The Mutty Professor blog
Check out our ever growing resource of free dog training and behaviour articles
Choosing the right dog trainer: what to look for and what to avoid
The unregulated dog training industry The dog training and behaviour industry is unregulated, which poses a significant welfare issue for dogs. Anyone can call themselves a trainer, behaviourist, or expert without any legal consequences, even if they are unqualified or lack experience. This means people can make money by misleading dog owners about their expertise.…
Do dogs need to engage in small talk all the time?
The challenge of constant small talk Human experiences Imagine only ever having small talk with other people, never getting the opportunity to have more personal conversations with those you have an established relationship with. For some of you who are less relaxed talking to friends and family on the phone, you may have experienced having…
Is striving for perfect recall in all contexts really ethical?
The challenge of turning your back It takes a lot of confidence to turn your back on an individual who is moving into your space. Doing so or considering it can trigger anxiety for some. This is because once your back is turned, you are vulnerable, your guard is down, and you are at a…
Home alone training tips for your dog
Settling in a new rescue dog Home alone training (applies to puppies too!) Rescues can be vulnerable to struggling home alone due to hyper attachment to their ‘rescuer,’ which is often the person who was their first contact out of the shelter or their primary handler and carer (the person who does the lion’s share).…
Psychoactive medication for dogs: A guide
There is a stigma that surrounds the use of psychoactive medication for dogs, which can result in some dogs being denied support that can make a huge difference to their welfare. Much of the criticism of psychoactive medication for dogs comes from a place of being misinformed. Although, I agree that in some cases they…
Resource guarding: Why we should be cautious of trade/swapsies with our dogs
Resource guarding in dogs Even ‘swapsies’ or trading has the potential to make it worse. Amigo has suddenly taken a huge interest in toys. He will clamp and hold them and becomes conflicted when he has them because he anticipates interest in the toy. He even attempts to create predictability by parading the item, as…
Understanding pain in dogs: It’s adaptive for dogs to hide pain. Unless you’re a greyhound!
The challenge of chronic pain in dogs While dogs are adept at concealing pain, certain breeds like greyhounds are notorious for their dramatic reactions to acute pain—often referred to humorously as the "greyhound scream of death." Chronic pain, however, is subtler and can be masked as dogs adapt over time. This adaptation can affect: These…
Aversive dog training: The misleading narrative of ‘when used correctly’
“When used correctly……..” The misleading assurance in dog training This phrase comes up time and time again when those who advocate for the use of aversive dog training methods and tools try and come across as ethical. “When used correctly” are empty words. It’s a non-descriptive phrase. It gives the reader/viewer NOTHING to measure- other…
