Canine Behaviour Consults
Canine behaviour Consults:
Our Canine behaviour consultations has been designed by Malaika Fernandes, a dog behaviour expert with over 2 decades of experience in dog training and pet care. It is a holistic method of canine training that scientifically looks at understanding dog body language and using it effectively to socialise our pets.
Pups to be house-trained in their pees and poops.
The consults are based on studying the puppies sleep pattern, body clock work, making the environment stress free to do its business.
Different approaches followed in Toilet training:
| Different Schools of Behaviour | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sr. No. | Punitive School | Positive Reinforcement | Princely Paws Learning | |
| 1 | Method based on | Fear, physical force | Treats, rewards | Dog body language |
| 2 | Tools Used | - Physical force - Rubbing dogs face, body parts into feces, pee etc - Sharp vocal commands - Crate training | - Rewards, treats - Potty training Pee pads, - Ignore accidents - Crate training | - Note dog routine. - Note circadian rhythm - Provide choice of surfaces. - Provide stress free environment - Make practise pattern. |
| 3 | Physical force used | Yes | Yes | No |
| 4 | Whether violent | Yes | No | No |
| 5 | Presence of trainer with pup. | Vital | Required | Not Physically Required |
| 6 | Done online/ in person? | Always in Person | Can be done online | Can be done online |
Teething occurs anywhere between 2-6 months depending on puppy breed. A biological process usually painful for puppies, however extremely necessary for their growth. Pups mouth objects to get tactile input which helps them form neural motor pathways that benefit mental and physical health
The different schools of ways to handle teething.
| Different Schools of Behaviour | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sr. No. | Punitive School | Positive Reinforcement | Princely Paws Learning | |
| 1 | Method based on | Fear, physical force | Treats, rewards | Dog body language |
| 2 | Tools Used | - Physically forcing mouth shut - Shoving foot in mouth. - Suggesting chews. | - Use ‘no’ / bad dog command. - Make puppy physically uncomfortable - Suggest chew, toys | - Understand epimeletic behaviour in puppies. - Note sleep patterns. - De Stress environment - That they mouth to get tactile input |
| 3 | Physical force used | Yes | Yes | No |
| 4 | Whether violent | Yes | No | No |
| 5 | Presence of trainer with pup. | Vital | Required | Not Physically Required |
| 6 | Done online/ in person? | Always in Person | Can be done online | Can be done online |
There are different kinds & levels of anxiety found in dogs. The ailments caused by them include depression, change in physical gait & posture, digestive issues & even possible cardiac arrests.
The two basic types of anxiety we consult are -
- Nervous anxiety.
- When your dog is extremely reactive & sensitive to sounds.
- Reactive to visual cues & sudden movements.
- Prone to excessive barking, vicious biting or
- Feels extremely scared at times
- Usually refuse/give hard time to go for walks.
- Relieves itself (urinates/ defecates) without control.
Different schools & how they handle anxiety:
| Different Schools of Behaviour | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sr. No. | Punitive School | Positive Reinforcement | Princely Paws Learning | |
| 1 | Method based on | Fear, physical force | Treats, rewards | Dog body language |
| 2 | Tools Used | - Use ‘flooding’ techniques. - Use physical force | - Use rewards/ treats to modify behaviour. - Use clicker training - Use command training | - Identify anxiety triggers. - Enrich dogs environment. - Offer the dog choice to tackle issue. |
| 3 | Physical force used | Yes | Yes | No |
| 4 | Whether violent | Yes | No | No |
| 5 | Presence of trainer with pup. | Vital | Required | Not Physically Required |
| 6 | Done online/ in person? | Always in Person | Can be done online | Can be done online |
- Separation anxiety:
Dogs feel anxious at being left alone for long intervals.
This can lead to extreme stress levels that can lead to destructive behaviour & self harm.
Approaches taken by different schools to handle Separation anxiety
| Different Schools of Behaviour | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sr. No. | Punitive School | Positive Reinforcement | Princely Paws Learning | |
| 1 | Method based on | Fear, physical force | Treats, rewards | Dog body language |
| 2 | Tools Used | - Ignore such anxiety. - That puppy will get used to it. - Use crates. | - Stay alone for short intervals. - Gradual increase in time intervals. - Use corrective sounds. - Use crates. | - Understand ethological POV in puppies. - Enrich physical environment. - Choice to practice functional behaviour - Setting realistic expectations. |
| 3 | Physical force used | Yes | Yes | No |
| 4 | Whether violent | Yes | No | No |
| 5 | Presence of trainer with pup. | Vital | Required | Not Physically Required |
| 6 | Done online/ in person? | Always in Person | Cannot be done online | Can be done online |
Aggression in dogs can be caused by
Guarding territories / resources - Fear - Pain.
Reactions from aggression induce them to attack, bite & use violent methods to defend itself against the aggressor.
Two types of aggression are classified by us.
Biter dog aggression - dogs attacking humans.
Dog to dog aggression - dogs attacking dogs.
