Meet Their Needs Dogs

03/09/2025

02/24/2025

I wonder what our dogs would say about us 🤔

When we work with our dogs, it’s also about reflecting on our own behaviour.
Find exercises for you both in the app, because relationships are about partnership and self improvement for both of us. ❤️

02/20/2025

The Problem With Human Need For Instant Gratification vs Dog Training (Why Aversive Methods Persist).

🧠The human brain is wired to seek quick fixes, often favoring immediate results over long-term solutions, even when those promises are unrealistic. This tendency stems from our preference for instant gratification, a behavior well documented in behavioral economics and psychology (Mischel et al., 1972). For instance, many fall victim to fad diet plans promising rapid weight loss, magic wrinkle removing creams claiming to erase years of aging overnight, or schemes guaranteeing to quadruple money in a week with zero risk.

⚠️These 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙨 (that’s exactly what they are) prey on our desire for fast outcomes, exploiting the brain’s aversion to delayed rewards and effortful solutions. Research on decision making shows that individuals are more likely to opt for immediate rewards in moments of stress or uncertainty, which clouds judgment and leads to irrational choices (Loewenstein & Elster, 1992).

‼️Recognizing this cognitive bias is crucial to making more informed, rational decisions and avoiding common traps.

❎In today’s fast-paced world, we’re all accustomed to instant results whether it’s next day shipping or streaming a show in seconds. Unfortunately, this desire for immediate outcomes often spills over into dog training, leading many to turn to aversive tools like prong, shock, or choke collars. While these methods may provide quick behavioral changes, they come at a high cost to the dog’s wellbeing and the human-animal bond.

🦮A dog pulling on the lead or barking incessantly can be frustrating. Aversive methods often appear effective because they cause discomfort or fear that interrupts the behaviour right away. For someone seeking immediate relief, the “problem” seems solved, reinforcing their belief that the method is justified.

📖The psychology behind is the human mindset rooted in our natural bias for immediate gratification. Research shows that people often prioritize short term outcomes over long term benefits, especially in high stress situations (Loewenstein & Thaler, 1989). Our brains are wired to seek immediate rewards, even if they come at a cost to future wellbeing. When dog owners are stressed or overwhelmed by unwanted behaviors, they may be more inclined to choose aversive methods for their perceived quick fix solutions.

🔬Behavioural science highlights how humans may develop a “punishment reinforcement loop” in which the relief from stopping an unwanted behavior becomes reinforcing (Skinner, 1971). This loop can make it difficult to move away from aversive methods once they are perceived to “work,” even if they cause long term damage to the dog.

🤨What about justifying the use of aversive tools?

Many justify aversive methods by claiming that they “work” because they suppress unwanted behaviours. However, research indicates that while these methods may temporarily stop the behaviour, they can lead to increased anxiety, fear, and aggression in dogs (Ziv, 2017). There’s a significant difference between a dog who stops pulling because of fear and one who walks calmly because they understand what’s expected. The latter builds trust and confidence, while the former creates stress and potentially worsens behavioural issues.

❓What is the long term solution?

✅Education, education, education of the human end of the lead.

✅ Changing mindsets one dog person at a time.

✅Shifting the perspective.

When we’re tempted to use aversive methods, it’s helpful to pause and reflect: Are we prioritizing our need for immediate control over our dog’s long term wellbeing? By shifting our mindset to focus on the bigger picture, we can create a healthier, happier relationship with our dogs - one built on understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.

❇️In dog training, as in life, the best outcomes often come when we’re willing to invest the time and patience necessary for meaningful, lasting change.

References:
• Hiby, E. F., Rooney, N. J., & Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2004). Dog training methods: their use, effectiveness, and interaction with behavior and welfare. Animal Welfare, 13(1), 63-69.
• Loewenstein, G., & Thaler, R. H. (1989). Anomalies in intertemporal choice: Evidence and an interpretation. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 104(2), 573-597.
• Skinner, B. F. (1971). Beyond Freedom and Dignity. Alfred A. Knopf.
• Ziv, G. (2017). The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs: A review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 19, 50-60.

02/20/2025

02/12/2025

02/09/2025

*BIG SALE!*

Too cold to go on long walks??

Try our UWT at a REDUCED rate!

Keep your pup warm and exercises during these long winter days.

