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Client Handout - How to read a pet food label (1)

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Dog Trainer Recommendations.docx (1) (3) (1) (1) (1) (1)

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Client Handout - Pawsitive Vet Visit (1)

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Client Handout - Parasite Prevention (1)

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https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/

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Help your pets live their happiest, healthiest, fullest lives at home, at the vet, at the groomer, and everywhere in between.

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Profesor Daniel Mills is a practising veterinary surgeon and academic at the University of the University of Lincoln who specialises in the management of problem behaviour and the human-animal bond. He is ranked in the top 1% of cited scientists in all disciplines worldwide. In 2004 he was the first individual to be recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a specialist in veterinary behavioural medicine, and in 2016 was further recognised by them as the first individual to be granted Fellowship status for his contributions to this field. He was also Europe's first professor of his discipline and has pioneered a scientific transformation of our understanding of companion animal problem behaviour, through the development of what has become known as "the Psychobiological Approach" to clinical animal behaviour. This involves a synthesis of psychology, neuroscience and evolutionary biology to provide a systematic scientific framework for the evaluation of the underlying motivational an emotional state of an animal. He has led the development of a number of instruments to assess personality dimensions in animals which are validated through both behavioural and physiological studies.

He has published around 200 original scientific articles and more than 50 books and chapters.

He is particularly interested in individual differences in behavioura, how we can understand the emotional world of other animals and how it guides their behaviour and relationships with others as well as the impact of animals on society and human health. He frequently advises both specialist and general media on companion animal issues. He runs an audio and YouTube podcast series "What makes you click?", which features chats with inspirational friends in the field of animal behaviour he has had the benefit of getting to know over the course of his career (https://www.facebook.com/dsmpod). He shares his home with his human family, a rescue cat for rescue tortoises and a lot of fish.

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Life Skills for Puppies: Laying the foundation for a loving, lasting relationship

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Life Skills for Puppies: Laying the foundation for a loving, lasting relationship: Zulch, Helen, Mills, Daniel, Baumber, Peter: 9781845844462: Books - Amazon.ca

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You are the secret to your pet's happiness. How interactions with you (and other people) can affect your dog's welfare.
How to make the world better for dogs. I asked dog experts - including Marc Bekoff, Jean Donaldson, Alexandra Horowitz, Ilana Reisner, Kathy Sdao and Pete Wedderburn - weigh in on the one thing that would make the world better for dogs.

How to pet dogs (and cats). Tips on the best way to pet dogs, including where they prefer to be petted, the body language to look out for, and how to do a consent test to check if they are enjoying it.

If your dog is afraid, avoid these two mistakes. These common mistakes will get in the way of you helping your dog. Find out what you should do instead.

Most pet dogs are fearful or anxious, study shows. Research from Finland finds that 72.5% of dogs have at least one form of canine anxiety, and better breeding practices would help.

Dogs don't have to be afraid of fireworks. Research shows that preventive training (of puppies or dogs that aren't yet afraid) or training for dogs who already have fireworks fears really does make a difference.

Fear of loud noises - a common problem in domestic dogs? looks at the prevalence of fears of thunder and fireworks.

Training classes and dogs' fear of fireworks. Dogs that attended training class are less likely to be afraid of fireworks.

Dangerous dogs - time for a rethink? Aggression in one situation does not necessarily carry over to other contexts.

Testing an automated and humane way to resolve barking. A scientific study tests the use of an automatic treat dispenser.

Small dogs are less likely to be house trained than big dogs. But they also get less training from their owners.

Body Language

How can I tell if my dog is afraid? A guide to spotting the signs of fear, anxiety and stress in dogs, and some photos for a dog body language practice quiz.

Understanding dogs with iSpeakDog - Although most people think they know dogs, research shows most of us are not very good at recognizing fear and anxiety. Why it matters that we learn to understand canine body language, and a fabulous new resource to help.

Canine Science

We need canine science because common sense can lead us astray. Canine science is better than common sense.

Science - and science blogging - can help animal welfare in important ways. Why science matters to our dogs and cats

6 reasons to love canine science. Some of the cool things science has taught us about dogs.

How many dogs is enough for canine science? "If we want to be able to say something about dogs in general, then all kinds of dogs need to take part in research."

Do you ever wonder how dogs are rewarded for taking part in canine research? Will work for hot dog

What can dog owners learn from the way scientists give animals choices in research? The right to walk away.

Dogs' Abilities and Cognition

Rivalry and decision making in dogs. The relationship between two household dogs affects their decisions.

fMRI research on dog's brains shows their people are of special importance to them. How does a dog's brain respond to the smell of a familiar human?

Can dogs smell quantity of food? We all know dogs have amazing noses, but can they smell the difference between a plate with just a little hot dog and another plate with more?

Most people think their dog is about as clever as a 3 - 5 year old human child. How clever do you think your dog is?

