Joshua Duffy

http://www.joshandjenny.org/joshs-blog/category/cambridge

So many interesting points raised in this review of the CAWSEL course at Cambridge.

Of farm animals:

" in light of the fact that a diet including pig flesh is not necessary for the survival of the human species, and that the industrialized rearing of these animals is responsible for a vast amount of animal suffering, are we justified in eating these animals at all?"


Of fishing:

What is ""the worst thing humans do to fish. Can you guess what it is?"

"It is taking them out of water. Studies show that this is the worst thing you can do to them. You see, part of the reason why this is so, is that a fish gets no oxygen from the air; it absolutely cannot breathe out of the water. Any method of fishing wherein fish are left out of the water to die is among the most cruel and inhumane things we humans do to animals. This also means that catch-and-release fishing is ethically indefensible. "

"At some point in their lives, most pets display behaviours that would result in their death or relinquishment, were they in some other household"

Karen Overall, pp vii, Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine 2013

"At the core of all anxiety conditions is the arousal level of the patient.  Heightened arousal beyond a certain adaptive level prohibits accurate observation and assimilation of the information presented, interferes with the processing of information, and can adversely affect actions taken based on these earlier steps. "

We need to take steps to teach dogs from the very beginning to be calm and that they can ask questions of people and get guidance from them on what to expect.

This will help dogs:

• learn better
• feel safer and more in control of what happens to them
• learn that they can create favorable interactions with people if they are calm

They simply need to learn to sit calmly and look at the human whenever something is wanted or needed.  A calm, quiet and relaxed dog can listen to us, just as we should be listening to them.

Dog bites, dog types, dog stereotypes

http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/publications/ncrc-publications/

Some useful links here.

The Psychiatrist's View

From "The Neuroscience of  Human Relationships: Attachment and the Developing Social Brain" by Louis Cozolino:

"I have watched as my focused attention, consistency, and caring have been taken in like water at a desert oasis. I have experienced the gradual building of confidence and strength as my presence has been integrated and used as a source of security, guidance, and emotional safety. I have also experienced how working with my clients has changed me, inspired me, and helped me to grow. "

As the psychiatrist acts as a safe haven and secure base for his patients, so we can provide this focused attention, consistency and caring for our dogs to give them security and safety while we guide them, and in doing so, learn much ourselves.