By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

As the year ends, dog trainers and other animal-related professionals look back on the year to try to predict the year to come. Some of my observations project a change in human behaviour. Covid dogs will turn four years old in 2024, and the longevity of many dogs is bleak.

The main reason some pets are re-homed or euthanized is directly proportional to their lack of socialization. There is a reason the puppy phase is called the critical period of social development. This socialization period teaches dogs what to expect later in life; it normalizes stimuli. 

I personally thought that people knew how vital it was to expose dogs to their future environment between the ages of four and twelve weeks; unfortunately, I was wrong. The technological era has set access to information back many decades. There is too much contradiction on the internet to make sense of conflicting facts and data.

Add to the confusion, poor breeding and financial gain, and the dog world explodes into what we are currently experiencing: aggression and fear. Bites more than doubled since early 2019. You might think pit bulls inflicted these bites and death, but you would be seriously wrong. Mixed breeds, specifically doodles, are the most popular dogs acquired during the pandemic; thus, statistically, they outrank bully breeds. The numbers are similar in the US and UK. 

Another factor in increased dog bites was how people selected their dogs; their purchases reflected human impulse buying behaviours. Many buyers did not visit the breeder, dogs, or puppies before they brought their dog home. Furthermore, most doodle owners are first-time pet caregivers. Mixing two hunting breeds together and expecting a calm and relaxed animal is simply unrealistic in a mass-market world.

Dog Bites
Bites are still on the rise, and doodles represent large numbers of incidences. 60% of Canadians became dog owners during the pandemic, and 15% plan to buy a dog in the upcoming year (2024). Unless people realize that Google is not an adequate source for dog training information, the number of bites will continue to rise. 

Doodles are flooding shelters and rescues for a reason: they bite. Lack of socialization, poor genes, and lack of training is the recipe for aggression. You are likely to comment that your doodle does not behave aggressively, but statistics prove otherwise. Look at your local dog walkers; seven out of ten dogs are doodles. 

Food for Thought
In the last fifty years or so, the top three dog breeds sold across the world have been the Labrador, Golden Retriever, and German Shepherd. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, in the UK, is the only bully breed to make the top ten; consequently, pit bulls* cannot be the number one bitter. 

The number one reason pit bulls show up in statistics is because mainstream media solely reports on this breed. The website Dogbites is another biased source managed by a person victim of a pit bull dog bite. I rarely see bully owners for aggression, but I see doodles come in weekly. 

Choosing a Dog
Contrary to popular belief, there are thousands of dog breeds. Rare breeds are generally healthier. You will avoid dog bites and other unpleasant behaviours with proper selection, socialization, and training. You do not want a dog that bites or fears everything new; it is simply not a healthy situation. I urge you to do your homework and find a science-based dog trainer before you start your dog owner journey. 

I have added the Breed Breed Questionnaire I use with my clients. You can scroll down and download it for your needs. The document does not offer a specific breed because I sit with clients to help them figure it out. After all, it is my job to know the various categories of dog breeds that best suit your lifestyle and personality. 

Cheers.
G.

Source:

- Burnett, E., Brand, C.L., O’Neill, D.G. et al. How much is that doodle in the window? Exploring motivations and behaviours of UK owners acquiring designer crossbreed dogs (2019-2020). Canine Med Genet 9, 8 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40575-022-00120-x

- CDC-QuickStats: Number of Deaths Resulting from Being Bitten or Struck by a Dog, by Sex — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2011–2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:999. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7236a6

- Chang, J. (2023). Number of Dogs in the US 2022/2023: Statistics, Demographics, and Trends. Retrieved from https://financesonline.com/number-of-dogs-in-the-us/

- Perrin T. The Business Of Urban Animals Survey: the facts and statistics on companion animals in Canada. Can Vet J. 2009 Jan;50(1):48-52. PMID: 19337613; PMCID: PMC2603652.

*Used as a general term.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE
Dog training apps seem like a blessing for dog owners, so I decided to review a few of them and report back. I selected Puppr, Dogo, and GoodPup. The apps are available in both Apple and Android OS. I will list the apps individually, but before I do, here are the standard features. 

All the apps are lure-based training, which, you know, we do not recommend or use. Lure training does not teach the dog how to think, problem-solve, or improvise new behaviours. I am a firm believer in teaching a dog to learn how to learn. Lure training poses a few problems. 

First, the lure loses its modelling power when a distraction occurs. Secondly, the client becomes dependent on the lure and must always carry food. Thirdly, the value of the lures needs to be constantly increased in value to distract dogs.

Another downside to these apps is that the client does not learn to read dog language. If a person cannot decode behaviours, the person can get bitten. In-person training from a science-based trainer will provide you with feedback to avoid an accident. 

The prices listed below are in Canadian currency.

Dogo
The app offers puppy basics, basic obedience, tricks, and service dog training. Although I have only tried the trial version, my experience is that the integrated clicker often lags in timing, reinforcing the wrong behaviour. My phone’s OS (S21 Ultra) could conflict with the app. Maybe it is faster in the paid version; I do not know. The app offers access to dog trainers; you will receive feedback through video analysis. It is unclear if extra fees apply.

Price: 
Free: 7 day trial 
1 month: $7.99 
6 months: $34.99
1 year: $59.99

Overall, it is a good app for basic behaviours. I would not rely on this app to help with an unruly puppy or adult dog. Furthermore, puppy socialization is part of the app; unfortunately, all the training is lure-based. You must give your credit card information to receive your training plan.

Google rating: 4.6/5
Dogue Shop rating: 3.2/5

GoodPup
Plans are detailed yet simple, and the interface is user-friendly. Unfortunately, this app relies heavily on lure training. The app is free to download, and you will pay a weekly fee after the trial. The app offers access to dog trainers; however, extra fees apply. The website does not provide much information. After you fill in the information about your dog to get your personalized plan, you must provide your credit card information. If you do not, you are blocked. I find this problematic because you cannot experience the interface.

Price:
Free: 7 day trial
Weekly: $44$ 

Although the app is science-based, this platform relies on lure-based training. Hiring an actual dog trainer might be more cost-efficient in the long run because the professional will help prevent other problems.

Google rating: 4.1/5
Dogue Shop rating: 3.6/5

Puppy
The developer has not updated the app since April 20, 2022. The app does have an integrated clicker, and the timing is perfect. After answering a few questions, the app prompts you to give your credit card info. However, you can bypass it and try the interface’s basic behaviours. The platform is simple to use and pretty. The clicker can be problematic if your phone sleeps after a few seconds, as does mine. You must change your settings to use the app’s clicker.  

Price:
Free: 7 day trial
Monthly: $17.99
Yearly: $134.99 (after a 7-day free trial) paid annually in one payment.

Google Rating: 4.6/5
Dogue Shop Rating: 3/5

Conclusion
My experience with phone clickers is that your dirty, drooling hands turn the phone into a mess. When Hariette is in working mode, she drools, and my hands get messy. Plus, keeping your finger on the phone while you work is highly impractical. An excellent old clicker works best. 

The fact that these lessons are all lure-based training is a big turnoff for me, so I will not recommend them. Hiring professional science-based dog trainers is far superior to any app, especially when dogs display undesirable behaviours.

I understand people’s desire to save money, but training apps cannot replace personal dog trainers. It would be unrealistic to expect them to do so. If you want to teach your dog tricks, YouTube is a better bet, and the platform is free.

Cheers.
G.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia isn’t a favourable way to solve problems, but I’m not here to talk about the war. Today, I want to discuss the articles I see on social media relating to the dog population in Ukraine. I wrote an article a few years back about free-roaming and feral dog management, and I feel it’s time to revisit the topic. 

New perspective 
North American people and a few other large cities around the world tend to view dogs in a very different light than we do. The WHO-WSPA’s Guidelines for Dog Population Management (1993) classify dogs as restricted, semi-restricted, unrestricted, and feral. 

Restricted: fully dependent, fully restricted, and supervised by a human 

Semi-restricted: fully dependent and semi-restricted 

Unrestricted: semi-dependent and unrestricted 

Feral:  independent and unrestricted 

Most dogs on the planet fall into unrestricted and feral categories. That is because, culturally speaking, people view dogs as, well, dogs. They aren’t fur babies or fur kids; dogs are simply dogs. In Ukraine, the estimated feral dog population varies between 50,000 and 100,000. In Canada, the stray dog[1] population hovers around 20 000 dogs. The Ukrainian human population is 44M, and the Canadian population is 38M. You don’t need to do complex math to see how problematic feral dogs are in Ukraine. With that said, let’s look at management strategies. 

