Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett cover image

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

Do Dogs Really Test Us? Fluctuations In Dog Behavior, What It Means And What To Do #291

Dec 13, 2024
Do dogs really test us? This discussion dives into the fascinating world of canine behavior fluctuations. It highlights the importance of understanding the ABCs of dog training—antecedents, behavior, consequences. Rather than intentional testing, the speaker suggests that inconsistency often stems from education gaps or changing environments. Curiosity and compassion are emphasized as keys to enhancing the human-dog bond. Plus, learn what to do when trained behaviors unexpectedly shift, and why correction might not be the best initial reaction.
16:25

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Dogs do not intentionally test their owners; rather, their inconsistent behavior often results from incomplete training or changing contexts.
  • Adopting a mindset of curiosity and compassion can enhance dog training effectiveness and strengthen the bond between dogs and their trainers.

Deep dives

The Evolving Perspective on Dog Testing

The discussion centers around whether dogs intentionally test their owners, a question that has prompted varied opinions. Initially, the belief was that dogs do not test their trainers deliberately, but rather exhibit behaviors linked to incomplete training or understanding. However, the perspective has evolved to recognize that dogs may seem to test in situations where their commanded behavior is not firmly established. This implies that the context and environment play crucial roles in a dog's behavior, affecting how commands are understood and executed.

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