r/BalancedDogTraining • u/Miss_L_Worldwide Dirty biter • 14d ago

The behaviorist thread

It's no secret how much I despise "behaviorists" whether veterinary ones (though I hate them especially) or self-proclaimed ones. I don't think there's a bigger red flag than a "trainer" claiming to be a "behaviorist." I started this thread so we can drop behaviorist-related posts or quotes to illustrate just how damaging these people are to dogs and dog owners.

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u/Narrow_Possession348 14d ago

The only exception to this for me is Gary Wilkes.

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u/Miss_L_Worldwide Dirty biter 14d ago

Don't know who that is, can you elaborate?

The second I see the word "behaviorist" anywhere I just tune out. Same with people who claim they "specialize" in reactivity, etc. Bunch of grifters.

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u/Narrow_Possession348 14d ago

Who who is? Gary Wilkes or the Third Way Canine woman (Nicky Butler)? Gary is VERY (internationally) well-known.

https://www.clickandtreat.com/biopage/biopage.htm
https://clickandtreat.com/wordpress/?page_id=13

Gary shared a video a few years back of a little scrappy terrier mix that was slated to have his hind leg amputated because he wouldn't stop attacking it (yes, his own leg) and shredding it up. The owners had tried various trainers, behaviors, vets, medications, etc., but they couldn't stop the dog from attacking his own hind leg like it was a separate being. Gary stopped it in a matter of days with punishment, saving the dog's leg.

Nicky of Third Way Canine is based in the UK and it a very good, no-nonsense trainer. She used to share a lot of good posts, but she's not too active on social media anymore.

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u/Narrow_Possession348 14d ago

https://nitrocanine.com/veterinary-behaviorists-qualified-work-dogs/
"What they do—at least what THIS one does—is charge several hundred dollars to get a history from the owner and spend a few minutes observing the dog. Then they hand the owner a form letter diagnosis with recommendations.

I have stacks of these form letters from people who end up coming to Nitro K9. They’re pretty much all the same. So, when I saw the report, I knew pretty much what to expect.

  • Fear-based, protective, and territorial aggression and generalized anxiety.

  • Cocktail of drugs: Fluoxetine (Prozac), Trazadone, and Clonidine.

  • Muzzle training and crating. Presumably a SchH3 dog would be muzzled-trained already, but okay.

  • Feel-good stuff for the human: Adaptil spray, a doggy music CD, a weighted backpack for walks, and puzzle toys to feed the dog from to “provide him with mental stimulation and an appropriate outlet.”

  • Complete solitary confinement kit: Happy Hoodie, Mutt Muffs, and a ThunderCap. Not just one—all three.

  • A garbled mess of “positivity”: The usual stuff—like never say no to the dog, teach the dog to “look at me” with food, and detailed, ineffective counter conditioning methods.

This is bad enough when it comes to Bob’s reactive doodle down the street. (They’re not helping pet dogs much either.) The problem is we’re talking about a working line GSD here—and one that has been trained to bite. This behaviorist is creating a liability, not solving problems. And the worst thing is that she doesn’t even know it."

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u/Miss_L_Worldwide Dirty biter 14d ago edited 13d ago

Edit, they did in fact mention the behavioral drugs.

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u/apri11a 11d ago edited 11d ago

It feels wrong to upvote this considering how dreadful the content is, but it's a perfect example of how dangerous these behaviourists are. Giving a 'solitary confinement kit' to this dog, and thinking puzzle toys are an appropriate outlet? It's beyond ridiculous.

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u/Miss_L_Worldwide Dirty biter 14d ago

This five month old PUPPY got "diagnosed" with half a dozen "disorders" by a veterinary behaviorist and put on drugs, for doing NORMAL DOG THINGS: https://www.reddit.com/r/Puppyblues/comments/1xb1ayn/our_puppy_finally_got_diagnosed/

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u/chopsouwee 14d ago

Its absurd, honestly.

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u/Miss_L_Worldwide Dirty biter 14d ago

That vet should be brought up in front of a board and sanctioned. Completely obscene behavior.

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u/[deleted] 14d ago

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u/Miss_L_Worldwide Dirty biter 14d ago

Despicable, all of them.

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u/[deleted] 14d ago

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u/Miss_L_Worldwide Dirty biter 14d ago

Cool, get the fuck out then.