By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Umwelt is pronounced o͝omvelt and is defined as the world as it is experienced by a particular organism. For the sake of this article, we will discuss the canine Umwelt or the world as…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

If you haven’t heard the news already, Raymond Copping died on August 14th at the age of 80. Ray left his family, friends, dog professionals, colleagues, researchers, and students too soon if you ask me…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

As more and more people discover social cognitive learning theory (SCT), I’m reminded just how slow the dog training and behaviour industry evolve. I practice and teach social learning on a regular basis. Actually, I’ve…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

When humans started to express themselves on cavern walls, dogs were soon portrayed in various scenes ranging from attack to hunting. Where dogs truly hunting with humans or did dogs simply tag along because they…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

As the busy season comes to an end, I’m happy to blog again and hear what you have to say. This week, I want to talk about delinquent clients, and by delinquent I’m referring to…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Actually, I kissed many wolves throughout my career and yes, I did like it. The question is why? Why do we seek inter-species interactions and displays of affection? Some people risk their lives to touch…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Morphological characteristic is a newly debated topic to which I’d like to shed some light. Recently, or should I say finally, the city of Montreal established what the morphological characteristics are for pitbull type dogs…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Someone asked me a pertinent question the other day: “Why do some trainers feel they need to dominate, punish, control, choke, or even electrocute* dogs?” The following is my summarised answer. As is…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Much time has passed since our last entry, and I think it’s fair I give you an update. Last summer, during the dangerous dog crisis, I graduated from Concordia University’s Family Education program. Following graduation…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Here’s an interesting question no one thought of asking; who killed Mme. Vadnais? The first answer which comes to mind is the dog did. What if the system is responsible and Montreal doesn’t want…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Dear M. Trudeau, 

I know you’re a busy man, so I’ll make my plight short, at least I'll try.  

As a Quebec citizen you must be aware of Montreal mayor Denis Coderre’s decision to unilaterally ban…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

The 2016 summer has been, without a doubt, the busiest anti-BSL season on record. I’m not an activist by any means, but when absurdity manifests itself, one reciprocates. Montreal mayor Denis Coderre absolutely wants to pass…