GM News - April 2025

Happy Easter

from Amanda, David, & Ruth
Gentle Modern School of Dog Training

Top Tip 1: Practice where you want it

Say your dog can reliably "stay" in the backyard - Yay! - they've 'got' "Stay". Yes, but . . . You can't assume your dog can "stay" at the park unless you've practiced "stay" at the park.
A behaviour is consolidated when you've practiced in different places, at different times of day, and, if your dog has more than one handler, with different people.

Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone

Top Tip 2: Have compassion for yourself and your dog

"Ultimately, our dog's choices are never within our control. We can't control that living being, we can only control the environment and the training that we give to them so that they make great choices. . . . We have to normalise dogs are dogs, they are not robots." Susan Garrett, The Power Of Perception: Reframing Dog Training Setbacks Into Successes, Dogs That podcast, Ep #287 When you're getting responses from your dog that you don't want, you can (for example)

Review the environment - too challenging for your dog?
Take a break
Think about the way you're teaching - Would your dog benefit from breaking the skill down? Do you need guidance? Could incorporating more play help? Are your expectations a mismatch with your dog's stage of development? Video your training to get a different perspective. Etc.

"If you know there are things within your control that can alter the outcome, you've got no reason to get frustrated, disappointed or discouraged."

Top Tip 3: Start a Wins Jar

This is an idea I picked up from Niki French, a UK Dog Trainer: "grab a jar with a screw top lid and every time you notice a win with your dog, write it on a small piece of paper and fold it up and pop it in the jar." Read the wins as needed!

(When I feel a bit down about Pluto's behaviour - see the photo at the bottom of this newsletter - I unscrew the jar, read the slips and do some deep breaths :-)

Body Language: 'Research reveals humans struggle to accurately read dogs' emotions'

In a Study conducted by Arizona State University (ASU), participants were asked to view videos of dogs in particular situations and interpret what the dog was feeling.
"'People do not look at what the dog is doing, instead they look at the situation surrounding the dog and base their emotional perception off of that', said Molinaro, an ASU Ph.D. student in Psychology & Animal Welfare. . . . 'You see a dog getting a treat, you assume he must be feeling good. You see a dog getting yelled at, you assume he's feeling bad. . . . In our study, when people saw a video of a dog apparently reacting to a vacuum cleaner, everyone said the dog was feeling bad and agitated. . . . But when they saw a video of the dog doing the exact same thing, but this time appearing to react to seeing his leash, everyone reported that the dog was feeling happy and calm. People were not judging a dog's emotions based on the dog's behavior, but on the situation the dog was in'. . . . 'We need to be humbler in our understanding of our dogs. . . . Really pay attention to your own dog's cues and behaviors'." (my emphasis)
[Full Research Article: Barking Up the Wrong Tree: Human Perception of Dog Emotions Is Influenced by Extraneous Factors Holly G. Molinaro &Clive D. L. Wynne Published online: 10 Mar 2025]
Some examples that occurred to me:

If we believe all dogs love belly rubs, we might not notice the dog's stiffness and strained/tight face as we scratch their tummy.
If we rely on our dog's unconditional love, we might ignore signs that they are really not enjoying our child being so close to them (leaning away, whites of their eyes showing, head lowered)

Are there any biases/blind spots that occur to you?

Check out the canine body language resources on our website

While you enjoy time with family and friends, remember the particular dangers to dogs and cats. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats. The darker the chocolate, the higher the toxicity. Take care that every egg hidden for an Easter Egg Hunt in the garden is found by humans.

The sultanas and raisins in Hot Cross Buns pose a risk to pets. Grapes and their dried versions can cause kidney damage in cats and dogs.

Skip the lilies in any floral arrangements - lilies are poisonous to cats + dogs.

Hosting an Easter Gathering? You'll have lots to do! Consider asking someone to be a buddy for your dog. They'll be keeping an eye out for bits of chocolate, foil, and other dangers that might be lying around and giving your dog some quiet time in a safe space (or a walk) if they need it.

Speaking of having guests . . . [Your reward for reading to the end]

You might like to get hold of this sign:

If the Dog is Bothering You, I can Get you a Treat and Put you Outside

When you get tired partway through destruction