#dog training

[jameelaillustration]

In vet tech school my favorite class was Breeds & Behavior. I remember learning how showing teeth is not always a sign of aggression!

Dogs also do it to show submission, nervousness or fear, often paired with cowering, licking their lips and squinting their eyes!

[crashingcryptid]

You loved your job as a K-9 trainer. You were good at what you did, even if you did get a little emotional when your pups graduated into the workforce. Spending most of your time was spent with the dogs has its consequences.

"Ooh, big yawn!" Simon's teeth click together when he snaps his jaw shut, turning his head to look at you. You don't even register it, absently reaching out to pat the top of his head. "That's a good boy."

"Not a fuckin dog."

You jump almost a foot in the air, looking over at him with wide eyes. "Oh, oh shit! I'm sorry!" You feel your face flushing as you hide behind your hands. Simon grunts in annoyance, leaving you to stew in your embarrassment.

Simon hated being talked down to, and your little stunt in the mess hall pissed him off. He wasn't sure if you did it on purpose or not until he saw you talking with Johnny. When he stretched his arms over his head, you absently patted his exposed belly.

"Big stretch, baby! Good job." You coo softly, crouching down to snatch a bone out of one of the canines mouth. Johnny's arms drop down to his side, eyes wide as he stares at you. "No bones! Bad!" You scold as you toss the item into the trash. Simon smirks slightly when he catches Johnny's eyes and shrugs his shoulders.

At least it wasn't just him.

[refugeed-kim]

YES YES I NEED THIS SIGN IN EVERY SINGLE PARK PLEASE

This is my daily struggle, I had so many arguments with people with off-leash dogs (in a mandatory leash area!!!). Thanks to this behavior I'm struggling with Kim being anxious/aggressive with other females as she often gets involved in unpleased interactions with free females while on leash. And every single time that I ask for the dog to be at least recalled, I'm being called names and insulted of course.

Also 9 out of 10 their dog isn't really that friendly at all.

[canine-classified]

♧ American Hairless Terriers ♧

[orcinus-veterinarius]

Learning anything about marine mammal training will make you re-evaluate so much of your relationship with your own pets. There is so much force involved in the way we handle domestic animals. Most of it isn’t even intentional, it just stems from impatience. I’m guilty of it myself!

But with the exception of certain veterinary settings where the animal’s health is the immediate priority, why is it so important to us that animals do exactly what we want exactly when we want it? Why do we have to invent all these tools and contraptions to force them to behave?

When a whale swam away from a session, that was that. The trainer just waited for them to decide to come back. If they flat out refused to participate in behaviors, they still got their allotment of fish. Nothing bad happened. Not even when 20-30 people were assembled for a procedure, and the whale chose not to enter the medical pool. No big deal. Their choice and comfort were prioritized over human convenience.

It’s almost shocking to return to domestic animal medicine afterwards and watch owners use shock collars and chokers and whips to control their animals. It’s no wonder that positive reinforcement was pioneered by marine mammal trainers. When you literally can’t force an animal to do what you want, it changes your entire perspective.

I want to see that mindset extended to our domestic animals.

[darkwood-sleddog]

“Red flags for talking animal accounts” posted by the OG button talking dog person like girl okay. You are all red flags but go off.

[scotchbox]

"I don't want to be a show dog. I want to be a RUG"