Last night, I sat watching one of my favourite TV shows ever, called Would I Lie To You? It is a Game-show featuring two comedic geniuses named David Mitchell and Lee Mack, whose teams compete against each other by telling stories that are either true or a lie... to which the opposing team must guess correctly to win the round. A panelist on David Mitchell's Team was Germaine Greer, who in all honesty and to keep in theme with the show, I haven't decided if I like or not (true!).

Germaine is one of those women who strikes me as not just an intellectual, but a passionate campaigner who has spent the large majority of her life liberating ideas that once existed as dark and rejected possibilities. She is a revolutionary. If you are not familiar with Germaine Greer, Wiki describes her as one of the major voices of the second-wave feminist movement. If you do know of her, you will be aware that this voice has elicited some controversy and no doubt a Facebook trolling or two.

I read a little about Germaine and soon not only affirmed what I already knew, but realised that her ideas reached beyond the notion of feminism, or equality. Comparatively, they reached for the moon... and all the way back. Germaine is described not as an equalist but more as a liberationist because equality with men would be an assimilation with "agreeance to live the lives of un-free men". "Women's liberation," she wrote in The Whole Woman, "did not see the female's potential in terms of the male's actual. This really struck a chord with me. Not because I am a woman, but because I see dogs as struggling with a similar plight to what women have faced over the centuries and in many ways still do. And that the definition of a woman being equal to a man is really just another shackle to a woman's progress and freedom.

I think this is the same for dogs. Yes, I know, you're thinking 'yikes Laura, have you officially lost it?' Maybe I have, but what I believe I am questioning is the definition of equality and that if we compare a dog to an average, actual human being, perhaps we are limiting them much more than we are liberating them? I don't think dogs are equal to humans. I think we are very different. Incomparable. I think this works in their favour to be honest. For as long as we may think that a dog is equal to us, we may be doing them a disservice. If they are as good as us, then they are pretty disappointing.

I don't think dogs are necessarily better than a good human being at all. I just don't think there should be a comparison. I think dogs are animals that have been selfishly brought into our existence (yes, I know they wouldn't exist without us!) who depend on us for survival, who are at the mercy of our deeds and who cannot escape our control no mater how they try and what they do. They are intelligent, sentient living creatures. This in itself deems them as deserving of respect. They are eternally loyal and honest (within great limits), forgiving and invested in our happiness and welfare. Without succumbing to the appeal to nature fallacy too much, I do see dogs when compared to humans as instructors and liberators of what we as a species could be!

Are they better than us? Are we obstinate students of theirs? My heart says yes, my head says maybe. Perhaps there is no answer. What I do know however, is that these questions need to be asked by every dog 'owner' (God I hate that word). Ask questions. Challenge your thoughts and beliefs about dog ownership. Ask questions far more than find answers. It is 'liberating' to question what you know. Or, what you think you knew.

For me, what I know right here and right now, is that my dogs, dogs in my life, dogs I know are living, intelligent and emotional creatures. I am too. So are you. Not equals, but all here right now wanting the best in life. What I see as the main difference is that only one species has the ability to make both lives prosper. You know who that is. Or do you? And... what are you going to do about it?

Laura V

To Purchase Laura's Book 'Dognitive Therapy - To change your Dog's behaviour first you must change your own', head to https://www.laurav.com.au/_p/prd3/4630991701/product/dognitive-therapy---personally-signed-copy

This is such a loaded question, that has been juggled around for decades in dog training land. To punish or not to punish... a question that is increasingly more rhetorical, as modern dog training has developed a clear dislike and even contempt for the idea of punishment.

Have I ever punished a dog? Yes. Do I still punish dogs? Yes. Will I continue to punish dogs? Yes, depending on the situation myself and the dog are in. Perhaps I should explain...

The idea of punishment in the Science of Learning is by definition something that stops an unwanted behaviour. There are two types of punishment. One is called Positive Punishment (not to be confused as a 'good' punishment) and the other is called Negative Punishment.

Think of the positive and negative as first grade maths - positive means to add, and negative means to take something away.

+punishment = adding something to stop a behaviour

- punishment = removing something to stop a behaviour.

If we want something to stop, usually adding something means it needs to be aversive, otherwise the dog will continue to do it right? Positive (+) punishment includes physical corrections, pushing, yelling, yanking etc. When done with accuracy, it often works.

Negative (-) punishment is quite different in its delivery. We still want the same outcome - to stop a behaviour, but we are removing something to stop the behaviour. This is often (not always) something the dog wants. This may be food, play, walking, interaction etc. - the dog doesn’t sit at the curb, means the dog doesn’t get the yummy treat you had for them.

The world is jam packed full of punishments. To survive, we must experience punishment - that food is poisonous, that fire is hot, that behaviour is dangerous, not putting in the effort results in not getting a promotion...the list goes on. In fact, even me sitting on the comfier chair right now is a consequence of being punished by the old springy chair I sat on this morning. It was uncomfortable, so I stopped using it. All our behaviours have consequences.

Whether we continue those behaviours or not really depends on whether they have been reinforced or punished. If they have been effectively punished, then it is unlikely those behaviours will occur ever again. If they have been effectively reinforced, then it is highly likely those behaviours will occur again, and with more efficiency. Consequences determine our future behaviours.

So then, have I ever punished a dog? Yes, of course I have. I have yelled in pain as a great dane ripped through my pants upon an arrival to a client session. I have cuddled dogs who probably don;t want to be cuddled, but were kind enough not to bite me. I have removed food to change the behaviour the dog was learning from me. I have stopped play if the dog was not cooperating with me and becoming too excitable. I have turned and walked away from many dogs who have jumped up on me. I have and will continue to implement Negative punishment if and where it is in the best interests of the learning and the dog. BUT, when this is appropriate, I always set up situations and step by step strategies where the dog starts to get what I'm after and can have that behaviour reinforced. Start smaller if you need to so that you can get a behaviour on the right track, even if it is not exactly what you are after. If your dog continues not to do what you're after, it’s probably too hard, they're distracted, they're too excited, they are afraid or anxious, they are too close, they didn't hear you, they didn't understand what you were after. Honestly, they're NOT trying to piss you off...! Think from the dog's point of view, always!

I honesty, and I mean honestly cannot remember the last time I enforced positive punishment on training a dog. Have I yanked a collar in my lifetime? Yep. Did I use prong and e collars in my training days? Yep. Have I made that God awful 'Arggghhhh' growl to correct a dog? Yep. I have done it all. Sometimes it worked too!

I write about this in my book Dognitive Therapy. How I evolved from using positive punishment to Capturing behaviours. The art of capturing behaviours is setting dogs up into situations where they can make good choices, capturing the moment and reinforcing it. Much of the time we use positive punishment, we are setting out dogs up for failure in the first place. - The dog's too close, the food's too accessible, they're too distracted, they're afraid/nervous/anxious etc. For my clients who have dog reactivity issues, I don't put them in a dog park and yank their collar until they stop barking. Instead, I take them to a dog park, if they are optimistic on the side lines (not fearful/anxious) and are able to focus on what I am up to. Then I gage their ability to deal with other dogs by observing their behaviour and body language. Any signs of optimism, we take a step forward if they want to and yummy treats/play are involved. Any pre-signs of anxiety, we move back and play a game. What I am doing is capturing the good by reinforcing their optimism, ensuring it is not lost and that they continue to engage in and trust me. It takes longer... but it lasts longer... do it right and positive reinforcement lasts a lifetime

So yes, I do punish dogs. But I don't engage in physical punishment ever. Even head collars are instruments I have started moving away from (yes, I know it has elements of negative reinforcement thrust upon it, which I am also not a huge fan of). Learning is an evolution and as I continue to learn, I continue to change. It is so incredibly important to open your mind and fall in love with learning in this field. We are finally scraping past the surface with a little depth in our understanding of the human dog relationship, which is so exciting and as we learn more, we realise we need to make change. So, if negative punishment is a useful and appropriate tool in your empathic bag of dog training tricks, then I'd love to hear how you use it. If you love setting up situations to capture, like I write about in my book and apply each day, how do you do it? What works best for you and your dog?

We all adore our dogs and I have no doubt that we all want to understand the best way to train them. For me, the best way is a way in which they openly trust and respect you not just in times of contentment, but in times of uncertainty. My dogs will invariably look back at me or walk back to me if unsure of how to react. That is a cue for me to have their back and act in their best interests. The more they do this, the more you will know how they feel about you as the leader.

