RAISED BY OVERLY AGGRESSIVE METHODS
Posted on 02/20/2009 7:10:20 AM PST by GBA
In a new, year-long University of Pennsylvania survey of dog owners who use confrontational or aversive methods to train aggressive pets, veterinary researchers have found that most of these animals will continue to be aggressive unless training techniques are modified.
The study, published in the current issue of Applied Animal Behavior Science, also showed that using non-aversive or neutral training methods such as additional exercise or rewards elicited very few aggressive responses.
“This study highlights the risk of dominance-based training, which has been made popular by TV, books and punishment-based training advocates,”Herron said. “These techniques are fear-eliciting and may lead to owner-directed aggression.”
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...
They figured out that dawgs are pack animals?
Whow, Bravo /s
‘In a new, year-long University of Pennsylvania survey of dog owners who use confrontational or aversive methods to train aggressive pets, veterinary researchers have found that most of these animals will continue to be aggressive unless training techniques are modified. ‘
Maybe its because I’ve had dogs all my life, but...Duh.
The same is true with most species on this planet, including the children of humans.
In other words......only the remaining civilized members of our society should own dogs? The urban barbarians should not?
I’ve noticed that a lot of the drug dealers, around here, own pit bulls.
RAISED BY OVERLY AGGRESSIVE METHODS
A lot of these “You’re the alpha, take charge!” style of training methods miss the point completely.
An alpha in a pack doesn’t have to be overly assertive: he’s the alpha.
Not letting your dog get away with growling at you, snapping at you, or ignoring you when he is a puppy should instill the “alpha” imprint without too much else. If you have a difficult, strong willed puppy (particularly with an aggressive breed), you might need to use some stronger methods of imprinting.
As with most things in life, moderation and good common sense is the best way.
Grandin also has lots of good material on the effectiveness of different kinds of training. Positive reinforcement is best. Negative reinforcement, however, is not the same as punishment or abuse.
Having served on both city and suburban community associations, I can certainly agree that a dog’s behavior is a very direct reflection of its owner. Especially in cities, many owners use their dogs like a weapon. Even in suburbs, dogs are used passive-aggressively to annoy or disrespect various neighbors, such as selective poop-leaving, or “oops, how did he get in your garden again”, etc.
I read that, while pit bulls were originally bred to fight other dogs, they were absolutely not allowed to show aggression towards humans. The dogs who did that were killed and not allowed to breed. However, “gangstas” want dogs which attack humans, so they have deliberately bred their pit bull lines to be killers.
Dr. Temple Grandin is an awesome scholar and writer. She has lived with autism all her life, but has made maximum use of her intellect anyway. She started out with large-animal herding facilities design. Because she as an autistic person understands the difficulty of communicating, she brings a sot of understanding to communicating with animals.
Very timely. I’m training my 10 month old Yellow Lab these days. She’s going to be a very good dog, and ADORES her mistress. I can’t imagine a better dog than the Labradors; she’s our third to date and we love ‘em.
I am, “Mommy, Giver of All Foodstuffs.” :)
I disagree. I’m a laid back person and I have one laid back dachshund and another that will jump for your crotch with teeth bared if you come in my door and he doesn’t like you. Who knows??
She is a wonderful example. Her books are inspiring.
I have a friend that raises dairy goats, and he incorporated some of her design ideas when he had a new milk house built. His production is WAY up, and they birth something like 150 healthy kids each season.
It’s an amazing operation...though you NEVER want to stand downwind of him, LOL!
All I know is the dogs who’ve owned me over the past 45 years have only been aggressive in licking my face, begging for treats, wanting to go outside and asking to play ball. At night, they’ve only been aggressive in hogging the covers.
Wow. How big was the grant for this earth-shattering research?
You, too, huh? No one needs to investigate my life any further — that’s it in summation.
Bow wow wow, yippee yo, yippee yay!
Why must I chase the cat?
Nothin’ put the dog in me.
George Clinton brings back HS days.
I am, “Mommy, Giver of All Foodstuffs.” :)
I hope you have lots to give as my lab has never been full in his life!
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