The Key to Understanding Dogs Trivia Quiz

Answer: Lassie

Rudd Weatherwax trained dogs for many years - it became a true family business that incorporated his son, Robert, his grandson, Robert, Jr. and his daughter, Joanne. The title of Weatherwax's book is: "The Lassie Method: Raising & Training Your Dog With Patience, Firmness & Love".

Indeed love was the core of Weatherwax's existence with his dogs. "Lassie" (1954-1973) the (American) television show was by far not his only project. It is said of the Weatherwax clan that they often "pulled" dogs from local shelters to become "stars" rather than exploit particular breeds or breeders.

Answer: No Bad Dogs

Barbara Woodhouse truly believed there are "no bad dogs". One online source credits her with "personally training over 17,000 dogs and their owners" (amazon.com - reader review). She devoted her life to spreading the word that "love, firmness and enthusiasm" are what is necessary to get the results you want from your companions. Even with the international acclaim, many believe her work was cut short because she died from complications of a stroke at the age of 78.

Answer: Off leash obedience

Koehler stressed that one could never be totally confident about a dog's reliability unless the dog was totally reliable off leash. He cited some of the most dangerous and challenging situations (for a pet owner) could happen without the physical restraint of a leash.

For examples, the dog bolting through a gate or front door left open or the leash breaking or the collar slipping when walking the dog. Even though Koehler worked on many highly visible projects (like for Walt Disney Studios!) his work was often controversial, especially in his later years. Critics mentioned his use of negative training, choke collars and electronic collars as just a few of his methods/tools that should have been replaced.

Answer: From the animal's point of view

During the courses found in Dr. Dunbar's books, videos, seminars and blogs, he is constantly reminding us the "key" is to think about things from the animal's point of view. Sometimes that may be obvious after only a few minutes; other scenarios may take a bit of thought, trial and error or the advice of a professional trainer to learn the "trick".

Answer: Separation Anxiety

One book that Dr. McConnell published (in 2000) is titled, "I'll Be Home Soon: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety". Separation anxiety can manifest itself in many, many forms - including but not limited to, destructive chewing, problem elimination, non-stop barking and escape attempts. Dr. McConnell's book is intended to help dog owners identify their own issues and (patiently!) begin to replace unwanted behaviors with acceptable ones.

Answer: Like people, animals are very different from each other

His key to successful training most often involves teaching the human companion that each animal has his own distinct personality. And, not just monkeys are different from killer whales but each beagle is different from every other beagle. To build your unique bond with your animal companion is the first step in "training". Throughout his amazing career Silverman has striven to work with humane societies, animal shelters, and rescue groups to educate the public thus reduce the numbers of animals returned, rejected or euthanized. Kudos!

Answer: How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend

The monastery in Cambridge, New York, where the Monks of New Skete live, was established in 1966. They were given their first German shepherd dog soon thereafter. The rest, to coin the phrase, is history. Whether they are training for basic obedience, training in advanced programs like agility and schutzhund or correcting behavior problems, the Monks of New Skete stress the importance of an attitude that your dog can be your best friend - comfortable in any situation, confident with the two of you as a team and willing to do what you ask of them - it is what each human companion should want.

Answer: Positively

At the same time Victoria Stilwell was growing her dog walking/training business she was pursuing an acting career. She seemed to merge her interests and talents seamlessly through the years. Very early into her dog training career she dismissed the (popular) ideas of "alpha dog" and "pack leader" and "show the dog who is boss" and replaced those labels and methods with a totally POSITIVE approach. Stilwell taught the best way to train was to reward the behavior you want to continue rather than attempting to correct unwanted behavior with punishment.

Her mantra: Positively

Answer: The Dog Whisperer

Cesar Millan opened his first dog training facility in Los Angeles, CA (circa 2002) but it was the television series, "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan" (2004-2012) that brought him international fame. Millan describes himself as a "self-taught". Common buzz words/phrases he has used are: "become the pack leader", "communicate calm, assertive energy" and use of "energy and body language".

Answer: Aggression

The study supports "new" information that aggression in dogs is a very complex concern and can not be definitively determined by the dog's breed. Their study has supporting evidence that training and socialization - particularly at an early age, treatment of the dog, its environment and (even!) certain characteristics of its owner are much more likely to "develop" an aggressive dog than breeding.

In many ways, this study is endorsed (without mentioning it) in an online article published by the ASPCA.

It can be found at: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/aggression-dogs.