'But we've always done it this way!'

There can be a real sense when talking to some dog people that they are digging in their heels when talking about the ways in which we handle and train dogs. "We've always trained this way. My grandfather learned from his grandfather!" and so on. 

Punishments and Aversives - No, They're Not 'Needed'

A question I see frequently when perusing forums and social media etc. concerns the use of aversive training methods, and wondering why people think they are fine to use on dogs they say they love.

I still remember the first time I saw a picture of a prong collar, designed to be fitted and used around the neck of a dog. I remember that sense of disbelief, that prompted me to ask if this chain of metal prongs designed to sit around a dog's neck and dig in when a 'correction' is applied was real or if it was some kind of lingering warped April Fool's joke. Sadly, I discovered they are all too real, as are many other unpleasant devices used on dogs.

You Can't Always Get What You Want: Breed Traits & Individuality

It's a well-known fact that different dog breeds have different traits, usually connected with the purpose for which humans developed that particular breed. Labradors are friendly and like to carry things. Terriers like to dig and many also like to terrify small furry creatures. Border Collies are very intelligent, herd everything, and need 4 hours of walks a day to stop them doing a wall of death around the living room.

I write that last sentence with a wry smile (and in the case of the last part, a chunk of mildly sarcastic exaggeration) as I look at my own Border Collie Finn, who flatly refuses to set a paw outside the door if it's raining and is usually found upside down and snoring. He is indeed very bright, will herd a football if kicked to one side of him and, while he enjoys his walks, isn't overly fussed how long he's walked for, so long as he gets a few minutes of sniffing time.