Saw this when I opened MSN today

FarCritter10 · 10-13-2005, 07:53 AM

Thought it was interesting.
Do Dogs Think?

Mom2Many · 10-13-2005, 08:37 AM

Excellent article, and so true. I hope new dog owners all get a chance to read this.

Raised By Wolves · 10-13-2005, 08:38 AM

Oh, hold on to your hats folks! I think we are on the brink of seeing a lot of breakthroughs in understanding the canine mind!

I am looking forward to reading ANYTHING new in this area. Getting my clients to understand that "dog psychology" is quite different from "human psychology", is where things start getting better between them and their canine companions.

Most trainers and canine behavior experts DO already know a lot of this. It's just tricky to break down all of the minute body language and "attitude" signals passing between humans and dogs, or dogs with each other, put it into understandable, easy to digest terms...and teach it to others.

Something BIG is on the horizon. I'm looking forward to reading this new book.

calgal · 10-13-2005, 10:13 AM

I'm still pondering the question on how anyone got to be an expert on what dogs think or their reasoning. It's kind of like "what foods do they need". No one really knows because there are no "experts". It's all a guessing game. I do however think some methods of correction work, but then there again it doesn't on "all" dogs. I think getting help to correct an unwanted behavior in a dog is a good thing if it's from someone who has worked with dogs for years and has some knowledge on their behavior and what may work. I don't believe in putting that much faith into one trainer who writes books on the subjects. What works for one dog may not for another.

Jamilupine · 10-13-2005, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgal

I do however think some methods of correction work, but then there again it doesn't on "all" dogs. I think getting help to correct an unwanted behavior in a dog is a good thing if it's from someone who has worked with dogs for years and has some knowledge on their behavior and what may work. I don't believe in putting that much faith into one trainer who writes books on the subjects.

What about one trainer who you consult? How is that different from one trainer who wrote a book?

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgal

What works for one dog may not for another.

But this is also true, very true, for people.

The difference between animals and people, in addition to some memory issues and such, is that people have aquired what is called "verbal behavior." This is how we communicate, think, and such. Dogs and other animals do not have the same verbal behaviors that people do. However, animals are affected by the same laws of learning and behavior as are people. So, if one masters the laws of learning and behavior, and realizes that dogs do not posses verbal behavior, why can't one be called an expert?

dogs get into refridgerators and eat food becuase of one reason: it works. They opened the door, ate the food, the behavior of opening th door to the refriderator has been reinforced (assuming that this happens again in the future...). Correction, on the other hand is much more difficult, becuase if a behvior is seen, then it is being reinforced by some consequence. what we have to do as trainers and owners is either remove the reinforcing consequence (take all food out of fridge, for examle) or enforce a larger less pleasant consequence (such as spraying everything in the fridge with bitter apple). Not because they devised a plan. Dogs are organisms more simple than humans and do not posses the ability to be reinforced by actions of spite. Humans, on the other hand, engage in behaviors that purposely aggravate others becuase the aggravation or reaction they get is reinforcing.

I think it is easy to have experts on animal behavior, thinking and reasons. All one needs to do is be an expert on learning and behavior and then be aware of the fact that animals do not posses certian things that humans do.

TribalRats · 10-13-2005, 11:04 AM

WOW Jami! Very insightful.

mrsgrubby · 10-13-2005, 07:24 PM

Hey Jami, your college education is helping us all!!!

Raised By Wolves · 10-13-2005, 07:43 PM

I always get a kick out of how easily dogs can turn the tables on humans, and get us to perform all sorts of "behaviors" for them...with "cuteness" alone!

FarCritter10 · 10-14-2005, 06:53 AM

I was just saying last nite how mine have me trained. What do they say? "With a little training, man can be dog's best friend".

TribalRats · 10-14-2005, 08:45 AM

Far Critter you're killing me! You seriously crack me up.

FarCritter10 · 10-14-2005, 10:28 AM

Thx TR, nice to know when you make someone smile!

TribalRats · 10-14-2005, 12:48 PM

LMAO!!!!! Killing me.....HA HA HA HA!

