'Psychology' is an umbrella under which many different things fall. Just like 'mammal' is an umbrella under which many different things fall. Some similarities, some differences.

Canine psychology is not the same thing as human psychology, IMO. While there are similarities in some cases, there are also huge differences. Just like there are some similarities in our medical needs, biological makeup, nutrition requirements, etc. But you could hardly say we're the same in those areas.

I think this is an issue of semantics. Perhaps it's the word 'psychology' that's tripping you guys up on that other board. I mean, humans and dogs both avoid try to avoid pain/discomfort and seek out ways to fullfill needs. We just have different levels of needs/desires, and different ways to fullfill those needs. A game of fetch may be enough to thrill my dog, but I need a little more. Dogs are not as simple as some people think they are, but they're not as complex as people can be.

I usually prefer the way dogs think, truth be told.

Amber

heh agree 100%, part of my problem is like i said before i am horrible at talking so i tend to make mistakes in my wording.

 Quote: jennifer coulter

 Quote:

You mean to say that I wasted all that money I spent on getting Redhead psychoanalyzed?

So hard to tell if people are joking over the internet

I know more than one dog aquantaince using "animal communicators", even over the phone! Not for me.

There is the old psych saying that goes:

Psychology= 50% common sense, 50% BS

No, I was joking. Sorry 'bout that.

I live in Ukraine, where people generally have more sense than to channel their dog's primal spirit or whatever.

I am surprised at the amount of information that is being published about dog psychology and behavior and how to deal with it by people that have serious educations and how it is emotionally driven and not written in an objective manner.

I have been looking at different certifications myself and I really have some serious reservations and questions. Mainly because it seems to me that most of the certifications revolves around all positive reinforcement and no corrections. When I start asking questions people start stuttering and stammering.

I have also found a lot of positive reinforcement people claim they are operant condition trainers. My question is how can you be an operant condition style trainer if you leave out 2-3 parts of the theory? With their opinion being that any type of correction other than positive reinforcement is cruel and inhumane.

I have also found people saying they are operant condition trainers on the other end that leave out the positive reinforcement.

When I read Ed's philosophy and how he described trainers it set a light bulb off. I totally agree with Ed that a trainer needs to be well balanced and open to addressing problems and training with common sense and needs to be open to learning new and better ways.

The internet is really getting scary with all these quick fix programs. Along with notions that it is ok to train a dog to use a litter box. That concept is totally inconceivable to me. This kind of stuff is coming from individuals that are supposed to have degrees in animal behavior.

I don't feel so bad now that I seen the definition out of the dictionary posted. I thought I was weird for using and reading one from time to time. I think more people should use a disctionary because I see things taken out of context way too often and applying meaning to words that do not corelate with one another. I have been reading other dog forums and some of the stuff I see being disseminated is just done right insane. I think a lot of this information is causing more harm than good. It seems like the CDC and other groups are reporting about more incidents are happening concerning canines. I think it is directly related to the poor information and guidance people are getting and using on their dogs.

I also get really upset with people that try to turn their pets into something they are not equipt to do physically or mentally. I seen it in the equestrian world and in the dog world.

I really would like to see people's opinions on the different certifications. I've pretty much decided to plow my own furrow in the training business.

My opinion is to take a look at the persons dog that they've had from a puppy and trained, that's the best certification to go by. If someone told me they were a dog psychologist, i think it would definitely make for the laugh of the day

Yeah well the subject came up when someone was telling another person to get a trainer that knew "Dogey Psychology" lol so thats why i started this whole thread.

John, I think we can all agree any trainer should know all there is to there craft. That includes PP training to compulsion. Even if you don't use one style you should still know it. I am a firm believer even if you are a PP trainer you should know about the pinch and e-collar and know how to use them. And all trainers who use compulsion should know the basics of PP training.

I have always felt that psychology, whether human or animal, is common sense appropriately related to the species. But it's important that we don't attach human psychology/behavior to a dog. There are basic instincts that are possibly the same for humans and dogs, like survival, fight or flight, etc.

But as far as behavior, it's sad that some people talk about some negative trait they think their dog has and feels about this trait like they would feel about the same trait if a human showed it. It's NOT the same trait.

A dog is born innocent and stays innocent all its life (free from moral wrong; without sin; pure), whereas the same cannot be said about people. Certainly a baby human is innocent, but as we all know that doesn't last, as they are able to make moral choices after learning right from wrong and we all have chosen wrong at some time or another.

Not so the dog - he doesn't choose to be malicious or evil or "wrong", not knowing anything about being either - much more reliable personality- and behavior-wise. It's so much easier to read a dog than to read a person. No mask. They just are what they are and show you what they are every minute of every day. How wonderful is that?

 Quote: sandy moore

I have always felt that psychology, whether human or animal, is common sense appropriately related to the species. But it's important that we don't attach human psychology/behavior to a dog. There are basic instincts that are possibly the same for humans and dogs, like survival, fight or flight, etc.

But as far as behavior, it's sad that some people talk about some negative trait they think their dog has and feels about this trait like they would feel about the same trait if a human showed it. It's NOT the same trait.

A dog is born innocent and stays innocent all its life (free from moral wrong; without sin; pure), whereas the same cannot be said about people. Certainly a baby human is innocent, but as we all know that doesn't last, as they are able to make moral choices after learning right from wrong and we all have chosen wrong at some time or another.

Not so the dog - he doesn't choose to be malicious or evil or "wrong", not knowing anything about being either - much more reliable personality- and behavior-wise. It's so much easier to read a dog than to read a person. No mask. They just are what they are and show you what they are every minute of every day. How wonderful is that?

Damn you Sandy :-P

You hit all the key points i was thinking,

"basic instincts", "free from moral wrong; without sin; pure", "not knowing anything about being either"

:laugh: Just reading your mind, Michael - LOL