05/04/2025
FACT OR FICTION? RE DOGS
I hear too many incorrect or preconceived ideas about dogs (begotten from unqualified people or dog guardians on social media) in my line of work. Here are some myths or fictions:
1. Old dogs can't learn new tricks - FICTION
Older dogs can learn new skills. It just takes a bit more time, consistency and patience to teach them.
2. Punishment works during training - FICTION
Science-based studies have found that positive reinforcement-rewarding good behavior is far more effective in creating lasting behavioral changes. It is proven that dogs respond better to rewards than fear-based training. Fear is about compliance while positive reinforcement is about choice based actions. Fear leads to distrust while positive reinforcement and choice based behaviour modification leads to building trust between animal and guardian.
3. Certain breeds are stubborn or difficult to train - FICTION
Any dog breed can be trained. One needs to find what motivates them to learn or respond by tapping into their innate needs.
4. Your dog wants to dominate you so be the alpha - FICTION
The dominance theory of dog training has been debunked by modern behavioural science. Many still believe you have to assert dominance to effectively train a dog. However, a canine professional focuses on building trust, communication, and a strong relationship to naturally encourage consent behaviours.
5. Harnesses cause a dog to pull - FICTION
Dogs were born to be free and run. They need training to walk with a harness calmly. A harness is still aversive as it limits freedom but it is the least aversive of all restraint based tools like neck, choke, prong, head or shock collars as it is does not harm any sensitive part of the anatomy. It takes skill to teach a dog without hurting him or her.
6. My dog went to puppy school so nothing else is needed - FICTION
Training your dog in every life phase while giving them life skills are essential to your dog understanding how to navigated in a chasing human world. Training must be ongoing as opposed to once off. Training is not only for 'problem' dogs or big dogs - training can benefit all dogs irrespective of size and breed.
7. My dog feels guilt and knows when he is naughty - FICTION
Dogs have the brain of a human toddler. They don't have a religious or ethical framework to pin their actions to. When your dog looks sheepish when being scolded, it is because of fear due to your voice tone or body language.
8. If your dog sits on the couch or wins a tug game or runs out the door in excitement or eats before you or sleeps on your bed, then he will try and be the alpha - FICTION
Dogs do what is rewarding to them. They live in the moment. If they run out the door, it is due to excitement. If they sleep on the couch or bed, it's because it's comfortable. I have never met a dog who ran the household because he ate first. They are family and have no desire to be your boss.
9. Dogs dominate each other in the home - FICTION
Dogs have fluid, interchangeable relationships with the other dogs in the family and no one is competing for alpha status. They will compete for resources that are important to them.
10. Rescue dogs make worse pets than dogs purchased from a breeder - FICTION
Each dog is an individual. Each one can be trained with equal fairness and in line with their individual personality and needs.
11. Treating my dog during training is bribery - FICTION
Treats are an effective tool for reinforcing behaviours. It's payment to a dog to indicate that they are on the right track or that they are doing a good job. Humans work for payment and so do dogs. The right incentive encourages them to focus. Some dogs find toys or walks more incentivizing so find what your dog values and pay him handsomely during training.
12. It takes rescue dogs 3 months to settle in their home - FICTION
It takes as long as it takes and depends on each individual dog.
13. A 2nd dog will cure my first dog of barking excessively or of separation anxiety - FICTION
It won't solve the problem as your dog misses humans. It can make the issue worse. Same with barking. Barking could be from boredom or excitement. A 2nd dog can add to the drama.
14. Crate training will cure my dog of behaviour problems - FICTION
Crates should be a safe place for dogs to go to if they choose to. It should not a punishment to resolve house training or barking or separation anxiety. Locking up a dog for hours while you are at work can be deemed cruel as the dog does not a chance to exercise natural behaviours like hunting, exploring or sniffing his environment.
15. Dogs should cry it out when alone. They will get used to it - FICTION
This only serves to create a pessimistic dog who loses confidence in himself and his guardian. This punishment can cause permanent neurochemical changes in the brain resulting in the dog being less emotionally resilient and stressed about novelty in the long run.
16. Sterilization solves aggression - FICTION
There are many different types of aggression. It is a complex emotional state and cannot be resolved by sterilization alone. 99% of my aggression cases involve sterilized dogs engaged in defensive or offensive aggression.
17. Dogs don't have feelings of fear, sadness, love, happiness, worry, anxiety or anger - FICTION
Dogs are complex emotional beings. Jaak Panksepp proved that dogs, and other animals, have similar emotional lives to humans.
18. All dogs of a particular breed should be similar - FICTION
While they may have similar breed characteristics, their personality, temperament, experiences, training and epi genetics can shape them as individuals. We need to stop comparing and respect the dog in front of us.
19. My dog does not like other dogs so he must be broken - FICTION
Some dogs prefer other dogs for company and some not. Some are selective and get on with certain types or sizes of other dogs. It is perfectly normal for your dog not to be a social butterfly. Respect their individuality.
20. Hu***ng is a sign of dominance in dogs - FICTION
Whether dogs humps other dogs, cats, a person's leg or a cushion is absolutely not a sign of dominance. It could be due to over stimulation, ambivalence, high arousal, stress, anxiety, a UTI or sexual rehearsal. Hu***ng is complicated but it's certainly not due to one trying to dominate another. Imagine trying to dominate a cushion or soft toy?
What else can you think off?
