Have you ever wondered why some dogs seem to carry the weight of the world in their anxious eyes?

Building trust with a fearful dog is like slowly helping them unpack that heavy emotional baggage, one gentle interaction at a time.

Working with fearful dogs requires a delicate balance of patience, understanding, and positive reinforcement techniques to help them overcome their anxieties and develop confidence in both their environment and human companions.

Through consistent, gentle approaches and respect for their boundaries, you can create a supportive foundation that allows your fearful companion to blossom into a more confident and trusting pet.

Creating Positive Associations to Encourage Confidence

Building trust with a fearful dog requires patience and a gentle approach focused on positive reinforcement. Regular treats, praise, and kind interactions help create safe, comforting experiences that gradually replace anxiety with confidence. Puppy socialization classes have proven effective in reducing fear responses to new sounds and experiences.

Here’s what you can do to help your fearful dog feel more secure:

• Offer high-value treats during potentially stressful situations
• Allow your dog to set the pace for interactions
• Create a consistent daily routine
• Keep training sessions short and rewarding

A secure environment plays a crucial role in building your dog’s confidence. Using a wireless hybrid dog fence collar can help create clear indoor and outdoor boundaries while allowing your pet to explore and play safely.

Each successful interaction strengthens your bond and helps your dog develop trust in you and their surroundings. Remember that small steps forward deserve celebration – your dog’s growing confidence will emerge through consistent, positive experiences.

Bonus: Introduce scent-based enrichment toys to provide safe, low-pressure mental stimulation that encourages curiosity and helps build emotional resilience over time.

Understanding the Influence of Owner Behavior and Socialization

Your dog’s fearful behavior often has roots in their early life experiences. Dogs lacking proper socialization during their critical puppy development phase can show higher anxiety levels and hesitation around new people or situations. While early exposure plays a vital role, there’s still hope for adult dogs who missed out on these experiences.

Confident owners significantly influence their dogs’ responses to stress and new experiences. Your calm and assured presence makes a real difference in how your pet handles challenging situations. This connection between owner and pet creates a foundation for building social confidence.

• Practice consistent, positive interactions in controlled environments
• Use gentle voice tones and relaxed body language to set the mood
• Allow your dog to explore new situations at their own pace
• Create safe spaces where your dog can retreat if feeling overwhelmed

A structured approach to socialization helps your dog build trust gradually. By maintaining a steady, encouraging presence during these experiences, you’ll help your pet develop the confidence to face new situations with less anxiety. Remember that each small step forward is a victory worth celebrating.

To Do: Observe your dog’s reactions across different environments to identify what triggers unease, and log these moments to track progress and tailor future socialization activities.

Respecting Boundaries and Progressing at the Dog’s Pace

Helping a fearful dog build confidence takes time and careful attention to their comfort level. By observing their body language and giving them space to make their own choices, you’ll create a foundation of trust that allows them to feel safe in your presence. Reading subtle signals like tail position, ear movement, and overall posture helps you understand when your dog needs more distance or is ready for closer interaction.

• Stay still and quiet when your dog shows interest in approaching
• Turn your body slightly sideways rather than facing them directly
• Keep treats at a distance they’re comfortable with, gradually decreasing the space
• Avoid reaching out – let them initiate physical contact
• Watch for stress signals like lip licking or whale eye and increase distance if needed

Celebrating small wins is crucial for building trust over time. Whether your dog takes one step closer or accepts a treat from your hand, each positive interaction strengthens your bond.

Remember that patience is key – pushing too fast can undo progress and damage the developing trust. By letting your dog set the pace and honoring their boundaries, you’re showing them they have control over their comfort and safety.

Expert Tip: Try using a gentle yawn or slow blink when you’re near a fearful dog—these calming signals can help convey that you’re not a threat and encourage relaxation.

Take it Slow and Enjoy the Small Wins

Building trust with a fearful dog represents one of the most challenging yet rewarding journeys in pet companionship, requiring dedication, patience, and understanding of canine psychology.

Owners can help their fearful dogs develop confidence and strengthen their emotional bond through consistent positive reinforcement, respecting boundaries, and creating safe environments.

By embracing this journey with empathy and celebrating small victories, you’re not just helping your dog overcome fear – you’re building a foundation for a lifetime of trust and companionship that will enrich both your lives.

Photo Credits

Ist Image by freepik
2nd Image from freepik
3rd Image by freepik
4th Image by freepik

Guest Author Bio
Eunice Roberts

Eunice Roberts is a passionate storyteller and lifelong dog lover who finds inspiration in the everyday moments shared with her four-legged companions. When she’s not writing, she’s exploring new trails or sipping coffee with a good fiction book on her lap.

Provide a Comfortable Place to Rest

Older dogs spend a lot more time sleeping and resting than younger dogs. Ensure your senior dog has a comfortable place to relax and sleep undisturbed. Provide orthopedic dog beds and soft blankets in quiet areas of your home. Keep their sleeping area clean, dry, and at a comfortable temperature. If they have difficulty getting comfortable, try using a heated dog bed or cooling mat.

Adapt Their Environment

Make things easier on your older dog by adapting their environment. Place water and food bowls in easy to access areas. Use ramps, pet steps, or lifts to help them get on furniture or in vehicles. Put down non-slip rugs and runners if they have difficulty walking on smooth floors. Keep pathways clear around your home so they can move about easily. Install baby gates if they have trouble with stairs.

Groom Regularly

Grooming is important for all dogs, but especially seniors. Brush their coat frequently to prevent matting and keep their skin and fur healthy. Trim their nails often since overgrown nails can cause pain and problems walking. Check and clean their eyes and ears to avoid infections. Brush their teeth daily to reduce bacteria. Regular grooming sessions are a good chance to check for any new lumps, bumps or skin abnormalities.

Feed a Nutritious Senior Diet

Like humans, a dog’s nutritional needs change as they age. Feed high quality commercial senior dog food or consult with your vet on the best diet. Senior foods have fewer calories, more fiber, reduced fat and increased protein. They also have added supplements for joint, brain, heart and kidney health. Feed smaller, more frequent meals if they have dental issues or difficulty maintaining their weight. Always provide easy access to fresh drinking water.

Keep Up Regular Vet Checkups

Take your senior dog to the veterinarian for wellness exams every 6 months. Dogs age much faster than humans, so twice-yearly vet visits are important for catching any health issues early. Annual bloodwork, urinalysis and dental exams are recommended. Discuss any changes in your dog’s mobility, appetite, thirst, weight, energy levels, cognitive function and general comfort with the vet.

Exercise According to Ability

Exercise remains important for older dogs, but you should adapt it to their physical condition. Short, low impact walks and play sessions are best. Swimming and hydrotherapy can help dogs with arthritis or mobility issues. Always give them plenty of time to warm up and cool down before and after exercise. Massage and range of motion exercises can help keep their muscles and joints limber. Never force exercise if they seem reluctant or in pain.

