#Zak George Dog Training

[cowboyjimkirk]

i don’t suppose i have much of an audience for dog training and ethology on this blog, but i am just obsessed with Zak George spending years making inoffensive and clickbaity videos that grew him a large audience and a reputation as a prominent positive/force free trainer and then suddenly leveraging all of his influence to go on the warpath against aversive methods and “balanced trainers.”

every day i see him doing live videos calling out trainers like Cesar Milan, calling for harsher criticism of outdated methods and the trainers who use them, critiquing the wishy washy statements of other positive trainers, getting into the minutiae of shock collar studies, and in short just being totally unafraid to alienate the audience he’s spent years growing and that he relies on for his livelihood.

i’m a big fan and i think we should all aspire to that level of radicalization

[freeasfishes]

There's a guy on Instagram who I really respect and admire and have been following for years, his name is Zak George and he posts mainly stuff about fear/force free dog training. He's also Lebanese and has a bunch of people on his most recent post at his throat calling him privileged because he had the audacity to say he doesn't want to vote for someone who is actively bombing his family.

End of the day I guess it's not a huge deal for some guy on Instagram to get mean messages but I personally would appreciate if my followers on here could go show him some love in the comments, it takes less than a minute and costs nothing.

[nailscare002]

Unleash Your Dog's Potential: The Best Dog Training Courses for a Well-Behaved Companion

Introduction: Welcoming a furry friend into your home is a joyous occasion, but it also comes with the responsibility of proper training. A well-trained dog not only makes for a happier and more harmonious household but also strengthens the bond between owner and pet. With an abundance of dog training courses available, finding the right one can be overwhelming. In this article, we'll explore some of the best dog training courses that cater to various needs and preferences, ensuring that you and your canine companion embark on a journey of learning and growth together.

Understanding the Importance of Dog Training: Before delving into specific training courses, it's essential to understand the significance of proper dog training. Training provides dogs with the necessary skills and behaviors to thrive in various environments, from basic obedience commands to more advanced tasks. Additionally, training helps address behavioral issues, fosters communication between dog and owner, and enhances the overall quality of life for both parties involved.

you can check this product now

Best Dog Training Courses:

The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan:

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Key Features: Video tutorials, personalized training plans, access to a supportive online community, and a range of topics covering obedience, behavior modification, and more.

SEO Keywords: Online dog training, Doggy Dan, comprehensive dog training course.

Zak George's Dog Training Revolution:

Description: Hosted by celebrity dog trainer Zak George, this popular YouTube channel and associated online course offer engaging and informative training content for dog owners worldwide. With a focus on positive reinforcement techniques and understanding canine behavior, Zak George empowers dog owners to cultivate a positive relationship with their pets.

Key Features: Free YouTube tutorials, online courses with structured curriculum, emphasis on positive reinforcement training methods, and practical advice for addressing common training challenges.

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Karen Pryor Academy:

Description: Founded by renowned animal behaviorist Karen Pryor, the Karen Pryor Academy offers in-person and online dog training courses designed for aspiring professional trainers and dog enthusiasts alike. With a strong emphasis on science-based, force-free training methods, the academy equips students with the knowledge and skills to excel in the field of dog training.

Key Features: Certification programs, online courses, workshops, and seminars, emphasis on positive reinforcement and clicker training techniques, and opportunities for continuing education and professional development.

SEO Keywords: Karen Pryor Academy, science-based dog training, force-free training methods. you can check this product now 4 Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program:

Description: Developed by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Canine Good Citizen program sets a standard for well-behaved dogs and responsible dog ownership. The program covers basic obedience skills such as sit, stay, and come, as well as good manners in various real-life situations. Participating in CGC training and testing can help your dog become a well-rounded companion.

Key Features: Structured curriculum, testing and certification through AKC-approved evaluators, focus on real-life obedience and socialization skills, and recognition as a Canine Good Citizen.

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Conclusion: Investing in a quality dog training course is an investment in your dog's well-being and your relationship with them. Whether you're a first-time dog owner or looking to refine your training techniques, the options mentioned above cater to a diverse range of needs and preferences. By choosing a training program that aligns with your goals and values, you can set your dog up for success and enjoy a fulfilling partnership built on trust, communication, and mutual respect.

By incorporating SEO keywords strategically throughout the article, you can improve its visibility and reach, ensuring that dog owners searching for reputable training courses find valuable information that meets their needs.