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02/06/2025

How the heck do you change a dogs emotions ?
I know this looks complicated but it can change EVERYTHING ✅
Reactive dog ❓
Anxious dog ❓
This is one very important graphic and the information it contains really CAN help.
If you are banging your head against a wall or don't know where to start, understanding this is a great first step.
I will put some videos in the comments which can help and one talks about this process some more too.
This is available as a handout through https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-under-5-to-desensitise?srsltid=AfmBOoqJYXiQNkPqIIUige_L1l3nMXLlsMBULzSvbV89VpVUccoHdEeQ

02/05/2025

I love this quote from Patricia McConnell. If you haven’t read her books, read them ALL. We shouldn’t measure progress by our dog’s ability to cope with social situations, we should measure how safe and happy they feel ❤️

01/29/2025

Reward based training is used for large and extremely dangerous animals like primates, big cats, bears and alligators to remain still for health examinations and blood draws (an unpleasant experience but necessary for their health at times). Yet apparently a Belgian Malinois is 'too much dog' for reward based training to be effective and so they need shock collars, prong collars etc?

Dogs have been shaped by human selection for thousands of years to live alongside us and work with us in a wide variety of jobs. If non-domesticated animals can be trained to willingly do things through reward based training, why would a domesticated species need harsh training and handling?

01/28/2025

You asked and we listened! The Titan kennel is finally here! At 48" long x 35" tall x 32" wide it's the largest kennel we've ever produced. Perfect for large breed pets and even small livestock, the Titan is ready to tackle even your biggest adventures! https://rufflandkennels.com/product/titan-kennel/

01/27/2025

We believe diversity is a source of strength, equity is worth pursuing, inclusive practices foster humanity and progress, women's and LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, retaining control over our outcomes is fundamental, and kindness reflects true character. We reaffirm our commitment to foster inclusivity in training and behavior. In 2025, we will expand our scholarship opportunities for those who represent and/or support underserved and underrepresented communities. We will continue to evaluate and explore ways to further support this through our various platforms and brands in the weeks, months, and years ahead. More: https://bit.ly/4jKjlCD

01/18/2025

Accidental attachment ‘parenting’

Taking on a tiny 6 day old puppy unintentionally taught me a great deal about attachment and how crucial secure attachments are for our dogs’ emotional health.

It’s pretty easy to meet our dogs physical needs and that was even quite easy with a tiny puppy- she needed feeding, she needed help toileting and she needed to be kept warm.

It was apparently straight away that meeting these physical needs and leaving her on a heat pad in a pen was in no way going to meet her emotional needs. It’s not just warmth that puppies need, it’s physical contact with a living being. Heat pads, fake heart beats in toys etc for a solo puppy, just doesn’t do it. She was more settled and content in close physical contact- she preferred with me but any other human or dog would do. She wanted to be next to skin and near a heartbeat, at all times and so that’s where she stayed, for as long as she needed it.

The option of close physical contact with someone they are attached to is such a basic need. I’m sure most of us remember hearing about the awful Harlow experiments where monkey babies had the choice of a wire ‘mother’ (with milk) or a soft, cloth ‘mother’ and would choose the soft mother even at the expense of milk, such is that basic need.

I have children and it felt so similar to when my kids were tiny babies too. I certainly didn’t deny them a need to be near me and I didn’t with this tiny puppy either. When they are developmentally ready (human babies and tiny puppies), they choose to be more independent from you and they spread their wings.

Of course it’s not just about the need for physical contact anyway when they are tiny- it’s about the need to feel safe too and that’s a fundamental need that must be met.

When puppies go into new homes at 8 weeks old they don’t suddenly stop having this need for physical contact and to feel safe near a living being. They go from feeling safe near to mum and siblings to being totally dependent on their new human family. It breaks my heart to think of them relegated to a crate in a kitchen. Of course they stop crying after a couple of nights as they give up any hope that anyone will help them. It certainly doesn’t help them to feel safe and secure in the world.

The same goes for an adult rescue dog who has often suffered so much upheaval and broken attachments along the way and who needs more than anything to just feel safe and secure and to have a bond with someone. This need for connection is a basic need that must be met, the same as being fed and watered.

I know people worry that if you ‘pander’ to them and give them lots of company they will become clingy or overly dependant but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Letting them develop a secure attachment results in resilient and confident individuals who feel safe in the world.

I see so many clients who’ve had awful advice and who have been told that their dog has behavioural issues as they are too nice to them, love them too much etc. it’s all absolute rubbish and they won’t turn into a monster if you meet their needs for safety, it’s quite the opposite and you help them to develop to their full potential ❤️

Laura McAuliffe, Dog Communication 2024