As a cynologist, I can’t emphasize enough how vital sleep is for dogs, playing a role as crucial to their well-being as it does for humans. Sleep serves as a cornerstone for a dog’s physical health, emotional stability, and cognitive functioning. Yet, in my experience, many pet owners often overlook the importance of quality sleep for their canine companions, unknowingly fostering environments that disrupt their dog’s rest. Just as we need adequate sleep to process daily experiences and maintain balance, so do our dogs. However, unlike humans, dogs don’t typically experience extended, uninterrupted periods of sleep; instead, they rely on frequent, shorter cycles of rest throughout the day and night to stay in equilibrium. When this delicate balance is disrupted, a host of behavioral issues can arise, from mild irritability to severe anxiety.
Often, when I see behavioral issues in dogs, they’re attributed to things like a lack of exercise, insufficient training, or stress in the environment. What goes unnoticed, however, is how frequently sleep deprivation is an underlying factor. A dog that appears hyperactive, reactive, or even destructive may, in fact, be sleep-deprived and simply unable to regulate its emotions and impulses. This connection between sleep and behavior becomes especially crucial with high-energy breeds and working dogs, who need significant time to mentally and physically recover. When these dogs don’t get enough rest, their overstimulated minds and bodies fail to reset, leading to impulsive and problematic behaviors that only escalate over time.
The impact of sleep deprivation doesn’t just stop at behavior—it can take a serious toll on a dog’s overall health. Chronic lack of sleep affects memory, weakens the immune system, and often leads to emotional instability, making dogs more vulnerable to fear-based reactions and even aggression. In sleep, dogs consolidate memories and process learning; when they don’t get enough rest, their ability to retain training and recall commands is compromised. Over time, these effects compound, creating a vicious cycle in which sleep-deprived dogs become increasingly difficult to manage, frustrating owners who are unaware of the root cause.
In this article, I’ll take you through the profound role that sleep plays in a dog’s life and its direct connection to behavioral health. I will explain the biological, neurological, and psychological dimensions of canine sleep to offer a comprehensive understanding of how lack of rest can drive behavioral issues. Additionally, I’ll share practical strategies for promoting better sleep hygiene in dogs, helping you recognize signs of sleep deprivation and foster environments where restful sleep is possible.
If you love dogs, buy a goldfish. It sounds counterintuitive, I know, but hear me out. Dogs are incredible creatures, full of personality, intelligence, and charm—but they’re not accessories, nor are they little humans in fur suits. Too often, we bring a dog home and expect it to fit into our lives as easily as a new couch or houseplant. We assume they’ll adapt to our schedules, tolerate every guest, and generally go with the flow, all while remaining endlessly loyal and affectionate. But dogs aren’t wired to live passively in our world. They need more than food, water, and a soft place to sleep. They need structure, guidance, and a bit of respect for who they truly are—animals with instincts and needs that don’t always align with our expectations.
In this article, I explore what it means to be a steward rather than a mere owner when it comes to dogs. Becoming a steward means understanding and meeting our dogs’ needs, recognizing that they are sentient beings with unique personalities and preferences. True stewardship goes beyond basic care and training; it’s about creating an environment where a dog feels secure, valued, and fulfilled. Dogs need routines that make sense to them, guidance that respects their instincts, and a life that offers more than just a passive existence in a human household. And if that sounds like too much responsibility, there’s no shame in choosing a pet that doesn’t require quite so much—like a goldfish, perhaps.
By the end, I hope to leave you with a deeper understanding of what dogs truly need to thrive and maybe a smile at the thought of swapping your dog for a simpler, less demanding companion. Because while a goldfish might offer peace and simplicity, it will never give you the kind of partnership, loyalty, and joy that a dog brings. So, are you a dog steward or more a goldfish-fishtank kind of person?
In this article, I present my approach to dog training that moves beyond traditional behavioral conditioning to embrace the complex neuroscience of canine cognition. Through the years I've discovered that successful training isn't merely about teaching and reinforcing behaviors—it's about understanding and managing the dog's brain state to optimize learning and promote lasting behavioral change. This paradigm shift represents a fundamental departure from conventional training methods, offering a more sophisticated and scientifically-grounded approach to canine behavior modification.
At the heart of this methodology lies the recognition of what I call the "two minds" of the dog—the cognitive mind and the primal mind. This duality, rooted in the interplay between the prefrontal cortex and limbic system, forms the cornerstone of modern canine behavior understanding. Through careful observation and documentation of hundreds of cases, I've developed protocols that allow us to identify, influence, and maintain optimal brain states for learning. When we understand how to manage these states effectively, we can achieve behavioral changes that are both more profound and more sustainable than those obtained through traditional training methods.