Jamilupine · 10-14-2005, 01:24 PM

THOSE KITTENS ARE HALIROUS!

Thanks for the laugh!

FarCritter10 · 10-14-2005, 01:32 PM

yw Jam. Actually, this one is more like I feel today though.......

Can't wait till this day is over! Happy Friday.

Tarragon · 10-14-2005, 07:15 PM

lol that's how I feel on Monday....

10-13-2005, 07:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
FarCritter10 Mutley Crew Mom Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brooksville, FL Posts: 187 Rep Power: 79	Saw this when I opened MSN today Thought it was interesting. Do Dogs Think?
	__________________

10-13-2005, 08:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mom2Many Owned by 1 GSD & 1 APBT Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Untangling Gunnar's Leash Posts: 873 Rep Power: 92	Excellent article, and so true. I hope new dog owners all get a chance to read this.
	__________________ Thanks to Keyodie for the beautiful signature! SAY NO TO BSL!

10-13-2005, 11:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
TribalRats Take Responsibility Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 3,327 Rep Power: 145	WOW Jami! Very insightful.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

10-14-2005, 06:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
FarCritter10 Mutley Crew Mom Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brooksville, FL Posts: 187 Rep Power: 79	I was just saying last nite how mine have me trained. What do they say? "With a little training, man can be dog's best friend".
	__________________

10-14-2005, 08:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
TribalRats Take Responsibility Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 3,327 Rep Power: 145	Far Critter you're killing me! You seriously crack me up.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

10-13-2005, 08:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Raised By Wolves Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,523 Rep Power: 127	Oh, hold on to your hats folks! I think we are on the brink of seeing a lot of breakthroughs in understanding the canine mind! I am looking forward to reading ANYTHING new in this area. Getting my clients to understand that "dog psychology" is quite different from "human psychology", is where things start getting better between them and their canine companions. Most trainers and canine behavior experts DO already know a lot of this. It's just tricky to break down all of the minute body language and "attitude" signals passing between humans and dogs, or dogs with each other, put it into understandable, easy to digest terms...and teach it to others. Something BIG is on the horizon. I'm looking forward to reading this new book.

10-13-2005, 10:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,783 Rep Power: 229	I'm still pondering the question on how anyone got to be an expert on what dogs think or their reasoning. It's kind of like "what foods do they need". No one really knows because there are no "experts". It's all a guessing game. I do however think some methods of correction work, but then there again it doesn't on "all" dogs. I think getting help to correct an unwanted behavior in a dog is a good thing if it's from someone who has worked with dogs for years and has some knowledge on their behavior and what may work. I don't believe in putting that much faith into one trainer who writes books on the subjects. What works for one dog may not for another.

10-13-2005, 07:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
mrsgrubby Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,476 Rep Power: 144	Hey Jami, your college education is helping us all!!!

10-13-2005, 07:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
Raised By Wolves Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,523 Rep Power: 127	I always get a kick out of how easily dogs can turn the tables on humans, and get us to perform all sorts of "behaviors" for them...with "cuteness" alone!

10-14-2005, 10:28 AM	#11 (permalink)
FarCritter10 Mutley Crew Mom Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brooksville, FL Posts: 187 Rep Power: 79	Thx TR, nice to know when you make someone smile!
	__________________

10-14-2005, 12:48 PM	#12 (permalink)
TribalRats Take Responsibility Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 3,327 Rep Power: 145	LMAO!!!!! Killing me.....HA HA HA HA!
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

10-14-2005, 01:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jamilupine We Graduated! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 547 Rep Power: 72	THOSE KITTENS ARE HALIROUS! Thanks for the laugh!
	__________________ ~Jami

10-14-2005, 01:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
FarCritter10 Mutley Crew Mom Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brooksville, FL Posts: 187 Rep Power: 79	yw Jam. Actually, this one is more like I feel today though....... Can't wait till this day is over! Happy Friday.
	__________________

10-14-2005, 07:15 PM	#15 (permalink)
Tarragon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: California Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	lol that's how I feel on Monday....

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