Each time your dog offers the things you want without you asking them to, positively reinforce it! The art of capturing a wanted behaviour is so incredibly powerful when done right. Remember that ta dog is not 'just a dog'. We know they are intelligent. We know they have emotions like us. We know they crave companionship, comfort and love. We know that in many ways, our dogs are a reflection of us. If I ask Chester what he thinks about me, I know in his behaviour and body language that he trusts and respects me completely. Man, it is such a powerful realization when you see this in your dog. Put the effort in, and you'll get an amazing response. What does your dog say about you?

laurav.com.au

Dog behaviourist

This blog is not dog related. BUT don't go away! I want to share something with you and I really want your opinion.

One of the things aside from my love for dogs is, in truth, my love for all animals, particularly our native wildlife. We have the most iconic and extraordinary species on earth, right in our backyards (sometimes quite literally). Their adaptations continue to blow my mind, as I consider a wombat's upside-down pouch to protect their young from debris, a kangaroo's springy ligaments to allow them to hop and save energy across endless landscape, and an echidna, whose body covering is made of spikes, whose nose is designed to eat ants and who lays eggs. I mean, seriously! These animals are ridiculously spectacular and we are so freaking lucky!

Aussies are excellent at laying blame and contempt toward other countries for the treatment of their own wildlife, but in all honesty, I do wonder how much better we really are, if at all? This brings me to the point I meant to make at the start... that one of the things that makes my heart drop, tears collect in my eyes and an increasing sensation of frustration in my mind is when I see dead animals on the side of the road. It really really upsets me. I find myself constantly looking out for animals as I drive, anticipating their poorly measured attempt to cross the road, and how good I will be at safely dodging them. At this point, you may think.. "Hmmm, yep, that Laura is weird. All animals die, we have enough kangaroos anyway, they're a pest"... etc etc. Sure we may have too many kangaroos, but for how long? Does the number of a species define their value? Just because an animal is near extinction, does that make them inherently more valuable and worth protecting? I actually am not sure I even know how to answer that question, but something I have started, to raise awareness, even if it's just for myself is this...

Every time I see a dead kangaroo on the side of the road, I stop. If it is safe, I check the pouch , and assuming she was not carrying young in need of care or is male, I sit with her /him and pay my respects with flowers I find nearby.

Today, I came across a beautiful young female who must have been hit in the early hours of this morning. Where I live, the road is long, straight and usually quiet, but at dusk and dawn, when people are traveling to and from work, these magnificent macropods fall danger to our desperate need to get to work on time, or more importantly, get home that minute faster.

I sat with her and as her lifeless body lay there, the sun shone and the wildflowers bloomed, There was life flourishing around her, but a life that she no longer knew. I picked some of the flowers (no I didn't kill them) and put them beside her before I walked away and headed back home. This is the thing I have started doing. Where it is safe to stop, I check the pouch and find the nearest flowers I can to leave alongside the animal that deserves to be respected after having their life taken from them. Is this weird? Probably. But for me, it helps me feel that the animal in front of me hasn't been forgotten. For some reason, this is really important to me.

I suppose it goes back the pillars in my book and the mantra I live by in life. To be respectful and kind wherever you can, and to always look for opportunities to pay that forward. So now, this is a thing I do. I hate seeing our nation's magnificent species lying on the road, but I understand that sometimes, it is unavoidable. The evolutionary arms race of modern man against wildlife struggling to keep up, clearly has one side in favour. But stopping for that animal, acknowledging them and offering a promise to not let them end without respect may just help us connect with our animals and our relationship with them more. For me, it eases the sadness... just a little.

So what do you think. Would you do this? Have you done this? Have people been doing this for decades and I didn't get the memo? Could this be something that other people may see when they drive/walk past and think about how that animal was once alive, with a family perhaps, and how someone, somewhere has acknowledged the sacrifice they have made? I'm not sure, but I put it to you and I look forward to your thoughts.

Laura

laurav.com.au

So, you've decided it's time to bring a dog into your family. You have a house. You've budgeted food and vet bills. You're willing to go to puppy school or dog obedience every Sunday. Tick, Tick and...tick! It is the right time. You're ready...right?

Next, it's time to study breeds and temperaments. Is a Kelpie going to be happy in my apartment? Is a french bull dog going to enjoy long runs? Where are the breeders located? Are they registered? This research is essential. It helps you discover who or what may fit into your lifestyle, just the way you want them to. Finding the right dog for your family, is like reading a text book or recipe - Take every step properly and the result will be a perfect puppy.... right? Sure, shelters are a great idea, but really, you want a puppy, from a breeder. The dogs in shelters are damaged. They come with a history of potential abuse, neglect, possibly even aggression! You really like the idea of rescuing, but in all honesty, a puppy is a much better choice. A clean slate, right?

I heard someone in my field discuss rescuing dogs with caution recently. It puzzled me, mostly because, when you enter this industry, you like to think you do it because you are passionate about dogs... their welfare... the education of their happiness. My entire existence is based on helping people, help dogs.

Dogs are my life and if all of us 'rescued' a dog, two things at the very least would happen...

1. There would be less dogs in shelters

2. It would be evident that people realise that no matter what dog you bring home, you never really know who they will become. You may pick the best breeder, the puppy with the best genetic lineage and you may provide an environment that would seemingly guarantee any puppy grow up 'perfectly'. But the reality is, we can never guarantee who a dog will truly become. Any sentient being brings thoughts, feelings and behaviours with them...some of them you may love, some of them you may not... AND THAT'S OK! I am a huge advocate for rescuing dogs. But, I do kinda hate the word 'rescue'. It implies the human is doing 'good' in the world by saving the life of another. A sort of hero complex if you like. I'd like to reframe this. I'd like people to start seeing that rescuing a dog is an opportunity for the human, as much as it is saving the life of a dog.

I grew up 'rescuing' dogs. We always provided for animals in need, it was how we lived. It is how I exist today. I adopted a dog three years ago, called Alma from a magnificent rescue organisation. Alma was mostly deaf, fraught with chronic illness, an ex breeding dog and fairly dog reactive. Alma was this animal in front of me... who had no choice. She had no voice. All she could do is hope her looks, her behaviour and her luck would allow her a second, third, fourth chance at life.

But it wasn't me that was doing the good, by rescuing her. It was her that made me a better person!

My God, what a disgraceful existence so many dogs have! (insert - not all dogs have had a terrible life, who end up in shelters, there are and always will be extraneous circumstances). So many dogs in shelters have no voice, no choice and no ability to control what a human deems fair. This was Alma. This is hundreds of thousands of dogs. Every day. Every year. All, desperate for a second chance. So as I see many wonderful and reputable breeders, maintaining the strong linage of dogs such as Chester (the love of my life), I am not asking people to stop buying puppies from the best breeders out there. What I am asking is that you consider both options., just like I did. When the time is right, consider meeting a dog in need. Introduce them to your existing dog if you have one and allow them to choose too. Be accepting of the quirks, the idiosyncrasies, the reactivity, the peeing inside, the chewing the side of the couch, the barking to come inside... be accepting, Be kind. More than likely, you'll meet a dog in a shelter who slots into your family beautifully and lives out their days without any concerns what so ever. Either way, be prepared.

No matter what dog you bring home, be prepared. Be Consistent, Patient and Respectful (CPR). Capture the GOOD moments, like when they are Calm, Cooperative and Controlled. Get help if you need! There are incredible dog trainers out there who are thrilled to meet people at their obedience classes who have rescued a dog. Be empathic with your dog. If they are afraid, don't enforce their fears. If they are nervous, don't push their limits. If they need have separation anxiety and need to visit dog day care, buy less coffee each week to save money for it.

Sure, this is what I do for a living, but in reality, what I really do is work on building relationships. It is not unique to dogs. It is about connecting with all species including humans; finding common ground, being respectful, tolerant and empathic. If we can modify our thoughts to see others in need as an opportunity, then we too can benefit. A dog, just like a friend, child or partner is an animal who wants a positive relationship with you. They may bring 'issues' to that relationship, but with those issues, comes a chance for you to grow and develop your own self, whilst improving the life of the other.

So, to those who sacrifice and engage as members of animal rescue organisations, please raise your glass and thank them for allowing not just the dogs a second chance, but for all of us, an opportunity to be the best we can be, through a dog. These people are extraordinary. They are people to be nurtured and protected for they give every waking moment to the needs of others.

If you want a dog, consider the opportunity of a dog from a shelter. They are no more difficult and no less deserving of any other in this world. Open your heart and your mind to this opportunity. Give a 'rescue' dog a chance. And... allow them to rescue you right back.

laurav.com.au

You know me, I love asking questions that seldom get challenged and it's because I want dog owners to be unafraid to ask questions, to question what they know and to be open to accepting that no matter who we are, we can always do better by our dogs, and ourselves. So after driving home from the studio today, I stopped at a red light and saw a man with his magnificent great dane, standing at the crossing; waiting for the green man to flash (tastefully). The owner was clearly trying to get his dog to sit; the dane had a head collar on and with a bold tug at it, his owner used the other hand to pressure his dog's bum to the floor. Eventually, his dog complied, but within a second of compliance, the green man flashed and they proceeded to cross the road.

