The Paddy Paws Co.

07/07/2023

DOMINANCE/ALPHA THEORY

This is one of the biggest myths, and probably the most damaging, in the industry. It continues to be perpetuated, despite being thoroughly debunked several decades ago.

Unfortunately, the meaning of “dominance” in dog training has been blurred and misunderstood. Dominance theory is commonly thought to be based on the belief that a dog behaves in the same way that a wolf would; this belief stems from early, flawed studies carried out on captive grey wolves, to demonstrate how they live and behave within their family unit. One of the first, most influential studies occurred in 1947 under Rudolph Schenkel, from the Zoological Institute of the University of Basel, in Switzerland.

Although Schenkel’s study was very detailed, it was flawed; the wolves studied were not, in fact, a family unit, but adult, individual wolves that were contained in a small enclosure outside of their natural environment. As the wolves were unrelated, the dynamics and interactions between them differed greatly from those of a family unit living in harmony; the close proximity of other unknown wolves would have been a source of great tension. Schenkel interpreted this tension as competition for rank within the “pack” and, unfortunately, this soon transferred into dominance theory for those dealing with and handling dogs.

The results of this study are still drawn on today in order to justify certain dog training methods, and much poor advice is given. This includes, but is not limited to:

*Always eat before your dog

*Do not let them go through doorways before you

*Do not allow them to walk ahead of you

*Do not allow them on your bed or furniture

*Affection and attention should be earned, rather than freely given

*Do not allow them to win during play, as they will gain the upper hand

*All dogs want to be the “pack leader” and are in constant battle with you to attain this role, and so on. These outdated beliefs are very damaging to the relationship you share with your dog and can lead to fear, anxiety, and even aggression.

However, since Rudolph Schenkel’s study, further research was carried out, and in the 1980s, another influential study emerged from American biologist David Mech, which highlighted the flaws in the earlier pack and dominance theory. This study was substantial; it was carried out over the course of thirteen summers, and reflected the true nature of the wild wolf pack being a family unit which lived peacefully, more akin to a human family.

We now know that:

*There is no reason to eat before your dog, as it makes no difference to them.

*Going through doorways before your dog is only encouraged from a safety point of view and for the sake of manners, but has no bearing on how a dog views himself or his “status”.

*It doesn’t matter what position he assumes on a walk, although it is useful to see what he is doing and to engage fully with him, so it is helpful for him to be beside or in front, rather than behind.

*Ignoring your dog when returning home can cause him to feel stressed; it is much kinder to teach an acceptable behaviour such as a sit, or hand them a toy and then make a fuss.

*Play can be initiated by either you or your dog. It is important to let him win so that he doesn’t become bored, or no longer wishes to interact. Playing tug and allowing him to win frequently can help to build confidence and resilience. It is also a great way to teach him to return a toy to you or take it from you, which can also help build pauses into play to regulate arousal levels.

Behaviour issues have frequently been attributed to “dominance,” but when investigated, they often stem from fearfulness. An example of this is the reactive, barking and lunging dog who at first glance appears to be aggressive towards others, but he is simply behaving in this way as a distance-increasing tactic to put space between him and the thing that he is frightened of. It could not be further from the label of “dominance,” and would be very damaging to the reactive dog for him to be regarded in this way, in terms of dealing with their fear effectively and kindly.

© Trailie Paws For Thought
https://www.trailiepawsforthought.com/

04/07/2023

If you're considering attending animal yoga classes, or anything where animals are the main attraction, give this article a read and listen to the podcast.

I've had an issue with puppy yoga for a few years now. I'm not going to lie, when I first saw it advertised about 7-8 years ago, I thought it looked great fun. But as someone who now works with dogs and has qualifications in canine behaviour, everything about these sessions scream ABSOLUTELY NOT!

There's all the reasons mentioned in the article, but there's also the risk that these pups could get injured or distressed by the patrons. The podcast also mentions how even if they had licenses for these activities, they break the terms of the licenses, as the puppies aren't being given their basic rights.

There's a few yoga studios in Essex and London. I urge you not to attend and if you use their other classes, please reach out to them, refer them to this investigation. The chances are the yoga studio are as oblivious as the patrons, as they aren't animal professionals.

https://www.itv.com/news/2023-07-03/is-puppy-yoga-ethical-the-dark-side-of-a-growing-wellness-trend

26/06/2023

We use buffalo horn, marrow bones and raw meaty bones!

Should you feed your dog RAWHIDE?

One of the DEADLIEST yet most popular treats on the market.

Why should you steer clear?

👎 They are subject to all sorts of chemicals (some remain in the final product).
👎 Extremely difficult for your dog to digest, meaning they can remain in the system and cause a blockage later on.
👎 Can remain in your dog's system for weeks/months, requiring them to have an emergency surgery or result in death.

There are many great alternatives safer for your dog, such as recreational bones. Let me know which you feed to your dog.

21/06/2023

I cannot stress how fantastic this video is at breaking down body language. Hopefully it'll help some of my wonderful followers when it comes to looking after their pooches and other local dogs in the area too. After all, we don't like everyone we meet and dogs are no exception to this!

