April 2009 Commentary Available
The Behavioral Bait and Switch
If you asked a random sampling of pet owners what an animal behaviorist studied, chances are majority of them would give you a funny look. After all, what else would an animal behaviorist possibly study than animal behavior? But logical as that might sound, that’s not necessarily the case. And the fact that it isn’t has created a lot of confusion for people whose animals develop problem behaviors.
Also, I forgot to post when the March commentary was available last month.
When No Means Yes and Don’t Means Do
The other day when I called my dogs, I got to thinking about the beliefs about learning we impose on our animals and how they and we have to live with the consequences of this. I said I called my dogs, but because I got so caught up in my own needs when I was teaching—and I use the verb “teaching" loosely—them the Come command, the Come has become a “Come One Two” command. It started out so innocently (perhaps stupidly is a better word) on my part…
You can read it here.