by Zak George
The Dog Training Revolution has grown beyond belief in recent years. Because of people like you, the movement has unstoppable momentum. I want to express my personal gratitude to you for committing to teach your dog thoughtfully and compassionately and for taking the time to achieve a richer, fuller relationship with her. I hope this book helps you to continue doing just that.
ENDNOTES
INTRODUCTION
1. J. Y. Kwan and M. J. Bain, “Owner Attachment and Problem Behaviors Related to Relinquishment and Training Techniques of Dogs,” Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 16, no. 2 (2013): 168–183. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23544756.
2. “Shelter Intake and Surrender,” American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, accessed December 1, 2017. www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender.
3. M. Savage, “ ‘Cruel’ Electric Shock Pet Training Collars to Be Banned in England,” Guardian, March 10, 2018. www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/11/animal-cruel-electric-shock-pet-training-collar-ban-england; “Electric Shock Collars,” Kennel Club, accessed December 5, 2017. www.thekennelclub.org.uk/our-resources/kennel-club-campaigns/electric-shock-collars.
4. M. E. Herron et al., “Survey of the Use and Outcome of Confrontational and Nonconfrontational Training Methods in Client-Owned Dogs Showing Undesired Behaviors,” Applied Animal Behaviour Science 117, no. 1–2 (2009): 47–54. http://binalunzer.com/Links_files/aversive-stimulation.pdf [inactive]; “Dominance and Dog Training,” Association of Professional Dog Trainers, accessed December 15, 2017. apdt.com/resource-center/dominance-and-dog-training; “Position Statement: The Use of Punishment for Behavior Modification in Animals,” American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, accessed December 15, 2017. avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Punishment_Position_Statement-download_-_10-6-14.pdf.
CHAPTER 1: TEN ESSENTIALS FOR A WELL-BEHAVED DOG
1. D. A. Raichlen et al., “Wired to Run: Exercise-Induced Endocannabinoid Signaling in Humans and Cursorial Mammals with Implications for the ‘Runner’s High,’ ” Journal of Experimental Biology 215, no. 8 (2012): 1331–1336. jeb.biologists.org/content/215/8/1331.
2. M. Nagasawa et al., “Oxytocin-Gaze Positive Loop and the Coevolution of Human-Dog Bonds,” Science 348, no. 6232 (2015): 333–336. science.sciencemag.org/content/348/6232/333.
3. K. Tiira and H. Lohi, “Early Life Experiences and Exercise Associate with Canine Anxieties,” PLoS ONE 10, no. 11 (2015).
4. Dogs: Their Secret Lives, “Survey Results Revealed: Are Dogs Who Play, Better Behaved?” video, 2:01. www.markevans.co.uk/television/dogs-secret-lives.
5. M. E. P. Seligman and S. Maier, “Failure to Escape Traumatic Shock,” Journal of Experimental Psychology 74, no. 1 (1967): 19.
6. J. Ciribassi. Interview by Dina Roth Port, May 8, 2018.
CHAPTER 2: WHY DOGS BEHAVE “BADLY”
1. L. Ostojić et al., “Are Owners’ Reports of Their Dogs’ ‘Guilty Look’ Influenced by the Dogs’ Action and Evidence of the Misdeed?” Behavioural Processes 111 (2015): 97–100. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376635714003210.
2. V. Ward, “A Dog’s Guilty Look Is Just a Myth, Experts Claim,” The Telegraph, August 25, 2015.
3. A. Horowitz, “Disambiguating the ‘Guilty Look’: Salient Prompts to a Familiar Dog Behavior,” Behavioural Processes 81, no. 3 (2009): 447–452.
4. L. D. Mech, “Alpha Status, Dominance, and Division of Labor in Wolf Packs,” Canadian Journal of Zoology 77 (1999): 1196–1203.
5. L. D. Mech., “Outdated Notion of the Alpha Wolf,” L. David Mech website, accessed January 10, 2018. www.davemech.org/news.html [inactive].