DISCALIMER:tThere is an affiliate link which can make me some profit

[onlyangel4]

unexpected. SMAU. LH44. final part.

lewis hamilton x tattoo artist! reader

in which reader is the last person someone you expect to find in the paddock and that is what makes him drawn to you. or lando's tattoo artist friend visits the paddock to tattoo zak brown after the miami gp win and the internet goes mad.

warnings- cursing

part one // part two

main faceclaim is ryan ashley malarkey

y/ntattoos posted a story

written: lilith's first time abroad is gonna be a fun one.

hamiltonupdates

liked by user17, user43, user53 and 18,732 others

hamiltonupdates: lewis and roscoe seen arriving to the canadian gp. he arrived with y/n y/ln the tattoo artist that he was pictured with at the italian gp and her dog lilith. something tells us that this is not just a coincidence

view all 2,341 comments

user17: damn i thought we had escaped y/n

user53: no cause if they are having a dog play date that is the cutest thing

user43: fuck it. i'm speaking my truth, i love y/n and hope that they are together

y/ntattoos posted a story

written: lilith's first gp

landonorris replied to your story: TRAITOR

y/ntattoos: oh shh you knew i was going to be in mercedes hospitality

landonorris: i know but still i miss my god daughter

mercedesamgf1

liked by y/ntattoos, lewishamilton, georgerussell and 459,289 others

mercedesamgf1: puppy love in the mercedes garage today

view all 52,319 comments

y/ntattoos: in lilith's defence roscoe doesn't actually seem phased

lewishamilton: did he tell you that

y/ntattoos: yeah he told me he loves her and wants her around all the time

lewishamilton: my poor son is now a chair

y/ntattoos: if lilith fits, lilith sits i don't make the rules

georgerussell: wishing that we always have dogs in the garage

lewishamilton: roscoe is almost always there george

georgerussell: i mean cute dogs that don't drool like roscoe

user10: see even mercedes admin likes y/n so just leave her alone

liked by lewishamilton, y/ntattoos and mercedesamgf1

mclaren: you took our girl and her dog. how dare you!

mercedesamgf1: admin is willing to fight to the death for y/n and lilith

mclaren: name a time and a place

y/ntattoos

liked by lewishamilton, mercedesamgf1, landonorris and 219,829 others

y/ntattoos: the best weekend

thank you for having us mercedesamgf1

view all 67,102 comments

lewishamilton: i think roscoe is already missing lilith

y/ntattoos: and lilith is really mssing roscoe

user19: they are flirting through their dogs. she matches his freak perfectly.

mercedesamgf1: we love you y/n

georgerussell: second !

carmenmundt: third !

y/ntattoos: love you all

user32: the entire mercedes garage loves her so all you haters should just shut tf up liked by y/ntattoos

landonorris: i was gonna leave an angry comment but y'all are cute

user41: LANDO WHAT DO YOU KNOW

lewishamilton posted a story

written: here we go @.y/ntattoos

landonorris replied to your story: make sure you don't cry like a baby in front of your girlfriend

lewishamilton: lando i have been tattooed so many times before. i think you might be projecting

lewishamilton posted a story

written: all new finger tatts done by the talented @.y/ntattoos

y/ntattoos

liked by lewishamilton, roscoelovescoco, user47 and 512,091 others

y/ntattoos: today black hope tattoo studios welcomed roscoe (and his dad)

view all 43,210 comments

roscoelovescoco: lilith is the best napping partner ever

liked by y/ntattoos

lewishamilton: amazed by how talented you are

y/ntattoos: aw thank you lew

user47: omg lew, they have to be dating

user92: it is silverstone week shouldn't he really be training and not wasting time with her

user12: they are fucking adults. leave them alone.

y/ntattoos posted a story

written: here we fucking go

f1wags

liked by f1fan, user12, user70 and 34,510 others

f1wags: firstly, well done lewis! secondly, this win has revealed a brand new wag in y/n y/ln. there have been rumours surrounding the tattoo artist dating lewis since they met in italy but today has cemented it. when lewis won cameras cut to y/n happy sobbing in the mercedes garage with roscoe in her arms and then she ran over to the podium to congratulate him.

view all 22,119 comments

f1fan: for all the hate she got in the beginning i love her

user12: her carrying roscoe to the podium made me cry

user70: best wag confirmed?

y/ntattoos

liked by mercedesamgf1, lewishamilton, landonorris and 976,102 others

y/ntattoos: lew. i am so incredibly captivated by your talent, i spent that whole race just watching you make good decisions again and again, your brain amazes me. i am so fucking proud of you my love.

view all 102,119 comments

lewishamilton: i had the best support imaginable

y/ntattoos: i love you

mercedesamgf1: y/n you just made admin cry all over again

y/ntattoos: sorry admin. love you !

landonorris: finally, i don't have to keep this secret

lewishamilton

liked by y/ntattoos, mercedesamgf1, landonorris and 3,149,209 others

lewishamilton: full silverstone post is in the works. but first i would like to introduce you all to my lucky charm.

view all 721,109 comments

y/ntattoos: you did it baby

lewishamilton: lcould not have done it without your support my love.

user62: this man wins a grand prix for the first time in over 900 days and his first priority is to hard launch his girlfriend. i want a love like that.

mercedesamgf1: brand new wag just dropped

taglist for this series: @ilivbullyingjeongin @formulaal @xoscar03

[giantkillerjack]

WAIT. HOLD UP. WAIT. NO. STILL DO GET A DOG BUT NOT A PUPPY, I BEG YOU. I MADE THAT MISTAKE AND IT LITERALLY MADE ME MORE DISABLED.

A dog from a shelter who is already grown and potty-trained will love you just as much for saving it as a baby puppy would for you raising it, I promise you! And you will come to care for the animal regardless of their level of baby-ness as well! (Every dog is functionally an innocent baby who needs you, but infant dogs are extremely taxing.)

