Chapter 2: Early Education
- Team BHARCS
- Jan 24
- 3 min read
“Impolite” attention seeking
[1] Puppies are born in a litter. They are rarely single offsprings, so they need to compete for their mommy’s attention. So, they jump, nip and bark as a way to get attention. These are called et-epimeletic behaviours.
[2]The dog is asking for attention, because the need to establish a connection is a basic survival need for dogs. (Read article, Watch video)
Destruction
[3] Studies on both humans and rats reveal that the chewing action increases endorphins and reduces cortisol.
[4] I read an article that uses very fancy terminology to explain what we have all experienced as a dog’s loss of interest in toys - “an intense but transient neophilia towards novel objects.”
[5] Animals chew for a reason and that function needs to be met. (Resources COMING SOON)
Hyperactive dogs
[6] However, we must not forget that excitement too increases adrenaline and physiologically has the exact same impact on the body as anxiety. (The Biology of Excitement)
[7] There are studies that show that dogs that participate in sports and show dogs, have higher occurrences of ulcers, perhaps explained by this phenomenon
[8] Sadly, these mental problems are on the rise in human populations as well as urban dog populations
[9] Incidentally hypothyroidism seems to be on the rise at an alarming rate in modern day pet dogs
The link between the thyroid gland and stress
[10] The dictionary defines learning as, “the acquisition of knowledge or skill through study, experience and/or from being taught.” (Wikipedia entry on Learning)
[11] Studies show that high volumes of sustained long-term exposure to cortisol negatively impacts explicit memory as neural networks begin to shrink and no longer try to connect or form synapses
[12] Also, some parts of the brain (hippocampus) suffer from glucocorticoid toxicity and start to degenerate, due to sustained exposure. (Read article hippocampal vulnerability to stress)
Relax dawg!
[13] Studies show that sniffing reduces a dog’s heart rate.
[14] Studies show writing to be an effective tactic in reducing stress and dealing with stressful events.
Reading recommendation
Writing as a tool for emotional therapy
Improved performance due to repeted activity YET...
Getting them to do repetitive tasks can get them to shut off the thinking part of their brain and can get them far too excited about the rewards involved. (References COMING SOON)
Tough love
[15] The idea of using dominance to get a dog to fall in line is now considered an outdated idea that does more damage than good. (Book: Dominance in Dogs, Fact of fiction by Barry Eaton)
[16] Punishments, anger, irritation, intimidation are all now known to have dire consequences on a dog’s behaviour, physical health and our relationship with the dog.
[17] A quick search online on the dominance myth will uncover plenty of material that shows that this tough approach is not only non-scientific, but also physically and mentally damaging.
Read what experts have to say
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