6. F. D. McMillan, “Behavioral and Psychological Outcomes for Dogs Sold as Puppies Through Pet Stores and/or Born in Commercial Breeding Establishments: Current Knowledge and Putative Causes,” Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 19 (2017): 14–26.
7. “How Cruel Breeding Hurts Dogs,” American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, accessed January 15, 2018. www.aspca.org/barred-from-love/puppy-mills-101/how-cruel-breeding-hurts-dogs.
8. I. Zapata et al., “Genetic Mapping of Canine Fear and Aggression,” BMC Genomics 17, no. 1 (2016).
9. K. L. Overall. Interview by Dina Roth Port, May 29, 2018.
10. “Literature Review on the Welfare Implications of Socialization of Puppies and Kittens,” American Veterinary Medical Association, 2015, accessed January 20, 2018.
11. “AVSAB Position Statement on Puppy Socialization,” American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, 2008, accessed January 20, 2018. avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Puppy_Socialization_Position_Statement_Download_-_10-3-14.pdf.
CHAPTER 4: BARKING
1. G. Elert, The Physics Factbook: Frequency Range of Dog Hearing, accessed January 25, 2018. hypertextbook.com/facts/2003/TimCondon.shtml.
CHAPTER 6: JUMPING UP
1. “Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals,” American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, 2008, accessed February 1, 2018. avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Dominance_Position_Statement_download-10-3-14.pdf; J. Lee-St. John, “Dog Training and the Myth of Alpha-Male Dominance,” Time, July 30, 2010, accessed January 15, 2018. http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2007250,00.html.
2. “How to Teach Your Dog Not to Jump,” WebMD veterinary reference from ASPCA Virtual Pet Behaviorist, accessed February 5, 2018.
CHAPTER 9: LEASH PULLING
1. J. Ciribassi. Interview by Dina Roth Port, May 8, 2018.
CHAPTER 12: DIGGING
1. “Dig This: How to Get Your Dog to Stop Digging,” Humane Society of the United States, accessed February 25, 2018. www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/digging.html.
2. A. Benjamin and K. Slocombe, “Who’s a Good Boy?!” Dogs Prefer Naturalistic Dog-Directed Speech, Animal Cognition 21, no. 3: 353–364.
CHAPTER 13: EATING POOP
1. “Why Dogs Eat Poop and How to Stop It,” American Kennel Club, 2015, accessed February 16, 2018. www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/common-conditions/why-dogs-eat-poop.
2. “Why Do Dogs and Puppies Eat Poop,” petMD, accessed March 1, 2018. www.petmd.com/dog/puppycenter/health/evr_dg_why_do_puppies_eat_poop.
3. B. L. Hart et al., “The Paradox of Canine Conspecific Coprophagy,” Veterinary Medicine and Science 4, no. 2 (2018): 106–114.
CHAPTER 14: HUMPING
1. “Common Dog Behavior Issues: Mounting and Masturbation,” American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, accessed February 6, 2018.
2. Ibid.
CHAPTER 15: FEARS AND PHOBIAS
1. S. Borns-Weil. Interview by Dina Roth Port, May 14, 2018.
2. G. M. Landsberg and S. Denenberg, “Behavior Problems of Dogs,” Merck Veterinary Manual, accessed April 1, 2018. www.merckvetmanual.com/behavior/normal-social-behavior-and-behavioral-problems-of-domestic-animals/behavioral-problems-of-dogs.
3. K. L. Overall. Interview by Dina Roth Port, May 29, 2018.
4. E. Ward, “Motion Sickness in Dogs,” VCA Hospitals, 2011, accessed April 2, 2018. vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/motion-sickness-in-dogs.
5. G. Elert, The Physics Factbook: Frequency Range of Dog Hearing, accessed January 25, 2018. hypertextbook.com/facts/2003/TimCondon.shtml.
CHAPTER 16: SEPARATION ANXIETY
1. “Common Dog Behavior Issues: Separation Anxiety,” American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, accessed April 12, 2018. www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/separation-anxiety.
