sick, are emotional, suffer from brain fog or confusion, are stressed, or simply are not at you best. <br><br>- Film your sessions or client sessions (do get their permission first). <br><br>- Thirty minutes before a session, do a few yoga or other physical exercises to stimulate your vitality and mental awareness. <br><br>- Have a fellow professional watch your session and give constructive feedback.<br> <br>- Summarise your session carefully writing down weather conditions, room conditions, your state of being and other influential factors. <br><br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/8f5493c0b0d95bcfd9ece1309c354cfcd2f38856/small/img-20130216-00800.jpg?1431373382" class="size_s justify_left border_" />Doggone Good </strong><br>All of the above should be practiced at variable times throughout the year because these methods will further develop your professional skills. I film myself regularly and can honestly say I am not productive on rainy or snowy days. If I can, I will reschedule the session and curl up next to my dogs on the couch.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/39768012016-01-06T13:57:23-05:002017-01-11T09:29:49-05:00Life Changing DogBy Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/fa6b656a963b9399df2e2e7c290131e4149cb9f4/medium/100-7429.jpg?1419351381" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p>
<p>I want to start off by wishing you a happy new year. May you cross off something on your bucket list and may it include your pet. In this first article of 2016, and I want to discuss professional aspirations, or should I say how to sort through the unlimited possibilities of choosing an animal career.<br><br><strong>The Beginning</strong> <br>I went through what I'm about to discuss with you, so don't worry, I know how you feel. You might feel confused and insecure about your new career choice. This is normal. I've been teaching for many years, and I can tell you students still come to me with the same questions I once had. They seek guidance, therefore, the problem of direction hasn't changed much since I began as a professional. Beginners normally feel lost and frustrated. No worries, I'm here to guide you. <br><br>You recently discovered you could make a living as a groomer, trainer, behaviour consultant, walker, sitter, rescue, and have realised there's much to do in the animal world. Your head spins and you don't know in which direction to go. You register for classes, read books, attend conferences, and watch countless videos on YouTube. But, in the end you still struggle to find your true calling. <br><br><strong>The Middle</strong> <br>I want to share with you how I found my path. First, I have to say there's an easy way and a hard way. I unfortunately started with the complicated, costly, and very long way and let me tell you, it's not the way you want to go. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e708f86326f876df1cd1a7d966a91d7e62a8e5e7/medium/aalbear-business.png?1372432372" class="size_m justify_right border_" />The following is an easy approach to figuring out who you are and where you want to go. The results won't be instantaneous, but I assure you the process is a tried and tested approach that works. Here's what you'll need: paper, pen, an electronic device that allows you to go online, Google, and trusted family or friends. <br><br>1. Make a list of everything that you want/wish to do in the animal world. You'll need to keep this record somewhere because we'll get back to it later. <br><br>2. Google all the possibilities and write their definition. <br><br>3. Write a one sentence definition of what you have learned from your mother. Even if you've had it rough, you still have learned something positive. <br><br>4. Write a one sentence definition of what you have learned from your father. Even if you've had it rough, you still have learned something positive. <br><br>5. Write one word which summarizes your mother's sentence. <br><br>6. Write one word which summarizes your father's sentence. <br><br>The following are examples of what steps three to six might look like. Yours will be different and that's normal. Take your time and feel it through. Don't over think the process. Spontaneity should guide you. You know that soft little voice in your head, the one that comes from your true self, the voice which guides you, that's the one you want to listen to. <br><br><em>From my mother I've learned to make anything out of everything, thoughts included. <br>One word: CREATIVITY </em><br><br><em>From my father I've learned to stop talking and listen to mother nature's voice. <br>One word: COMMUNICATION </em><br><br>8. Add your own personal sentence and word.<br><br><em>I've learned animals tell us what's wrong with ourselves.<br>In one word: EDUCATE</em><br><br>9. Put all three words together and your path will become visible. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/efec2e9866580a206cadf710c8f4490e1c1c523f/medium/11-12-09-0947.jpg?1423088864" class="size_m justify_left border_" />10. Now, cross out what DOESN'T resonate with your words, or what you don't want to do. This is the most important step as you'll need to make choices that will define your future. <br><br>11. Sit with family and/or friends and go through the remaining possibilities on your list. <br><br>Read the definition and discuss with family members or friends what you would do if you had an unlimited budget. The people around you will help you keep it real, which is essential for the final step. This is your emotional self telling your cognitive self what you want to do, or aspire to achieve. <br><br>12. Devote your time to the choices you've made. I seriously recommend you write a mission statement for yourself, it will guide you throughout the process. <br><br><strong>The End </strong><br>I had a long list on my paper, and I was going nowhere fast. Actually, the first decade of my career is a compilation of irrelevant experiences and exhaustion. I'm fortunate to have a friend tell me <em>Just stop doing what you don't like anymore!</em> Sounded simple, it wasn't. I eventually did start to stop. No more regional director for dog associations, no more rescue work, no more writing, and no more training obedience. Once I stopped doing things, I felt so much better. <br><br>You might, as I did, love certain things on the list but you can't do it all. You have to make choices. I decided more competent people were able to run professional organisations or animal rescues. I would do my part to help them, but it had to be in line with my mission statement. If I couldn't find an educational component, I didn't interfere. When you decide what you don't want to do, you'll move forward much faster.<br><br>Remember, sometimes walking the wrong path is the right path.<br><br>Cheers.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/39556602015-12-08T14:58:21-05:002021-07-09T15:35:39-04:00A Dog For Christmas<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c4e2faf0d4c403aa319ee6af65190a868fafcad7/original/mandu-xmas-2018.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />This is the time of year when people buy dogs as a Christmas gift. I'm not here to lecture you on the pros and cons of offering a living creature as a present. I am, however, going to talk about what you should do during your holiday vacation. I've discussed pure breed dogs in <a href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/great-danes-and-other-monster-dogs-part-1">Great Danes and Other Monster Dogs - Part 1</a> and <a href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/monster-dogs-part-2">Part 2</a>, so I'm not going to discuss breed selection. In this article, I want to give you a series of tips and steps in order to establish a successful partnership during your holiday season vacation.<br><br><strong>I Chew Chew Chews You!</strong><br>I know most people will say adoption is the best solution, but I don't necessarily agree with that. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. The following criteria are, in my opinion, points you should expect from the dog you're about to choose, regardless of adoption or purchase. It doesn't really matter if the dog is an adult or puppy, as long as you remember that <em>too much of a good thing can be a bad thing</em>.<br><br>- Social attraction: dogs should go to you but not invade your space. The same can be said when dogs approach each other. Fear or aggression is never good, especially when social interactions are concerned. Sociability is my number one criteria.<br><br>- Curiosity: dogs should explore the environment, novel objects, sounds or smells. This characteristic is synonymous with intelligence. Canines are more inclined to problem-solve if they have inquiring minds.<br><br>- Balance: dogs should display relatively stable behaviours. No excess fear, stress, anxiety, frustration, joy, excitement, aggression, or indifference. Extremes are always hard to handle and train against.<br><br>- Memory: it's not enough to be smart, one needs to remember solutions to various problems. When behaviours are complicated, a good working memory is indispensable in order to place short-term lessons into long-term memory.<br><br><strong>D-Day</strong><br>It's Christmas time and the dog has officially become part of your family, so, now what? There have to be a million answers to this question, but I'll try to narrow it down to 10 steps. With the following suggestions, you should be able to create a secure attachment within a few days and prepare Fido for your first day back at work.<br><br>1. When the dog arrives, let him explore the living area, but limit its size for the time being. Too much space might allow for toilet accidents which might set you back. Follow the dog around while he explores the new environment. This team walk will teach the dog you're present and reliable. If you have a small dog, I recommend you do this on all fours.<br><br>2. Bring the dog out for a bathroom break, or place the dog on a pad should you prefer an inside bathroom. Wait for something, even if it takes a while. Remember, the dog needs to find his bearings and you're there to show him where they are. I recommend one bathroom option, ideally outside.<br><br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c62df49e89b6a75f20d470614bdeff1ed5445aea/medium/100-0686.jpg?1449604243" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></strong>3. Now that basic exploration and toilet break are done, it's time for a nap. Play will come later. Sleep is very important because it helps process short and long-term memories. Too much stimulation and sleep deprivation create frustration and contribute to an overall poor memory. For this step, I recommend a crate.<br><br>4. Open the crate door, bathroom break, and plan another round of environmental exploration, this time with treats. When the dog sniffs something new, say good dog, and toss a treat. It's important to be with your dog, even if you live in a small flat. Allow for another drink and bathroom break.<br><br>5. Once exploration phase 2 is complete, try to play with the dog for a few minutes. This is your first official bonding moment, so make it work. No cell, no pad, no pictures, no television, no distractions, just you, the dog, and a toy. I highly recommend you play a <a contents="Brain Game" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-games" target="_blank">Brain Game</a>, it promotes a secure attachment.<br><br>6. Allow for another drink and bathroom break. It might sound a lot, but your job is to instill structure and consistency. Once inside, offer a small meal then head out for a walk around the park. It's now time to introduce the dog to the neighbourhood. Don't allow people or dog interactions just yet. The focus is you, the dog, and a new environment. Making friends will come later. I recommend you walk past dogs for now.<br><br>Repeat steps 1 to 6 for the remainder of your holiday vacation. From here, you'll add steps 7 to 10 to your routine. The next series is the most important one because it serves to create a secure bond. Plus, it will prepare the dog for your first day at work.<br><br>7. Start every day with your morning routine followed by a Brain Game or 2. Once you've finished the game period, place the dog in the crate. Everyone in the house should now leave for 5 minutes. Only enter the house if the dog is silent. Open the crate door if the dog is A. Silent B. Relaxed or C. Both. I recommend you repeat this step a few times a day for 2 days. Make sure you practice at various times throughout the day.<br><br>8. Same as step 7, but you're now going to leave for longer. Plan for 10 to 15 minutes. The point of this exercise is to teach the dog you'll eventually return. No need for treats because <em>you</em> are the treat. <em>Note: place the dog in the crate at various times during the day. Only open the door when the dog is A. Silent B. Relaxed or C. Both. Always bring the dog to the bathroom when you open the crate door</em>.<br><br>9. Repeat step 8 with at least a 1-hour absence; I recommend you plan for 2 to 3 hours. Step 9 is where you'll incorporate active training. Teach the dog to <a href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/how-to-train-sit-the-social-cognitive-way">Sit, The Social-Cognitive Way</a>. Teach <em>down</em> the exact same way. Now you have two behaviours. I would add a hand target in the mix just because it's an easy behaviour to master, plus, it's always practical for a variety of situations.<br><br>10. This is a mock <em>back to work </em>exercise. Pretend you're going to work today. Get up early, do your <em>doggy</em> routine, play a Brain Game or 2, place the dog in the crate and leave. Go visit a friend, go shopping, or go someplace where you'll be a long time. I would aim for 4+ hours. Come home, open the crate, bathroom break, come back inside and train: sit, down, and touch hands with little to no emotions.<br><br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/7d497c8d0943b7229e443b49e209e5ce17b198e2/medium/img-0852.jpg?1449604417" class="size_m justify_left border_" />The Real World</strong><br>Dogs are emotional beings and if you don't prepare them for the reality of your work routine, you run the risk of creating an insecure attachment. Think about it for a moment. If a stranger kidnapped you and took you to a different country where people didn't speak English and abandoned you there, would you feel relaxed and happy? Now, imagine you started to bond with these unfamiliar people, but without warning, they disappeared for 10 hours. How would you feel? <br><br>You would certainly feel a lot better if the strangers progressively created a routine you could recognize. Knowledge via predictability creates a secure environment, thus, in my example, you would feel less stressed or anxious if you could predict what's going to happen. Dogs react similarly in novel situations.<br><br>If you get a dog for Christmas, please consider creating a secure environment. Make your dog feel welcomed, but don't overwhelm him. If you're like me and want your friends and family to see your new BFF, wait a few weeks. It's not in your dog's best interest to overstimulate him. Your priority should be to get Fido accustomed to the reality that is your life, your real life that is. You know, the one in which you work, play hockey, visit mom, and go to school. You got a dog for Christmas, maybe you should consider giving him a present too.<br> </p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/39429862015-12-01T09:57:19-05:002021-07-09T15:49:35-04:00Dog Humping Dog<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.quora.com/Is-it-just-me-or-does-anyone-else-think-its-rude-when-someone-brings-a-dog-over-to-your-house-without-asking" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/de16e7092056f919693a90fb93b4e35ac5bcae06/medium/humping-dog.png?1448981737" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>With the Christmas holiday just around the corner, you might fear the potential public embarrassment from your misbehaving dog. For most people, this doesn't pose much of an emotional problem, after all, dogs are dogs. What if the behaviour was mounting? Would you still assume that dogs misbehave or would you likely think <em>If my dog mounted the other dog, or worse yet, he humped a family member, I would die </em>or would you just take one for the team and laugh it off? Sexual drive is present in each animal, and yes, even in sterilized animals.<br><br><strong>The Taboo of Taboos</strong><br>The mounting behaviour, also known as humping, is rarely discussed openly. Professionals hardly ever talk about dog sexuality and when the topic does come up, some people feel uncomfortable and reserved. I'm tempted to say I'm uncertain as to why people rarely discuss canine reproductive behaviours, but I'd be lying. Some humans subconsciously perceive dog sexuality as an extension of their own; therefore, the number one reason people don't talk about sexuality is that human sexuality is still considered private, secret, hidden, and viewed as a <em>forbidden</em> topic. Strangely enough, we live in a hyper-sexualized culture in which sexuality is rarely discussed, so today I'm going to break down cultural barriers and address dog reproductive behaviours, AKA humping.<br><br><strong>Why Dogs Hump</strong><br>The answer is nobody really knows why, outside of reproduction. If you Scholar Google dog mounting, humping, or copulatory behaviour, you'll find that most research papers were written in the late 60s and 70s. Thus, we understand the biological function of dog sexuality, but the psychological view hasn't been discussed much in recent time. What is known is that mounting behaviour is observed in almost every section of the canine ethogram. Humping can be examined in the reproduction, play, greeting, and social behaviour sections of the dog dictionary, thus, one can only conclude that mounting is a normal dog behaviour, or as one of my university professors summarised "... In essence, dogs hump because it's fun!"<br><br><strong><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://barkpost.com/life/11-tips-for-a-good-time-at-the-dog-park/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/c19ef2d85b69d1bf81460e6681b304137ac0be87/medium/labs-humping.jpg?1448981641" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a>Humping, The Behaviour Problem</strong><br>Like many other behaviours, humping becomes a problem when the normal function of the dog is impaired or compromised. In other words, if dogs cannot stop themselves from mounting and behaviours such as eat, drink, sleep, urinate, or defecate are affected, then yes, there is a behaviour problem. As with anything in life, <em>too much of a good thing can be a bad thing</em>. Hump also becomes a behaviour problem if dogs cannot control themselves and are constantly attacked by other canines. If the dog doesn't understand social cues, he will unlikely be persecuted.<br><br>Obviously, dogs don't revert to closed doors to hump, thus, if pet owners and professionals give the behaviour too much attention, good or bad, they might actually reward the <em>inappropriate</em> behaviour. Sometimes the best defence is a good offence. Make sure to offer fun, exciting, and challenging activities your dog can release his energy into.<br><br><strong>Does & Don'ts</strong><br>If the behaviour is harmless, one can conclude Fido simply has a high sex drive. It's not uncommon for dogs to actually have humping buddies. Your dog will have a preferred animal or toy with whom he likes to express himself. That being said, if the behaviour makes you uncomfortable you have options:<br><br>1. Ignore and avoid undesirable behaviour; however, these options might not always be possible. Train behaviours dogs can easily exhibit like <em>touch hands, sit, high five, or spin</em>, and give them giant food, love, and/or play rewards. <br><br>2. Let the dog experience his normal bodily functions. If you have a puppy or teenaged dog, the behaviour will normally come to pass. Plus, adult dogs are very well equipped to tell puppies and teens how to socially behave.<br><br>3. Explore why the behaviour makes you feel uncomfortable. Sometimes people project their emotions onto other objects or living entities and are troubled by the reflection they see, AKA anthropomorphism. Sexuality is normal behaviour, and dogs aren't aware there's such a big taboo surrounding the topic.<br><br>4. If you're uncertain about what is considered normal vs. abnormal behaviour, call your professional. Trainers and behaviour consultants will explain and reassure you about what is considered acceptable mounting behaviours.<br><br>5. If your dog likes to hump people, train <em>leave it</em> and redirect the dog on something acceptable. Refer to step one.<br><br>6. Sometimes dogs get overly excited and will start to thrust. The reason is relatively simple. Reproduction doesn't only involve sexual organs. A big part of dog sexuality, or reproductive behaviour if you will, is based in the brain, and like all living organisms, gene transference is a vital part of one's existence, and it happens to be fun to accomplish. <br><br><strong><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://blazepress.com/2014/03/24-things-dogs-home-alone/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/2365607c6c340f829cddf3e810b6180688936d2d/medium/f5017d1fb3defb62775dcbbcb6afbe23-1272494178.jpg?1448981799" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>Dog Love</strong><br>When I teach dogs how to problem solve, it's not uncommon for my canine clients to want to hump me after a session. Some human clients find the behaviour amusing, some are in shock, others are outright appalled. I explain to my clients why dogs exhibit the behaviour and reassure them this will subside. I personally find it rewarding when dogs want to hump me because that means I did my job well; I managed to create a feeling of joy, love, or pleasure in their brain they never experienced before. I know that sounds strange, but I can assure you I don't encourage the behaviour, on the contrary, I redirect hump on an acceptable behaviour like <em>sit</em> and jackpot reward. For some dogs, the first experience of mental stimulation is so pleasurable that they need to express themselves physically.<br><br><strong>Sentience</strong><br>People accept dogs as sentient beings with various emotions; therefore, the time has come for people to accept dog reproductive behaviour as normal. Pet caregivers and certain pet professionals need to realize dogs don't intentionally seek to embarrass or offend people, they're simply being themselves. When dogs mount Albear, I let them do it. Albear is very well equipped to communicate his dissatisfaction with other canines. My dog certainly doesn't need me to break down lines of communication and make things out of things that weren't things but now are something because I made it a thing... You get my point!<br><br>Sex drive is found in every living organism. Without the desire to reproduce, a species would become extinct within one generation. Sex is normal. Don't be embarrassed because your dog humps, simply accept it as a natural function and manage it very positively. When dogs mount each other, I see it as an educational opportunity, you should too.<br><br>References:<br>- Landsberg, G., Hunthausen, L., and Ackerman, J. (2013). <em>Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat3: Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat. </em>Third Edition. Toronto, Canada: Saunders Elsevier.<br>- Overall, K. (1997). <em>Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals</em>. Maryland, MS: Mosby.<br>- Scott, JP and Fuller, J. (1965). <em>Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog</em>. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/39333642015-11-24T15:37:25-05:002017-01-11T09:29:49-05:00Networking: How To Expand Your WebBy Gaby Dufresne- Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e135ac7aff4b0c0d52718658c9976588c905b97a/small/winebottl.jpg?1448396637" class="size_s justify_left border_" />This upcoming Friday November 27<sup>th</sup> is the Dogue Shop's bi-annual Networking Wine & Cheese event. The night starts at six pm and ends when everybody has left, which is sometimes relatively late, or should I say early in the morning. Today, I want to answer some common questions about networking: what is networking, why is it so important, and how to network.<br><br><strong>Networking 101</strong><br>Networking is defined as "<em>developing and using contacts made in business for purposes beyond the reason for the initial contact</em>." In essence, networking is about developing and maintaining professional relationships in order to seek or share potential business. Nowadays, networking is done via social media, but nothing compares to live interactions. When you interact with people your senses and memory are engaged. These are two important factors for entrepreneurs as you will need to remember many things for future references. <br><br>You're more likely to remember someone who made you laugh over a cheese while drinking a very nice glass of Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz 2013 than a <em>like</em> you gave to someone on social media. Live interactions serve to develop trust and further business relationships via memories you made of the person and/or event. Networking is all about acquiring and sharing professional relations, so why stay behind a screen? Business is hard enough as it is, do you really want to do it on your own?<br><br><strong>Networking Importance</strong><br>When you start a new business, it can feel overwhelming and confusing. Let me rephrase that. When you start a new business you feel overwhelmed and confused. Networking events serve to introduce you to people who understand your experience because they too have gone through the same process. But most of all, networking can facilitate your entry into a world that can seem closed and a bit scary.The connectedness we create at a networking event helps us feel closer to one another. In turn, these new relationships open doors to referrals and business growth.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/54222b0e9d2d0b961977a7b38a83c5393993b97d/medium/wine-cheesemay2015.jpg?1448396683" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Another important key component to networking is to grow a group of people who don't share your profession. When you need a lawyer for example, who do you turn to for a referral? The answer is, you'll turn to family, friends, or your professional network. The likelihood of you searching social media for legal advice is highly unlikely, unless you're trying to locate a family member or friend. That being said, if you don't have a lawyer in your close relations, you'll likely turn to the phone book, Google, or other search engines. Which by the way, are extended networks, heck, the entire www is an infinite network. So, why not create a network of your own, that way you'll find and access trustworthy resources much faster.<br><br><strong>Networking How-to</strong><br>Networking is relatively straightforward, yet it can be hard to find an existing group you feel comfortable in. That being said, there's no easy way to start networking other than getting your feet wet. Join events, mingle, and get to know people. If you never attended a networking event, the following agenda might hep you alleviate insecurities you have regarding this strange social experience.<ul> <li>
<!--[if--><!--[endif]-->6:00 - Mingle <!--![endif]--><!--![if-->
</li> <li>6:30 - Meet & Greet</li> <li>
<!--![endif]--><!--![if--><!-- --><!--[if--><!--[endif]-->6:40 - Official round table</li> <li>
<!--![endif]--><!--![if--><!-- --><!--[if--><!--[endif]-->6:50 - Personal presentations</li> <li>
<!--![endif]--><!--![if--><!-- --><!--[if--><!--[endif]-->7:30 - Network / Card exchange</li> <li>
<!--![endif]--><!--![if--><!-- --><!--[if--><!--[endif]-->9:00 - Raffle prizes</li> <li>
<!--![endif]--><!--![if--><!-- --><!--[if--><!--[endif]-->9:30 - Closure</li>
</ul><!--![endif]--><!--![if--><!--[if--><!--[endif]-->Here are a few tips on how to make your night memorable and productive.<br><br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/8c2d9ab2e0ef23120350895acb240c672a062dc9/small/dsc-0053-1.jpg?1448397128" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" /></strong>- Don't talk to the same people each time. Step out of your comfort zone and say <em>hi</em> to new faces, even if it's only to introduce yourself. Chances are, the oldest members will ask you plenty of questions to start off a great conversation.<br><br>- Keep your pitch diversified. When you talk to people, try not to say the same things over and over again. You're more likely to remember people if your pitch is different from one person to the next, i.e. I might focus on my legal skills if I'm talking with a lawyer, or I might discuss my animal-assisted therapy program if I'm chatting with a school representative (teacher, principal, school psychologist etc.)<br><br>- Make yourself remembered. Say a joke, have a motto, exchange business cards, take a selfie, or better yet, set a meeting to further exchange ideas. If you make your exchanges memorable, chances are, people will remember you too.<br><br>- Maintain your network. You can send people a holiday card once a year, or an article you think they might find interesting. Be creative and let yourself be remembered without being pushy.<br><br>- Update your network. It's good to send a verification message every other year. Here are a few examples why managing your network pays off:<br>1. You're reminding people you're still a resource. <br>2. You're inquiring about the validity of resources. <br>3. You're building professional relationships (I know I said that already, it's just really important)<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/79229ce6725b8c663c5021ee2d547a0c212c0f5f/medium/dsc-0027-1.jpg?1448396958" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><strong>Think Outside The Box</strong><br>I know animal related professionals sometimes have issues with interpersonal communication; this is why I added a raffle for those present at our event. It's a kind of <em>reinforcement on effort</em> option I created; however, please keep in mind most groups don't partake in this kind of practice. I like to create events that will stick in peoples' minds because you're more likely to remember a person if you've made a pleasant association between them and the event.<br><br>I hope to see you at our event this week, but if you can't make it, be sure to find us on LinkedIn or Facebook so we can keep in touch. We always announce networking events a few month in advance to help people plan ahead of time. After all, a networking event without a net is just people working.<br><br><strong>References</strong><br>- Entrepreneur. <em>Small Business Encyclopedia, Networking</em>. Retrieved from http://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/networking (2015)<br>- Solomon, D. & Theiss, J. (2013). <em>Interpersonal Communication. Putting theory into practice</em>. New York, NY: Routledge.Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/39308542015-11-23T11:28:57-05:002021-07-09T15:56:25-04:00Stressed Out Dog<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/8e2a2ab4aecc203b5558ecf041e1a12b09914c25/original/1798384-10205046118541332-6768672367336172381-n-1.jpg?1448296054/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg?1448296054" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" />Lately, it seems, people want their dogs to be perfect. More and more people register for puppy classes to <em>start their dogs off right</em>. Then people register for private sessions, enroll in dog sports, obedience training. Pet guardians go out of their way to socialize their dogs. They visit dog cafés, bring them to the grocery store, the bank, in public transport, to work, or participate in all kinds of dog-related activities, and with Christmas just around the corner, too much of a good thing can become a bad thing.<br><br><strong>Stress Curve</strong><br>People strive to offer an environment rich in stimuli to their pets, but sometimes it's simply too much for our canine companions to handle. Overexposure to dogs or people can create stress and distress in animals not equipped to deal with overstimulation. Dogs need time to recuperate from stressful encounters like training or outings.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/14ce509d2c7d36d860056d19c18bf239f5ec237a/original/manage-personal-stress-measuring-maximizing-resilience-course-7-638.jpg?1446588537" class="size_l justify_right border_" />When I say stress, you should also read eustress, the <em>positive</em>, or workable, form of stress. When you're in the <em>zone</em> (the orange part of the curve), a little stress can motivate an individual, but too much of it for too long can create distress. Optimal performance will vary from one dog to another, but overall the signs will be similar.<br><br><strong>Stress Signals</strong><br>In general, we can determine dogs are stressed by observing some of the following behaviours: restlessness, pacing, unable to settle, stretching, repetitive yawning, over-drinking, trembling, panting with tongue inside the mouth, ears slightly pulled back, tail in a tight neutral position, and dandruff reaction. If you see these signs in your dog, it's time for a break. Offer a day or two of off time to your pets, especially if they're getting older in age.<br><br><strong>Balance</strong><br>Life is a matter of balance. As mentioned above, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. When our animals work intensively for two consecutive days, they require as much off-time to rest. Obviously, each dog is different and you might find that one dog bounces back faster than the other. Respect your dogs' rhythm and avoid clustering their activities because it suits your schedule better. When the famous Albear works for two straight days he needs at least three to four days off.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/2d79b98200efc7223554d319f6d821fb6a74ac52/original/206467389-963801667791860-1058112371857845487-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" />I do bring my dog to work, but when he needs downtime, I place him in a confined area behind the counter, door closed. The door will only open if he gets up to actively greet someone, normally a friend. I can tell you that Albear is behind the counter today and he hasn't moved since we came in this morning. This is normal since he spent two nights and an entire day at work teaching students the intricacies of dog training.<br><br><strong>Break Time</strong><br>Be creative when it comes to days off. Move the dog bed into a sunlight area and allow your pooch to bask in its rays, offer them a nice treat, let them sleep in, cover them with a blanket, or place their favourite toy in their bed. Be creative, but most of all, remember that dogs need to rest to re-establish their stress levels. People also require downtime, so why not join your dogs in the process and snooze together. Oh, and with Christmas a month away, you might want to make plans to assure your dog has enough time off.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/39049272015-10-26T20:23:45-04:002021-07-09T16:01:24-04:00A Call To Government Leaders<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://pics.me.me/the-bully-breeds-scott-alapaha-blue-johnson-dogo-argentino-boxer-9529393.png" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/5fdf4b630447c04c897ae6cf248063a0ac0ea086/medium/12141511-548437538651489-7882332038785655039-n-1.jpg?1445905311" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>I'm taking opportunity of the <em>Pitbull Awareness Month</em>'s last week to address the public, dog professionals, but more specifically politicians and legislators. I'm going to use the term <em>pitbull</em> in this article only because people have convinced themselves there's such a breed. Should you feel the need to revisit what is, or should I say isn't, a <em>pitbull</em>, you can click <a href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/pitbull-a-job-title">here</a> and <a href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/october-pitbull-awareness-month">here</a>.<br><br><strong>False Sense of Safety</strong><br>I want to address the fact that out of the thousands of dog bites each year in Canada, only a small percentage of them make the news, and out of the hundreds of headlines only a handful of breeds, other than <em>pitbull</em>, are actually mentioned in the report.<br><br>This breed bias has brainwashed a population into believing only one breed of dog is dangerous. Has it not yet come to your attentions that there's something wrong with that belief? Don't you find it strange that law makers blame only one breed of dog as responsible for all dog bites? In all honesty, do you really feel safer because one breed of dog has been labelled for extermination? <br><br>In a world without <em>pitbulls</em>, will news reporters still cover dog bites? Surely there's nothing wrong with a Labrador, Border Collie, or Jack Russel bite. What about doodle and those mug crosses, that can only be categorised as funny or cute, right? There's nothing to say about a 20lbs or less dog bite because there's no damage, no blood, no drama.<br><br>That being sarcastically said, I do see a problem. A two year old child doesn't need to experience a <em>pitbull</em> bite to fear dogs for the rest of his or her life; the family Shit Tzu can do the job just fine. There's no breed specific legislation in the human psyche. Fear is fear and to undermine a human's emotions based on size or breed of dog is simply heartless, ignorant, and apathetic. <br><br><strong>Fear or Be Feared</strong><br>I contacted our borough last year to ask how many people actually complained about <em>pitbulls</em> bites towards people or other animals in order to give a municipality enough data to create such a law. Do you want to know the answer? Three! Three people presented themselves at a municipal hearing and complained about <em>pitbulls</em>. Of these three people, none had actually been bitten by a dog, let alone dogs. Legislation is about responding to people's fear. You would think legislators consulted with canine professionals before they passed laws; nothing could be further from the truth.<br> </p>
<div>
<strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/849cec69b1db1e97ab950b66374b081d1b51f655/medium/albearhelp.jpg?1413734760" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></strong><strong>Professional Request</strong><br>I'm calling out all levels of government to please consult dog professionals before you decide to pass a law under the false pretence that it will keep people safe. BSL<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title="">[1]</a> does not reduce the number of dog bites, education does. Instead of implementing changes that will destroy human and animal lives, why not make education mandatory.</div>
<div>
