4 points to remember to take dog biting seriously
Dog bites happen more often than you might think!
The headlines are usually only taken by those very rare fatal cases or by very severe injuries. Don't get fooled by it. Every dog can bite and that includes your beloved French Bulldog, Labrador or Shih Tzu.
Prevention is better than a cure! Read 4 points to remember to take this problem seriously!
Why didn't I use a clicker?
Looking back at the muzzle training video I could have changed many things to make the training more successful and the progress faster. Clicker training is a powerful tool but isn't necessary. Every session is a learning experience not only for the dog but also for the trainer. I'm not afraid to try and learn from the "miss-takes" I make. It's not a failure it's an information-gathering process
Impulse control vs. trial and success learning
Instead of trying to develop an impulse control inside the animal, I much rather prefer to focus on teaching the essential skills that my dog needs. When you teach all of the skills step by step, you teach by adding successes not by eliminating errors.
How to teach calm behaviours?
Make it worthwhile for the dog to stay calm and teach him that "when I'm here, I get fed. I can just relax then". Watch the video and read more about this beautiful communication between species.
How to live a happy life with your pet?
Love your pet as he is. Accepting your pet doesn't mean that you can't try to change things if something doesn't work for both of you. It's about prioritising the most important things and letting go of the rest.
Is your dog your best friend or your prisoner? [Controversy alert!]
As partners, you can choose together with your dog what is good for him. Giving him choice and the element of control of his own life is not going to threaten you but is going to enrich his life and make it even more enjoyable. Wouldn't you like to give that to your best friend?
How to make your pet’s life more interesting?
When your dog or cat is entertained, you will have far less behavioural problems with them! Read more to get some ideas on how to make your pet's life more interesting.
Why is my dog doing this?
Why is my dog doing this? A question most dog guardians/caregivers/owners ask. What’s the most common answer dog trainers give? It depends.
Are you walking your dog for yourself or your dog?
Walking your dog can be a frustrating experience. It comes from misunderstanding each other. The dog doesn’t get to read all of the news (or check his Facebook) through sniffing and you feel like he doesn’t listen to you or is disobedient. Changing the way you see the walks and lowering your expectations can be an easier and faster way to enjoy your walks again.
How to help your dog succeed with the use of reinforcement?
Testing out many reinforcement strategies, going at your dogs’ pace and changing the environment of the training session gives your dog the biggest chance of succeeding in the training.
Where you can learn about animal training (video)
Learning is a huge passion of mine. Learning about animal training is my two biggest passions coming together! I would love to inspire you to learn more and continue to grow. It's not always easy and there can be plenty of obstacles (time, money, lack of guidance). Fortunately, there are many resources to learn from (much more than mentioned in the video) and I hope you will be able to find a suitable one for your situation.
Does your dog like hugging as much as you do?
Observing and assessing our dogs’ reaction is a skill that needs to be developed. It’s easy to miss all those subtle signs that our dogs share with us. As Chirag Patel says “if you listen to their whispers, they don’t have to shout”. Take this opportunity to look closer, observe and start asking questions. Does your dog like hugging as much as you do?
Many times we don’t even bother trying to learn a new skill. We convince ourselves that it’s not for us. When what we could do is to find the first successive approximation and start learning through a fun and successful process.