Podcast Summary
Exploring the World of Dogs with a Canine Specialist: Through an interview with a canine specialist, this episode of Ologies delves into the history, relationship, and care of dogs, offering insights into the deep bond between humans and man's best friend.
The connection between humans and dogs runs deep, with a shared history dating back over 35,000 years. Dogs, a species of canis familiaris, were domesticated from a common ancestor with wolves. This episode of Ologies, hosted by Allie Ward, explores the world of dogs through the lens of a synology, or canine specialist. The specialist, who has trained dogs for celebrities and has a ranch full of dogs, shares insights into the relationship between dogs and humans, their origins, and how to care for them. The interview is a heartfelt and educational exploration of the bond between man and man's best friend. So whether you're a dog lover or just curious about these beloved creatures, tune in to learn more. And remember, as Allie says, "Dogs to dogs. Dogs. Dogs."
The Evolution of Dog Training: From Harsh Methods to Gentle Approaches: The most effective and compassionate approach to animal training comes from a deep understanding of animal behavior and a commitment to their well-being, contrasting older harsh methods with recent gentle approaches and the importance of thorough research and expertise in trainers.
The field of animal behavior, specifically dog training, has undergone significant changes throughout history. From harsh methods like leash jerks and throw chains, to more gentle approaches like "jerk, praise" and dominance theory, our understanding of effective and humane training techniques has evolved. Brandon Macmillan, a field behaviorist and animal expert, shares his perspective on this evolution, having grown up in the circus and learning from hands-on experience. He emphasizes the importance of control, training, and treating animals, contrasting older methods and the more recent trend of certification-based training. While certifications can provide some value, it's crucial to do thorough research and consider the background and expertise of the trainers. Ultimately, the most effective and compassionate approach to animal training comes from a deep understanding of animal behavior and a commitment to their well-being.
A father's encounter with a lion tamer inspires Brandon's life journey: Brandon's life was transformed by his father's decision to become a tiger trainer and his own desire for adventure, leading him to extraordinary experiences like shark diving.
Brandon's life was shaped by his father's encounter with a lion tamer during a tough post-World War 2 era in England. Fascinated by the lion tamer, Brandon's father left home at 15 to become an apprentice. This decision led him to a career as a tiger trainer and eventually, a performance contract with Ringling Brothers. Brandon's own desire for adventure and freedom led him to run away from home at 15, leading him to live in Hawaii for several years. There, he learned valuable skills like shark diving, which he later showcased on Shark Week. Brandon's story is one of liberation, from feeling like a caged bird as a teenager to facing the unknown in adulthood. It's a reminder that sometimes, taking risks and pursuing our passions can lead to extraordinary experiences and opportunities.
Lessons from training animals apply to humans: Understanding what not to do is crucial for success, whether it's with animals or people. Everyone deserves respect.
The speaker's upbringing with animals and experience as an animal trainer shaped his understanding of survival and dealing with challenges, whether it's with wild animals or humans. He learned that what you don't do is just as important as what you do, and applying this mindset to various situations has helped him succeed. The speaker's journey from training animals for movies to rescuing dogs was a gradual process, with dogs becoming a consistent presence in the animal industry due to their popularity in media. The speaker's experiences taught him that everyone, regardless of their position or abilities, is fundamentally human and deserving of respect.
Discovering the Love and Adoptability of Shelter Dogs: Brandon's experience transformed his view of shelter dogs as 'damaged goods' to loving and adoptable pets. He learned that millions of shelter dogs in America are still euthanized annually, emphasizing the need for awareness and adoption.
Brandon's personal experience of rescuing a rottweiler named Raven from a shelter and training her to become one of his company's best dogs, changed his perception about shelter dogs being "damaged goods." He discovered that shelters were not the place of worst-case scenarios as he had been led to believe, but rather a place full of loving and adoptable dogs. Brandon's experience led him to replace many of his company's dogs with rescues, and he learned that the statistics of euthanized shelter dogs in America were alarming, with over a million dogs still being euthanized each year. Despite improvements, there is still a need to raise awareness and find homes for these animals.
Shelter dogs: Making great companions with the right training: Shelter dogs, despite past experiences, can make loving companions. Older dogs have less intensive care needs and offer calmness, but their training can be complex. Both shelter dogs and puppies need training, and understanding their unique backgrounds is crucial.
Shelter dogs, while coming with challenges due to their past experiences, can still make great companions with the right training. They are not a blank slate like a puppy, but their age often means less intensive care compared to a young puppy. Shelter dogs have been through difficult situations, making their training a more complex process. However, they offer advantages such as being past the destructive stage and often being calmer than younger dogs. Both shelter dogs and puppies require training, and it's essential to remember that nature and nurture contribute to a dog's personality and abilities. The idea that a puppy has no history is a misconception, and mistakes can still be made during the training process. Ultimately, the decision between a shelter dog and a puppy comes down to personal preference and the resources available for training.
Shelter Dogs vs Purebreds: Health and Costs: Choosing a shelter dog over a purebred can lead to better health, lower vet bills, and a contribution to animal welfare.