Why rescues fail
Rescues that fly to countries to import unrestricted or feral dogs have a very noble goal: decrease the dog population and save lives. Unfortunately, the opposite occurs. When you remove feral dogs from the population, they open the ecological niche. By removing dogs, the remaining ones will simply reproduce and fill the niche once more. Only this time around, the local dogs will produce even more puppies. 

According to Izaguirre (2011), when a country combines culling and sterilization, a country can effectively reduce the population. Combining sterilization and culling increases the effectiveness of the management strategy, which, in turn,  guarantees the country's overall success. I know this sounds inhumane, but when we look at it from an ecological perspective, it is the most humane way to control dog populations. 

There are currently 471M dogs residing on earth, of which 200M are strays. The unrestricted/feral dog population is estimated to be between 700,000 and 900,000 dogs (WHO, 1990; Statista, 2018; NPR, 2017). It becomes clear that international adoption as a dog population management strategy is ineffective. The international adoption practice represents another major problem: health. A few years ago, Canadian rescues imported dogs from other countries, which passed on diseases to the resident dog population. The increase in imports during the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the Canadian government to change its legislation in May 2021 (CFIA, 2021). 

I strongly believe new strategies need to be considered if we are to effectively, safely, and humanly control dog and cat overpopulation. A discussion needs to take place as to why dogs find themselves semi-restricted, unrestricted, or feral. Furthermore, accepting our cultural differences is mandatory to understand the foundation of the problem. Rescuing dogs from the meat market or other living situations isn’t viable. I think it’s very arrogant of one country to tell another nation what they can or cannot eat. Maybe people have no other source of food. In any case, it all starts with education. 

Cheers.
G.

References 
- Bögel, K, Frucht, Karl, Drysdale, George, Remfry, Jenny, World Health Organization. Veterinary Public Health Unit. et al. (‎1990)‎. Guidelines for dog population management. World Health Organization.  

- Bringing animals to Canada: Importing and travelling with pets. Canadian Food Inspection Agency. (2021). Retrieved 4 March 2022, from https://inspection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578 

- Dog and cat pet population worldwide 2018. Statista. (2022). Retrieved 4 March 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1044386/dog-and-cat-pet-population-worldwide 

- In Ukraine, technology offers humans solutions to the problem of stray animals. (2021). Retrieved 4 March 2022, from https://emerging-europe.com/after-hours/in-ukraine-technology-offers-humane-solutions-to-the-problem-of-stray-animals 

- Izaguirre, E. R. (2011). WIAS PhD project proposal on ecology and society. 

- NPR Cookie Consent and Choices. (2022). Retrieved 4 March 2022, from https://www.npr.org/2017/12/29/574598877/no-easy-answer-to-growing-number-of-stray-dogs-in-the-u-s-advocate-says 

- Smith, Lauren & Hartmann, & Munteanu, Alexandru & Villa, Dalla & Quinnell, Rupert & Collins, Lisa. (2020). The Effectiveness of Dog Population Management: A Systematic Review. Animals. 9: 1020. doi 10.3390/ani9121020 

[1] Unclassified dog population; consequently, lost dogs fall into this category.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT 

I'm not one to talk about my job in the public or other social gatherings. The reason I don't mention what I do unless asked is that my profession quickly becomes the centre of the conversation with questions ranging from What do you do exactly? to the all-dreaded question: What do you think of the television? You know who I'm talking about. I know I'm not alone in this situation, that's why I decided to talk about passionate people. You know me by now: taboo topics are my thing, wink, wink. 

The Punishment Label 
Every time I have to explain what I do for a living, I get confused. The fact of the matter is my answer often depends on who I'm talking with. When I'm in the presence of other professionals, I can openly say I'm a behaviour consultant or animal trainer and know I won't have to explain any further. With other people, my response is very different. 

When I describe what I do for a living to non-animal workers, I can see question marks on peoples' faces, so I tend to explain another way. Finally, give concrete examples via pictures or videos. This often gets me the You're obsessed look, which is often followed by Lucky you, you're living your dream. Don't get me started on the luck part...

I'm not lucky; I worked and am still working extremely hard to do my job. I build programs, knock on doors, and pave the path for other professionals to follow in my footsteps. It's NOT easy, and luck has NOTHING to do with making my business successful. When I get started on explaining my job descriptions, I can see people's reactions, so it's not uncommon to hear them say You're really passionate about your work.

Passionate People 
When people say I'm passionate, it tends to sound as though I'm crazy obsessed with animals; therefore, that's the only thing I can talk about, when in reality, being passionate is all about motivation and determination. I admit it; I'm a highly motivated and determined person who likes innovation and change. That being said, I'm not obsessed with animals. I can talk about various topics ranging from quantum physics to botany, art, music, or whatever you want to talk about. Passionate people are curious, open-minded, and always eager to learn. Obsessed people are quite the opposite. 

I dislike it when family or friends continuously want to talk about animals. These people come to me during social gatherings and ask questions about their dogs or training ideas to solve various problems. I'm flattered, but I honestly don't want to work while partaking in get-togethers, and I especially don't want to conduct consultations in the middle of a wedding or family reunion. I just want to enjoy myself.  

Obsessed Obsession 
Yes, I'm a passionate person, but please don't confuse it with obsession. I'm a professional who makes a living from what I love; however, I can't be defined by my love of one thing. Passion is defined as a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything. It's true; I do have a strong or extravagant fondness for animals, enthusiasm for canines, or desire for anything. Please place an emphasis on anything. That being said, I'm not obsessed with animals. I love art, painting, sculpting, music, ancient Egypt, astronomy, aviation, etc. 

Next time you interact or meet an animal professional, please keep in mind we do this for a living, and although we love what we do, we might not want to continuously talk about it. Why not talk about yourself? Why not tell me what you do for work or what you're passionate about? I love to hear what other people do for a living or pass the time, for it makes for wonderful discoveries and great conversation topics. 

Cheers.
G.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

In the articles My Dog Killed My Other Dog – Part 1 and Part 2, we discussed how dogs living together sometimes kill each other. The attack is often based on resources, medical conditions, or overall conflicts. Today, we will look at some of the consequences of these situations. Should the dog be rehomed or euthanized, or do we carry on our merry way as if nothing happened? Remember, dog training has absolutely no impact on what you're about to read.

Dog attacks
Dogs don't typically attack each other without any particular reason. There is always a motivating factor behind aggressive behaviour. Today, we're not looking at why this happens but what we can do afterward. Many of our readers contact us daily either through messaging services, phone calls, emails, or comments directly on the articles for direction as to what they should do with the surviving aggressive dog. We need to consider the history of the dogs and the reason behind the attack. Every situation is different; consequently, it's difficult for me to pinpoint and solve every individual problem. Therefore, I will make general assumptions. 

Let's assume the dog is attacking either because of conflict or intraguild predation. Intraguild predation occurs when a dog kills another dog based on specific resources. In this article, the resource is the dog's critical space. It's not uncommon to see attacks and conflicts in Dog Overcrowded Households. If you want to learn more about critical space, I invite you to click the link above and read the article. When space becomes a resource, we often see conflicts and attacks arise in dogs who have been peacefully living together for multiple years. Simply put, one day, the aggressor sees and seizes the opportunity and goes for the kill. It's that simple.

Conflicts can be about anything. As I mentioned, it could be about space, food, a toy, or simply the perceived conflict. For the sake of this article, I will consider that an attack occurred, and one dog died. The owners often take the surviving dog into aversion, which is completely normal. However, it's imperative not to make hasty decisions in these situations. You must understand that dogs solve problems according to canine social behaviour, not human law. You have just experienced trauma and need time to process this information.

Possible solutions after a dog attack
Here are some possible solutions to these situations. If the survivor has a history of attacks, the decision to euthanize is sound because rehoming these dogs will be highly unsuccessful. When dogs are highly aggressive by nature, rehoming them becomes a liability to the new family, shelter, rescue, foster, or owner. This type of dog aggression tends to increase when rehoming because the dog has gone through another very stressful event. The overall survival of an aggressive dog is slim to none. Passing on the problem to somebody else is just delaying the inevitable. 

Intraguild predation cases are different because the aggressor has no history of aggressive behaviour. The action is a reflex, not a thought-out process. The dog was responding to an innate motivation to eliminate a conspecific. In nature, predators often force an ill or dying member away from the group by chasing it. If that is not an option, the animal is killed. The reason is simple: an ill or dying animal will attract another predator, thus posing a threat to the entire group.

