When we apply an aversive to a dog we are talking about the application non-injurious physical force applied to the dog at or slightly above the dog’s threshold of discomfort as evidenced by a small yip or yelp. Whilst some people prefer to use the words ‘punishment’ or ‘correction’ instead of aversives, I prefer not … Continue reading “Aversives”

Clive D.L. Wynne heads up Arizona State University’s Canine Science Collaboratory and is director of research at Wolf Park in Indiana. GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Dogs are traditionally seen as “man’s best friend,” but an expert on canine cognition says the origin of the species may not have been all that warm and fuzzy: Dogs could … Continue reading “Were first dogs our best friends, or mutant vermin? The tale wags on”

J. A. Lines, K. van Driel, J. J. Cooper A wide range of electronic dog training collars (e-collars) is available in the UK, but information enabling purchasers to compare the important characteristics of these collars
is not available. In this research, the electrical characteristics of 13 e-collar models were examined, and an approach to ranking the … Continue reading “The characteristics of electronic training collars for dogs”

When I began studying dogs and other canids many years ago, I also was studying classical comparative ethology and getting ready to begin a field project on the social behavior and ecology of coyotes living in the Grand Teton National Park that went on for almost nine years. I retained my interests in learning about the … Continue reading “Dominance is alive and well so let’s get over it and understand what it’s all about”

An article by Grant ‘The Paw Man’ Teeboon Force is one of the most misunderstood aspects of canine communication. Many a time I have had quite heated exchanges with people who are positive-only trainers who are vehemently against the application of force to a dog…well they ‘think’ they are against the application of force to … Continue reading “Force”