Provide Comfort and Pain Management

If your senior dog develops health problems or disabilities, focus on providing them comfort and quality of life. Talk to your vet about pain medication if they show signs of stiffness, difficulty walking or standing up. Therapeutic beds, mobility harnesses, ramps and hip support bands can also help. Alternative pain treatments like acupuncture, massage and physical therapy may be beneficial. Keep their nails trimmed to prevent pain from clicking on floors. Know the signs that your dog’s pain is no longer manageable.

Consider In-Home Euthanasia

Saying goodbye to your senior dog will be the hardest part of caring for them. When their health declines to the point that their quality of life is compromised, in-home euthanasia allows you to be by their side comfortably at home for their final moments. Companies like CodaPet cover many major cities such as Dallas and Chicago. It is a peaceful, gentle and dignified end that prevents unnecessary stress and confusion for your beloved friend.

With some planning and adjustments, you can ensure your senior dog’s final years are happy, comfortable ones.

Photo Credit

Image by Fale Llorente Almansa from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Jessica Peters

Jessica Peters is a freelance writer from Melbourne who blogs about digital marketing and social media strategies. Jessica is an avid traveler and regularly crosses the globe to learn about other cultures while blogging from her laptop.

In an era where smart technology permeates every facet of our lives, the realm of pet care has not been left behind. Among the most groundbreaking innovations in this field are GPS fence collars for dogs. These ingenious devices merge the concept of traditional containment systems with cutting-edge Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, offering a paradigm shift in how we approach pet safety and freedom.

The Evolution of Dog Containment Systems

To truly appreciate the innovation of GPS fence bands, it’s essential to understand the evolution of dog containment systems:

1. Physical Fences: The original solution, dating back centuries.
2. Chain or Tie-out: A controversial method limiting a dog’s movement.
3. Invisible Fences: Introduced in the 1970s, using buried wires and radio signals.
4. Wireless Fences: Emerged in the early 2000s, utilizing radio frequencies.
5. GPS Fence Collars: The latest innovation, leveraging satellite technology.

This progression demonstrates a clear trend towards more flexible, humane, and technologically advanced solutions for keeping our canine companions safe.

Understanding GPS Fence Collars for Dogs

GPS fence collars represent the pinnacle of pet containment technology. These sophisticated devices utilize a network of satellites to create virtual boundaries, offering unparalleled flexibility and accuracy.

Key Components of GPS Fence bands

1. Collar Device: Houses the GPS receiver and correction mechanisms.
2. GPS Receiver: Communicates with satellites to determine the dog’s location.
3. Microprocessor: Analyzes location data and triggers warnings or corrections.
4. Correction Mechanism: Delivers audible, vibrational, or static stimuli.
5. Rechargeable Battery: Powers the entire system.
6. Base Station or Smartphone App: Allows owners to set and manage boundaries.

The Science Behind GPS Fence Bends

Understanding the technology powering GPS fence collars for dogs can help owners appreciate their sophistication:

1. Trilateration: GPS collars use this principle to determine a dog’s exact location by measuring its distance from at least three satellites.
2. Geofencing: This technology allows the creation of virtual perimeters around physical locations.
3. WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System): Some advanced collars use this to improve GPS accuracy.
4. Accelerometers: These sensors detect movement, helping conserve battery life when the dog is stationary.

Setting Up and Using GPS Fence Collars

The process of implementing a GPS fence collar system typically involves:

1. Boundary Setting: Using a smartphone app or base station to define the safe area.
2. Collar Fitting: Ensuring proper fit for comfort and effectiveness.
3. System Testing: Verifying boundary accuracy and collar responsiveness.
4. Dog Training: Introducing the dog to the new system gradually.
5. Ongoing Management: Monitoring battery life and adjusting boundaries as needed.

Advanced Features of Modern GPS Fence Bands

Today’s GPS collars often come with a suite of advanced features:

1. Multi-Zone Capability: Set different zones with varying levels of access.
2. Activity Tracking: Monitor your dog’s exercise levels and calorie burn.
3. Temperature Alerts: Receive notifications if your dog is exposed to extreme temperatures.
4. Escape Notifications: Instant alerts if your dog breaches the set boundary.
5. Two-Way Audio: Some collars allow you to speak to your dog remotely.
6. Health Monitoring: Advanced models can track vital signs like heart rate and respiratory rate.

The Psychological Impact of GPS Fence Collars on Dogs

While the technology behind GPS fence collars is impressive, it’s crucial to consider their psychological impact on dogs:

1. Freedom vs. Restriction: Dogs may initially feel more restricted, but often end up enjoying greater freedom within safe boundaries.
2. Stress Reduction: Knowing clear boundaries can reduce anxiety in some dogs.
3. Cognitive Stimulation: Learning and respecting virtual boundaries can provide mental stimulation.
4. Trust Building: Consistent and fair use of the system can strengthen the bond between dog and owner.

Ethical Considerations of GPS Fence Collars

The use of GPS fence collars for dogs raises several ethical questions:

1. Humane Treatment: Are these devices a form of electronic control or a safety measure?
2. Privacy Concerns: How is the data collected by these collars used and protected?
3. Dependence on Technology: Does relying on these devices diminish responsible pet ownership?
4. Behavioral Impact: Can these systems cause or exacerbate behavioral issues in some dogs?

GPS Fence Collars in Various Environments

The versatility of GPS collars makes them suitable for diverse settings:

1. Urban Areas: Create safe zones in small yards or even indoor spaces.
2. Suburban Environments: Easily cover large properties without visible fencing.
3. Rural Settings: Provide freedom to roam while keeping dogs away from potential dangers.
4. Beaches and Parks: Set temporary boundaries for off-leash play.
5. Camping and Hiking: Ensure dogs stay close in unfamiliar territories.

Customizing GPS Fence Collars for Different Dog Breeds

Not all dogs are the same, and GPS fence collars can be tailored to suit different breeds:

1. Small Breeds: Lighter collars with more sensitive correction settings.
2. Large Breeds: Sturdier collars with stronger correction capabilities.
3. High-Energy Breeds: Collars with larger coverage areas and activity tracking.
4. Water-Loving Breeds: Waterproof collars with swimming metrics.
5. Senior Dogs: Collars with health monitoring features and gentler corrections.

The Role of GPS Fence Collars in Dog Training

While primarily a containment tool, GPS collars can play a significant role in broader dog training efforts:

1. Boundary Training: Teaching dogs to respect invisible lines.
2. Recall Training: Improving response to come commands within a safe area.
3. Leash Training: Preparing dogs for walks by establishing controlled movement.
4. Behavior Modification: Addressing issues like excessive barking or digging near boundaries.
5. Positive Reinforcement: Using the freedom provided by the system as a reward.