The killer ensures the group's survival by eliminating the sick or injured. Our dogs cannot chase each other away because they are confined to a house; consequently, it becomes imperative that the animals be separated and managed at the first sign of potential illness or injury. The size difference between the two dogs also increases the likelihood the smaller dog might die. Euthanization should be thoroughly thought out in these situations, and the decision should remain objective. If you cannot take care of this dog after the event, relocating or rehoming the dog might be a solution.

At the first sign of conflict between dogs, it is vital to seek out the help of a professional. When left unattended, the aggression will undoubtedly escalate, which increases the possibility of injury or death. I think each dog owner should take a dog behaviour class to identify problematic behaviours from the get-go. The hard eye is a typical dog behaviour that precedes conflict, yet it's a behaviour most people don't know exists. On the Dogue Shop's YouTube channel Husky Kills Poodle, we see hard eye at work; unfortunately, no one witnessed the behaviour and could not prevent the tragic death of a client's dog. 

All animals display aggression, and to believe certain breeds of dogs cannot bite or kill puts humans and dogs at risk. I find myself in this exact situation. Hariette is larger and heavier than Albear; therefore, Albear is at risk of being killed by Hariette. I constantly manage the situation because I'm very aware of the consequences of my inactions. Although my dogs have not displayed aggression towards each other, I remain fully mindful and objective that this could happen. Ignoring dog conflicts doesn't make them go away. 

Be proactive
When a person lives with dogs, it's their responsibility to ensure everybody's safety. You can do this by educating yourself through dog language seminars and supervising dogs at all times. I will never stress this enough: dogs are predators. Like any other predator, canines behave according to their rules. Don't let anthropomorphism cloud your judgment. Attributing human characteristics to dogs can only be detrimental to both species. 

I strongly recommend you visit the Dogue Shop's YouTube channel. Navigate to the playlist titled What Dogs Are Saying; you can watch the edited videos from there. I suggest you watch these videos repeatedly to familiarize yourself with actual dog language, AKA behaviour.

Cheers.
G.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Nearly two years have gone by since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, and people are still in a rush to get a dog. Unfortunately, the current situation reveals a much darker side to the pandemic. Almost every dog professional on the planet saw it coming, so let’s look at where we are in the COVID dog saga. 

A lot of people are still on the hunt for a dog and are desperate to find one. They shop online, adopt from shelters, or acquire dogs from overseas. I firmly believe we don’t need dogs from other provinces or other countries. We have plenty of dogs in shelters and rescues, which brings me to my first argument. Shelters and rescues are overflowing with returned COVID dogs. People got dogs thinking it would be a love affair only to realize it’s not. Dogs are time-consuming, especially when they are puppies. Consequently, when dogs transition into adolescence, and their behaviour becomes even more rambunctious, pet owners don’t want to deal with the situation and return the dog. 

Puppies are hard work. 
I constantly hear pet caregivers say I didn’t know a puppy would be so much work. Clients call in dog trainers and soon realize that the cost of a professional is higher than they estimated. Their expectations are also unrealistic. Puppies require time to mature and are physically unable to hold urine or feces until they are approximately 3 to 4 months old, sometimes for even longer. 

Young canines have critical phases of development, and sociability is the most important of them. When a person doesn’t expose their dog to the elements, such as people young and old, dogs, cats, animals in general, and things such as buses, traffic, sounds, and smells, the dog will most likely fear these living and non-living things FOR THE REST OF ITS LIFE. Unsocialized or improperly socialized dogs can also display insecure aggression. My workload has undoubtedly increased during COVID-19, and I only deal with aggression cases. 

Another contributing factor to misbehaving puppies and teens is the lack of sleep. Puppies need to sleep anywhere from ten to eighteen (18) hours a day. You read that right. Because people work from home, puppies don’t get enough sleep, and by 3 p.m., they turn into little monsters biting and barking. Sleep-deprived dogs are grumpy and highly unpleasant to be around. The biggest complaint pet owners have is that they can’t work because the dog keeps barking. They leave the dog out of the crate for this reason; however, a free-roaming puppy doesn’t sleep. Furthermore, puppies chew on anything and everything when they are not supervised. 

A doggone problem is a dog gone 
The easy way out of a problem when it comes to animals is to get rid of it. Releasing an animal into the wild, to a rescue, or a shelter is simple. The first approach doesn’t require any effort whatsoever, whereas the other options mean facing your guilt, and who would want to do that, right?! I know I’m generalizing; however, I see posts for lost dogs so often that one must wonder what’s going on. I believe some of these runaways are simply people’s easy way out. Leave the gate open. Problem solved. 

For those who do face their quilt, rescues or shelters are the options they choose. I see so many dogs between 3 months and 1.5 years, having had 3 to 5 families. They are adopted and soon returned because pet owners realize how much work they have to put in. One client adopted a dog and two days later wanted to go to a dinner party, expecting the dog to be calm and quiet in its crate. Guess what, it wasn’t. The person complained about the situation, and all I could say was, what did you expect? 

I wish I could get a few Aibos and lend them to people who think about adopting a dog. The AI behind this fantastic toy can teach people just how demanding a pet can be. Until I can get the funds to buy a few of them, I can only say the following: if you are thinking of bringing a dog home: 

1. Make sure EVERYONE in the family wants a dog 
2. Fill out the breed questionnaire attached to this article and bring it to your future trainer 
3. Pay a trainer to help you find the right breed for you or your family 
4. Please DO NOT get a dog because it’s cute 
5. Do the math to figure out the monthly or annual cost involved with housing a pet 
6. Buy everything you need BEFORE you get the dog 
7. Ask the veterinarian for expenses related to healthcare 
8. You will need between 2 to 5+ hours a day to devote to the dog (feeding, walking, training, grooming, etc.) 
9. Make sure you have the financial resources if an accident happens 
10. Think about what you would do if you didn’t like the dog 

Cheers.
G.

Dog Breed Questionaire - Work with a dog trainer to find out which dog breed is better suited for your lifestyle.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

What is FAST dog training, and why should you care?! I spend a lot of time coaching people on how to change undesirable behaviour, namely aggression, into more desirable behaviours. The best way to accomplish this goes is to FAST train. Let’s look at what that means and how it relates to dog trainers. 

Functionality 
Think of functionality as what works and what doesn’t work. If you are training a dog to stop reacting to other dogs by counter-conditioning sit, will this behaviour work in the long term or not? The answer depends on the environment, attachment style, and cognitive abilities of both the dog and the person. Remember the SCAT model? All determinants have to be present for learning to occur; however, that isn’t enough to guarantee long-term adaptable behaviour. 

If the consequence of the behaviour doesn’t work, we need to change it into something that does. Before we can do that, we must consider the antecedent of the behaviour and its consequence (ABCs). What comes before the behaviour and what comes after it is vital to a functional training protocol. When you can identify A and C, you can let the dog choose what B will work. 

Adaptability 
Behaviour adaptability is the process by which the dog can change its behaviour to suit the situation. Let's say your dog is reactive to other dogs. You are walking in the park when you see an approaching canine. You ask your dog to sit to avoid the behaviour that doesn’t work, lunge and bark, but the dog refuses to comply and goes off to sniff a fence post. Now you think the dog is disobedient and untrainable. This problem begs the question, is the dog genuinely unruly? 

From the dog’s perspective, sit might not work in the situation, but increasing the social distance by using a redirecting behaviour might work. The dog has thus chosen to disobey to obey. Dog behaviour needs to be adaptable to satisfy what works from what doesn’t work for itself. Our job is to provide for such adaptations. Training adaptable behaviour is more important than simply training operant behaviours. 

Sustainability 
Functionality and adaptability result in sustainability. Sustainable behaviours are functional and adaptable actions that work overtime. I teach dogs to learn how to learn and allow them to change their behaviours as they see fit for success. The key role here is to let dogs adapt their behaviour to problematic situations. Trust is the process that gets the task done. I might see dog behaviour that works, but my dog doesn’t. If I allow it to adapt by offering a different behaviour, my training becomes sustainable. 

Putting behaviour into maintenance isn’t a real-world process if you don’t consider the environment and your relationship. I see this way too often. People ask dogs to perform behaviour rather than let them choose what works from what doesn’t work. I see dogs making those decisions all the time; unfortunately, people demand the behaviour they want the dog to execute, and everyone fails.   

Trainability 
The SCAT model focuses on the social cognitive learning theory. The FAST model occurs between the social and cognitive determinants and directly influences the attachment style between dogs and humans. When I allow my dog to choose a behaviour it prefers within a situation, we have both succeeded. Trust is the consequence of choosing what works and what doesn’t work from the dog’s perspective, not the human’s. 