<br>We can educate people about their responsibilities as pet owners, we can offer mandatory first level training, police can enforce leash laws, dogs can be neutered to make sure backyard breeders cease to generate poor canine specimens. An educational approach would create an entirely new sector of employment in which dog trainers and veterinarians would be solicited for both physical and mental health.<br><br><strong>Vision</strong><br>My vision is one of understanding and empathy, not of fear and aggression from people who don't know, or should I say refuse to realise that a dog, is a dog, is a dog, regardless of its breed. I wish I had one hour with one political leader to demonstrate the knowledge we possess about dog behaviour, cognition, and training. We can educate people, and together we can implement a new management approach strategically aimed at preventing dog bites. Anybody up for the challenge?<div> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%">
<div id="ftn1">
<a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title="">[1]</a> Breed Specific Legislation</div>
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</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/38954292015-10-13T15:20:59-04:002021-12-21T17:45:13-05:00ABC Model of Behaviour<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/4f156980949356ee47fc401cf192a710cee6d24f/medium/100-0702.jpg?1444763863" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Statistically, the number of pet professionals who read my article each week represents approximately half of the people who visit my blog; consequently, I try to write about various topics to satisfy the wide range of readers that you are. It's not always an easy task. This week, I'll talk about the ABC model of behaviour for both professionals and non-professionals readers.<br><br><strong>ABCs</strong><br>The ABC model of behaviour is a simple to remember acronym which helps professionals identify the cue an animal follows to perform a behaviour. ABC also determines the consequence which results from the behaviour. The model can be used to train new behaviours or to modify old ones. To understand the model, let me explain the acronym.<br><br><strong>A</strong>= Antecedent: cue, signal, sign, word or condition that influence the occurrence of the behaviour. Basically, it's what happens right before the behaviour is performed.<br><br><strong>B</strong>= Behaviour: any action that can be quantified or qualified. Basically, it's the actual performance of an activity.<br><br><strong>C</strong>= Consequence: outcome that occurs immediately following the behaviour. Basically, it's what happens right after the behaviour is performed.<br><br>Here's an example. The dog sits at the door and barks. You go to the door, open it, and let the dog out. The dog exits and immediately urinates. We know the pressure on the bladder prompted the dog to go to the door and bark, so the antecedent is <em>bark at the door</em>, the behaviour is <em>exit</em> and <em>pee</em>, and the consequence is bladder release, or simply put, the dog feels <em>relieved</em>. In this example, we can say that bark is the cue to urinate which makes the dog feel good; consequently, the dog will bark at the door again when it needs to urinate. The example is simple and straightforward, but what happens when it's not.<br><br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b023357b1aa4840a3afb070ae8eabe1cd53a4193/original/208451045-254029586077689-6847701420123754089-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_none" alt="" />Behaviour Problem</strong><br>Here's a more complex example. Let's see if you can solve this one. Fido and Rex play in the yard. Fido escapes from the yard and runs around the neighbourhood for about an hour before he returns. He does this a few times a week. Rex never leaves the yard. You are called to modify Fido's escape behaviour because he could get stolen or injured. The client doesn't want to chain Fido because he plays with Rex most of the time and stays in the yard.<br><br>What questions would you ask? What training plan would you implement to keep Fido in the yard without leashing him? With the ABC model it becomes obvious we need to learn more. We need to identify the A= Antecedent before we can address the behaviour and its consequences. <br><br><strong>Behaviour Modification & Training Plan</strong><br>If I can't observe the antecedent, it might be wise to ask the client to film the dog. The client could follow the dog to see where and what he does during outings. In this case, a GoPro camera might come in handy. If I can't observe the antecedent, the ACB model falls apart. Without motivation or signal to perform the behaviour, it becomes almost impossible to establish a functional behaviour modification or training plan.<br><br>The basics are often the easiest and most efficient ways to address dog issues. I suggest you film your dogs and start practicing behavioural analysis. What was the dog doing right before the behaviour? and what happened right after the behaviour? This simple little exercise teaches you the intricate workings of your dog's mind. </p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/38832102015-10-06T08:41:33-04:002021-07-09T16:11:45-04:00October, Pitbull Awareness Month<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/384424518184741836/" target="_blank"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/ac012a3a9698310a62926583c324f93f703f75ff/medium/ontsta10.jpg?1444067757" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></strong></a>This week I want to explain, or should I say clarify, what is a <i>pit bull</i>. As mentioned last week in <a href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/pitbull-a-job-title">Pitbull: A Job Title</a>, the now infamous dog breed is poorly misunderstood, and the media's fear-mongering tactics keep adding to the confusion. People have become witch hunters wanting to behead a dog breed without actually knowing or understanding it.<br><br><strong>Identification</strong><br>First and foremost, <em>Pitbulls </em>are not a CKC or AKC recognized breed. In reality, <em>pitbull</em> is a job description. Pitbulls are crosses between bulldogs and terriers. These mixed breeds were originally bred to fight in pits against bulls, bears, or other dogs. So why <em>pitbull</em>? In essence, a <em>pit</em> is an in-ground boxing rink and <em>bull</em> refers to either the source of the breed (bulldog) or job description (bullfighting). No one is exactly sure which came first.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/5124f3d388fa7455c358fec5fabd98f5523f445b/medium/picmonkey-collage1.jpg?1444072087" class="size_m justify_right border_" />What we do know, and people tend to forget, is that the ancestor of these mutts belongs to the Terrier group, and if you ask me, the wonderful thing about crossing terriers and bulldogs is the end result. When bread together, the outcome is a highly multi-functional all-terrain dog. Terriers have an endless supply of energy, motivation, are extremely intelligent and athletic. That being said, the only recognized breeds are the American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/613de424db4ddc8b62d11c30236f07d9a2645715/medium/picmonkey-collage4.jpg?1444067916" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p>
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<strong>MVP - Most Valuable Player</strong><br>If I were to pick an analogy to describe Staffordshires and Bull terriers, I would compare them to football players. NFL athletes are muscular, flexible, agile, highly motivated, extremely smart, good problem solvers, play with full-body contact, sprint, and are loyal to their team. It's not surprising to see the same characteristics in Staffies and Bullies. <br><br><em>Pitbulls</em>, if you still want to call them by their job title, are fully functional MVPs - Most Valuable Pooch. Staffordshires always wait for group decisions and directions, so too, do football players. When the quarterback tells his wide receiver to catch the next pass, his teammate runs and jumps without regard to his own safety. If the coach asks for a Dallas or Zone Blitz defence, players huddle up and charge with full-body contact; Staffies and Bullies do the exact same. <br><br>Football players and Staffordshire breeds are one and the same; they play, adapt, respond, and problem-solve while interacting, moving, running, or jumping. Both human and dog players make decisions within a fraction of a second only to ask questions once the play is over. Injury is never on their minds as they catapult themselves into the air. No other breed in history has more airtime than the Staffordshire and Bull Terrier.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/1fe796c4817651c8dbf9a47de414b1933f8cd1bb/medium/picmonkey-collage3.jpg?1444067926" class="size_m justify_right border_" />The characteristic I love most about Staffies and NFL players is their ability to move their bodies in ways that seem to <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfDS5C-jQ5A" target="_blank">defy gravity</a> all the while catching a ball. Seriously, there's no other dog breed capable of such sportsmanship. To see an American Staffordshire Terrier leap a few meters in the air to <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edLEjHw5-Ak" target="_blank">catch a swinging tire</a> is by no means short of a miracle. However, like other terriers, Staffordshires and Bull Terriers tend to dislike other dogs and are often highly prey-driven. There's nothing wrong with high prey drive if you know how to contain and direct it. I often say, if Jack Russells were thirty pounds bigger, they would be the BSL* target breed, not Staffies. <br><br><strong>Irresponsible Media</strong><br>I think people have come to fear <i>pit bulls</i> not because they cause more bites than other breeds, but rather because they're fearless and highly motivated. Media propaganda contributes to mass fear by writing headlines like a <em>vicious pit bull attack</em>; conversely, reporters omit such words when a Golden Retriever is involved in a bite case. When other breeds bite, headlines often read <em>dog bite </em>or my favourite <em>dog incident</em>. One doesn't need to consult infinite amounts of data to see the media is biased towards Staffordshire and American Staffordshire terriers.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/201aa626d2f7eb9e570462af19464be59aae477a/medium/picmonkey-collage5.jpg?1444067929" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Maybe one day journalists will educate themselves and stop propagating breedism. Till then, I can only do what I do best, educate. A <i>pit bull</i> is not a recognized breed, it's a dog people originally created to fight. I'm totally against this practice, thus, when people cram breeds that directly or indirectly look like Staffordshire or American Staffordshire Terriers together, I cringe and bite my inner lip. Staffies are athletes, not murderers. Yes, they can be turned into killers, but so too can Greyhounds, Great Danes, Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, Yorkshires, and Chihuahuas.<br><br><strong>Reporters Report</strong><br>The time has come for journalists to get educated, so I'm directly calling out to the media to do their homework, contact professionals, and report events without discrimination. When you report bite cases, use the same language. I'd love to see a headline with <em>Golden Retriever viciously attacks neighbour's daughter</em>. Obviously, I'm being sarcastic; I really don't want to read that headline. What I mean by my ludicrous statement is reporters report news equally or don't report it at all.<br> <br>References:<br>- AKC Terrier Group. Retrieved from http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/groups/terrier/ 10-2015<br>- CKC Terrier Group. Retrieved from http://www.ckc.ca/en/Choosing-a-Dog/Choosing-a-Breed/Terriers 10-2015<br>- Cleveland Brown Football Jump. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfDS5C-jQ5A 10-2015<br> <br>* Breed Specific Legislation</div>
<div> </div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/38742162015-09-29T14:18:08-04:002017-01-11T09:29:48-05:00 Pitbull: A Job TitleBy Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/2b8936325b5b479a4932aa224dc37aad0c59c262/medium/img-8307.jpg?1443550557" class="size_m justify_left border_" />This week I want to address the recent event we all saw in Montreal newspapers, more specifically, the Journal de Montréal. The tabloid newspaper, as it's become, published an article written by Mme. Lise Ravary Wednesday September 23, 2015. The article was titled "<i>Un pitbull, c'est une arme</i>", (translation: A pitbull is a weapon.)<br><br>First and foremost, any dog can be used as a weapon if poorly socialised an trained with negative techniques. That being said, yes it's true, some individuals are more prey driven, but notice I didn't write breed. The reason I didn't write breed is because any individual within a breed can have more or less desire to chase, grab, bite, kill-bite, dismember, or eat another creature. Hunting is a normal behaviour pattern in a predatory carnivore such as the dog; thus, it shouldn't come as a surprise that dogs do indeed bite.<br><br>As a mother, I feel deeply saddened about the recent events. As an animal behaviour consultant, I would like to call out all trainers, <em>pitbull<span class="font_regular"><sup>1</sup></span></em> advocates, and dog fanciers to order, this includes Mme. Lise Ravary. Sometimes the stars align and accidents happen, and when they do, it's wise to step back, leave our judgement behind until we have all the facts to objectively assess the situation. There's always two sides to a story. Not all dogs are cute and cuddly, and not all bad dog owners are incompetent people.<br><br><strong>Good Dog, Bad Dog</strong><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/515c83cd8f75c0d67e5b3310ab023b935beb255e/medium/img-8324.jpg?1443550645" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Some dogs are born with higher levels of aggression and with improper education can become highly dangerous. Learnt aggression is also a type of behaviour problem, but so is prey or territorial aggression. All thirteen categories of aggression are common in dogs. To say certain breeds are bad and classify them as "<em>terrorists</em>" is simply an uneducated statement. Lest not forget, dogs are opportunistic predators; consequently, they will exploit vulnerabilities wherever they find them, but to systematically claim they're all dangerous is simply unprofessional. <br><br>Mme. Ravary is obviously ignorant about dog behaviour and has written an opinion article, a poor one at that, about a topic she doesn't understand. Maybe her goal was to sell newspapers or to increase her social media attention, who knows. I prefer to educate, thus, I'm calling on Mme. Ravary personally to put your money where your mouth is. I'm inviting you to attend tomorrow's Dog Language seminar. Don't worry Mme. Ravary, this event is held without dogs and I'll make sure you get front row seats.<br><br><strong>Final Words </strong><br>To judge dogs without prior training, education, or knowledge is simply ludicrous. Furthermore, dogs are not all born perfect and lovable. Some subjects are born with increased fear or aggression. Some dogs are naturally anxious or stressed, and though education is a contributing factor to social function, it isn't the only factor. When we judge dogs, professionals should weigh their words, but so should non-professionals.<br><br>Dogs are my profession and my passion, but I'm not blinded by the truth. Dogs can injure, bite, and kill other dogs, animals, or people. To proclaim <em>dogs can do no harm</em> <em>when raised positively</em>, is as dangerous, if not more, than trying to destroy a breed based on erroneous beliefs. Dogs aren't perfect, neither are people, after all, <em>a dog, is a dog, is a dog.<br><br><span class="font_regular">1. Pitbull as in molosser breeds</span></em><br><span class="font_regular"> </span><br>Reference<br>- Lise Ravary. (2015). <em>Un pitbull, c'est une arme</em>. Retrieved from http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2015/09/23/un-pitbull-cest-une-arme 09/2015<br><br>- Government of Canada, Public Health Agency. (1996). I<em>njuries associated with... dog bites and attacks</em>. Retrieved from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/injury-bles/chirpp/injrep-rapbles/dogbit-fra.php 09/2015Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/38556302015-09-15T11:07:19-04:002022-05-22T09:34:17-04:00Dog Voice<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.wooftunes.com/tag/ramble-on/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/2058dad3d1382814d3ecba17aa6a0b456900d53a/medium/photodune-7590588-portrait-of-dog-singing-on-vintage-microphone-xs.jpg?1442329535" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>I share many thought-provoking ideas and concepts with you, yet sometimes I ask myself if the message is really making headway in terms of understanding dogs, training, and behaviour. This week, I want to address social media and feedback. Do we actively listen to one another, or do we passively acknowledge information? Does social media serve as a giant emitting system with no one on the receiving end?<br><br><strong>Social Media or Cultural Medium</strong><br>I've noticed on our social media platforms that when we post funny videos or cartoons, we get an enormous amount of feedback. Yet, when we post serious questions or discuss the lack of regulation and recognition of dog training and behaviour consulting professions, there's a serious lack of acknowledgement. This leads me to believe social media is really a cultural medium in which nothing is taken seriously unless it's dramatic and violent.<br><br>I sometimes wonder if discussing dog training on social media platforms is really constructive. Social media might be an awesome podium to emit information, yet, only a small percentage actively receive or respond. I also question the seriousness of professionals who are highly inflexible when it comes to new concepts and theories. I was part of many dog training and behaviour groups that disrespect one another with a passion. I left those groups because of the cultural and ideological bashing.<br><br><strong><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/EmdogCR/photos/a.1437054610016389/1567566786965170/?type=3" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/246823a5480a396fcac5da6e804e9f7b4922085b/medium/megaphone.png?1442329615" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a>Social Feedback </strong><br>I don't know about other writers, but I know I need feedback. Positive or constructive feedback allows us to grow as individuals but also as professionals. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a journalist; however, dogs and other animals need a voice, many voices, to be heard. I want to be the animal's voice and spread the news about new dog training ideas, methodologies, principles, practices, management, and behaviour modification, but to be a voice requires a listener.<br><br>Are you listening?<br><br>I need to hear from you, in private if necessary, and read your comments, likes or dislikes. It doesn't mean I'll stop talking about taboo topics, but it does mean I'll listen and hear what you have to say. Social media is all about liking what one says, it's about sharing ideas, it's about commenting so we can hear your voice. Social media isn't about cultural bashing, virtual bullying, or breedism propaganda.<br><br>I'm going to continue to write articles or voice my concerns about the lack of recognition in a potentially very dangerous profession. However, I need you to tell me why. Why do you want or don't want from your profession and/or professional?</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/38443132015-09-06T10:34:10-04:002024-03-15T18:53:30-04:00Dog Training Profession - Part 3<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/8b58ef3108d49cc922d1ed19491012303840bec8/original/100-5548.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/8b58ef3108d49cc922d1ed19491012303840bec8/medium/100-5548.jpg?1441548327" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" /></a><p>Professional recognition is one of my life goals. I believe Dog training and behaviour consultation are at a turning point in history. Too many improvised professionals or <a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/backyard-trainers" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="outdated practitioners"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>outdated practitioners</strong></span></a> are inadvertently causing harm to animals and people. Consequently, we must pull together and make a stand. Bellow, you'll find information by which we can unite and create a new reality for domestic and exotic animal professionals.</p><p><strong>Dog Training Description</strong><br>Although the Canadian government mentions a high school diploma is normally required to exercise the dog training profession, the <a class="no-pjax" href="http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/QuickSearch.aspx?val65=*" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="National Occupational Classification"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>National Occupational Classification</strong></span></a> doesn't stipulate why it's required. This is where dog training and behaviour consulting fall into the unregulated cracks. High schools and other post-secondary institutions don't offer such programs. You'll find on the Canadian government website, under the NOC, the following description: <br> <br><i><strong>6 Sales and service occupations</strong></i></p><ul><li>
<i>Major Group 65 Service representatives and other customer and personal services occupations</i><ul><li>
<i>656 Other occupations in personal service</i><ul><li><i>6563 Pet groomers and animal care workers</i></li></ul>
</li></ul>
</li></ul><p><i><strong>Unit Group</strong></i><br><i>Animal care workers feed, handle, train and groom animals and assist veterinarians, animal health technologists and technicians and animal breeders. Pet groomers clip coats, bathe and otherwise groom pets. Workers in this group are employed by animal hospitals and clinics, animal shelters, breeding and boarding kennels, zoos, laboratories, retail pet shops, dog training schools, pet grooming establishments, or maybe self-employed.</i><br> <br><i><strong>Example Titles</strong></i><br><i>Animal care worker (except farm)</i><br><i>Dog groomer</i><br><i>Dog trainer</i><br><i>Kennel attendant</i><br><i>Laboratory animal attendant</i><br><i>Pet groomer</i><br><i>Pound attendant</i><br><i>Veterinary attendant</i><br><i>Zoo attendant</i><br> <br><i><strong>Main Duties</strong></i><br><i>Workers in this group perform some or all of the following duties:</i></p><ul>
<li><i>Prepare food and feed animals, fish or birds at scheduled intervals</i></li>
<li><i>Clean and disinfect cages, pens and surrounding areas</i></li>
<li><i>Shampoo, clip and groom animals</i></li>
<li><i>Assist veterinarians and animal health technologists and technicians to inoculate and treat animals</i></li>
<li><i>Assist animal breeders to handle and nurture animals</i></li>
<li><i>Assist scientists and researchers in conducting laboratory tests with animals</i></li>
<li><i>Monitor and document animal behaviour</i></li>
<li><i>Train dogs to obey commands and perform specific duties in response to signals.</i></li>
</ul><p><i><strong>Employment Requirements</strong></i><br><i>Completion of secondary school is usually required. Depending on the type of work performed, training courses in animal handling, grooming or dog training are usually required. Animal health or veterinary assistant college courses may be required for animal care workers.</i></p><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.red-seal.ca/about/pr.4gr.1m-eng.html" data-link-type="url" contents="" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/34fc3466f15ad1e75b807a6160a54effcd4868a2/medium/rse-graphic-web-carousel-final.png?1441548180" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p><strong>High Schools</strong><br>Dog training is clumped in with the following groups: 6561 Image, social and other personal consultants:<i> colour consultant, fashion, etiquette consultant, fashion and wardrobe consultant, image consultant, make-up consultant, public speaking consultant, wardrobe consultant, wedding consultant, weight loss consultant, </i>6562 Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations:<i> beauty treatment operator, cosmetician, electrologist, electrolysis technician, esthetician, hair replacement technician, manicurist, pedicurist, scalp treatment specialist, tattoo artist, </i>and 6564 Other personal service occupations:<i> astrologer, chat line agent, dating service consultant, fortune teller, psychic consultant, psychic reader.</i></p><p>While groups 6561 and 6562 require high school diplomas and college degrees, group 6564 requires no educational background. Our trade isn't taken seriously because of the lack of educational standards. I would like to change this reality because our clients have animals that can and do cause harm. Let's face it, our profession is a dangerous one. As such, I believe it's our responsibility to make sure the general public remains safe from potentially dangerous interventions.<br> <br><strong>Dog Trainer and Behaviour Consultant Future </strong><br>I have a dream. I wish trainers and behaviour consultants would come together to design a certification program. School boards could implement the program and call it a professional high school diploma in dog training and behaviour consultation. From there, professionals could pursue their Red Seal Endorsement which would ensure a national standard for our professions.<br><br>I certainly hope I'll see our respective fields become standardized. I'm still young and have great aspirations we'll change the future. We simply need to come together, sit, and design a workable field of study. What do you say? If you're from another country, what are your government, if any, standards when it comes to dog training or behaviour consultation? Leave a comment or link below.<br><br><strong>References</strong><br>- Government of Canada. <i>National Occupational Classification 2011</i>. Retrieved from http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/QuickSearch.aspx?val65=* 09-2015<br>- Red Seal Program. Retrieved from http://www.red-seal.ca/c.4nt.2nt@-eng.jsp?cid=22 09-2015</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/38342182015-09-01T12:50:09-04:002021-07-09T16:20:15-04:00Real World Training<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT</p>
<div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/15bd7bb5cb3e8baf636ab57460ca67c1a0536d5e/medium/clciker.jpg?1362375817" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Over the last twelve years, I've been fortunate enough to have spent time in both zoological and non-zoological training environments, and let me tell you, there's a big difference when it comes to training. This week, I want to talk about those differences in order to stop trainers from feeling guilty about dog training. I know I'm going to make enemies again, but I have to talk about force-free training, AKA positive reinforcement <em>only</em> trainers. <br><br><strong>Training Differences</strong><br>The positive reinforcement <em>only</em> and Force Free movements have a negative impact on dog training and public education, here's why. Both training approaches are defined as withholding any type of aversive in a training session in order to avoid pain or stress. Pain inflicting tools, words, or physical actions are forbidden. Although I don't use any aversive tools, sometimes I have to say no to dogs, use a no reward marker, or physically restrain an animal because it's too strong. Consequently, we can't compare exotic animal training with dog training because the environment is not the same.<br><br><strong>Environmental Differences</strong><br>Force Free and positive reinforcement <em>only</em> groups say <em>If we can train lions with a purely positive approach, then we must train dogs with the same techniques</em>. This sounds awesome, but there are two important issues with this approach, and the issues are HUGE ones. First, lions (or any other exotic animal) live in captivity; dogs don't. This means exotic animal trainers can control 100% of the lion's environment, 100% for the time; consequently, lion trainers can avoid any negative stimulus and punishment. Second, the positive <em>only</em> approach perpetuates misinformation about science-based learning theories and training methodologies.<br><br>Positive reinforcement <em>only</em> is not applicable in the real world where predictability and aversive outcomes are statistical probabilities. During a training session, we teach our clients to <em>set the dog up for success</em>, but the fact of the matter is, we cannot guarantee 100% reliability of behaviour because the environment is not under 100% control. In other words, because I can't control the environment and all living beings within it, my client will undoubtedly fail a significant percentage of the time and use a punisher or no reward marker. The important thing to remember is punishment and no reward markers aren't synonymous with abuse, violence, or aggression. Clients and trainers should not feel guilty if words such as <em>no</em>, <em>stop</em>, or <em>heyhey</em> are used in training.<br><br><strong><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://easyladys.com/es/issues/36415" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/394264ab82a062953b0813750bd58b23965a6766/medium/great-dane-training.jpg?1441125466" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a>Training Impact</strong><br>When I teach a dog <em>check-in</em> in order to decrease the trash eating behaviour, I might say <em>stop</em> to the dog before he picks up another piece of trash. I then reward the dog for having stopped. I might do this because I know the last time the dog ate trash it resulted in 3000$+ operation. Clients don't know about learning theories, differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviours, or stimulus control. People want their dogs to behave, quickly, and somewhat effortlessly.<br><br>Yes, I could reward big time for looking at humans and not eating trash. Here's the problem, what if the dog is a stressed-out Beagle who loves trash more than he loves our food supply? What if the Labrador is on the higher end of the anxiety spectrum and eats trash to release his anxiety? What if the trash-eating Great Dane can pull his human to the ground because he's 175lbs?<br><br>When the environment isn't under control, punishment from the owner, trainer, or environment itself, <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/1bd03f633b91dfdaaaababaf2cd8269741e9b7ef/medium/img-9627.jpg?1441125652" class="size_m justify_left border_" />becomes a statistical probability. Lest we forget, punishment or reinforcement is from the animal's perspective, not ours. Thus, when I (read we) need to hold a dog-reactive Great Dane down with a body and head harness, is this a punishment? From the dog's perspective, it may or may not be. Is it abuse? No. Is it force? Yes. Is it forceful? No. We aren't using body power to pull him down, we are keeping him from rearing up, running away, and dragging us along. Physical interventions are needed in order to reinforce <em>look at human</em> for info, or simply to ask the dog to <em>sit</em>.<br><br><strong>Zoological Reality</strong><br>Captive animals don't experience the endless variety of unpredictable stimuli our dogs are subjected to. It's easy to control 100% of my lion's behaviour, especially during training; in contrast, I can't predict what the environment will throw at me, or my client, one minute from the next. The probability of using an aversive or punisher during a dog training session, in the real world, isn't impossible, it's probable.<br><br>Science has taught us how learning theories and behaviour modification protocols work. Why someone would deny one aspect of science in favour of another, when living conditions are diametrically opposed, baffles me. Zoological institutions don't experience real-world effects, thus, to compare one to the other is as relevant as comparing the moon to an egg. I work in both fields and although I use the same theories and protocols, I can assure you, I don't train the same way. Thresholds are easy to manage in zoological settings; in the real world, thresholds vary from one second to the next. Dogs aren't wolves, and wolves aren't dogs. <br><br>One last word. There's no reason to feel guilty if you need to use a punisher or no reward marker, it's part of life. That being said, make sure you immediately reward the cessation of the undesirable behaviour. This is often the key concept people forget. When you reward an animal for having stopped the undesirable behaviour, you are in fact communicating that the desirable behaviour is to <em>do nothing</em>. As Rush said in their song Freewill <em>If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. </em>
</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/38267282015-08-25T10:26:41-04:002017-01-11T09:29:47-05:00Canine CultureBy Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/7bccb202e78b43a2df8d40d5d6e811abba634726/medium/100_1318.JPG?1362203519" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Dogs, <em>Canis Familiaris</em>, have evolved from their wild ancestor, the wolf, yet they no longer can be considered as the same species. Many biological and behavioural factors separate wolves from domestic dogs. I talked about those differences in <a href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/canine-conundrum">Canine Conundrum</a>, a while back. Since we know dogs aren't wolves, it becomes imperative to define what dogs are.<br><br><strong>Domestication and Urbanisation</strong><br>Domestication is all about removing, through selective breeding, flight distances. For generations, people have selected certain species of animals to stay in close proximity and eventually work with or for us. In that sense, dogs are domesticated and wolves are not. There's even a difference between feral <a href="#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title="">[i]</a>, country, and urban dogs. City dogs are far less tolerant of other dogs because of proximity. Intimate and social spaces overlap, which creates tension; furthermore, socialisation is often inadequate. Missing body parts such as ears and tail also contribute to canine miscommunication.<br><br>Feral and country dogs are more patient when they encounter conspecifics because territories are larger, they don't live in close proximity, they're not forced to constantly interact, are properly socialised, and are often mixed breeds with intact morphological attributes. As a result, dogs who're left to explore the environment during critical periods tend to communicate more effectively.<br><br>When you think about it, it all makes sense. Urban dogs, like humans, are highly stressed because we live in such close proximity. We are often required to share intimate or social spaces, and worse, we're expected to continuously socialise with one another. I don't know about you, but I need time away from other people to recharge my batteries, but living in the downtown core makes that almost impossible. Urban canine culture isn't much different.<br><br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/1a103554b3c3334dd65a44646f03cae791c4bf91/medium/tienne.jpg?1427819488" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></strong><strong>Modern Dogs</strong><br>I see too many stressed out dogs in my practice, and it breaks my heart. Often, my first recommendation is to stop bringing your dog to daycare or work. Dogs love to be alone. Fact of the matter is, dogs evolved as a species because they no longer needed to live in groups. Feral dogs mostly live by themselves without help or contact from conspecfics. Even owning multiple dogs creates stress. Urban dogs need time alone to recharge their batteries. Think about it, would you love to spend every waking moment with your significant other? I mean to share the bathroom, bed, work space, dinner table, television, sofa, walk, and exercise together forever and ever. That would probably drive you insane, if not, it would certainly stress you out.<br><br>There's no need to feel guilty about leaving dogs home alone, they need it. You don't believe me? No worries. If you have two dogs, try to go on a walk one dog at a time and see how their behaviour changes. Do it for a couple days and note what's different. You'll undoubtedly see something changed.<br><br><strong>Canine Culture</strong><br>Dogs don't need to stop and interact with another dog for thirty seconds. If anything, this creates more stress than not. Try to remember the people you saw this morning when you went to work. Now imagine you stopped in front of each person, one at a time, and told them your age, gender, reproductive status, what you do for a living, medical history, level of physical fitness, what you ate for dinner last night, breakfast this morning, and when you last peed and pooped. This might sound silly, but I can assure you this is NOT socialisation, it's sheer madness.<br><br>Dogs don't need, nor want, to interact with one another on a continuous basis. I know I'm repeating myself, but I really want you to understand how important this is. Dogs have a communication system in place to actually avoid contact and conflict, it's called avoidance signals. Next time you're out, watch the dogs you meet. Most of them will break eye contact an turn their head, pretend sniff or gaze at an imaginary object to avoid contact. Dogs who stare have learned that they'll be forced to interact, so they give distance increasing behaviours which, as the term implies, serve to create distance between themselves and incoming dogs.<br><br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/d09827f6012a119e39b7acfcf1556df65873b183/medium/100-0334.jpg?1421778134" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Dog, The Social Creature</strong><br>Yes, socialisation is important; however, social interactions shouldn't be forced. Dogs should be allowed to socialise when and with whom they desire. Furthermore, some dogs are more social than others, just like people. Make sure your dogs has enough down time to recuperate from outings or social events. Some dogs need two or three days to recuperate and relax. Respect their rhythm and allow for long snoozes in the sun, doing nothing. If your dog loves to socialise, a normal socialisation session is approximately 15-20 minutes long. If you don't have that much time to devote to your dog's social experience, then don't stop, keep walking. Don't feel guilty about your dog's limited social life, chances are, they'll thank you for it with kisses and cuddles.<br><br>I want to finish this article with a question. I know I keep asking this over and over again, but I really want you to think about it, <em>why do you have a dog?</em> 90% of people I ask answer <em>for companionship</em>. If this is true, don't you think your dog should be a social bug with you, not the neighbour's dog?!