Comparing GPS Fence Collar Brands

The market for GPS fence collars for dogs is growing, with several brands offering unique features:

1. Brand A: Known for exceptional battery life and rugged design.
2. Brand B: Offers the largest coverage area and multi-pet management.
3. Brand C: Features the most advanced health monitoring capabilities.
4. Brand D: Provides the most user-friendly app interface and customization options.
5. Brand E: Specializes in hypoallergenic collars for sensitive dogs.

Potential Drawbacks and Solutions

While GPS fence collars offer numerous benefits, they’re not without challenges:

1. Signal Interference: Can be mitigated by strategically placed signal boosters.
2. Battery Life: Addressed by some brands with solar-powered options or quick-charge capabilities.
3. Cost: Offset by the long-term savings on traditional fencing or potential veterinary bills from escaped dogs.
4. Overreliance: Combated through continued training and supervision alongside collar use.
5. Technological Failures: Minimized by regular system checks and having a backup containment plan.

The Future of GPS Fence Collar Technology

As we look ahead, the future of GPS fence collars for dogs seems bright with potential advancements:

1. AI Integration: Collars that learn and adapt to a dog’s behavior patterns.
2. Augmented Reality Interfaces: For easier boundary setting and monitoring.
3. Improved Battery Technology: Potentially eliminating the need for regular charging.
4. Biodegradable Components: Addressing environmental concerns about electronic waste.
5. Integration with Smart Home Systems: Allowing for seamless management of pet safety alongside other home automation features.

Conclusion: A New Era of Canine Freedom and Safety

GPS fence collars for dogs represent more than just a technological advancement; they symbolize a shift in how we approach the balance between pet freedom and safety. By providing a flexible, portable, and highly customizable solution to dog containment, these devices are changing the landscape of pet ownership.

As with any tool, the effectiveness of GPS collars largely depends on proper use, consistent training, and an understanding of each dog’s unique needs. When used responsibly, these innovative devices can enhance the lives of both dogs and their owners, fostering a safer environment that encourages exploration while maintaining peace of mind.

As technology continues to evolve, we can expect GPS fence collars to become even more sophisticated, offering increasingly tailored solutions for our canine companions. Whether you’re a city dweller with limited outdoor space, a rural resident with acres to spare, or a frequent traveler who wants to bring your furry friend along, GPS fence collars for dogs offer a versatile solution that adapts to your lifestyle.

In embracing this technology, we’re not just adopting a new gadget; we’re ushering in a new era of responsible pet ownership that prioritizes both freedom and safety. As we continue to integrate smart technology into our lives, GPS fence collars stand as a testament to how innovation can strengthen the bond between humans and their four-legged friends, ensuring that our dogs can enjoy the world around them while remaining securely by our side.

Editorial note: The decision to use such a system should be based on careful consideration of your dog’s temperament, your property’s needs, and consultation with a veterinarian or professional dog trainer.

Photo Credit

Photo courtesy of the author

Guest Author Bio
Daniel Throssell

Daniel Throssell is a content writer and SEO expert with over a decade of experience in the digital marketing industry. Specializing in creating high-quality, engaging content that aligns with brand and SEO goals.

We had some friends over last night. Good food, good wine, good company. Did I mention good wine? This morning, my synapses are not firing as quickly as usual. Colleen has headed off to work and I am now editing posts, answering e-mails and building a few websites for some clients. It’s tough sledding when your brain is not in gear, but I trudge on towards the completion of the tasks at hand.

Dog or Salmon?

Several hours later, around 11:00 AM,  my very faithful companion Jazz Dog, a chocolate Labrador Retriever, is gently nudging me. It’s time for a walk! I save my work, get up and head downstairs to the basement where his leash awaits.

Walking Jazz is an interesting experience. He has two modes. One mode is like walking a salmon. Have you ever landed a salmon on a hand-held fishing rod (not a downrigger)? Salmon “run” – they go left, right, left, forward, full speed back under your boat, left, right … it’s dizzying. Jazz walks like this. His other mode is like walking an anchor. Jazz was born to sniff the world. Our previous Black Lab, Pharaoh, was a retriever in every sense of the word. He was a dog that would play fetch all day long. Jazz prefers games like find it, at which he excels. When he is in mode two, he walks like a hound dog: nose to the ground and lots of snorting sounds. When he finds something of interest, he lowers his center of gravity, digs in with his claws and there is no way you are going to move him. Those walks are much longer. Stop. Sniff sniff sniff. Go … STOP … etc.

Today, however, Jazz, is a Coho.

We walk down our street, turn right up the next one and then left on Moresby Park Terrace. As we walk, I adjust my step and fall into the rhythm of walking a salmon. My mind starts to wander and I find myself thinking about War Of The Worlds. We’ve seen the latest version with Tom Cruise and I have been thinking lately that I would like to watch it again. In my mind, I flip back and forth between the original and this latest version, thinking about various scenes and wondering how it would feel to see one of those giant tripods appearing before my eyes.

A sharp pull to the left brings me back to the moment. I am walking a salmon and he is intent on going in every which way. We get to the top of Moresby Park Terrace, round the cul-de-sac and start heading back down the street. Suddenly, Jazz flips into mode two, digs in and starts to investigate something with his super refined olfactory abilities. A reprieve! We have come to a full stop and I am glad for it. I relax and my eyes wander down the street. All of a sudden, on the horizon, a black ball … with eyes!

The black ball slowly rises, revealing a tripod of sorts beneath it. What the hell is that? I watch the scene unfold wondering if thinking my War Of The Worlds thoughts had perhaps been a bad idea. As it rises higher on the horizon I see something metallic under the tripod. It’s the roof of a car … it’s … the Google Street View Car!

Right at that moment I realize that the leash has gone totally slack. Did I lose my catch? I turn to look and Jazz is doing what dogs are suppose to do on walks. Relieving himself. A number two. Oh my God … this is being filmed!

Instinctively, I grab a bag and do what responsible dog owners do. Pick up the poo. WAIT! This is being filmed! I turn and the car is upon us, rounding the cul-de-sa. We’re doomed!

The one I saw had a black ball

As the car heads down the road, my eyes never leave it despite the fact that Jazz is back in salmon mode. We finish our walk and head home.

Later that day, I am speaking on the phone with then Editor In Chief of Life As A Human, Kerry Slavens, and I tell her about the incident. She tells me I must write this down as it would make for a funny story. I decide that “Close Encounters Of The Google Kind” would make a great title, and Kerry heartily agrees. But … what about photos … what about street view … what will Google show?

May 2013

Shortly after this happened, I also mentioned the incident to another good friend, Lochinvar, our Software Development Manager at Life As A Human. He told me it can take 18 months or more for Google to refresh Street View data. That’s why I waited. Well, the data is now refreshed.

I have walked this street back and forth with Street View and much to my relief, other than the telling of it in this post, our integrity is intact.

Then … I remembered Bing’s Birds Eye View.

We’re doomed!