Would your dog prefer a piece of cheese, or a piece of cheese and a piece of carrot? The answer may surprise you. Sub-optimal choice in dogs

Do dogs try to hide theft of food? Two studies investigate whether dogs can take a human's perspective when deciding whether or not to steal food.

Diabetes alert dogs can make a big difference to their owners. Dogs can alert their owners with 'brittle' type 1 diabetes to let them know when they are about to have an attack of low blood sugar. This article looks at research on the amazing success of the program.

Dogs at the Vet

Overweight dogs don't live as long (and scientists have calculated how much less). For some breeds, the difference in lifespan is as much as 2.5 years compared to if they were a normal weight.

30% of dogs are highly stressed in the waiting room, but many owners don't know if their dog is stressed or not. Canine stress in the vet's waiting room.

Dogs don't have to be stressed at the veterinarian. Essential tips for better vet visits. Lots of tips to help you prepare your dog for trips to the vet (and some nice tips for cats too, if you're a cat owner as well).

Treats at the vet mean fewer bites and a less fearful pet. Should vets give treats to pets?

The surprising history of veterinary medicine for dogs and cats.

Vets sometimes miss opportunities to discuss canine behaviour, even when they notice problems. Discussion of dogs' behavioural problems at the vet.

Dog Training

Can dog training books be trusted? Study tests whether five best-selling dog training books give evidence-based advice.

Reward-based training isn't just for sunny days. When dogs have behaviour issues, it's all the more important to use positive reinforcement in training.

To promote positive reinforcement dog training, teach, engage, and amplify. Plenty of tips to help bring about changes in dog training.

"Dominance" training deprives dogs of positive experiences. Dominance is an out-dated approach to dog training - and it also means dogs miss out on fun. Find out why, here.

Seven reasons to use reward-based dog training summarizes the advantages to using modern, scientific methods in dog training, including links to position statements from welfare organizations. If you're more interested in the research itself, see a new literature review recommends reward-based training and my guest blog over at The Academy for Dog Trainers, the double advantage of reward-based training.

Positive reinforcement is more effective at training dogs than an electronic collar, study shows. Even when the electronic collars are used by trainers recommended by the Electronic Collar Manufacturers' Association.

Dogs like to work for rewards. Make your dog happy: Train force free.

Research shows positive reinforcement is good for animal welfare and the human-canine bond. Dog-training, animal welfare and the human-canine relationship.

Confidence and emotions affect people's use of positive reinforcement to train reactive dogs. On the human side of dog training and the support that people need.

Where do people get information about dog training?

In dog training, balance is off. It's not a good thing when dog trainers describe themselves as 'balanced'. This article explains why.

The importance of food in dog training. What science tells us about the effectiveness of food as a motivator for dogs.

Research shows electronic collars can have a negative impact on welfare. Is it the end for shock collars?

Positive reinforcement and dog training. A user-friendly guide to everything you need to know about using positive reinforcement to train your dog.

Positive reinforcement and dog training for dogs with behaviour problems.

Dog training is unlicensed, and some trainers are not clear in how they explain what they do. Describing dog training: weasel words or clear descriptions?

Playtime after training improves a dog's memory. Research into whether a play session after training helps to improve dogs' learning.

Timing and attention matter in dog training. Analysis of videos of training sessions show that being able to get the dog's attention, and getting the timing of rewards right, make a difference to success.

Escaping dogs: Some fences are better than others. A physical fence is more secure than an electronic fence, according to a study with important implications for dog owners.

I also maintain a list of dog training science resources.

Enrichment and Entertainment for Your Dog

Using the nose to smell is important to dogs. Now, s cientists have shown that finding hidden food in nosework increases dogs' optimism.

Why do dogs play? The evolutionary reasons for puppy play, the links between dog play and animal welfare - and what it means to you as a dog owner.

You know that feeling when you successfully solve a problem? Dogs get that Eureka feeling too

Is scent enriching for shelter dogs? Research tested the effects of four different scents on shelter dogs, and found promising reductions in stress.

Lots of ideas for fun activities with your dog in Make your dog happy: enrichment.

When walks are limited, six ways to entertain your dog indoors

If you lead a Lab to water, should you let them swim? Labrador Retrievers and what their choices reveal about love of water.

Why do people take part in dog sports? It's a combination of different types of motivation.

People and Pets

Animal lovers on the books that changed their lives.

Dogs' personality traits vary with age (and dogs tend to be like their owners). Ever wondered if people's personality matches up with their dog's? There's some evidence that's the case.

Why do people choose certain dogs? The reasons people give for the dogs they pick.

Why don't more people use positive reinforcement to train dogs? looks at the reasons many people continue to use punishment at least some of the time, despite the risks to animal welfare.

There are four different ethical orientations to how we think about animals. It's all explained in new study identifies our different ethical beliefs about animals.