<div> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%">
<div id="edn1">
<a href="#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title="">[i]</a> dogs who have had no contact with humans during the critical period of socialisation.</div>
</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/38149932015-08-11T11:31:58-04:002021-12-21T17:44:42-05:00Anthropomorphic Propaganda<p>By Gaby Dufrense-Cyr<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://yancao.info/yancao-images.html" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/f298b451747b640d720fdc395190c84b2194a8b0/medium/o-dogs-with-human-hands-facebook.jpg?1439306809" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>Lately, I've noticed an increase on social media of anthropomorphic observations of animal behaviour, in other words, people see other people in animals. A dog wants to <em>save</em> a fish's life by tossing water on it, a rhino saves a zebra from a certain mud death, or a rescued dog and her pups cry to her saviour. It might seem altruistic, but more often than not, it isn't.<br><br><strong>Anthropomorphism</strong><br>I don't know if it's because people have come to realize that if they post a random picture titled <em>dog saves fish </em>or <em>rhino rescues zebra</em> on social media they get millions of <em>likes</em> and <em>share</em>s, or it's because people fundamentally believe animal emotions are just like humans. Either way, the act of attributing human emotions or cognition onto something, living or not, is called anthropomorphism. The origin of the word is Greek ánthrōpos (ἄνθρωπος) lit. "human" and morphē (μορφή) "form".<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/af8230453851a3bfb05837ef50954162c8a69eae/medium/screenshot-2015-08-11-11-40-20.png?1439307766" class="size_m justify_right border_" />The downside to anthropomorphism, in the name of science, directly affects our view of animals, and to some extent, anthropomorphism interferes with our common sense, reasoning, and critical thinking. Extreme anthropomorphism also opens the door to anthropocentrism: the assessment of reality through an exclusively human perspective.<br> </p>
<div>I believe we'll see an increase in these types of observations because of magazines or journals that write articles with catchy titles like <em>Dogs as Smart as 2-year-old Kids</em> or <em>Scans Reveal Striking Similarity Between Human and Canine</em>. There's nothing wrong with catchy titles; however, some people take this at face value and this is where anthropomorphism begins. It's important to remember, animals do have emotions, but we're not one and the same. <br><br>Dogs have different drives, motivations and emotions, and to think otherwise opens the door to disguised forms of abuse. Let me explain. The other day I saw a Pomeranian in a jacket during a heatwave, the reason: <em>My dog is part of the family and since I dress my kids, so too does my dog get to wear nifty apparel</em>. No need to tell you this dog was overheated and uncomfortable. The same applies to dogs in strollers. Dogs need to walk and run. Movement is an integral part of wellness. In my opinion, if you prevent a dog from walking or running it's a form of abuse.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kpLIOPgEjY" target="_blank"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/aeb8ce1a2c4fecf1391ca46795acc79d2570a380/medium/dogcries.jpg?1439307919" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></strong></a><strong>Propaganda</strong><br>Social media is very good at perpetuating misinformation about animal behaviour. Some people share pictures of animals with false descriptions just to increase their popularity. More <em>likes</em> and <em>shares</em> mean you're an important person, right?! This comes with a cost. Misinterpreting an animal's behaviour could put a person in direct danger. Pictures and videos impart a false sense of security as some humans might think the animal they are about to interact with can do no harm.<br><br>I often find myself in the middle of social battles to correct interpretations in order to educate people and prevent dangerous situations. I tell people dogs cannot cry and the rescue should seek veterinary care for this animal, dogs cache their food as opposed to try and save fish, or that the article from which the rhino picture was taken states the animal actually disembodied the baby zebra.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/RVMWildlifePhotography" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/7694147115ec7423e65bcbe148d857ce2d7597fa/medium/bull-rhino-and-zebra-foal.jpg?1439307063" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><strong>Objective Observations</strong><br>Objective observation means looking and interpret behaviour based on the animal's physical, physiological, and psychological needs. A human subjective perspective blinds our view of authentic animal behaviour. Consequently, safety and medical conditions might be overlooked as with the crying dog video. A distorted view of behaviour could also endanger people or animals.<br><br>Maybe the day will come when we look back on our animal behaviour interpretations and laugh at our wrongdoings. Till then, I'll keep posting objective explanations of animal behaviour even if people are offended, angry, disappointed, disbelieved, or confused. My interventions are meant to educate not humiliate. In return, if you find an objective description of animal behaviour and wish to share it with me, I'll be happy to post it on social media.<br><br><strong>References</strong><br>- Live Science. http://www.livescience.com (for article titles)<br>- Miriam-Webster. http://www.merriam-webster.com (for definitions)<br>- NPR. http://www.npr.org (for article titles)<br>- Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org (for definitions)</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/38001352015-08-02T14:11:29-04:002021-09-14T11:29:08-04:00Cecil, Ambassador Lion<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/3ffth0/cecil_the_lions_brother/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/9185471207d4bc9e301b82e245ff383af7c16477/original/cecil7.jpg?1438538855/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg?1438538855" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="reddit.com" /></a>In the wake of Cecil the lion, we come to realize he's an ambassador for all living animals. Lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, cats, and dogs are killed each minute of every day, year-round. What we make of Cecil's death defines us as individuals and as a species.<br><br>A tragic event has occurred in which we must rally together in order to educate a percentage of the population that believes poaching, or killing animals for sport, is an accepted thing, a good thing, a necessary thing. Walter Palmer is one of these people, but he's not the only one. I believe education is the best outcome for these nonsense killers.<br><br><strong>An Eye For An Eye</strong><br>Social media has gone mad with rage and wants to see M. Palmer die either physically or financially. That being said, many people depend on M. Palmer's practice to feed their families. As with any tragedy, many people are affected by the loss. Consequently, an eye for an eye is not the best outcome for animals or people. I propose Walter Palmer go to trial and serve his sentence in an animal rehabilitation or sanctuary. What better way to educate killers than to expose them to the day-to-day suffering of those animals whom they have forever changed because of poaching.<br><br>No one can be insensitive to the torments of an orphaned animal. No one can whiteness the last moments of a dying animal without being affected. If M. Palmer is exposed to the daily carnage that is poaching, then maybe he'll understand the absurdity of his actions and become a voice, the voice, for animal welfare.<br><br>Let's rise to the occasion and turn Cecil the lion's death into a positive experience. We all have voices, thus, we can be heard. Let's roar loudly to those who kill animals for no reason. Speak high and loud to tell Walter Palmer's friends we won't stand for poaching. Voice to your government representatives that killing is not a viable ecological and economical management strategy. Animals are our future, for each species contributes to mother nature's balance. It's our responsibility to ensure animals of all species live free, long and healthy lives.<br><br><strong><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/778d9d9ed10be71ce54241ce10088012e258418e/original/091205-orphaned-baby-elephants.jpg?1438538900/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg?1438538900" class="size_m justify_right border_none" alt="sheldrickwildlifetrust.org" /></a>Responsible Captivity </strong><br>We, as animal lovers, are fascinated by behaviour. We love to see animals live within their territories and behave as they should. We also believe habitat loss and poaching are abstract concepts because they don't affect us. They're not and they do. In North America, mostly the United States, wolves have been eradicated, and without a natural predator, hoofed animals are destroying the landscape, which in turn, promotes erosion. If you want to see what wolves do to ecosystems, watch this short four-minute <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q">video</a></strong>. I promise, your mind will be blown away.<br><br>What can we do within our urbanized cities to prevent the extermination of elephants, lions, bears, wolves, tigers, cheetahs, crocodiles, and so forth? You can address the taboo topic within your families and communities, real or virtual. You can visit zoological establishments which can and do work very hard at conservation by breeding and ensuring genetic diversity. Africa's last North white rhinoceros is under <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/16/africa/kenya-northern-white-rhino/"><strong>heavy</strong> <strong>guard</strong></a> around the clock. On the other hand, the <strong><a href="http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/how-the-western-black-rhino-went-extinct/">Western black rhinoceros</a></strong> was not so lucky and is now officially extinct. If we had captured these rhinoceros and placed them in captivity, we would have had a chance to save them.<br><br>I understand if you're against animals kept in zoological institutions or private reserves, I am too, but truth is, animals are safer within our artificial walls than in their natural habitat. The white lion is another example. You cannot and will not see white lions walk or hunt in <strong><a href="http://whitelions.org/">Timbavati</a></strong>, their homeland, because they were exterminated. A <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.parcsafari.com"><strong>few select</strong> <strong>establishments</strong></a> in North America have white lions in captivity in order to help reproduce and enhance genetic diversity. Fortunately, a small group of people is determined to reintroduce the white lion to Timbavati, or at least save it from extinction.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/53d45b8a6cb1a8a9a06aa0badc0f749d2ba7eb53/original/gu-pard.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />I urge you to talk to your children, visit Africa, support zoological establishments which try their best to breed and reintroduce animals within protected territories and reserves. Give to animal foundations, volunteer your vacation time, or better yet, host a special animal ambassador event for your friends and family to learn about poaching by-products like ivory, <em>supplements</em>, clothing made of fur, artifacts made of horns, the list is long.<br><br><strong>Future Endeavours </strong><br>We're at crossroads between captive animal management and habitat destruction. Poaching is directly linked to greed and consumerism. Children need to learn to value, interact, enjoy, touch, feel, or even see animals in their natural settings. Most urban dwellers have never seen or touched a cow. We need to change that. We need to make people care. For, without lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, cougars, or wolves, hoofed animals will conquer the landscape and our rivers will die.<br><br>I'd love to see animals live a free life as they did when I was a child, but till we can educate people and stop the massacre, this reality is no longer a viable option. The death of Cecil the lion is sad; however, good must come of it. I believe it's our responsibility to voice their plight and make changes. Walter Palmer doesn't deserve to die, he deserves to be face-to-face with the living victims of his actions.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/37914862015-07-28T08:50:17-04:002024-03-15T19:00:42-04:00Steps to Success<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br>Thousands of articles and books are written each year on how to achieve success. Corporations set examples for young entrepreneurs, but when it comes to animal-related business, do success tips apply or should they be taken with a grain of salt?</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/14c15ba073ca30a6af441f217b0134e2f6f573ad/original/img-9334.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/14c15ba073ca30a6af441f217b0134e2f6f573ad/medium/img-9334.jpg?1437930849" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>Recently, I gave an interview to a university student on my definition of success. The lovely young woman was curious and open-minded. We sat and drank coffee in the Dogue Shop's lounge and discussed the many tips normally taught in university business classes. More specifically, the topic covered my definition of success and the steps I thought were appropriate.<br><br><strong>My Definition</strong><br>I define success not by an amount of money, but rather by the actions I've completed in order to transform my passion into a working and self-sustaining model. To me, success is the ability to not only do what I love but be who I am. I think everybody can work their passion, but if you're not yourself in the process, you'll fail. Why? Because emotions and insecurities influence decisions. I see many dog trainers and behaviour consultants burnout and return to the non-passionate workforce, not because they didn't love what they did, but because they lacked the inner leadership required to transgress their own emotional limits.</p><p>Certainly, leadership can be learned, but to lead yourself towards the desired goal and remove hurdles along the way requires a certain ability, characteristic, a motivational force if you will, to take the steps necessary an assure victory. Being in business is a stressful adventure not intended for the weak of heart. If you are a natural leader and have decided to follow your dream and turn your passion into a full-time business, as Axl Rose would say <i>Welcome to the jungle</i>.<br><br><strong>Services, The New Product</strong><br>The top ten business tips for beginners are listed below. I've added my thoughts to illustrate differences between service and product industries. If you're thinking of starting a business, I highly recommend you write up a business plan with a senior service industry professional, if only to clear your thoughts about tip number one and seven.<br><br>1. <i>Do some soul-searching</i>. If you don't know what you're passionate about, you can find a multitude of personality tests that can help you discover your inner calling. Most people who'll read this article already have an idea. Actually, more often than not, people have too many ideas.<br><br>2. <i>Pick the right type of business</i>. If you know number one, there's no need to spend time on this. The only thing I would recommend is to wean out products. Service professionals who sell products are not taken seriously. Think about it, would you buy supplements, clothing accessories, or food at your psychologist or chiropractor's office? Pet stores are product businesses and your service clients are not looking to buy pet food or leashes.<br><br>3. <i>Figure out how much money you'll need</i>. True, but this should really come last, once you've made your business plan. Don't try to jump hurdles before you get to them. Finances and projections will come soon enough.<br><br>4. <i>Hire the right people</i>. Kevin Costner said it best in Fields of Dreams <i>If you build it, they will come</i>. Most animal professionals are independent workers, but if you plan on expanding, find people who share your vision and mission statement. If you stay true to yourself, the right people will show up at the right time.<br><br>5. <i>Create a winning culture</i>. This is really about leadership. If you stay true to yourself you'll be surrounded by the right people because a <i>winning culture</i> is a consequence, not a goal. I've never set out to create a new culture, let alone <i>a winning</i> one. I believe people rally around a successful business because of the authentic nature by which it evolves.</p><p>6. <i>Learn empathy</i>. OK, let me simply point out that if you haven't learned how to be empathetic by now, you most likely have an antisocial personality disorder. Empathy is the first thing we learn as infants, so cross this one off your list of things to do. On the other hand, you might need to take a few classes on interpersonal communication, interviewing, and group dynamics.</p><div><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/4bae9e2c058e448fdd2cb5a80aabc784d3e46404/original/img-5887.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/4bae9e2c058e448fdd2cb5a80aabc784d3e46404/large/img-5887.jpg?1437931073" class="size_l justify_right border_" /></a><p>7. <i>Find the metrics that matter most</i>. This refers to what services will you offer. If you haven't answered that question already, I suggest you start by what you DON'T want to do. As mentioned in tip number one, future professionals want to do everything, unfortunately, they often burn out and end up doing nothing.</p>
<p>8. <i>Use incentives</i>. As mentioned above, training and behaviour aren't products, they're services. The service industry normally doesn't use incentives. Have you ever contacted a plumber, electrician, psychologist, or chiropractor because he had a special two for one offer? I didn't think so! Your work should speak for itself. If you want your clients to return that's fine, but service professionals normally don't use promotions to attract clients.</p>
<p>9. <i>Experiment in stages</i>. Tip seven should make this stage obsolete. When you know what you want to offer, stages should only mean new services or better services. If you grow as a business and hire people, remember no one is exactly like you and clients might not want to deal with your colleagues. Which, if you think about it, is a good thing.<br><br>10. <i>Keep your eye on the future</i>. Although being aware of what goes on in the animal industry is required, innovations should not come from others, they should come from you. Always <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/steps-to-success" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Think Outside the Box">Think Outside the Box</a> and be creative. Again, there's no one else exactly like you; therefore, you should allow yourself to experiment, evolve, grow, flourish, and transcend the present moment. The future will come soon enough.<br><br><strong>My Thoughts</strong><br>In the end, owning your business is extremely rewarding. I've met wonderful people, worked with amazing animals, made connections I never could have dreamt of, and have been blessed by unique experiences. I've never set limits for myself because I've never believed in boundaries. I like to <i>go with the flow</i> in a structured kind of way. Most importantly, I try to live in the eternal moment because I truly love the discoveries I make. In that way, I can relate to dogs, for the journey allows me to savour my passion and frolic in the wind.<br><br><strong>References</strong><br>- John Molson School of Business. Concordia University. Retrieved from http://www.concordia.ca/jmsb.html 07-2015.<br>- Minda Zetlin. 10 Steps for Success as an Entrepreneur. Retrieved from http://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/10-steps-to-success-as-an-entrepreneur.html 07-2015.<br>- Government of Canada. Service Industry. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry Profile. Retrieved from https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/si-is.nsf/eng/h_ai02289.html 07-2015.</p>
</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/37773932015-07-21T08:22:05-04:002021-07-09T16:42:18-04:00Dog's Emotional Self<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr<br><br>Those of you who read this blog every week are used to the <em>Think Outside The Box </em>ideas I write about. Consequently, many of you know I have a learning disability and an eidetic memory. You also know that I've trained my mind to recognize letters, words, and numbers as they are, not as my mind thinks they are. This brings me to behaviour, more so, dog behaviour. The reason we can see beyond behaviour is because of our ability to feel empathetic. <br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/liviuplesoianu.oficial/photos/a.1456823171201424/1841939699356434/?comment_id=1842162949334109" target="_blank"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/80759b258a752a5f7690e272c181647ca1c92ab7/medium/cat-sees-lion-mirror.jpg?1436900457" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></strong></a><strong>Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall</strong><br>Behaviour is the result of internal processes manifested outwardly, and as Morpheus said to Neo in the Matrix "<em>The body cannot live without the mind</em>." We, I really should say I, am reminded how great an impact emotion and cognition have on mySelf, especially when I look to the past.<br><br>Let me tell you a little story. In 1997, I had a life-altering idea that still drives me today. I won't go into details about the idea because it's not relevant. What is important is the long-lasting effect it's had on me as a person and professional. At that specific moment in time, it became clear to me that working with animals was, is, really about working on mySelf.<br><br>Emotions are contagious whether you want them or not. Brains are wired for empathy, and not surprisingly, science confirms dogs are also wired for empathetic connections. When I observe human or dog relationships, I'm tempted to bypass behaviour and look at which emotions are in action.<br><br>When I can perceive which feelings drive behaviour, I access the opposite emotion within myself and share it purposefully. My objective is to transcend emotions and develop a universal state of feeling, of being. <br><br><strong><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/His_Master%27s_Voice" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/35888c175787efbfbfbe6fa97feac2cbc9d12a04/medium/originalnipper.jpg?1436900338" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a>Monkey See, Monkey Do</strong><br>My entire life has been about encompassing ideas, emotions, feeling, thoughts, plants, people, and animals into one giant entity which has depth and breadth. A sort of living organism which self-sustains itself because of a shared connectedness.<br><br>Sounds intangible, not to say ludicrous, I think not. Couples adopt their spouse's mannerisms and speech patterns; dogs synchronize their gate speed to their human; plants grow more efficiently when they're in the presence of other plants; consequently, our simple attachment to one another influences others.<br><br>In other words, your dog becomes you, and you become your dog. This is not new, for centuries, companies have used the <em>monkey see, monkey do</em> phenomenon to sell products. <br><br><strong>Words of Wisdom</strong><br>Empathy isn't about feeling responsible for other's emotions, it's about placing yourSelf in someone else's emotional state in order to feel what they might be experiencing. Unfortunately, empathy can bring you so far. If you've never experienced the emotions associated with a particular event, it's difficult to perceive the same feeling.<br><br>My perception of people and animals is a reflection of internal processes which belong to me. I see events in my life as experiences. These encounters serve to teach me how I perceive mySelf in the world and all that it contains; therefore, my emotions belong to me and reciprocally, I'm not responsible for other's emotions. Empathy and projection are very distinct things.<br><br>I live my life based on a sentence I thought of during meditation "<em>Close your eyes and see, for the vision laid before you is clouded by your sight</em>." If you can make sense of this sentence, you've understood what I've been trying to say. If you don't, no worries, life will always find a way to teach you the concept. And, if life doesn't teach you, your dog will.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/37619132015-07-14T12:13:24-04:002017-01-11T09:29:47-05:00Aggression, The Ugly WordBy Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/4225b274b147a75b13db5f33e9bdd8db085e57fc/medium/montr-al-20130724-00933.jpg?1435770332" class="size_m justify_left border_" />One thing's for sure, people consult far more often for aggressive behaviours than for fear, destruction, inappropriate elimination, vocalisation, and anxious behaviours put together. The funny thing is, aggression is normal in canids.<br><br>So why are we bent up on aggression? Why do we fear this type of behaviour above anything else? My answer will probably displease most readers, but I'm going to say it anyway. Aggression troubles people because humans tend to see aggression as an extension of their emotional selves (anthropomorphism). Furthermore, pet guardians can't bare the idea their canine companion could, or would, exhibit aggression towards other humans or dogs because that puts them in direct conflict with other people.<br><br>I'm here to reassure you, dogs are aggressive but not because you are aggressive. Canines display aggressive behaviours, just as humans do, but unfortunately they can't put emotions into words. Dogs manage their world with simplified communication output based on <em>avoid conflicts at all cost</em>. This is done via a language that serves to communicate information fast and easy. If I tell you to <em>Please go away because you make me feel uncomfortable in this situation</em> in a soft non threatening voice, your response might take time because you don't believe me. But, if I say in a loud aggressive voice <em>Buzz off</em>, you quickly get the message and leave me alone.<br> <div>
<a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRQoAuTpFI4" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/06f323bf39baaf9e51b2a30afc07dc9bf2851005/large/screenshot-2015-07-01-13-10-26.png?1435770726" class="size_l justify_right border_" /></a>What I'm trying to say is that dogs display aggression and there is nothing wrong with that. If my dog exhibits an aggressive response towards a poorly mannered dog, I'm not offended and let them settle the dispute. Guess what, most often, when we step back and let dogs be dogs, problems are solved on their own and behaviour improves. In the following video, most people are tempted to intervene because the dogs are in conflict. If, on the other hand we let them solve their problems, we end up with dogs that respect other dogs' space.<br><br>My question to you is were you upset about watching the video? Would you intervene in this type of situation? If so, which dog would you pull away and why? I don't want to answer because I want to open the discussion with you. Let's stop fearing aggression and let's talk about why we don't allow our animals to communicate. Yes, it's true some dogs are poorly behaved because of behaviour issues, but that is far from being the majority. Most aggression cases on my desk are dogs who have learned to be aggressive because of poor breeding, poor socialization, interrupted communication, and poor training.<br><br>If you want to deal with aggression, you must first detach yourself from the emotion and see it objectively for what it is, dog communication. You should approach aggressive situations and learn to identify what your dog is trying to say. If you need help, find a good human-dog <em>interpreter</em> who will teach you canine language, and in return, you'll be better equipped to solve aggressive emotional outbursts, should you need to.</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/37459012015-07-07T11:01:55-04:002019-10-24T12:15:30-04:00Lure versus Reward Training<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/320f1a7acfbec9eae7df3059efb958e520b4e142/medium/montr-al-20130723-00919-1.png?1434575927" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Many people confuse lure with reinforcement training. The confusion might come from the fact that both techniques use food to train animal behaviours. My goal this week is to shed light and expose the differences between the two.</p>
<p>Lure training is a technique by which food, a toy, or any desirable object is used to model the dog into the desired behaviour. the lure is then given to the animal as a reward. When you move a cookie or ball over your dog's head and he sits, you have lured your dog into a sit position. The trainer then gives the dog the cookie or toy. The process is then repeated until the behaviour occurs frequently.</p>
<p>Here's the thing. If you don't remove the lure at the right time, the trainer and behaviour become dependant on the lure. In other words, no food, no behaviour. Plus, if you work in an environment rich with stimuli, the value of the lure decreases tremendously which in turn increases undesirable behaviours. This is definitely not a win-win situation.</p>
<p>Here's an example. You use a treat to teach your dog to sit. In your house, the dog performs the behaviour perfectly. One day, you decide to go to the park and let your dog play with his friends. After a few minutes, Fido gets a little excited so you call him over. You ask him to sit, but Fido has his own agenda and refuses to listen. You pull out a treat, dangle it in his face and ask again. Still, Fido refuses to cooperate. The reason Fido doesn't want to listen is that playtime with his friend is way more rewarding than the treat you have to offer.</p>
<p>With lure training, dogs don't really learn behaviour, they simply follow food or toys. Consequently, when rewards of better importance, like playing with friends, become available, the lure loses its reinforcement power. Plus, the lure is used to teach multiple behaviours that confuse dogs even more. Dogs don't know if the lure (food, toy, touch) is the signal to do the behaviour or is the reward. Add insult to injury, sometimes the lure is used as both. Are you confused? If so, you now know how lure trained dogs feel.</p>
<p>With social-cognitive and reinforcement-based training, dogs learn that sit makes treats appear. Thus, by trial and error, treats will appear if dogs sit or won't appear if they don't sit. Again, luring doesn't teach dogs what to do because in the absence of the lure dogs won't perform the behaviour. Plus, when other more interesting things occur in the environment, the lure loses its power. Consequently, lure trainers get stuck in this habit and cannot break away from it.</p>
<p>If you put those lures aside and let dogs think things through for a moment, you'll be greatly surprised with what they can and do learn. Dogs have the capacity to think, we simply need to trust their cognitive abilities. In summary, a lure is a modelling tool, not a reward. Try it out and tell us what happened when you used a lure to train a behaviour versus reward.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/37601472015-06-30T10:52:42-04:002017-01-11T09:29:47-05:00Dogs Eat GrassBy Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/6cc2c50e3c9847441a1ac8d9bbb2b9e958d5f875/small/dsc-7459.jpg?1435674950" class="size_s justify_left border_" />Have you ever noticed dogs love to eat grass? This observation is often followed by the question <em>why do dogs eat grass anyway</em>. Today I'll address the various reasons why our canine companions might need to forage, but more importantly, is boredom a significant cause.<br><br>Dogs love to eat grass. Some eat more than others. The most commonly consumed grasses are perennial wheat and oat. The large lacerated edges of the leaf might help our canine companions sooth a stomach ache or intestinal disruption. However, less than 25% of dogs will vomit after eating grass; consequently, other reasons might explain this behaviour. Veterinarians suggest dogs might eat grass to cleanse themselves of parasites, or to complement their diet with additional fiber.<br><br>Although grass is natural, gramineae which have been treated with insecticides and herbicides should be avoided. If your grass is <em>green</em>, so to speak, dogs can eat all they want. Normally, there's no direct medical consequences to eating grass. If you find your dog has extreme diarrhea or vomits profusely after eating grass, you should call your veterinarian.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/097b0491029d98d2e71ea5f4f4966389e5c83c01/medium/dsc-7458.jpg?1435674957" class="size_m justify_right border_" />One reason mentioned in the literature attracts my attention, boredom. Behaviourally speaking, I've never seen or met a dog who eats grass out of boredom. I have, however, worked with dogs who dig holes and destroy flower beds. In my home, our canine companions eat so much grass they're nicknamed <em>bull grazer</em> and <em>hedge dog</em>.