Photo Credits

Jazz Dog – by Gil Namur – All Rights Reserved

War Of The Worlds – Wikimedia Public Domain

Street View – Screen Cap From Google Street View

Google Street View Car – by Ian Muttoo on Flickr – Some Rights Reserved

First published on Fri, Jun 7, 2013. Updated on Aug 11, 2023

Think about that for a moment. How many of us can endure the harshness of going hungry – let alone living on the street – especially during frozen winter nights… knowing there is no guarantee, or expectation, of having a next meal?

The more cynical among us would say it’s ridiculous. Putting the welfare of a dog above your own is like not having the sense to ‘come in out of the rain.’

But, back in 2013, the Toronto Star interviewed a street person who explained his strong feelings for his dog this way: “She’s the only thing I’ve got in this world, besides my life, and my life ain’t going anywhere. I’m there for her and she’s there for me.” To some, pet ownership means survival is possible. Christianity explains it this way, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  Pets give people purpose and meaning.

Seeing this need, Veterinarian Michelle Lem, MSc, started her free mobile clinic Community Veterinary Outreach (CVO) a registered charity to treat the pets of the homeless… estimated at 20% of the street people population. Today, CVO has expanded to five communities. Theirs is ‘servant leadership’ in action.

Today, her volunteer / veterinarian team still provide pro-bono basic pet care services in collaboration with healthcare and community connections that matter to their clients. As a number of intake specialists have noted: There’s no judgement: “We don’t know what they’ve been through”… “marginalized people don’t trust people easily”… and, “we have to build trust – zipping your lips and listen.”

But what about now, with the ravages of COVID-19 all around us, what happens if the owner is too sick to care for their pet? CVO provides shelter, food and basic care until the owner recovers.

Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist Victor E. Frankl in his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, validated philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s quote, “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘ how’.”

It’s about the love the dog brings. Hopefully the homeless and housing vulnerable people won’t have to choose between their personal well-being or that of their pets.

What this means to me is that we’re missing a piece of the puzzle. Yes, let’s teach people to help themselves – a helping hand, not just a hand out. But, let’s not lose sight of the fact that the offering, or not offering of love … says more about us than about them. “To whom much is given…”

“Blackbird singing in the dead of night / Take these sunken eyes and learn to see”
~ Blackbird by The Beatles – Watch on YouTube

That’s the way I figure it. FP

Photo Credit

Image is Wikimedia creative commons

First published at fredparry.ca

Guest Author Bio
Fred Parry

Fred Parry lives in Southern Ontario. He is a lover of people and a collector of stories, music, wisdom, and grandchildren. His raison d’etre? “I’m one of those people who believe that if my work serves the common good, it will last; if not, it will die with me. As a freelancer – including ten years as a Torstar columnist – I still believe that’s true.” His book, ‘The Music In Me’ (2013) Friesen Press is also available via Indigo / Chapters.

Blog / Website: www.fredparry.ca

People with disabilities can get a service dog to assist them in all the major areas of their lives. These wonderful animals are specially trained to carry out tasks for their owners, helping to enrich their lives and live life with independence and confidence. If you are thinking of taking the next step and registering your dog as a service dog, you can follow this easy registration process to make it happen!  

In this article, we’ll discuss what service dogs are, what they do, and the medical conditions that these pups can offer special help for.

What Are Service Dogs?

Service dogs assist their owners by performing specific physical tasks that will help them when a challenging situation arises. They are certainly helpful creatures where some examples of their specialized training involve:

• Guiding a person with visual impairments
• Signalling certain sounds or movements for those with hearing impairments
• Retrieving items for people who have mobility restrictions
• Alerting others if their owner is suffering a seizure of epileptic fit
• Reminding their owner to take medication at precise times

Service dogs also bring other advantages that improve their owner’s emotional well-being, such as companionship, independence, confidence, motivation, and self-improvement. 

Who Can Service Dogs Help?

Some common disabilities service dogs can be specially trained for and help with are:

• Mobility problems
• Visual and hearing impairments
• Chronic fatigue conditions
• Diabetes
• Seizures and epilepsy
• Cardiac syncope conditions

There are certainly plenty of areas service dogs can cover and prove to be a valuable asset in their owner’s life. Let’s take a closer look at three physical benefits a service dog can provide their owner. 

Which Medical Conditions Can Be Helped By a Service Dog?

Service dogs can provide specialist help for people with many conditions, though the three below tend to be the main ones. They are:

1) Mobility Limitations

Mobility assistance dogs can help their owners by opening doors, turning light switches on and off, and picking up or retrieving objects for their owners. Service dogs can help switch their owner from their wheelchair to another position, such as their bed or the toilet. Some other helpful capabilities of service dogs include unloading the laundry from the dryer, pressing elevator buttons and paying cashiers.

2) Epilepsy

Service dogs can help their owners who have epilepsy by being trained to detect and alert their human partner of the onset of a seizure. When they sense an imminent seizure, they can warn their owner by pawing, pacing or placing their head or nose on their owner. This can help the owner prepare for the possible eventuality of a seizure by seeking somewhere safe to be such as soft flooring and being clear of furniture and sharp edges. If a seizure occurs, pups can be trained to call for assistance. 

3) Chronic Fatigue

For people experiencing trouble caused by pain, fatigue, trouble walking, or limited mobility, service dogs are there to help! The clever canines can help those who have balance and coordination issues by preventing falls and accidents. Dogs can hold and carry items if their owner is too weak to do it themselves. Grocery shopping can be made easier as, by law, service dogs are allowed in public places such as grocery stores to serve their owner.

Final Thoughts

Overall, service dogs provide numerous levels of safety duties for individuals with disabilities. These expertly trained animals can become a partner for life in many activities that their owners find challenging. They also bring their emotional advantages too by being a companion for life, a friendly creature their owner can confide in, seek independence in, feel motivated with and encourage self-improvement. 

Photo Credits

Photo is from pexels

Guest Author Bio
Trenton J. Smith

Trenton is an aspiring writer who loves to research and write about a wide variety of topics. When he is not writing, he enjoys gardening and long walks with his dog Boomer.

“Life’s great mysteries tend to become clearer once you’ve seen them through” – Ivan Doroschuk 

My experiment is complete.  It began in frustration, with the admission that I had been wrong about how to train and live with dogs.  The methods and ideas that seemed to work well enough for my wife and me for decades had turned a wonderful puppy into an aggressive and fearful dog.  Something needed to change. We needed to change. Not just how we trained our dogs but how we thought about them and how we related with them. When we got our dog Tiramisu as a puppy almost 16 years ago, we resolved to make that change.  And the experiment began.

