Comments for Behind the Behavior

Comment on Dangers of Alpha Rolling by Robert Paul

Robert Paul — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:58:28 +0000

Two things. I think you were absolutely right in naming this ‘charismatic’ TV performer who advocates the alpha roll. Many people aren’t aware that this and other procedures he advocates are not only counter-productive but dangerous. Second, regarding the alpha roll itself: in the 1980s, my wife and I had a Bouvier pup. The Monks of New Skete book had just been published, to great acclaim, and I’m sorry to say that we, not knowing any better, followed most of its recommendations, especially the use of the alpha roll as a ‘training’ technique. Before many months had passed, I was ‘flipping’ a 70-80lb. dog and pinning it to the ground with my hand at its throat. Luckily for me–but probably unluckily for him–he didn’t decide that two could play at the ‘dominance’ game, but neither did he learn from having a naive 150lb. human’s behaving that way.

We’ve since had two Wheaten Terriers, one of whom lived past fifteen, but by the time they came to live with us positive reinforcement had become the guide for training, and the fictions generated by a mistaken understanding of wolf behaviour had mostly disappeared.

Comment on Why Dogs Bite by Diana

Diana — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:15:45 +0000

I have a dog who isn’t aggressive, but she pees when approached and petted. I really, sincerely, appreciate the people that ask, first.

Comment on Training Dogs Who Are Blind AND Deaf by Weekly Woof from the Web « pawsitive dogs

Weekly Woof from the Web « pawsitive dogs — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:05:56 +0000

[...] At Pet Central we have worked with lots of deaf dogs and several blind dogs but have yet to work with a dog that is both blind and deaf. Here is a brilliant tip-filled post from Christine Hibbard CTC, CPDT on Training Dogs who are Blind AND Deaf [...]

Comment on Twitter Me This by Christine Hibbard

Christine Hibbard — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:31:01 +0000

Hm, I had the same problem you describe Matt. I will look into this immediately. Thanks for reading and taking the time to point out our subscription problem! I’ll post back soon when it’s fixed.

Comment on Twitter Me This by Matt Darey

Matt Darey — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:26:20 +0000

I seem to be having a problem , subscribing to your RSS feed. It comes up with error 451. Let me know if its a known error or if its just me . Ive tried opera and IE. Im using Eset Firewall and im not sure how to turn it off . Im not that good with PCs. Ill bookmark your site and see if you have responded. all the best

Comment on Tips for Greeting Other Dogs on Leash by Weekly Woof from the Web « pawsitive dogs

Weekly Woof from the Web « pawsitive dogs — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:51:38 +0000

[...] blog post here from Christine Hibbard on meeting other dogs on leash. Essential [...]

Comment on Tips for Greeting Other Dogs on Leash by Christine Hibbard

Christine Hibbard — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:23:49 +0000

@Steve Benedict I guess I am saying “when in doubt leave it out”. *laugh* I love it! Thanks for taking the time to write Steve and thanks also for reading Behind the Behavior!

Comment on Tips for Greeting Other Dogs on Leash by Steve Benedict

Steve Benedict — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:55:59 +0000

Christine,

I’ve read some of your other articles and the thread that seems to run through them is “use common sense”. I consider myself fairly good at observing dog psychology. However, I never come away from one of your posts without picking up something new. I hadn’t considered dropping the leash for a few moments, to avoid tangling or frustration. My dog Zac loves everybody and all other dogs, but he can get pretty excited if he’s restrained from butt sniffing, especially if the other dog is allowed to.

Thanks for the tips on greeting other dogs. It sounds like you’re saying: “when in doubt…leave it out.”

Steve Benedict

Comment on A Reading List in Animal Behavior, Part One by quiet time

quiet time — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:51:44 +0000

Good read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing some on-line research on that. And this individual actually ordered me lunch for the reason that I discovered it for him grin So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!

Comment on KOMO-TV Interviews Me About Cesar Millan by Bethany

Bethany — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:37:38 +0000

I am an assistant trainer at my kennel club and run into the Millan phenomenon way too often. Instead of learning about dog behavior and learning theories (or at least making sure they are listening to someone credible) many pet owners want a quick fix. Instead of understanding that Dominance is simply the control of resources they feel force is necessary. Its quite sad and very harmful to their dogs. To those who think that Millan can rehabilitate dogs with fear aggression, etc while actual scientifically based methods cannot I would recommend you look at dogs like my Rose who came from the local shelter with fear aggression. Completely unhandeable or approachable by people and dogs Rose is now a confident girl who is training in sports. Four weeks after coming home Rose was approaching people regularly, had stopped nipping/biting behaviors, and had been taught several cues. Two years later she is almost ready to begin competition in rally and agility. She also is learning to herd livestock. Since Rose is one of thousands of dogs rehabilitated using positive reinforcement yearly in the US I would wonder why anyone would want to “get dominant” over their dog.