The implications of this neuroscientific approach extend far beyond simple obedience training. By understanding the biological mechanisms that drive behavior—from neurotransmitter balance to cortisol management—we can create training environments that work with, rather than against, the dog's natural neurological processes. Throughout this article, I will guide you through the practical applications of these principles, sharing detailed protocols and case studies that demonstrate how this understanding transforms our ability to address complex behavioral challenges. When we shift our focus from external compliance to internal state management, we open new possibilities for creating lasting positive change in our dogs' lives.
Last Wednesday, what began as a routine day turned into a life-altering experience when my wife's German Shepherd, Rogue, developed Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), a potentially fatal condition. As I was teaching a class in my barn, Rogue's increasing distress caught my attention. His whining escalated from mild to severe, and upon checking, I found his belly alarmingly distended. Recognizing the signs of GDV from my knowledge of canine health, I knew we were in a race against time. With my car in the shop, a client volunteered to drive us on the hour-long journey to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic. Every minute of that drive was filled with fear and uncertainty, knowing that GDV's mortality rate increases significantly with each passing hour.
In this article, I will explain the harrowing journey of Rogue's battle with GDV, from the emergency surgery to his challenging recovery in the ICU. I'll delve into the complexities of the surgical procedure, including how the surgeon managed to save Rogue's spleen despite finding blood clots. Moreover, I'll explore the science behind GDV, discussing its causes, risk factors, and prevention strategies. Drawing from our experience, I'll highlight the critical importance of early recognition and rapid response in GDV cases. The article will also cover the long-term implications of GDV, both physical and emotional, for both the dog and the owner. Finally, I'll share the valuable lessons learned from this ordeal and how it has transformed our approach to canine health care, hoping to raise awareness and potentially save other dogs' lives.
The icy-blue or sky-colored eyes that captivate so many dog lovers are often accompanied by a higher incidence of anxiety, reactivity, and behavioral concerns compared to their brown-eyed counterparts. This observation isn't just anecdotal; it's supported by a growing body of scientific research and my own hands-on work with these breeds.
Currently, I'm working with two dogs in my board and train program that exemplify these challenges: Tater Tot, a mini Australian Shepherd, and Finnley, a Catahoula Leopard Dog. Both of these blue-eyed beauties are here to address severe anxiety, reactivity, and aggression issues. The striking similarity of their problems, despite their different breeds, has led me to delve deeper into the genetic underpinnings of these behavioral issues.
In this article, I aim to shed light on the genetic basis of blue eye color in these breeds, explore the link between sensory perception and behavior, and examine how these factors may contribute to heightened anxiety, reactivity to novel stimuli, and aggression towards people. It's crucial to understand that these dogs are not at fault for their challenging behaviors. Instead, their struggles often stem from genetic factors related to their distinctive eye color.
Dogs need a lot more sleep than people do. In the wild wolves sleep when their bodies say they need sleep—unlike people who have busy schedules and not listen to the sleep/rest signals from their bodies. On average dogs need about 12 to 17 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. That will however vary with age and breed. Puppies, Giant Breed dogs and older dogs will need even more sleep, up to 20 hours per day.
I woke up this morning thinking about wolves and reminded myself that Wolfpack’s function as a social group, as a tight family. That family is governed by social rules, consistent communication, boundaries and limitations. Everyone has his role and that the reason why the pack functions so well and succeeds because everyone acts within the parameters of their role and that when they don’t the pack starts falling apart. READ MORE
In this blog I have written in order to be an expert it will take you at least ten thousand hours to do so. We over the last 30 years that I have been working with and studying the canis lupus familiars, the canis lupus and other canids I have come to realize that I know absolutely nothing about them.
Breeding dogs or breeding pets for that matter is a very serious business. One that requires knowledge about genetics and behavioral traits in order to positively contribute to the betterment of the species or breed. Unfortunately most breeders are in it for the “easy money”, while other are genuinely thinking they are doing a “good job’ while in fact they are one of the main factors in the declination of breed health. READ MORE
Yesterday someone reached out for help with an adolescent male German Shepherd that had launched at someone and bitten a person. When I gave her a possible date to come over for an evaluation she mentioned that on that day the dog would get neutered, an advice she got from her veterinarian to reduce and avoid any aggressive behaviors in the future.