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<br>If dogs eat grass out of boredom, one might suspect other underlying behaviour issues such as high anxiety or stress. If your dog eats large quantities of grass, you might want to pay attention to his daily amount of exercise and mental stimulation. <a contents="Brain Games" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/brain-games" target="_blank">Brain Games</a> can reduce boredom and increase tiredness, two criteria that directly influence behaviour.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q91dUtDYkU" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/2d0684672457cbdf2399f547836102598602f6f1/small/screenshot-2015-06-30-10-49-25.png?1435675898" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></a>In summary, dogs eat grass. If your pet is well adjusted, plays, learns, doesn't display generalised stress or anxiety, pica is a normal behaviour. If you are not yet convinced, many animals have a tendency to consume foods which are not normally found in their diet. The following video (left) demonstrates a typical herbivore animal who now and them does eat other animals. Bird eating deers are not as uncommon as you think.<br><br>There is no black or white in animal behaviour, only shades of grey. Boredom is highly unlikely the reason why dogs eat grass, so if your dog love to eat grass, don't worry about it, my suggestion is if he eats it, he needs it.<br><br>References:<br>- PetMed website. Retrieved June, 2015 from http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/why-do-dogs-eat-grass</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/37381572015-06-23T15:16:03-04:002021-07-09T16:48:10-04:00Dog Discoveries Pave The Way<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.amazon.ca/Herm-Sprenger-German-Shorthaired-Pointer/dp/B01CSFSU1U" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/204ed9209b51c94442af365eba5fe4f95e399c15/medium/dog-prong-collar-chrome-plated-lrg.jpg?1434052310" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>This week I want to talk about a subject really close to home, dog training methodologies. You would think dog training evolved since my childhood days, but it seems, the more things change, the more they stay the same.<br><br>When I was a kid, we trained dogs in a military fashion. After all, my father was a military man so what else were we supposed to do?! Punishment was in and tools like choke and prong collars were fashionable. If you didn't train your dog with these tools, you weren't training at all.<br><br>Today we know better. A decade ago or so, scientists decided to study dogs; as a result, labs were inaugurated and people started to research various aspects of our canine companions. Discoveries are still being made, and new findings reveal information we can incorporate into our training programs. We now know tools of the past are no longer necessary.<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.sparcsinitiative.org/2015Conference" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/6fe2281ed9f49b6e12798cd9095e80528f2a5a4c/medium/sparcs2015.jpg?1434052398" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a>Three years ago, one man decided to create an initiative that is changing dog training once more. Every June, SPARCS presents a weekend conference on canine cognition discoveries. The event is presented free online via live-streamed. The science-based discussion allows information to be shared with the world; consequently, dog training and behaviour modification are now on an upsurge. <br><br>In 2015, there's no valid reason to use punishment or choke, prong, electric, citronella, or other coercive tools. But, I do understand how people believe punishment is the way. Our entire society is based on punishment. Schools punish, jobs punish, the market punishes, and parents punish; as such, dogs should also be punished.<br><br>It'll take time before the inner child of punishment-based trainers can shine through and change their minds. Till then, our job is to teach old school trainers that there's a better way, but ultimately, they themselves need to experience the laws of reinforcement. </p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/37346482015-06-16T10:42:19-04:002017-01-11T09:29:47-05:00My Dog's AggressiveBy Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br> <div>
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/81951a8f6d56c8d54b617f90e70c7cf818556544/medium/ti-loupdante.jpg?1362203650" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><a contents="Dog aggression" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/dog-aggression" target="_blank">Dog aggression</a> is always a hot topic, yet few people talk about their dog's aggressive behaviours in the open, especially if their dog is from the molosser group. This week's taboo topic is about aggression and violent behaviour. I'll define both words in order to clarify the subject, and hopefully, change your perspective about aggression and aggressive behaviours.<br><br>Aggressive : 1. <em>ready and willing to fight, using forceful methods to succeed or to do something </em>[to control]. 2. <em>range of behaviours that can result in physical harm to oneself or others</em>. 3. <em>Behaviours that arise from innate drives and/or a response to frustration</em>. Aggression, or being aggressive, is the physical expression of frustration and anger. It serves to control or avoid being controlled. Dogs, and almost every living organism, display aggressive behaviours in one form or another.<br><br>Violent: 1. <em>using or involving the use of physical force to cause harm or damage to someone or something : showing violence</em>. 2. <em>intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, or another </em><em>[...] which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury or death</em>. 3. <em>great force, either physical or emotional, usually exerted to damage or otherwise abuse something or someone</em>. Violence is an extreme form of aggression which normally serves to inflict harm; conversely, aggression doesn't systematically escalate into violence.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/58d21bc3794a6520f4bf6d68a070380dd46d5069/medium/100-6642.jpg?1433874399" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><strong>Dog Dichotomy</strong><br>Aggression is the <em>intent</em> to do harm, whereas violence is the <em>act</em> of being aggressive. Every human has the potential for aggression, but few people are actually violent. The same can be said of dogs. Certain dogs are more aggressive than others because people breed them for this specific characteristic, but not all <em>bred for aggression </em>dogs will display aggressive behaviours. Education also plays a large role in aggressive and violent displays. Ill intended people can take any breed and train it to be dangerous. An innate aggressive temperament doesn't discriminate between breeds, as such, Golden Retrievers, Chihuahuas, Labradors, Jack Russells, Yorkshires, molossers, etc. can all display aggressive behaviours, especially if poor socialisation, genetics, and training occur.<br><br>As stated above, aggressive behaviours are physical displays which serve to control or avoid being controlled. Aggression makes other dogs and people go away. Furthermore, people have come to recognise the benefits of having animal companions capable of making other people or animals go away. Historically speaking, humans developed a symbiotic relationship with domestic canines for the purpose of improving our safety and lives in general.<br> </div>
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<strong>Aggression is Good</strong><br>Think of aggression as a public announcement message. When dogs are placed in unpleasant situations (from their point of view, not ours), they give off signals which warn of imminent violent reactions. I'm highly thankful we have such signals and so should you. Why? Because warning signals reduce dog bite probabilities to a statistically negligible factor. Dogs can, and do, tell us when things are not right, therefore, it's our responsibility to learn their language and prevent negative outcomes. <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/9b7e6933ff53e23591a418264430eb41fd9e6492/medium/100_1241_1.jpg?1361791647" class="size_m justify_left border_" style="font-weight: bold;" />There's another reason why aggressive behaviours should be considered as good. When dogs display aggression, it's normally because something in our relationship has gone haywire. I personally believe aggressive behaviours are signs of interspecies relationship dysfunction. Consequently, we can use the problematic situation to reassess ourselves in our canine companion affiliations and change the outcome from a negative to a positive one.<br><br><strong>Words of Wisdom</strong><br>Aggression deepens bonds because it establishes respect within the relationship. Dogs need to know where they stand within their human-dog entity and do so by displaying ritualised aggression. I'm not suggesting you get down on all fours to practice play fights with your dogs, but if you could, they would love you even more.<br><br>Finally, aggression is not synonymous with violence. Dogs can display aggressive behaviours without being violent; however, as mentioned above, it's our responsibility to make sure we understand canine language in order to prevent bites and attacks from happening. I welcome aggressive behaviours as they let me know what to expect. If dogs display agonistic puckers, growls, or snarls, you should respect their wishes and give them space. We're not here to fight with dogs, we're here to share our lives, even when it's not under our terms.<br><br><strong>References</strong><br>- Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. (2007). Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc.<br>- Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary copyright (2015) Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.<br>- Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. (2009). Elsevier.<br><br><span class="font_small">* Agonistic: any form of behaviour associated with aggression, including threat, attack, appeasement, or flight.</span>
</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/37278312015-06-09T13:51:47-04:002023-05-16T15:06:24-04:00My Dog Won't Stop Barking<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b68722960f806e4b090fc497b9123d8d0553e378/original/208969144-494934668244777-1255403882537830122-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="" />People often ask me why their dogs bark. I get this question so often; I decided to write about it. Barking is what I call a <i>side effect </i>behaviour. Side-effect behaviours occur when dogs exhibit exaggerated responses to low-level stimuli. These undesirable displays are side effects of emotional issues. Examples of side effect behaviours are barking, pulling, jumping, or other disruptive behaviours in the absence or presence of low-level stimuli. These unwanted actions occur because dogs don't know how to express their emotions otherwise.<br><br><strong>Bark, Bark, Bark</strong><br>A good example, and probably the most common one, is barking. Dogs bark because the doorbell rings, the visit has arrived, a dog passes by, the dog's friend is in view, there's a strange person over there, a leaf flew by, etc. The list is long when it comes to barking, but vocalization normally doesn't happen in the absence of a stimulus. Barking serves to communicate emotions, desires, or needs; therefore, when a dog barks, we have to take the dog's emotions into consideration and identify the trigger.<br><br><strong>Enough All Already!</strong><br>If you want to stop a dog from barking, pulling, or lunging, two options present themselves. First, we must identify the source of the problem (person, animal, or object). Once identified, you can counter-condition the behaviour and train the dog to be silent (impulse control) or to exhibit another incompatible behaviour like touch my hand or go fetch a ball (displacement behaviour). Social cognitively speaking, you would teach the dog to look at you first in order to receive guidance to effectively solve the problem.<br><br>Many techniques and behaviour modification protocols exist which can help address side effect behaviours, but the source of the problem is what needs to be considered. Why does Fido pull, bark, lunge, or run when stimulus XYZ is present? Once you identify the source of the problem, half the work is done. The other half is behaviour modification or management, and in some cases, it's both.<br><br><strong>Silence, I Kill You! </strong><br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSgF24j_LfA" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents=""><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/3a27f88aeec6956cc3ded0f5315e03be271dc3d0/original/2351918.jpg?1433365062/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg?1433365062" class="size_s justify_left border_" alt="" /></strong></a>Obviously, you shouldn't kill your dog, but some owners certainly feel like they could when they call for a session. Undesirable behaviours have a tendency to escalate over time and aggravate humans in the process. That's because dogs are trying to solve problems on their own, and it's not working. Here's why.<br><br>Behaviour is an expression of emotion that serves to communicate intention; consequently, dogs need to vocalize or display other undesirable behaviours to express themselves. You should listen to your dogs and take charge of their decision-making process; if not, the behaviour will escalate and become excessive or a side effect behaviour.<br><br>Embrace the bark, lunge, or pull on the leash and consider alternate means of expression. Your relationship will flourish if you take charge of the situation and help your canine companion problem-solve. Before I go, keep in mind that <i>taking charge of the situation</i> is not synonymous with a yank, jerk, kick, shock, spray, tsit, or any other means of negative control. Taking charge means you should teach your dog to turn towards you for advice in the form of training and rewards, be it praise, toys, affection, or food. </p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/37111852015-06-01T13:52:34-04:002023-12-21T11:02:05-05:00Monster Dogs - Part 2<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://3milliondogs.com/tag/short-spine-syndrome/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents=""><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/06c1a7b772b0b6f9ab0fc1d958e95fe74a71005e/original/cuda-8-600x480-600x400.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>A few weeks ago, we talked about breeding dogs for fashion, not function. The taboo topic is a very sensitive one because it reflects our direct impact on a species we <i>created</i> to serve our specific needs. Unfortunately, our needs for a service animal (hunting, livestock guardian or herding, human safety, etc.) have changed and so too have our dog breeding practices. <br> <br>In the last few decades, designer dog breeds such as the morkie, cockapoo, labradoodle, puggle, and so forth have become popular, not because they serve a function, but because they are fashionable. People love these mixed dogs because they are one in a million, so to speak, and owning a rare breed is what makes people feel different and unique.<br><br>Designer dog breeds are one thing, monster dogs are another, but both find themselves on an ethical slippery slope. In <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/great-danes-and-other-monster-dogs-part-1" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Great Danes and Other Monster Dogs">Great Danes and Other Monster Dogs</a>, we saw how the exaggeration of physical and behavioural attributes compromises function for fashion. With social media, fashion can quickly spread with highly negative consequences for our furry friends. We have to be careful not to change designer breeds into real monster dogs.</p><div>
<br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.hawaiipighunter.com/are-these-coyotes-photoshopped-or-are-they-real/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents=""><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/2e43bdaf70f2d93d630ce9d0a401b596d8512ca2/medium/short-spine-wolf-1.jpg?1432076716" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a>Nature does produce monster creatures with forms that don't serve a function. When this happens, animals normally don't live very long and are removed from the gene pool. However, with domestic dogs, this isn't always true. Some people tend to breed strange-looking canines together in order to create litters of dogs that will sell high because of their uniqueness, and with social media, how easy it would be to promote fashionable figures over functional ones.<br><br>When we talk about designer breeds and monster dogs, a few questions come to mind. Questions like, how do dogs feel within their own body? Certain characteristics hinder function, therefore, dogs must suffer in some form or another. If they do, how do we evaluate suffering? Do we base suffering on behaviour or on physical pain? Dogs who suffer from short spine disease would die if left to their own device, so why do we feel compelled to save them? I'm simply asking you, the reader, to think about these important issues because it's entirely our responsibility what makes or break a dog breed. <br> <br>A few final thoughts and questions. Who would judge monster dog breeders as unethical? Who would prosecute such breeders when no control exists to oversee the genetic welfare of puppies? To these, I have no answers, and I sincerely hope I'll never need to find them. Monster dogs should never become fashionable because of our desire to possess strange and unique <i>things</i>.<br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2016/03/quasimodo-a-special-needs-dog-with-a-following/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents=""><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e6fee5cc3f65418da5ef06af6c91b017c48dd3e6/original/rickery-org.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><br>Designer breeds are not the only creatures we are turning into monster dogs. As Adam Conover in <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=252&v=aCv10_WvGxo" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Adam Ruins Everything">Adam Ruins Everything</a> mentions, pure bread dogs are being transformed into monster dogs because of inbreeding and our desire for fashion. This form of fashion breeding is slowly, but surely, killing our precious pets. If you click on the above link you will get a simple, yet thorough, explanation of what people are doing to dogs.<br><br>The only solution we have to save our dogs is to allow for genetic diversity. We must put aside our need for fashionable pets and focus on function: running, jumping, retrieving, catching, herding, swimming, pulling, etc. I suggest we prevent domestic canines from becoming monster dogs by allowing them total cross-breeding with other breeds but avoid making designer dogs. We must allow the gene pool to recuperate if we are to keep our furry friends functional.</div><div> </div><div>
<strong>Image Sources:</strong><br>Dogs<br>- https://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2016/03/quasimodo-a-special-needs-dog-with-a-following/<br>- https://3milliondogs.com/tag/short-spine-syndrome/<br>Wolf<br>- http://www.hawaiipighunter.com/are-these-coyotes-photoshopped-or-are-they-real/</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/37120362015-05-26T10:49:48-04:002017-01-11T09:29:46-05:00The Einstein DogBy Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/25ce13acaa6088a3ccea1f6f26ca1e8af1f33fd4/medium/IMGP1998.JPG?1361807277" class="size_m justify_right border_" />In 2005, I came across a dog who challenged my outlook on behaviour and approach to training. Her name was Boreal. I wrote an article about her in the French magazine Passionnement Chien spring 2006 issue. To this day, Boreal is the only dog to which I granted the nickname <em>Miss.</em> <em>Einstein</em>.<br><br>I'll always remember my initial visit with Boreal and her desperate owner. The black dog was a disorganised Belgium Groenendael who could not walk in a straight line. In my file I wrote: <em>Boreal is bold, fragmented, yet extremely intelligent. She strives to please but doesn't know which direction to go</em>. The first few exercises we designed for her were child's play and did not help one bit. Reinforcing heel was one thing, keeping her from looking and reacting at every single stimuli was another.<br><br>It soon became apparent we needed to teach Boreal to focus, and without any literature on dog mental abilities, or a Google web search engine, I had to design my own attention training program. I came up with an original idea; we would teach Boreal to read. I designed a complex program which included object and word recognition. It was a long and strenuous process, but it helped her tremendously. <br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGOcDDTTnBo" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/1d9c18a6c704068f02b24c3a5b4cf7f008586d6d/medium/screenshot-2015-05-26-10-45-42.png?1432651702" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>Boreal was so smart, she learned to recognise twelve objects with a 95% accuracy in one weekend. Within a few months, Boreal knew forty two objects, forty two corresponding words, two verbs (visually & auditory), and could discriminate between five shapes. When this video was taken, Boreal had not yet learned the words associated with the verb touch or take. All this to learn to walk and jog with her human. In the end, and with all our hard work, Boreal became a focused and reliable cognitive and physical athlete.<br><br><strong>Take Away</strong><br>What do I take away from this experience? <em>Miss. Einstein</em> taught me how poor mental stimulation impacts behaviour and just how important it is for dogs to use their brain. Ten years ago, I had to incorporate brain games into my training program because of Boreal. Today, I can say cognitive stimulus yields remarkable results, and not a day goes by without me thinking how one dog changed it all. From Boreal to <em>Miss Einstein</em>, this cognitive canine truly loved to learn.<br><br>Thankfully, today we have literature and research on canine cognition, and we have Google to provide us with <a href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/brain-games">Brain Games</a> ideas. Brain games are not designed to occupy dogs; they are meant to stimulate the brain, increase attention, and to improve problem-solving skills. Dogs are very smart and when done properly, brain games will help address other undesirable behaviours. I strongly recommend you consider adding mental stimulus to your dog's daily activities. Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/37057092015-05-18T19:37:06-04:002024-03-15T19:04:55-04:00Great Danes and Other Monster Dogs - Part 1<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/274508539772955885/" contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/f76d4d220eb95e79acbf8d6ce9ea84f531d1276c/medium/fawn-great-dane.jpg?1431473291" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>When I was a kid, we had Great Danes. These majestic creatures were big, bold, and never shied away from all our childish shenanigans. We started with one, then we had puppies, so we ended up with two, you know how the story goes. We had a molosser breed because Great Danes were <i>big</i> friendly dogs. With time it seems, Great Danes, molossus, and other breeds have become monster dogs.</p><div>
<p>Molosser means mastiff type. In French, a mastiff is called a Dogue (pronounced dog). Actually, Molosser is the proper term to describe what people call <i>bullies</i>. Dogue Allemand (German Mastiff), Dogue de Bordeau (French Mastiff), Dogo Argentino (Argentinian Mastiff), Dogue Napolitain (Neapolitan Mastiff), Broholmer (Danish Mastiff), Dogue Anglais (English Mastiff), Anatolian Mastiff (Turkish Mastiff) all belong to the mastiff group, AKA molosser, AKA bully, AKA dogue. There are so many molosser breeds I can't name them all here, but you can <a class="no-pjax" href="http://molosserdogs.com/gallery/index.php?cat=2" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>visit this page</strong></span></a> to find out more.<br><br><strong>Breeding Function or Fashion</strong><br>I'll probably make enemies in the dog breeding community with this article, but I have to speak up. Today's Great Danes look and behave nothing like my childhood dogs. They have narrow chests, are lightweight, nervous, fearful, and prone to so many diseases, books have a chapter dedicated to the subject. Mind you this is not only happening with Great Danes, other breeds are seriously affected by our lack of consideration for their psychological and physical well-being. <br><br>I know I'm over-generalizing, but like my friend says, <i>Gotta make outrageous claims if I'm gonna keep you awake.</i> Seriously though, when we choose fashion over function we're changing our companions into monster dogs. The new norm in dog breeding is to <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hex00WjSobE" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>exaggerate physical characteristics</strong></span></a> because the strange, uncommon, and peculiar dog is what we all want. Why, do you ask? Because a unique dog makes us, well, unique. </p>
<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/d725861d3a88b21c7138dfe0aa3c20d6d044a5f8/original/neapolitanmastiff.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg" data-link-type="url"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/d725861d3a88b21c7138dfe0aa3c20d6d044a5f8/medium/neapolitanmastiff.jpg?1431533433" class="size_orig justify_right border_" height="265" width="300" /></a><strong>Morals & Ethics</strong><br>There is absolutely no function to excessive hair, skin, a brachycephalic face, twisted legs, extra-long ears, or low hindquarters. I believe it's our role to educate the population about poor breeding choices. We need to stop the trend and ask ourselves, as pet guardians and professionals, where do we draw the line? Do we want to breed for function or fashion? I think the time has come to turn the tide and stop breeding dysfunctional pets and start breeding functional friends.<br><br>I want to grow old and see beautiful dogs walking and working within their human teams. I want to watch Retrievers bring back rubber ducks from a hidden pool. I want to hug a Molosser dog without him shying away. I want to see Shepherds herd animals. I want to see Terriers dig out plastic rats. I want to see running dogs run. My question to you is what do you want to see? I'll leave you with these words <i>"...You want the enjoyment from that animal [dogs] and you're willing to do almost anything to the animal to get that enjoyment out."</i> - Raymond Coppinger<br> <br><strong>Source</strong><br>- Molosser Dogs<br>http://molosserdogs.com/gallery/index.php?cat=2<br>- Extreme Breeding<br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hex00WjSobE<br>- Canadian Kennel Club Breed Standards<br>http://www.ckc.ca/en/Events/CKC-Breed-Standards 2015</p>
</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/37031092015-05-11T15:45:53-04:002017-01-11T09:29:46-05:00The Perfect DogBy Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/8f5493c0b0d95bcfd9ece1309c354cfcd2f38856/medium/img-20130216-00800.jpg?1431373382" class="size_m justify_left border_" />I'm often told it's easy for me to have perfect dogs because I work in the field. This couldn't be further from the truth. My dogs are not perfect, actually, I've never met or owned a perfect dog. Period. My female dog has (through a series of unfortunate attacks from other loose dogs) dog-dog aggression issues. My male, well, let's just say he's shovel crazy.<br> <br>From the outside, it might look like my dogs are perfect, but in reality, I work hard every day to perfect their skills, just like you do. The perfect dog is a myth. In fact, the definition of the perfect dog is different for everyone. What might be considered acceptable behaviour for one person may be intolerable for another. While I don't like dogs in my bed, you might find it enjoyable, which is perfectly fine.<br> <br><strong>Picture Perfect</strong><br>If you're older you'll remember the following television series, Lassie, Littlest Hodo, Fraser, and Wishbone. If your definition of perfect is based on these dog star characters, you must understand that more often than not, dog stars are accompanied by full time trainers. If you wish to have a dog that can make intellectual decisions on his own and pull through with solutions, you'll need to train, train, train, and train some more. In dog training there's no right or wrong answer, there's only what works for you and what you're ready to work for. <br> <br><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e97d7c1a6410d92f96fc550267573b4b8e0b3b12/medium/img-20130919-01299.jpg?1431373528" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Planed Choices</strong><br>If you want the perfect dog, I suggest you plan out what you expect from your canine companion before you adopt or buy him. These criteria will make your human-dog relationship more enjoyable because you will recognise in advance what works and/or doesn't work for your family. If you need help to make the right choice, you can start with our <a contents="Getting a Dog; Where to Begin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/getting-a-dog-where-to-begin" target="_blank">Getting a Dog; Where to Begin</a> article.<br> <br>On a final note, your idea of the perfect dog might only present itself once in a lifetime; consequently, I urge you to never compare your dogs to one another. Each animal brings his own set of unique characteristics that make him the perfect pet for you, at that specific moment in time. Remember, their imperfections are what truly makes them perfect.Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/36961922015-05-06T15:58:59-04:002021-07-09T17:03:42-04:00Dogs Observe The Observer<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/06850d0bc2e76b92dc36c0ed2b8b2521aabd6028/medium/100-9958.jpg?1430942245" class="size_m justify_left border_" />When I was in yoga school and attending university, teachers had a saying <em>Observe the Observer</em>. A simple statement which requires years of practice just to understand it's significance. Fortunately for us, dogs live their lives based on this philosophy. We, on the other hand, indulge ourselves in past or future dimensions of time with great consequences. We forget all about the <em>Observer</em>.<br><br><strong>The Eternal Mind</strong><br>What does <em>Observe the Observer</em> mean? It means to look at one's actions and words from an external point of view. A kind of <em>step-out-of-your-body </em>experience <em>without stepping-out-of-your-body</em> in order to consciously become aware of your thoughts and actions. You can see how this is easier said than done, especially when emotions get in the way.<br><br><em>Observe the Observer </em>teaches us to live in the eternal moment. In fact, this is what spiritual practices teach, yet we let our minds wander and get caught up in all the daily drama that surrounds us. Unfortunately, daily dramas constantly bring us back to the past or propel us to the future. If we were Marty McFly, that would be awesome; unfortunately, that's not the case. But (because there's always a but) we do have the means to keep our minds from wandering off. We do have a perpetual <em>be-in-the-present-moment</em> machine with highly sophisticated sensors at our disposal.<br><br>If you're a dog caregiver, look at your feet, it's right there. OK, so it might be outside, in the living room, or hidden under the table, but it's there nonetheless. We didn't come up with an original name for this machine-like <em>anti-mind-traveller</em> or <em>resistant-thought-shifter</em>, nope, we called it a <em>dog</em>.</p>
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<br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/molamolanamibia/photos/a.10150450799673382.373024.187401533381/10153092636683382/?type=3&hc_ref=ARRzl4WpdjOh-qv4s8CnZ6RRIELyTdw_Ixwj_schbL1aDsRS3rQ88QD_QPZexf793wQ" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/1b4c26c9f721a3001ba3f72200e1304bd32f5795/medium/painted-dogs.jpg?1430942032" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><strong>A Powerful Message</strong><br>Dogs, the canines that they are, live their lives in a quasi constant present state of mind. They are the master observers; therefore, let's use our human-dog relationships and stay connected with them in the present. Allow your dog to teach you this valuable lesson that is <em>Observe the Observer</em>. Watch yourselves interact with your dogs and feel their present awareness, for <em>the present</em> is really <em>the gift</em>.<br> <div>When dogs go to you, receive them as if they were gods. Interact with them and notice what you're doing in return. Are you thinking about the shopping list, a work task that wasn't completed, your teen's emotional problems, or are you simply gazing back and enjoying the moment like this was the most wonderful thing you've ever seen or experienced in your life?<div>
<br><em>Observe the Observer </em>means you were able to catch yourself being mentally absent and capable of returning to the present. This shift in awareness is all you need to be happy, and guess what, dogs teach us this lesson every single moment of every single day. The present is the most precious gift, and dogs give it to us repeatedly, so, maybe it's time we took a look at our <em>Observer</em>.</div>
