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Canine Behavior/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Maltese puppy behavior | 2/9/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: I took my 8 month male Maltese puppy for his 2nd visit to the groomer. I requested a puppy cut not ... A: NEVER USE THAT GROOMER AGAIN. Bad groomers are notoriously responsible for serious behavioral ... | ||
| crating | 2/9/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: We have had Madison,our terrier/pointer mix dog for 7 months. She is 3 years old, and we got her and ... A: Dogs that are house trained reliably should be confined to area like the kitchen with soft bed, ... | ||
| Death of dog companion-seperation anxiety | 2/8/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: After my 13 year old greyhound Ella passed away about 6 weeks ago, my remaining greyhound Charley (8 ... A: Well you've certainly approached this with a level head and what appears to be a great deal of ... | ||
| 4 month old black german shepherd | 2/7/2012 | Jody Epstein, APDT |
| Q: I have had my dog since he was 6 weeks old. The vet let the puppy go at this age because all the ... A: Several of your instincts are absolutely right on. Good for you for thinking in terms of trading ... | ||
| being the alpha? | 2/7/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: Both are spayed and neutered. My corgi does this thing and no one has been able to tell me what she ... A: Corgi mixed with terrier is a difficult hybrid because the drive to control (herding) is not ... | ||
| being the alpha? | 2/6/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: Both are spayed and neutered. My corgi does this thing and no one has been able to tell me what she ... A: Please answer the following questions: 1. When did this behavior first begin 2. Can you identify ... | ||
| Beagle won't sleep through the night! | 2/6/2012 | Anne Springer, B.S., Dip., CAPCT |
| Q: My boyfriend and I got a 3.5 month old beagle puppy several weeks ago. We are still working on ... A: Is there some reason he cannot sleep in your bedroom as before? If it was working, why not ... | ||
| Puppy bedtime | 2/5/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: we have just recently gotten a puppy who is a couple of months old now, and we have started putting ... A: Eight weeks is a neonate. He is anxious and lonely and he is being isolated. This is not the way ... | ||
| Territorial German Shepherd | 2/3/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: We have a 5 year old female german shepherd (not spayed yet) who is a wonderful, smart, amazing dog: ... A: This is one of my favorite breeds for many reasons and their strong predilection for protection ... | ||
| Bonding | 2/3/2012 | Anne Springer, B.S., Dip., CAPCT |
| Q: Is there a way to bond with dogs that aren't mine? I am a pet sitter and find it quite difficult ... A: Firstly, you should understand that there should be no "pack leader mentality" - we now know, from ... | ||
| Aggressive! | 2/3/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: I have a 20 month - old Jack Russell named Toby. He's absolutely lovely towards our family and most ... A: The dog is reacting to your uncle either because your uncle is afraid of dogs (adrenaline and body ... | ||
| Fear of backyard | 2/3/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: I have a greatdane who will not got outside without great coaxing and bribery and sometimes not at ... A: Unfortunately due to the complications of the side effects of various medications, along with their ... | ||
| GS | 2/2/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: my dog doesnt obey me she is 4 month old and dont even know handshake she is a very ... A: Dogs aren't born "knowing" how to "obey" (much like us humans!!) They must be taught and teaching a ... | ||
| Strange behavior outside | 2/1/2012 | Adrienne Janet Farricelli CPDT-KA |
| Q: We have a dog (that we got from a rescue 4 years ago and is about 4years old now) that is extremely ... A: Greetings, and than you for contacting All Experts It would be interesting to know if this is a new ... | ||
| Strange behavior outside | 2/1/2012 | Anne Springer, B.S., Dip., CAPCT |
| Q: We have a dog (that we got from a rescue 4 years ago and is about 4years old now) that is extremely ... A: She seems like an anxious dog from your description. If this were my dog, the first thing that I ... | ||
| Unstoppable barking while at dog park | 1/31/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: I am an owner of a 2 year old rescue named Penny, we adopted about a year ago. Our best guess to her ... A: No. No private training unless you use a certified applied animal behaviorist (NOT a regular dog ... | ||
| Chewing and eating toys and my wooden deck and house! | 1/31/2012 | Madeline S. Friedman, M.A. |
| Q: "Dear Madeline, I have read you biography and I promise to read and rate your response within three ... A: Now, on to Sadie and her chewing. It appears to me from your description that she's unsupervised ... | ||
| Unstoppable barking while at dog park | 1/31/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: I am an owner of a 2 year old rescue named Penny, we adopted about a year ago. Our best guess to her ... A: That boarding experience harmed your dog. NEVER LEAVE HER THERE AGAIN. Barking is communication: ... | ||
| canine behaviour | 1/30/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: how does the enviornment affect dogs behaviour A: Nurture + Nature. Environment affects every living sentient being, including humans. There are ... | ||
| yellow lab behavior | 1/30/2012 | Jody Epstein, APDT |
| Q: i have a female 8 month old yellow lab we adopted 6 mos. ago she is great except recently if she has ... A: What you're describing is Resource Guarding behavior. The first thing I want you to understand is ... | ||
| border collie possessive/jealous behavior | 1/30/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: A little over a year ago we adopted a male rescue border collie about 10 months old and brought him ... A: NO ELECTRIC COLLAR absolutely OUT of the question. The dog associates the pain with what's ... | ||