I was very disappointed to hear that as over the last 15 years research has proven that neutering and spaying have the opposite effect. Neutering male dogs causes more behavioral problems ( Dr. Coren 2018) Unfortunately veterinarians today still advice this very outdated procedure to “solve” aggression and over-excitement based behavioral problems. I believe the reason for that is two fold. The main reason is outdated schooling at the current Vet-University programs who often still teach practices and protocols established in the 1960s. Another reason is the money, neutering and spaying is an easy and quick buck in their pocket. -READ MORE
Your dog is a valued member of your family. When you go on a hike or take your family hiking, you’ll naturally bring your first aid kit for yourself, but it’s important to know and be prepared for accidents that may happen to your pup too. Not knowing what you would do in the event that your dog got hit by a car or accidentally choked on a chicken bone is the scariest part.
There are some first aid techniques every dog owner should know that will leave you with peace of mind and the valuable resources you need to protect your entire family. Remember, the following techniques are only to be used to stabilize your dog in the event of an emergency before you can get them to a veterinarian or animal hospital. You must ensure that you are in the right place of mind and you know what you’re doing before starting first aid on anyone, including an animal.
Getting a puppy is a very exciting event. An event however that comes with a lot of responsibilities. Like we mentioned in our previous blog, a dog is for life and not just for Christmas.
Starting off the right way with training your puppy will help you setting you and your new best friend up for success and prevent troubles later. Here are 7 tips that will help you to start your new journey the right way.
Christmas is a pretty high energy holiday, but nothing comes with more energy than a brand new puppy. If you’re thinking of purchasing a puppy to gift at Christmas, more becomes involved than simply seeing the smile of excitement on your loved ones’ faces. A puppy lasts longer than a Christmas season; a puppy is for life not just for Christmas.Below are 5 points you need to know about raising a puppy now before you make the big purchase of bringing a puppy into your home.
Does your dog bark, growl, or run towards other dogs when you’re on a walk or when someone walks past your home? It’s common for dogs to be Reactive or “hyper-aware” of other dogs nearby, however, it’s not simply disobedient behavior, so shouldn’t be correlated with punishment. In fact, many obedient dogs still exude Reactive behavior. It’s actually a stress response in the body from specific triggers, etc. If your dog does act like this, however, it’s important to start immediately to try and fix the issue. The longer a pup continues the reaction, the more difficult and longer it will take to correct - or you could end up with a legal case on your hands. - READ MORE…
In our training we will see that some dogs response faster or slower to cue. In animal training we call that Latency. Simply stated latency is the time interval between the cue and when the dog starts responding to this cue.P eople like to see dogs that respond very fast to command. If that is something we want we need to shorten the intermission between cue and behavior, decreasing the latency. So how do we do this?
Modeling and Observational learning in dog training Typically dog training proceeds from operant conditioning with a long period of shaping the dog learns a new behavior through errors and reinforcement. Observational learning happens quickly and can either help us in our dog training or can be our worst enemy. In this article I explain what modeling and observational learning is and discuss some real life examples how it can negatively influence your dogs learning and how it can help.
When you browse the internet and in particular social media you find thousands of new dog trainers daily. Most of them in their early 20’s. Almost all of them are “Head Trainers” or “Master Trainers”. I even have found “Grand Master Dog Trainers” out there too. It makes me laugh. Their Social media pages are filled with Political, Racist and homophobic propaganda and videos of some mediocre dog training. So much focus on what is not important.
If you ask my professional opinion If you should hire a professional dog trainer to train your dog, my honest answer is no. This will sound weird to most of you as I talk against my own business. Don’t get me wrong dog training is what put bread on my table and food for my family but I would not recommend sending my own dogs to a professional dog trainers in many cases.
If you ask the average companion dog owner about e-collar training most of the time you will get a response of “abusive, cruel, in-humane”, which in a lot of cases is fact. You will get the same answer from lobbyists in humane societies and animal rights organizations. If you ask the average Police K9 handler or working dog owner they will be familiar with the use of the E-Collar as an effective training tool. However and unfortunately not many of them do know how the properly use it and do use it as a punishment tool. And using it as a punishment tool is the WRONG thing to do.
If you’ve read Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers (or listened to Macklemore’s song 10,000 hours) you’re familiar with the idea that 10,000 hours of practice is what it takes to become an “expert” in a given field. But what does 10,000 hours of dog training look like–and what does it take to achieve it?
On Tuesday February 11th we lost a beautiful male Germans Shepherd because of Mesenteric Torsion. Jaeger was a two year old male in excellent health and condition. Jaeger was in training for Ring Sport. He was fed 2 times a day and had 1 hour rest before feeding and three hours rest after feeding. Tuesday when we took him out of his crate to start training he suddenly collapsed. We took him to our regular vet immediate and they performed blood tests, X-Rays and Ultra- sound. Nothing could be found. Jaeger getting worse I decided to bring him to an Animal Emergency Clinic where they performed an exploratory surgery. Diagnoses acute Mesenteric Torsion.
