The home of Dr Platzhund
A “canine good citizen” is a well-behaved dog, around people, as well as amongst other dogs, at home and in public. Everyone should want to own or strive for the nature of such a companion animal, a pet that is safe with children and one that any person would welcome as a neighbour – a …
In the enormous number of behaviour consultations I attend to on a monthly basis the majority of the problems in pets is based on the lack of structured schooling in the early impressionable years which is eight to twenty weeks in a puppy. Any canine lacking social skills will develop a multitude of behaviour disorders …
An alarming percentage of city dog owners complain to veterinarians regularly about the phobic panic behaviour exhibited by their pets during thunderstorms and fireworks displays. Thunderstorms are obviously the most severe and frequent in the highveld region and fireworks will never be banned due to economic reasons and the pleasure it affords certain people. Fireworks …
What most people desire is the ability to influence their dogs to eagerly perform acceptable behaviour patterns by showing positive leadership skills without expressing dominance or control over all types of resources. We might want our dog to always come when called. We might want our dog to lie down and remain put until further …
Establishing Leadership Over A Dog And Modifying Behaviour Without Force Read More »
When a family takes on the raising of a puppy it is not a simple process. Puppies are complex, highly impressionable creatures with a very short window period wherein the best possible effects can be engendered in their minds by interactions with all members of the household. Hillary Clinton was quoted as saying that it …
Crate training is not a novel concept in dogdom yet it is a highly important, underestimated, underutilised and fundamental education system for a long-term and short-term practical benefit for pet owners and their dogs. Many dogs suffer from claustrophobia due to their inexperience with confinement. Any dog that cannot tolerate being caged is a nightmare …
It has often been found humorous, yet disconcerting, by people in-the-know watching a dog take its owner for a walk. It is also found to be humorous by ignorant pet owners when they see dogs lunging and dragging their owner at great speed across the pavement or park. It is often commented as to who …
Every puppy and every pup owner should complete a basic course of training so that the ten to sixteen year relationship is based on mutual understanding, meaningful communication and the animal has the required life skills to render it a socially acceptable companion. If puppy owners are not informed about socialization, obedience and the correct …
Bite inhibition is a very modern term, used initially in veterinary behaviour circles, for a learnt or inherent ability in a pup to bite an opponent without inflicting damage. The opponent may be another animal or a human. It is natural, normal and necessary for dogs to bite, even from the time their teeth erupt. …
Dogs live in a linear hierarchy system similar to army rankings or the human caste system of certain cultures. Dogs are, instinctively, not adapted to the democratic approach meted out by most pet owners. Doting animal lovers feel that all their dogs should be treated equally because “shame” why pat the one and not the …