Browne Dog - Animal Behaviour Consulting

02/08/2022

How does your dog react to the vaccum cleaner? This research is investigating why some dogs are so chilled out around vacuum cleaners (I have to tell mine to move when I'm vacuuming the house) and yet other dogs really struggle being around these appliances. It's a short survey - and please take part even if your dog doesn't react, as the researchers need a control population too. Feel free to share widely!
https://unioflincoln.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2t7OrjHGlccyTMW

15/07/2022

I aim to keep my inter-species training sessions as relaxed and fun as possible for all animals. Take small and carefully controlled steps as part of structured training plan. My pets love it (look at that face!) - and so should yours!

12/07/2022

Muzzles are a great training tool!
* Muzzles mean that some dogs get exercised and trained when they otherwise wouldn't.
* They provide an extra layer of safety and security for dogs and people alike.
* They are a helpful signal to other people that a dog needs space.
* We need to normalise their use a lot more, and be accepting when we see other dogs wearing muzzles, for the reasons above.
* It's important that dogs are comfortable wearing their muzzle, and that they can eat and drink. If your dog is stressed or uncomfortable wearing a muzzle, it can cause it's own issues.
* There are heaps of great resources on helping your dog to be comfortable wearing their muzzle over at The Muzzle Up Project!

Image credit: The Muzzle Up Project & Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin

02/07/2022

Dogs don't always like being patted. We often pat our dogs after we've asked them to do something (think: recall) and I suspect this is actually often a mild punisher in a training context. Check out this short video for a great explanation of body language to look for.
Credit: Eileenanddogs

Lots of dogs tolerate being petted but don't really enjoy it. Learn to read dogs' body language signals and do a simple test to see if your dog really enjoys...

26/06/2022

Socialisation is not just for puppies! And lock downs have made this more relevant for many of our dogs. Just exposing your dog to a scary stimulus isn't enough (or kind) - there are more effective techniques you can use. Here's some great advice on how to do this in a way that boosts your dog's confidence.

Credit: Sara Reusche & Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin

14/06/2022

My office helper looks like he's made himself comfortable? 🤔

12/06/2022

Here is yet more evidence showing that while dogs have some breed-specific tendencies, with behaviours such as responsiveness to commands (and propensity for howling - who owns a husky or beagle?!), it's important to understand that a dog's breed is not a good predictor of other traits, such as how easily aggressive-type responses are elicited (for this threshold the authors state "breed is almost uninformative"). In fact, breed explained only 9% of variation in behaviour. Science must inform how we interact with our best friends.

Research finds that a dog’s behavior has little to do with its genes.

07/06/2022

Do you have a fearful dog? Companion Animal Psychology has a list of practical and evidence-based tips that really help.

The most important things to know if you have a fearful dog.

04/06/2022

This was Puku's (L) first and Kimchi's (R) last trip to Ruapuke Beach. Puku ran around like a lunatic, Kimchi splashed around in the waves, and both of them spent lots of time sniffing stuff together. 🐾

16/04/2018

Great video! It makes us realise how invasive our interactions with dogs can be.

04/04/2018

How good are you at picking dog breeds? Give this a go.

Project could help understand the nature versus nurture debate

03/04/2018

How does your dog deal with fireworks? Some researchers at the University of Bern would like to know. Please spend a few minutes answering their survey - this is a great thing to be researching.

"With this questionnaire we aim to investigate coping strategies of dogs when exposed to fireworks, possible factors influencing the development of firework fears, and the efficacy of different management and training methods."

With this questionnaire we aim to investigate coping strategies of dogs when exposed to fireworks, possible factors influencing the development of firework fears, and the efficacy of different management and training methods. Please answer all multiple choice questions; there are no correct or incor...

03/04/2018

Sniffing is important for dogs ... Even if it's not how we would say hi.

Dogs can tell A LOT about each other based on what they learn from sniffing each other's behinds, including info about a dog's owner, gender, reproductive status, health, diet, and even emotional state. [They Can Talk]

21/03/2018

I think this is a great start towards having a more pet-friendly environment! What do you think?

From gerbils to goats, if it fits in a cage and is a domestic pet, it will now be allowed to ride on Wellington's public transport network.

20/03/2018

What do puppies do to your brain?

15/03/2018

Walk, anyone? 😂

You’re about to find out what happens when you tell four big, energetic dogs they’re on their way to play at the park… and trust me, it’s awesome to watch. Recently, a YouTuber from Canada by the name of “T3” uploaded a hilarious video, and it’s already getting a ton of attention. “T...

11/03/2018

Using rewards is the best way to train a dog. Here's why.

07/03/2018

The myth of canine guilt