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</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/36807642015-04-28T14:53:44-04:002021-07-09T17:05:51-04:00Human Emotional Management<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://journalisten2013c.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/steeds-meer-studenten-bij-pyscholoog/depressie-studenten/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/13e3199873d6622d42799d5056639894ce7fdc2c/original/stress.jpg?1430247163" class="size_orig justify_left border_" /></a>Working with animals is extremely rewarding, but it also yields a dirty secret, people in our line of work burn out. We change bad behaviour into good behaviour, we improve the human-animal bond, we teach, we foster, or rescue dogs, and all his hard work comes with a steep price, we emotionally exhaust ourselves. Today's article touches on human emotional management.<br><br>I'm fortunate enough to have learned this very important skill while I was in college. Because of my learning disability, I had to manage my emotions in order to access my memory and train my brain to <a contents="make a new association between words" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/dog-backwards-is-god-tell-me-something-i-don-t-know" target="_blank">make a new association between words</a>. I had to manage frustration, sadness, and euphoria all at once, which as you might have guessed, was not an easy task.<br><br>Human emotional management is the hardest thing to do because we're super sensitive to the animal's plight and we desperately want to help. Thus, while we address animal issues, we come to realize we are faced with human emotions; consequently, it becomes difficult to manage both humans (ourselves and others) and animal emotions. If professionals can't emotionally disassociate themselves from the situation, they are likely to burn out. To avoid stress which can lead to distress, and eventually burnouts, I want to give you a few ideas on how to manage your emotions. So, please keep an open mind as you read on.<br><br>1. You are not the animal you are helping.<br>2. You can only do your best, beyond that point, let someone else take over.<br>3. When faced with a difficult situation tell yourself "I'll deal with these emotions later".<br>4. Don't forget to address emotions as soon as possible; don't sweep your emotions under the proverbial carpet.<br>5. Your view of a problematic situation is very different than the animal's perception of reality.<br>6. If you are too emotional, don't get involved and don't train.<br>7. If you need to address an emergency, use your rational brain, talk yourself through the steps.<br>8. Voice your emotions when appropriate. Ideally, after an emotionally charged event has occurred.<br>9. There will always be animals in need, you can't change this fact; you can only change your perception of it.<br>10. Talk with other professionals, ask them how they cope with their emotions.<br><br>There's a fine line between stress, distress, and eustress, and if you don't respect your limits, you will burn out. Working with animals means we accept the challenge of creating a new reality for the human-animal team, beyond that point, you must let go. You're not responsible for other peoples' emotions; you're only responsible for your own inner well-being. I'll end this article with the following quote "The environment is everything that isn't me." - Albert Einstein</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/36713042015-04-22T12:50:10-04:002024-03-15T19:08:03-04:00Emotional Projection - Part 2<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/8a001a3960c268882720e6c979e8caac6b28852e/original/100-9933.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/8a001a3960c268882720e6c979e8caac6b28852e/medium/100-9933.jpg?1429724284" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>A while back I wrote a piece called <a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/emotional-projection" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Emotional Projection">Emotional Projection</a>. The scientifically oriented article focused on possible sources of projection. Unfortunately, the somewhat long description didn't discuss how to actually use projection to change emotions, thus, change dog behaviour. The goal of this article is to give you a few tips on how to make changes in your human-dog relationships via all theories we've discussed so far.</p><div>
<p><strong>Projection Summary</strong><br>Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud, Carl Young, and other psychologists refer to projection as a defence mechanism. The process by which people deny their impulses, feeling, desires, or emotions and project them onto others in order to disassociate themselves from the threatening unconscious idea. In our case, dogs are the victims of our projections. To stop the transference process, individuals must recognise it at a conscious level. Not an easy task when your partner doesn't talk.<br><br><strong>Emotional Projection Cycle</strong><br>To change undesirable dog behaviour into desirable behaviour, we must first identify the projection placed on the dog. I'll give you an example to help conceptualise the projection process in your head. Imagine Fido has a human-dog aggression (or fear) issue. Fido exhibits typical aggressive behaviours towards unfamiliar people: growls, bares teeth, raises hackles, and huffs. You get angry when Fido exhibits these behaviours because you find them totally unreasonable. When this happens, you punish Fido, tell the stranger you're sorry, and leave the encounter feeling embarrassed and frustrated.<br><br>To address the issue, we first need to mirror back the anger towards the person and bring the emotion into view. The first mirroring question could be <i>Why does Fido's behaviour make you feel so angry? Why do you find his behaviour inappropriate? Why do you feel embarrassed about the problem? </i> The same questions could apply to a human-fear behaviour problem; in that case, we would change the emotion within the question and ask <i>Why do you feel scared?</i><br><br>Once the emotion is brought to consciousness, the problem can be addressed; not surprisingly, Fido will start to decrease his aggressive responses towards unfamiliar people. Why would Fido's behaviour problem improve? Because he would no longer see your aggressive response (tensing-up, moving slowly, freezing), smell your reaction (low serotonin), experience tension on his leash (pulling, jerking), or hear you talk loud, yell, or scream.</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/f9c558329ac3f04e09414db4e4af1711b7bf9b03/original/human-dog-bond.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/f9c558329ac3f04e09414db4e4af1711b7bf9b03/original/human-dog-bond.jpg?1429720330" class="size_l justify_right border_" /></a><p><strong>Simple Solutions</strong><br>I've discussed many theories in the past on how to change dog behaviour. To the right, you will find a simple circular process diagram which will help you identify and address the behaviour problem. Projection is about reclaiming you emotions which don't belong to your dog, or other people. It might be difficult to understand at first, but simply keep in mind the blue circle represents the human-dog relationship. Inside the blue circle we see two types of projection, and from the outside of the circle we see how different theories improve or hinder the human-dog relationship. The yellow region is where the symbolic mirror should be placed. </p>
<p><strong>Emotional Projection Tips</strong><br>1. When you find yourself in situations likely to trigger undesirable dog behaviour, observe which details elicit an emotional response.<br>2. Once the emotion is identified, ask yourself <i>why am I so upset about this situation?</i> and listen closely to what you inner voice will answer.<br>3. Address the emotion, or seek someone qualified to help you work through it.<br>4. Use different learning theories to tech new behaviours to your dog. Be creative, fun, and think outside the box. <br><br><strong>Circular Motion</strong><br>Wherever you find yourself on the image, you can change its direction because relationships are fluid interactions of positive and negative emotions. Simply place an imaginary mirror between the dog and yourself (the yewllow oval between the inner red and green circular arrows) to reclaim your emotions. When emotions are addressed, the learning process can occur, thus, improve your dog's behaviour. It might seem hard to step back and look at the situation in order to reclaim your emotions, but after a few trials you will become more and more experienced.<br><br><strong>References</strong><br>- Chance, P. (2009). <i>Learning and Behaviour, Active Learning Edition, </i>Sixth Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth<br>- Jarvis, M. (2004). <i>Psychodynamic Psychology: Classical theory and contemporary research</i>. London Great Britain: Thomson Learning.<br>- Jung, C., Von Franz, M.L., Henderson, J., Jacobi, J. and Jaffé, A. (1964). Man and His Symbols. London, Great Britain: Dell Publishing.<br>- <i>The Brain From Top to Bottom</i>. Retrieved April 22, 2015 from http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/</p>
</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/36571982015-04-14T13:12:36-04:002021-04-09T10:52:29-04:00Time to Say Goodbye<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/d14436dfd8cd6192ea5740c984bac18508f5b160/medium/12-08-07-1740.jpg?1429031482" class="size_m justify_left border_" />The hardest part of owning a pet is when we realise our animals don't live forever. We live in such close proximity to our companions that pain felt by their loss is not only profound and sad, it can be utterly life changing. In my case, I've been fortunate to spend my life with a variety of marvellous pets and working dogs; unfortunately, this also means approximately ten animals have come and gone throughout the years. <br><br>Animal grief is another taboo topic I wish to address this week, for it's an extremely difficult period for animal lovers. People who grieve their pets often feel emotionally alone and sometimes disconnected from the rest of their entourage, especially if their family and friends are not pet lovers. Spouses, children, co-workers, and parents who don't share an emotional link with animals will often dismiss pet grief as an actual bereavement process.<br> <br><strong>Shameful Pet Loss</strong><br>People who grieve the loss of an animal can feel sad and lost, and without support from their environment, these same people cry and scream in secrecy as they process their pain. Some people will be subject to expressions such as <em>Don't cry, it's just a cat</em>, <em>Why don't you just get another dog</em>, or my favourite <em>You should be happy, you can now do what you want, when you want</em>. Certain people are so ashamed of their emotions, they hide how they actually feel.<br> <br>There's no shame in feeling isolation, loss, sadness, confusion, anger, or uncertainty when you grieve the loss of a beloved pet. Each person has a right to process difficult emotions and should feel comfortable to ask for support, especially from family and friends. So, how do we create empathy where there's very little to none? How can a person accept your pain as real and support you through the grieving process? If colleagues don't believe there's an emotional connection, how can they address the sadness you feel? Unfortunately, the answer is it's very difficult, not to say impossible, till they have felt an emotional connection themselves.<br> <br><strong>Where to Turn</strong><br>Pet loss is as real as it gets and if you feel alone, sad, or confused here are a few tips.<br>1. Bereavement is OK. You're allowed to be sad and angry.<br>2. Grief comes in many shapes and forms.<br>3. There is no norm when it comes to rituals associated with pet loss.<br>4. Make sure you say goodbye any way you feel appropriate. <br>5. If you have other pets, make sure you're aware of their emotional state.<br>6. Wait till you've processed your emotions before you get another companion.<br>7. When ready, get a different breed of pet, it helps with closure.<br> <br>Many of our clients have turned to us for help when they lost their companion; as such, we strongly encourage trainers and behaviour specialists to have a list of resources handy for these difficult times. Remember, people need to talk about their pets and feel they have been heard. Finally, if everybody could accept that loosing an animal is in fact painful, we would become a better society, because acceptance is the first step towards healing emotions.<br> <br><a href="http://petlosscanada.com/">Pet Loss Canada</a> is a web site where you will find the following links:</p>
<ul> <li>Goodbye and Beyond: A Workbook For Those Enduring the Loss of a Companion Animal pdf booklet</li> <li>When Your Pet Has Died - Alan Wolfelt</li> <li>You will always be a part of me - Timothy O’Brien - www.petlossgriefguide.com</li> <li>Is It Time to Say Goodbye - Timothy O’Brien - www.petlossgriefguide.com</li> <li>Pet Loss and Human Emotion - Cheri Barton Ross & Jane Sorenson</li> <li>When Your Pet Dies - Christine Adamec</li> <li>Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of a Pet - M. Anderson</li> <li>Grieving the Death of a Pet - Betty J. Carmack</li> <li>The Human-Animal Bond and Grief - Laurel S. Lagoni</li> <li>Diary of a Very Special Love - Martin S. Kosins</li> <li>Good-Bye My Friend: Grieving the Loss of a Pet - Herb & Mary Montgomery</li> <li>A Snowflake in My Hand - Samantha Mooney</li> <li>Animals Make Us Human - Temple Grandin</li> <li>Resilience - Elizabeth Edwards (NB: Paperback is written to current time)</li>
</ul>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/36340142015-03-31T12:32:42-04:002017-01-11T09:29:46-05:00How To Train Fearful Dogs The Social-Cognitive WayBy Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/1a103554b3c3334dd65a44646f03cae791c4bf91/medium/tienne.jpg?1427819488" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Fear and anger are emotions expressed through fearful and aggressive behaviours. Of the two, fear proves to be the hardest dog behaviour problem to overcome. Many trainers don't address fear and prefer to refer clients because this is a deeply rooted emotion which is very hard to overcome. <br><br>Fear is hard to address with negative methods like the use of choke, citronella, or electric collars because fear cannot make fear go away. Furthermore, we cannot address fearful behaviour because behaviour is the expression of what is occurring within the brain. To address fear we need to identify what triggers the response and work at improving the emotion, not the behaviour.<br> <br>Social cognitive learning theory is by far the best approach to treat fear. With multiple positive learning methods we can create a secure attachment between the dog and his human, which in turn, will lay the foundation for trust to grow. Once trust is established, the behaviour specialist can teach the owner how to grow a <a contents="secure attachment" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/dog-emotional-attachment" target="_blank">secure attachment</a> which will reduce fearful behaviours.<br> <br><strong>Ambivalent and Avoidant</strong><br>How do we change ambivalent or avoidant human-dog attachments into secure ones? You can read the <a contents="social cognitive" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/reinforce-resilience" target="_blank">social cognitive</a> article for starters, but let me guide you through a few simple steps. Remember, whatever you do, go slow, fear wasn't created overnight; therefore, it won't disappear in a few days.<br> <br>1. Identify which form of attachment is the human-dog team experiencing.<br>2. Use Brain Games to teach the dog how to seek human guidance when faced with complicated tasks.<br>3. Practice the art of "checking-in" when outside. Make sure you are present mentally (so no cell phones) in order to respond to the dog's request.<br>4. Once the dog has checked-in, it becomes your responsibility to make sure the dog remains safe throughout the exercise.<br>5. If the fearful situation cannot be avoided, try to move as far away as possible and practice a few Brain Games like touch, left paw, right paw, sit, down, etc...<br>6. Offer a secure relationship. Allow your dog to sit with you, but not on you or in your arms. The dog needs to learn how to manage his emotions.<br>7. Pet your dog only if it soothes him. If touch becomes too overwhelming, trust will be compromised.<br> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/aec770d53a2c6179d2883e20c81f722ca5173b29/medium/sct.jpg?1413665685" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><br>Fear is an emotion experienced by dogs; consequently, you cannot remove it from their brain. Only dogs can cease to experience fear when and wherever they want. The only thing we can do is offer opportunities in which dogs can learn to manage their fear through us.<div>
<br>A secure attachment is not about overprotecting dogs, it's about being there when they need guidance. Our responsibility as people is to ensure environment, mental abilities, and attachment are favourable for learning to occur. Once we have a functional triangle, we grow as a human-dog team.<div> </div>
</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/36202812015-03-24T10:59:11-04:002017-01-11T09:29:46-05:00Conflict, A Force To Be Reckoned WithBy Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b0768f00e3b3b49e752f20ac6cf358d5e043d1d2/medium/100-7598.jpg?1414098033" class="size_m justify_left border_" />In human society, certain people have come to believe conflict is a necessary process in order to establish and maintain social relationships. That being said, non-human social animals have developed displacement behaviours to prevent conflicts from developing into full blown fights. To understand why conflict doesn't have to be part of social relationships, we have to look at both sides of the process. <br><br>Conflict is all about resolving a communication problem; therefore, if organisms can communicate effectively, they can, and do, avoid conflicts. The problem in human culture is that people believe so firmly in their political, religious, social, or environmental ideas that they become inflexible; consequently, people aren't willing to sacrifice their beliefs in order to satisfy group cohesion. With such a diversified cultural heritage, conflict becomes unavoidable between people.<br> <br>Non-human social animals rely on group cohesion to survive; consequently, their communication skills are constantly practiced. What we've termed <em>ritualised behaviours</em> are nothing more than discussions practised over and over again to prevent conflict from escalating. <a contents="Aggression could dismantle the group " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/dog-aggression" target="_blank">Aggression could dismantle the group</a> which in turn would compromise survival. In the animal world, conflict leads to injury and injury leads to death; therefore, conflict must be avoided or managed wisely. Your furry companion is governed by the same principle. Dogs want to avoid conflict with dogs or people because they don't want to get injured.<br><br><strong>Prehistoric Conflict</strong><br>There was a time in human history when conflict avoidance behaviours were active constituents of non-verbal language. People from different cultures had to devise behaviours (or gestures) other humans would understand as <em>this territory is occupied</em>. If intruders had no desire to conquer the new territory, the message was received and the intruders moved on. On the other hand, if hunger (or any other need) motivated intruders to fight, they knew about possible outcomes. Choices were limited to <em>we get killed, we get injured and leave, they get killed, they get injured and leave, or we join forces</em>. Not surprisingly, <em>join forces</em> was a common practice because it served to reduce conflict, thus increase survival.<br> <br>Canines, more specifically dogs, have joined forces with people to form a new cultural partnership. Domestic dogs are the only non-human animals to have developed such a close relationship with people that they can <a contents="read our faces" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/dogs-read-human-emotions" target="_blank">read our faces</a> and determine in which emotional state we are. I know this doesn't come as a surprise to most readers, but the fact that dogs want to avoid conflict with people might be new information for some.<br> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/73085a8c0a095c9fc1d593f5b26e3b6db949c5e5/medium/img-1037.jpg?1427209100" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><strong>Conflict Evolution</strong><br>Conflicts stem from incompatible belief systems and miscommunication between individuals. Once we eliminate cultural discrepancies we're left with interspecies miscommunication as the primary source of conflict. Not surprisingly, humans and dogs fall under this category. Humans don't understand dog language; consequently, these misunderstandings create conflicts (read bites). To avoid conflicting situation, it's essential people put aside their beliefs and see dogs as the truly communicative and flexible creatures they are. Pet guardians need to learn how to talk dog if they're to stop aggression from escalating. I'm not telling you to get on all fours and growl at your dog, that would be foolish; however, you can learn displacement and agonistic behaviours and use them in order to avoid or reduce conflicting situations. <br> <br>Although it might seem impossible to live a conflict free life with people, it's possible to achieve a peaceful relationship with dogs. With today's information era, there's no reason why you should not learn dog language. We have the tools and we can use them to understand what dogs say. Once you've mastered interspecies communication, conflicts will diminish, for conflict isn't something dogs want. I'm certain your dog prefers to sleep by your side, in the sun, and wait for your next adventure.Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/36070912015-03-17T12:34:32-04:002018-07-20T10:17:52-04:00When Anger Gets in The Way<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/64e532fb3d2ab13fa86551a042c2de96319b1612/medium/img-0193.jpg?1426609896" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Ever have one of those days when you feel, for no particular reason, like nothing is going right? You drop everything, the milk went bad, the cat pooped in the tub AGAIN, the dog had a fence fight with the neighbour's dog, and the kids, well, let's say you're glad they went to school. I'm having one of those days; therefore, I decided to write about the consequences of such moments with you because they have a direct impact on your human-dog relationships. <br><br>This morning I woke-up late, went to work in the snow, walked into the office only to smell an overdue garbage bag, no more milk for coffee, turned on the computer to discover no internet, Ugh! This is the precise moment where I let out a "You got to be f***ing kidding me!" which sent my dog into an emotional response.<br> <br>My dog went as far away as he could from me only to return to make amends. Dogs don't like conflict and will want to resolve it at the moment it ends. The problem with this type of situation is that the dog's presence can irritate us more. Humans need a longer emotional recovery period than dogs do, so we need to tell them <em>not now. </em>That being said, we do need to get back to the conflict eventually and resolve it.<br> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/a40e5a6d839bd2440160bf8fd9b208f03ae2dd32/medium/albear-mcl.jpg?1426610045" class="size_m justify_right border_" />When I bent down to look at the modem, my dog came over to solve the conflict. It really wasn't a good time, so I told him to "Go park your but." In our family, that means go lie down in your crate and wait there till called. I fixed the modem, calmed down and called my dog out. I was ready to fix the conflict and re-bond. In <a contents="social cognitive theory" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/reinforce-resilience" target="_blank">social cognitive theory</a>, the relationship is an indispensable part of the learning triangle; consequently, you cannot leave your dog in emotional distress because these situations accumulate and cause disruptions.<br> <br>I made amends with my dog and told him all was fine, which in turn, helped us both to calm down even more. If you punish your dog, scream at him, or in my case scream at the computer, you must immediately solve the conflict and allow your dog to recuperate from the emotional outburst. Don't leave your dogs hanging just because you're pissed at something, at someone, or at them. Take a moment, as soon as possible, to mend emotions.<br> <br>Canines are highly emotional creatures who need to know you're a stable and trustworthy human. Nothing is ever perfect and yes we do loose our cool, but it's important you understand dogs seek resolution when emotional outbursts occur.<br> <br>One last word to wish all our Irish friends an awesome St-Patrick's day, even if the snow covers all shades of green, drink a cold one for us will ye now!</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/35569112015-03-03T10:48:43-05:002017-01-11T09:29:45-05:00It's A Matter of ChoiceBy Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/50886d1bf80e1faca4062582f6961a08adf54a2b/medium/dogue-shop-2013-46.jpg?1424886017" class="size_m justify_left border_" />I'm often asked how did I merge passion and profession. Although there's no one answer to this question, there's one guiding principal which governs any professional opportunity, it's called choice. You must first decide to make something happen.<br><br>As some of you may already know, I'm a passionate person filled with ambition and an endless drive to make things happen. I try not to force things, for if it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be. That being said, there's a fine line between choosing to do something and trying to do something. When we try, we fear. We fear success, failure, loss of self, loss of money, loss of respect. The list is long. When we choose, we love. We love ourselves enough to decide what's best for us. <br> <br>I chose a long time ago to be a behaviour consultant and I've tried many times to rely solely on my profession as my single source of revenue. It's been an interesting and sometimes difficult journey, but never have I regretted the choice. Neither should you. I believe you can decide to try something which doesn't necessarily define your choice, as long as the choice remains clear in your head. My students and clients know <em>As long as what you want is clear in your head, it will be clear for the rest of us, including your dog.</em><br> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/d9e459ab1d3ac08a762e3dbbd3ad89ac850b540e/small/zo.jpg?1424886194" class="size_s justify_right border_" />When I made the choice to exert my profession full time, I never looked back. Obviously, as with any business, stress and insecurities can and do creep up and point their ugly little heads, but then something happens, a client with a dog I've helped shows-up to give thanks and feedback on the situation. Those moments are what we all strive for. That specific reinforcement moment and the satisfaction of a job well done are what drive us.<br> <br>I was, and still am, extremely fortunate to have wonderful friends around to guide me when I need to make choices. That being said, only you have the power to decide, to make the transition. You have to want to make it happen and take a chance. Yes, you might fail, but you might also succeed, and to me, that is worth a try. Regardless of the outcome, you will grow as a person.<br> <br>There are no endeavours void of risks, just like every ending spawns a new beginning. I've never taken for granted the opportunities I've been presented with. I remain grateful for all the people I've met along the way and helped me establish the Dogue Shop as a leader in our field.<br> <br>How did I decide to merge passion and profession? The answer is simple, I chose too. My best friend use to say "If you can make it happen, happened". He meant to say, if you believe in something so hard you're willing to try everything you can to make it happen, then the choice has already been made. He was right. It happened. Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/35453942015-02-23T14:56:15-05:002017-01-11T09:29:45-05:00From Bed to Bait DogBy Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/70a6bd324204807932621e13045f32ad57ccd5b9/medium/100-9283.jpg?1424455574" class="size_m justify_left border_" />We were in a small village in the northern part of the Dominican Republic, between San Juan and Puerto Plata. The three kilometer section of beach I was covering that week was delimited by a small river to the west, a larger river to the east, to the north was the open ocean, and a dense forest to the south made land access impossible. On the last day of the trip, I decided to follow a dog I had not seen during the week. Since the subject had not been identified, I thought I would add another feral dog to the research list. As we walked towards the dog, I spotted a unusually big algae mass. I went over to investigate. Nestled in the algae, I discovered a dead puppy. She was bloated and had a fresh puncture on her back. I estimated her age between six and seven weeks old.<br><br>This unidentified female puppy either ran away from home and drowned in the river which washed her out to sea and back to shore. I thought this hypothesis was highly unlikely since small puppies don't wonder off at such a young age. Plus, this didn't explain the puncture on her back. Other possible causes of death are an unwanted litter someone killed and threw offshore, or she was used as a bait dog.<br> <br>I came to the conclusion this puppy had been used as a bait dog. She had undoubtedly wiggled off the hook and drowned at sea. The ocean washed her back to shore where I discovered her. I know this is a sad story, but it has to be told. <br> <br><strong>Dog Status</strong><br>I want to draw your attention to the dog status around the world. In the United States, Canada, and certain European countries, dogs are valued as family members. They live in our houses, sleep in our beds, and receive the best care possible. However, for the rest of the dog population on earth, this isn't so. Life is difficult and short.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/a9e4653ddae1918afa56665ff9780b283147dafe/medium/100b9420.jpg?1424455581" class="size_m justify_right border_" /> <div>
<br>Around the world, dogs are seen as useful commodities or unwanted nuisances. Useful dogs watch over chickens, pigs, cows, and goats and send the alarm when necessary. These canines don't receive veterinarian care, and if people don't toss them food, they eat what they can find. It's hard to imagine, but these dogs never go inside people's homes and certainly never sleep in their beds. Some lucky dogs have a name and eat well. The unlucky <em>nuisance</em> dogs get chased away and fend for themselves. <br><br>The World Health Organisation even warns people against <a contents="feral dogs" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/feral-dogs-of-sochi" target="_blank">feral dogs</a>. People are told not to come into contact or touch these animals because they carry diseases like rabies and mange. You might not know this, but rabies does kill a lot people outside North America; therefore, to control dog populations, people cull them. Dogs are shot, drowned, fed to wildlife, or in certain countries, are eaten by people. The WHO recommends vaccination, but for poor countries, inoculation is not an option.<br> <br>The reality of our dog status is very different from the rest of the world. While we cherish our animal friends, many cultures look at us with disdain and disbelief. Maybe one day dog perceptions will change, till then, I respect the reality many people are faced with. I couldn't bury the puppy because she was washed back out to sea. I can only hope no other dog will have to face this death. As for me, comfortably seated in our lounge, I think to myself, even if our animal laws are inadequate in Canada, I'm glad we live in a country which values dogs. I can sleep well knowing my furry friends will never have to fend for themselves and die in the process.<br><br><a contents="Street Dog" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://youtu.be/3-UEb9KOgpE" target="_blank">Street Dog</a> - YouTube</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/35059382015-02-04T21:17:03-05:002023-02-27T22:54:31-05:00Winter Puppy Syndrome<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/efec2e9866580a206cadf710c8f4490e1c1c523f/medium/11-12-09-0947.jpg?1423088864" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Every spring, I see a reoccurring phenomenon. I've termed this event <i>Winter Puppy Syndrome*</i>. The cyclical event occurs every spring and affects the behaviour of thousands of dogs. Winter Puppy Syndrome is an insidious phenomenon that brings on life-altering behaviour changes that are almost impossible to modify. <br><br><strong>Critical Periods</strong><br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/socialisation-adult-dogs-are-key" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Critical periods of socialisation">Critical periods of socialization</a> and exploration occur roughly between four weeks and fourteen months of age. These two periods are responsible for proper puppy development. During socialization, puppies learn how to behave later on in life. The exploratory phase, or adolescence, enforces social skills and creates secure attachments. Teenage dogs also learn what to expect from the environment and their role in it.<br> <br>You might start to see how winter can affect puppy development. If not, let me explain. Pet owners who acquire puppies in late fall or early winter tend to keep them inside because of the cold. To add insult to injury, so to speak, the regular adult dog population is also confined inside for the same reason. Consequently, new winter puppy owners who try socializing with their pets will find fewer human-dog teams outside. Rest assured, and we don't blame you; we stay inside too!<br> <br><strong>Winter Side Effects</strong><br>The winter puppy phenomenon has a direct impact on behaviour. Puppies who are not well socialized and don't get to explore their environment in a safe and secure fashion tend to be reactive, insecure, fearful, and even aggressive. Because of winter isolation, puppies have not learned how to become well-adjusted canine citizens. Small dog breeds are even more at risk of Winter Puppy Syndrome because owners believe cold weather affects them more. This might be true for certain breeds, but definitely not for all of them.<br> <br>Unfortunately, people are unaware of winter isolation's negative consequences on adult dogs. Behavioural problems are the reason I decided to write this article because secure attachments and communication skills are formed during socialization and exploratory critical periods of development. When people keep their puppies inside for long periods of time, they compromise future behaviour.<br> <br>Winter puppies come to me in late April or early May as dysfunctional canine citizens who bark excessively at other dogs, lunge, snap, bite, react to people, fear random objects, pull excessively on the leash, growl, and so forth. Small breeds are worst off because they are kept in travelling bags or in someone's arms. Simply said, winter puppies grow up not knowing how to conduct themselves as teenagers or adult dogs.<br><br><strong>Solutions</strong><br><a class="no-pjax" href="/group-classes" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Group Classes" contents="Puppy socialisation classes ">Puppy socialization classes</a> are a great place to start. That being said, proper behaviour takes time to learn, so ensure you can access well-adjusted adult dogs throughout those long winter months. You can also join an organized dog walk group. If you cannot find a dog walk group, why not create one? If you do start a puppy walk, make sure to invite well-adjusted adult dogs to the group. Whatever you do, focus on social and cognitive skill development because I would hate to see you in our office next spring. <br><br><span class="text-small">* Not an actual medical condition.</span></p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/34916072015-02-03T11:55:00-05:002017-01-11T09:29:45-05:00How to Train "Sit", The Social-Cognitive Way.By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/65c317b5082e49c14972f3515ed1a336686e2fef/medium/Roxy.JPG?1362426524" class="size_m justify_right border_" />This week's article will focus on one behaviour we believe is an essential component to your dog's behaviour repertoire. We will discuss and teach you how to do a perfect <em>sit</em>. In future weeks, we will address the infamous <em>come</em> behaviour.