by Alison Lever and Wendy Hanson Sometimes multi-dog households work very well, other times they leave owners feeling fraught and frazzled. Wendy is a dog behaviour consultant and dog trainer, and has lived with three dogs, now two. Alison lives with three dogs, and has a long-term interest in multi-dog households which arose from a…
Author: Alison Lever
Sheep as Leaders
Sheep are able to take decisions independently of humans The word ‘sheep’ is often used to mean people who unthinkingly do what others in their group do, and who obediently follow a leader. ‘Sheep’ in this sense are not capable of acting as individuals. They may react to a stimulus, for example be startled by…
The power of routine
routines can be a powerful way of influencing behaviour. They make it easier to persuade animals to do what you want them to do. They work because they allow animals to achieve what they want,.
A Broader Understanding of Dogs: Adam Miklosi’s Dog Behaviour, Evolution and Cognition
Dog Behaviour, Evolution and Cognition by Adam Miklosi, OUP Oxford; 2nd edition (2015) Adam Miklosi leads a pioneering team in Hungary which has been studying dog-human social interactions, using an ethological approach, since 1994. The original head of the research team, Vilmos Csanyi, surprised his colleagues, who were then studying fish, by telling them about…
Missed Connections: How useful is Brian Hare’s ‘Genius of Dogs’ for people interested in dog training?
Missed Connections: How useful is Brian Hare’s ‘Genius of Dogs’ for people interested in dog training?
Donald McCaig and the Dog Wars
Donald McCaig, was an American author, historian, sheep farmer and sheepdog trialist who lived in western Virginia, who died on the 11th November 2018. He is well-known in the US for his historical novels. He deserves to be better known in the UK, for the passion and lyricism of his writing on dogs. His most…
The Call of the Wild
The Call of the Wild is a story by Jack London published in 1903, about the life of a dog who started off as a pampered pet, was stolen, spent a while as a sledge dog, and ended up being boss of a group of wolves in the wild in Alaska. The dog finds salvation…
Do chickens have feelings?
Why should anyone ask this question? The UK House of Commons has decided to reject an amendment that would ensure that UK law recognises that non-human animals are sentient. In other words, the MPs decided to vote against recognising that animals other than humans have feelings. This is a bit jaw-dropping for pet owners. We’re…
Run rabbit run …A short history of rabbits and humans
‘Run rabbit run’ was a popular British song of the 1940s. It was strongly on the side of the rabbit, and against the farmer who wanted his rabbit pie. A lot of Brits today would also back the rabbit, arguing that we can buy meat in a supermarket, so there’s no need to kill cute…
Book Review: Jean Donaldson’s Culture Clash
Donaldson succeeded in marketing a particular ‘brand’ of dog training. She appeals to human emotions with bang-on-the-table arguments, rather than careful reasoning and meticulous observation