It was 2019. I thought I was ready, despite my chronic fatigue and severe cptsd - I was going to TRAIN MY OWN SERVICE DOG!!! I did all the research, all the prep, everything!

What ended up happening was that the physical and emotional toll of raising a baby animal coincided with a lot of other traumatic shit happening to me at the same time, and the combined strain of this contributed to my nerve damage and PERMANENTLY CRIPPLED ME.

To make matters worse, the experience of growing up around that kind of severe mental and physical illness left my dog in a mental place that was Not Ideal for service training because service dogs need to be *gradually taught their service tasks as tho they are playing a fun game* - and Romeo had seen firsthand far too young how my seizures are absolutely no game. He had seen me collapse screaming in pain too many times, and no amount of training would ever be able to convince him that this was fine, actually.

My dog saved my life because he gave me a reason to live. I don't regret getting him. I don't regret doing what I had to in order to keep him.

But he would have saved my life at 4 years old just the same as he did at 4 weeks old, and I now recognize that getting a baby dog was absolutely not the best choice.

If I had chosen more wisely in 2019, I may have been able to better avoid the full-body chronic pain I have experienced every single second of every day since 2019 if he had simply been potty-trained when I got him.

Like, however much you THINK you will have to be bending over and cleaning up feces and vomit and piss, MULTIPLY THAT BY 10. By 20!!!

All dogs need walks - not all dogs pee on the floor once every couple of hours, or start to scream because you left the room (Romeo had lost his dog mother not 3 weeks prior, and there was some SERIOUS separation anxiety with that horrible, heart-breaking, extra-ear-splitting, puppy cry keeping me up for many nights), or teethe at everything and everyone constantly with those extra sharp needle teeth puppies have!

But the main crux here is that I seriously damaged my back and nervous system for real, and I passed up one of the older dogs who are less likely to be adopted from the shelter, since baby puppies are pretty much always adopted! Not to mention all the sleep lost from his abandonment anxiety!

Like, you know your body and I don't. But do you know if you can bend down and straighten up 100 times a day for many days in a row?? Are you SURE? And what if you're wrong??

Because there were times I realized that if I didn't break myself caring for my puppy, he wouldn't be cared for at all. And that thought was so terrifying that I broke myself. And all of that was very avoidable.

Be gentle with yourself. Please.

----

Anyway, no one worry about Romeo P. Morningstar. He still thinks he is my supervisor despite failing his service training, but he is happy, healthy, and incredibly loved and pampered (and at age 4, he is now 1,000x easier to care for than when he was an infant animal). My little Disservice Dog~ 💖💖

We’re very seriously in puppy consideration mode. I’m nervous, I’ve had chronic fatigue for a while and a puppy is a lot of work but I’ve also been struggling with motivation to get up and walking and a puppy will definitely provide that. It’s hard to find a balance between good exercise and pushing it but as my doctor said the best exercise is doing something fun and walking a dog is infinitely better than walking alone.

This is kinda the best time too, since I’m still in school but my class load is so light I can actually be home and monitoring the pup way more than if I have to be at work for long hours. I’m mostly worried about potty training, and this would work out well for that.

Also the kind of dog we’re looking at would be able to do helpful tasks without being fully service trained. I loved being in 4H with my dog Sly growing up, doing training and tricks. We could take them around to dog parks and hiking if I improve to that level. It’s exciting but also scary.

[petnews2day]

I'm a dog trainer... here's why you SHOULDN'T use treats to reward good behaviour

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/yUq79

I'm a dog trainer... here's why you SHOULDN'T use treats to reward good behaviour

A PROFESSIONAL dog trainer has revealed why you shouldn’t use treats to reward your dog with good behaviour. Zak George said owners might be making a “huge mistake” if they use the pet-friendly snacks when training their dog. Professional dog trainer Zak George has shared tips on how to best train your dogCredit: TikTok/thezakgeorge He […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/yUq79 #DogNews

[thebutchersdog]

If you haven’t already watched this video, you need to.

This video explains the importance of punishment in life and dog training and explains how incorrect it is to say that “science agrees” with positive-only dog training. This is all spurring from Zak George’s desire to start a fight with dog trainers for internet clout (check out the comment section to see his comments).

I don’t care what method of dog training camp you belong to or believe in, everyone with an open mind should watch this video and try to understand. Those of you who have followed me for the entire duration of my blog (going on 7 years) will understand that I’m not new to FF/PP training, but I call myself a balanced trainer.

[whack-a-moron]

I really, legitimately want to beat basic sense into anyone who still thinks Zak George actually knows how to train dogs and that he should be some kind of authority on what dog training tools people are allowed to use to train animals. The man can’t even handle training a border collie with so little nerve it couldn’t fight its way out of a wet paper bag and hides in fear any time he says the word “bath”. He should not be telling anyone that tools like E-Collars are completely unnecessary for training more difficult dogs than any of the ones he works with.

[whack-a-moron]

This is actually a major problem right now in the domestic dog sphere as well. There's a not so little movement in the dog training / owning sphere known by a few names ("Positive Only", "Reward Only", "Force Free", "Fear Free", take your pick of names, its all the same thing).