It occurred to me, after being beeped from the three cars behind, that we as humans can sometimes get caught up in arbitrary rules, and whilst we may adhere to them without question, do we actually know what they are for?

Do you make your dog sit before you cross the road? If you do, then that's great. But why do you to it? Is it because your dog should show manners? Are they meant to acknowledge that they are waiting to cross? Is it safer? Or was it simply that this was taught to you and now you are paying it forward with your dog? I think everyone here will be different. But for that man with the great dane, I am not sure I understand exactly what his motivation was. As he stepped off the path to cross the road, his dane faithfully plodded along behind him, devoid of any interest in bolting off or behaving dangerously. So what was the point?

I am the last person to shout that having your dog sit at the curb is a bad idea, but I think sometimes we use techniques in dog training without actually asking ourselves why we are doing it. I am also not the best trainer to get advice on this. Most of my training of my own dogs has been off leash. This not a method I recommend to everyone. With Chester for example, I was lucky enough to have him as a puppy. Every single behaviour he offered that was good, he got rewarded for it. More importantly though, every behaviour he did that showed him thinking and making a good decision got rewarded 10 times more. I live on acreage, however, and this makes this sort of strategy much easier.

So for my dogs, out in the bush, where there are dirt roads and few cars, when we get to a crossing or a curb, my dogs automatically stop. They don't sit (sometimes Alma does if she's pooped), but they stand and wait until I let them know it's safe. It's a fine line in training, when you want to empower a dog to make a good choice, but at the same time, don't want to endanger their lives. I remember when Chester was younger, he learned to 'stand' at the curb. this resulted in a great reward. Within a few weeks, Chester learned what the difference was between a curb, crossing, a footpath and a road. What I learned from this little canine adolescent is that we need to give our dogs more credit!

It seems obvious, but identifying a multitude of different road crossings may be challenging for a dog. But with enough effort and motivation, you can teach your dog to spot places where they may need to think to stop. I did this with my dogs. If they are even unsure, they stop anyway. Mostly, cos they are greedy gutses and want the chance for a treat. But even so, they are thinking about the road crossing, and making a decision. And, I love this!

So, I think the main motivation for all of us is safety. I do not want you to train your dog to cross a road safely off lead! But, I would love you to train your dog to identify the road crossings on lead, look to you and learn to stop. Initially, it requires a cue, such as 'wait' or 'stand' or whatever you desire. As you approach the curb, use the word and pair it with the BEST treat imaginable as you stop at the road. Make this a focus on as many walks as you can. Make it fun. Make it motivating for your dog to THINK, so as they start to learn what the curb means. Give them opportunities to show you they understand. Are they slowing down? Are they looking at you? Are they volunteering to sit? Are they making good choices? Reward them! Don't miss that opportunity!

It brings me back to the guy I saw today with the great dane. Did he need to push the dog's bottom to the gravel? I'm not entirely sure he did. The dog was already just standing there. I would have rewarded that on it's own. There is no reason we should be controlling and micromanaging our dog's behaviour, if they are already well at their job. All this does is disempower them.

So, sure teach your dog to sit, I honestly think that is a great idea as part of the learning process for your dog making good and safe choices! But remember, that the more you teach your dog to think, the less you need to think for them. Confident and self fulfilled dogs are the ones who are encouraged to think and problem solve. They are the ones who are motivated to cooperate with you. They are the ones who look to their owners with trust and respect. So whilst it is wonderful that people take their dogs for a walk and are concerned about their dog's safety, it is important for us all , me included, to ask questions and challenge this field of dog training and behaviour.

So, what does your dog do...do they sit at the curb... and more importantly, do you know why? www.laurav.com.au

I am writing about this for two reasons. Firstly, Separation Related Behaviour (SRB) is an issue so devastating to a dogs physical and emotional state that, to me, it is a serious welfare concern. Secondly, it remains to this day, the most common serious behavioural condition that I am called about. After my radio segment on Wednesdays on 3AW, many people end up contacting me via this website, when they can't get through to the show. So, I have decided to pick the biggest issues and blog it for you each week. This week, it is Separation Anxiety.

Why does it happen? Well let's pull our minds out of our own brains and demonstrate some empathy for a moment. Most dogs in 2017 have been bred for companionship. .Their dependence, love of affection and attention has been genetically selected for in breeding over thousands of years; resulting in an animal that depends on a human for it's entire existence. As this has been going on, humans have become busier, more time poor, anxious about appearances, pressured to achieve and live beyond their means, exposed to a digital and unachievable world built on ideals and vacuous motivations. So what we have here is an animal with increasing dependence mixed with an animal that strives for a more removed and independent existence. Is man and dog as good as it could be these days? No, no it isn't! But... it could be!

So how do you live your life, whilst having a dog in it? Is it possible? Can a dog be happy whilst their owner isn't available physically and emotionally to meet their social needs, the needs that the human's ancestors selected for not that long ago, for their personal benefit? To be honest, I am not entirely sure. It is so grey and whilst so many busy people have the best intentions, many of them have dogs, when they probably shouldn't. Am I being judgemental? Absolutely not. I am providing commentary on a real world issue here, hoping that to elicit more discussions and with that, we begin to think and change our habits.

If you do not have a dog and work very long hours, may I suggest you do not get a dog, rather rescue one of hundreds of thousands of cats - solitary independents who sleep the majority of the day and are comparatively content to live out their second chance in your home as you work during the day! If you are thinking of adopting a dog or do in fact have a dog and want to improve your dogs mental health when left alone, then read on...

Mental health, whilst decreasingly stigmatised in the human world, remains confusing to us when thinking about our pets. But remember, if an animal can think; they can feel, experience emotions and suffer. Our dogs can do this, and many do. Some people say to me 'ahhh its just a dog, it's fine in the backyard, you are teaching people to baby their dogs!' No actually, I'm not. Babying your dog can lead to the exact same problem. What I am doing is hoping to open the mind of the closed minds, and show them that their dog who is barking or howling all day, digging up their petunias, escaping over the fence or scratching all day long at the back door - these dogs are calling out to you. They are pleading with you to listen to their suffering. They are experiencing separation anxiety; one of the most devastating animal welfare issues in pet ownership, from my perspective.

Is it the dog owner's fault? Most likely, absolutely not! Most of us spend our lives making time with our dogs as good as we possibly can. We love our dogs. We love spending time with them and we exemplify in this relationship the reason why dogs were bred for companionship all those years ago. My job is to help the relationship between people and dogs, by encouraging the human mind to open and consider why these behaviours are actually occurring. So let's start with identifying the best ways to help our beloveds overcome the panic they experience when left alone, alone in an uncontrollable and unpredictable environment that is perceived especially negative.

1. Can your dog have access through a doggy door? If this is possible, allow this as it provides great comfort for your dog to settle in the space they prefer to relax in.! sometimes, this is ALL you need to do.

2. Try not to encourage your dog's need to follow you around, instead rewarding them when you walk away. I like to drop some of their food on the ground as I walk away, rewarding them for choosing to focus on the food instead of where I am.

3. Train them to station to their mat. This is a really fun game where you teach your dog to move to their mat for a reward. Ask them to stay there for a second or two, then release them from that spot with the word 'FREE'. Increase the duration of time, until your dog can stay on the mat without you insight, anticipating a really massive reward upon your return.

4. Go through your separation routine that horrifies your dog, but pair this horror with great stuff and pretend to leave, instead of leaving. We call this desensitisation as well as counter conditioning. Gradually add these aspects of the routine such as picking up keys, putting on shoes etc and match them with yummy treats. Initially your dog may not take them. But if you repeat this over and over, eventually they will, because you are creating a predictable pattern. Eventually, if you do this properly, you can go through your routine, cue your dog to their fun mat, leave and return after 10 or so minutes, without a hint of distress. At this point, you know you have a dog who is learning to deal with their anxieties. Well done!

5. If you can't allow your dog inside, find a dog walker/cuddler, a dog minder, day care etc, or take them on a huge run around before you leave them. Some may say, 'oh Laura, this is so unrealistic, I have children, I work, I don't have time. At this point, I do wonder, why then you have a dog if you don't have the time they need from you. The time it is taking you to read this is enough time to dedicate each and every day into teaching your dog many of the tricks I have listed above to get started! Facebook less... dog love more.

