GM News - October 2024

This edition is about our cuddly canine companions being Dogs :-)

Happy October!
Amanda, David, & Ruth
Gentle Modern School of Dog Training

Top Tip 1: Strive not to overestimate or misinterpret your dog

"Dogs do not possess the same level of critical thinking skills as humans. Dogs think in the moment, similar to how a toddler might. For dogs, it is not about long-term consequences, and they do not stay awake at night plotting their next move. Their actions are based on what works for them in the moment. Behaviors that caregivers may interpret as anger or spite are often motivated by anxiety, frustration, and fear instead." Top 10 Myths About Canine Behavior by Veterinarian Christine D. Calder

We might apply a negative connotation to our dog's behaviour "He's blowing me off!!"

when he races off after the ducks ignoring his humans, when it's fairer to think 'He's a dog doing what dogs do'

I can match my expectations to what he's capable of
and/or
I can set him up to do what I want more easily [e.g. not get too close to the ducks]
and/or
I can train him to forego his natural impulses [e.g. chasing the ducks] and come back to me when I call.

Top Tip 2: Tone of Voice Influences Response

Stanley Coren in Psychology Today reviews research that shows a kind positive tone of voice positively affects a dog's emotions, learning and performance and vice versa.
"These findings* recommend using a friendly approach even if the animals present responses different from the ones requested. This strategy can create a positive atmosphere, favouring compliance with commands and the animals' development of a more positive emotional disposition."
*The original research study is The Power of Discourse: Associations between Trainers’ Speech and the Responses of Socialized Wolves and Dogs to Training

Body Language

Lots of things dogs do are offputting to us humans. Why do dogs lick each other’s genitals?

“Licking a fluid, such as urine, brings more of the scent molecules up to the nose and vomeronasal organ so that the dog can gather more information about the other dog.” Sharon Vincuilla, Dog Behavior Consultant, interviewed in Why Do Dogs Lick Other Dogs? by Elizabeth Holbrook

Humans have a vomeronasal organ too, but the human version doesn't seem to be particularly effective. A canine vomeronasal organ is located inside the nasal cavity and opens into the roof of the mouth behind the upper incisors.

This Time of Year . . . Halloween

Do people celebrate Halloween in your local community - decorating their gardens, trick or treating on 31 October? It can be disconcerting for dogs.

Check out our Facebook Post on the topic and Taming the Howls: Managing Your Dog's Fear on Halloween by Christine D. Calder

Reward for Reading to the End . . .

Have you ever idly daydreamed about the possibility of a robotic dog that, whilst looking, feeling and (mostly) acting like a real dog, would do your bidding instantly with enthusiasm? Just me? :-)

Jennie is nowhere near that dog of my imagination. Jennie's a prototype dog designed to comfort people with physical and/or mental challenges. Jennie makes puppy sounds, sensors allow her to respond to touch, she can react to instructions such as "speak". (Robotic cats with less functionality have been around for a while.) Check out Jennie