07/06/2023

Choosing the right dog walker for your four-legged companion requires careful consideration. You want someone who not only enjoys spending time with dogs, but also follows high ethical standards. Here are the key factors you should consider ensuring that you're entrusting your canine friend to an ethical dog walker:

Understanding Your Dog's Unique Needs:

A considerate dog walker understands that every dog is an individual, with their own temperament, physical abilities, and personal comfort zones. They should be prepared to adapt their approach to suit your dog's specific needs, considering things like walking pace, distance, and any behavioural tendencies.

Considerate Group Sizes:

An ethical dog walker will limit the number of dogs they walk at the same time. This shows their commitment to offering each dog the attention and care they require, placing the welfare of the dogs above the potential to earn more by walking larger groups.

Commitment to Safety:

Look for a dog walker who prioritises safety. They should use suitable and secure equipment, such as robust leads and secure harnesses. Additionally, they should assure you that your dog will be safely fastened during transport and that they always follow road rules. The presence of a first aid kit is also a good indicator of their preparedness for emergencies.

Professionalism and Honesty:

A professional dog walker should maintain transparency with their clients. This means they're willing to discuss any incidents or issues that occur during the walk. They should also be clear about their services, fees, and any changes to schedules or plans.

Up-to-Date Canine Knowledge:

A responsible dog walker should keep updating their knowledge about dog behaviour, health concerns, breed-specific traits, and the latest developments in their field. This ongoing commitment to learning reflects their dedication to their profession and ability to provide optimal care for your dog.

By using these guidelines, you can find an ethical dog walker who not only provides a professional service but also genuinely cares for the well-being of your dog.

05/05/2023

Don't be that person with their dog on their lap or roaming the back seat

Always cage or safely restrain ❤️

If you're really lucky, your dog becoming a projectile will only injure you. If it's shot out of the car, you could seriously injure or kill a member of the public and you will be criminally responsible for not having your dog restrained.

Even though ours travel in the (very large) boot, they are always restrained with crash tested harnesses and restraints.

If you are pulled over with an unrestrained dog in your vehicle, you can be issued with a fine of up to £5000.

And as lovely as some of the fashionable harness and doggy seatbelts are, think logically. Simple school physics tells you that you should always go for a crash tested/load tested method of restraint. If the material of the harness is strained when your dog pulls, it will not hold up in an accident.

I'd also consider what happens after an accident. If your dog isn't injured and just scared, if you open the door to a scared dog, it's likely to engage the animal brain and go into flight or fight mode (most likely flee!) Which could cause a subsequent accident.ost people don't realise, if your dog runs off and is hit by a car, you are responsible for causing the accident for not having your dog under control, as sad as that situation is. So this means your financially responsible for repairs to the vehicle and any physical or psychological injury incurred by the other party.

Look after those fluffy guys in the car. It's really not worth the risk ❤️

"After posting about our accident online, one woman told me that her friend had been hit in the head by her German shepherd during a crash and that woman is now paralyzed from the neck down. She was only 28 years old. Another post mentioned that scared and injured dogs were roaming the streets in the moments after an accident."
Read more here:
https://www.mimsafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/AWPGA_CratesSaveDogLives.pdf

04/05/2023

A little get well soon post for our favourite and most accident prone Iggy, Peanut the little wing nut! Sending healing vibes and post cage rest zoomies for when he's a bit better ❤️

28/04/2023

What a giant milestone in animal welfare!

Controversial shock collars for dogs will be banned from early next year, sparing half a million dogs from the painful devices which inflict pain for up to 11 seconds

02/04/2023

Definitely spoilt for amazing groomers!

Mrs G's Groom Room and Rockstar Dogs Groom Room!

Very proud to say that the way I work has lead me to achieve the Taking the Grrr out of Grooming Dogs Approved Professionals status as an Approved Groomer.

This education initiative has been created by Sue Williamson with the aim to reduce the number of dogs with grooming anxieties by bringing together, dog groomers, trainers and behaviourists.

It assures clients that I not only follow the ethos of Taking the Grrr out of Grooming Dogs- which is holistic, behaviour led and consent based, but also have the expertise and knowledge to incorporate consent based grooming in my day to day work with my clients.

There are only 8 other groomers in the country to have achieved this status so far and 2 of them are in Bedfordshire which is amazing.

Congratulations also to my holistic colleagues Tracey Rose @ Tracey Rose Grooming in Clapham and Sylvia Gianninotti Mrs G's Groom Room in Sandy, who I'm especially proud of as I introduced her into this way of grooming. ❤️🐾

If any of my dog pro friends would like to learn more about the Approved Professionals programme check out
https://www.facebook.com/groups/takingthegrrroutofgroomingdogs/permalink/1145951326092577

26/03/2023

Let's be done with this silly myth. Even the scientist who wrote the paper is done with this nonsense. If your doggy pro starts chatting about Alfa's, you know it's time to move on.

David Mech’s best-selling book “The Wolf,” first published in 1970, laid out a hierarchy of pack order using the terms “alpha” and “beta.” But, in the years since, Mech has requested his publisher stop printing the book. “It turned out all that stuff was mostly wrong,” he says. Read the full story of the alpha myth: http://nyer.cm/o30BGQL