On the surface, this sounds like an awesome group. After all, who DOESN'T want to train dogs using nothing but love and treats and have them do everything we want and need without ever having to tell them "no" or correct them?

Problem is, the movement is bogus, and "Positive Only" (only reward good behavior, completely ignore / never correct bad behavior no matter how bad the behavior is) training simply Does. Not. Work.

And this would all be fine if the Positive Only crowd followed a philosophy of "You stay in your lane, I'll stay in mine", but they don't. They actively attack any persons' who uses any other dog training philosophy, cite bogus "scientific studies" that if you actually read them, either say something completely different than what they claim or are not real/good science (like "survey studies", but no actual empirical studies), and lobby to get dog training laws completely changed and certain tools completely banned, such as electronic collars, prong collars, choke chains, etc etc.

If you're uninformed about these tools and how they work or the only exposure you've ever had is to people who have never used them and don't know how they work SAYING these tools are bad (like Victoria Stilwell and Zak George going on and on about "shock collars", and let me assure you their language is deliberately tailored to be as dramatic as possible about these tools to make them sound evil), then you'd think this is a good thing.

As someone who is heavily into studying effective and HUMANE dog training, let me assure this is actually NOT good, for too many reasons to fully outline in this post. Yes, these tools CAN be abused by people who don't know what they're doing, or don't care about welfare.

Those people can just as easily choke a dog with a flat collar (dogs die getting choked on regular collars all the time, and damage their necks frequently yanking on regular collars), beat the dog with a 2x4, or make their own secret "prong collars" with roofing nails which are MUCH more sharp and harmful than actual prong collars with blunted "points" produced by big manufacturers like Herm Springer (I've put a prong collar on myself and yanked the fuck out of it before - you have to go pretty hard on a prong for it to actually hurt. And on the subject of E-Collars, a lot of the modern ones they make now are vibration collars, not "shock" collars, and even the quote un quote "shock collars" are more like getting stimulated by a Tenz unit, they have nothing to do with electrocution).

Positive Only trainers and lobbiers have completely taken over dog training space with blatant lies that are actively getting dogs KILLED. There are a lot of dogs that "Positive Only" training, for one reason or another, simply does not work on. These dogs end up labeled as being "mentally ill" or "something wrong with them" and euthanized - dogs which "Balanced" trainers (those who use MOSTLY positive methods, but also incorporate corrections when necessary) have been successfully training for decades without having to put them down when training doesn't work.

Several studies in the U.S., UK, and Australia have all found consistent findings that 33% of dogs under the age of 3 are euthanized for "behavior problems", more than double the number of dogs who die of cancer or any actual individual medical problems. "Behavioral Euthanasia" is the leading cause of death in young dogs, and these are often the dogs that "Positive Only" trainers are incapable of working with because they want to tell you that "corrections are evil".

Literally, they would rather get to uphold their ideology of "positive training" and have a dead dog than use a couple of corrections for bad behavior and have a living, happy one.

The UK just recently passed a bill thanks to the Positive Only lobbying to have "shock collars" (E-collars) banned nation-wide. Again, you'd think this is a good thing -- except for the fact that despite the horrendous reputation of these collars, there has never, EVER in the entire history of the UK been a single animal abuse charge for misuse of an E-Collar by any animal welfare organization. Ever. (Plenty of abuse cases for prongs, but that's a different story).

Additionally, E-Collars have been proven to be the ONLY effective measure in stopping dogs from "Livestock Worrying", particularly with sheep, which is a huge problem in the UK. Something like 50,000 sheep die PER YEAR as a result of domestic dogs getting loose and attacking or harassing sheep to death, and hundreds of dogs are shot dead by farmers.

The allowance or banning of E-Collars has consistently seen a direct impact on how many sheep die per year to dog attacks, and how many dogs also die as a result by getting shot by farmers, with countries who banned them (such as Wales) seeing a dramatic uptick in sheep deaths compared with countries that allowed E-Collar use on dogs.

"Positive Only" trainers and lobbyists think they've done a "good thing" and "prevented animal suffering", when instead they're just contributing to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of more animals, and unlike the big cats mentioned above, we DO have hard data on this (via the National Sheep Association).

Of course, you'd think "Well they're only going after the BAD TOOLS", but slippery slope is very real. Alongside E-Collars, the UK and other countries in Europe have also completely banned slip-leads and dog crates, and you can bet they won't stop there.

Likewise, Positive Only trainers often point to the mission statement of the AVSAB (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, who are not actually even half as qualified as their name suggests and don't do their own studies to back up their position) as their "ultimate commandment" of how dog training should be done.

If you think "Oh, well they're only attacking the use of barbaric tools like 'shock' collars and prong collars and choke chains which look and sound totally evil!", you'd be wrong.

The AVSAB considers squirt bottles and staring at your dog to be "abusive practices" you should never ever do. I'm not making this shit up.

They also think a dog should "always be allowed to opt out of training they don't want to do", regardless of the behavior. So if you have a dog that likes to kill other animals and attack children, they should just be allowed to not be trained not to do that! Because the dog might be slightly uncomfortable with the training, even if the behavior you're trying to stop could literally kill another person or animal.

