• Suddenly unable to log into your ZooVille account? This might be the reason why: CLICK HERE!

How much do you know about dog behavior?

zoofreak1

zoofreak1

Zooville Settler
Just curious how many of you zoo's here actually have some knowledge about dog behavior, training and reading and understanding canine body language. In form of education, courses and so on.

I have a 2 year dog behaviorist course and have been to many seminars listening to some of the best dog and animal trainers in the world. I have also been training dogs and working with behavior problems for the past 5 years.
Having a good communication with dogs comes in very handy when you want to make a female interested in you ?
 
How do actually grade how much you know?
Like I think I know quite a bit, but I am not an expert and I do not have enough ego to think I have nothing more to learn.
 
You can always learn more! I learn something new almost every dog I work with. That's some of the beauty dealing with living creatures.
You can get an idea of a person's knowledge by how many years of experience in the field someone have, what education, among other things.
Just wanted to hear how many zoo's here also are educated dog behaviorist or trainers. Being one myself, and wondering... I mean, dogs are my life, both sexual, work and daily
 
Yes, no diplomas to gauge knowledge.

I just learned myself since a kid and seems I did well enough compared with other owners around. But still, I know next to nothing.

Always learning new things from people, trainers, etc. The most rewarding sensations to me:
- When you realize you were doing something quite right, and you get a knowledged source to explain *why* that was right and worked, and how to do it better
- When I have doubts about something, so end up looking a number of videos showing their own "magic trick" and I am able to dischart some and favour others based on the knowledge of *my* dog behaviour (and the level of nonsense on those vidros on occasions)

So basically, I excel at not knowing what I am doing, but I seem to do better than most around LOL!
 
Being "self educated" can be good enough, but it can also be dangerous. I've met self educated and so called "experts" who mostly use aversive training methods and follow the old school alpha-theory

I myself though I new everything and was an expert on dogs, before I started studying and understood that I don't know anything ?
 
Indeed.
Like in any knowledge in life, it is important to be aware of ones ignorance to be able to learn.

I like the idea of getting knowledge and experience, but also (I have advised in this direction more than once on this same forum) If you figure you are not able, or see things do not go in the intended direction at the start, go get a professional person to help.

And by help I do not mean a "dog school" that trains the dog for you, but someone who will show you the ropes to continuously do the job yourself when thry are not around
 
zoofreak1 said:
Being "self educated" can be good enough, but it can also be dangerous. I've met self educated and so called "experts" who mostly use aversive training methods and follow the old school alpha-theory

I myself though I new everything and was an expert on dogs, before I started studying and understood that I don't know anything ?
Click to expand...
Since you have this set of knowledge and you are zoo too, you could consider writing a few threads or a single thread detailing some useful guides/advice from normal dog keeping up to sex.
 
Honestly this thread has inspired me to become an expert on dog behaviour. I know what yes and no from my dog means, but not much else. Now just to find some dog behaviour cirriculum...
 
pes said:
Since you have this set of knowledge and you are zoo too, you could consider writing a few threads or a single thread detailing some useful guides/advice from normal dog keeping up to sex.
Click to expand...
Maybe I will. There are already a few good and sensible threads about topics like this here. You wrote one yourself, about training animals for sex. And I agree, it's wrong to directly train a dog to have sex with you, no matter what methods you use. Still, it IS a behavior that you teach your, dog and vice versa! (take a little time to think about that)

You mention using positive reinforcement to make a dog go through unpleasant feelings just to get a treat as a reward. I totally agree, that's not the way to do it (concerning sexual acts).
But the act it self may be pleasent, and therefore work as a reinforcement.
You later wrote that "sex between a human and an animal must be consensual". That's ringt. But how does that start? It's starts with a specific behaviour from one of the partners. Either the dog suddenly shows interest, or the human. If both enjoy the sexual act, the triggering behavior to make it begin will gradually increase.
Me and my dog have a good understanding of each other's body language, that is something we learned from each other over time. So in a way we trained each other! When am horny and want it, I start to cuddle with her, touch her between her legs and most of the times it makes her wet en willing in no time. And vice versa.
But of course, I do not use command words when it comes to this. Neither does she, our body language decides!

My point here is: everything we do is based on the learning theories. Every act and behaviour we do have its roots in either operant or classical conditioning. Call it training, learning or what you want...
 
Last edited:
zoofreak1 said:
Maybe I will.
Click to expand...
It does not have to be about sex. Just general knowledge that could be useful. Body language, behavior explanation, problem solving. The stuff you clients ask you. :D

zoofreak1 said:
Still, it IS a behavior that you teach your, dog and vice versa! (take a little time to think about that)
Click to expand...
I know that. It is still different from telling you dog "lick me until I have enough". I have explained that in the thread as well.
Lets say that the difference is similar to telling your girlfriend "make me a sandwich or I will be disappointed" and her noticing you might want one.
The key is the choice.
 
Last edited:
I grew up around dogs, I was around them more than people my whole life and childhood.
I read some books on dog and wolf behavior and lifestyle, as well as books on ethology. I was at a lecture 1-2 times where they asked me and my experiences.

I still have a lot to learn, and I noticed that the more I know about dogs, the more questions and uncertainties I have.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top