Search Results for: socialization

The Dark Side of Socialization: Fear Periods and Single Event Learning

Years ago, when I was a senior veterinary student working as an extern with OSU’s clinical behavior service, I saw a case that stuck hard in my memory and has never faded. The patient was a beautiful three-year-old female German shepherd I’ll call Heidi.  She was a lovely dog in most respects – friendly and gentle with people, very bright, and a quick learner.  In the consultation room, she was calm and well-mannered, approaching us readily with a wagging tail…

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Getting Used To Things (Or Not): Habituation Vs. Sensitization

Not too long ago, one of my training clients told me about an unexpected problem she was having with her dog. She had recently moved from a rural area to a more suburban neighborhood, and had begun taking her dog for daily walks on-leash.  They both enjoyed their walks, apart from an issue they were having with a particular house along their route. There was a dog who lived in this house, and he barked at them through the window…

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Will My Puppy Grow Out Of This? Early Intervention For Behavior Issues

As a veterinarian in general practice, seeing a brand new puppy for a wellness check-up is one of my favorite parts of the job. (I’d wager this is true for most vets – ask anyone!) Puppies are cute, and obnoxious, and very, very busy.  They sniff all around the exam room, jump up to say hello, and try their best to eat my shoelaces.  They chew on my stethoscope while I auscult their hearts.  They eat treats eagerly when offered,…

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Podcast

Welcome to Dog Talk with Dr. Jen!  On this page, you’ll find links and show notes for every episode of my new podcast.  We’ll be talking about a variety of different topics in dog training and behavior, with an emphasis on practical advice to make life with your dog easier and more fun. Subscribe on iTunes here, to make sure you never miss an episode 🙂 Have a suggestion for a topic you want me to cover, or a question…

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Invisible Fences: Do or Don’t?

Today, I want to discuss a topic that I (and every other dog trainer I know!) get lots of questions about. Are “Invisible Fence”-type containment systems a good idea, generally speaking?  Or, would this be a reasonable choice for your particular dog? Now, first things first. I want to acknowledge at the outset that this this can be a hot-button issue for many dog owners and trainers, with strong feelings on all sides – and that’s perfectly okay.  It’s fine…

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On “Fixing” Behavior Problems: Reachable Goals and Wishful Thinking

As part of my job, I spend a fair amount of time talking on the phone with potential clients who are interested in scheduling a behavior consult.  We talk briefly about the dog’s issues, the owner’s main concerns, and how the consultation visit works. Most of these people are good owners who love their dogs, and genuinely want to know how to help them.  Not surprisingly, many of them are also somewhat desperate for a solution – a dog with…

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It’s Not “All In How You Raise Them”: The Role Of Genetics In Behavior

If you’re a dog owner, I’m sure you’ve heard this refrain. Conventional wisdom says that young puppies come to us as blank slates.  Full of promise and limitless potential, ready to be molded into your ideal companion as long as you do your part – provide lots of love, the right amount of discipline, and appropriate training along the way.  If you’re a caring, responsible pet owner, there’s no reason that your puppy should not grow up to be a…

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When “Avoiding The Problem” Is Okay: The Role Of Management In Dog Training

As a jumping off point for today’s discussion, I want to use a question I received in the comments section of a previous post.  The post was about changing our perspective in dog training to reflect the fact that dogs are dogs, and they do what comes naturally to them unless we give them a meaningful reason not to – you can read it here if you like. As an example of this, I mentioned that my 8-year-old competition dog…

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Why Does My Dog Act Like Cujo? Understanding Leash Reactivity

Picture this. It’s a beautiful summer morning.  You’re out on the sidewalk, leash and poop bags in hand, enjoying a peaceful stroll with your dog.  It’s early, still cool and gray.  Quiet.  The very best time to be out, before the world around you is awake. Your dog sniffs contentedly in the grass, finds a suitable place to pee.  Birds chirp.  A car passes, slow and lazy.  You glance up and down the street, ever watchful.  So far, so good….

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On Expectations And Disappointments: Love The One You’re With

About two and a half years ago, in February of 2014, I brought home my very first show puppy. He was twelve weeks old, and perfect in every way.  A handsome blue merle Sheltie, the pick boy of a lovely show litter with beautiful movement and a strikingly gorgeous face.  I drove 12 hours round-trip to pick him up from his breeder in North Carolina on a cold, windy day.  He slept curled in his crate in the back seat…

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