Article on dominance theory & dogs

Re: Article on dominance theory & dogs

Heather Christie — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:17:53 GMT

Don't know much about animal behavioural psycology, just hate seeing animals is distress and my immediate reaction would be to try and comfort it. I'm too soft maybe?Good job i don't own a dog.

Re: Article on dominance theory & dogs

Emma Purnell — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:15:58 GMT

[quote user="Cat Woman"]

Thereby re-enforcing the nervous behaviour maybe??

[/quote]

My thoughts exactly.

Better way of doing it would be to get the dog used to having it's feet handled without stressing it out at home and doing nothing to it (not clipping any claws), and ignoring any nervous behaviour without making it worse where possible.

On a note, ACP isn't great for this kind of situation as a sedation as the animal will still be stressed, just unable to show it, potentially making the next time worse. Just a tip!

Re: Article on dominance theory & dogs

Cat Woman — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:47:19 GMT

Thereby re-enforcing the nervous behaviour maybe??

Re: Article on dominance theory & dogs

Heather Christie — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:13:19 GMT

Hmm if it was my dog i'd prob give him lots of hugs and reassurance in the waiting room to make him feel better and would keep talking to him in a soothing voice throughout whilst restraining him gently. Maybe some puppy treats after and lots of "good boy/girl". I've never had a dog but it would be my instinct to talk and stroke him to try and calm him.

Re: Article on dominance theory & dogs

Emma Purnell — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:59:40 GMT

Sorry, the dog was screaming, not him. Badly worded, but the point remains!

Re: Article on dominance theory & dogs

Heather Christie — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:53:10 GMT

[quote user="Emma Kerry"]

There was a dog who was terrified of having its claws clipped so, in order to do it, he pinned it screaming to the floor while a woman cut them. He was bitten a couple of times and the dog was terrified. He then continued to pin it until it 'calmed down' and said - 'There, all sorted'.

Hardly 'handling' the situation or positive reinforcement in my eyes.

[/quote]

Woah, i've never seen him do anything like that before. I retract my earlier statement, screaming at a scared dog is just mean.

Re: Article on dominance theory & dogs

Emma Purnell — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:48:27 GMT

[quote user="lil.miss.hc"]

Yeah, i thought that. His way is more to do with positive reinforcemment. Owner stays calm so dog sees that the situation is nothing to worry about and also calms down. I wonder if there's ever been a dog he couldn't handle?

[/quote]

I saw one the other day which I happened to flick on to and had to turn it off it upset me that much.

Hardly 'handling' the situation or positive reinforcement in my eyes.

Re: Article on dominance theory & dogs

Heather Christie — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:44:57 GMT

[quote user="AHogarth"] I have watched several episodes of the Dog Whisperer and I get the impression that the core of his dog training programme is not dominance training as such, but more training the owner to interact with their animals always in a calm manner. [/quote]

Re: Article on dominance theory & dogs

Kay Eminson — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:59:42 GMT

I saw something on bbcnews a few weeks ago which had someone from the dogs trust and the man from dog borstal but because I was getting ready I missed what they were talking about, I think it was more to do with positive reinforcement rather than anything else.

But if you watch the newer episodes of Caeser Millan you may see his methods have slackened slightly and using less of the submission techniques, this is due to behaviourists in America and all over protested about the way he was influencing how people train their dogs and are causing more harm than good.

Re: Article on dominance theory & dogs

Kiahanna — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:52:29 GMT

I did see a post earlier on this subject, more specifically about Caesar Milan.

I may be misinterpreting some things in the article, or maybe they dont apply to Caesar in this instance. I have watched several episodes of the Dog Whisperer and I get the impression that the core of his dog training programme is not dominance training as such, but more training the owner to interact with their animals always in a calm manner. I know many people feel strongly about this but thats the impression I always got from watching.

Re: Article on dominance theory & dogs

Mrs Dot Dot — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:09:30 GMT

Interesting! Thanks for this