I know what you're thinking... this takes time and it takes effort. Absolutely it does. I work extraordinarily hard each day, sacrificing many things so that I can achieve what I have committed to. But nothing in this world that is wonderful has ever taken anything less than a great deal of effort and time. Set backs and progressions may also hit you and with all this, I will say that your experiences of all this are proof that you are trying. You are helping your dog overcome their fears and their anxieties. Your dog may still suffer separation issues, but the longer you invest in change, the closer you will get to achieving it. Fail. Embrace it. Achieve. Celebrate it. Put the effort it, chat to me if you need. Talk to your vet. Network with others. Chat to kids who want pocket money to walk dogs, make the occasional sacrifice and invest in your dog's happiness. Those who love their dog will make the investment. I know this is you. Good luck.

For a copy of my book please head to 'shop' on the site.

When ever I get asked a behavioural question, barking is definitely in the top 5. It is one of those things that understandably drives us nuts, but at the same time it may be occurring because the culprit are in their own way going a little nuts themselves.

Why do we make noises? In general, it is to communicate. It is an expressive tool also, that identifies our emotional as well as physical well-being. Dogs bark then, to communicate. It may not be necessarily with us, but it is to someone and that someone is clearly important to them at that moment. It could be the dog walking past the front fence, the kid on the skateboard, the bee in the garden, the call to us whilst we are away at work, the cat in the tree... the list is endless.

One of the biggest problems with barking is that whilst it is clearly a form of vocal expression, most of us hearing it deem it as menacing, annoying and in many ways a good excuse for a council shire complaint. Isn't it funny though. If a child cries, exclaims their emotions or vocalises their fears , frustrations and anxieties, we generally tend to respond immediately with 'what's the matter?'. Sadly for our dogs, the response is usually, 'how do i stop it?'. The truth is you cant stop it until you ask your dog 'what's the matter' first. Once we know why they are saying what they are saying, then we can deal with the cause.

Firstly, there are a few reasons why dogs bark. The most obvious is because it is a normal and natural communicative tool. It is perfectly acceptable for a dog to bark when there is a knock on the door! Allow your dog to have some purpose. You don't have to control every aspect of their behaviour all the time!! Chester will make a couple of loud and serious barks when there is a door knocking and i say 'good work buddy!'. if I told him off with my barking, he'd just feel more anxious and frustrated... so telling your dog off doesn't work from their perspective. When I praise Chester he stops and runs to me. Sometimes, he will get some food as well as praise, which is exciting to him. Try praising your dog calmly if they bark a couple of times, it works so incredibly well!

The golden rule is to find out WHY your dog is barking.

FIRST REASON: If your dog carries on like a pork chop at the door, or the fence, it is most likely a combination of territorial and anxious behaviour. So the more we discipline, the more they may react. If it is mild, then praising them and rewarding them for coming to you works well. If it is a little more severe, redirecting the behaviour works much more effectively. By this, I mean using a squeaker toy or similar to get their attention, and then use the praise method with lots of rewards. The idea is to allow them to express themselves, but then leave the rest to you. Trust is so extraordinarily important in your relationship with your dog. How much your dog trusts you to lead is often related to how much they react in these sorts of situations.

SECOND REASON: If your dog barks at you, then this is another motivation, called attention seeking and/or controlling behaviour. Often, barking results in receiving attention, food etc, so the barking gets reinforced. The best way to deal with this sort of barking, is to catch them BEFORE they bark! Get to know your dog well enough to notice the pattern and lead up to the bark. Another strategy is to teach them self control, through mat training. I love mat training because it is a fun game that you can play, that gives your dog focus and teaches them the art of patience. Encourage your dog to their mat with treats and praise, asking them to stay there for a short amount of time to start with, then release them with the word 'free'. Repeat over and over for 10 minutes a day, gradually increasing the time they are required to stay on the mat. If they break from position, it is a clear indication they can't control themselves long enough yet, and you need take a step back.

THIRD REASON: Lastly, if your dog barks when you are out and about and just want to control the behaviour as much as you can, then I love teaching dogs to bark on cue. It may seem counterintuitive, but often requesting a behaviour you don;t want, means you can also request the behaviour to stop with a reward. So the words 'speak' for a bark and the 'shush' with really good quality treats is such a great tool to use. Not only does it help to stop the behaviour, it gets your dog to focus on you, which is often part of the problem- not having something positive to focus on. Be aware that this is not always successful for attention barking as dogs are smart and can pick up on the pattern - bark - shush - treat...

Once you know why it's happening, you can then know how to stop it. Get to know how your dog is feeling and start listening to them Dogs don't want to drive you mad, they don't want to be surrendered to the pound for menacing barking, and they certainly don't want to feel the way that may cause them to bark in the first place. Try these strategies and apply my CPR rule - Consistent - Patient - Respectful. When it starts to work, it is so elating as you know that your dog understands you, respects you and most importantly trusts you as their beloved leader. Good luck.

For more info: laurav.com.au

I admit I spend pretty much all of my time researching how to improve the human-animal relationship. It's one of those friendships that if it were between two humans, it would probably never last. I say that because dogs in particular are clearly the ones in the relationship whose entire existence is dependent on the other. They rarely get to choose their owner, never grow up to become independent and if they want to leave, usually they can't. I can't imagine any human choosing to spend time with another human who made them feel like that.

So the other day, I was asked to write an article about the 5 most common dog behaviour problems and after finishing a much longer list than 5, I was immediately overcome by a revelation that all the issues I had typed up, were not actually dog behaviour problems at all.

They were all human behaviour problems.

I will add at this point that this is not an all encompassing determinant of the human-dog relationship, but companion dogs (our family dogs) in general, experience many behaviour problems as symptoms of owners who need some behaviour modification themselves. It's not my intention to ruffle up the dog ownership feathers at all. The purpose of my blogs is to get people thinking, talking, questioning themselves, their relationships and their behaviours. When we question and aim to improve, everyone benefits. Imagine if everything stayed the same. Eventually things would have to get worse, and sadly, they do. The world of dog training is sometimes like this, because it is filled with incredibly well-intentioned, passionate and emotional people. We are all here doing what we believe is right. But how do we know it is what's best? I believe the secret to overcoming the multi-million dollar industry of dog behaviour modification is to look to the source.

Here are my top 6 human behaviour problems.

1. Being inconsistent - humans who sometimes yell, and other times ignore or praise the same behaviour is and always will be the number one problem. This is very confusing to the dog and reduces their level of trust and respect in the owner.

2. Being impatient - if a dog isn't doing as their owner asks, its either because they are distracted by something threatening or more interesting, or because they don't understand what their owner is asking them. I have a teaching background and have always believed that if your student doesn't understand what you're teaching, it's because you are not teaching it properly. Everybody learns differently. Not every dog is the same.

3. Being overly controlling - You don't have to walk through a door first for your dog to respect you. Those who control every second of their dog's life often have well behaved dogs, but not often are those dogs particularly happy.

4. Not showing empathy - If a dog digs, barks or lunges, these owners don't ask why, instead they correct and discipline. A dog is always trying to communicate how they are feeling by their behaviour and body language. Often, the owner is not listening.

5. Not acknowledging their dog for trying - Many owners expect their dog to do something perfectly the first time. In dog behaviour -land, it is called 'shaping', Remember, you are a different species with a foreign language. Start with baby steps, and work your way up to great leaps.

6. Setting their dog up for failure - putting an anxious dog in the middle of a dog park is not a good way to get the best from a dog. These owners may like to consider that their dog is a dependent, helpless animal at their mercy. If their dog is set up for failure, they WILL fail and that's not usually their fault.

Stay tuned for the many more human behaviour issues I have identified. If you can think of any, please add them in the comments! Together, I hope we can solve them, so we may all have much happier and healthier relationships with our better halves... our dogs.

Laura V

For my book or other resources: http://www.laurav.com.au/shop

laurav.com.au

This question makes me think about love. What on earth defines this ridiculously weighted word? For a human, it is a mixture of mutual physical, spiritual and emotional connections that leave us barely able to put a sentence together. Love changes our behaviours, our emotions and even the way our brain functions. So why on earth is it SOOOO good? Well to be brutally boring and blunt, it is a survival advantage. We love another human, because forming a partnership defers responsibility, provides an additional contribution and makes us more likely to thrive and pass on our genetic makeup. Sure it feels great, but as usual, there is always a sobering purpose to something...

But what about dogs? Clearly we are two separate species, different brains, bodies and belief systems. Why is it that we love them so very much? Well, if we look back on the past twenty or thirty thousand years, history tells us that our love for the dog is quite one sided. Dogs have provided us with warmth, hunting prowess, loyalty, companionship, child substitutes, chick magnets, food, confidantes, comrades, fashion accessories, backyard objects... etc etc. The list is endless if you ask anyone across the earth why they have a dog in their life. So what about them. How do they feel?