Literally - Literally - any method that doesn't involve nothing but PURE POSITIVITY is considered abuse by these people, and these methodologies are promoted and regurgitated ad nauseam by so called "trainers" like Zak George who can't even take his border collie he raised from a puppy into public spaces because they're a reactive, nervous mess that can barely walk on a leash after 4+ years of training, meanwhile there are lots of Balanced trainers who use tools like these (E-Collars, Prongs, Choke Chains, whatever, you name it) that can reliably walk their dogs completely off-leash down a busy city street and look happy as Hell while doing it (I'm not talking about Dog Daddy/Augusto btw, fuck that guy). The kind of dogs where if EVERYONE trained their dogs like this, we'd never need leash laws.

But its not the people with the completely reliable, safe off-leash trained dogs that are lobbying for laws. Its the "Positive Only" quacks who couldn't train a dog to save their life who are trying to get everything except for cookies & clickers taken away by force of law, and I assure you and we're seeing the consequences right now that this is a VERY bad thing.

Furthermore, there are entities, organizations, and individuals who have challenged to "Positive Only" crowd to prove their methods time and again, and literally every single time, "Positive Only" trainers have, without fail, failed to show up every time.

ARDO (the Association of Responsible Dog Ownership) has an offer out of over $55,000 to ANY "Positive Only" dog trainer in the world who can prove in a scientifically controlled study that you can stop dogs with a proven history of attacking and killing another animals with nothing but positive reinforcement, as Positive Only trainers claim they can supposedly do.

Not a single "Positive Only" trainer has taken them up on it or been able to prove it, which the Positive Only crowd often writing it off with the excuse that its "bad faith science", not because it is, but because they know their training can't hold up and that they're lying about the effectiveness of their training methods to make any significant changes to dog behavior, especially unwanted or outright DANGEROUS behavior.

But the proof of training which involves corrections has been easily shown to be both firm, repeatable, and conclusive.

And unfortunately none of this matters as long as the "Positive Only" types can appeal to the emotions of the ignorant and uniformed public and lie about how there's an "effective" training method that involves "never ever being mean to your dog or making them uncomfortable".

And unfortunately this ideology is what's pushing laws to literally make anything other than that illegal, despite that it simply DOES NOT WORK.

average United States contains 1000s of pet tigers in backyards" factoid actualy [sic] just statistical error. average person has 0 tigers on property. Activist Georg, who lives the U.S. Capitol & makes up over 10,000 each day, has purposefully been spreading disinformation adn [sic] should not have been counted

I have a big mad today, folks. It's a really frustrating one, because years worth of work has been validated... but the reason for that fucking sucks.

For almost a decade, I've been trying to fact-check the claim that there "are 10,000 to 20,000 pet tigers/big cats in backyards in the United States." I talked to zoo, sanctuary, and private cat people; I looked at legislation, regulation, attack/death/escape incident rates; I read everything I could get my hands on. None of it made sense. None of it lined up. I couldn't find data supporting anything like the population of pet cats being alleged to exist. Some of you might remember the series I published on those findings from 2018 or so under the hashtag #CrouchingTigerHiddenData. I've continued to work on it in the six years since, including publishing a peer reviewed study that counted all the non-pet big cats in the US (because even though they're regulated, apparently nobody bothered to keep track of those either).

I spent years of my life obsessing over that statistic because it was being used to push for new federal legislation that, while well intentioned, contained language that would, and has, created real problems for ethical facilities that have big cats. I wrote a comprehensive - 35 page! - analysis of the issues with the then-current version of the Big Cat Public Safety Act in 2020. When the bill was first introduced to Congress in 2013, a lot of groups promoted it by fear mongering: there's so many pet tigers! they could be hidden around every corner! they could escape and attack you! they could come out of nowhere and eat your children!! Tiger King exposed the masses to the idea of "thousands of abused backyard big cats": as a result the messaging around the bill shifted to being welfare-focused, and the law passed in 2022.

The Big Cat Public Safety Act created a registry, and anyone who owned a private cat and wanted to keep it had to join. If they did, they could keep the animal until it passed, as long as they followed certain strictures (no getting more, no public contact, etc). Don’t register and get caught? Cat is seized and major punishment for you. Registering is therefore highly incentivized. That registry closed in June of 2023, and you can now get that registration data via a Freedom of Information Act request.

Guess how many pet big cats were registered in the whole country?

97.

Not tens of thousands. Not thousands. Not even triple digits. 97.

And that isn't even the right number! Ten USDA licensed facilities registered erroneously. That accounts for 55 of 97 animals. Which leaves us with 42 pet big cats, of all species, in the entire country.

Now, I know that not everyone may have registered. There's probably someone living deep in the woods somewhere with their illegal pet cougar, and there's been at least one random person in Texas arrested for trying to sell a cub since the law passed. But - and here's the big thing - even if there are ten times as many hidden cats than people who registered them - that's nowhere near ten thousand animals. Obviously, I had some questions.

Guess what? Turns out, this is because it was never real. That huge number never had data behind it, wasn't likely to be accurate, and the advocacy groups using that statistic to fearmonger and drive their agenda knew it... and didn't see a problem with that.

