Punishment and deprivation versus reward and enrichment

It’s hard picking up the pieces when a conscientious and well-meaning dog owner has been following old-fashioned, dominance-based advice. Advice using punishment and intimidation through ignorance. They believe what someone who sets himself up as an authority says is the way to do things.
It’s also extremely upsetting for the owner when their eyes are opened. Fortunately, things can only get better now.

By Theo Stewart, ago

Punish her and she will Learn

“If we punish her she should learn not to do it again”. A few weeks ago nine-month-old Dandie Dinmont for the first time went for the older, gentle Cocker Spaniel, Mimi (12). She grabbed her ear and wouldn’t let go. Mimi was screaming. Pandemonium followed. The lady yelled at the dogs. She tried to pull the two Read more

By Theo Stewart, ago

Pica? One more swallow could end in tragedy

The dictionary definition of pica in medicine is the “pathological craving for substance unfit for food” Dictionary.com. I would hardly interpret Wilson’s ingesting of inappropriate items as a ‘craving’. It’s not constant. From my questioning the behaviour is likely to happen under certain circumstances. Five weeks ago the wonderful young Bernese Mountain Read more

By Theo Stewart, ago

Eating rubbish

Their understandable reaction to his running off with a twig for example – chasing him, enticing him, bribing him then maybe forcing the item off him – is now actually making his ‘scavenging’ for things like twigs, leaves and bits of paper and eating rubbish a lot worse.

The chase that ensues will be stimulating and maybe even a little scary and Chutney is responding with the beginnings of resource guarding behaviour.

By Theo Stewart, ago