While purebred dogs may be desirable for their specific breed traits, they often come with a higher price tag and health issues due to inbreeding. Shelter dogs, on the other hand, are often mix breeds, which results in healthier genetics and lower vet bills. Training a dog is like learning martial arts - it involves mastering techniques and conditioning. While the technique itself can be learned quickly, the conditioning takes time and practice. By choosing a shelter dog, not only do you get a healthier pet, but you also save money on veterinary costs and contribute to reducing the number of animals in shelters.
Consistent conditioning is key to effective dog training: Daily practice and repetition are essential for building muscle memory and reinforcing learned behaviors in dogs
While teaching a dog a new command is an important first step, it's the conditioning and repetition that truly makes a dog well-trained. The trainer in this conversation emphasizes that after learning a technique, such as the "stay" command, it's crucial for the owner to practice and condition the dog every day. This process builds muscle memory and reinforces the behavior. Comparing it to The Karate Kid, the trainer explains that just like the character in the movie practiced waxing on and off to build muscle memory, animal training requires consistent conditioning. The trainer also clarifies that while some dogs may seem to learn faster than others due to response time, all breeds have the capacity to learn the same commands. Therefore, it's essential to remember that training is a continuous process and not a one-time event.
Recognizing and utilizing a dog's breed instincts for effective training: Understanding a dog's breed and natural instincts leads to successful training. Utilize a dog's unique talents for a fulfilling and productive experience.
Understanding a dog's breed and its natural instincts can lead to effective and rewarding training. The speaker shared her passion for training dogs for jobs they were originally bred for, such as service dogs for disabled veterans using Golden and Labrador Retrievers, or nose work with hounds. She emphasized the importance of utilizing a dog's natural talents, like a retriever's soft grip or a shepherd's herding instinct. Modern working dogs, like Belgian Malinois, continue to thrive when given a job, as they were originally bred for. Overall, the speaker highlighted the importance of recognizing and fostering a dog's unique abilities for a fulfilling and productive training experience.
Belgian Shepherds: More Than Meets the Eye: Belgian Shepherds are highly energetic, excellent working dogs with powerful scent abilities. Training them requires patience due to their heightened sense of smell. Dogs have significantly impacted human lives, inspiring valuable lessons and reminding us of humanity's yin and yang.
Belgian Shepherds, often mistaken for German Shepherds, are highly energetic dogs with an intense love for their favorite ball. This obsession makes them excellent working dogs for tasks like explosive or contraband detection. Their superior sense of smell, particularly in breeds like bloodhounds, is far more powerful than humans, with up to 300,000,000 scent receptors compared to our 5,000,000. Dogs, especially hounds, are challenging to train due to their heightened sense of smell and distractions. Dogs have significantly impacted the speaker's life, teaching valuable lessons about human nature and inspiring him to help shelter animals. Dogs, with their unparalleled ability to connect with humans, are the only animals that can touch our souls and remind us of the yin and yang of humanity.
Dogs' unique ability to understand human emotions: Dogs can detect changes in human health, provide companionship and support, and offer unconditional love, making them invaluable companions for many people.
Dogs have a unique ability to understand and respond to human emotions, providing companionship and support in ways that few other animals can. Brandon's story of rescuing an overlooked chihuahua from a shelter illustrates this bond. Dogs can detect changes in human health, such as diabetes or seizures, through their keen sense of smell, making them invaluable companions for many people. Dogs don't judge based on external factors like wealth or social status, making them a source of unconditional love for those who may feel lonely or introverted. Despite their small size, dogs can be powerful companions, providing emotional support and companionship to those who need it most. The enduring bond between humans and dogs has been proven throughout history, with emotional support dogs becoming increasingly popular in recent times.
Dogs' Unique Ability to Provide Emotional Support: Dogs have a unique ability to read human emotions, offer comfort, and connect with us on an emotional level, making them cherished companions and support animals.
Dogs have been providing emotional support to humans for thousands of years, long before the term "emotional support animal" became popular. Originally bred as lap dogs for companionship, dogs have a unique ability to read human emotions and offer comfort and support. They don't see disabilities or conditions, but rather focus on the person behind them. Dogs have evolved to follow human gaze and body language, which helps them understand our actions and intentions. This ability to communicate with humans is one reason why dogs are such social creatures and are always ready to hang out or "party" with us. Additionally, dogs sweat through their paws, which may contribute to the unique smell that some people find appealing. Overall, dogs have a special ability to connect with humans on an emotional level, making them cherished companions and support animals.
Old dogs can learn new tricks but require more patience: Old dogs may take longer to learn new commands due to prior experiences, but they're capable of adapting with patience and love from their owners. Dogs love their owners out of necessity and enjoy petting, while sleeping together can strengthen the bond.
