Question on dog psychology courses from Norma Jean:

Q: I am very interested in Canine Behaviour Psychology. I was all set to study this course in the UK but just realized recently that the College that I was going too study through recently too stop providing Canine Behaviour Psychology.

I was really disappointed to have found out about this information as I was planning to study this course in November this year.

I would like to know for those that have already studied Canine Behaviour Psychology in the UK, what College/University do you highly recommend that is excellent to studying this course in the UK.

As I have a full time job, I will need for find a correspondence distance college where I can study in my own time provided.

I am aware that employment as a Canine Behaviourist in the UK is not in demand as it is in the US but I would still like to study this course and use my skill and experience after completion abroad, perhaps in Europe, Australia or US in the future.

I look forward in getting a response from those that have the same passion for Canine Behaviour Psychology.

Thank you

Thank you for question Norma. The first couple of resources you should look at are:

http://www.apbc.org.uk/training_courses.htm
http://www.apbc.org.uk/career.htm

and you may get some insight and value from this one too:

http://www.bishopburton.ac.uk/index....seId=446&mode=

Residential Dog Psychology Courses vs Distance Learning Dog Psychology Courses

Learning canine psychology via a course - be it residential or distance learning - is more (or at least should be) grounded in the scientific elements of what we have learned about the way the dog's mind works. Dog psychology and dog training are, as I'm sure you appreciate, very different disciplines.

It is more than possible that a person may take a dog psychology course and be inept as a dog trainer, where a fantastically skilled dog trainer may have little to no academic understanding of dog psychology.

As is very often the case, you can glean so much information on a subject like this by browsing the scientific journals and searching for the latest University studies in the field of dog psychology.

Some links on canine psychology that can give some reading inspiration:

Canine Genetics (PDF)

Solo takes a double dose of Xanax (alprazolam) for his nerves during the 4 July festivities in the United States. That is in addition to the antidepressant, fluoxetine or amitriptyline, that the 11-year-old border collie takes year-round. Fireworks just set him off, as do thunderclaps, gunshots — practically any explosive sounds — sending him into nervous fits. Panting and drooling with eyes dilated, he desperately searches for a place to hide. If another dog is nearby, he might attack. "It's called anxiety redirection," says Melanie Chang, Solo's owner and an evolutionary biologist at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Dogs Can Smell Cancer in Human Breath (National Geographic)

This is a guest contribution to K9Guru.co.uk.

Although there has been much controversy around dog whispering techniques and infamous dog whisperer Cesar Milan, not everything he has to say is wrong. Using aggressive tactics to train your puppy or dog may lead to your dog being afraid of you and striking out at more vulnerable targets like children and smaller animals, or your dog will simply become aggressive in response to your aggression. This cycle is not only vicious but it can be dangers for you and those around you.

But let's talk about where dog whisperers have it right.

Calm, Cool & Collected - One secret that all dog whisperers swear by is controlling your personal reactions to bad behavior. When your pup does something bad, or disobeys a command your first reaction may be to get angry and scream. It won't help, and it won't stop the pup from repeating the behavior in the future. Instead, dog whisperers recommend remaining calm yet forceful. There's no need to yell and contort your face to get your point across, besides it's a dog and only understands basic commands. Furthermore, you risk initiating aggression in the dog.

Put the Fire Out Quickly - Most dog whisperers agree that continuous training is the best way to keep your puppy or dog well behaved. Dogs make mistakes, they forget and when they do it is your job as the authority figure to help them correct those mistakes. Like humans, dog will test limits to see what they can get away with as they feel more comfortable—and to keep you on your toes—so don't allow him to get away with that bad behavior.

Assert Your Dominance - Although many dog whisperers incorrectly apply the wolf pack theory to dogs, one exercise they emphasize has proven effective. Even if your dog responds to some commands and generally does as you say, he probably exerts his dominance when you take a walk. More often than not, it is the dog taking his owner for a walk, letting the world know he's only docile because he chooses to be.

Dog whisperers say that you should allow your dog to walk beside you or behind you, but never ahead of you. Allowing your dog to walk ahead of you isn't just about chest thumping; he won't be able to follow your cues if he can't see them. Practice walking around your neighborhood, stopping and starting every few steps until your dog mimics your steps. When he stops, reward him. Repeat this every day, each time walking longer before stopping.

Pay Attention to Your Dog - One thing that every dog whisperer I spoke with emphasized was that their success was about understanding dogs and dog psychology. Unlike a dog whisperer, you only need to understand your dog and his ways. Remember that while all dogs share many common characteristics, each dog will develop unique to their environment. The best thing you can do for your pup or dog is pay attention to them as you would your children. Many behaviors can be avoided or corrected with a little quality time and training. Additionally many physical problems can be avoided by simply noticing a change in your dog's gait or breathing.