Can I be honest? I think they love us. But I think their love is a simpler version of our understanding of it. It is clearly a survival advantage, hinted with a sparkle of emotional connection and empathy. But when it comes down to it, I am not convinced that if our dogs love AS MUCH as we believe they do, that we actually deserve it. I write about this in my book dognitive therapy. Dogs are instinctively loyal to us. They do not judge us, mind how we look or bother about our fashion sense. That's true love surely? No not really. Once again, we are anthropomorphizing and attributing human emotions to our beloved dogs. A dog doesn't understand the arbitrary construct of fashion as we know it, or the fact that an expensive car deems us as successful. BUT they do understand what the term success actually means. It's just defined a little differently...

Success to a dog is luckily an equal combination of simplicity and necessary complexity. At the end of the day, our cars, houses, businesses, mating rights, quilt covers and fridge storage... all...come...down...to survival. So, how do we make a dog love us and what I mean, is actually love us from their point of view, instead of ours. Well, I would say, show them, no; prove to them they can trust you to ensure their survival and success.

1. Show them that you will NOT force them into situations that they perceive to be dangerous.

2. Allow them to explore and experience this world in their own time, not only JUST on your terms

3. Provide them with nutritious food that is moderately predictable - they can acquire food by cooperating with you

4. Allow them access to fresh water

5. Give them more choices - allow them to come inside when they want to. Give them a safe place near you that is warm and comfortable - a place where they can also have sweet dreams.

6. Don't punish them into thinking from your human point of view.

7. Play! Enjoy your time together and take advantage of the short years you have with each other.

8. Always be as happy to see them as they are to see you. This may not mean you squeal and jump around as well, but it means that you create a relationship in which your time together is wonderful and the time apart is predictable - in that you will be home soon and that there is no need to fear abandonment.

9. Consistently thank them for making an effort to please you. No matter how big or small the effort is.

Now, that is what love is about. It is being confident within yourself and showing empathy and compassion toward the one you care about. Don't trap them or punish them, especially if they have no idea why and make the most of the time you have together.

It's funny, but these tricks work incredibly well in all relationships... not just with your best furry mate!

I chatted to Marto, Ed and Robin this week from Triple M's Breakfast show, after a devastating dog bite incident in Queensland. They wanted my thoughts on why this happened and what people can do to... well... prevent it.

We are such a reactive society. When everything is without incident, we don't waste our time giving it attention, but when it all falls apart, we are left with our hands up in the air wondering how could this be?! But then, maybe I am being too hard on us. Most species are reactive. They respond to stimuli that threatens what they know, need and want. This makes sense doesn't it? Why would you spend time investing energy into something that may not happen, when you could be conserving it for when something actually does happen! Well, in today's modern society where just about anything and everything can go wrong, it pays to foresee and prevent, rather than react.

Why am I talking about this? I am talking about prevention being better than cure because when you have a dog, they do much better in this world when you are setting them up for success, rather than failure. In other words, if you lead a dog without being able to control their environment to keep them safe, then they will learn to do that themselves. Why is that a problem? Because this world is intolerant of any behaviour that doesn't fall into our acceptable construct of existence. If a dog bites someone for their own safety... they are bad and must be put down... I'm not sure about you, but that doesn't seem fair to me.

You can listen to my segment on the show, with the crux of our chat featuring my explanation on how to prevent a dog being pushed so far beyond his limits, that his safety tool box only has a snap and bite left in it. (https://www.facebook.com/dognitivetherapy). So how are you keeping your dog safe, and in turn, keeping those around them safe too? Here are my tips based on our chat...

1.) ' I don't care if your dog is Snoopy, Lassie, or a stuffed toy in the shape of a dog; NEVER leave a dog and child unsupervised'. I mean, EVER!

2.) Teach your child and those around you about respect. Dogs have descended from wolves; us from monkeys and only one of those families uses hugs, cuddles and cheek pinching as an indications of love and affection. (insert obvious clue: its not dogs)

3.) Provide your dog with 'dog only access'. A safe place is essential where your dog is ...um...safe and actually believes it. No children, babies, loud noises, cold/hot weather in sight, just relaxation and calm.

4.) Children = positivity. Such a simple but excellent conditioning activity. If a baby cries, moves, talks, walks, touches, smiles, squeals, etc etc then the best food magically appears for the dog.

5.) Learn more about your dog. Watch their behaviour and body language around children. Do they actively approach with relaxed body? Or do they move away, ears back, tail between legs? Is there white in their eye when a child is nearby? How is your dog feeling? Find out and act.

6.) Something most people are surprised by with me, is that I NEVER approach a dog I don't have a rapport with. If a dog is tied to a pole out the front of a shop, is on a walk, is with their owner at a café, I will admire from a distance and let them be. Who on earth is showing respect to a dog, by approaching them without introduction, standing over them and cornering them? Especially when they are tied up and away from their owner. Take a leaf out of my book (dognitive therapy - in all good book stores ;) and never approach a dog. It's not even about your safety, it comes down to respect.

Respect is an all-encompassing approach to relationships, that includes empathy, forethought, kindness and self control. It's a great tool your dog can give to you and one that should be implemented in all interactions, no matter who with.

After my rant to the Triple M guys, it was encouraging to receive so much positive feedback. So, I wanted to write this to let you know that I am here to support you on the journey. Get to know who your dog truly is and act in their best interests. There is nobody on this earth who can protect them except you. Don't let them down.

Laura V

Yep you've guessed it, I am puttng off work again, in part because I am more passionate about this topic, and also because, well I am great at procrastinating! :) I want to talk to you about Off-Leash Dog Parks. They are scattered across cities and suburbs around the country, and whilst their intention is to provide freedom and fun, I do wonder if the deliver what they intend.

I was lucky enough to actually interview with a highly esteemed journalist and his dog last week, in which we decided it might be fun to visit an off lead dog park, where I could answer questions about my work and book (dognitive therapy), plus give him some welcomed guidance into the mind of his beloved 4 legged. I arrived early and whilst waiting for my time in the spotlight, I sat on the sideline with my two dogs and... just... observed.

Have you ever people-watched before? Try people/dog watching. It is fascinating, in the dynamics between owner and dog, owner and owner and of course dog and dog. I probably looked like a complete weirdo sitting on the edge watching on others, but for me, it was research. After seeing the volume of dog and owner increase as it approached 5pm, my interviewer arrived and we began to chat.

It was such an extraordinary challenge being recorded whilst observing the behaviours of dogs in an off lead area. I was like a child being asked to focus on their teacher, whilst their friends poked faces on the other side of the window. I would start talking and then be completely distracted by a dog and start comentating on the dogs around us, often as examples of what I was talking about in the interview.

'Laura, what are you interpreting here with these dogs?'. I observed a magnificent shepherd relentlessly chasing a whippet, where the owner of the shepherd stood by and proceeded to reward her dog for... well, not catching and killing the whippet I suppose. It was like watching one of those TV shows, where you can see the 'baddy' is fast approaching the victim, to which you half-heartedly cover your eyes, unsure of whether they will get away or not. This shepherd was in exquisite prey drive. He was after this other dog in what was a fun and pleasureable feat, to eventually catch and ruff up his sitting duck (or should I say dog).And what about the whippet? What was their owner doing? A...b...s...o...l...u...tely nothing too!

When I sit at an off lead dog park, this is a sneak peak into my brain's private commentary on what often (not always) happens...

- Several dogs anxious - licking lips, avoiding, bodies stiff, body shaking, humping and avoiding.

Other dogs chasing, cornering anxious dogs around and between their owners' legs. Owners oblivious to the clear indicators of their dog's emotional state. Cresscendo of anxiety, frustration, fear and then... dog fight. Owners yell and yank, punish dogs, put them on lead and leave. My God! What a shit experience... for the dogs.

I will continue to hesitate recommending off lead dog parks probably for the rest of my natural life, because they are the equivalent of the Colosseum, in its hay-day. There are several animals encouraged, forced, walked and allowed into an enclosed space, let off lead and given access to... what ever they feel. Often, this works just fine. Dogs who know each other play respecfully in an area for an hour as their owners proudly look upon them, laughing with glee at how wonderful they all are. BUT, there is a dark side to these environments too. The dark side is where I come in; on the other end of the phone, when an owner explains their dog has been attacked, picked on, cornered, chased, harrassed, barked at, picked up, bitten, or simply caused injury on another. This happens too often! But it happens mostly without owners even recognising or acknowledging that it could have been prevented.