Old dogs can learn new tricks, although it may take more time and patience than training a younger dog. The comparison was made to computer hard drives, where a new one can absorb information quickly, while an old one requires more effort to defrag and make room for new data. Similarly, old dogs have learned many things in their lives, so it takes longer for them to adapt to new commands. However, they are capable of learning and their love for their owners is unconditional. Dogs love their owners out of necessity, as they are dependent on humans for survival. Therefore, it's essential to provide love and care for dogs as part of their basic needs. Additionally, dogs do not enjoy hugs in the same way humans do, but they enjoy petting and being close to their owners. It was also discussed that letting a puppy sleep in the bed with you is not harmful and can be beneficial for bonding.
Stroking dogs releases bonding hormone oxytocin: Dogs benefit from long, firm strokes and release bonding hormone oxytocin for both dog and petter. Unusual crossbreeds like Corgi and Cane Corso offer unique combinations of size and appearance.
Dogs enjoy firm, long strokes from shoulders to tail, releasing the bonding hormone oxytocin for both the dog and the petter. The Shiba Inu breed is often suggested for cat owners due to its cat-like behavior. An intriguing crossbreed I once came across was a Corgi and a Cane Corso, resulting in a unique combination of a small body with large shoulders and a head, resembling a sea lion. Despite their strange appearance, they were gentle giants. However, during our conversation, we were unable to locate an Instagram account showcasing this unusual canine companion.
Distinguishing ESAs from Service Dogs: Stricter Guidelines for ESAs: Stricter guidelines for ESAs are necessary to ensure they have basic obedience training and don't misbehave in public places, unlike service dogs which require specific training to assist individuals with disabilities.
Emotional support animals (ESAs) and service dogs are not the same, and there should be stricter guidelines for ESAs to ensure they behave appropriately in public places. ESAs, unlike service dogs, require no training and can be registered with a doctor's note. This has led to misuse and issues, such as biting and attacking other animals or people, on planes and in public spaces. To address this, airlines and other establishments have implemented stricter regulations, requiring owners to sign vouchers and prove their ESAs have basic obedience training. It's essential to distinguish between genuine emotional support animal needs and misuse to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all animals and people. Anxiety in dogs is becoming more recognized, but it's essential to ensure proper training and socialization to help them cope effectively.
Helping Dogs Overcome Anxiety: Dogs experience anxiety and various ways to help include supplements, compression shirts, music boxes, and a layered approach using multiple products. Sensitive dogs may be affected by loud noises like fireworks.
Dogs have evolved from being outside animals to becoming cherished family members, living in our homes and experiencing anxiety just like humans do. Anxiety in dogs is not a new phenomenon, but it has become more noticeable as they've become more integrated into our lives. There are various ways to help dogs with anxiety, including supplements like Soliquin and Calm, compression shirts, music boxes, and a layered approach using multiple products. Dogs can be sensitive to loud noises like fireworks, which can cause anxiety and lead to them being in shelters during this time of year. Remember, every dog is unique, and finding the right combination of solutions may require trying several options.
Ensuring pet behavior and training: During holidays, take extra precautions for pets' safety. Invest time, education, and dedication for their well-being.
Responsible pet ownership involves more than just providing for the basic needs of an animal. It requires commitment, time, and effort to ensure the animal's behavior and training are addressed. During holidays like the 4th of July, when dogs may be scared by fireworks, extra precautions like crating should be taken to keep them safe. As a dog trainer, the most frustrating aspect of the job is seeing clients who invest time and energy into training but fail to follow through and implement the techniques at home. Education and dedication are essential for the well-being of pets, and investing in resources like books can make a significant difference. Treating pets like family members means committing to their care and development, not just their physical needs.
From fearful to confident canine companions: Transforming fearful dogs into beloved companions brings joy to both dogs and their owners, emphasizing the importance of dedication and commitment in dog ownership.
Working with dogs, whether as a trainer or a rescuer, brings about profound changes in both the dogs' and their owners' lives. The transformation of a fearful or timid dog into a confident and beloved companion is a rewarding experience. For the owners, these dogs often serve as a new chapter in their lives, filling a void left by loss or other life changes. Brandon MacMillan, a renowned dog trainer and rescuer, shared his passion for this work and the joy it brings to all involved. He emphasized the importance of dedication and commitment when considering becoming a dog owner. By giving a dog love, training, and education, one can build a strong bond and create lasting memories. To learn more about Brandon and his work, check out his website, social media channels, and his book "Lucky Dog Lessons."
Exploring academic fields with Alie Ward: Listeners can enjoy insightful conversations about diverse academic topics, engage with the host and community, and receive exclusive perks through patronage.
The Ologies podcast, hosted by Alie Ward, is a great show filled with fascinating conversations about various academic fields, from hachodermatology to cryptozoology. The podcast is accessible on multiple platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and offers exclusive perks for patrons. Alie expresses her gratitude to her team, listeners, and supporters. A notable perk for patrons is the ability to submit questions and hear about upcoming episodes. The podcast's theme song is written and performed by Nick Thorburn of the band Islands. Alie shares a heartfelt story about her Christmas gift, a mechanical robot dog named Biscuit, which she received after expressing her longing for a dog. The anecdote showcases her playful and endearing personality. The podcast continues to explore smart and often humorous questions about various academic disciplines.