Therapy Tails - 40 - The What and the Why

The internet has made information so readily available that few people look beyond the information presented. They think more about the What and less about the Why.

So you could look up how to lead train your dog and find a bunch of steps to follow. All good if it works. But if it doesn't, you need to look at WHY you took those steps so you can adapt. You need to understand about motivating your dog to look at you and follow your instructions; how to use treats and praise to encourage behaviour. The What tells you what to do with the lead and how to respond when your dog pulls. The Why tells you that you first need motivation for your dog to listen to you.

Did you realise that a growl, unchecked, may often lead to a bite? We discuss why, particularly focussing on Christmas - a tricky time of year for dog trainers as dog bites increase significantly

This leads on to a bigger problem. Do we know how to discuss and debate information any more? Can we question and be curious? Are we all looking for a quick fix / magic wand?

Jess Probst, a dog behaviourist, and Dawn Walton, a human therapist, also talk about the difference between academic knowledge vs online qualifications vs practical experience and look into the sinister side of shiny marketing.