Allow me to introduce you to an article published last week.

This article is good. (Full disclose, I'm quoted in it). It's comprehensive and fairly written, and they did their due diligence reporting and fact-checking the piece. They talked to a lot of people on all sides of the story.

But thing that really gets me?

Multiple representatives from major advocacy organizations who worked on the Big Cat Publix Safety Act told the reporter that they knew the statistics they were quoting weren't real. And that they don't care. The end justifies the means, the good guys won over the bad guys, that's just how lobbying works after all. They're so blase about it, it makes my stomach hurt. Let me pull some excerpts from the quotes.

"Whatever the true number, nearly everyone in the debate acknowledges a disparity between the actual census and the figures cited by lawmakers. “The 20,000 number is not real,” said Bill Nimmo, founder of Tigers in America. (...) For his part, Nimmo at Tigers in America sees the exaggerated figure as part of the political process. Prior to the passage of the bill, he said, businesses that exhibited and bred big cats juiced the numbers, too. (...) “I’m not justifying the hyperbolic 20,000,” Nimmo said. “In the world of comparing hyperbole, the good guys won this one.”

"Michelle Sinnott, director and counsel for captive animal law enforcement at the PETA Foundation, emphasized that the law accomplished what it was set out to do. (...) Specific numbers are not what really matter, she said: “Whether there’s one big cat in a private home or whether there’s 10,000 big cats in a private home, the underlying problem of industry is still there.”"

I have no problem with a law ending the private ownership of big cats, and with ending cub petting practices. What I do have a problem with is that these organizations purposefully spread disinformation for years in order to push for it. By their own admission, they repeatedly and intentionally promoted false statistics within Congress. For a decade.

No wonder it never made sense. No wonder no matter where I looked, I couldn't figure out how any of these groups got those numbers, why there was never any data to back any of the claims up, why everything I learned seemed to actively contradict it. It was never real. These people decided the truth didn't matter. They knew they had no proof, couldn't verify their shocking numbers... and they decided that was fine, if it achieved the end they wanted.

So members of the public - probably like you, reading this - and legislators who care about big cats and want to see legislation exist to protect them? They got played, got fed false information through a TV show designed to tug at heartstrings, and it got a law through Congress that's causing real problems for ethical captive big cat management. The 20,000 pet cat number was too sexy - too much of a crisis - for anyone to want to look past it and check that the language of the law wouldn't mess things up up for good zoos and sanctuaries. Whoops! At least the "bad guys" lost, right? (The problems are covered somewhat in the article linked, and I'll go into more details in a future post. You can also read my analysis from 2020, linked up top.)

Now, I know. Something something something facts don't matter this much in our post-truth era, stop caring so much, that's just how politics work, etc. I’m sorry, but no. Absolutely not.

Laws that will impact the welfare of living animals must be crafted carefully, thoughtfully, and precisely in order to ensure they achieve their goals without accidental negative impacts. We have a duty of care to ensure that. And in this case, the law also impacts reservoir populations for critically endangered species! We can't get those back if we mess them up. So maybe, just maybe, if legislators hadn't been so focused on all those alleged pet cats, the bill could have been written narrowly and precisely.

But the minutiae of regulatory impacts aren't sexy, and tiger abuse and TV shows about terrible people are. We all got misled, and now we're here, and the animals in good facilities are already paying for it.

I don't have a conclusion. I'm just mad. The public deserves to know the truth about animal legislation they're voting for, and I hope we all call on our legislators in the future to be far more critical of the data they get fed.

[doggiedayoutnc]

How to Stop Your Dog from Pulling on the Leash: Tips from Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution

Is your dog constantly pulling on the leash during walks? You’re not alone! Leash pulling is a common issue many dog owners face, and it can turn a pleasant stroll into a frustrating experience. Fortunately, renowned dog trainer Zak George offers practical solutions to help your dog walk politely on a leash. In his video, "Stop Leash Pulling," Zak breaks down effective techniques that use positive reinforcement to make walks enjoyable for both you and your dog.

Why Do Dogs Pull on the Leash?

Before diving into the training techniques, it’s essential to understand why dogs pull on the leash in the first place. Dogs naturally walk faster than humans, and they’re often excited to explore the world around them. The more they pull, the quicker they get to sniff and explore new scents, which inadvertently reinforces the behavior. To change this, Zak emphasizes the importance of teaching your dog that walking nicely beside you is far more rewarding than pulling ahead.

Step-by-Step Guide to Stop Leash Pulling

Zak George’s approach revolves around teaching your dog to stay close to you while making walks engaging and fun. Here are the steps he outlines in his video:

1. Use High-Value Treats

Zak recommends using high-value treats that your dog loves. These treats serve as a powerful motivator and a way to reward good behavior. Make sure the treats are small, easy to eat, and only given during training sessions. The goal is to create a positive association between walking by your side and receiving a reward.

2. Start Training Indoors or in a Low-Distraction Environment

Begin by practicing leash training indoors or in a quiet area with minimal distractions. This allows your dog to focus on you and the training without getting overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the outside world.

