Socialization remains one of the simplest yet most complex components of dog behavior. Some argue it’s also the most important. The pandemic challenged pet owners new and old to help dogs adjust and socialize. Rachel Brix, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, offers some dos and don’ts to help dogs socialize and deal with separation issues. . . . dogs don’t develop issues overnight, and they … [Read more...]
Search Results for: dog socialization
Temple Grandin, PhD, MS, featured in NEWStat about dogs, fear, and socialization
"Dogs today have more fears than they’ve ever had.” – Temple Grandin, PhD Tony McReynolds shares parts of a discussion with Grandin. Her comments about dog socialization form important considerations for the modern dog. Source: AAHA NEWStat, March 4, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Are dog parks good for socialization?
Karen London, PhD, clears up some behavioral vernacular and addresses opportunities and issues of dog parks. She says only puppies can be socialized in the technical sense, but adult dogs can benefit from social interaction. Source: The BARk, March 2020. Link. Not all dogs need to be around other dogs or benefit from being social in the general sense, but many do. It’s great … [Read more...]
8 reasons a dog may be anxious
Anxiety in dogs is displayed, among other behaviors, through fear responses, aggression, noise phobia, separation anxiety and compulsive behaviors. Some of these can be subtle or ignored as normal. Caroline Wilkinson shares reasons a dog may have anxiety. Lack of socialization, life changes and owner anxiety are among them. Source: Pets Radar. Link. INSIGHTS: This is a … [Read more...]
Tips for socializing dogs with other dogs
Holiday gatherings can be challenging, but adding pets to the mix can be an ordeal, especially if socialization training has been ignored. Cammi Morgan shares tips to help pet owners realize their responsibility to properly socialize their dogs. She includes comments about puppy age, vaccination, dog park safety and approaches for undersocialized dogs. Be realistic . . . dogs … [Read more...]
Study: Time spent with dogs increases brain activity in the prefrontal cortex
We continue to learn more about the effects of interacting with dogs. A new study used live dogs to measure brain activity as human subjects interacted with a dog versus a stuffed animal. The findings indicate that cuddling with real dogs and stuffed animals increases brain activity in the prefrontal region, but dogs cause significantly more brain activity than stuffed … [Read more...]
Dogtopia catering to a new breed of pet owners
Instead of going all in with a human baby, millennials are easing into parenthood with pets, or starter babies, which the generation affectionately refers to as fur babies. Neil Gill, CEO, president of Dogtopia, says millennials are taking pet parenthood seriously and they are not going it alone. They are seeking services to help them cater to their dogs’ needs beyond the … [Read more...]
7 ways to help puppies socialize with other dogs
There are at least three television shows airing now that deal with canine behavior issues. As much information as there is about socializing, there’s always a need to reinforce what’s known and encourage owners to learn and do more. Socialization is very important in a dog’s life. It is crucial for its development and for its safety too. All dogs need to interact with … [Read more...]
Dog park etiquette
Harriet Meyers reminds us that not all dogs are ready for a dog park experience. She discusses the benefits and focuses on readiness including vaccination, safety, environmental concerns and socialization. Her article is a good one for social media and newsletters. Source: AKC, October 7, 2020. Link. Also see: How to safely greet a strange dog, AKC, November 6, 2020. … [Read more...]
Puppy socialization when sheltered in place
Socialization for new puppies and for newly adopted dogs is critical to help them adapt to their surroundings. Mary Schwager shares ideas for exposing puppies and dogs to new things, even while social distancing. Source: Dogster, April 3, 2020. Link. When you help a dog through difficult things using clear criteria and communication, they learn to trust and believe in you. … [Read more...]
The dog park is no place to socialize a puppy
Dog parks may seem like great additions to the community, but they’re rife with problems for you, and for your dog writes Sassafras Lowrey. She offers things to know and consider before heading to the dog park. Dog parks are not a safe place to socialize a puppy under 6-12 months old.” Nik Hof Source: New York Times, February 6, 2020. Link. Having your dog in a dog park … [Read more...]
Socializing dogs is an important responsibility
A recent trip to a big box pet retailer with our Morkie underscores Brianna Alex’s message about canine socialization. It is a critical component of training our pets. I’m not sure Alex’s five tips covers an excited, barking dog in the toy aisle, but she offers counsel every pet owner should receive. Her tips include: Take the dog for walks Expose the dog to different … [Read more...]
Therapy dogs may help with ADHD
There is good reason to suspect that dogs could be helpful for kids with ADHD, writes Karen B. London, PhD. If the Motivational Hypothesis is true, then interacting with dogs may help these kids by heightening their arousal and emotional states which may lead to increased attention and interest in the environment in which therapy takes place. Although promising, there is … [Read more...]
The most important thing to teach dogs
Before you dive into this article, write down your top three answers to test yourself. Nicole Wilde admits that not biting, potty skills and socialization are important for dogs. But for day-to-day living the most important thing you can teach them is how to ask politely for what they want. This article is sound advice for pet owners and is worth using for social media … [Read more...]
Behind the scenes of socializing neglected, abused dogs
Severely neglected or mistreated dogs may have suffered any number of abuses: constant physical restraint or confinement, lack of appropriate nourishment, endless environmental stressors, even outright physical punishment. Marybeth Bittel shares some of the challenges of preparing these animals for their new lives. Source: Dogster, November 9, 2017. Potential adopters may … [Read more...]
Cesar’s short guide to shopping with your dog
U.S. businesses are increasingly accommodating to our pets, especially dogs. Dog owners have responsibilities when taking dogs into businesses. They need to make sure that dogs are calm, well-behaved and always on a leash. Cesar Millan shares tips on preparing dogs for shopping and where to shop. Source: Cesar’s Way, December 2016. Shopping with dogs can be a bonding … [Read more...]
New dog breeder certification program verifies standards
The Pet Leadership Council, an organization comprised of pet industry leaders, animal welfare advocates, veterinarians and academia, announced its support for Canine Care Certified, a new national, voluntary program that sets rigorous, science-based standards for professional breeders. The program is built on five pillars of care for dogs and puppies in a professional breeding … [Read more...]
Read a dog a story
Getting dogs adopted is the goal of the ASPCA on the Upper East Side in New York City. Some dogs are too traumatized to handle human contact. Volunteers reading to them for 20 minutes at a time helps create a connection. Source: New York Times, June 9, 2016. We need to get the dogs comfortable with what they’ll be seeing when they’re put up for adoption,” said Victoria … [Read more...]
Socializing new puppies? Manage the right amount of playtime
A puppy’s critical socialization period runs from eight weeks to about 14 weeks, writes Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPDT-K. She asserts puppy owners shouldn’t put off this vital piece of development during this period. Failure to socialize a puppy well during this period can result in significant future behavioral challenges.” Source: Whole Dog Journal, July 12, 2022. Link. Well run … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 20, 2021
Last week’s top post Why constant learners all embrace the 5-hour rule Source: Animal Health Digest, May 11, 2021. Link. University of Minnesota researchers develop novel, field-deployable test for CWD Source: University of Minnesota, April 19, 2021. Link. The team is striving for a test that could be set-up at individual stations … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content: Pheromones; the nose knows.
Our recent post about the Flehman response in cats led me to further investigate the pheromone topic. Googling produced several references on semiochemicals and their use in insect control. Most important was information provided by AHD sponsor, Ceva Animal Health, which helps clarify some of the confusion about pheromones and pheromone products: Pheromones are naturally … [Read more...]