The choice of behaviour to execute also relies on its training. If the dog cannot perform the behaviour because of a physical, physiological, mental, emotional, social, cognitive, or environmental problem, we need to rely on other behaviours. Let’s take the reactivity example again. I like to train dogs to jump on higher surfaces to get out of problematic situations, but if the dog is a Chihuahua, that won’t work, so either I ask something else or allow the dog to choose which behaviour works for it. The Chihuahua might decide to sniff the fence post or walk the other way, in which case both behaviours would work for me, too. 

I often find humans ask very little of their dog’s cognitive abilities. Trainers and clients train but don’t allow for functionality, adaptability, and sustainability. Professionals and pet caregivers both need to revisit training behaviours and how dogs problem-solve and make decisions. There needs to be more trust in the process and flexibility of execution. When dogs refuse to perform behaviours, maybe it’s because they ultimately know what works and what doesn’t work for them.

Cheers.
G.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

I haven't written in a while because the Dogue Shop and Dogue Academy have been super busy this year. But, with a drastic increase in dogs worldwide and behaviour issues skyrocketing, I decided it was time to speak up about lures and their negative effect on COVID dogs. 

Why Lures are problematic 
Everybody, it seems, uses lures to train dogs, and it's highly unnecessary to do so. It is counterproductive. Top trainers and behaviour experts worldwide all use lures to teach dogs, so I know I'm swimming against a powerful current, so be it; it won't be the first time. Plus, I know how to swim, so I'm not scared. 

Lures are used to model dogs into desired behaviours; unfortunately, the dog doesn't need to think about what it's doing; it just needs to follow a cookie to get rewarded. Here's the problem: the lure becomes the cue and eventually the prompt to do the behaviour, AND it serves as the reward. Sometimes, the lure also becomes the conditioned stimulus and the reinforcement. If you're confused, imagine your dog. 

When people do not fade lures out as fast as possible, they become crutches. Trainers come to rely on lures to train, distract, and modify behaviour when the lure in question no longer serves as a distraction. Dog trainers then teach their clients how to use lures, and the cycle of behaviour problems starts. 

The ultimate reason why luring is so problematic is because it doesn't teach the animal how to think. There's no room for creative thinking and problem-solving. In lure training, the desired behaviour can't be modified, changed, adapted, or substituted by the animal. 

Avoid Using Lures at All Costs 
Lure training is lazy training. Some professionals say it's a fast way to train animals, but is it? Trainers with excellent shaping skills can train a complex series of behaviours much faster than lure trainers. One ABA student just trained a dog to fetch a beverage from the refrigerator in 20 hours without using a single lure (watch the video to the right). 

With social cognitive learning theory (SCT), animals are encouraged to think, problem-solve, and develop new strategies to make desirable behaviours better. In the beverage behaviour, the dog was initially trained to pull a rope to open the door, but he offered a new solution to use its nose. Seeing the dog preferred his solution, the trainer changed behaviours and moved along much faster in the training process. I always wonder what a lure trainer would do in this scenario. 

Lure training doesn't create a secure attachment, and without a secure attachment, it's almost impossible to train a dog. Let me rephrase that. Dog training that uses shaping is much faster than luring because the dog has learned that we, as a team, can work our way through difficult problems. After all, we have built a relationship based on trust. Plus, a dog trainer who uses shaping and the SCAT model doesn't have to fade lures at each step; thus, he saves training time. 

You might have noticed that lures don't work when dogs are faced with difficult problems. There's no amount of food, play, or petting that will break a reactive dog's focus. Conversely, when dogs are encouraged to offer new solutions, dogs quickly learn they have decision-making power that can work its way through complex situations. 

Social Cognitive Learning Theory and Attachment in Dog Training 
The social cognitive attachment training (SCAT) approach to training explicitly requires dogs to think and problem-solve their way through behaviours because it's the essence of a secure attachment and cognitive development. George, the dog in the video, was taught using the SCAT model, and as an animal-assisted therapy partner, he loves to solve his problems. We can see the joy in his prance when he breaks through a physical or mental barrier. 

The SCAT model states that to build a secure attachment, the dog first learns to solve problems cognitively with the trainer's direct help and, eventually, the owner's. It also describes how people must surrender their beliefs and projections about the animal and concentrate on the cognitive task. In turn, mental stimulation generates trust between the dog and the human. Trust nourishes the attachment and changes it from an insecure to a secure one. This interspecies problem-solving and decision-making connection generates a level of behaviour you never thought possible. 

Covid dogs have not been socialized because of isolation regulation, and with Canadian winters being what they are, an entire generation of dogs is now heading toward winter isolation. Spring 2021 will bring a dog population out of isolation and nearing adulthood; these dogs won't fare well in society. Lures will be of little use, and insecure attachments will yield frustration and anger. 

Dog Lure Training is Lazy Training 
To summarize this article, here's a bullet point on what has been discussed. 

• Lures don't teach dogs how to think or problem-solve 
• Lures are useless in behaviour modification 
• Lures require fading out, thus adding an unnecessary training step 
• Lures do not create or change attachment styles 
• Lures quickly stop working as distractions 
• Lures can be dangerous when dealing with aggression 
• Lures tend to become conditioned stimuli, cues, prompts, and rewards 
• Lures don't build trust between trainer and dog 

Professional trainers with decades of experience who use lures sadden me. There is no reason to use them. Lures are unnecessary, and I wish everybody would stop using them and teach others how to use them. I've been teaching puppy classes in Montreal's busiest park for decades, and we have never used lures. When clients come to us using lures, we stop them immediately. In five weeks, puppies learn to work for people despite lures, not because of them. 

I urge you to stop using lures because COVID-19 dogs won't respond to treats, and you'll be left with devastating consequences. Dogs are exceptional when it comes to creative thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making, so why not encourage them to learn?

Cheers.
G.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE 

With the import of dogs from around the world, there is a growing concern for people's safety, and that bothers me tremendously. Today, I want to discuss the ins and outs of dog aggression. I am warning you that you might not like what you read, but that does not change the truth or the facts. Emotions almost always get in the way when assessing and working with aggressive dogs; therein lies dangerous situations and unethical practices. Dogs are dying, and people are getting injured or killed. Journalists point to the Staffordshire breeds, all the while omitting northern breeds that kill more people each year. This is unethical and biased reporting.  

Aggression is considered morally unacceptable in dogs, yet people tolerate aggression from other humans. Guy Turcotte admittedly killed both his children, and yet it took two trials to convict him. Montreal by-laws state that a dog that kills a cat will be euthanized, yet a cat that kills birds and other wildlife is free to walk. Why does an aggressive, biased view exist within the animal kingdom? If people feel the need to carry guns for self-defence, why are dogs not allowed to defend themselves with their teeth when threatened?  

Aggression Defined  
We discussed in past articles how fear and anger are opposite emotions; consequently, a dog cannot be fearful and aggressive at the same time. Aggression is the expression of anger, not fear. Expressed aggressive behaviours serve to either kill a threat or make it retreat. When a dog is confident, it will try to kill the threat. When a dog is insecure, it will display behaviours that make the threat go away. A fearful dog will retreat while displaying fearful behaviours. In summary, we have three types of reactions: confident aggressive, insecure aggressive, and insecure fearful. In true ethological description, these three reactions are dominant aggressive, submissive aggressive (active submission), and submissive fearful (passive submission).  

Aggression Categories  
Depending on who you read, there are between thirteen and sixteen aggression categories. I like the thirteen list because it groups a few categories into one; for example, pain aggression includes illness and disease aggression. When I evaluate aggressive dogs, it is important to determine which category they belong to (see list below) because behaviour modification protocols and euthanasia recommendations are dependent on proper assessments. I know; I said the taboo word, euthanasia. I will get back to that later. Some categories are easier to determine and yield a higher success rate than others. Redirected aggression and conflict aggression can be categories; however, redirected aggression is normally the consequence of another aggression category. Most aggressive displays are indirectly based on conflict; hence, I removed conflict-related aggression from this list for simplification purposes.

• Dominance aggression  
• Possessive aggression  
• Sibling rivalry  
• Territorial aggression  
• Inter-male aggression  
• Predatory aggression  
• Play-induced / Excitement aggression  
• Excitement induced aggression  
• Insecure aggression  
• Maternal aggression  
• Learned aggression  
• Irritable aggression  
• Pain-induced / aggression*  

Other categories to consider:  

• Intraguild aggression  
• Human directed aggression  
• Idiopathic aggression  
• Genetic predisposition to high aggression (non-breed specific)  

Idiopathic aggression relates to aggressive displays or attacks toward non-living objects and people for no reason. For example, a dog sees rubber bins and attacks them ferociously. Of this list, intraguild aggression is the least known and discussed. I wrote two articles on the topic called My Dog Killed My Other Dog Part 1 and Part 2. We receive e-mails daily, and the articles, pre and post-hacking, still generate the most attention. Before hackers, we had over one hundred comments and just as many private e-mails. We crunched the numbers, and it turns out one dog kills another dog in the same household every 1.3 days, year-round.  

