Bloemfontein DOG Training CLUB

24/05/2026

Hi All - still can't share anything onto this page, so here we go again with a huge list of things that may interest you. Of course, you can like/join these pages and see for yourselves.

#1. The DoGenius Institute - Dog Aggression towards a Person - 4 May 2025.

#2. Labrador Alexa - Smooth Floors - 10 May 2026.

#3. Labrador Alexa - Backyard/Walks - 10 May 2026.

#4. Labrador Alexa - Delayed Punishment - 6 May 2026.

#5. Labrador Alexa - The Scar of Fear - 23 May 2026.

#6. Rayton Diere Kliniek - Self Medicating Pets - 12 May 2026. (I would suggest you never do this unless you have taken advice from your Vet, who knows your dog.)

#7. Dog Discoveries - Why dogs love routines - 11 May 2026.

#8. Dog Discoveries - Why a backyard isn't a substitute - 23 May 2026.

#9. The Whole Dog Journal - Laser Point Syndrome in Dogs - 17 May 2026. (Another thing that you should never do with your cat or dog. There is no reward for them at the end of the chase and they can become obsessed with this.)

#10. Koven Moodley - Smart Pet Behaviour - Getting the Hump - 15 May 2026.

#11. DQ - Dog Quarterly - Body Condition Score - 18 May 2026.

#12. Train me Please - Dogs and Consent to be touched - 19 or 20 May 2026.

#13. Dogs Disclosed - What's in a Name? - 20 May 2026.

#14. Waldrup Somatic Method - 5 Things that help a shut down dog feel safe again - 22 or 23 May 2026. (Especially helpful if you have adopted a dog and they are not being happy and friendly. This will help you understand the possible reasons.)

#15. Paws Academy Dog Training - Hyper Puppy or completely Overtired? - 22 May 2026.

These are all pages I have joined or liked (when I still could). I like the information, have found it helpful and easy to understand.

Send a message to learn more

05/05/2026

It seems I'm still not allowed to share items onto this page.
So I've decided to see if giving you certain pages to check out will help.
I will give the page name, the item 'title' and the date the page posted/shared it.
If you could let me know if this is working or not, I'd be grateful.

#1. Dog Discoveries - Why do doorways trigger conflict? - 29 April 2026.
#2. Good Guardianship - There is no room for blame in behaviour - 28 April 2026.
#3. Koven Moodley - Smart Pet Behaviour - Submissive v Excitement urination in dogs - 1 May 2026.
And - The impacts of too much exercise - 2 May 2026.
#4. The Veterinary Receptionist - Quality of Life Scale - 2 May 2026.
#5. Dogwise - Love has no Age Limit - about patience with rescue/adopted dogs
And - about walking with you new rescue/adopted dog - 2 May 2026.

16/04/2026

Hi everyone - I'm having a bit of computer (or FB) trouble and discovered I can't share onto the page. Not sure why, so it might be a while before shared items reappear.

14/03/2026

SPRAY BOTTLES ARE AVERSIVE

The use of spray bottles to deter behaviour is a common recommendation on social media. But did you know that spraying your dog or cat with water to discourage behaviour is considered to be punishment and it can escalate certain behaviours?

It seems innocent enough and it does not hurt right? The main problem with this argument is that it does not stop any behaviour but only interrupts it in that moment. While your pet may stop what they are doing when you are present, they will resume that behaviour when you leave or when the spray bottle is not present.

It also can create a pessimistic pet over time and a negative association between you and your dog or cat which impacts the relationship - a spray bottle could be used to clean counter tops or windows so everytime your pet sees the bottle, they will assume it's for them and be afraid. In terms of the operant conditioning grid, yes punishment works IF consistently applied. To be effective, you have to literally stalk your pet day and night to ensure that you punish him consistently and timeously to ensure effectiveness - this is definitely not practical and hence ineffective. While we follow the science, we still need to prioritize a sentient being's physical and emotional safety and welfare while they learn, so for this reason ethical force-free professionals do not use punishment.

Rather focus on teaching an alternative, more rewarding behaviour to your pet. If your dog barks, reward him for quiet behaviour. Redirect your dog to a digging pit so he won't dig the flower beds.Teach your cat to use scratching posts instead of furniture. Reward your dog for sitting instead of jumping up. These are just some examples.

With so many easy ways to create alternative behaviours which will have long term postive outcomes, I am always gobsmacked by guardians who insist on sticking to punitive, outdated, non science-based methods to change behaviour.

