I chatted with Chris Blazina PhD about canine behaviour on the Canine Save the Folks podcast.
I’ve received a brand new podcast to share with you!
I used to be a visitor on the Canine Save the Folks podcast, the place I chatted about canines with host Chris Blazina PhD.
Blazina can be a psychologist and so we had a extremely enjoyable chat about canine behaviour. You may hear right here:
Here is the official present description:
John Bradshaw was one of many first folks to put in writing about “how the brand new science of canine conduct could make you a greater pal to your pet.” His work impressed psychologist and educational professor Zazie Todd, who determined to begin a web site known as Companion Animal Psychology to additional discover translating these concepts for a bigger inhabitants past lecturers in her writing.
Zazie goals to seek out attention-grabbing insights and break them down into digestible items of data that she feels are useful to canine dad and mom. This additionally become writing two related canine and cat books: Wag: The Science of Making Your Canine Pleased (2020) and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Pleased (2023).
In October 2024, she launched one other canine-focused e-book entitled Bark: The Science of Serving to Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Canine. On this e-book, Zazie shares precious data for all canine dad and mom and provides perception into what to look out for concerning these behaviors in our canine companions. For instance: a canine might have anxiousness if they’ve a low posture or are hiding typically. The extra you research and concentrate, the higher you possibly can acknowledge the attributes.
Zazie additionally affords some ideas. When you notice your canine could also be having these detrimental emotions, the way you strategy it is going to depend upon their age. In the event that they’re a pet, they could want socialization throughout a vital window. In the event that they’re a canine who was adopted in the course of the pandemic, and issues are altering impulsively with how a lot one is at dwelling, then you need to present different constants to maintain them snug in consistency. In the event that they’re a senior canine, it’s good to pay additional consideration to their well being – even ensuring to go to the vet – as ache in older canines could be displayed by behavioral modifications or points.
Throughout any coaching or on a regular basis interactions together with your canines, extra aggressive or “dominating” strategies by people have confirmed to be not simply ineffective however dangerous. Zazie says that solely optimistic reinforcement strategies needs to be used, which end in higher coaching and happier canines. Damaging reinforcement methods usually are not solely unhelpful, however they’re actively damaging.
The pursuit of happiness for our canine companions is one thing canine dad and mom ought to all attempt in direction of, and it’s key to stay consinsitent and diligent within the course of. The aim needs to be to raised perceive what they’re feeling and supply correct options. By canines’ feelings and conduct by an instructional and researched lens, we’re capable of regularly higher perceive the pets in our lives and the way our actions affect them. Because the analysis continues, our potential to do that will solely turn into extra nuanced and helpful for all.
Pleased listening!