Aggression Cases  
Once I have identified the category of aggression, a discussion takes place. During the session, clients and I discussed time investment, financial investment, emotional investment, public and private risk assessment, and possible outcomes. Euthanasia is normally discussed in this meeting. I do not recommend euthanasia often, but on the upside, I do know how long and time-consuming the behaviour modification process can take. Pet owners are not animal trainers; consequently, their lives can become consumed by an aggressive dog and the training process. Furthermore, my training has prepared me to remain emotionally neutral when animals display aggression, but that is not the case for clients. Clients are often afraid of their dogs.  

Public and private bite risks need to be considered in aggression cases because the dog and its caregiver become liabilities to the public. I know it can be heartbreaking to learn that the family dog poses a very high risk to the human and non-human populations; therefore, euthanasia is considered a solution. If the dog has a biological issue and medication is not an option because of cost, side effects, values and beliefs, or inefficacy, then euthanasia becomes the most ethical decision.  

Aggression Adoptions  
Too many dogs are surrendered with known aggression issues each year. Rescues and shelters, through no fault of their own, are often unaware of aggressive behaviours because people abandon their pet's life. Furthermore, an animal in a crisis often exhibits its best behaviour. However, once relocated and the three-month adjustment period is over, aggressive behaviours emerge, and people are left with difficult decisions. I have seen a rescue take back an aggressive dog I classified as dangerous only to make it available for adoption the very same day without the mention of aggression. That is highly unethical and dangerous.  

Some people adopt a second dog, and as time goes by, adopt another and another. A year or two down the line, the young, confident dog kills one, two, or three other dogs within the same household. Intraguild predation is one of the least known aggression types because it is not well documented or discussed. Often, this type of aggression falls into the sibling rivalry category, yet these dogs are not siblings; normally, a noticeable age gap separates the dogs. Intraguild predation does not necessarily mean your dog will kill again or is a vicious killer. A predatory brain does what a predatory brain does.  

Aggression Is What Anger Does  
By calling dogs fur babies or fur kids, people have come to anthropomorphically reduce the dog to a plush toy unable of any wrongdoing. Regrettably, people have forgotten that when the stars align, dogs will bite or, worse, kill. That is their nature, and that is their function. To forget dogs are predators capable of hunting, capturing, killing, dismembering, and eating prey puts humans and non-humans at risk of such a fate. Aggression is not necessarily a bad thing; it is simply part of the genetic makeup of an animal. Organisms need a certain level of aggression to stay alive; thus, the emotion should not be ignored, but rather discussed and effective solutions implemented. One such solution is highly effective and has already been written into by-laws. Mandatory leashing of dogs is a law; consequently, law enforcers simply need to enforce the law without biases to reduce dog bites and attacks to nearly zero.  

To the questions asked at the beginning, I will let you share your thoughts. In the meantime, I propose a long reflection as to why dogs no longer have the right to exhibit aggression, why dogs cannot display their species-specific behaviours, why are dogs systematically killed because of people's ignorance, why cats can kill wildlife but not dogs, why cats who bite people are not euthanized, and why are people allowed to breed dogs who physically and behaviourally suffer their entire lives without any form of reprimand?  

Cheers, 
G. 

References 
- Casey, R. A., Loftus, B., Bolster, C., Richards, G. J., & Blackwell, E. J. (2014). Human-directed aggression in domestic dogs ( Canis familiaris ): Occurrence in different contexts and risk factors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 152, 52–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2013.12.003  

- De Oliveira, T.G. & Pereira, J.A. (2013). Intraguild Predation and Interspecific Killing as Structuring Forces of Carnivoran Communities in South America. Journal of Mammal Evolution. http://.doi.org/10.1007/s10914-013-9251-4  

Echterling-Savage, K., DiGennaro Reed, F. D., Miller, L. K., & Savage, S. (2015). Effects of Caregiver-Implemented Aggression Reduction Procedure on Problem Behavior of Dogs. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 18(2), 181–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2014.977383  

- Siracusa, C. (2016). Status-related aggression, resource guarding, and fear-related aggression in 2 female mixed breed dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 12, 85–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2015.12.001  

* Pain aggression includes illnesses, diseases, and accidents.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

If you are a Dogue Academy subscriber, then you have read our Newsletter and know about COVID dog syndrome. Yes, I termed that title because it reflects the entire 2020 dog population. A generation of dogs that will, for the next ten years, display behaviour problems due to non-socialization during self-isolation and quarantine. 

Socialization periods 
I have talked about critical periods of socialization many times before; in case you have not read our past articles, here is a little recap. There are many critical periods in dogs’ physical and psychological development; to make things easier, we summarized them as the neonate, socialization, adolescence, and adulthood periods. The period we are most interested in is socialization. 

The socialization period starts at four weeks and is at its peak at eight weeks (Scott & Fuller, 1965), after which it starts to close and be completely closed at sixteen weeks. Critical periods are not on-off buttons; therefore, the onset of transition periods varies from individual to individual. For the sake of argument and simplicity, socialization occurs mostly at the breeders. Once people acquire their puppy, the critical period starts to close, and there is little time to expose the dog to social encounters and habituate it to life’s multitude of stimuli. 

During the pandemic, many people introduced a puppy to their family and, because of quarantine, did not expose their dog to other people, animals, objects, sounds and smells. Four months into the pandemic, people are coming out of isolation and want to take socialization classes. Unfortunately, four-month-old puppies will start to transition into adolescence, leaving socialization behind. 

What does this mean? 
Socialization is the result of exposure to stimuli. The effect can be positive or negative. During this critical period of development, dogs learn that people, animals, objects, sounds, and smells are regular occurrences; hence, they are non-threatening. The more exposure to life during this time, the better adjusted a dog will be in society. 

When dogs are isolated or shielded from stimuli, the outcomes are usually insecure-fearful dogs or insecure-aggressive dogs. Insecure, fearful dogs want to run away, and insecure-aggressive dogs make people, animals, objects, sounds, and smells go away. Unfortunately, COVID dogs are highly likely to fall into an insecure category. This process is similar to the Winter Dog Syndrome I discussed in a previous article. 

COVID generation dog outcome 
Every dog professional saw this wave coming; unfortunately, we do not know what the overall outcome will be. I suspect we will have very insecure dogs that will require patience, training, compassion, and patience. Society might start to view dogs as they were before dogs. The surrogate child and the anthropomorphic view of animals that have possessed humans for the last two decades might finally dissipate. Dogs are not people, children, kids, or babies. They are domesticated opportunistic predators and scavengers. They display fear and anger through passive or active threats, and we should view and care for dogs as such. 

Do not get me wrong; I love dogs. However, my view and approach have always been a symbiotic partnership and trustful relationship. I complete my dogs, and they complete me in return; I trust their hearing, and they trust my sight. They help me with my illness, and in return, I feed them for all their services, open doors, pick up what I drop, film for YouTube, and allow me to train them for all the crazy ideas I have. 

SARS-CoV-2 will have lasting effects on people and dogs alike; consequently, the next ten to fifteen years will be incredibly different than previous centuries. For my part, I am anticipating an increase in aggression and fear cases. If you are a professional, be prepared to help; if you are a pet caregiver, be patient and seek help. 

Cheers.
G. 

References 
- Scott J.P. and Fuller J.L. (1965). Genetics and the Social Behaviour of the Dog. Chicago, IL: Chicago Press.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

The most common question we get when people call in for help is Can you fix my dog? First things first, for the most part, dogs are not broken. They are not objects we can repair, and they do not have parts we can change. Dogs often display desirable, aka normal behaviours or the occurrence of species-specific behaviours that occur the majority of the time. So, why are so many people calling in for behaviour problems? Let us look at the fundamental reason, and I am warning you that you might not like my answer. 

My pet peeve, and yes, the pun is intended! 
One of my pet peeves is when trainers and other behaviour consultants write on their websites that they can address behaviour problems such as barking, biting, jumping, digging, stealing food, displaying aggressive behaviours, etc. They can change your problematic dog into a well-behaved member of society. Here is the problem: none of those behaviours are problematic behaviours. The majority of dog behaviour problems are human problems. 