There is such an irony to human behaviour, when it comes to our dogs. We have little interest in preventing issues, instead reacting to our dogs' reactivity. We wait until it is bad before we decide to to something about it, actually no, we wait until it is bad FOR US, and then we start doing something about it.

An off lead dog park is generally not a good place to socialise your dog. I say this with the heaviest of hearts, because where else are you going to find a place where your dog has the freedom to enjoy themselves freely with their conspecifics? It pains me to state this as socialisation is arguably the most important learning skill for a dog. If they can't socialise, how can they learn social skills?

Perhaps we need to draw back the purpose of off lead dog parks and make them spaces that owners join, as members. Members are encouraged to showcase their dogs ability to socialise and agree that if their dog displays any behaviours that are not conducive to a garden of eden type experience, then they must be on lead. I'd love to start dognitive therapy clubs, where dogs and their owners are able to socialise their dogs, work on improving socialisation for their reactive dogs and help everyone gain confience in undertsanding dog behaviour without consequence. Whilst I don't have much time, if this idea was overwehlminly popular, I'd certainly make time!

What do you think? Can you recommend a great space? Would you join a dognitive therapy club? How can we support you and your dog to have the best social experience possible? Let's work together to help our dogs have the best life possible. We can all agree that they deserve it.

Laurav.com.au

I confess, I am sitting at an airport, waiting for my flight and procrastinating an article I need to write, that is due tomorrow. But nothing can distract me from a thought that came across me yesterday, like a hammer to the head. The thought that our dogs are a huge commitment, but a commitment that ends far too soon.

With 250,000 dogs euthanised in Australia every year, the term 'commitment' seems to be a subjective and fluid definition. For many, it is black and white; a contract between man and dog that lasts a lifetime (for the dog anyway), but for others it is an intention, with little forethought into the future, especially when the couch, table or socks become partly digested by a frustrated and anxious pup.

For me, this commitment is more of a privilege. We spend countless hours campaigning to people that a dog is for life. That 15 years is a long commitment filled with sacrifice. But really, 15 years with the best friend you could ever ask for, is nowhere near long enough in my eyes. I would give anything for Chester, who is 8 years old now, to live as long as me. The thought of losing him is too much to bear. Even now, my eyes water and my heart aches to think that one day, he will not be at my side.

6 years ago, that fateful day almost greeted me. We had visited a friend on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, on a gorgeous and sunny August day. Chester was a young chap, explorative and motivated to sniff out anything and everything he could find. He was distracted in the bushes as was I deep in conversation, but it was not long until everything I knew in that moment, completely and truly disappeared. Chester reappeared with a limp and a gait that would sober a drunken man’s walk. He walked to me and collapsed at my feet, leaving me completely blindsided. He was unresponsive. I bellowed his name right to his ear and still nothing. I screamed, pushed and prodded his lifeless body, until my friend called the local vet. The vet was 50km away. That moment, was quite possibly one of, if not the worst of my life.

Chester survived, of course, but on that day, I discovered that he was fatally allergic to bee-stings. He almost died. And in most ways, so did I. His breath reduced to a handful each minute. His face and body swelled with allergic panic and his blood pressure dropped below reading. It was a Sunday and we were in the middle of nowhere. We nursed him into the car and headed for a civilisation that may just have a vet department open. I will never forget holding him in my arms in the passenger seat holding him up and attempting to keep him conscious. Of course, growing up with animals, death is as inevitable as life. When we have attachments to others, death causes extraordinary pain for those who still breathe. To lose Chester would be a pain too unbearable to endure.

Those of you who have lost your great loves, will no doubt understand what it is like to go through such loss. I have always said that our dogs are the best people we know. They are our guardians, educators, comrades, and companions. Do we provide this for them? It's a question I find myself asking a lot these days, especially after writing 'dognitive therapy'. I'm not sure we do and even if we think we do, we should open our eyes to the possibility that the relationship is a lot more one sided than we may like to recognise.

So, for those 15 years you have; (some have more, some have much less), breathe and be grateful for it. If the couch gets chewed, it can still be sat on. If your clothes are muddied from the clothes-line, they can be washed again. I never get upset when Chester's muddy paws make contact with my white shirt. His little hairs that find their way into the most creative places are reminders that he is here. He is alive, at my side and I am so incredibly grateful for that.

New couches, hairless floors and slobber free clothes don't really make you happy. Happiness comes from a mindset that is filled with acceptance, kindness and cognitive empathy. Make the most of every moment you have with your dog. You never know when it may be your last. I make the most of every day with Chester. There are so many wonderful moments in every day to celebrate with those you love. Every behaviour Chester shows that is not what I had anticipated or expected is a learning opportunity for me to improve his life in some way. He makes me a better person.

For Chester, those we love and those we have lost, human, dog or other; let’s start to be mindful. Be grateful and love every second you have together. The billions of years this earth has rotated around the sun and the ever-growing universe outside our comprehension are reminders that 15 years is a drop in the ocean. 15 years is lost before it is valued. Go and thank your dog right now. No matter what they are doing. They are doing the best they can, with what they have. A dog is an opportunity for you to learn how to be a better person. Let them teach you the value of respect, trust and love. Let them motivate you, show you how to be mindful, forgiving and optimistic. Take the generous lessons they have to teach. They will make you a better person. And with that you will make them a better dog.

Today, I proudly chatted to a number of wonderful expectant parents about the importance of developing a bond between their child and dog. I was talking about how dogs are such extraordinary teachers for children, including how they provide companionship, enhance confidence and are always there to have their ears metaphorically bent. This led me to talking about dog and child welfare and how we can safely and responsibly teach children how to interact with unfamiliar dogs. This is where it became interesting.

I discussed how Education programs (admittedly not all, but many) provide lessons where children are taught to ask the owner if it is ok to meet the dog (which is great), and providing there is permission; children are then advised to slowly approach the dog with their hand in front of them, and hands clenched into a fist. I admit, I did dramatise it a tad, by walking towards a viewer with my hand out in front of me, where most programs encourage the child to approach at a diagonal, which is allegedly less threatening.

My motivation for this discussion was to tell parents that it is never ok for a child to approach a dog. I know that at this point, I may be causing a bit of human pilo erection, but the truth is, I don't think anything good has ever come from a child approaching an unfamiliar dog. My advice was to teach the child to ask for permission from the owner and then ask the dog's name, in an effort to allow the child to build a rapport with the dog. If the child calls the dog's name and the dog responds by approaching the child, then the dog is willing to engage. At this point, the child may touch the closest side of the dogs body or the chest gently and respectfully, stopping soon so that the dog feels they still have choice.

Anyway, I finished my talk, received a round of applause and moved away, to which I was bombarded by an abrupt and ferocious group of women who accused me of being unqualified, unprofessional and that I was going to be responsible for an increase of dog bite incidences with my advice. These people are positive training advocates, with no hesitation of berating and abusing their conspecifics. I'm not sure about you, but that sounds quite morally inconsistent to me..

Taken aback quite considerably, I sadly found myself trying to discuss their concerns, without realising soon enough that they had absolutely no interest in a professional discussion. That's the problem with concrete minds, of which some trainers have and although some may have 50 years experience, does that actually make them the best at their job? If I may add here, I am in awe of many experienced trainers. Some working with dogs for 50+ years, others more, others less. But what I am not in awe of is people in the same industry subconsciously fighting against a common goal.

I was told that their school program was responsible for the reduction of bite incidences by 22%, and that they had researched and collected data from millions (yes millions) of people.

Firstly, up to 80% of child bite victims are children who know the dog at home or at a neighbours home and secondly, how could one possibly measure that percentage with rigorous analysis - pointing to them being responsible for a reduction? My argument was never against incredible organisations that donate their time and expertise to educating children on dog safety, because there are many out there (possibly even theirs) that work tirelessly to improve children's safety. My argument based on unfounded statistics, a concrete and non-malleable mindset to think that maybe, just maybe, there is a better way we can do things. The truth is there is always a better way to do things, sometimes we just haven't thought of it yet.

A vast majority of dogs bitten are unsupervised by adults. If the majority of children being bitten occurs in the home, then what is that saying about us? To me it says 'hey laura, there are lots of programs out there, yet children continue to get bitten.'. Hmmmm. My work is based around the foundations of respect, trust and empathy. These are emotions and mindsets that need to be instilled into a child on a daily basis. Whether at school, day care, or at home, we are all failing our children and our dogs. I am prepared to admit that, who else is?

A recent study remarked:

the education process is lacking and the guidelines confusing and conflicting between different local governments. It’s time for the government to bring the legislation together and roll out a strong united stand to help reduce attacks and foster one of the greatest relationships a kid can have.

