Monday, June 6, 2011

Understanding dog behavior takes effort!

I cannot tell you how many times I hear people makes statements about dog behavior that is absolutely incorrect and misinformed. Watching a few episodes of Cesar Milan is not enough to make anyone an expert, no matter how much you can remember of any particular episode.  

I'm a trained professional, and I have had to endure many conversions where a dog owner was attempting to school me on the different aspects of dog behavior. I listen quietly and patiently, and I don't like it.  It's even more difficult to bear as I'm watching their dogs exhibit bad behavior. All the while, I'm in the I-know-it-all-school of animal behaviorist, I often silently think to myself, "Do you actually have kids? How'd that go?"  


The first thing I did to become an expert dog handler and behaviorist was to get training. I didn't do an on-line certification. I refused to become a trainer by the on-line method. When it comes to dogs, book learning is great. But it is only one step towards understanding  animals that are hard-wired for pack behavior. I did an apprenticeship with an actual dog pack. Hands-on experience is worth 100 of the best written books out there. You cannot be a quick study in this field. It takes time, a lot of studying and experience. 


Read as many books as you can. There are some great trainers and dog behaviorist out there. Then take that knowledge and go to dog parks.  Observe what is happening within each experience. Do not engage the pack, just observe and see what you'll learn. Do this more then once, go often. Even then, you may not become an expert, but your sure be more knowledgeable then most!
 

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