Dogs bark. In fact, humans breed dogs to bark. Compared to their wild counterparts, dogs are hyper-barkers. Any occasion is a vocalization opportunity in Fido’s head, so too are jumping, running away, digging, growling, and biting. Dogs love to react and pull on the leash; they enjoy chasing small animals; they like to eat trash or poop; canines roll in disgusting things; in essence, dogs display whatever behaviours they find enjoyable, and to them, that is not a problem. 

True dog behaviour problems 
Problematic behaviours, or what professionals call clinical behaviour problems (CBP), are genuinely dysfunctional behaviours. We define a CBP as an action or reaction that prevents the organism from functioning normally. For example, a dog that guards its food does not suffer from a CBP; food guarding is a healthy dog behaviour. If a dog did not guard its food, it would have nothing to eat, and it would die. A dog that guards its food to the point where it cannot eat can, and often does, suffer from anorexia. The dog’s weight will be dangerously low and will need pharmacological and behavioural therapy to help modify its eating habits. The same can be observed when a dog eats so fast it vomits and eats the food again. When the cycle goes on, the dog can suffer from bulimia and anorexia, and its overall health will suffer. 

Another common dog behaviour problem that is not a problem is aggression. Dogs are predators and function under different rules when it comes to conflict management. When dogs tell other dogs to get out of their space or face, they do it with growls and teeth, not with flowers and chocolates. Those behaviours might be problematic for people who are unfamiliar with dog behaviour, but in reality, these behaviours are necessary and, thus, considered healthy behaviours. Aggression-related CBP often results in self-mutilation or phantom conflicts with a body part. You most likely have seen these behaviours on television or YouTube, most often labelled funny dog videos. 

Animal behaviour professionalism 
In my professional experience, people do not know the difference between desirable and undesirable dog behaviours, and that is perfectly fine. That is why clients hire us. That said, I have an issue with websites that list dog behaviour problems that are not. The downfall with this type of approach is that clients are led to believe their dogs can be fixed when, in reality, they are not broken. When a human goes to a psychologist or psychiatrist, do we expect the person to be fixed? No, we do not! So, if we cannot fix a person, how can people claim, as dog professionals, to be able to fix dogs? 

Throughout my thirty-four years in the dog training and animal behaviour industry, I have seen and heard many strange things; however, I have never lost my direction when it comes to transforming a pastime into a professional business. Exotic and domestic animal trainers need to step up and answer the professionalism call. Trainers need to educate clients and tell them what are the differences between normal and abnormal behaviours. 

There needs to be a discussion on why training goals are critical components of outcome expectations. If you are training or modifying animal behaviour in exchange for money, your criterion needs to be realistic and professional. To tell a client their Australian Cattle dog’s ankle-biting behaviour can be fixed is unrealistic and unethical. Working to eliminate dog behaviours that were created by humans is unfair to the dog and, in my opinion, cruel. 

Cheers.
G.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Captive domestic and exotic animals, which include dogs and cats, live a very different life when it comes to environmental stimuli. Humans directly or indirectly control every single aspect of an animal’s environment. People allow animals to roam or not and interact or not with other living beings and objects. Consequently, animals in captivity lack essential stimuli that allow them to thrive psychologically. To compensate for undesirable behaviour like pacing and chewing, people have designed and offered enrichment and brain games (BG) to animals to improve their overall well-being. That said, there is a misconception about brain games that I need to clarify. 

Enrichment 
We define enrichment as the action of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something. In this case, the improvement directly correlates with wellness. Enrichment strives to increase basic physiological needs ophthalmoception (eye), audioception (ear), gustaoception (taste), olfalcoception (smell), and tactioception (touch). 

Enrichment should be part of every captive animal’s daily regimen of behaviour expression. If Maslow’s basic needs, such as air, safety, water, food, play, walking, reproduction, and thermoregulation are fulfilled through fixed action patterns (FAP), then enrichment serves as a natural expression of those needs. Thermoregulation is the only exception to the rule in warm-blooded animals.

When we place hay in a weaved firehose contraption, the animal does not need to solve a problem; it merely needs to use its foraging FAP behaviours. When we throw a ball, and a dog retrieves it, there are no problem-solving skills involved. The dog does not need to think or plan on how to get the ball; it solely needs to run after it, catch it, and bring it back. 

Brain Games 
We design brain games to satisfy psychological needs. When we offer a BG to an animal, the goal is to stimulate processes that naturally occur in an environment but are lacking in a controlled space. Domesticated animals do not need to think about anything because people provide everything to them. Dogs do not need to find food; conversely, wild animals rarely stumble upon freebies and thus have to satisfy the eating FAP. Yes, a lion might discover a dead zebra and get to eat for free, but that does not usually happen. Most frequently, lions have to find, chase, kill, and eat the zebra. 

We design BG to teach animals how to problem-solve. There are multiple steps involved in solving the game, and domestic animals might require our guidance and feedback to accomplish the required actions. A crow can get a piece of food when it solves all eleven steps of the BG. A dog removes a bone to unlock the drawer and then opens the compartment to receive the reward. 

A well-designed BG includes more than a one-step process. Depending on the animal species and their cognitive abilities, BGs can consist of thirteen steps or more. Birds are notorious for solving lengthy procedural sequences. Dogs are good at solving two or more steps within a problem. The critical part to remember about BGs is that they teach the learner how to learn. Eating from a weaved firehose apparatus does not teach the animal how to forage; the animal already knows how because it is a FAP. 

Overall Differences 
To summarize the differences between enrichment and BGs, I have created a table with yeas and nays on the goal of the object/s used. Brain games are enrichment opportunities; however, the opposite is not true. Brain games are usually too difficult to be considered as enrichment. When designs are too complicated, animals simply give up. It is not worth the effort. 

Although both terms are used interchangeably, enrichment and BGs are not the same. Most enrichment designs serve to stimulate physiological needs, and BGs address psychological needs. I often give the following analogy. Going to the movies is enriching; playing sudoku is mind-stimulating: movies = Enrichment, and Sudoku = Brain Games. 

My point is not to make one seem better than the other; my goal is to differentiate them so you know what your design is doing to your animal. Enrichment does not tire out dogs as efficiently as BGs, yet we do not give dogs BGs thinking they will solve the problem on their own; our direct influence, guidance, and feedback are required. 

In other words, use what is best for you and your animals and have fun. 

Cheers.
G.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr

Over the last few weeks, I have been wondering about what to write for this blog. What could I possibly say about dogs that could relate to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19? The only thing I am prompted to discuss is our inter-species connections. As animals of the earth, humans have placed themselves way above the species totem pole, yet, in the blink of an eye, a microscopic organism brought us down really fast. 

I live in front of a giant park, and each day, I see how nature and dogs are pulling humans out and forcing them to reconnect with their humanity. People cannot come close to one another, yet have found talking grounds to connect. It is as though the very worst gave rise to the very best. A balance. A dichotomy. The dog: our stable mind throughout this pandemic. 

A virus is causing humans to rethink their life choices, prioritizing family time, dog time, and, inevitably, outside time. Mother Earth, once taken for granted, now becomes the beacon of hope. Every day, for the last twenty-two days, we get excited about going outside like we once did when we were young. Every day for the last three weeks, the dog has been requesting to go out, and we are grateful it does so. People have stopped fast-tracking their lives and now reflect on priorities. What humans are and what they should be now holds in the balance. 

The planet screams climate change as pollution kills its inhabitants, and then a viral infection attacking the human lungs is sent. The irony!!! It is a blessing, and we can thank Mother Earth for this gift, for I am reminded how life is precious no matter what species, race, culture, education, size, sex, social status, or wealth one is or has because SARS-CoV-2 does not discriminate. In the micro-world of viruses, BSL does not exist. 

Today, I took both dogs out for a long walk. Our daily pleasure is taken to a new level of enjoyment. The sun was shining, and for the first time, my neighbour and I said hello. We did not say hello because we needed to; we said hello because another organism made us do it: our dogs. We were rallied outside at the same moment for the same purpose. Our dogs do not like each other, but we both love our dogs and today, the call of nature imposed on us by SARS-CoV-2 made us greet each other. Dogs made us say hello because we now acknowledge the value of being outside and having a wonderful park to share with them. 

Animals, however big or small, all play an important role in the dichotomy of the universe. As they did many times in the past, microorganisms keep humans in line with earthly rules, reminding us that we are a part of Earth, no apart from it. It reminds me of my favourite poem by Emily Dickinson.

 We never know how high we are
Till we are called to rise; 
And then, if we are true to plan, 
Our statures touch the skies. 

The heroism we recite 
Would be a daily thing, 
Did not ourselves the cubits warp 
For fear to be a king.

