Resolving Dog-Dog Reactivity

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Dominance and Dogs: Who is the Boss?

Dogs often act as connectors in society.

New Free Course – Six Simple Steps to Solve Your Dog's Behavior Problems

We've just published a new FREE course on Dunbar Academy called Six Simple Steps to Solve Your Dog's Behavior Problems

Help Every Puppy Get the Education They Deserve

Please, please, PLEASE help us make sure every new puppy gets the education they desperately need and deserve this holiday season. 

The Essential Puppy Training Course is HERE!

We are thrilled to announce the release of our all-new Essential Puppy Training Course.

Puppies and Shelter Dogs: Two Sides of the Same Coin

I am a dog trainer and I lead a double life. Of sorts. Behaviorally speaking.
Ian Dunbar
Dr. Ian Dunbar and Dune the American Bulldog

BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE — FOR 110 YEARS?

Dr. Ian Dunbar  |  Thu, 05/07/2015 - 19:01

Edward Lee Thorndike showed that behavior is modified by its consequences and in 1905, he published his Law of Effect, basically stating: Any behavior followed by pleasant consequences will increase in frequency and be more likely to occur in the future, whereas any behavior followed by unpleasant consequences will decrease in frequency and be less likely to occur in the future. The notion of binary feedback is the quintessence of learning theory.

 
Tags:  dr. ian dunbar dog training punishment seminars

Empathy for the Reactive Dog – Keepin’ it Real

Genie Tuttle CP...  |  Thu, 04/02/2015 - 11:59

Living with a reactive dog is a humbling experience on many levels. The understanding of the world that humans gain via language, experience and rational explanations for nearly everything are not part of the reactive dog's natural repertoire. However, we might be more similar at a basic level than we choose to admit. Taking time to shake off the clinical topography and protocols now and then and just reconnecting with how fear really feels can make us better trainers.

 
Tags:  dog training reactivity Dog Genie
Dr. Ian Dunbar and Hugo Pup Post Potty Break Cuddle

Why Purchase a Puppy that is NOT Housetrained?

Dr. Ian Dunbar  |  Wed, 04/01/2015 - 12:25

I’ve raised a few puppies in my time and it has always puzzled me why anyone would want to purchase a puppy that hasn’t already been housetrained, especially since house soiling and other behavior problems, such as excessive barking and destructive chewing, are a major source of frustration for new owners. Most kennel-bred puppies are allowed to eliminate anywhere and everywhere, chew anything and everything, bark at will and run around uncontrolled, which of course, is exactly what they’ll do in their new homes.

 
Tags:  puppy training house training dr. ian dunbar
Cradling a puppy at the vet

Why Don’t We Adequately Socialize Young Puppies With People?

Dr. Ian Dunbar  |  Wed, 03/18/2015 - 09:13

Dogs may be taught manners and basic obedience at anytime in their lives. However, training puppies is just so much fun and so, why wait? Similarly, behavior problems may be resolved at any time in a dog’s life but of course, they are annoying and frustrating for owners and so, why not teach good habits from the outset? Temperament problems, however, must be prevented during early puppyhood because rehabilitating adult dogs is complicated and extremely time-consuming.

 
Tags:  puppy socialization dr. ian dunbar sirius puppy training

5.09 Unplugged, Unedited & Off-Topic

Is aggression on the rise with pet dogs? Who knows? We certainly don’t get to the bottom of this question in this episode where we meandered a bit off the original topic, into the realm of punishment and discipline and how they fit into the practice of dog training. How do we correct our dog’s behaviors when they aren’t appropriate?

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 5

5.08 Over the Top Dog Aggression

Shirley in New Jersey has a problem with her dog being reactive when off-leash, jumping her fence and chasing down bikers and joggers. She’s tried setting up training scenarios, but the dog doesn’t seem to react when it’s on-leash, so how should she address the problem?

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 5

5.07 Using a Growl Class to Resolve Dog-Dog Aggression

Want to observe a Growl Class right now? Use this link to save 20% off the price of Ian's single-day Growl Class, in the form of an online video you can download or stream online instantly.

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 5

5.06 Parvovirus vs. Insufficient Socialization

Many veterinarians are sufficiently concerned about the risk posed by canine parvovirus that they advise dog owners to keep their puppies at home until their vaccinations are complete. This poses some serious limitations for socializing your puppy. In this episode the Dunbars assess the true risk of Parvo, and how you can socialize your puppy without putting them at risk of contracting this disease.

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 5

5.05 What is Socialization?

Ian’s been reading up on socialization research and he has some fresh thoughts to share. But first, what is socialization, what do we mean when we say it? Is there another word that might be better suited to what we want to talk about? What is socialization on a scientific, biological, structural, neurological level? Research shows a lack of sufficient socialization in young social animals leads to permanent and physical brain damage. So please, socialize that puppy!

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 5

5 Ways My Puppy Reminds Me Of a Toddler.

Sue McCabe  |  Thu, 01/15/2015 - 08:39

Anthropomorphising animals isn’t a good idea and usually gets us into all kinds of trouble. Dogs are not furry babies. They are their own species, with a totally different set of day to day priorities & communication signals. However spending time with nieces, nephews and god-children over the years, I’m amazed that the toddler stage in kids has so many similarities with puppy development. Both in terms of how puppies explore the world and how we deal with the frustrations such interaction may bring, puppies and toddlers aren’t all that different at all. 

 
Tags:  puppy training dog training puppies

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