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Exploring the nature of dogs, how they maintain emotional balance, why they fall into problem behaviours and the principles behind some simple solutions. Behaviour and training problems are often directly linked to the expression of normal behaviour patterns of the domestic dog, but what is “normal” domestic dog behaviour?

This full day seminar explores the theory and practice of training for scent with dogs.
We all know that dogs’ noses are so much better than ours, but a greater understanding helps us relate to our dogs in greater depth.
Whether you train for work, competition, or simply for the huge fun that you and your dog can have together, understanding how our dogs observe the world through their noses helps us to get the best out of their remarkable abilities.
David focuses twenty-six years experience of working with police dogs and training …

In Defence of Dogs
John Bradshaw
Published by Allen Lane £20
(This review first appeared as an APBC Blog)
John Bradshaw has written a thought provoking book, but why in “defence” of dogs? He must have agonised over a few titles* In Praise of Dogs? In Explanation of Dogs? For the Love of Dogs? For he does praise, explain and obviously love dogs throughout.
He makes it clear that dogs are in dire need of defending from the very humans they sought to befriend over ten thousand years ago; from the misguided, inconsiderate and ill-informed …

I’m NOT a “Positive Reinforcement” Trainer (and neither are you).
I’m fed up with being called a ‘positive’ or a ‘positive only’ dog trainer. It is usually in the form of an insult as in, “Them positive dog trainers with their clickers and their treats don’t understand what it is like to train a really dominant dog”. It is often used by the proponents of the ‘dominance’ theory of dog training who like to alpha roll and lead jerk to supposedly ‘show the dog who is boss’.
The term is also used …

For the past three years David has been working on behalf of the APBC with other interested parties towards the formation of the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC), which is being developed to regulate the education and training of those working in the animal behaviour modification sector.

Pet owners can become confused about the reasons their dogs become aggressive and what to do about it. Promoting public understanding is the important first step in reducing the number of dog bites and the number of dogs that are eventually put to sleep because of aggressive behaviour. This is a one stop resource for anyone who seeks that advice.

Exploring the nature of dogs, how they maintain emotional balance, why they fall into problem behaviours and the principles behind some simple solutions. Behaviour and training problems are often directly linked to the expression of normal behaviour patterns of the domestic dog, but what is “normal” domestic dog behaviour?

There is no mystical “secret” to training dogs, as professed by some dog trainers. Dog training and owning can be perfected through simple yet effective methods that are well known to science. Illustrated by real life examples of how they have helped others, Dog Secrets explains how understanding these methods can make you a better dog trainer and have a more rewarding relationship with your dog.

David joins a panel of invited guests to discuss the Dangerous Dogs Act. If it is working, as the government claims, then why is the number of reported dog bites still rising?

My article on stopping dogs from chasing has always been one of my most popular, and the subject matter is one close to my own heart and experience, and I’m delighted to announce that I have published a book on the subject.