Author archive: Terrie Hayward

Do you sometimes feel like your dog is ignoring you or misbehaving on purpose?

Often folks may ask the question, “I wouldn’t let my child get away with that behavior, so why would I let my dog?”

The answer lies in the fact that we are not being permissive by ignoring behavior that we don’t like, but rather we are choosing to communicate and educate.

Addressing unwanted behavior with punishment, either physical or even verbal, actually serves to reinforce that behavior by paying attention to it; even with a stern “no.” Verbal corrections or exclamations are, by definition, punishment as they intend to decrease or stop behavior.

Instead, what we want to do is to ignore the behavior that we don’t like, while teaching an alternative or incompatible behavior that we can reinforce.

People say, “But don’t we need to tell the dog when we are displeased?” The issue here is communication. Shouting, “no” etc. when a dog does something that we don’t like is confusing to the animal. From the animal’s perspective it learns that sometimes the human acts unpredictably and violently or angrily.

If our timing is poor, they may also associate the punishment with something else unrelated going on in the environment. For example, if a cat happens to be passing by in the distance at the exact second that we are shouting at the dog for jumping up behavior, the dog may associate the cat (not the jumping) with the behavior that has caused the human’s erratic or scary (in the dog’s eyes) response. This then can turn into more aggressive behavior towards cats.

It is true that punishment can work. If the timing is impeccable and delivered at the appropriate intensity the behavior may decrease or stop. However, there are several risks.

Again, first our timing may be off. This is frequently the case for folks who have not studied the science of behavior (unless they happen to get lucky). In this case we actually “punish” the wrong behavior.

Two, as stated above, we may cause other dangerous side effects including aggression, or fear (of the “unpredictable” human) or escape/avoidance (because they are wary around us as we-from the animal’s point of view-are random with our violent outbursts) or apathy, which is when we break the animal down into submission and they are hesitant to do anything at all lest they (again in their eyes) be unduly chastised.

According to behaviorist Ian Dunbar, if in fact we have perfect timing, great understanding of canine body language and learning theory then we do not need to use punishment.

More effective behavioral change comes by ignoring what we don’t like, training and educating behaviors that we do want to see, and reinforcing the behaviors that we like!

Do you have a deaf dog? Do you know someone with a deaf dog? Have you ever considered adopting a deaf dog?

This book uses modern, science based positive reinforcement training and information and will help to set people and deaf dogs up to succeed!

In the book you will learn about:

• getting ready to bring your deaf dog home
• information about causes of deafness
• how to train your deaf dog
• myths about deaf dogs
• and a “frequently asked questions” section

The book is a perfect gift to give to a friend with a deaf dog, for your own family with a deaf pup, if you are considering adopting a deaf dog, and/or if you are a trainer or veterinarian who may need a to suggest a deaf dog resource to a client.

Your neighbors are upset by constant barking and howling in your absence and have contacted you repeatedly. You now need to replace your door due to damage caused from scratching and biting by your dog. When you are preparing to leave the house, your dog paces, pants, and whines uncontrollably. If any of these scenarios sound familiar you may be dealing with a separation anxiety situation.

Sadly, separation anxiety normally does not just resolve itself nor will your dog just “get over it.” A methodical, specific protocol is what is required to help your dog remain below threshold and slowly gain the confidence and comfort level to be able to be by themselves.

The following are five myths that folks may have come across in regard to treating separation anxiety.

1. DOGS: Only in a small number of cases is a separation anxiety dog helped with the addition of another dog to the family. If you suspect that a second animal may help your pup, it may be best to work with a trainer to briefly foster or try introducing the second dog to the situation. Better yet, is to work with a trainer on the specific separation anxiety before adding another dog into the household.
2. COLLARS: A shock or citronella spray collar may briefly stop the barking, however any type of aversive collars, of which these are two, have the added possible side effects of apathy, escape/avoidance, aggression, and generalized fear. Thus, to actually resolve the separation anxiety issue, it is best to get at the actual anxiety problem, rather than potentially creating new issues with “quick fix” collars.
3. AVOIDANCE: Separation Anxiety is an issue which is very unlikely to resolve on its own. Dogs with SA are in an extreme state of agitation-akin to a person suffering from a panic attack-which won’t just go away with repeated exposure and time. Instead, working on a well planned protocol with patience and consistency is the key to long-lasting behavioral change.
4. EXERCISE: Although exercise plays a vital role in your dog’s healthy lifestyle, exhausting your dog is no substitute for a carefully planned protocol of counter conditioning and desensitization.
5. FOOD: While food puzzles have their place in a larger program to treat separation anxiety, teaching the dog to be comfortable alone is different than teaching the dog to eat alone. Once the food is gone, the anxiety remains. A better plan is to use food puzzles to create positive associations as part of a larger protocol to help your dog build confidence while alone at home.

For additional information and/or to schedule a consult to discuss options on receiving help from a professional, contact PAW-Positive Animal Wellness.