Our day ends as the sun goes over the horizon, setting the stage for another adventure. One in which families anticipate that moment when they get to go outside and play together with the kids or with the dog. I deeply wish COVID-19 did not kill people, but I also wish it never goes away. Just like dogs make us feel connected to nature, coronavirus makes us feel connected to each other. 

As I look at my dogs sleeping, I can only be thankful for this pandemic because it reconnected us to our humanity. Our dogs will not remember this historical event, but our children will, consequently, share with them how important their creativity, thoughts, ideas, solutions, and dreams impact humanity. 

P.S. You might not know, but my first career was in the arts, more specifically design; consequently, I returned to my creative roots and started The Creative Dog, depicting life through a dog's eyes. True to form, there is a hidden code in the logo. Can you find it?

Cheers.
G.

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

My answer to the article that passed on the CBC website (see sources) 

The rules, first announced last December, are aimed at preventing dog attacks and maulings. Really? Nowhere on earth where this type of law exists has there been a decrease in dog bites? 

Under the law, municipalities are required to enforce the province's regulations, which include ordering dangerous dogs to be euthanized. A municipality can also pass its own stricter rules. Montreal adopted its own bylaw in 2018. Please consult your own municipalities.

Doctors and veterinarians will be required to report dog bites. People will now avoid veterinarians or lie about what happened. 

If a person is bitten, the doctor who treats them has to tell the municipality about the bite. Fair enough, we do need that, but are municipal inspectors truly professionals, and can they actually assess aggressive dogs?

In the case of a veterinarian, if a dog that has been bitten is brought in for treatment, the veterinarian will be forced to report it. What good will that do? If no one knows the perpetrator, that's just inefficient. Most people involved in these situations just leave. Will the city or the province be hiring detectives? 

Dr. Caroline Kilsdonk, the president of the Quebec Order of Veterinarians, said vets can report bites that happen in the vet's office or waiting room. So stress and critical space invasion are reason enough to have dogs euthanized? Today, my dogs reacted to a dog who appeared from behind, silent like a hawk and entered our critical space while I was doing a training exercise. Under this new law, if the person complains, my dogs could risk the death penalty because an untrained vet or city clerk can decide if my dogs are aggressive or not.

She said vets will probably not report small bites that can happen during an examination since the dog can be frightened or in pain. Well, this is just another form of BSL. I am seriously against that. ALL bites should be reported then. PERIOD!!! 

"[But if] we're doing a basic manipulation and the dog bites four or five times, you know, it's not proportional," she said. "So that could be reported." Again, BSL!!! 

People who have aggressive dogs and seek out veterinary advice may also be reported if their dog has bitten before, Kilsdonk said. We now know what's going to happen. People will simply not ask veterinarians. People don't want to lose their dogs, so I predict vet visits will decrease significantly. 

Once a bite is reported to a municipality, the municipality will order an assessment by a veterinarian to see if the dog is actually dangerous. OK, this is where I have a huge issue. Since when are veterinarians equipped to assess aggression? Will they have to come with my clients and me on walks? Will they ask me what clients and I have been doing to address the problem? You are asking medical doctors to be professional psychologists and psychiatrists. This is the worst decision EVER. So many dogs are going to die. 

"Dog owners with dogs who bite will want help from veterinarians who are experts on dog behaviour," she said. "[But] there's a possibility that the veterinarian will have to report." Again, such a wrong decision. Regular vets received a weekend workshop on aggression and are now experts. Sorry, vet friends, but we both know that's just a flat-out lie. 

Dogs deemed dangerous will face restrictions 

If a dog is deemed potentially dangerous, restrictions on the dog will apply. 

A potentially dangerous dog must be sterilized, microchipped and have all its rabies vaccines up to date. The dog will also need to wear a muzzle in all public places. I agree with this. It's just basic common sense. But what about enforcing leash laws??? 

The animal will also be prohibited from being alone with kids under the age of 10 without adult supervision. Why 10? The actual age should be 18. 

If the dog owner's home does not have a fence or does not have a fence that will adequately contain the animal, other measures will be required. There must also be a sign warning people that a potentially dangerous dog is on the property. I agree with this, too, because it's just common sense. 

If a dog is declared potentially dangerous in one municipality, the ruling applies to the entirety of Quebec. Sounds reasonable. 

Dominique Alain lost her triceps in after being attacked by three dogs last spring. The incident left her disfigured and left her arm weak. (Denis Gervais/Radio-Canada) If you're going to use scare tactics, at least write the circumstances of this situation. 

Dogs can be euthanized under specific circumstances. 

If a dog bites or attacks a person, leading to serious injury or death, the municipality can order that the dog be euthanized. With or without an evaluation? I'm assuming the latter. I have a question. Who will evaluate the dog? With only three veterinarian behaviourists (verified March 4, 2020 - see names below) for the entire Province, I wonder how Quebec will manage dog aggression evaluations?!  

A serious injury is defined as a physical injury that could result in death or "significant physical consequences" to the person. 

The rules also leave the door open to euthanasia if the dog presents a risk to the "health of public security" of the population. We have already seen this happen. If your neighbour makes a complaint stating your dog is dangerous, the city patrol (read non-professional person trained by another non-professional clerk) can decide if your dog lives or dies. WOW!!! That might open a Pandora's box. Wait, it did actually open just a few months ago.

What if an owner doesn't follow the rules? 

There are penalties for owners who fail to comply with the new rules. 

The owner can have their dog seized and be banned from owning or keeping a dog for a determined period of time. Let's get real here, "seized" and killed, you forgot the word KILLED!!! What happens if your dog bit you? As in the image to the left. Is the dog reported? Seized? Killed? Again, people will lie because they don't want to lose their pets.

Owners can also face hefty fines, up to $2,500, depending on the infraction. If an owner hinders someone enforcing the regulation, including by giving "deceiving" statements, the fine can go up to $5,000. Sounds good to me. 

Fines can also double if it applies to a dog deemed potentially dangerous. 

Will this actually make things safer? 

Kilsdonk, the president of the Order of Veterinarians, thinks so. She said there has been a "major improvement" in how governments tackle the question of dangerous dogs. Here, you need to read the sentence properly. The sentence talks about the government's actions, not an actual decrease in dog bites: "There has been a "major improvement" in how governments tackle the question of dangerous dogs." this translates to We, as bureaucrats, are doing good, but dogs still bite. All this political nonsense will do is build a data bank on dog bites. 

"There was some level of just letting things go, and some municipalities did not have any regulations. Some did not apply it seriously," she said. 

She said that most dog attacks in recent years took place in areas that did not have basic regulations for dealing with dangerous dogs. If there were rules in place, some of those attacks would not have happened, she said. Excuse me, if every municipality enforced leash laws, all this would be unnecessary. The vast majority of bites and attacks would not have happened if dogs were LEASHED. PERIOD!!! 

Kilsdonk also said there was some concern about how veterinarians are supposed to get in touch with their municipalities since every city and town will likely have a different system. Good luck with that. 

But she said she's optimistic that things will be better than they were before. Sweet dreams, people. USA doctors and vets have been obliged to report dog bites for decades, and guess what??? Bites did NOT decrease. 

"I think just the fact that now we will have a basic regulation everywhere … that there will be an improvement." Again, NO, there will not!!! The government and veterinarians need to get real. Seriously!!!  

Gaby’s Two Cents. 
All of this means people will go underground, and some vets will accompany them. People will stop going to the vet because they will be afraid of a potential bite. With this law, dogs that are bitten will need to be reported, but what happens when these “bitten” dogs start to defend themselves? They will eventually be reported and die, too?? I’m so disappointed, not to say angry, about all this. This law was not the original proposal. 

The weekend workshop veterinarians received a few months ago on aggression is by FAR adequate knowledge to evaluate dogs and decide on the outcome of their lives. What happens if a veterinarian dislikes, not to say hates, certain dog breeds? I would like vets to contact me before they assess aggression cases; that way, I know it’s done properly. Go to a vet behaviourist, you say. Turns out we don’t have enough of them around; consequently, they are booked solid, sometimes months away. 

Maybe I should design a test for vets just to see if they are indeed qualified to assess aggression. 

So many things are wrong with this law... 

Cheers.
G.

Sources: 
Quebec's new dangerous dog law comes into effect today. Here's what you need to know. 
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/dangerous-dog-explain-1.5483630 March 3rd, 2020.

