Blog

Cutting-edge research is to be presented by APBC Members in Sweden. Dogs and physical activity, the human-animal relationship and owner-dog interaction form forward-thinking contributions on behalf of the APBC at a forthcoming international conference.

Recently the APBC joined with national and international behaviour and welfare organisations in condemning some of the techniques used by Cesar Millan, the self-styled “Dog Whisperer”.

The reason for us taking a stand on this issue is because as dog behaviourists we often pick up the pieces when well-meaning but misguided attempts to “establish dominance” through force backfires on our clients and their dogs.  Rather than revisiting criticisms of the dominance myth and the risks of punishment-based training, I thought I would offer a real-world example of how attempts to replicate “dog whispering” can backfire.

In March 2010 the UK Government Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) issued a consultation document seeking views on whether current legislation relating to dangerous dogs adequately protects the public and encourages responsible dog ownership (www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/dangerous-dogs/). The consultation document consists of a series of questions for which, having taken views from APBC members, we have provided our answers for consideration (see below).

"Trancing rabbits" is an old fashioned rabbit fancier’s trick which is not only terrifying for rabbits but can be fatal. Rabbits can be put into a trance quite easily and it looks like magic. They appear to be motionless and relaxed.

A two-dog household learns some new rules about food.

Several years ago I introduced a ten week old female puppy into my household. At the time I already had a dog. He was eighteen months old and he’d been an only dog up until then.

All went well between my dog and the new puppy until the first mealtime. The puppy had a cage at one end of my very large living room and my existing dog got fed at the other. On that first mealtime, I gave the adult dog his meal and then walked across the room to put the puppy’s food in her cage.

I’m NOT a “Positive Reinforcement” Trainer (and neither are you). 

The APBC 21st Birthday Seminar advance publicity video which showed Emmet’s aggression towards another dog could be read in a number of ways. On a basic level it could have been superficially dismissed as a case of “frustration aggression”, or even "excitement" at seeing another dog, but closer inspection revealed the complexity of the underlying emotional aspect of the behaviour.

Dog Owner or Dog Guardian - which one are you?

People who have dogs are commonly referred to as owners, masters or pack leaders, which gives people the impression that dogs are property or followers, who should do what we say when we say it without needing to put in the effort to teach them.

So, instead of being a dog owner, why not be a dog guardian? Vow to love, protect and educate your dog! As a dog guardian, it is up to you to make sure that your dog is well educated, feels protected and cared for.

Why is a scientific approach to dog training important?