Genetically Predisposed to Aggression?
We’ve all heard the news stories about people being maimed and even killed by pit bulls. So what is the truth about dog breeds and genetic predispositions for aggression? Can aggression be bred into a particular dog? There are certainly biological reasons for aggressions, and genetic abnormalities play a role. For years now trainers have […]
Beating a Dead Zebra – Part 5
Learned helplessness occurs when an animal/human finds their situation so out of their control, they eventually stop trying to change or escape it. This is the reason that humans stay in abusive relationships, and it happens when punishment is used with our four legged friends. Because our timing is not perfect, our dog doesn’t understand […]
Beating a Dead Zebra – Part 4
Next on our list: Modeling. Modeling is seen in humans when children live through abuse. The often grow up to be abusers. Thank goodness our dogs are so often capable of living through horrendous torture and still coming out the other side without any apparent signs. But as a general rule, violence in a relationship […]
Beating a Dead Zebra – Part 3
So, going with our list, avoidance is next. This one is fairly straightforward. If you punish your dog the dog is likely to be unaware of your intentions. Most people (even trainers) don’t have the absolutely precise timing that it would take to allow the dog to associate punishment with the act he’s being punished […]
Beating a Dead Zebra – Part 2
Okay, so on the list I gave you in my last post the first one is not really applicable to dogs. Dogs don’t act in a passive aggressive way. I know some people will argue with me. I myself had a little dog that would pee under my chair every time I sat at my […]