<br> <br>At the Dogue Shop, we teach dogs via social-cognitive, behavioural, and attachment approach. That is, your relationship (social) with the dog will allow you to select for the desired behaviour (cognitive) and reward it (behaviourism) in various contexts (attachment). Here is how we do it.<br> <br>STEP 1. LEARNING - Move around your house and encourage your dog to follow you. When your dog <em>sits</em>, reward it without saying a word and change spots. Go to the kitchen, the bathroom, the closet, and every other place you can think of and wait for the dog to <em>sit</em>. It might take a while at the beginning of the exercise, but your dog will catch on relatively fast. Make sure to count the number of times the behaviour was offered. When you think your dog <em>sits</em> in front of you consistently, it's time to test your dog.<br> <br>STEP 2. TESTING - Take 10 treats, place them in one spot and leave them there. Now walk around your house and wait for the behaviour to occur. If you dog <em>sits</em> within 10 sec. (count in your head) give the treat; if the dog does not <em>sit</em>, put the treat aside. Repeat this process in various places in your house 10 times. You should walk back and forth to the treats each time. Do NOT carry treats with you. How many treats are left? If you have none, bravo, your dog knows the behaviour 100% of the time; if you have 3 treats left, your dog knows the behaviour 70% of the time. We want the behaviour <em>sit</em> to occur 100% of the time before we move on.<br> <br>STEP 3. NAMING - Repeat STEP 1, but this time you will say <em>sit</em> when your dog's buttocks immediately touches the floor. Don't forget to give your dog a treat. Repeat this everywhere in your house. It will probably take you as many times as it took you in STEP 1. Expect anywhere between 3 and 20 repetitions depending on the breed and temperament of your dog. When you think your dog knows the word <em>sit,</em> it's time to move to the next step.<br> <br>STEP 4 - ASKING. Repeat test in STEP 2, but this time ask for <em>sit</em> and wait 10sec. Give the treat if the dog executes the behaviour; if he does not, place the treat aside. The dog should have a 100%. If your dog does not score 10/10, go back to STEP 3, the naming phase.<br><br>Dogs should know ten times out of ten, wherever you are, that <em>sit</em> = place your buttocks on the floor. Remember that when you start to train the <em>sit</em> behaviour outside, you might need to go back to STEP 3. Practice makes perfect. Be consistent and patient and you will see progress, that I guarantee you.<br> <br>This method of training focuses on your dog's ability to listen, focus, and trust you. It depends the bond (attachment) and promotes effective problem-solving skills (social-cognitive). This approach might seems a little long to train at the beginning, but you're teaching your dog to learn how to learn, which is very different from being obedient.<br><br>If you tried this technique, leave us a comment on how it went.Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/34891732015-01-27T14:02:58-05:002017-01-11T09:29:45-05:00Dog Companionship No More.By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br>I've written a lot of articles in past years, yet one type of article stands out from the group, relationship articles. People are fascinated with human-dog relationships and strive to understand their companions. Science teaches us about social-cognitive theory, behaviourism, attachment, or emotional projection in order to explain how and why dogs form unique bonds with us. The big picture is hard to grasp in a world where each scientific branch works on one part of the puzzle.<br> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/21dca4c33f7ca5d6a6f693c52c6332bf95bfc127/large/img-5070-1.jpg?1422387020" class="size_l justify_right border_" /><strong>The Big Picture</strong><br>The reason dogs selected us as useful entities for their survival is astounding, yet what is even more fascinating is humans have answered the call and selected animals in order to create the perfect working companion. Dogs served a purpose and we served them in return. So, why do so many families experience dog behaviour problems? If we look at the big picture, the answer is easy, we took their usefulness away.<br> <br>Dogs need a job and people should no longer answer <em>companionship</em> to the question <em>why do you own a dog</em>. When you acquire a dog, the big picture should stand out. We have dogs to work for us, be it emotional or physical; consequently, dogs need to be trained to accomplish their work. Simply owning a dog for companionship is no longer the answer.<br> <br>There are set rules to make perfect dogs: socialise, educate, train, and maintain behaviours, even if behaviours are for emotional support. Attachment and social cognitive theories teach how to train for specific emotional support behaviours, just like service dogs learn how to perform specific tasks through classical or operant conditioning.<br> <br><strong>The Tool Box</strong><br>Canines are attuned to people and respond to us without hesitation. So, how do we make our companions the best they can be? We use all the tools we have at our disposal. We implement all the knowledge science and nature have to offer. In essence, we use an inclusive approach to pet ownership, not exclusion. To exclude is to deny parts of the equation which render animals problematic.<br> <br>I have dogs to learn and teach. My dogs excel at these tasks not because I'm special or have been trained to do so. My dogs work for me because I look at them from the big picture point of view. Emotions, cognition, and physical well being are inseparable, thus, for each problem there are tools at your disposal. If your dog has issues, sit back and ask yourself <em>which part of the big picture am I missing</em> or <em>why do I have a dog</em> because the solution is part of the big picture. Once you have an answer, ask for help and get those missing tools.Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/34760422015-01-20T13:57:17-05:002017-10-23T10:17:05-04:00Socialisation: Adult Dogs Are Key.<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/247da9e361251f050ae96f6bcb8408749435b8b2/medium/elfypuppy.jpg?1421778447" class="size_m justify_left border_" />While we certainly don't encourage people to buy puppies for Christmas, tis the season for thou new bundle of joy to enrol in puppy class. <a contents="Puppy socialisation classes" data-link-label="Group Classes" data-link-type="page" href="/group-classes" target="_blank">Puppy socialisation classes</a> aim to teach puppies how to communicate as adult dogs in order to live well-adjusted lives amongst the canine and human population. In essence, socialisation teaches an animal how to communicate and socially conduct itself later on in life. Today, I wish to revisit the nature of these classes in relation to the critical period of development known as socialisation.<br> <br><strong>Socialisation Period</strong><br>The critical period of socialisation was discussed thoroughly in Scott and Fuller's (1965) book <em>Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog</em>. The authors explain "By a critical period, we mean a special time in life when a small amount of experience will produce a great effect on later behavior." (p. 117) Puppy socialisation starts approximately on the third week to end roughly around twelve weeks of age. No need to tell you twelve weeks is equivalent to three months old. This means by the time people acquire their puppies, much of the critical period of social development will have gone by; consequently, pet owners have little time to do a lot of work. <br> <br><strong>Puppy Classes</strong><br>Traditional puppy classes were designed to teach basic skills such as sit, down, come, stay, no bite, and loose leash walking for young dogs between two and five months old. More recently, kindergarten classes, or socialisation classes, began to pop up. These group classes are offered to puppies between eight and twelve weeks of age. Group size varies between four to eight puppies.<br> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/d09827f6012a119e39b7acfcf1556df65873b183/medium/100-0334.jpg?1421778134" class="size_m justify_right border_" />People take these classes to better train or socialise dogs, but one fundamental key is missing in the process, actual adult dogs. The ability to learn one's language and use it in proper context cannot be achieved from one puppy to another. Comparatively, if two-year-old kids were left in a room without adult intervention, how could we expect them to learn to share, not hit one another, be patient, or any other proper behaviour? The answer is, we couldn't.<br> <br>Two-year-old kids would learn many things, but they probably wouldn't learn how to properly conduct themselves in adult social situations. Kids need adults to teach them the rudiments of social interaction. So do dogs.<br> <br><strong>New Puppy Class Model</strong><br>In our opinion, each and every puppy class should be conducted with at least one stable adult dog present for every four puppies present in class. Adult dogs teach puppies how to greet, play, cooperate, and communicate. In essence, adult dogs parent puppies, which is how nature intended it to be. Our job is to make sure socialisation occurs in the most positive way possible when puppies go out into the real world. Young dogs need to learn and practice from a variety of adult dogs how to become awesome canine citizens. As dog owners, we simply need to make sure puppies remain safe during the process.<br><br>Reference:<br>- Scott, J.P. and Fuller, J.L. (1965). <em>Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog</em>. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/34594782015-01-13T12:15:00-05:002024-03-15T19:11:37-04:00Dog Training Prices<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br>This post is intended for pet owners, dog training, and behaviour professionals. It might be a negative read for some while being informative for others. If you are upset about this article, please leave a comment to tell us why.<br><br>Today, I want to address the taboo subject of dog training and prices. This article is not about naming names or pointing fingers; it's about instilling professionalism in an unregulated occupation. How do we standardize prices when dog training or behaviour consultation is not a recognized profession? How do clients make sense of the sometimes nonsense fees? I have been secretly debating this topic with many friends and find it necessary to disclose price irregularities and recommend a solution.</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/3a37ee6632a255afa1617d79c713aa70b5aa37c8/original/20150109-160755-1.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/3a37ee6632a255afa1617d79c713aa70b5aa37c8/medium/20150109-160755-1.jpg?1420834816" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p><strong>What to Charge</strong><br>When clients contact me, I always discuss the case with them beforehand to learn the problem and how much I will charge. Without a governing body, it's difficult to assess what our services are worth; furthermore, since professionals tend to conceal their fees, it's very difficult to establish a reference point. In order to figure out my cost, I decided to look at a profession similar to mine with a regulating government body. For my profession, I chose the psychology fee and general salary guide.</p><p>According to the <i>Ordre des Psychologues du Quebec</i>, Code of Ethics, Professional Code (R.S.Q., c. C-26, s. 87), Chapter III, Division VIII, Fees, Section 52:<br>Psychologists must charge and accept fair and reasonable fees warranted by the circumstances and the costs of providing professional services.<br>To determine their fees, psychologists must consider the following factors:<br>1) their experience or particular competence;<br>2) the time required to provide the professional services;<br>3) the complexity and extent of the professional services;<br>4) the performance of professional services that are unusual or provided in unusual conditions; and<br>5) the performance of professional services that require exceptional competence or celerity.<br><br>The average national psychologist fee across Canada is 72$ per hour. Although the Ordre des Psychologues du Quebec does not impose a price guideline, psychologists in Quebec tend to charge between $80 and $120 per regular 50-minute session (ordrepsy.qc.ca, 2015). Before we continue, let me remind you that psychologists are required to have a doctorate degree to practice their profession.<br> <br>If you think a visit to the psychologist is pricey, I have seen inexperienced dog trainers charge 150$ per hour for a first-time visit. Like you, I'm appalled because dog trainers are not required to have any formal education whatsoever. In my opinion, price justification should take education and experience into account. Most professionals charge a reasonable amount and educate themselves, but without some guidelines, it's very difficult for people to assess service fees based on education or experience.</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/e708f86326f876df1cd1a7d966a91d7e62a8e5e7/original/aalbear-business.png/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e708f86326f876df1cd1a7d966a91d7e62a8e5e7/medium/aalbear-business.png?1372432372" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p><strong>The Solution</strong><br>I propose we base our services on existing professional governing bodies. We could use the <i>Ordre des Psychologues du Quebec</i> as our leading identity till our profession becomes recognized. Personally, I adhere to their ideas and have fixed my prices according to the <i>Order</i> and my experience. I believe prices between 80$ and 120$ per hour are fair and honest rates for most regular dog trainers. Furthermore, reasonable costs make dog training accessible, affordable, and, most importantly, professional.<br> <br>I know some dog trainers and other professionals might be outraged. I respect their opinion. Nevertheless, I believe the time has come for an open discussion about prices and our profession in general. Clients must discriminate prices based on junior, intermediate, or senior trainer experience. We need to unite and make a change, for we practice a profession that does cause harm when not exercised appropriately.<br> <br><strong>References:</strong><br>- Éditeur officiel du Québec. (2014) Code of Ethics of Psychologists, chapter C-26, r. 212. Professional Code (chapter C-26, s. 87). Retrieved from: http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2F%2FC_26%2FC26R212_A.htm<br> </p><p>- Retrieved from: https://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca/en/public/la-psychotherapie/how-much-should-a-psychotherapy-cost.sn<br> </p><p>- Retrieved from: http://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Psychologist/Salary</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/32806542014-11-13T14:58:38-05:002024-03-15T19:13:29-04:00Dog Backwards is God; Tell Me Something I Don't Know.<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/90f64ef83083c298729edff616a7f6a97798196b/original/dadndog.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/90f64ef83083c298729edff616a7f6a97798196b/medium/dadndog.jpg?1415906850" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p>I normally don't talk about my personal life because I try to keep a professional profile. That being said, today, I want to share myself because of the countless number of times people have told me how <i>lucky</i> I am to do what I love for a living. I decided to write this piece to explain that life is not about luck; it's about opportunities. With this article, I wish to reveal who I am and why my passion for the human-animal relationship drives me. </p><div><div>
<p>When I was a young child, I asked my father for a dog. Curious, he inquired what type of dog I wanted. My answer is as clear today as it was back then. With all the conviction I could muster, I told him I wanted a <i>big</i> dog. Not long after, I received my first Great Dane puppy, and at seven, I got a second one. My father asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I remember I told him I wanted to be a doctor. He asked <i>You want to be a veterinarian?</i> I corrected him and said <i>No, I want to be like Dr. Doolittle</i>. At a very young age, I knew I wanted to <i>speak</i> with animals in order to help them.<br><br><strong>Later in Life</strong><br>When I was in college, I was diagnosed with a learning disability. This event changed my life. Dyslexia wasn't a negative problem, quite the contrary. I finally realized I wasn't dumb. I was told I was a non-linear thinker who reads and understands concepts in pictures, not words. I was also told I had an eidetic memory that would be useful. The diagnosis made so much sense to me. Why am I telling you this? Because I was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of twenty-two.<br> <br>Following the diagnosis, I was trained by a wonderful woman named Rose, who loved to <i>Think Outside the Box</i>. Her plan? Teach me word recognition. She would teach me to use one part of my brain to train the other part. My photographic memory would serve as a word recognition dictionary. Let me explain. When I write or read, I see the word <i>tje</i> but through word association, I learned that when I see <i>tje</i>, the real word should be spelled <i>the</i>. The program worked well, and my skills as a reader and writer improved dramatically. New words and a few select older words still pose a challenge, but overall, I can read and write at the university level.</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/fc6f96c09ae8c4e6e6562a58277077124c80a40d/original/gaby1client.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/fc6f96c09ae8c4e6e6562a58277077124c80a40d/medium/gaby1client.jpg?1415906926" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p><strong>The Gift That Keeps on Giving</strong><br>What does this have to do with dogs? Dyslexics tend to use one subject matter to interpret their understanding of the world. Without knowing it, I had picked dog behaviour. Because of its non-verbal attributes, dog language became my interpretative strategy. Today, when faced with a new idea, concept, problem, or information, I convert it to dog behaviour. If I can make sense of it in another visual form, I understand it immediately and my <i>super</i> memory helps me remember the information.</p>
<p>For me, canine behaviour isn't just a passion; it's a way of understanding life. It's my window into a world that often doesn't make any sense to me. Dogs allow me to communicate and express the millions of pictures that form in my head all at once. They're the reason I write these articles for you. Dogs have become my God, for they have taught me so much about life and my role in it. I think without animals by my side, I would have taken a very different path.<br> <br>I've had a wonderfully amazing life filled with events I've created for myself. I'm not <i>lucky; I'm</i> determined. I work twice as hard as the average person to write this blog, but I do it because I believe if we share, we grow. I'm a passionate person, that's true, but most of all, I'm someone who enjoys seeing you: the reader, the client, the friend, the family, think and smile about the topic of my life that is canine behaviour. <br><br>If you think you, or someone you know, might be dyslexic, please seek information and help.</p>
</div></div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/32748362014-11-12T11:45:00-05:002024-03-15T19:17:48-04:00From Yoga to Doga<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/15ed8a096f91729d52c91c19311b25a205de5e45/original/dogapresentation.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/15ed8a096f91729d52c91c19311b25a205de5e45/medium/dogapresentation.jpg?1400513163" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p><a class="no-pjax" href="/doga-classes" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Doga Classes" contents="Doga"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Doga</strong></span></a> has existed for many years in the United States, and many claim to have "invented" the human-dog practice. The shift from yoga to Doga was inevitable, and if you stop for a moment to think about it, most asanas come from the animal world: upward dog, downward dog, cat, cow, fish, cobra, etc. Many people claim to have "invented" the human-dog practice. The Doga practice we established at the <a class="no-pjax" href="/dogue-s-home" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Dogue's Home" contents="Dogue Shop"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Dogue Shop</strong></span></a> was a natural and original approach meant to change your philosophy about dogs. We do not use dogs as accessories; on the contrary, dogs learn to practice yoga with their human. </p><p>Yoga is a philosophy, not an exercise routine. According to Patanjali's eight limbs of yoga, the asana practice, or poses, is one part of the enlightenment process. We developed Doga based on philosophy, not the poses. Our Doga practice focuses on doing asanas with your dog as a routine, not as an accessory. The Doga approach we teach involves breathing, self-awareness, poses, respect, control of the senses, and concentration. We even guide students through meditation in the presence of dogs.<br> <br><strong>The Eight Limbs of Yoga</strong><br>Yama : Universal morality<br>Niyama : Personal observances<br>Asanas : Body postures<br>Pranayama : Breathing exercises and control of prana<br>Pratyahara : Control of the senses<br>Dharana : Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness<br>Dhyana : Devotion, Meditation on the Divine<br>Samadhi : Union with the Divine</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/a24f4a99d73adb57d7a091c6a8c7a3192ebd61a7/original/doga-05.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/a24f4a99d73adb57d7a091c6a8c7a3192ebd61a7/original/doga-05.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" height="3843" /></a><p><strong>A New Vision </strong><br>Because the Dogue Shop likes to <a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/think-outside-the-box" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Think Outside the Box"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><i><strong>Think Outside the Box</strong></i></span></a>, we did not want to place dogs in strange positions, nor did we want to exclude certain breeds based on their size. Doga is really about developing and deepening the human-dog relationship based on social cognitive theory. The connection deepens the relationship and deepens the ability to work and solve problems in a secure and relaxed environment. <br> <br>The topic of social cognitive theory was discussed in <a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/reinforce-resilience" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Reinforce Resilience"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Reinforce Resilience</strong></span></a>. The article discussed how to reinforce resilience through a different approach. Doga is the ultimate training practice in which a person learns to teach, bond, enjoy, and share an activity meant to keep both participants in the present moment. Doga, just like yoga, is a philosophy. Furthermore, doga is a low-impact training practice available to all. It can be practiced inside or out and will certainly make participants laugh.</p><p>We encourage you to try <a class="no-pjax" href="/doga-classes" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Doga Classes" contents="Doga"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Doga</strong></span></a> and start doing yoga with your dog, but most of all we encourage people to try and see their human-dog relationships in a new way. <i>Canis Familiaris </i>has been our working partner for hundreds of years; maybe it's time to step back and acknowledge that, although times have changed, we can still work with them in new creative ways. Give your dog a job. Give your dog a Doga job.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong><br>-http://www.expressionsofspirit.com/yoga/eight-limbs.htm<br>-http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2479226/Yoga-dogs-JILLY-JOHNSON-tries-doga--14st-Great-Dane.html<br>-http://www.catherinemann.com/doga-yoga-wa-dog/<br>-http://www.abebooks.com/blog/index.php/2009/08/14/doga-yoga-for-dogs/</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/32486032014-11-05T11:50:00-05:002024-03-15T19:19:28-04:00Think Outside The Box<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/f4c6b2632828b2dbf27f4eeb9faab9e5ea170bfb/original/albearbox-1.png/!!/b%3AW1sidCIsOTBdXQ%3D%3D/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/f4c6b2632828b2dbf27f4eeb9faab9e5ea170bfb/medium/albearbox-1.png?1414173269" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="" /></a><p>The catchphrase <i>think outside the box</i> means thinking in new ways to release one's creative potential. In the dog training world, thinking outside the box means stopping training with traditional punishment-based methods and letting new positive training ideas develop. Discussions are taking place all over the world about dominance, submission, and the excessive use of punishment in dog training; I urge you to join the discussion. </p><p>Traditional punishment based training models stipulate dogs form packs and establish hierarchies based on dominance and submission. At the top of the hierarchy, we find the most dominant subjects followed by their subservient conspecifics. The dominant animal, AKA alpha, controls all the resources. Traditional trainers take this model and apply it to domestic dog training. They claim dogs seek the alpha position within the human family unit, and dogs will do anything to get to the top. In other words, the dog wants to control humans and all available resources. Trainers that believe in dominance also claim dogs must submit to humans, if they do not, dogs must be placed in a submissive position till they surrender (calm down).<br><br>If this were true, why do dogs tolerate our presence? <i>Canis Familiaris</i> can exert approximately five hundred pounds of pressure per square inch, so why not just kill us and be done with it? Why display appeasement and avoidance signals towards us? The reason is simple, dogs do not want total domination, if they did, they would avoid humans all together or gang-up and kill us all.<br><br>Furthermore, dogs do not live in packs, nor do dominant subjects strive to control other individuals and available resources. Dominance is defined as what an individual wants more than the other at a particular point in time, and the <i>want</i> can change, and usually does, at any moment. Dominance is really about confidence, not aggression. To push the discussion further, those who keep thinking within the box have not yet learned that submission (all three types) is always voluntary. You cannot force an individual, especially from another species, to submit because submission is the act of surrendering yourSelf. No living organism, human or non-human, can make another living organism surrender itSelf.<br><br>Dominance and submission are words that describe a group of behaviours. Anger and fear are emotions expressed as aggression and fearfulness. Behaviour is simply an expression of emotion, so dog training is really about changing emotions, not behaviour. My question to the reader is, why does a dog trainer keep <i>thinking in the box</i>? Why not challenge yourself and <i>think outside the box</i>? The dog stopped being a wolf fifteen thousand years ago, so maybe the time has come for us to let go of the romantic idea that dogs are domestic wolves. Maybe the time has come for us to accept that the dog is, in fact, just a dog. </p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/32472572014-10-29T12:05:00-04:002024-03-15T19:20:39-04:00Canine Comunication<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/b0768f00e3b3b49e752f20ac6cf358d5e043d1d2/original/100-7598.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b0768f00e3b3b49e752f20ac6cf358d5e043d1d2/medium/100-7598.jpg?1414098033" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>What is communication?<br>Dictionaries state: </p><p>1. The ability to communicate and establish a relationship with others brings me to the word communicate. <br>2. To give knowledge and share it with someone. <br>3. To be in a relationship, in contact, or corresponding with someone. <br><br>From these definitions, one can conclude that we communicate with our dogs; however, what are we telling them? Is there concept of dominance the same as ours? <br> <br>Let us look at the Alpha Roll as an example. Does turning Fido on his back and holding him there say: <i>I am Alpha, submit to me, or else!</i> or <i>Periodically, I will scare you, with no apparent reason, by tossing you on your back until you become inhibited</i>. If you chose option two, you are right. Sometimes, what we say to Fido is a question of interpretational assumption, not communication. Dominance is an intra-specific concept. In order to dominate a dog, one must be able to speak the same language. In the case of human-dog communication, this means lifting your tail, pivoting your ears or raising your hackles. These behaviours are impossible to display if you are human; therefore, no communication has occurred.<br><br>I have never seen a dog or wolf take his adversary by the scruff of the neck, flip him on his back, and hold him there until he submitted. Submission is always VOLUNTARY. If one dog does not submit, they fight. Dogs have complex language, and we are responsible for moving away from assumptions to study the canine language. To illustrate this point, let us look at the following example.<br><br>An elephant and a buffalo challenge one another in order to access a water hole. I ask you, who dominates whom? The answer is neither nor both at the same time. In their respective heads, the elephant and buffalo are both displaying species-specific dominance behaviours. There is no communication in this situation since the definition states: establishing a relation with others, being in a relationship. <br><br>In our example, the buffalo tries to dominate the elephant by lowering his head and showing his horns. The elephant displays dominance by opening his ears and raising his trunk. Both animals demonstrate dominance, yet no one understands and backs down. Who wins, you ask? The answer is simple: the biggest of the two or the most thirsty one. From the human perspective, we can clearly see communication does not occur. The buffalo does not dominate the elephant because the latter does not understand the behaviours displayed. With this new understanding, how can we interpret our relationship with dogs as dominant or submissive?<br> <br>To establish healthy relationships with dogs requires understanding. We must realize that communication is only possible between individuals of the same species; all other relationships function on approach, avoidance, interpretation, and trust. Dogs trust us not to hurt them, and we trust dogs will not hurt us in return. We must recognize that we are not superior or inferior to our dogs; we are simply different. Embrace your relationship, have fun, and give dominance to the old heave-ho.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/32391152014-10-23T11:55:00-04:002024-03-15T19:23:48-04:00Reinforce Resilience<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/849cec69b1db1e97ab950b66374b081d1b51f655/original/albearhelp.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/849cec69b1db1e97ab950b66374b081d1b51f655/medium/albearhelp.jpg?1413734760" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>In the last Blog, I tried to persuade readers to engage in a healthy discussion about being a dog professional. Today, we will take a look at learning and resilience. Note: to keep this article short, I have included a list of learning theories and the people behind them at the end of this article.</p><p>In essence, learning theories are regrouped into six main theories: Behaviourism, Cognitivism, Constructivism, Design-based, Humanism, and Miscellaneous. Out of all the learning theories, most professionals rely on one, behaviourism (classical and operant conditioning). Did you know Albert Bandura, a Canadian, linked behaviourism and cognitivism with his social cognitive theory in the sixties?<br><br>Social cognitive theory states "...that all animal action is based on fulfilling the psychological needs of feeling, emotion, and desire”. Social cognitive theory is based on the idea that animals (including people) learn by observing others, and this can only occur when personal, behavioural, and environmental factors are conducive to learning. Dogs can and do learn through social cognitive theory.<br><br>Another learning theory comes into play, attachment. Indeed, dogs have pre-set behaviours that allow them to attach to whatever is present during the critical period of social development. After this attachment period, dogs will learn to imitate and solve problems through association and social and emotional connectedness. Dogs who have formed bonds with humans are likelier to follow pointing gestures and visual cues to problem-solve (Virányi et al., 2008). In fact, when all these learning theories are put together, the side effect is increased resilience.<br><br><strong>Reinforced Resilience Reduces Reaction.</strong><br>Resilience is the capacity of a human or animal to recover quickly from difficulties or difficult situations; therefore, animal professionals should reinforce resilience, not behaviour. You might think this sounds strange, yet I assure you this is not an abstract concept. I introduced other learning theories into my practice fifteen years ago, and believe me, they work wonderfully. Many dog research labs now focus on our canine companions' social and cognitive capacities. How does one reinforce resilience, you might ask. The answer lies in your ability to place all the pieces of the puzzle together. In other words, humans must set the stage for other theories to interconnect. The first puzzle is the social cognitive learning theory model, which looks like the image below.</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/aec770d53a2c6179d2883e20c81f722ca5173b29/original/sct.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/aec770d53a2c6179d2883e20c81f722ca5173b29/large/sct.jpg?1413665685" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><p>In the social cognitive learning theory model, behavioural factors influence and are influenced by environmental factors; environmental factors influence and are influenced by personal factors (cognition, emotion, and biology); personal factors influence and are influenced by behaviour. All factors must connect and interact with one another for learning to occur (above). When both human and dog models connect through a secure attachment, both individuals can experience learning. Once the human-dog pair functions smoothly, resilience can and will increase. Why? Because the human can plan and set forth the environmental, behavioural, and personal factors required to trigger a response and reinforce recovery. In other words, the human voluntarily works to decrease the dog's recovery time in any given situation by reinforcing the said recovery. As the dog gains insight and receives multiple levels of reinforcement for quick recovery, resilience will increase (below).</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/352223854453ba18c3f61f662347435d25006982/original/sct-2.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/352223854453ba18c3f61f662347435d25006982/original/sct-2.jpg?1414082155" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><p>The process of placing dogs into social situations in order to trigger personal and behavioural responses is termed situational inducement. Inducement should remain at the dog's threshold, for if the situation is too stressful, the dog will cease to learn. Remember, all three aspects of social cognitive theory must function together to create a favourable learning environment. Furthermore, if situational inducement triggers high-stress responses, the human-dog attachment will suffer and start to deteriorate. <br><br>The objective of social cognitive and attachment theory is to let your dog know that you are there and that you will provide positive feedback. Your dog should think you are God, not because you have food, but because your relationship says <i>I got your back</i>. A resilient human and dog team is a powerful combination that can be exposed to any situation and bounce back physically, mentally, and emotionally without any long-term negative effects.</p><div>