What I am trying to do is change the game of dog and human relationships by teaching people to THINK! I know that I will continue to be berated because I am someone prepared to ask questions and make suggestions that haven't been tried before. I am certainly not going to risk a child's safety however. I work with the best trainers in the world and we all agree on one thing, everyone who says they know better, usually never does. Please open your mind. Hate me if you need to, but at least ask yourself, could there be a better way?

Dog bite statistics show a healthy increase year after year, and whilst causation is multifaceted, we can at least agree that the way all humans interact with dogs can vastly improve.

It is a dirty word that drives me crazy because it is used in that wrong context all the time.

I often hear dog owners talk about how their dog shows dominance over either them, or the other dogs in the household through being the instigator of fights and general aggression.

The truth is that dominant dogs by definition behave in ways that prevent aggression and fights in a group, not instigate them. If we were to observe wolves in Yellow Stone National Park we might be lucky enough to see a family group interacting and if we were to see 'dominant' behaviour, we would see it in a parent, not offspring. We would see him or her behave toward the group in assertive ways that were designed to maintain cooperation and positive dynamics within the group. The dominant dog or the parent is the one who may be the first on alert if a threat presents itself. They may be the one to interfere and end a young sibling squabble. They are the ones who help to ensure survival of the group.

Our definition of dominance then is very flawed.

Dominant behaviour of a dog toward a human then is not a behavioural trait, but rather a function of that relationship. In other words, if a human cannot safely control the environment in the group, then someone has to. Whose fault is that?

Let's start to sit and observe our dogs. If they display controlling behaviours, then let's start to ask ourselves why instead of devising a label that releases any fault attributable to us - such as, 'they are just a dominant dog'. What if we asked ourselves 'why does my dog display those behaviours?'. Of course, when a dog has been rescued, and has carried a load of baggage into their new life with you, then controlling behaviours are often more prevalent. But they can be changed, and it all starts with you.

1. Find out what your dog loves and what she wants in her life.

2. Write down everything you learn from Point 1 - these are rewards!

3. When your dog shows cooperation with you - give them a reward.

4. Ignore ALL demanding behaviours, simply by walking away.

5. Spend time with your dog, on lead. Use a lead like the dognitive therapy hands-free waist lead and encourage them to follow you for rewards.

6. Play! Play is a time to bond with your dog. It is an essential ingredient to happiness for both of you.

7. Exercise - this means mental exercise too! Spend at least 20 minutes each day showing your dog how to think...

- use a treat dispenser instead of a dog bowl, give them part of their daily intake of food for doing cooperative behaviours, such as volunteering to sit, waiting to get on the couch, walking beside you on lead.

8. ALWAYS think from your dog's point of view. We don't spend anywhere near enough time showing empathy for our dogs. This is perhaps the best way to not only overcome controlling behaviours in our dogs, but also to become better people ourselves.

So there you have 8 points to get you on your way to overcoming the real reason why your dog shows those 'dominant' behaviours.

As I always say... dog training isn't about dogs, it's about people.

Make your dog proud!

I am sitting on the couch listening to the sweet hums of my dogs beside me, exhausted from the tough day of exercise, good food, respect, love and comfort. Also, I have to confess, in front of me, the TV is turned on and one of the many American Counties is showcasing its glory of upper middle class women - The Real House wives of something something. As I stare at it, these words come to mind- rich, bored, frustrated, fighting, unhappy. I know, these shows are terrible, but sometimes I find myself staring at them and I actually think my brain completely checks out! Sometimes this is nice, especially after seeing some of the things I see in this harsh and brutal world. Hmm I digress.

So, I got to thinking; are our dogs the equivalent to the women on these TV shows?

We love our dogs, we want them to be comfortable and feel loved, with the best treats and the best outfits. But those women have all these and they are not happy. I think there is something in this. When we are bored, when we lack purpose and respect for others, our behaviours deteriorate. We become destructive, we become more vocal or shut down, we redirect on to out lived ones, we find problems that weren't there before and we fight. See where I am going with this?

Telling dog owners that they need to give their dog more exercise and stimulation has been drummed in to the modern society psyche, but I think we are still stuck in an old-world frame of mind. "We should do this for our dogs, otherwise our dogs will destroy our backyard!"

Think of it like this instead: "I want to do this for my dog because we want him to feel happy and giving him a purpose in life is what he is asking for". The difference between the first quote and the second is that the second quote comes from a place of respect and empathy. Whilst both frames of mind may result in a similar outcome, the second will last. These are the foundations of a lasting, loving relationship. You and your dog deserve that!

I am lucky to live with dogs who know wholeheartedly that they can trust and respect me. They have a true purpose in following my leadership and discovering this fascinating world in my safe hands. Chester lets me know if he is unhappy, but he is no desperate housewife! I listen to him, but don't indulge his demanding, frustrations. For instance, if he stands unhappily at his treat toy for more dinner, then I know he will just have to live with that. But, if he is outside in the cold, then I will act on that and bring him inside. I know what he wants and what he needs because I watch. Become an observer and a listener. Dogs don't need to hear you talk.

I think that indulging our dogs and training them to do what we want for our purposes and to fulfill our needs, is not the way to go anymore. Strip it back to basics. See yourself and your dog as two raw individuals who need to survive together as a team. Listen to them, keep them interested in life, take them out to places with you, involve them in your family all the time but at the same time give them individual purpose and confidence too. They are our best friends, it's time we start being theirs.

Laura V xx

I hear this all the time. It's cold, I'm tired, It's raining, My dog doesn't like to get wet, There's a storm on it's way... I've heard it all. Well guess what? You can exercise your dog at any time of the day or night, no matter what the weather outside. Actually, you may not even need to leave the house!

We seem to be stuck in this routine of exercise, where exercise can only be defined by walking around the block a few times. But, going for a walk can be far more creative! Here are my top tips for exercising when it's freezing outside and you just can't conjure up the courage to face the elements...

1.) Teach your dog to 'search' for items in the house and bring them to you.

This is a great game, that not only gets them running around, it gives them focus and exercises their brain too. To teach your dog to 'search', firstly put your dog on a lead and show them a yummy treat. They will want to get to the treat as soon as possible, so your role is to make the word 'search' associated with getting the food.

What you'll need to do is pop it just out of reach in a spot that is hard to see, but where your dog can find it. When you are ready and your dog is properly motivated, say 'search!' as you drop the lead.

Your dog will run to the food and the reward means he gets to eat it.

Once your dog starts to understand the game, you can teach him to sit and wait, whilst you hide the food. Return to him and then cue him to 'search!'.

The next step is to replace the food for a toy. The toy must be one that they love and that they enjoy interacting with you involved. First make sure they understand how to retrieve and give it to you, then you can hide the toy and teach your dog to search and rescue the toy, bringing it back to you. They may even get a yummy treat for finding it and bringing it back.

Play this game and make it harder and harder for your dog as they show more ability. Playing this twice a day for 20 - 30 minutes is often far more satisfying for a dog than going for a walk around the block. Dogs love to explore and to think. Sometimes giving them a chance to do this each day with different experiences can even curb problem behaviours such as barking, digging and chewing.

2.) Teach your dog to guess which cup their food/toy is under.

Start with one cup and put some yummy food under it. When their nose touches the cup, turn it over and praise, allowing them to take the food. Continue with this game, whilst your hand is firmly held on the cup, so it doesn't topple over.

When your dog starts to understand the basics, allow them to try a series of things to get the food from underneath the cup. Eventually, they will put their paw on it. At that moment, turn the cup over, praising them and allowing them to take the food.

Once they understand they need to use their paw to get the food, you can introduce the second cup.

One cup has food and the other doesn't.

Allow your dog to see which cup has the food and allow them to show you with their paw. When they do, praise and allow them to take the food.

By now, you can move the cups slowly, so that your dog needs to watch which one has the food.

Depending on how patient you are and good your timing is, your dog will pick this up quickly.

This is a great fun game, that builds a bond with your dog through play and at the same time, allows them to get their dinner in a much more creative way.

Well, I'm pooped just thinking about all this exercise. Give it a go with your dog!

Love Laura V xx

Enjoy!

Right now, I am sitting on the couch, with Chester standing in front of me . He is telling me something very clearly. He is hungry (anyone who knows him, knows he is always hungry though). He has a distinct routine - he starts by quietly staring at the pantry, then he moves to the lounge door and stands there waiting for me to get up and let him outside. I fall for this trick regularly. He doesn't want to go outside, he wants me to get up and follow him back into the kitchen, where the food magically appears. He is so smart! What a pattern he has learned!

I am sure your dog has some tricks up his sleeve too, to get you to do what they want.