2. G. M. Landsberg and S. Denenberg, “Behavior Problems of Dogs,” Merck Veterinary Manual, accessed April 1, 2018. www.merckvetmanual.com/behavior/normal-social-behavior-and-behavioral-problems-of-domestic-animals/be
havioral-problems-of-dogs.
3. “Common Dog Behavior Issues: Separation Anxiety,” American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, accessed April 12, 2018. www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/separation-anxiety.
4. S. Borns-Weil. Interview by Dina Roth Port, May 14, 2018.
5. K. Tiira and H. Lohi, “Early Life Experiences and Exercise Associate with Canine Anxieties,” PLoS ONE 10, no. 11 (2015).
6. T. Rehn and L. J. Keeling, “The Effect of Time Left Alone at Home on Dog Welfare,” Applied Animal Behaviour Science 129, no. 2–4 (2011): 129–135.
CHAPTER 17: HYPERACTIVITY
1. U. A. Luescher, “Hyperkinesis in Dogs: Six Case Reports,” Canadian Veterinary Journal 34, no. 6 (1993): 368–370.
2. N. Hoppe et al., “Correlates of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)-Like Behavior in Domestic Dogs: First Results from a Questionnaire-Based Study,” Veterinary Medicine 2, no. 3, 95–118.
3. J. Ciribassi. Interview by Dina Roth Port, May 8, 2018.
4. V. Schade. “How to Calm a High-Energy Dog,” petMD, accessed April 10, 2018. www.petmd.com/dog/behavior/how-calm-high-energy-dog.
CHAPTER 18: AGGRESSION
1. J. Pierce, “Understanding Aggression in Dogs,” Psychology Today, June 14, 2012, accessed April 20, 2018. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-dogs-go-heaven/201206/understanding-aggression-in-dogs.
2. J. Hoffman, “Is This Dog Dangerous? Shelters Live with Live-or-Die Tests,” New York Times, July 31, 2017, accessed April 20, 2018. www.nytimes.com/2017/07/31/science/dogs-shelters-adoption-behavior-tests.html.
3. T. Camps et al., “Pain-Related Aggression in Dogs: 12 Clinical Cases,” Journal of Veterinary Behavior 7, no. 2 (2012): 99–102.
4. E. L. MacLean et al., “Endogenous Oxytocin, Vasopressin, and Aggression in Domestic Dogs,” Frontiers in Psychology 8 (2017): 1613.
5. “Breed-Specific Policies: No Basis in Science,” Humane Society of the United States, accessed April 30, 2018. www.humanesociety.org/issues/breed-specific-legislation/fact_sheets/breed-specific-legislation-no-basis-in-science.html.
6. G. J. Patronek et al.,“Co-occurrence of Potentially Preventable Factors in 256 Dog Bite-Related Fatalities in the United States (2000–2009),” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 243, no. 12 (2013): 1726–1736.
7. L. Ragatz et al., “Vicious Dogs: The Antisocial Behaviors and Psychological Characteristics of Owners,” Journal of Forensic Sciences 54, no. 3 (2009): 699–703; J. E. Barnes et al, “Ownership of High-Risk (“Vicious”) Dogs as a Marker for Deviant Behaviors: Implications for Risk Assessment,” Journal of Interpersonal Violence 21, no. 12 (2006): 1616–1634; R. A. Casey et al., Human Directed Aggression in Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris): Occurrence in Different Contexts and Risk Factors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 152 (2014): 52–63.
8. “7 Tips on Canine Body Language,” ASPCApro, accessed May 2, 2018. www.aspcapro.org/resource/7-tips-canine-body-language; “Common Dog Behavior Issues: Aggression,” American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, accessed May 3, 2018.
9. M. E. Herron et al., “Survey of the Use and Outcome of Confrontational and Nonconfrontational Training Methods in Client-Owned Dogs Showing Undesired Behaviors,” Applied Animal Behaviour Science 117, no. 1–2 (2009): 47–54.
10. M. Herron. Interview by Dina Roth Port, January 26, 2015.
11. Ibid.
12. “Common Dog Behavior Issues: Food Guarding,” American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, accessed May 10, 2018. www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/food-guarding.