It began with learning.  We discovered Jean Donaldson’s book The Culture Clash in 2002 and it opened up a whole new world of animal training based on behavioural science and modern approaches to animal learning.  It was the first of many books. There were great books by Karen Pryor, Pam Reid, Patricia McConnell, and many others. We attended seminars and conferences like ClickerExpo with talks by professional animal trainers and behaviour researchers.  We learned a great deal in a short time and when Tiramisu came to us in February of 2004 as an 11 week old puppy, we were excited to try out this new way of training to see what it would produce.

But my enthusiasm for this new kind of training was tempered with skepticism.  In the past there were books and classes. What we had learned back then had gone terribly wrong.  I decided to take a practical approach with this new puppy. The new books and seminars made some pretty bold promises.  So I committed to not falling into the same trap and failing another one of my dogs. I would use this new training exactly as the experts described it.  No shortcuts or compromises. And the moment it did not deliver on the promises made by the experts, we would move on to something else.  

The Beginning

“Clicker Training”, as described in the books, was remarkably simple.  Watch your dog and when they do the behaviour you want, mark it with the clicker (a small noise maker), and reward with food.  The only real skills needed were the ability to notice when my dog did what I was looking for and having the coordination and timing to mark that moment accurately with the clicker.  I got pretty good at observing and clicking in a very short time. I followed the directions provided in the books and got to work teaching Tira.

To say that I was astonished at the progress I made with my puppy would be an understatement.  Tira learned to do a “Sit” in only two short 5-minute training sessions in the same day. Over the next few months we added new behaviours to her repertoire every few days.  By the time she was 6 months old, Tira had learned at least 30 different behaviours. This new kind of training certainly made teaching my dog easier and she was learning fast.  But that wasn’t the most remarkable aspect of this new kind of training for me.

Mark and Reward Training (“Clicker” Training uses a clicker as a marker) is to be done in short, fun sessions with the dog.  Training is set up to make the dog successful at least 70% of the time and you should end before the dog becomes bored or fatigued.  In a matter of a few short weeks I noticed Tiramisu actively seeking me out to do more work. She liked this training game!  She would enter a room I was in and begin to spontaneously start offering behaviours.  When she would see a clicker, she would poke it with her nose or pull it onto the floor with a clatter.  

Training my dog was no longer about “getting my dog under control” so much as it was a game of “what do you want to learn next?”  And Tiramisu was definitely enthusiastic about playing the training game!

The Middle

As the years went by, Tira and I worked together every day.  Most often we just practiced well known behaviours. We competed in dog agility.  But Tira was eager to work. She would look at me with that “What are we doing now, dad?” look in her eyes.  I realized that we had developed an easy, clear communication between us. It wasn’t something that had been spelled out in the books and it wasn’t something I expected.  But I had a rapport with Tira that allowed me to manage her with ease in even the most challenging situations.

To be sure, we had our challenges on occasion with recalls or barking, but we had developed a wonderfully cooperative relationship.  She would easily move where I directed her. She happily rode in the car for long journeys. We had even worked out a way for me to ask her to “do her business” on cue when time was an issue.  For my part, I learned to read Tira’s body language very well. Tira could tell me she was uncomfortable or eager to play with just a glance.

That ability to read Tira was never more important than when, at the age of 8 years, she developed hypothyroidism.  The changes in her behaviour were subtle but, because of the observation habits I had built as part of Mark and Reward training, I could see the changes clearly.  It allowed us to get her into veterinary treatment quickly. Our vet was surprised when she saw the blood work that showed Tira’s condition because, the vet said, she was not presenting any of the “classic symptoms” of hypothyroidism.  

I knew Tiramisu better than I had ever known any of our other dogs.  Mark and Reward training and behavioural science had taught me to be aware of my dog and to understand her in ways I had never realized were possible.  We enjoyed a remarkable relationship.

The End

By the time she was 13 years old, Tira was retired from agility and we settled in to joys of her later years.  Tira told me through her body language and our relationship that it was time to be less active. Instead of agility trials and lots of travel, it was long walks in the woods and cuddle time on the bed.  It was in her 13th year that I discovered the most surprising aspect of this behavioural experiment.

Tira woke us up in the middle of the night.  She was unable to stand up. She was having a vestibular episode that caused her to feel like she was spinning.  Tira was understandably terrified. She was trembling and struggled to understand why she couldn’t find her balance.  Fortunately, that episode passed in just over an hour but it was not the last one we would see. Over the next 8 months, Tira would have 5 more of these vestibular episodes, each one lasting longer than the previous and taking longer to recover from.  The last of these occurred on her 14th birthday and lasted 4 days.

Amazingly, Tiramisu adjusted very quickly to these episodes.  By the third episode, Tira knew to just find a comfortable spot and lie down until it passed.  She managed to find a way to balance herself well enough to walk around during these episodes, eat, go outside to do her business, and just try to carry on as normal.  We didn’t ask her to do these things. We just helped her when she needed it.

This was the remarkable thing.  Here was a dog who had every right to be terrified by a health problem beyond her understanding but she was smart enough and confident enough in herself to learn to cope.  As time went on and her physical health declined, we could see her continuing to adjust and deal with life as best she could. Her eyesight and hearing deteriorated but she still knew her way around the house and found her way to us for cuddles.  She remained an engaging and wonderful personality even through that last difficult day when we took her to the vet to be released from this life.

A Life Long Experiment

It would be foolish to think I could sum up Tiramisu’s life with us in this one short article.  What I can do is tell you what the experiment that was her life with us has taught me. Modern dog training methods based on behavioural science and animal learning theory can produce incredible and profound results even when practiced by a beginner.  I started this experiment knowing nothing and I didn’t have expert skills when Tira was a puppy. The direct results of this kind of training produced a dog that knew dozens of behaviours and would respond enthusiastically to my requests. But there were lots of unexpected and wonderful indirect benefits as well.

This kind of training allowed me to get some insight into the emotional life of my dog.  Dogs communicate primarily with body language and Mark and Reward Training taught me to really see my dog and what she was telling me.  In turn, that created a cooperative relationship between Tiramisu and me. By responding to my dog, she became a partner in our training and our relationship.  I allowed her to have a say in what we were doing and how much we did. I’d like to think that giving her that ability contributed to her quality of life and her sense of well-being.

It was an interesting thing to learn about dogs, behaviour, and modern training and to watch how it played out over the lifetime of a dog raised with it from the first day she arrived with us.  That moment when this kind of training did not live up to expectations never came. In fact, I would say that it succeeded in ways that I could never have imagined when I first began all those years ago.  Everything we learned about training and working with our dogs touched so many different aspects of our lives together. Looking back, it’s hard to imagine how we could have done things so differently in the past.  

Psychology professor Dr. Susan Friedman has talked about “a data set of one” when referring to animal training.  Tiramisu’s life is certainly that; one life, one set of experiences, one experiment in trying something new. Her life taught me things I will use for the rest of my life.  I will be forever grateful for the time we spent together and for all the wonderful books and ideas and people that journey brought into our lives.

Thanks for reading.