Approaches taken by different schools to handle aggression.
| Different Schools of Behaviour | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sr. No. | Punitive School | Positive Reinforcement | Princely Paws Learning | |
| 1 | Method based on | Fear, physical force | Treats, rewards | Dog body language |
| 2 | Tools Used | - Using physical force. - Physical exercises to tire dog - Tying up - Muzzling - Using pinch-collar. - Caging. - Neutering | - Specific Commands training. - Use short leashes. - Martin-gale collars - Specify set pattern to modify behaviour. - Neutering. | - Identifying stress triggers & situations. - Identify ‘calming’ signals in puppies. - Communicating through reassuring body language. |
| 3 | Physical force used | Yes | Yes | No |
| 4 | Whether violent | Yes | No | No |
| 5 | Presence of trainer with pup. | Vital | Required | Not Physically Required |
| 6 | Done online/ in person? | Always in Person | Cannot be done online | Can be done online |
(Is a part of the life-style related consults however since it's a very important component/issue we have put it as a separate topic. )
A walk is a very important activity for a dog.
Apart from relieving themselves they practise vital functional behaviours during that time.
The walk could be stressful depending on the environment
Right ‘walk’ methods & right equipment become very important for a dog.
Different schools & they way they approach leash walking.
| Different Schools of Behaviour | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sr. No. | Punitive School | Positive Reinforcement | Princely Paws Learning | |
| 1 | Method based on | Fear, physical force | Treats, rewards | Dog body language |
| 2 | Tools Used | - Walking in-step with trainer. - Stomp on leash. - Pulling - Yanking - Physical punishment. | - Lead collar training. - Circling method - Command based training. | - Use of Turbo charged sounds. - ‘Calming techniques pre-post walk. - Splitting technique. - Appropriate body language. |
| 3 | Physical force used | Yes | Yes | No |
| 4 | Whether violent | Yes | No | No |
| 5 | Presence of trainer with pup. | Vital | Required | Not Physically Required |
| 6 | Done online/ in person? | Always in Person | Cannot be done online | Can be done online |
From the minute the dog enters your family & home his environment and lifestyle go through a series of changes. To tackle the same we have put down the major issues faced by both dogs & pet parents as follows
- Barking.
A vital form of communication tool used by dogs universally. However excessive barking or other issues related to it are tackled as under:
- Jumping.
Another important tool the dog used to communicate wants & needs.
- Begging:
When dogs sit close at meal times, drool, paw & signal the need for food/treats, they are indulging in begging.
- Desensitization to sound:
New & loud sounds can impact physical growth, indigestion & physical stress leads to ailments.
As the name suggests, it's about drawing boundaries for your dog within a certain environment.
| Different Schools of Behaviour | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sr. No. | Punitive School | Positive Reinforcement | Princely Paws Learning | |
| 1 | Method based on | Fear, physical force | Treats, rewards | Dog body language |
| 2 | Tools Used | - Sharp commands. - Muzzling - Caging - Knee technique - Physical punishment. | - Repetitive physical exercises. - Deflective behaviour - gnore ‘bad’ behaviour. - Thunder wraps, ear-muffs. | - Appropriate body language. - Reassuring hand signal - Understanding different kinds of barks. - Identifying & meeting needs. |
| 3 | Physical force used | Yes | Yes | No |
| 4 | Whether violent | Yes | No | No |
| 5 | Presence of trainer with pup. | Vital | Required | Not Physically Required |
| 6 | Done online/ in person? | Always in Person | Cannot be done online | Can be done online |
Lifestyle enrichment consults that are a flagship consult tailor made under our learning programs for your dog.
- Functional behaviours (digging, sniffing etc) & their importance.
- Understanding different kinds/levels of stress triggers.
- Enrichment activities to engage with your dog on a daily basis.
- Right body language & how to use it to communicate.
- Right equipment & accessories for your dog.
There are several issues adult dogs could face over time. Some of them are due to varying factors that can be rectified over a period of time.
Biter - attacks dogs. - The number one reason why dogs turn into a biter or aggressive is due to stress. This consult is to to understand the type of stress, help reduce and have a calmer dog. For consult book
Separation anxiety: Dogs being social animals do not like being left alone by their humans for long periods of time. It is possible that they may turn destructive or very nervous causing long term health hazards. However it is poissbile to reduce their anxiety levels by certain enrichment activities and tips - to know more.
Nervous dogs: There are adult dogs that may turn out to be extremely nervous - this could be due to a variety of reasons including trauma or higher degree of stress. In this consult we tackle the root cause of the stress and understand how best to help your dog turn happy and confident.
Reactive dog - Reactive: dog that will respond with either snarling, growling, leash aggressive etc when they encounter anything that triggers them and sometimes are unpredictable. This consult is about understanding their reactiveness and providing effective solutions for the same. Book a consult now -
Aggression in dogs: Issues such as dog to dog, dog to human, resource guarding, food aggression and such behaviours are tackled under this consult. For more information -
Note:
(For comparision in training methods, please refer to charts given in Puppy consult sections).
Malaika gratefully acknowledges the Bharcs school of Dog Behaviour Bangalore and Turid Ragas School of Dog behaviou - Norway that have laid the foundations of these canine behaviour consults.