Positive Stories About Dogs

Pets help build communities one friend at a time.

Do dogs prefer petting or praise? It turns out they can't get enough of petting, but praise is pretty meaningless.

Listening to audiobooks can help dogs waiting for adoption.

Great photos are important to dog adoption, but dogs seen in videos are rated more positively than if seen in photos. Useful information for shelters and rescues to help promote their dogs.

A survey of Labrador Retriever owners tells us what they eat, how often they exercise, and where they sleep. The Labrador lifestyle.

Why are some breeds of dog more popular than others?

Preventing dog bites

The danger hidden in plain sight in photos of dogs and children. Three things to look for in cute photos of dogs and kids - and to carry over into action when supervising small children around dogs. Essential reading for parents.

Most serious dog bites happen at home, and no breed group can be blamed. Research in Calgary shows that children and older adults are most at risk of bites, but no particular breed group is responsible.

Breed Specific Legislation had no effect on dog bites in Odense, Denmark. Another study adds to the evidence that BSL does not work.

People mistakenly think anxious dogs are relaxed around baby. Dog owners are even worse than non-dog owners at interpreting canine body language in interactions with children, research shows.

Education on dog bites needs to get past the belief that 'it won't happen to me'. A new approach to dog bite prevention and an interview with Dr. Carri Westgarth.

Preventing dog bites in children.

Can fatal dog attacks be prevented? Although such attacks are very rare, a sobering report shows they typically have multiple - potentially preventable - factors.

Preventing dog bites in children - an evaluation of the Blue Dog Project 's influence on parents.

Puppies

Are you getting a new family member? How to choose the right puppy in 4 easy steps.

Which dog breeds are the best alternatives to French bulldogs? has suggestions for the types of dog suitable for first time dog owners, and tips on getting a French bulldog too.

Extra early socialization for puppies makes a big difference to behaviour as an adult dog. The additional socialization program (on top of an existing one) for Guide Dog puppies aged 0-6 weeks led to fewer problems with separation-related behaviours, body sensitivity, anxiety and distraction.

Going to puppy class could be the best investment you make in your dog. Make your dog happy: Puppy Class! tells you what to look out for.

Dogs who attended puppy class are more trainable will also help persuade you to go to puppy class.

Behaviour problems in puppies from pet stores. Did you know that puppies from pet stores are more likely to be aggressive to their owner than puppies obtained from a responsible breeder?

Socialization is so important, but what's the science behind it? Why you need to socialize your puppy.

It seems that different dog breeds may have a slightly different sensitive period for socialization.

Some dog breeds have welfare problems, but when choosing a puppy, people don't always take this account. In fact, some breeds seem almost irresistible and emotions get in the way.

Senior Dogs and Geriatric Dogs

What is canine cognitive dysfunction? In this post, veterinarian Dr. Chahal Gurpal explains what the signs and symptoms of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome are, and how you can help your dog.

How long do pet dogs live? The average lifespan of dogs in the United States.

Walking, Exercise, and Weight

Why do some people not walk their dogs? and what encourages people to walk their dog?

Should you take your dog to the dog park?

Neutering and "hygge" treats: risk factors for obesity in dogs. Results of a Danish study tell us what factors are linked to dogs being overweight. Training treats aren't - but treats given as part of relaxation are correlated with obesity.

Working Dogs

How can we improve working dog programs? and an interview with Mia Cobb.

Other Canine Topics

What kind of dog lives the longest? Smaller dogs have longer lives looks at the effects of body size, being mixed breed versus purebred, spay/neuter status, and dental cleanings on the lifespan of pet dogs in the US.

Are deaf dogs and blind dogs just like other dogs?

Learning more about the canine victims of animal abuse.

What are the Five Freedoms and what do they mean to you? Learn about your dog's welfare needs.

The Five Domains model aims to help animals thrive. An updated model of animal welfare includes positive experiences for our pets.

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy

. She is the founder of the popular blog Companion Animal Psychology, where she writes about everything from training methods to the human-canine relationship. She also writes a column for Psychology Today and has received the prestigious Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Article in 2017. Todd lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband and two cats.

Useful links:
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Photos: Cryber (dog sniffing) (Shutterstock.com)

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You are the secret to your pet's happiness. How interactions with you (and other people) can affect your dog's welfare. How to make the world better for dogs. I asked dog experts - including Marc Bekoff, Jean Donaldson, Alexandra Horowitz, Ilana Reisner, Kathy Sdao and Pete Wedderburn - weigh in on the one thing that would make the world better for dogs.

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Puppy Start Right: Foundation Training for the Companion Dog

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Puppy Start Right: Foundation Training for the Companion Dog: Martin, Kenneth M., Martin, Debbie: 9781890948443: Books - Amazon.ca

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https://indoorpet.osu.edu/dogs

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https://vohc.org/accepted-products/