Eric

I remember being at an animal training conference 15 years ago.  Many of the attendees were accompanied by their amazingly well trained dogs.  On the second day, animal trainer and author Karen Pryor made an interesting observation.  She said that she saw so many wonderfully behaved dogs waiting patiently for their people until seminar sessions concluded.  But when the sessions ended, people would just get up and start walking out to the next session without telling their dogs about it. Attendees would just stand up when the session was over and start walking.  The dog was expected to figure it out or get a tug on their leash as their owner moved away. That was the only information they received about what was happening next.

I’m not sure if this was the first time I heard Karen Pryor talk about what she called “informational cues” but that short talk changed the way I interacted with my dogs from that time forward.  As Karen described it, an “Informational Cue” was different than a regular cue because it is not asking the dog to do anything. It is just information. The dog gets to decide what to do about it.

Basic information

One of the first informational cues I taught my dog Tira was simple and practical.  When I’m sitting with my dogs somewhere and everyone is just relaxing, I will sometimes need to get up and get a glass of water or something.  I will not be gone for more than a few moments and I plan to return to sitting with the dogs. So I began saying “I’ll be back” to my dogs before getting up.  My intention is to let them know that there is no reason for them to get up and follow me because I will be coming right back to my seat.

At first, the cue means nothing, as with any cue.  To begin with, Tira would get up and come with me anyway.  But over time, she noticed that there was no reason to get up, follow me 20 steps to the kitchen and then back, and watch me sit back down.  She wasn’t told to “stay” and I didn’t tell her she was wrong if she followed me. It didn’t take long for Tira to decide that it was easier to just stay where she was when she heard “I’ll be back.”   She seemed to decide that “I’ll be back” means “getting up and following dad right now is a waste of energy so don’t bother.”

Ideally, an “Informational Cue” just provides my dogs with information they can use to make their own choices as to what they do.  There is no reward. There is no punishment. There is no right or wrong response. I’m just letting my dogs know what’s going on and they can do with that information what they will.

Making chatter useful

Over the years we have come up with several “Informational Cues” for our dogs.  “Let’s go out” is their signal that there is an opportunity to head outside to do their business.  “Dinner time” or “Breakfast” is the signal that meal preparations are starting. “Time for bed” is their signal that we’re going to bed.  Anything that could help our dogs anticipate what is happening around them becomes an informational cue. It seems like we are talking to our dogs all the time.

That’s true of most dog owners I know.  We talk to our dogs a lot. The trick to making informational cues work is being consistent in what you say and what you do.  Fortunately humans are creatures of habit and I’m sure most dogs have discovered their own informational cues about their owners.  But it’s likely that the owners weren’t teaching them deliberately. Our dogs are always watching; trying to make sense of their world. Our dogs can sometimes develop what we may see as annoying habits when they are really just responding to our unintentional informational cues.  

One example of this happened in our family.  A relative of my wife had a dog that would bark as soon as she got out the food bowls for the dogs’ dinners each evening.  In order to stop the barking, the owner would hurry through the meal preparations and put the bowls down. Her dog had learned that “when you see the bowls, start barking because it gets the food to come faster.”  If you’re a dog, that’s good information to have.

Consistent comfort

Being intentional in creating and using informational cues can also provide a less direct but more important benefit.  It gives them a way to make their life more predictable and less chaotic. Consider that your dog is a different species of animal with different instincts and intuitions about the world.  When they come into our human lives, their first priority is to figure out what works well for them and what does not. They want to do what’s right and avoid doing what’s wrong. Any help we can give them in making sense of life with us has to be useful and can lower their overall stress at learning to live with us..

Consistency and predictability are things that dogs prefer.  Any good dog training method will tell you that you should always be consistent – yes means yes and no means no.  But that consistent approach can be just as important in our everyday life. One of our frequently used informational cues is “Watch the house.”  It’s something that we say as we are leaving the house to let our dogs know that they will not be coming with us but that we will return shortly. When our dogs hear that cue, there is no running to the door to be the first in the car for a ride.

I like to think of our informational cues as providing an agenda for our dogs.  They don’t have to guess what is happening at any given time. We have found that a lot of our dog’s unwanted behaviour in the past seems to have been connected to them trying to figure out what to do next.  The pacing, barking, unwanted pestering, and other behaviours were really just their way of trying things to see what was going on. Without clear indicators for when we were doing something and when we were just relaxing, it only makes sense that our dogs were, in their way, asking us for information.

Too familiar

It can be all too easy to think our dogs know what we think and what we are doing.  Dogs do display an amazing ability to know what’s going on with us. While some people can attribute this to an uncanny ability of dogs to “read our minds”, it is far more likely that these observant creatures are just reading our actions and our habits.  They are paying far more attention to what we do and how consistently we do it than even we do ourselves. It’s very possible that we assume too much from our dogs.

Science has determined that a well trained dog has the intellectual capacity of a three year old child.  If we consider our dogs in those terms, it only makes sense that we keep them informed with as many cues as we can, as often as we can, to help them stay on track and navigate their day.  Regular routines, specific phrases, and even physical gestures to let them know where we are going can all make their world more predictable and easier to navigate.

I guess in some ways, I see these informational cues as being polite.  For all the things my dogs give me each day, it only makes sense that I try to be considerate of their point of view.  Informational cues are a small courtesy that I can show my dogs to help them out through the day. These cues are so easy to train and they take little effort to use.  I find that they are a great way to show my dogs respect and make their lives easier. Chances are, your dogs have picked up some informational cues from you already. If you’re like me, it won’t take much effort to add some informational cues in everyday life to make things easier.  I’m sure your dogs will thank you for it!

Until next time, have fun with your dogs!

Be sure to check out our Canine Nation ebooks on Amazon, Google, Dogwise, and other ebook sellers.  Join our conversation on Facebook in the Canine Nation Forum!

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Curious- copyright Alexandra Johansson 
Pug- copyright Eddy van 3000
Relax – Public Domain
Couch (Featured Image) – copyright the paw pad 

Behaviour is a funny word.  What does it mean when our dog “behaves”?  The most common use I see is when dog owners use it to mean that their dog is not getting into trouble; the dog is “behaving” itself.  For those of us who are into more formal dog training, “behave” might mean an action that my dog performs. An example would be if I asked my dog to “shake a paw”, the behaviour is that she raises her right paw.  So when we teach our dog a behaviour, we are really teaching it to perform a specific action that we can see. They either do it or they don’t.

We teach lots of behaviours to our dogs – Sit, Down, Come, Shake A Paw, and many more.  But from time to time we need to teach our dogs to “not do” something like picking food up off of the floor or running out the door before we are ready.  It’s easy to understand what we mean when we ask a dog to DO something but what does it mean for a dog to NOT-DO something? Is there a way we can see it when our dog chooses to NOT-DO something?