<strong>Sources:</strong><br>-Cooper, J.J., Ashton, C., Bishop, S., West, R., Mills, D.S. & Young, R.J. (2003). Clever hounds: social cognition in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). <i>Animal Behaviour Science, United-Kingdom</i> 81 229–244.<br> <br>-Holt, E.B. and H.C. (1931). <i>Brown, Animal drive and the learning process, an essay toward radical empiricism</i>. New York: H. Holt and Co.<br> <br>-Frank, H & Frank, M.G. (1982). Applied Animal Ethology. <i>Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company</i>, Amsterdam 507-525.<br> <br>-McLeod, S. A. (2009). Attachment Theory. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/attachment.html<br> <br>-Virányi, Z., Gácsi. M., Kubinyi, E., Topál, J., Belényi, B., Ujfalussy, D., & Miklósi, A. (2008). Comprehension of human pointing gestures in young human-reared wolves (Canis lupus) and dogs (Canis familiaris). <i>Anim Cogn</i> 11:373–387. DOI 10.1007/s10071-007-0127-y</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31484872014-10-16T10:55:00-04:002024-02-28T13:38:17-05:00Emotional Dog Training<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE<br><br>This article will undoubtedly appear as a controversial piece to many, so be it! I accept the divergence of opinions, for I am open to constructive criticism and capable of objective dialogue. My purpose is to make people think. Think about relationships, beliefs, and ideas. I challenge the reader to sit back and ask themselves this question: where do I find myself in the negative/positive continuum? There is no right or wrong answer. You are where you find yourself.<br><br>Punishment (-) _____________________ (?) _____________________________ Reinforcement (+)</p><div><a class="no-pjax" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mrwPfT9z9yE/UWLnUQaCsgI/AAAAAAAAAJw/J-UfRsBFQWg/s1600/100_6639.JPG"><img src="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-mrwPfT9z9yE%2FUWLnUQaCsgI%2FAAAAAAAAAJw%2FJ-UfRsBFQWg%2Fs320%2F100_6639.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" class="size_orig justify_left border_" /></a><p>I think the line between punishment and abuse is a very thin one and should be discussed. The idea for this article came to me when I read the following statement: "Finding a dog trainer who will not hurt your dog, either physically or EMOTIONALLY, is not easy." The text, written by Paws for Praise, reminds us that human-dog relationships should be based on acceptance, understanding, and love; unfortunately, this is easier said than done. </p>
</div><div> </div><div>I have been working with dogs and other species of the canine genus for many, many years and know the value of the statement; conversely, I find it strange that humans demand of dogs things they do not do or have great difficulty doing themselves. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe in training animals with force; however, dogs, animals, and people have emotions and it's impossible, not to say ludicrous, to think a living organism can go through life without EVER having its emotions hurt.</div><p><strong>Punishment</strong><br>Punishment is defined as <i>adding something the dog doesn't want in order to reduce or decrease the probability the undesirable behaviour will occur again</i>; therefore, anything that will stop and/or reduce a behaviour is defined as a punishment.</p><div>
<a class="no-pjax" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp4Cy9POVsA/UWLoNVZaUxI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/kaWKaK2EM2o/s1600/100_0705.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Sp4Cy9POVsA%2FUWLoNVZaUxI%2FAAAAAAAAAJ4%2FkaWKaK2EM2o%2Fs320%2F100_0705.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="" height="320" width="240" /></a>The punisher can be anything that involves the senses and emotions: auditory (sounds, words, or noises...), physical (touch, poke, kick, electric shock, choke, wind, heat, cold...), visual (rolling, falling, floating, flying things...), olfactory (perfumes, spices, vinegar, urine, feces...), emotions (fear, anger...). Punishers are an inescapable part of life. So, where do we draw the line between punishment and abuse? Is it when the punishment becomes physical? Is it when the dog manifests appeasement and avoidance signals? Is it when the dog exhibits fear or aggression? How can we evaluate a dog's emotional state without relying on observable behaviour? When dogs exhibit appeasement and avoidance signals, their emotions may already be triggered or not. Will the punisher create a long-lasting emotional scar if their emotions are heightened?</div><div>
<br>If parents yell <i>No!</i> at their children as they are about to cross the street, are their emotions hurt? For some children, the answer might be yes, and for others, no. If the child cannot speak, how can we infer his emotions were harmed? Ultimately, who can conclude, without a doubt, that the child or dog is emotionally wounded? These questions are hard to answer as we don't know, beyond exhibited physical behaviours, whether the organism is emotionally suffering.</div><div> </div><div>As mentioned above, I am not writing this piece to justify or negate punishment; I know where I find myself on the punishment/reinforcement continuum. I feel this question should be discussed further; therefore, I ask you, the reader, where do you find yourself on the continuum and why? How do you know which punisher has a long-lasting emotional effect on the dog? Based on what is shown on television, where do you draw the line between punishment and abuse?</div><div> </div><div>Maybe the answer lies in intent...<br>To be continued.</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31484862014-10-01T13:50:00-04:002024-03-15T19:45:13-04:00Backyard Trainers<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/aafdac24f9085a4e9ff5ef6c56a2b8aeac7a54e7/original/20190315-104128.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/aafdac24f9085a4e9ff5ef6c56a2b8aeac7a54e7/original/20190315-104128.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="2988" /></a><p>This might surprise some readers outside the dog profession; therefore, I urge you to brace yourselves for what I am about to say. Dog training is an unrecognized profession with no educational standards or governing body in Quebec, Canada. If you did not know this, please rest assured that you are not alone. With the advent of TV reality shows, people, trainers and clients alike are placed in a precarious position. Let us explore why. </p><p>Applied animal behaviour is a recognized profession which requires a university degree; furthermore, behaviourists are usually members of a specific professional organization. In other words, behaviourists are bound by a code of ethics and have a governing body, depending on their country of origin.</p><p>In Quebec, dog trainers are not required to have any educational training. Basically, this means people can read a book or watch a television show and call themselves dog trainers. Although some self-taught trainers use a positive approach to dog training and continue their education via conferences and seminars, some trainers are put, bad to the bone.<br><strong>Backyard Trainers</strong><br>I call punishment-based and forceful dog trainers "backyard" trainers. These backyard trainers have little or no basic understanding of animal behaviour modification; consequently, they create more problems than they solve. Why? Because their training approach focuses on outdated ideas and theories like dominance and pack structure. </p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/852a2d376f509f3591ea6dcf9bddd7ef3706f583/original/certificat9.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg" data-link-type="url"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/852a2d376f509f3591ea6dcf9bddd7ef3706f583/original/certificat9.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" height="2480" /></a><strong>Dog Trainer Professionals </strong><br>Professional dog trainers recognize the need for structured, formal educational programs and go out of their way to acquire such an education. Behaviourists often give The training they receive, which explains why they have a basic to advanced understanding of animal behaviour and modification protocols. Professional people do not hesitate to refer cases which exceed their qualifications. Professional dog trainers network, strive to keep in touch and discuss training practices, methods, and techniques.</p><p><strong>Dog Training Clients</strong><br>Clients should ask for references from other clients or turn to sources such as dog parks, veterinarians, and videos of trainers, and contact the training school where their potential trainer has taken classes. Social networks are also an excellent source of information. Clients can view potential trainers' posts, comments, associations, affiliations or liked pages. Clients can read up on training techniques and interview trainers.</p><p>Clients should ask questions such as <i>naming the four quadrants of conditioning, what a variable schedule of reinforcement is, and what the difference between positive and negative punishment is</i>. Trainers' answers should come without hesitation and match the information previously gathered for the interview. Clients do not need to understand the definitions; they must verify qualifications and knowledge. </p><p><strong>The Road Ahead</strong> <br>When it comes to sorting between professional and backyard trainers, I recommend clients trust the information they gathered and their instincts. Finally, clients should hire someone who best fits their expectations and needs. Remember, if it's too good to be true, it normally is!</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31484562014-09-23T15:45:00-04:002024-02-28T13:30:55-05:00Dog Language 201<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><div><img src="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Ukx13DYYhok%2FUSgMPoVXHYI%2FAAAAAAAAAJI%2FM6CyOMMMQ0A%2Fs320%2FIMG00622-20120625-1214.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><p><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">There is a lot of information on the web about dog behaviour, some more accurate than others. My objective with this article is not to write a long essay on the significance of dog behaviour and the latest discoveries, but rather make you, the reader, think about why it is important to let dogs speak.</span></p>
<p>In essence, dog language is all about developing and maintaining harmonious relationships, not dominance or submission. Canines want the same thing humans want: to live as much as possible in a conflict-free environment. To attain this goal, dogs have developed a complex language. The funny thing is that the dog and human languages share similarities. Both species use words that can hold various meanings depending on the context; furthermore, these words can be combined in different sequences to form alternate significances. Look at the sentences below.</p>
<p><i>My father was married before he died. </i></p>
<div><p><i>My father died before he was married.</i> </p></div>
<p>When placed in a different sequence, those same seven words express a totally different message. Dogs can do the same with their language. Your canine companion can use avoidance, appeasement, stress release, agonistic, fear, etc., to form various meanings depending on the situation. Your dog can say to another dog, "Leave me alone, I'm scared, but I'll defend myself if you come closer," or can change the meaning by simply altering one or two behaviours and say, "Leave me alone, I'm scared, and I'll run away if you come closer." In the same situation, the dog can say many different things. The question is, is anybody listening?</p>
<p>The canine ethogram, aka dog dictionary, holds hundreds of behaviours (words) grouped in approximately twenty-plus categories. These behaviours can be combined to form endless meaningful possibilities (sentences). When people interfere in dog communication, they create more problems than they solve because they break down the dog-dog line of communication.</p>
<p>The family pet does not need to be told when to stop a play session or cease to sniff another dog's posterior. They can and will tell other dogs when and why to stop, and believe me, they will use those hundreds words to let others know how they feel.</p>
<p>It is important to let dogs speak in order to let them live well-adjusted lives. Without the ability to communicate effectively, dogs will find the necessary means to make their voices heard, and those means normally involve sutures and bandages. Have you ever stepped in between two arguing people only to be told to f*** off? Why did they tell you this? Because people need to resolve their conflicts before they can move on. Guess what? So do dogs!</p>
<p>On a final note, those who reduce dog communication to dominance and submission condemn dogs to live a life of bitterness, frustration, aggression, fear, and confusion. If people explained human behaviour solely in terms of confidence and insecurity, all meaning would be lost and communication made pointless; people would be frustrated, angry, and confused. Language, whatever the species, is far more complex and needs to be learned if we are to live in a conflict-free environment.</p>
</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31483522014-09-04T11:35:00-04:002024-02-28T13:28:41-05:00Sociability Gene<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE<br><br>Many years of observation led me to believe that sociability is genetic; that is to say, we are born sociable or not. Instinctively the majority of people believe this statement without having scientific proof to back it up. Are they right? I think so. I’ve seen dogs (<i>Canis Familiaris</i>) with adequate socialization develop behavioural problems in my practice. I’ve also seen dogs, isolated from stimuli during the critical period, be socially well-adjusted. Recently I had the chance to observe four wolves (<i>Canis Lupus</i>) socialised according to a strict protocol. Three of them displayed typical fear behaviours wild wolves demonstrate; the fourth was fearful. The fearful wolf approached after a long session of encouragement. So, why is it that the recipe for socialization failed? <br><br>The canine socialization period is well-known to researchers and animal trainers/behaviourists. John Paul Scott and John L. Fuller introduced it in their book “<i>Genetics and Social Behaviour of the Dog</i>”, published in 1965. This period lasts from zero to sixteen weeks, peaking between the fourth and eighth week. We also know that a lack of exposure to stimuli during this period will create behavioural deficiencies. We will get back to this shortly. I am in no way questioning this theory. However, questions come to mind. If the dog is born sociable could the constant exposure to stimuli create behaviour problems? Are we creating hyper-reactive dogs by systematically sending them to puppy kindergarten? Is placing them in a continuous social context positive or negative? Before answering these questions, let's first look at the scientific research exploring sociability genes.<br><br><strong>The Research</strong></p><p>In 1997 Dr. Anthony Wynshaw-Boris from the National Human Genome Research Institute (USA) discovered a gene responsible for social behaviour in whiskery mice (</p><div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b48e1be1e1a0699374c2a3919521b68ad14e34bc/original/100_0446.JPG?1366152473" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="" height="208" /><i>Mus Musculus Musculus</i>), a highly sociable laboratory mouse best known for its whisker-cleaning behaviour. The gene studied is named dishevelled and came from a knockout group of mice. Researchers found three versions of this gene, dishevelled 1,2 and 3. In order to understand the role of this gene, Dr. Wynshaw-Boris removed dishevelled-1 from the whiskery mouse. To his astonishment the mouse grew normally, however, once adult he noticed the whiskers on the mouse were poorly groomed. The team wondered why.<br><br>By closely observing the animals, they noticed a decrease in social interaction. They also noticed that the mice had difficulty eliminating exterior stimuli and concentrating on one specific stimulus. These same asocial behaviours are observed in humans suffering from psychiatric disorders such as autism or schizophrenia. Against all expectations, the genetically modified mice interacted, nestled, slept and groomed less. Visibly, something had changed in the group. The mice had become asocial. Was the gene removed responsible for sociability? The conclusion of the study wasn’t clear. However, the facts demonstrated that social interactions were gone, their behaviours had changed, and this gene was responsible.<br><br>A few years later, in 1999, Dr. Tom Insel and Larry Young from Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (USA) published research in the journal <a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.nature.com"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><i><strong>Nature</strong></i></span></a>. The study aimed to discover the mechanisms of a neurotransmitter responsible for social attraction and intimacy, the hormone vasopressin. This time researchers created a social mouse by inserting the gene from a species of prairie vole (<i>Microtus Ochrogaster</i>) known for its sociability and fidelity. The hormone vasopressin was injected in a species of polygamist and asocial mice. The new transgenic species demonstrated the same social and gregarious behaviour as the prairie voles. It was the first time a gene was identified as responsible for social behaviour.<br><br>Discoveries did not end there. In 2001 a study published in the journal <a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.sciencemag.org"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><i><strong>Science</strong></i></span></a> demonstrated that only one gene could regulate social behaviour in red fire ants (<i>Solenopsis Invicta</i>). Researchers from the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia (USA), Michael Krieger and Kenneth Ross, discovered a gene responsible for exchanging information that allows ants to interact socially, a protein named Gp-9. This protein functions by allowing ants to send and receive olfactory signals (pheromones) used to recognize each other as members of the same colony.<br><br>The most extraordinary discovery was published in August 2003 in the journal <a class="no-pjax" href="http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/home"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><i><strong>Medical Genetics</strong></i></span></a>. The researchers Teresa Doyle and Ursula Bellugi from the Salk Institute, San Diego, California (USA) in collaboration with Julie Korenberger and John Graham from the UCLA and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California (USA) published research on children affected by Williams syndrome. Children suffering from this syndrome have an extremely extroverted and hyper-social personality. They also have cardiovascular problems, particularly physical and facial characteristics, and a certain mental delay. Adults suffering from this syndrome demonstrate unusual capabilities for language despite reduced cognitive abilities. <br><br>Williams syndrome is rare. One out of twenty thousand people are affected. It is the consequence of the absence of twenty genes from one chromosome located on the seventh pair. Virtually every person affected by the syndrome lacks the same series of genes. Researchers discovered that children with Williams syndrome got very high marks when sociability tests were administered. These tests included the ability to recognize faces and names, the desire to please, empathy and social attraction. The same study discovered that one child retained one of the twenty genes usually missing. After this discovery, the little girl was administered a new behavioural test. Surprisingly, she did not demonstrate the socially extroverted characteristics other children with Williams syndrome demonstrated. She was rather introverted, lacked sociability and was fearful of strangers. The results implied that the presence of this gene altered the hyper-sociability typically observed in people with Williams. Researchers concluded the study by saying they were unsure if the gene regulating social behaviour was applied to the general population or simply to those affected with Williams syndrome.<br><br><strong>Conclusion</strong><br>Although inconclusive, research demonstrates that a sociability gene, or series of genes, could exist. So, back to our questions: does overexposing genetically social puppies to highly social situations hinder or help development? In the near future, the answer will undoubtedly be yes. I personally believe that oversocializing dogs hinders development and has the potential to create behaviour problems. All the while, an anti-social dog does benefit from regular low-intensity social interaction. After all, being social means dogs have the ability to use their species-specific language in the situations they have chosen; conversely, if dogs do not wish to be social in a certain situation does not mean they are systematically anti-social; it might simply mean they do not wish to interact with this specific individual at this specific moment. </div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31483662014-08-28T13:15:00-04:002024-03-15T19:48:54-04:00Brain Games<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE<br><br>This article aims to teach pet owners how to make and use interactive toys. City dogs spend most of their time alone; as a result, they get bored and destructive. Separation anxiety is often the result of poor mental stimulation and over-attachment to the owner. This is no surprise since dogs get most of their "feel-good hormones" directly from human interaction. Guilty pet owners think that this boredom can be alleviated with extended periods of physical activity; unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Dogs need to use their cognitive abilities in order to become well-adjusted and happy companions.</p><div><a class="no-pjax" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2pk7fy1ioYA/T8O5vsW8Q8I/AAAAAAAAAHc/iv-SW7vKZMI/s1600/100_8864.JPG"><img src="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-2pk7fy1ioYA%2FT8O5vsW8Q8I%2FAAAAAAAAAHc%2Fiv-SW7vKZMI%2Fs320%2F100_8864.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" class="size_orig justify_left border_" height="240" width="320" /></a><p>Contrary to popular belief, the brain is not a muscle. It is an organ that can generate or regenerate itself in an astonishing fashion. The old saying "use it or lose it" is factual when discussing the brain. Neurons are like fireflies, they come together, make little sparks, and if all is well will reproduce. Regrettably, if the fireflies cannot communicate, they will be unable to make sparks and the fireflies will die. Interactive toys keep the spark from dying out.<br> </p>
</div><div>Cognitive games, or enrichment activities, are presented as easy, medium, or hard levels of difficulty. The level itself is referred to as the number of necessary steps the animal must achieve in order to solve the problem. Thus, the easy level requires only one step for the animal to solve the problem, i.e. remove the treat from the container. The medium level requires two steps: remove the lid from the container and get a treat from the container. Level three, the hardest level for most dogs, requires three steps to solve the problem: remove the elastic from the container, remove the lid from the container, and remove the treat from the container. The game can be simple or multiple-sensory stimulating. In other words, the games stimulate visual, auditory, olfactory, taste, and/or touch.<br> </div><div>
<p>The first interactive game I will describe is one that stimulates taste and visual senses. It can be presented in various levels of difficulty as described below. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/ca386620aee9e8f527c5f29d5ab9a27ce7c93596/original/100_8937.JPG/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/ca386620aee9e8f527c5f29d5ab9a27ce7c93596/original/100_8937.JPG/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_s justify_right border_" height="2832" /></a><p>Take a large yogurt container (1kg), fill it with special treats or your pet's meal, and flip it upside down on the floor (no lid). Let the dog investigate and try to flip the container. Encourage your dog if he touches it with his nose or paws. Keep encouraging till he gets to the food. For the medium level, fill the container with food and add the lid to the container but still flip the container upside down (lid facing floor). Add food to the container for the difficult level and place a strong elastic around the container to close the lid. For a longer-lasting activity, mix the food with non-salted broth, canned food, raw meat, eggs, or any sticky substance your pet loves and freeze the content before giving him the game. My favourite interactive game is object recognition. Not only does it increases your dog's mental abilities and tires him out in a few minutes, it will also impress your entourage. Find as many different objects as you can. Garage sales and dollar stores are wonderful places to look for enrichment items. </p>
<p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/c1c6574f2d5db4b2baba6d6930cdccdec6af8d03/original/NinaOttosson.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/c1c6574f2d5db4b2baba6d6930cdccdec6af8d03/original/NinaOttosson.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="973" /></a>You will need delicious treats and a comfortable sitting position for this activity. Take the first object and touch your dog's nose with it while simultaneously naming the object. Say "good dog" or click and give him a treat. Most dogs will start to make the association between the word and the object after five times. Very intelligent dogs will require only two to three tries. You can test the dog by presenting a new object and asking the one he knows. If he touches the new object, keep paring nose-object-treat and ask again.</p>
<p>Once the dog recognizes the object, introduce a new one in the presence of the old. Your dog will recognize the familiar object and, through discrimination, will identify the new one. This makes learning much faster and prevents boredom. The world record for object recognition by name is a thousand plus. The difficulty level will increase when you start to introduce new objects. </p>
</div><div>
<br>Nina Ottosson is the answer for those who do not wish to spend time on the design of complex interactive toys. She has a variety of interactive games ranging from easy to hard. These toys are made of plastic, are extremely sturdy, and dishwasher safe. I personally recommend Magic, Maze, Spinny, Brick, Casino, and Finder. I haven't tried the Miracle, but I am certain dogs love it too. In any case, be creative, have fun and share your dog's achievements and or enrichment activities with us.</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31482052014-08-21T13:58:35-04:002024-03-15T19:51:52-04:00Dogs Socialization<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/8b58adef2656f7f2f12015f4c3ef26f5a565a240/original/albear.png/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/8b58adef2656f7f2f12015f4c3ef26f5a565a240/small/albear.png?1367861525" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="391" /></a><p>A behaviour problem is the physical expression of a negative mental state. Behaviour problems impair normal function, i.e. the dog cannot eat because it spends its time chasing imaginary flies. What has caused the original dysfunction can be the result of poor genetics, miscommunication, neglect, or abuse. Behaviour problems occur when humans fail to recognize the early signs of mental dysfunction. Knowing this, a question comes to mind: how do we prevent behavioural problems from developing?</p><p>The socialization period was well identified and thoroughly discussed in Fuller and Scott’s book Genetics and the Social Behaviour of the Dog (1965). From their research, it was discovered that puppies need to experience various stimuli before the age of three months in order to withstand life’s events securely. In other words, what puppies do not experience during this critical period, they will fear as adults. This corresponds with Konrad Lorenz’s theory of imprinting; it mentions a species acquires his identity during a critical period, in dogs this social period closes at approximately 16 weeks.</p><p>Socialization, aka imprinting, and habituation, happen according to a certain recipe. Take a little bit of social contact from dogs, people, and other animals, mix in various sounds, smells, objects and experiences, throw in positive training techniques, simmer for a few months, and voilà! A well-balanced adult dog! Behaviour problems arise when the instructions are not followed, and ingredients are forgotten or omitted altogether.</p><p><strong>Socialization Problems</strong><br>Puppies spend most of the critical period with their breeders. Consequently, the breeder’s role is to provide positive stimuli and social contact to his brood. When puppies are exposed to various people, animals, sounds, smells and positive experiences, dogs become confident, well-balanced, and adjusted adults. In the best of worlds, puppies leaving their homes between seven and eight weeks are properly socialized and sold to canine-savvy owners.</p><p>Here are a few documented situations that can create behaviour problems. 1. Separation. Dogs are pulled too early from the litter or are not presented with various stimuli during the critical period. 2. Vaccination. Veterinarians tell their clients not to expose their puppies to other dogs before the vaccination protocol is completed. Unfortunately, this event occurs after the socialization period has ended. Introducing puppies to adult dogs is perfectly safe, considering most of the adult dog population is vaccinated. Obviously, one has to use common sense and refrain from contact if the adult dog exhibits signs of illness.</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/56670/e2da31bf740db43e82fac4d0ce296427f83e1c7c/original/05-09-10_1151.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/e2da31bf740db43e82fac4d0ce296427f83e1c7c/small/05-09-10_1151.jpg?1362192735" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="" height="267" /></a><p>3. Over-socialisation. Large groups of adult dogs can seriously overwhelm puppies. The purpose of socialization is to learn which behaviours are considered normal and expected as adults; conversely, groups of puppies cannot teach each other manners they themselves know nothing about. The human equivalent would be to place young children together in groups and let them grow up in the hopes they will teach each other how to behave as adults. Adult supervision is not only required, it is mandatory. The same thing goes for dogs; puppies must be in contact with well adjusted adult dogs in very small groups! Well-adjusted adult dogs teach youngsters how to display species-specific behaviours. </p><p><strong>Socialization Solutions</strong><br>As seen above, socializing puppies is like baking a cake; one must follow certain steps at certain times to obtain the appropriate finished product. If breeders have not exposed puppies to various situations, owners can offer those opportunities; unfortunately, they have very little time to do so. Owners have approximately four weeks to develop their dog’s social skills. During this short time, owners should present stimuli they will unlikely encounter as adult dogs. Remember, dogs will fear what they don’t know; this means traffic, fast-moving objects, people of different shapes, sizes, ethnicities, noises, smells, and living creatures are potentially life-threatening situations in the dog’s mind.<br><br>Owners can socialize their puppies in different ways. They can bring them to puppy socialization classes, stand in front of big stores, go to dog parks, visit a family member, or expose the dog to various situations and give them treats for positive responses. Everybody wants to pet the new puppy, so why not walk around and ask people to interact while you control the environment? When you practice these techniques, or any other for that matter, you must be conscious of your dog’s emotional state of mind. Owners should pull their puppies away if they get tired, overwhelmed, or scared. Socialization is a question of balance; too much or too little of a good thing can be bad.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31482862014-07-18T14:45:00-04:002024-02-28T13:09:16-05:00Dogs Read Human Emotions - The Left Gaze Bias<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE<br><br>Pet owners often say My dog knows when I feel good or bad. This statement remained unverified by the scientific community, till now. In a recent report published in the scientific journal New Scientist (Guo, 2008), researchers discovered that dogs do indeed read the human face as we do, from left to right, to gain emotional insight. The researchers describe the process of reading emotions as the <a class="no-pjax" href="http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/2423/1/LGB-revision1109.pdf" data-link-type="url" target="_new"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>Left Gaze Bias</strong></span></a> or LGB.<br><br>LGB is the process by which people validate emotions by scanning the face from left to right, with an emphasis on the person’s right side. The reason for this bias is the asymmetrical structure of the face. Remember biology 101, the left hemisphere of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice verse. Therefore, our brains are scanning for the side of the face controlled by the emotional side of the brain, hence, the other person’s right side or from my perspective, their left side.</p><figure class="table"><table><tbody>
<tr>
<td><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/cf4d116ef5146c00c59ec0b63ab05fcffa5b4bad/medium/gabyLGBLeft.jpg?1366152473" class="size_orig justify_center border_" alt="" height="183" width="200" /></td>