13. S. C. Kahler, “Unmasking the Shelter Dog,” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, March 18, 2015, accessed May 12, 2018. www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/150401a.aspx.
14. “Dog Bite Prevention,” American Veterinary Medical Association, accessed May 20, 2018. www.avma.org/public/Pages/Dog-Bite-Prevention.aspx.
CHAPTER 22: NOT LISTENING WITHOUT TREATS
1. S. B. Kendall, “Preference for Intermittent Reinforcement,” Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior 21, no. 3 (1974): 463–473; R. M. Hogarth and M. C. Villeval, “Ambiguous Incentives and the Persistence of Effort: Experimental Evidence,” Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization 100(2014): 1–19; S. Weinschenk, “Use Unpredictable Rewards to Keep Behavior Going,” Psychology Today, November 13, 2013. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-wise/201311/use-unpredictable-rewards-keep-behavior-going.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
© Rachel Goyette
Zak George is a trainer who has worked with thousands of dogs since he started his career in 2004. His YouTube channel, Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution, is the number one destination for video dog training content in the world, and he is the author of Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love.
Zak has starred in two of his own dog training shows, Animal Planet’s Superfetch and the BBC’s Who Let the Dogs Out? He has also appeared as an expert on various other Animal Planet shows such as Dogs 101, as well as many national talk shows and news programs such as Late Night with David Letterman, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Early Show on CBS, Fox and Friends, and Rachael Ray.
Zak’s goal is to raise the standards in the dog training industry as he advocates for the latest in scientific understanding of dog behavior while balancing this approach with twenty-first-century ethics. He also heavily emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the relationship with our dogs in order to achieve incredible results.
Zak lives in New Orleans with his wife, Bree; their dog, Indiana; and their cat, Angela.
© Larry Port
Dina Roth Port is an award-winning journalist, coauthor of Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love, and author of Previvors: Facing the Breast Cancer Gene and Making Life-Changing Decisions.
She launched her freelance writing career in 2002, and since then her articles have appeared in dozens of print and online publications such as Glamour, Self, Prevention, Fitness, Cosmopolitan, Parenting, Parents.com, the Huffington Post, Intel.com, and WebMD. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Dina has also worked as an editor at Glamour and Parenting magazines, and she is the director of content at Rocket Matter, a cloud-based legal software company.
Dina lives in Boca Raton, Florida, with her husband, Larry, and their two children. Of course, her family wouldn’t be complete without their beloved pets: Baxter, Brody, and Kitty Cupcake.
INDEX
A
aggressive behavior
breeds and
dealing with
definition of
growling
toward other animals
toward other dogs
toward people
reasons for, c02.1, c18.1
resource guarding
signs of
alpha roll, c01.1, c18.1
animals, aggressive behavior toward
anxiety
desensitization and
management and
OCD behaviors and
separation, c04.1, c04.2, c16.1
See also fear; phobias
B
barking
dealing with, c04.1, c04.2
demand
leash reactivity and
low, guttural
reasons for
basket muzzles, c09.1, c18.1
begging
behavioral issues
dealing with
energy level and
exercise and
myths regarding
reasons for
See also individual behavioral
issues
behavior modification techniques
biting
as aggressive behavior
basket muzzles and, c09.1, c18.1
leash
play
bonding, importance of
Borns-Weil, Stephanie, c15.1, c16.1
breeds
behavioral issues and, c02.1, c18.1
exercise and
genetics vs.
stereotypes about, c01.1, c02.1, c18.1
BSL (breed-specific legislation)
C
car rides, fear of
cars, chasing
cats, aggressive behavior toward
chewing
dealing with
reasons for, c05.1, c05.2
choke collars, itr.1, c01.1, c01.2, c01.3, c09.1, c18.1
Ciribassi, John, c01.1, c09.1, c17.1
“come,” teaching
conditioning
consistency, practicing
coprophagia. See poop, eating
correcting
counterconditioning, c01.1, c02.1
crates
currency, concept of
D
demand barking
desensitization