Marking a choice

When I was learning Mark & Reward training, one of the most difficult concepts for me to understand was marking the choice my dog was making.  If I was training my dog to sit, I could mark the moment when my dog put her butt on the floor but it would be even better for the training if I could mark the moment that she DECIDED to put her butt on the floor.  Seeing the movement of my dog’s body is much easier to do that seeing her make a choice to do something. But, like most things in Mark & Reward training, learning to see my dog making a choice is a skill that I learned to get better at over time.

Sometimes it was a look in her eyes, sometimes it was a twitch of a muscle that signalled that she was responding to my instruction, but there were always small outward physical signs that my dog had decided to do the thing I was asking her to do.  It was just a matter of improving my observation skills and learning to read my dog.

I suppose the underlying message here is that “making a choice” should be considered a behaviour in itself.  After all, choosing to do something is a thing that my dog does just like sitting or lying down. While it might sound a bit like splitting hairs, to me it is just as important that my dog is choosing to cooperate with me.  Just getting the result I want is not enough.

Choosing to refrain

If all of our dog’s observable behaviours begin with an internal “choose an action” behaviour, can our dog also choose NOT to take an action?  This can be tricky for us in dog training because we can’t really be sure we see the results of our dog choosing to NOT do something. How can we know that they have done the “choose an action” behaviour?  This is what the behaviourist approach to learning calls “The Black Box” problem. We cannot know the internal working of the dog’s thinking. We can only see how the dog behaves.

In the 1960s, researchers at Stanford University wanted to get a better understanding of why some children were impatient while others could wait patiently.  They devised what has been called “The Marshmallow Experiment.”  In short, the experiment involved offering a child the choice between one small reward provided immediately or two small rewards if they waited for approximately 15 minutes.  The reward might be a marshmallow, a cookie, or a pretzel; something the child would enjoy. The adult tester would leave the room and then return. Interestingly, a majority of the children in the original study could wait for the additional reward.

Essentially, the children were presented with a reward but were asked to “not-do” something in order to get a greater reward.  That sounds a lot like some of the things I need to teach my own dogs. The interesting research resulting from the original Stanford study showed that the children who were able to wait for the additional reward, to delay their gratification, went on to have greater successes in life including better career outcomes, higher academic test scores, greater achievement in education, and healthier lifestyles.  So learning to refrain from doing things can have a positive impact on life skills. But the research did not stop there.

Don’t-Do behaviours

What does it look like when my dog is refraining from behaviour?  Well, the easiest and most obvious thing most dog owners teach their dog is a “Wait” or “Stay” behaviour.  When we go to the front door, we don’t want our dogs running outside because there could be traffic. So we teach them to “wait”, to not go anywhere until I tell them it’s ok to head out.  I say “Wait” and open the door. My dog should stay in place, not do anything, until I give them the ok. In reality, my dog CHOOSES to not do anything; a behaviour in itself.

Like the “Marshmallow Experiment”, I have to teach my dogs that there will be reward for refraining from behaviour when I ask.  After all, the great outdoors are right THERE; why would my dog wait? In my case, the promise is that if you can wait for a short time, you get to go outside AND get a nice food treat.  It’s a system that has worked with dogs for centuries. There really isn’t anything revolutionary about teach a dog to “wait.”

We teach our dogs other “don’t-do” behaviours as well.  “Leave it” is our all purpose cue for our dogs to not investigate or pick up something.  It could be food or a toy or even a dead mouse. Another behaviour many owners teach is “settle” or “wait on your mat” behaviour where the dog will be asked to lay down on a mat or in a specific spot and not get up until given the ok.

Trust me

A later version of the original Stanford experiment was run in which half of the children who were promised the extra reward got it while the other half were lied to and told that there was no extra reward at the end of the experiment.  When the researchers ran the experiment with the subjects a second time, those who received the promised extra reward in the first round again waited patiently. But those who were lied to in the first round immediately ate the reward they were given and did not wait.  Apparently trust is a major factor in being willing to refrain from a behaviour. If you don’t trust that the waiting will produce a good outcome, you won’t wait.

Dog trainers often talk about the importance of being consistent with your dog in training in order to get the behaviours you want and for the dog to do them reliably.  It also appears that being consistent is a critical factor in whether your dog can refrain from doing unwanted behaviours as well. Don’t-do behaviours may be even more sensitive to inconsistent rewards than the behaviours where we ask our dogs to do something.

Learning to refrain

Waiting for that extra reward isn’t easy for our dogs.  But the Stanford Marshmallow experiment is important because it was done with children.  The results of this research are relevant to the limited intelligence of our dogs. Like the subjects in the study, our dogs often come into our lives not knowing how things work and they have to trust us to give them what they need to be successful in our world.  So while there may be a biological component to how well my dog can control her impulses and urges, the science shows that there is a lot I can do to help her develop the skills to be a patient and calm learner and to refrain from behaviours when asked.

There are a few simple guidelines we have found useful in teaching our dogs these “don’t-do” behaviours.  The first is to start small and make it easy to succeed. I can’t begin to teach my dog that it will pay off to wait if I start by making her wait for 30 minutes for a reward.  There is just too much time to start to question if the payoff will ever come. So we start by asking only for a few second before the reward and then gradually increase the wait time.  We are always careful never to let our dogs get uncomfortable or frustrated with the waiting because that can erode the trust we have tried to develop with our dogs. We have found that it’s best to take it slow and keep the success rate very high.  Occasional mistakes are quickly and easily forgotten this way.

Another important factor is to be realistic.  It’s important to stay aware of where my dog is in her “don’t-do” skill development.  I don’t want to ask her to refrain from a behaviour when the alternative is too enticing or rewarding.  There are going to be things that my dog just can’t resist at her current level of training. It’s better that I don’t put her in a difficult situation.  If an unexpected situation happens, it’s better for me not to ask them to refrain and do more training work later.

Can a dog learn to “not-do” something?  Of course they can. It’s a concept they learn as part of life skills like not pestering the older dog or you will get snapped at.  Can I TEACH my dog to “not-do” something? Yes I can. It’s not hard but it requires me to be consistent, honest, and generous in my rewards.  I need to be careful not to ask my dog for more patience than they have learned at any given point. In the end, my dogs will “not-do” all kinds of things just because I asked and not because they will be punished if they do.  Teaching my dog to “Not-Behave” in particular ways has made life better for both of us. It’s just a matter of keeping the right expectations and teaching the right skills.

Until next time, have fun with your dogs!

Be sure to check out our Canine Nation ebooks on Amazon, Google, Dogwise, and other ebook sellers.  Join our conversation on Facebook in the Canine Nation Forum!

