How do you know if your dog is in pain? Dr. Edward of The Healing Vet has found that more than 50% (!) of the dogs he’s assessed for pain are suffering and hardly any of their owners know it. In this blog post Dr. Edward discusses how dogs express pain with their body language, and he gives us a list of signs to look for—whether it’s acute or chronic pain. In Part 2 of Dogs in Pain, Dr. Edward will discuss treatments for pain—both conventional and holistic. Coming soon!
Dog body language, Dogs in pain, Signs of pain, Silent suffering
Dog-dog aggression is something many dog owners deal with. Dog trainer and trainer educator, Kristi Benson, has written an eye-opening and extremely informative blog post on how to approach dog-dog aggression, which often depends on the type of aggression. Sometimes, nothing needs to be done. In other contexts, dogs may need training and behavior modification using modern, humane methods. Fear is one common reason for dog-dog aggression, and Kristi explains why using techniques to scare or hurt dogs has no place in the training of dog-aggressive dogs. We have effective, humane methods for modifying dog behavior in the 21st Century. There is no place for yelling, shock collars, prong collars, choke collars, swatting, leash jerks, or collar pops. These outdated aggressive techniques can actually make dog-aggressive dogs more aggressive.
behavior modification, Dog aggression, dog behavior, Dog body language, Dog-dog aggression, Force-free training, positive reinforcement training, Science of dog behavior, Training dog-aggressive dogs
In Part 1 of of this popular series, Australian dog trainer Sylvie Martin made the case for giving our dogs more freedom—for a happier, healthier and more harmonious life. In this second installment, Sylvie provides practical suggestions on how to give our dogs more freedom—freedom from coercion and fear. How much control do we really need over our dogs? And how can we provide them freedom from fear? Why is that so important? Read Part 2 and find out!
Behaviour modification, dog behavior, Dog body language, dog training, More freedom for dogs!
Our newest blogger, Tanya Hawkes, from Machynlleth, Wales, UK, examines the human tendency to project ourselves onto dogs when interpreting their behaviors, and how this anthropomorphizing is a reflection of the human observer’s worldview at any given time in history. For instance, whereas dogs urinating in the same spot was once viewed as their colonial flag—a mark to claim their territory—more recent research finds that urination is a much more social affair, perhaps like a dog version of Facebook or Tinder! Tanya’s insights into our limitations of comprehending dog behavior are thought-provoking; she helps us to understand that we can improve our dogs’ lives by trying to better understand ‘dog being.’
anthropomorphism, dog behavior, Dog body language