Ordre des Medecins Veterinaires du Quebec
https://www.omvq.qc.ca/trouver-medecin-veterinaire.html 

* Board Certified Veterinary Behaviourists in the province of Quebec:

Centre Veterinaire DMV, Montreal
- Isabelle Demontigny-Bédard
- Sabrina Poggiagliolmi

Globalvet, Quebec
- Martin Godbout

Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

A topic that often comes up in professional group meetings is how do you deal with difficult clients, social media, and avoid burnout. There is no cookie-cutter answer to that question. However, l have nearly 35 years of experience dealing with people, animals, self-care, and a degree in family education. Let me share my experiences with you, and hopefully, my recommendations can help you. 

Difficult Clients 
Some people tell me during their interview to become a professional that they do not like working with, people; unfortunately, every single animal on earth is, in one form or another, controlled by humans. In our field, clients are those people. Some people are nice, while others are not. It is how we deal with each unique situation that makes us professionals. If clients can hire us, we can fire them because the client is not always right. Deviant behaviour from people places our professional reputations on the line. I have a few rules in place to help guide me when potential problems occur. I base my professional relationship with clients on these critical rules. 

1.    Clients must remain respectful even when emotions run high.  
      I.    Verbal and physical abuse are NOT acceptable. And by physical abuse, imagine a client asking you to walk their dog at -35°C with a windchill of -41°C, that is abuse to the dog and you.
2.    Clients must do their homework. 
      I.    Investing time in clients and dogs means we expect changes to occur. We get remuneration in return, but when people do not help themselves help their dog, we have a responsibility to ask ourselves is this acceptable to me.  
      II.   Dogs are your business card, so imagine a client with a reactive dog that meat another person. That person says You should get a dog trainer and the client answers I do; I've been working with them for eight months now! Each case is different, but if you know the client is not working on the behaviour, then your credentials go flying out the window, especially if the stranger asks for your name.
3.    Clients must be on time.  
      I.    There must be a plan in place to avoid late-comers, no-shows, or overstays. Trying to deal with a problem as it unfolds is difficult, not to say impossible, to manage. We have terms and conditions waiver each client must sign. On the waiver, it states how we will deal with each situation and the financial compensation that we expect. 
      II.    Firing clients who are chronically late, show-don't-show, or stay longer because they arrived later is reason enough for me to cease our professional relationship. I do not want clients that do not take their dog's behaviour issues seriously.
4.    Clients cannot take two types of training simultaneously. 
      I.    Over the years, I have had many clients to take two classes at once, our class and a punishment-based class. I ask these clients to stop, and if they do not wish to do so, then they will have to go. Remaining passive is contributing to an out-dated dog training practice.    
5.    Birds of a feather flock together. 
      I.    Saying no to future clients is OK. I understand the need to make a living, but money often buys into problems (all four previous ones), and that is NOT how professional service providers should think.  
      II.   Think of your job as a psychologist and ask yourself, Would I tolerate this or that situation?  Is this situation acceptable? Is anybody (dog or human) getting emotionally or physically hurt? Would a psychologist do this? Listen to your answer and go from there.  
      III.   If you have never dealt with a psychologist, I suggest you see one and ask him/her how they deal with certain situations, or better yet, consult the following link to read up about their professional order's ethics and rules.  
6.    Seek out mentorship when necessary. 
     I.    If you are new to the trade, find a professional that shares your core values and ideas and understudy your mentor during their sessions. The experience is enlightening and rewarding.  
     II.   How to interview and be interviewed are fantastic assets in our profession.  

Social Media 
Social media is a new reality, and unfortunately, most professionals do not know who, what, when, where, why, and how to use it, which can lead to the following topic or even ruin someone's career. When social media started to take on its own life, I decided to study it and establish a rule for myself, the Dogue Shop, and now the Dog Academy. Here are some of those rules. 

1.    Post on your social media content that reflects who you are and walk away.  
      I.    Remove the notifications and let your army do the rest. Your followers will fight your battles for you. This way, you do not risk screen captures taken out of context. 
      II.   Negativity affects us whether we want it or not. Social media can quickly explode into a chaotic situation and find yourself in damage control situations. 
      III.  Check your ego at the virtual social media door. Flared opinions destroy careers in an instant, i.e. Don Cherry  
2.    Think before you post, comment, like, or share. 
      I.    Make 100% sure what you are about to do is positive and educational.  
      II.   Some people like catchy news titles but do not read the actual articles. If that is the case, your comment should include a I did not read statement. 
      III.  Sometimes ranting is necessary; therefore, do it with someone you trust 200% and do it in private, ideally over coffee. 
      IV.  When you upload a client's video or photo, make sure you have their written consent in e-mail, text, or paper form. You are sharing a third party's information, and their privacy needs to be respected (see rule 5-II in the previous section).  
3.    Never go live on social media with animals. 
      I.    It can get you into sticky situations. Random photobombers can ruin your moment and your career, for that matter. Should a dog bite you, that too can mean the end.  
      II.   Stay clear of compromising associations. If you want to have a different private life on social media, create an alter ego profile. 
4.    Do not mixe professional and personal profiles. 
      I.    Your personal profile should include people you know, if not, make lists and choose your privacy setting when you post.  
      II.   I have three lists: friends, family, and acquaintances. Depending on what I share, I select the appropriate list. 
      III.  Your professional profile should be for everybody else. I direct friend requests to visit the Dogue Shop page and tell them how they can get our notifications in their feed.  
5.    Get to know your preferred social media's rules. 
      I.    Facebook rules, for example, do not allow for certain topics, words, or content. 
      II.   Social media algorithms work differently for different companies; make sure you know the basics to avoid redundancy and get negative feedback. 
      III.  Post different things on different platforms, it helps prevent viral defamation. 
      IV.  There is no need to share past posts; you are at another place and time.  
      V.   Report negative posts, whether they are directed at you or not.

Burnout 
Why are all these rules necessary? Because the number one reason people stop working with animals is that they burned out. We love animals, and we love to help, but taking on too much does nobody any favours—most people burnout within five years of becoming a professional. Trainers, groomers, vet techs, dog walkers, and dog sitters want to help; conversely, they cannot say no, fear not making ends meet, think they will fail, or do not know how to deal with clients and social media.

In a nutshell, professionals do not have effective coping strategies and rules set up beforehand. To avoid burning out, think of the above rules and try to adapt them to your specific service. You can also add the following rules to your list. 

1.    Learn to center yourself. 
      I.    Yoga* is an excellent place to start because its core philosophy is about centring the mind. Yoga in Sanskrit means to unite the mind with the divine.  
      II.   Meditation is all about clearing the ego's nonsense blabbering. You know, that voice inside your head that never stops, well it turns out you can quiet the chatter. 
      III.    Try mindful meditation classes or apps such as Calm or Headspace. 
2.    Learn to center your body. 
      I.     Asanas, aka physical poses found within the yoga philosophy, refers to being comfortably seated/established/rooted within yourself. Learning to center the mind by first centring the body can only be beneficial.  
      II.    Learning to breathe, aka prayanamas in yoga, can help clear one's head when other techniques are not available.  
      III.   Massages and acupuncture are beneficial too. 
3.    Learn to center your emotions. 
      I.    Healthily evacuate your emotions: movies, music, screams, cry, or flip through photos; do whatever it takes. Wine does not count. 
      II.   Art therapy is another fantastic option for emotional release. Animal-assisted therapy does not count. 
      III.  Go running, jogging, or do any other solo physical activity except going for a walk with the dog. You need to distance yourself to create a new mind space.  
      IV.   Write or journal then burn your paperwork; it helps to evacuate stored emotions.  
4.    Evaluate your Umwelt (oom-velt) 
      I.    The world experienced by the experiencer refers to how you evaluate your experience of any given situation. On a scale of 0 to 10, zero being dead and ten being euphoric, where do you find yourself. 
      II.   When events occur in our daily lives, we can assess our Umwelt by merely telling ourselves the number that corresponds to the feelings and emotions you are having at that exact moment. 
      III.   When your Umwelt in under five, it is time to go, make a change, reassess, move on, etc. 

If you feel you are on the verge of tossing everything out the window and screaming Screw you life! then you are already burned out. You need to make drastic changes. Ideally, do not wait until that moment to make adjustments. Preventing burnout is so essential I highly recommend you set up your own rules as soon as possible. Over the last thirty years, I have seen many talented professionals toss the baby out with the bathwater. I know first hand how our jobs wreak havoc on emotions, minds, and bodies, but I have never burned out because I have set rules for myself. Please consider doing the same. 

I hope this article was helpful and that you can start creating self-care strategies that work for you. The dog world can be a cruel one, but it can also be rewarding, not to say reinforcing when the right strategies are in place. In the meantime, try to find another professional that can lend an ear and empathize with you. 

* There are eight limbs to the yoga philosophy, they are Yama, Nyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Samadhi