3. Reward When Your Dog Walks Beside You

Hold a treat by your side and let your dog sniff it. Start walking, and if your dog stays by your side without pulling, immediately reward them with the treat and praise. This reinforces the behavior of walking close to you.

4. Use a Marker Word or Clicker

Zak emphasizes the importance of using a marker word like "Yes!" or a clicker to signal to your dog that they’re doing the right thing. The marker word or clicker helps your dog understand that they will be rewarded for the desired behavior, creating a positive reinforcement loop.

5. Change Directions When Your Dog Pulls

If your dog starts to pull, Zak suggests changing directions abruptly and calling your dog to follow you. This technique teaches your dog that pulling doesn’t lead them where they want to go and that staying close to you is more rewarding. Repeat this exercise several times until your dog starts paying more attention to your movements.

6. Practice with Patience and Consistency

Consistency is key to any training, and leash training is no exception. Practice these exercises regularly, keeping training sessions short and positive. Over time, your dog will learn that pulling is not rewarded and that staying by your side leads to treats and praise.

Tools Zak Recommends

Zak advises against using tools like choke collars, prong collars, or retractable leashes, as they can cause physical harm and anxiety in dogs. Instead, he suggests using a standard 4-6 foot leash and a comfortable harness that doesn’t put pressure on the dog’s neck.

Understanding Your Dog’s Needs

Remember that training isn’t just about discipline; it’s about understanding your dog’s needs and motivations. Dogs are naturally curious and energetic, and they require both mental and physical stimulation. Zak recommends incorporating sniffing breaks and playtime during walks to keep your dog engaged and satisfied.

Celebrate Small Wins

Training takes time, and it’s important to celebrate small successes. If your dog manages to walk a short distance without pulling, that’s progress! Gradually increase the distance as your dog becomes more comfortable with the new walking routine.

Final Thoughts

Zak George’s training philosophy focuses on creating a positive, trust-based relationship between you and your dog. By using positive reinforcement, patience, and consistency, you can transform your dog’s leash-pulling habit into a pleasant walking experience.

So, the next time you grab the leash for a walk, remember Zak's tips and turn your stroll into a fun and rewarding bonding session with your furry friend!

Check out the full video for more in-depth training techniques: Stop Leash Pulling by Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution.

[thebestnaturalpetfoodstore]

Zak George's Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love

New Post has been published on https://bestnaturalpetfoodstore.com/zak-georges-dog-training-revolution-the-complete-guide-to-raising-the-perfect-pet-with-love/

Zak George's Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love

Price: [price_with_discount] (as of [price_update_date] – Details)

A revolutionary way to raise and train your dog, with “a wealth of practical tips, tricks, and fun games that will enrich the lives of many dogs and their human companions” (Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian and animal behaviorist).

Zak George is a new type of dog trainer. A dynamic YouTube star and Animal Planet personality with a fresh approach, Zak helps you tailor dog training to your pet’s unique traits and energy level—leading to quicker results and a much happier pup.

For the first time, Zak has distilled the information from his hundreds of videos and experience with thousands of dogs into this comprehensive dog and puppy training guide that includes:

• Choosing the right pup for you • Housetraining and basic training • Handling biting, leash pulling, jumping up, barking, aggression, chewing, and other behavioral issues • Health care essentials like finding a vet and selecting the right food • Cool tricks, traveling tips, and activities to enjoy with your dog • Topics with corresponding videos on Zak’s YouTube channel so you can see his advice in action

Packed with everything you need to know to raise and care for your dog, this book will help you communicate and bond with one another in a way that makes training easier, more rewarding, and—most of all—fun!

[sheepdog-and-fakegoldenretriever]

EVERYTHING IS WRONG ABOUT THIS VIDEO

Zak George is a shit dog trainer. He is disconnecting +R and giving people the wrong information all for a fucking youtube video, meanwhile screwing his puppy and other peoples puppies for life.

He's putting his puppy into situations she can't handle or probably should never be in to begin with. Meanwhile speaking about the importance of setting your dog up for success whilst his puppy is not coping.

As soon as they cross the road and she is slightly uncomfortable I would stop there. Repeat and continue to get closer. He says this exact thing but does not do this with his dog and she suffers for it. You can't use a live dog as an example if it is not yet accustomed to something you are trying to teach.

She barks at dogs from the outside. She is terrified. He doesn't move away. She then barks lunges. What does he do??? Take her INTO THE DOG PARK.

Again, she is terrified backed into a corner. Why hasn't he left yet? She snaps at a dog yet he continues to keep her there terrified under a chair "this is fine ill let her do this til shes ok". She Screams as a lab runs passed, he keeps her there longer so she has ONE MORE GOOD EXPERIENCE. This never happens.

What the fuck.

You cannot represent reputable force free dog training if you are doing it wrong and claiming how to do it right. Im ashamed he's a well known ff trainer, gets credit for doing things terribly wrong and jeopardizing dogs in the process.

This is ridiculous.

This is not okay.

This is a prime example of someone calling themselves a dog trainer - have not gained any qualifications in doing this - just claim to know theory and talk the talk but never walk the walk.