14/03/2026

WHY DOGS DON'T FEEL GUILT

The same body language signals that we interpret as guilt—ears flattened, head lowered, tail between the legs—are actually signs of fear, stress and discomfort in dogs. They may also be trying to appease you to avoid punishment due to past experiences.

A dog may be fearful, confused, uncomfortable and worried because he has learned that when evidence of his misbehavior is visible and his owner appears, he gets punished - verbal, tactile, body language, or withdrawal of affection.

Since dogs have the same level of cognition and emotionality as a 2-3-year-old child, it is unlikely that they have higher-level emotions, such as guilt or shame. Studies so far show that these are higher level emotions from a well advanced neocortex that only humans have.

Dogs don't have a moral compass based on human norms, values, religion and ethics, so they have no concept of right and wrong. They only know what brings them reward or no rewards, punishment or no punishment. They are not naughty, spiteful, revengeful or stubborn as they don't have that code of conduct we hold other humans to. They are just dogs, trying to adjust to life in our world.

References:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/202107/do-dogs-really-feel-guilt-informal-demonstration

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4310318/

https://www.sciencealert.com/dogs-may-look-ashamed-but-they-don-t-feel-guilt-experts-say

https://psyche.co/ideas/if-animals-are-persons-should-they-bear-criminal-responsibility

14/03/2026

I would suggest trying to get this book to help you with your dog.

14/03/2026

Never use a laser to 'play' with your dog or cat. They can become very obsessed with it.

🔴 Laser Pointers & Dogs - Why They’re Not a Good Toy

Laser pointers might seem like a fun way to exercise a dog, but behaviour science and veterinary professionals increasingly warn that they can contribute to serious behavioural problems, particularly in intelligent, high-drive breeds.

Dogs are predators, and their brains are wired for a natural behavioural sequence known as the predatory motor pattern: orient, stalk, chase, grab, bite, and possess.

A laser pointer only stimulates the chase component of this sequence. Because the dog can never actually catch the light, the behaviour cycle is never completed. The brain therefore never receives the natural reward signal that normally follows a successful capture.

Over time this can lead to neurological frustration and compulsive behaviours.

Potential problems include:

• Obsessive light chasing – some dogs begin chasing reflections, shadows, or sunlight moving across floors and walls.

• Compulsive behaviours – veterinary behaviourists recognise this pattern as a possible trigger for Canine Compulsive Disorder (CCD), which is similar to obsessive-compulsive behaviours seen in humans.

• Chronic frustration – repeatedly triggering the chase response without a successful “catch” can keep dopamine and adrenaline pathways activated without resolution.

• Eye injury risk – direct exposure of the retina to laser light can potentially damage sensitive eye structures.

Research and Border Collies

Research published in the journal Animal Cognition by behavioural scientists including Claudia Fugazza and Ádám Miklósi highlights how highly trainable working breeds such as Border Collies show exceptional visual sensitivity to movement cues.

This intense responsiveness is one reason Border Collies excel at stock work and training, but it also means moving light stimuli can easily trigger fixation behaviours in some individuals.

Other behavioural studies into compulsive disorders in dogs have also found that high-drive breeds with strong chase instincts may be more vulnerable to developing repetitive behaviours when their predatory sequence is repeatedly interrupted.

Better ways to play

Activities that allow the dog to complete the full behaviour cycle are far healthier for their brain and behaviour. Good options include tug games, ball or disc fetch, flirt poles, scent games, and structured training activities.

These allow the dog to chase, catch, and succeed, which properly engages the brain’s reward system and helps prevent frustration.

For intelligent breeds like Border Collies, mental fulfilment is just as important as physical exercise.

A satisfied brain makes for a calmer, happier dog. 🐾

- Donna Williams,
Emerald Park Border Collies
www.emeraldparkbc.com

If you are a discerning person wanting to learn more about raising your puppy, this is the place for you! 👇

YOU MUST ANSWER THE QUESTIONS TO BE ACCEPTED!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/993763459262722

14/03/2026

If you have a resource guarding problem, contact a Animal Behavourist. However, make sure they are qualified.

Resource guarding does not make your dog bad. It means something feels important to them.

When we respect that and address the why, not just the behavior, real change happens.

If your household feels tense around food, toys, or found objects, we create individualized plans that protect both people and dogs. Book a consultation to get started: https://petharmonytraining.com/services/clients/