Why do unwanted behaviours like jumping up become habits—and how can they be replaced with better ones? Anything repeated often enough can become a habit. I totally fell in love with scruffy ten-month-old Jack Russell mix Max yesterday. I had the perfect evening with him and his humans. It began with just Read more
It takes a lot more work to undo a behaviour that has been reinforced by enjoyable consequences than it does to cause it in the first place.
“I am desperate! “….I love my puppy so much and don’t know what to do. She bites, jumps up and snaps at me. I can’t eat in front of her. I could go on. Skye likes to watch the dogs on television. I watch Victoria Stilwell’s programme. That’s how I Read more
Honey is a delightfully friendly dog but loses control of herself very quickly – and any efforts to try to impose control only make her worse.
The importance of consistency. I sat with the family – parents with late-teens son and daughter – and their dear little Tibetan Terrier, Archie. My first question was, as always, ‘What would you like to achieve from my help?’ The answer was for Archie to be more relaxed around other dogs Read more
Other dogs have to be transformed into something the puppies feel happy to see. Force won’t do that.
The smallest food reward is of value and an incentive to any of my own dogs, but not to the dear little Bichon Maltese mix I went to yesterday. Two-year-old Doug lives with an elderly Bichon, Alfie, and it would be safe to say that food has virtually no value to Read more
The problem with trying to ‘discipline’ an unruly dog is that it’s all about preventing the dog from doing unwanted things in a ‘disciplinarian’ sort of way which implies being confrontational. A confrontational approach can generate an aggressive response in a strong-minded dog. ‘Discipline’ does not teach the desired, other, preferred behaviours.
A walk should be a joyful occasion for them. Marley even tries to avoid going out with one of the family members on account of her lack of patience. She gets cross and uses physical restraint and control. It is so understandable, because trying to walk with pulling reactive dogs can be incredibly frustrating when you don’t know any other way. It becomes a battle. It was the same for me many years ago, so I understand.
Motivation really is just the drive that makes him want to do something. It can be inspired by gaining something rewarding, like fun, food or appreciation – or by avoiding something he doesn’t like.
So far as our relationship with our dogs is concerned, the choice is a no-brainer. Reward not fear.