[random-bookquotes]

Assigning traits to male dogs and female dogs is like saying all girls like to play with Barbie dolls and wear pink while all boys prefer playing with toy cars and throwing a ball around. We’ve come so far fighting these stereotypes in humans; it’s time we do the same with dogs. Also, there are no studies that back up these gender qualities you may hear about; they’re all anecdotal. I’ve worked with thousands of dogs in my career and have witnessed many personality traits in both sexes.

Zak George, Zak George's Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love

[petnews2day]

I'm a dog trainer... here's why you SHOULDN'T use treats to reward good behaviour

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/wmuM4

I'm a dog trainer... here's why you SHOULDN'T use treats to reward good behaviour

A PROFESSIONAL dog trainer has revealed why you shouldn’t use treats to reward your dog with good behaviour. Zak George said owners might be making a “huge mistake” if they use the pet-friendly snacks when training their dog. Professional dog trainer Zak George has shared tips on how to best train your dogCredit: TikTok/thezakgeorge He […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/wmuM4 #DogNews

[muddydogtraining]

30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George

If anyone is familiar with Zak George’s youtube channel and/or book, he has some cool stuff going on now. The title of this post is the name of his facebook group. It’s a closed group, but all you have to do is ask to join. It’s 30 Day because he has a daily curriculum to jumpstart your dog’s training. It’s something to check out if you’re interested. They’re also looking for a few positive reinforcement trainers to beta something for any trainers that want to look at that. It’s neat.

[goldkirk]

Top 10 mental health/similar books you've read in the past year? (or documentaries, or podcasts, anything is cool!)

this is gonna be all over the place and way more than just 10, sorry, but i'd say my top most impactful things-of-any-type I've encountered in the past year are the following.

Books:

The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog

Reparenting the Child Who Hurts

Take Back Your Life

Zak George's Dog Training Revolution

When the Body Says No

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

The Case Against Conversion "Therapy": Evidence, Ethics, and Alternatives

On Tyranny

Random:

Plato's allegory of the cave

How Tax Brackets Actually Work

UV Camera Reveals The Best Way to Apply Sunscreen to Your Face

Rhett's story of his personal religious deconstruction timeline

This guy's gut wrenchingly honest, timeline-jumping, clearly articulated, and wryly humorous series explaining his long and truly wild journey to atheism

This 6 minute interview with Liz Hunter where she talks about growing up in a cult without realizing it

Church Services Are Designed to Influence You. Here's How.

Former Evangelical leader Josh Harris on renouncing Christianity

therapist talking about the lies purity culture tells women

a therapist's take on religions and emotional manipulation

Polygamist Cult Founder’s Daughter, Rachel Jeffs, Gives Her First TV Interview

Evangelical blinders/guarding your heart

Big Joel's video on anti-abortion propaganda (large focus on the movie Unplanned)

I fantasized about martyrdom too

Omnipotence paradox & laws of logic

"Cults Inside Out" with Rick Alan Ross

An analysis of the Christian martyr complex via the first three God's Not Dead movies

Raised in a cult and finding her voice (an interview with Liz Hunter)

No True Joy Outside the Church?

Pray Away: A Therapist's Take on Conversion Therapy

Nothing Fails Like Bible History - Episode 1

Personal Autonomy Post-Religion

WHAT do you do after LEAVING a cult? (life after the moonies) (this girl is SO FUNNY)

TheraminTrees's (therapist) YouTube videos, especially:

betting on infinity

rebuttals to 'betting on infinity'

false equivalence | qualiasoup and theramintrees

punishing doubt | religious condemnation of thought

'science' of the gaps

commanded to love | performing false emotions for tyrants

grooming minds | the abuse of child indoctrination

degrading love -- part one | how religions distort the meaning of 'love'

degrading love -- part two | how religions distort the meaning of 'love'

living with abusers

imaginary defects | when dogmas label us flawed

creating sickness | recovering from religion

Philosophy Tube's YouTube videos, especially:

Abortion & Ben Shapiro (you might need to pause this one a few times just to mull things over on your own time)

Ignorance & Censorship

Queer✨

Logic

Who's afraid of experts?

Identity: A Trans Coming Out Story

Social Constructs

The Hidden Rules of Modern Society

FundieFriday's YouTube videos, especially:

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

THE CREATION MUSEUM & ARK ENCOUNTER

RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS

The post 9/11 Evangelical fever dream that is Jesus Camp

MICHAEL & DEBI PEARL

THE MARTYRS OF COLUMBINE

iilluminaughtii's youtube videos, especially:

The Abusive Practices of Focus on the Family

The IBLP & ATI

Ex-Fundie Diaries' YouTube videos, especially:

Christian Nationalist Child Indoctrination Cult: AWANA

Christian Nationalist Propaganda | Inside My Homeschool "Science" Binder

Christian fundamentalism doesn't always look like the Duggars

Anxiety & Anger Are a Sin in Christian Fundamentalism | Emotional Child Abuse

Child Abuse | Spanking, Neglect, & Psychological Punishments in Christian Fundamentalism

Documentaries:

Scientology and the Aftermath

Pray Away

Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult

Lots of others on YouTube and Netflix I'm sorry it's just hard to dig them all up lol, if I have energy some other time I will

Hope this helps someone!