"Fairy Tales"

peppernaei · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject: "Fairy Tales"

Sorry that I know most people can't get the article to read but there is an interesting article in the magazine "Dogs in Canada" for January by Jean Donaldson.
I don't know much about her and I have never read her books but I think Anne has mentioned them.

The article list ten myths about dog behaviour:
1. Dogs are naturally pack animals with a clear social order
2. If you let dogs exit doorways ahead of you, you're letting them be dominant
3."Support the hierarchy" by giving presumed dominant animals patting, treats first before giving them same to subordinate animals
4. Dogs have an innate desire to please
5. Rewards are bribes and thus compromise relationships
6. If you pat you dog when he's afraid you're rewarding the fear
7. Punish your dog for growling or else they'll become aggressive
8. Playing tug makes dogs aggressive
9. If you give your dog chew toys, they learn to chew everything
10. You can't modify "genetic" behaviour

Of course the article gives anecdotal evidence but no references and I didn't think I should type the whole article. What do you think?

I have been told all ten myths at one time or another but I have prescribed to about half (1-3 and 6-7 - tug only if you end the game but not at all for bird dogs which I realize isn't an aggression issue).
I am now interested in reading her work to see where she is coming from. The books listed in the bio are Culture Clash, Dogs are from Neptune and MINE!

AmyB · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:49 pm Post subject:

I'm curious too, I've thought most of those as being true based on books I've read. Everyone has their own opinion and they differ so much in dog training.

I've been meaning to get Culture Clash, that's probably my next book.

bgoode11 · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:56 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure where her research is coming from but dogs are very pack oriented.

I have taken many courses on animal behavior. I have not only researched this on a scholarly level but it is very obvious when any group of dogs are together. I will admit that their social order may be a little fuzzy at times but to say that they are not naturally pack oriented is not very clear to me.