| Spaniel Doesn't Like Husband | 1/30/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: I recently adopted a dog and she is adorable. She is a cocker spaniel only a little over 5 years old ... A: First, your husband has to cool off. He's a grown man after all and should be able to control his ... | ||
| Pit Bull Puppy Training | 1/29/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: Connor, I have a little pug/jackrussell mix naemd Josie and just got a pit bull puppy from the ... A: Play behavior is rarely just a way to entertain or have "fun" between dogs; this is usually a test ... | ||
| Fear of something from the sky etc | 1/29/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: We have a dog (that we got from a rescue a couple of years ago), she is about 2 years old now) that ... A: If this behavior was exclusively seen outdoors, I would consider the possibility of a conditioned ... | ||
| Fear of something from the sky | 1/29/2012 | Jody Epstein, APDT |
| Q: We have a dog (that we got from a rescue a couple of years ago), she is about 2 years old now) that ... A: Do you know her history prior to coming to your home? Where/how was she housed? Did she ever leave ... | ||
| sudden shyness at dog park | 1/29/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: My dog is a rescue Aussie 3 years old. We have had her for 6 months. She has loved the dog park, ... A: Just as I suspected. And you have no idea how common this is so don't feel GUILTY!! Go to the dog ... | ||
| border collie possessive/jealous behavior | 1/28/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: A little over a year ago we adopted a male rescue border collie about 10 months old and brought him ... A: STOP scruff shaking and isolating, this is making the situation worse and eroding the dog's trust in ... | ||
| Light/Shadow Chasing | 1/28/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: My almost 3 year old, 86lb, Irish Setter has started to obsessively chase shadows, reflections, or ... A: Yes, hold onto the leash for at least five minutes. This restraint is interpreted by most dogs as ... | ||
| Drooling | 1/28/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: Our dog has been crate trained for a while. Recently he's started refusing to go into his crate and ... A: The confinement is causing serious anxiety in this dog. It takes only seconds for a dog to acquire ... | ||
| Light/Shadow Chasing | 1/28/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: My almost 3 year old, 86lb, Irish Setter has started to obsessively chase shadows, reflections, or ... A: Every single time your dog demonstrates this behavior, put him on leash. Say nothing, don't touch ... | ||
| Sudden destructive behaviour | 1/27/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: My boyfriend and I rescued a 14 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback X Whippet from a shelter and she's now ... A: The change in routine may have set off this anxiety related behavior. Also, a free run "off leash ... | ||
| French bulldog urinating | 1/26/2012 | Jody Epstein, APDT |
| Q: I have a 4 year old female French bulldog. We got her 2 and 1/2 months ago from a breeder. She was ... A: Could you please go through your schedule again and provide actual times. Currently you have "crate ... | ||
| sudden shyness at dog park | 1/25/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: My dog is a rescue Aussie 3 years old. We have had her for 6 months. She has loved the dog park, ... A: First, I suggest your husband take the dog to the dog park without you. Let's see her behavior ... | ||
| Body Language | 1/24/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: we just adopted a 8yr old Cockapoo named Dugan. I noticed that his taolis down covering his butt. ... A: NO. The dog has adjusted to your home. You are his legitimate owners, legally. I have been in this ... | ||
| dog castration | 1/23/2012 | Jody Epstein, APDT |
| Q: Our dog is just over three years old. He is a sheep herding breed, Briard and has to chase all ... A: Exactly. He must be worked ON LEASH with the click-to-calm until he is consistently turning his ... | ||
| Suddenly scared to go outside | 1/23/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: my 8yrold bitch, Sadie hurt her leg last week whilst out on a walk. We took her to the vet and she ... A: No, you did NOT make a mistake by what you did. You carried her to the car (where she is accustomed ... | ||
| dog castration | 1/23/2012 | Jody Epstein, APDT |
| Q: Our dog is just over three years old. He is a sheep herding breed, Briard and has to chase all ... A: Castration will affect hormone-based behaviors. This can include a propensity to wander if there is ... | ||
| Dog now scared to eat | 1/23/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: A few days ago my girlfriend fed the dog's while i was at work. She said she did everything i ... A: It's possible the dog had a fear reaction when your GF "told her to come and get it" and that fear ... | ||
| Rescued Shelter Foxhound | 1/22/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: I am a foster for a non-profit rescue and placement. About 2 months ago we rescued two Foxhound ... A: You might also benefit from some reading. Learning how to read dog body language is important and ... | ||
| Can an older dog make new friends? | 1/20/2012 | Jill Connor, Ph.D. |
| Q: I have recently taken on the care of my Grandmother's 9 year old Shih-poo named Muffin. I have my ... A: Avoid the dog park. This is called "flooding": exposing any creature (including human) to something ... | ||
Canine Behavior
Answers by Expert:
Jill Connor, Ph.D.
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.
Experience
30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.
Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals
Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training"
"The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"
Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley
Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc.
Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society
My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.
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