Dogs have spent thousands of years manipulating us and I am in awe of it. Chester is a master at this. Right now, his head gently rests on my leg as his big beautiful brown eyes gaze into mine. He knows that eventually, I will give in. He is right. I can't resist him. I know what he wants. Why wouldn't I give him something he wants?!

Well the truth is, I have to practice what I preach. To have a well balanced, content, confident dog, I need to provide a safe environment. If he gets stuff for free, or if he manipulates me for food, automatically, he gains control of all resources - well he thinks he does anyway.

Whats the problem with that? The problem is that he can't successfully control his resources, because I am the one who buys, makes and provides his food each day. If this was all up to him, then he'd need to engage in constant manipulation, demand and control each day to get what he needs. This is where we get anxious, needy and demanding behaviours - all because we gave in to our dog's adorable cues and begging. Giving in to them, sets them up for failure.

I admit, I give in to Chester's very subtle, well mannered demands on occasion. But, I do know when to let him know that he won't get anything more from me. If you choose to occasionally give in to those big brown hungry eyes then that's ok, but make sure you have a cue that is consistent and means - 'there is nothing more here for you'. My word for Chester is 'FINISH'. This word is final and he knows what it means.

So there you go. You don't need to train a robot dog. You don't have to take the military dog training approach. You can give in every now and then. If this is so however, ensure you do have the consistent communication with your dog that resources are over and it is rest time.

Finish!

Laura V xx

Separation anxiety is a common issue that I get asked about. The truth is that the word ‘anxiety’ is in fact the most common issue for dogs in today’s society. To me, this makes perfect sense. This world is stressful! Imagine living in this world as a dog! Most of your survival resources are out of your control, leaving you with a whole lot of anxious energy.

The role of dogs has changed over time and is perhaps the main reason why so many dogs now suffer from a range of anxieties that leave owners asking the desperate question ‘why?’.

As a specialist in the behaviour of companion dogs, I have seen how the relationship between dogs and owners can sometimes unknowingly be more beneficial to the owner than the dog. Dogs are amazing companions, they give us so much love and comfort that sometimes, we forget that we have a responsibility to think from their point of view as much as our own. We should be asking ourselves some important questions such as ‘is it of benefit to my dog to feel he needs to follow me everywhere?’. ‘Are free cuddles and treats really showing my dog I love him?’. ‘Does her neediness really mean she loves me?’.

Evidence shows that dogs who display demanding, nervous and needy behaviours are the prime candidates for separation anxiety. In many ways, the owners have encouraged it.

How can you alleviate Separation Related Behaviours (SRB), if your dog already panics when you leave their sight? It can be done, but with effort and commitment each day. Any quick fix has a quick end, so let’s start dealing with the cause instead of the symptom.

Six Essential Steps

Exercise – increase it! Even if you think your dog gets enough, they probably don’t. Remember think more from your dog’s point of view than your own.Mental exercise – encourage them to use their brain in positive ways. Hide ‘n’ seek games, ball games, new tricks etc. Draining your dog’s mental energy can increase their confidence, which is crucial to alleviating SRB. Impulse control behaviours are critical , such as the ‘sit/stay’ behaviour. Cue your dog to sit and increase the distance and time you can be away from them. Calmly return to them and release. The more impulse control your dog has, the better they can control their state of mind when left alone.Departures and arrivals need to be a non-event. No energetic greetings are allowed. It needs to be as if leaving and returning was always a certainty and that it’s no big deal. When your dog is calm and relaxed, that’s when calm and friendly greetings are permitted.Don’t allow your dog to follow you everywhere. Your dog should not need you to be in sight at all times. Close doors and access for a few seconds at a time and return without making a big deal. Work your way up to being in a different room from your dog for a few minutes to an hour without them needing to be with you. Encourage this with yummy chew bones and toys, not by enforcing it.Practice the departure routine as often as you can without leaving. Pick up keys, put on shoes, collect your wallet or handbag and head to the door. Ignore your dog on all departures, even if you’re not going anywhere. You can even give them a cue such as ‘bye for now’, give them a treat, leave the room and return shortly. Gradually increase the amount of time you are out of sight and observe their behaviour. If they can predict what ‘bye for now’ means, they will more likely relax, knowing that you will return to them.Last but MOST important is to allow your dog access to their safe place. If that is on your bed, then your dog will need to be able to get there whilst you are out. This is an absolute essential tip.

The golden rule is to be consistent. Try to see your relationship from your dog’s point-of-view more. You will find that the free cuddles, treats and fuss is not what your dog really wants after all, and that true love with a dog is being a consistent and fair leader, who your dog trusts and respects.

Dogs are creatures of habit. To survive, they need to be able to predict their environment and control it within their group as best they can. Unfortunately, children; particularly those of toddler age can be both unpredictable and uncontrollable. Therefore, to a dog, a child can be very scary.

Think from a dog’s perspective. Imagine being confronted by a small human stranger who runs up to you, throws their hands in front and touches you everywhere without being asked, who squeals without reason, and whose movements are as predictable as the Melbourne weather. Imagine, you are attached to someone who is not listening to you and has complete control over the safety and well-being of your whole entire life. What would you do?

Often a mum or dad with their child will approach me and ask if they can pat my dog Chester. I always say, ‘ask Chester’. Sometimes people look at me like I am crazy, but really it is Chester’s decision. He tells me how he is feeling through his body language, his eyes and his behaviour. I know he is great with children and has an exceptional temperament, but by the same token, he is not a robot. If he tells me he doesn’t want to be cornered by children, then I respect that. By respecting his communication, I am able to ensure he trusts me to keep him safe, maintaining his wonderful temperament and behaviour.

There are two sides to this advice, one from the owners’ perspective and the other from the parent or guardians’ perspective. I want to address these separately, as although they are both responsible for the safety of all those involved, they require very different actions.

If you are a parent/guardian:

Never allow your child to approach a dog. It doesn’t matter if that dog is a Golden Retriever puppy who is wagging his tail. This is not only about what the child learns in life, but also about what that dog learns. Firstly, it is important that a child learns that approaching a dog without requesting permission from the owner does not teach them empathy or respect for others. Secondly, for that dog, especially a puppy, it can teach them that people of all sizes may unpredictably approach them at any time, becoming a punishment that they look out for every time someone walks towards them. Dogs need to learn social manners with other dogs and so we also have a duty to learn their social language too.Once you have asked permission from the owner, allow the dog to approach the child. This will help you to understand and respect where the dog is coming from. If they don’t come to the child, it tells you that they don’t feel comfortable to do so. Respect that and allow the child to understand from the dog’s perspective.Never pat the head. Scratches under the chin, the chest or on the side of the body closest to the child are friendliest. No cuddling. That is a primate behaviour, not a dog behaviour.Move away from the dog before the dog moves away from the child. It should be positive, short and sweet.Quiet, calm and gentle… NEVER loud, excited and rough.

If you are a dog owner:

Two words I always go on about is ‘body language’. Get to know your dog. Understand their means of communicating to you. Can you tell if they are anxious or relaxed? Dogs give us signs! From the subtleties of licking their lips, or their tail between their legs, to obvious signs such as lunging toward or even away from something. Spend some time just observing your dog and find the indicators of their emotions.Ideally, in every situation, you want to set your dog up to win, so if your dog shows any signs of anxiety around children, watch his body language and behaviours. If his tail is in between his legs, if he is trying to avoid the child, jumping on you, crying or panting, these are just some of the visible signs that he is not comfortable. If a dog feels threatened by a child, enforcing them to interact is setting both your dog and the child up to fail.Make children positive. Children should be associated with yummy treats, with praise and fun, and even a game or two. Children need to be seen as non threatening. This is your responsibility to ensure that your dog is never put in a position where they do feel threatened. If your dog is anxious around children, allow them to be at a distance where they are comfortable, without reacting in any way. Begin training there.Don’t ever leave a child unsupervised with a dog, no matter what breed or age of dog. Even if she is a family dog who has grown up with children around her, it’s not the dog I worry about so much, but the child making a mistake with the dog whilst you are unable to see or prevent it.You are responsible for your dog’s behaviours. If there is a child who you do not think will be calm and gentle, don’t be afraid to stand in and let the child know that dogs need calm and gentle people around them. If you don’t think they understand, politely cue your dog to move away and allow them to relax. You have to listen and be the voice for your dog. If someone asks to touch your dog, make the decision based on what your dog is feeling. If he is happy to approach the child, then he has made a positive decision to interact. If he doesn’t volunteer to approach, don’t force the engagement.

Dog training really is so simple once you understand your dog. Awareness of their emotions, interests and anxieties in life strengthens your bond together, building mutual trust and respect. It is also great personal development as you learn to think from your dog’s point of view, becoming empathic and accepting of who they are. Now that’s what I call a true friendship!