My last post on Cesar Millan
I say this is my last post about Cesar Millan because this blog is not about him, regardless of the benefit of the additional hits it may get me from the Dog Whisperer Ambassadors out there. It is not about trying to convince his loyal converts that he is wrong or bad. I agree with ...
What is learned helplessness?
Why the Dog Whisperer's techniques can be damaging to a dog.
Training to flee
We want our scared dogs to be comfortable with the things that frighten them. Counter conditioning and desensitization are all about making that happen. But we don't just want them comfortable with the things that frighten them, we want them to be perfectly giddy with joy about them. Until that happens they are at risk ...
Socialization? Not!
After a dog is 3-4 months old the 'socialization' window in its brain is closing. It doesn't mean that one shouldn't continue to give their dog opportunities to practice social skills or broaden their social network after that age, but a dog that didn't get 'socialized' during those early months often needs more than just ...
Off-topic on Adoption
I am straying from the fearful dog theme for just a moment. I have been looking at a lot of shelter and rescue websites. Some are fabulous, many are the obvious and well-intentioned efforts of people who are website novices, too many feature auto-music that starts blaring as the site loads (how can you expect ...
How Realistic Are Your Goals For Your Scared Dog
If you're an owner of a fearful dog you've heard it all before- "He just needs love." "Give her some time." "Lots of dogs are shy at first." But you've probably discovered that it takes more than time and love to help a fearful dog. If your dog is just afraid of some ...
Medications for Fearful Dogs
Whether or not to use behavioral medications to help your dog is a personal decision, but one which is often based on incomplete information. One comment often made by dog owners is, "I don't like to drug my dog." Fair enough. I don't like to 'drug' my dogs either, but I'm sure glad that my ...
Diagnosing The Problem
All too often these days people are quick to diagnose a range of behavior problems as a dog's attempt to achieve 'dominance' or pack leadership. I caught a glimpse of The Dog Whisperer last night at a friend's house. I'd seen the episode before and had to switch channels because I just couldn't bear to ...
Bad Advice
Advising someone with a fearful or shy dog to expose their dog to whatever induces fear in them, without encouraging owners to have an understanding of thresholds, counter conditioning and desensitization, is IMHO, irresponsible. Every dog is different and just because someone has had success in improving fear based behaviors with their dog or even ...
