22/07/2025
“Ignore growling”
Just this week alone, I have met and worked with three dogs (from different households) various breeds, age and s*x - all of which have escalated growling to a bite!
ALL of the dogs owners have worked with vet recommended behaviourists. They all received the same advice 🧐
*Ignore the growling
*Redirect to food or a toy
*Turn your back and walk away if it persists
These instructions are all in order - if ignoring fails, try redirecting, if redirecting fails, try turning your back and walking away 🚷
Following these instructions, ALL of the dogs have escalated growling to bite 😔
Two of the dogs are medicated (SSRI’s) One ‘was’ booked for euthanasia
The common denominator isn’t breed, age, female, male, food, previous histories etc…..
It is a lack of clarity surrounding expectations!!!!
The boundaries are not clear! The verbal communications are not clear! Reinforcement of behaviour hasn’t been clear - owners have misunderstood or haven’t been aware of how THEY have reinforced the undesirable behaviours!
If owners are confused about their expectations, dogs have no hope of working it all out! Being opportunistic, they will seek out the highest rewards, in the quickest amount of time! If growling (or) biting their owner allows for them to spend longer sitting on the sofa ‘VOILA’ 🥳 The dog achieved successful outcome - behaviour reinforced!
Insurance premiums are covering ‘most’ of the cost towards ‘vet recommendations’ for ‘behaviourists’ It is enticing to owners, from a financial aspect. However, dogs are suffering as a result of failed interventions!
It’s a disservice to dogs 🐕