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 Photo credits –

Boxer- copyright Cuatrok77 2014
Ball- copyright Alexander Day 2016
Smile- copyright  Sonja Lovas  2007
Stay (Featured Image) – copyright Eric de Boer 2018

While out for a walk I stopped to watch a woman with a boisterous retriever puppy.  The little guy is understandably excited by all of the sights and sounds and smells on his big adventure.  The woman seems to be training her dog. She tugs up gently on the leash and pushes on the dog’s bottom all the while chanting “Sit! Sit! Sit!” As soon as the dog puts his bottom on the ground the woman shouts with glee, “Yay!  What a good dog!” and showers the puppy with affection who wags and wiggles with apparent delight. I smile because this is a familiar sight. This is the way I learned to train a dog to “Sit” nearly 40 years ago. Simple and effective.

Knowing what I don’t know

As I watched this woman and her happy pup, a hundred thoughts raced through my head.  I worry that she doesn’t tug too hard or push too hard or she could frighten the dog. Her vocalizing “Sit! Sit! Sit!” was probably distracting to the young dog and was making it harder for the dog to learn.  The puppy’s eagerness and excitement meant that the relationship with his owner had been well managed.  I watched to see if the timing of her praise matched the behaviour she was trying to teach.  Several other dog training thoughts came and went as I watched. They all flashed across my mind in a few seconds almost automatically.  There was no intention to be critical of this woman and her pup.

Twenty years ago, this woman working with her puppy would likely have triggered only one thought, “What a cute dog!”  But I have changed.  My own training mistakes many years ago set me on a journey to learn more about dogs, behaviour, and animal training.  Now I am  better informed about dogs.  Dozens of books, hundreds of hours of instruction, and years of experience have given me a different perspective. Perhaps the most important thing I have learned is just how much there is to know about living and working with dogs and just how much I have yet to learn.  Psychologist David Dunning had me pegged perfectly when he said “the incompetent are often blessed with an inappropriate confidence, buoyed by something that feels to them like knowledge.”

I don’t think I was an “incompetent” dog owner all those years ago but I was certainly much less skilled and I understood only a fraction of what I understand today. Just as research by Dunning and his academic partner Justin Kruger proposed in their exploration of the Dunning-Kruger Effect, my confidence that I had solid expertise training dogs was unreasonably high.  I knew all the simple methods one needed to raise a happy and healthy dog. Now decades into my quest to learn more about dogs and training, I see the same dog training challenges with a very different kind of simplicity.

Simple and simple

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, “For the simplicity that lies this side of complexity, I would not give a fig, but for the simplicity that lies on the other side of complexity, I would give my life.”  Before you understand the full scope and complexity of something, it may appear simple.  But that is very different from how simple that same thing can seem once you have studied and learned and practiced. There was an uneducated simplicity in how I approached dogs decades ago. I knew what I knew and it worked.  I was confident in what I knew.  My dogs were happy. I was that arrogantly underinformed kind of dog owner who thought dogs were simple.

Watching that woman working with her puppy, I experienced a different kind of simplicity.  The simplicity that comes from understanding a topic more deeply and seeing the connections between many related and important ideas and concepts.  I find that it is just as Justice Holmes said, the simple conceptual understanding I have after learning about behavioural science, canine ethology, and modern animal training science is infinitely more valuable than the uninformed “easy answers” I had come up with all those years ago.

The ill-informed expert that I was years ago couldn’t see many of the things I see today when I watch dogs and their owners.  Back then I would watch a dog sit or stay when told and I would be impressed that the owner had gotten the dog to do as it was told. I thought it was just that simple.  Today I watch to see if the dog is happily performing something it knows how to do well or if it is trying to avoid some perceived punishment if it does not do what it is asked.  I watch the owner to see if they are being clear with their signals and fair in what they are asking of their dog.  I watch for other things that tell me more about the relationship between the dog and the owner.  Things that the dog owner I used to be would never have thought to look for or even knew existed.  Seeing these extra things seems simple to me now but it is a different kind of simplicity.

Easier than you think

I don’t want to give you with the impression that it took nearly 20 years for me to understand and appreciate the simplicity that comes from understanding the complex nature of dogs and training.  In fact, most of my important learning came from a couple of good books and a few seminars from professional animal trainers. In less than a year, I learned to discard a lot of myths and lore I believed about dogs and training.  I replaced it with a better understanding of behavioural science and canine learning.  From there it has been a process of improving my skills and refining what I have learned.

To be honest, I began as just a dog owner who wanted to know more.  After almost being bitten by my own dog, I realized it that I didn’t know everything I thought I needed to know about dogs and training.  Philosopher John Stuart Mill wrote, “There is nothing more dangerous than the deep slumber of a decided opinion.”  For many years I was firmly decided that I knew enough about dogs and that’s all I needed to know.  The hardest thing for me to do was to let go of the opinions that had been passed down to me. Especially when those ideas and techniques produced acceptable results with my dogs.  If it wasn’t broken, I wasn’t going to fix it.

I could have stayed comfortable in my ignorance. I didn’t need to read up on the latest research on dogs and cognition.  I didn’t need to spend money to attend seminars and workshops.  I didn’t need to spend the money to pass the tests necessary to be certified as professional dog trainer. But I did all of it anyway.  I did it because I want to be a better dog owner.  I want to understand dogs and training.  I want to be a better caretaker and partner for my dogs.

Where to go from here?

My beautiful dog Tiramisu is nearly 15 years old now.  She is the first dog we raised from a puppy with this new understanding of dogs and behaviour.  A part of me is sad that our learning adventures are coming to an end. I have so much to be grateful for from this wonderful dog.  Over the course of our life together she has taught me so much about how dogs learn, what motivates them, how to be an effective communicator with dogs, and more.  Perhaps most importantly she taught me how all of the various aspects of living with a dog matter and the importance of forgiving the small mistakes and accidents both my dog and I have made.

I always try to write these essays from my own personal point of view.  I think it’s best to talk about what I have learned and how I have tried to fit the science and learning together with living with my dogs.  I haven’t invented anything or come up with some novel training system. Everything I know I have learned from dedicated and talented people who have been kind enough to share their knowledge with me in print or in person.  I cannot thank them enough for changing how I live with my dogs.

I think the best thing I can do is share my experience with others.  There aren’t any magic tricks or special techniques for working with dogs as far as I’m concerned.  There is the “simplicity that lies on the other side of complexity.”  The simple understanding that comes from learning and knowing more.  The easy, simple facility to know what to do and when to do it with my dogs.  That has come with a quiet satisfaction and a passion to continue learning.

Dunning and Kruger were right.  May I never call myself an “expert” and always remain open to learning more about dogs, behaviour, and training.

Until next time, have fun with your dogs.

Be sure to check out our Canine Nation ebooks on Amazon, Google, Dogwise, and other ebook sellers.  Join our conversation on Facebook in the Canine Nation Forum!

These Canine Nation ebooks are now available –

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 Photo credits –

Sit- copyright Drew Smith 2004
Eyes – copyright Jennifer 2010
Dogs – copyright  Bob White  2014
Huey (Featured Image) – copyright Andy O’Donnell 2009