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For the last 8 months, I have been filming with the officers and dogs of an incredible Georgia-based police K-9 unit for my new upcoming web series, Guardians of the Night. I have been granted firsthand insight into what these brave men and their dogs do on a daily basis to keep the public safe.
When the producers of the upcoming documentary "Puppycide" approached me about interviewing for the film, I knew I could provide a relatively balanced viewpoint. The film is an incredibly important documentary exposing the truth behind the epidemic of law enforcement officers shooting and killing non-threatening dogs.
As a dog lover and a dog trainer, I am horrified and devastated by each case I hear about when a dog is shot by a police officer. But as a civilian who has also been embedded in the world of law enforcement, I am able to see both sides of the equation.
I truly believe that training law enforcement officers how to read and react to dog body language, especially in a highly charged situation, is the solution that benefits both sides. My hope is that the film will raise awareness to this serious issue, and that law enforcement and the public can work together to stop the Puppycide that has become all too common.
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One of the cases that the "Puppycide" filmmakers document in the film is the story of "Jane," an Atlanta pit bull -type dog who was shot point blank in her own yard by a police officer. I had the honor of meeting Jane's family at a candlelight vigil held in her honor.
Jane's family is trying to make a positive change by amending Title 35 to develop policies addressing how peace officers should negotiate their encounters with domestic animals.
They need your help to raise awareness by showing support for this amendment through Bill HB 803 in Jane's memory, and in memory of all the dogs that have lost their lives because of a lack of essential education and awareness.
Massaging Your Dog
Massaging your dog can help him relax, prepare for competitions, or aid his recovery following an injury. Check out the video below to learn how to properly massage your dog using the methods employed by a certified dog trainer and massage therapist.
A new study out of the UK sought to find the key factors that contribute to dog aggression.
While breed-specific legislation and other discriminatory practices focus on the belief that a dog's breed is the primary factor that causes a dog to be aggressive, the results of this study point otherwise. Check out the top 5 common factors found by the researchers, listed below.
The most important thing we can take away from this study is that with responsible ownership and humane training, we can reduce what seems to be a dog aggression epidemic.
Factor #1: Training Methods Used
This study is a huge victory for proponents of science-based, force-free positive training methods. The researchers found that dogs trained using punishment and aversive training methods were twice as likely to be aggressive towards strangers and three times as likely to be aggressive towards family members.
Check out the latest blog post from my assistant, Alex Andes. In "The Crossover Child," Alex talks about how she discovered positive training as a child despite being surrounded by less humane alternatives.
"I have often wondered which side I would take in the greatest historical injustices throughout history. Would I have been for slavery or against it? Would I have fought for civil equality or against it? If I had grown up in an upbringing that encouraged immorality, would I have gone with the social norm or would I have forsaken the “popular” opinion of the times to fight the battle for equality and justice?
The answer came to me most clearly through my experience with training dogs. As a child, my parents trained their dogs using a so-called "trainer" who I now know to be highly aversive, using outdated, punishment-based methods. My parents’ dog, Romeo, was trained using a shock collar and harsh leash corrections on a prong collar..."
If you're a dog owner or a dog lover, you know "the guilty look." Your dog has done something wrong, and the look on his face makes it clear that he knows he's in trouble. Right? Maybe not.
Behaviorists have long questioned the belief that dogs feel guilt or shame for their actions. In order for a dog to experience guilt he has to have what is known as theory of mind, in other words he has to be aware of how his behavior impacts others. This is a complex level of thinking that has only been attributed to a select few species.
So why does your dog look so guilty when you catch him chewing on something inappropriate or when you find an accident in the house? Most likely, your dog is responding solely to your body language, rather than as a result of feeling guilty for making a mistake."
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