<td><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/daa3d88bc8ca282127be2978878cd3402df071f4/medium/gabyLGBRight.jpg?1366152473" class="size_orig justify_center border_" alt="" height="181" width="200" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p style="text-align:center;"> Photo 1 </p></td>
<td><p style="text-align:center;"> Photo 2</p></td>
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</tbody></table></figure><p>Look at both images. Photo 1 is the left side of the face copied and flipped. Photo 2 is the right side of the face copied and flipped. Which face appears happier? If you said photo 2, you are experiencing LGB. The subtle emotional differences between the left and right sides of one’s face are difficult to observe without this trickery. Still, our brains have learned to make this discrepancy, allowing for a more accurate emotional assessment.<br><br>When presented with pictures of human faces, monkeys, canines, or inanimate objects, our furry companions demonstrate the LGB only towards human faces. Dogs do not exhibit the left to right facial scanning when presented with other dogs, animals, or inanimate objects. Regarding behaviour modification and training, the LGB proves dogs can and do read human emotions; therefore, pet owners can use this information to identify their dog’s emotional state and redirect behaviour by readjusting their emotions. This process is referred to as <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.dogueshop.com/dogue-s-blog/blog/dogs-read-human-emotions" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#ff00e5;"><strong>emotional projection</strong></span></a> and is the essence of my practice.<br><br><strong>Reference</strong><br>- Guo, K. <i>Left Gaze Bias</i>. New Scientist, U.K. October 2008</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31483502014-07-09T14:55:00-04:002024-02-28T13:04:44-05:00Raw Food 201<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE<br><br>Commercial dog food is highly processed and deprived of vitamins and minerals because the ingredients constituting these diets are by-products deprived of nutritional value. Pet food was marketed as a supplementary diet when first introduced to the market. It was never destined to become a staple food. The overconsumption of kibble causes two major side effects for dogs: allergies and chronic illnesses.<br><br>Allergies are manifested as skin dermatitis and chronic illnesses. The latter varies from reoccurring ear infections to digestive issues such as diarrhea, flatulence, or urinary tract infections. This is due to the overconsumption of highly processed grains and cereals. These fillers (grains, cereals, fruits, or legumes) irritate the bowel and become allergens in the dog’s system. Raw food diets do not contain grains or cereals; therefore, prevent allergic reactions and excessive bowel movements. Vitamins and minerals have not been cooked or processed; thus, the dog assimilates them naturally. All parts are digested and utilized with an interesting side effect: stools are smaller and almost odourless.</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/53f19c37ef3663f73c8a20a0d720cda3f72ae95c/medium/100_5545.JPG?1366152473" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="167" width="250" /><p><strong>Making Raw Food</strong><br>There are many raw food recipes on the Internet, but a simple rule of thumb is to compose a meal with 1/3 meat, 1/3 bone, and 1/3 organs + vegetables. Green vegetables are ideal but should be roughly chopped with a blender or food processor. The process of grounding the vegetables allows the dog to absorb the nutrients. Remember, dogs do not have chewing teeth and, thus, are incapable of breaking down fibre to extract vitamins and minerals.</p><p>Our household's typical serving of raw food comprises a chicken or turkey carcass/meaty bone, minced meat, an organ, and a few green veggies. The total amount fed should represent approximately 1-2% of the dog’s total body weight. A 454g meal would look like this: 150g of minced meat, 150g of meaty bone, 150g of a combination of organ and vegetables. Unless you are scanning for a food allergy, the source of protein can be mixed together. Wild game and fish are a good source of food; unfortunately, the price can be an issue.<br><br>I have been feeding my dogs an exclusively raw food diet for the past 10 years and have never had salmonella contamination, smelly flatulence, veterinary visits/emergencies, or allergic reactions. My dog’s appetites are perfect, and eating is a pleasure. I highly recommend owners feed their pets a raw food diet.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31483492014-07-03T08:40:00-04:002024-02-28T13:04:01-05:00Raw Food 101<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br>The difference between commercially made dog food (kibble) and raw food diets is enormous. In order to understand the differences, one must first know how kibble is made. Dry dog food is made from leftover human products; thus, companies that write "human grade" on kibble bags are not lying. They don't tell you that those "human grade" products are the "throw away/non-usable" ingredients leftover from the human food industry or, commonly referred to as by-products, come from slaughters or rendering plants. If you believe fresh meat, grains, cereal, fruits and vegetables constitute your pet's diet, you are being duped by millions of dollars worth of marketing ploys.<br><br><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/56670/b7dc7cbfe98f68e59c243de3cc9b837d3b06962b/medium/K9dogwithbone.jpg?1366152473" class="size_orig justify_right border_" height="200" width="300" />First, kibble has to be in flour form BEFORE being processed. Unfortunately, manufacturers weigh the ingredients before mixing the product and the "fresh" chicken, which contains 80% water, will appear as the first ingredient on the list. Once dehydrated and mixed in, the "fresh" chicken comes in much further down the list. Second, the "fresh" chicken is everything BUT the meat. By-products are the leftover chicken carcasses without the beak, feathers, and feet. The cranberries or blueberries added as antioxidants are the leftover dried pulp juice companies generate, with little or no nutritional value left. Third, the entire mixture is blended, partially rehydrated, and cooked in an extruder (pasta-like making machine). Oils and vitamins are finally added to ensure <i>minimum nutritional requirements</i>.<br><br>The human food industry found a nice little niche in commercial pet food to recycle its by-products. Coincidentally, disease, cancer, allergies, and chronic illnesses have been on the rise. Savvy pet owners had enough of this "convenient" diet and returned to the ancestral way of feeding their beloved animals. Raw food diets have been around for many years, but only recently have they made their way to Quebec's pet stores. Natural, non-processed diets prevent health issues and prolong your pet's life. It is a simple and affordable (drastically reduces veterinary bills) alternative to kibble. With basic hygiene, there is no more risk in manipulating raw diets than managing your own food. As for parasites found in human products, Canada has very high standards regarding meat processing; hence, if beef destined for human consumption is dangerous for your dog, why are YOU eating it?<br><br>On a final note. Dogs have a very short transit (digestive tract) filled with super powerful acids designed to digest raw bones (never give a cooked bone to a dog); therefore, I believe the risks (which are very, very minimal) outweigh the benefits of raw food diets offered by pets. Just think about this: a dog has a better chance of choking on a toy than on a raw bone!</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31483652014-06-19T15:10:00-04:002024-02-28T12:57:26-05:00Communication Canine<p>Par Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT</p><p>Qu’est-ce que la communication? Dans le dictionnaire il est écrit : 1. Fait de communiquer, d’établir une relation avec autrui. Ce qui m’apporte à voir le mot communiquer : 1. Transmettre. 2. Donner connaissance, faire partager à qqn. 3. Être en relation, en rapport, en correspondance (avec qqn). Donc, nous communiquons bel et bien avec nos chiens, mais que leur disons-nous réellement?</p><div><a class="no-pjax" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0-PXFBHKEFI/TQd1sPkkbiI/AAAAAAAAACA/72274AWM-Yg/s1600/lescocos.JPG" data-blogger-escaped-onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_0-PXFBHKEFI%2FTQd1sPkkbiI%2FAAAAAAAAACA%2F72274AWM-Yg%2Fs200%2Flescocos.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550534468712033826" /></a><p>Prenons le Alpha Roll[1] comme exemple. Est-ce que rouler Fido sur le dos et lui tenir la poitrine clouée au sol veut dire : Je suis l’alpha, soumet toi, si non! Ou est-ce que cela veut dire : Périodiquement je vais te foutre la trouille, sans raison apparente, en te virer sur le dos jusqu’à ce que tu deviennes inhibé. Si vous avez choisi la deuxième option vous êtes champion. Ce que nous communiquons à Fido est une question de perception et dans ce cas si elle doit être faite à partir du point de vue de l’animal. Mais, pour ce faire nous devons connaître son dictionnaire.</p>
<p>La dominance est un concept intra-spécifique, c’est-à-dire que pour dominer le chien il faut être capable de parler le même langage que lui, ce qui est impossible. Je ne peux pas lever ma queue dans les airs, je ne peux pas relever mes oreilles et je ne peux surtout pas hérisser le poil sur mon dos. La soumission chez le chien ou tout autre animal se fait volontairement ou il y a bagarre. Je n’ai jamais vu un chien ou un loup prendre son adversaire par la peau du coup, le virer et le tenir sur le dos jusqu’à ce qu’il se soumette. Je le répète, l’animal se soumet VOLONTAIREMENT ou il y a un conflit de dominance !</p>
</div><p>Pour illustrer ce point d’avantage prenons l’exemple d’un éléphant et d’un buffle qui s’affrontent dans la savane. Je vous demande alors qui domine qui ? La réponse est ni un ni l’autre et les deux à la fois, car dans leurs têtes respectives ils exhibent leur comportement de dominance. Dans cette situation il n’y a pas de communication puisque la définition dit : établir une relation avec autrui, être en relation.</p><p>Dans cet exemple le Buffle se fait gros et essaie de dominer l’éléphant en baissant la tête et en montrant ces cornes. L’éléphant aussi démontre ses comportements de dominances en ouvrant ses oreilles et en levant sa trompe dans les airs. Il offre les mêmes comportements qu’il offrirait à un autre éléphant s’il voulait le dominer. Nous voyons clairement que dans cette situation la communication n’est pas possible. Le Buffle ne domine pas l’éléphant car ils ne comprennent pas leur langage respectif. Avec cette nouvelle compréhension comment pouvons nous interpréter notre relation avec le chien comme étant dominance et soumission ?</p><p>Le chien passe son temps à interpréter nos comportements car il ne comprend pas notre langage. Je vous donne un autre exemple. Vous devez couper les griffes de votre chien et il ne veut pas. Vous l’immobilisez de force jusqu’à ce qu’il cesse de bouger et accepte vos manipulations. Je vous pose la question : l’avez vous dominez ? Bien sûr que non ! Dans sa tête vous lui avez fait peur et ne pouvant pas fuir, il a figé. Rappelez-vous, lorsqu’un chien a peur il a trois réactions possibles ; figer, fuir ou frapper[2]. Bien que la majorité des chiens préfèrent fuir, frapper est souvent l’alternative de choix.</p><p>Nous connaissons le langage physique du chien mais malheureusement très peu de gens connaissent son langage émotionnel. Les signaux d’apaisements et d’évitements font partie intégrante de leur vocabulaire et reconnaître ceux-ci est une nécessité pour comprendre ce qu’il nous dit. Cette compréhension permettrait de prévenir les troubles de comportements souvent issus d’un manque de communication.</p><p>Revenons à l’exemple ci-haut du chien qui subit une contention pour se faire couper les griffe. Son maître est par-dessus lui et essaie de l’immobiliser, le chien baille, fait aller le bout se sa queue rapidement, pleure et détourne constamment votre regard, bref il essaie de vous dire qu’il panique car il ne comprend pas ce que vous exigez de lui. Rappelez-vous, dans son monde canin aucun chien ne ferait une telle chose ! Dans notre exemple Fido pourrait faire l’association entre vous et douleur et penser que vous êtes un danger potentiel.</p><p>Établir une relation saine avec un animal exige une compréhension maximale de son éthogramme[3]. Nous devons comprendre que la communication n’est possible qu’entre deux espèces démontrant les mêmes comportements, langage corporel et émotionnel. Toute autre forme de relation est issue du respect et des associations positives qui résultent de ces échanges. Prévenir un trouble de comportement commence par reconnaître que nous ne sommes ni supérieurs ni inférieurs à nos chiens, nous sommes tout simplement différents. Je vous laisse sur les paroles de Charles Darwin qui en revenant de son tour du monde a dit : les différences créent la diversité!<br><br>[1] Roulade dorsale avec maintien de posture jusqu’à ce que le chien se soumette.</p><p>[2] Un animal n’a que trois réactions possibles face à un stimulus; figer, fuir ou se battre (traduit de l’anglais feeze, flight or fight). En français nous utilisons le terme frapper afin de respecter le plus fidèlement possible la règle des 3Fs.</p><p>[3] L’éthogramme est le répertoire complet des comportements d’une espèce.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31483752014-06-11T15:20:00-04:002024-02-28T12:56:28-05:00The "tsit" Philosophy<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT</p><p><span>Things you will probably never encounter or read.</span></p><p><span>- You will most likely never read a book titled "Using Tsit to Modify Speach." A book on how to use and master the pronunciation of "tsit" to improve speech, written by the Russian speech therapist Dr. Vlad Von Talksalote.</span></p><p><span>- You will probably never find a wolf trainer who uses "tsit" (combined with poke) to modify C. lupus' dominant-aggressive behaviour towards unfamiliar people.</span></p><a class="no-pjax" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3KQFDW1JHqM/Te9qJfvd8HI/AAAAAAAAAF0/t_FxHNWlQOk/s1600/100_7575.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-3KQFDW1JHqM%2FTe9qJfvd8HI%2FAAAAAAAAAF0%2Ft_FxHNWlQOk%2Fs200%2F100_7575.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p><span>- You will definitely never see or use a clicker that goes “tsit.”</span></p><p><span>- You will undoubtedly never read or find a scientific book about animal behaviour modification written by Dr. Dog Whisperer on the shelves of your local bookstore within the next 50 years.</span></p><p><span>- You will never see an animal behaviourist place an elephant in a calm-submissive position to reach a calm-submissive state.</span></p><p><span>- You will absolutely never see a silver-back gorilla "tsit" his family.</span></p><p><span>- You will unquestionably never find a psychology university program offering a course entitled "Tsit 101, An Introduction to Behaviour Modification." Given by Dr. Johndoe Noitall.</span></p><p><span>- You will certainly encounter many people doing many things and telling you many stories, but, most of all, you will discover that in the grand scheme of things, "The tsit Philosophy" doesn’t work.</span></p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31483762014-06-06T15:20:00-04:002024-02-28T12:52:03-05:00Dog Aggression<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT</p><p>Most dog owners know about the physical language of dogs; a raised tail and ears mean dominance, while a lowered tail and ears mean submission. However, few know about the emotional language dogs exhibit. Physical language presented as appeasement and avoidance signals comprise the ethogram, aka canine dictionary. This dictionary must be understood to develop a secure relationship with the dog, which will reduce the risks of bites.</p><p>Appeasement and avoidance signals are intended for those purposes. Appeasement signals serve to minimize conflict, while avoidance signals are intended to avoid conflict in the first place. Appeasement signals like stretching, yawning, tongue flicking, pawing, and such, are displayed to the opponent (human, dog or other) in order to avoid stop conflicts before they escalate. Avoidance signals are displayed at an opponent when a dog tries to avoid a conflict. He signals his intentions, turning his eyes, turning his head, curving, sitting, pretending to sniff, hoping to avoid the escalating conflict. </p><a class="no-pjax" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0-PXFBHKEFI/TQd2yy68wMI/AAAAAAAAACI/BTjEx8nCqvc/s1600/ti-loup%2526dante.jpg" data-blogger-escaped-onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_0-PXFBHKEFI%2FTQd2yy68wMI%2FAAAAAAAAACI%2FBTjEx8nCqvc%2Fs320%2Fti-loup%252526dante.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" class="size_orig justify_right border_" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550535680791986370" /></a><div>When confronted with a stressful situation, a dog will respond in one of three ways: freeze, fight or fight, in that order. Dogs do not want to be hurt; their survival would be compromised if they always wanted to fight. Knowing this changes our perception of aggression and dog bites. Canines want to avoid being hurt and signal their emotional distress through behaviours that owners do not understand, and as a result, they may get bitten.</div><p>Aggression in dogs is normal; after all, they are predators. It is the lack of understanding that puts people in jeopardy. Owners punish the puppy for showing his teeth at his grandmother; they tell him “No” when he growls. These are normal signs of distress for the dog, and people punish them, leaving the dog with no other option but to bite. Remember, freeze, fight or fight! Given the right circumstances, the dog will bite, no questions asked.</p><p>Pausing (freeze) behaviour shows the dog is uncomfortable, stress is building up, and he must make a decision: “Should I stay or run away? ” In most cases, the dog will run away (flight); however, when the environment prevents him from escaping, biting (fight) becomes an option, actually, the only option left!</p><p>Here is an example. A dog is playing on the balcony with his favourite toy. The neighbour walks into the yard. The dog pauses, tongue flicks, stands, circles and lies down again. The Neighbour interprets this as the dog being ok (he laid down again). He walks up the stairs, and the dog bites his leg as he passes by. The dog gave all the right signals, unfortunately, the person failed to recognize them, and got bitten. Look at the situation from the dog’s point of view. When the person entered the yard, the dog paused (decision-making), tongue flicked (calming signal), circled (curving = 1st avoidance signal) and laid back down (down = 2nd avoidance signal). After reading this information, one can see the situation was preventable.</p><p>Through artificial selection, humans have changed the dogs' fixed action patterns (chain of behaviours working towards a specific goal), breeding down certain traits their wild ancestors still exhibit. Such behavioural faults are kill, dismember and eat. One must understand that these genetic traits are not removed; they are simply dormant. Dogs retain their predatory behaviours, and genetics will always override training under the right conditions.</p><p>Physically speaking, the consequences of dog bites are different, the size of the dog being the main factor. However, emotionally speaking, the result is the same. Dogs are euthanized, and victims are scarred for life. Prevention through education remains the best option to avoid dog bites.</p>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31483772014-05-26T15:30:00-04:002024-02-28T12:49:43-05:00Dog Training Profession - Part 1<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE</p><div><a class="no-pjax" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WXv-r2O9L_A/T9oPDqolpkI/AAAAAAAAAH4/wWvof0seiAU/s1600/IMG00078-20101112-1007.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-WXv-r2O9L_A%2FT9oPDqolpkI%2FAAAAAAAAAH4%2FwWvof0seiAU%2Fs320%2FIMG00078-20101112-1007.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" class="size_orig justify_right border_" /></a><div><p>Dog training needs to become a recognized profession in order to support trainers and pet owners. Professionals and the general public should be able to turn to an organization for accountability and information. Points to consider are abuse and neglect definitions, acceptable dog trainer conduct, standardized dog training terms, defining various training tools and their use, establishing ethical training practices, etc.<br> </p></div>
<div><p>I wish to share the following points from a very interesting article with Dogue Shop fans, owners and trainers alike. I believe the time has come when dog trainers and behaviour consultants must take a serious look at their "profession" to establish responsibility. At the Dogue Shop we have framed our mission statement and abide by it, this give clients an idea of what we do and what we do not do.<br> </p></div>
<div><p>Please take a few minutes to read the following points and write your feedback. Dogue Shop will define these terms and display them in our establishment. I urge you to do the same.<br> </p></div>
<div><p><strong>The nine proposed core ethical principles that can be adapted to animal trainers:</strong><br><br>1. Do No Harm - Do no harm is the ethical principle that has guided professionals in the medical profession for centuries. As animal trainers begin to look seriously at issues surrounding the use of punishment, the appropriateness of aversive procedures in certain situations, and handling animals with serious behaviour problems, “Do no harm” will be a most important ethical principle. Definitions will need to be developed for trainers to specify the meaning of “harm”. Harm is generally thought of as permanent damage or injury. <br><br>For both humans and animals, harm can be physical or psychological. In animal training, harm to animals would most likely result from inappropriate equipment or procedures or excessive use of punishment. As we begin to address principles such as <i>do no harm</i>, we will need to define terms such as <i>excessive</i>, <i>great</i>, as in <i>great pain and distress</i>, and <i>inappropriate</i>. <i>Do no harm</i> is a concept that pertains to cruelty/neglect of animals, practices causing animals great pain or distress, and the need for trainers to take into account the psychological and physical well-being of the animals in their care.<br> </p></div>
<div><p>2. Respect Autonomy - Autonomy means independence or the ability to function without control by others. Ethical therapists should work hard in human settings to make their clients self-reliant. It is considered unethical for a therapist to tell a client he or she needs to continue sessions simply so the therapist will not lose income if the client is terminated.<br> </p></div>
<div><p>When this concept is applied to animal training, trainers who are ethical think about making owners and their animals as independent as possible. The skills we teach the dog should result in the dog being a well-mannered, well-behaved, respected community member who is loved in a family and welcome in public settings. Teaching animal owners responsible ownership behaviours will result in all of us who are animal owners having increased independence. We want to be welcome in hotels, public parks, and other public areas, and the way to get welcomed is to have all animal owners behave responsibly. Trainers should teach owners the skills required to manage their dogs effectively in the home and community. Animal trainers should strive to make owners as self-reliant as possible when it comes to handling their own animals. This requires /that classes and lessons provide a functional curriculum for pet owners. Why focus on teaching <i>Figure 8</i> when the dog will not even come to the owner when called?<br> </p></div>
<div><p>On a much larger scale related to autonomy (not being controlled by others), many animal owners are affected by legislation that negatively impacts animals and their owners. Legislation in some cities discriminates against certain breeds; some locations restrict the number of dogs people can own, and other places ban dogs from public areas such as local parks. This legislation generally follows problem incidents where animal owners are not responsible. Being a part of a society means we will have rules and lose autonomy to some extent. The loss of autonomy will be even greater in settings where animal owners are not responsible.<br> </p></div>
<div><p>3. Benefiting Others - Benefiting others in the animal training context means that trainers' decisions should positively affect both animals and clients. Clients are the owners of companion animals such as dogs or horses and the staff/administration of agencies such as zoos, circuses, or farms. In human settings, ethical issues are applied to the professional-to-client relationship. Ethical issues also apply to professional relationships. For example, doctors should not speak badly to their patients about another physician. In animal training, an element of ethics is added to the formula - the animal. Animal trainers must address ethical issues regarding trainer-client relationships, trainer-animal relationships, and trainer-to-trainer relationships. In all of the relationships a trainer has, whether they be with animals, clients, or other trainers, the ethical principle of <i>benefiting others </i>applies. Trainers should treat all animals with respect, respect colleagues and other professionals, and respect clients. Clients, whether they be the owners of pets or agency administrators, should be able to refuse methods of training with which they feel uncomfortable.</p></div>
<div><p><br>4. Be Just - Actions that are just are actions that are fair and impartial. This principle says that as animal trainers, we should treat animals and clients as we would like to be treated. Another part of being fair to clients is that they are not promised something a trainer can’t deliver. Trainers will consider the animal's physical and psychological well-being when planning behaviour programs. For example, it would not be fair to use punishment with any animal that engages in undesirable behaviour that was caused by a health problem. Ethical trainers will also refrain from giving unreasonable guarantees regarding the outcome of training.</p></div>
<div><p><br>5. Being Faithful - Being faithful in both human services and animal training settings relates to being truthful, sincere, and without intent to mislead anyone. Faithfulness with regard to ethics relates to maintaining allegiance. This allegiance can be to animals in general, an individual animal, or a client. Being faithful in professional settings also applies to confidentiality, promise-keeping, and not violating trust. An ethical trainer would not discuss one client with another client. The relationship between a trainer and a client is a fiduciary relationship, much like the relationship between a therapist and a client. Whether animal trainers are working for a pet owner or a large agency, confidentiality and the need for trainers to “respect the privacy of clients and hold in confidence all information used in the course of professional services” is an important part of being an ethical trainer.</p></div>
<div><p><br>6. Accord Dignity - Professionals in human service settings begin with the assumption that every person is worthy of respect. Expanded to animal training, every client (individual or agency) is worthy of respect, and every animal is worthy of respect. Trainers can give clients dignity by giving them strategies and procedures to use to succeed with their pets or the animals. Clients are given dignity when trainers understand their problems, needs, and the dynamics of their particular situation at a given time.<br> </p></div>
<div><p>With individual pet owners, some clients have physical limitations or learning problems. A trainer who gives a client dignity will make the necessary adaptations to ensure that the client can experience success. In agency settings, it is sometimes necessary for a trainer to take into consideration the limited resources a facility may have.<br> </p></div>
<div><p>Animals are given dignity when trainers recognize that each and everyone is a unique, remarkable creature. Different animals learn in different ways, and ethical trainers will identify training methods for individual animals that result in the animal having an opportunity to be successful and get reinforced for correct behaviours.</p></div>
<div><p><br>7. Treat Others With Care And Compassion - “Treating others with care and compassion” is an ethical principle applied in medical and therapy settings that can also apply to animal training. Being able to imagine oneself in the place of a frustrated, novice animal owner with a problem is one mark of an ethical trainer. Understanding that an animal is not being noncompliant, instead, he is really just very confused about what you want him to do, is an ability that is related to ethics. Understanding that a minimum wage staff person in a zoo is terrified of this out-of-control bull elephant will help a trainer work with the staff member in a more caring, effective manner.</p></div>
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<p><br>8. Pursuit Of Excellence - In many professional settings, the pursuit of excellence relates to becoming a competent professional, supporting other professionals who are trying to become more skilled, and attempting to prevent unprofessional and unethical actions. Animal trainers who are ethical should be in constant pursuit of excellence. This means improving one's skills and helping colleagues, clients, and animals “be all they can be”. Ethical animal trainers will do their best to have an impact on the larger training community. </p>
<p>Still, they will not attempt to work out of the range of their own professional limitations. Ethical animal trainers strive to stay informed of the advances in animal training and maintain high standards. Trainers can read relevant material, attend conferences, workshops and seminars, and participate in other relevant forms of continuing education.</p>
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<div><p><br>9. Accept Accountability - Accept accountability relates to considering the potential consequences of one’s actions, taking responsibility for one’s actions, and refraining from shifting the blame to others. In animal training, a person who is accountable has to accept some responsibility for both clients and animals. Owners/clients should be satisfied with the services rendered, trainers should be accountable and only take credit for their work, and trainers will work within their professional limits after assessing their skills.<br> </p></div>
<div><p>Source: http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/ethics.html</p></div>
</div>Dogue Shoptag:thedogueshop.com,2005:Post/31485602014-05-07T09:45:00-04:002024-02-28T12:36:51-05:00Feral Dogs of Sochi<p>By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT<br><br>In light of the Sochi dog cull and the media attention it has received, I urge people to inquire and research the stray dog topic in order to look at these events with an educated mind. The dog sleeping in your bed is a poor representation of the dog population around the world.</p><p>In 1990, the World Health Organisation published a document to establish dog population management guidelines. In this document, the WHO states, "Dog populations may rapidly grow to a point where the health risks of humans become serious, and the environment begins suffering considerably." (1990).</p><div><a class="no-pjax" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUrtHQ-Ppyk/Uv6jPBO9qcI/AAAAAAAAAMA/s63z4-i-niY/s1600/100_9290.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-gUrtHQ-Ppyk%2FUv6jPBO9qcI%2FAAAAAAAAAMA%2Fs63z4-i-niY%2Fs1600%2F100_9290.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><p>If you have visited any of the Central or South American, African, Indian, Asian, Australian, or certain European countries, I need not explain this reality any further. Ask any Detroiter what their stray dog population looks like, and they will tell you they are everywhere. Detroit residents consider stray dogs as dangerous and unhealthy.</p>
<p>The free-roaming unrestricted dog population poses a serious health risk to humans (OIE, 2009). In Central and South America, people die from rabies every day. There is simply no economic, social, or cultural reason for residents of these countries to own or adopt a dog. In many parts of the world, dogs are considered pests and dealt with as such.</p>
<p>I do not support the unnecessary killing of dogs; however, I have seen many unrestricted dogs cause environmental damage and transmit parasites to tourists unaware of the problem. The reality is that the global stray dog population poses a health threat to humans and the environment in which they live. Dogs on the prowl kill livestock, spread waste, kill wildlife, destroy the environment, transmit diseases, and propagate parasites.</p>
<p>Sochi might have demonstrated poor judgement in regard to its dog control and management strategy; conversely, if we cry wolf and do not offer tangible solutions, we are as guilty as they are. When the Olympics end and everybody leaves, stray dog populations will return to Sochi again. When this topic ceases to make headlines, the world will turn its proverbial head and pretend the problem has disappeared. In order to prevent this, we must set aside our socio-cultural, political, and religious beliefs and address the problem of stray dogs on a worldwide scale.</p>
<p>Our responsibility as an educated population is to analyze and offer long-term solutions. The WHO and OIE</p><a class="no-pjax" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv1-p-brN20/Uv6ooiQOv6I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/LHiBDtmHGc0/s1600/100_9214.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Rv1-p-brN20%2FUv6ooiQOv6I%2FAAAAAAAAAMQ%2FLHiBDtmHGc0%2Fs1600%2F100_9214.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="" /></a><p> have proposed solutions to help us achieve our goals, and it is our responsibility to implement these practices in our own civilized communities before we can condemn others for doing something we do not agree with.</p>
<p>The stray dog population control controversy triggers an emotional response in me; however, without proper education on responsible ownership, adequate infrastructure, and effective management strategies, the problem will remain.</p>
<p>One thing is for sure: we cannot save the entire stray dog population, so what do we do? We capture stray dogs and place them in fancy no-kill shelters in the hopes someone, somewhere, will adopt them. Then again, how can capturing stray animals and condemning them to years of incarceration be considered humane?</p>
<p><strong>References</strong><br>- World Health Organisation and World Society for the Protection of Animals. (1990). Guidelines for Dog Population Management. Geneva. WHO/ZOON/90.166p.</p>
<p>- OIE, World Organisation For Animal Health. (2009). Stray Dog Population Control. Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission. Paris. 309p.</p>
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