One of the most misunderstood aspects of dog training is this: dogs do not automatically generalize behaviors. When a dog learns something, she connects that behavior to the specific context in which it was taught — the location, your body position, the environment, even what you are wearing. If you teach a lie down [...]
Predatory Aggression Predatory aggression is not the same as being cruel or deliberately hurting another. Although sport hunters or recreational hunters and those who engage in animal cruelty often cite cats as role models, it's a false equivalence. Both cats and humans have the same brain structures, but the regions that are active and [...]
When I started behavioral work over 20 years ago, I used humane methodology. My first client was a Dachshund with food aggression and guarding. At the time, I was stunned to learn that the majority of trainers were using punitive techniques such as punching dogs, yanking them with prong collars, "helicoptering" them — hanging [...]
A practical guide to cat behavior, feline handling, and solving cat behavior problems. The Good Cat Parent's Guide to Feline Behavior Modification by Alana Stevenson (Routledge Press, 2024) is now available. Topics include: Kitten development and play strategies Feline body language and environmental enrichment Handling techniques and emotional bonding Litter box problems Inter-cat aggression [...]
Puppies go through major developmental changes quickly. They need calories and good nutrition for physical and mental health. All puppies should be able to eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. Exercise, how much mental and physical stimulation the dog has, and stress all contribute to how well a dog [...]
Ear-cropping and tail-docking are two commonly accepted practices often considered "breed standard." However, the process of ear-cropping and tail-docking is not humane, nor is it necessary for health. For tail-docking, tails are chopped off, usually with surgical scissors, when the puppies are newborn. This is because a newborn puppy's cartilage is still soft. Removing [...]
Over the last 10-15 years, there has been a growing trend and obsession to have skinny cats, ironically at a time when the human population has gotten fatter. The eating habits and metabolisms of domestic cats are very different than those of humans and dogs. Cats naturally eat 10-20 small meals a day. They [...]
Passive learning is inherently how dogs learn, 24/7. Understanding how to implement passive dog training effectively will open new doorways of communication for you and your dog. Passive dog training is wonderful for dogs with all sorts of personalities, especially for dogs who are fearful or traumatized, including aggressive and reactive dogs, and for [...]
Should you make your dog sit before giving anything such as affection, dinner, treats, opening doors, or putting on and taking off leashes? This is often part of a "no free lunch" training strategy. I’m not a big fan of "Sit," nor do I use it often—mostly, because dogs already know how to sit [...]
Dogs are creatures of habit who learn through association and context. Dogs live in the moment. They are emotional beings who experience joy, confusion, happiness, and fear. Like toddlers, dogs do not understand that your behavior in the present may be related to an incident that happened four hours ago, nor do they understand [...]