behavior Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Groomer to Groomer

Recognizing Fear & Aggression In Dogs During Grooming

By Kama Brown / June 1, 2016 / 1 minute of reading

There is nothing worse in a full day of grooming than being bitten by a client’s dog. Having to deal with dogs that do not enjoy grooming is par for the course but being bitten is oftentimes rare, painful, and can set you back for hours, if not days.
As groomers, I feel like we are excellent animal wranglers. Collectively, we’ve managed to get more things done to dogs in the name of hygiene than anyone else.

Recognizing Fear & Aggression In Dogs During Grooming Read More

Dog Spite and Human Imagination

By Gary Wilkes / May 4, 2015 / 1 minute of reading

Of all the disconnects between dog owners and their dogs, the biggest, most glaring, completely illogical, widely held and damaging myth is that dogs can be spiteful. Nope. Nada. Nicht. Ain’t happening. To understand my adamant belief that doggie spite doesn’t happen, conduct this simple experiment based on actual events.

Dog Spite and Human Imagination Read More

Problem Chewing

By Steven Appelbaum / April 10, 2015 / 1 minute of reading

Problem Solving Made Simple
Professional groomers sometimes find themselves in a similar quandary as veterinarians. You are not experts in behavior, but some of your customers will wind up re-homing their dogs if they are unable to solve behavioral challenges. This has the potential to negatively impact your business.

Problem Chewing Read More

Fraternal Twins: Discrimination and Generalization

By Gary Wilkes / April 8, 2015 / 1 minute of reading

Somewhere, deep within the bowels of my computer is a nifty little pinball game. It is a tribute to the software designers, who have created a marvelous simulation of the real thing. Two of the keys on the keyboard activate the flippers, and two more act to “nudge” the table.

Fraternal Twins: Discrimination and Generalization Read More

Behavior Odds and Ends

By Gary Wilkes / March 3, 2016 / 1 minute of reading

Behavior Clips
Here are a few “odds and ends” of training advice that can be shared with your clients or used in your everyday life:

Behavior Odds and Ends Read More

Above and Beyond the Call of Grooming

By Gary Wilkes / March 11, 2015 / 1 minute of reading

Of all the people in a dog’s life, a groomer sees them more than anyone outside of family. Additionally, groomers have dog-savvy that many vets, vet techs, trainers, and rescue people don’t. That means, with your knowledge, you are the perfect person to make sure a dog lives a long, healthy, happy life.

Above and Beyond the Call of Grooming Read More

A Groomer’s Guide to Target Training

By Melissa J. Viera / December 14, 2015 / 1 minute of reading

Training for veterinary care, grooming, and handling procedures can greatly reduce stress, and make the job easier for all involved. Target training is widely used in zoos, aquariums, and with domesticated animals of all species. Animals can learn to hold their nose to a target while having blood drawn, and during other veterinary procedures.

A Groomer’s Guide to Target Training Read More

“He’s never done that before…”

By Gary Wilkes / February 4, 2015 / 1 minute of reading

The Magic Words of Dog Ownership
We all know dogs. We know what they do. We humans have been around them for about 15,000 years. You could sit down and list most of their known behaviors off the top of your head.

“He’s never done that before…” Read More

Reading Body Posture to Avoid Aggression

By Steven Appelbaum / November 4, 2015 / 1 minute of reading

As all experienced dog trainers and behavioral specialists will tell you, when dealing with behavioral challenges, you must address their root causes if you realistically expect to eliminate or reduce the actual behavior. This is relevant for groomers.
Dogs who try to bite you are typically doing so for two—possibly three —reasons:

Reading Body Posture to Avoid Aggression Read More

The Secret Power of Once

By Gary Wilkes / October 13, 2015 / 1 minute of reading

About ten years ago I worked on an artificial intelligence project at MIT. One of my first experiences there was to stand in a small room full of all kinds of devices. The professor that invited me to participate handed me a music conductor’s baton and asked me to move it in any repetitive way – side to side, up and down or circles.

The Secret Power of Once Read More

Finding Effective Behavior Solutions

By Gary Wilkes / December 5, 2014 / 1 minute of reading

In the world of training there are many claims of mastery and efficacy. Few are ever proven. Real masters let their work speak for itself. Self-promoting “masters” rarely show anything outside of video tape and photos—and boy, do they look good in photos.

Finding Effective Behavior Solutions Read More

Grooming Cut Short

By Gary Wilkes / September 10, 2015 / 1 minute of reading

One of the blessings of dog behavior is that you can change it. One of the curses of dog behavior is that it can change.
For instance, I was working with a dog yesterday who gets violent if you try to groom his rear end. He is remarkably like Bear, the Mini Schnauzer I recalled in a previous column. If you try to touch this dog’s rear end, he’ll bite you. We have made great progress with this little guy and decided it was time to go to the groomer to test our progress.

Grooming Cut Short Read More