Dog Star Park

You walk your dog for an hour a day, feed him twice, play with him for a while… and even so, when you get home, you find the chewed sofa, the shredded cushions or a rug torn to shreds.

If this sounds familiar, take a breath: the problem is not that your dog is destructive or lazy. It's that he's bored.

The science of canine behavior is clear: dogs need to use their brains as much as —or more than— their legs. Physical exercise tires the body for a while; mental stimulation tires them for real and in a lasting way. A dog that works his nose, solves problems and discovers new things ends the day pleasantly exhausted… and happy.

For decades, dog training was based on dominance: “the dog must know who is in charge”. But neuroscience changed everything. Today we know that positive reinforcement is not only more ethical, but significantly more effective in the long term. Dogs trained with positive methods learn faster, retain what they have learned better and, above all, develop a stronger and more secure bond with their humans.

You come home and find the door frame chewed, a shredded cushion and your neighbour complaining about the barking. No, your dog isn't holding a grudge against you or has suddenly turned “bad”. It could be suffering from separation anxiety, one of the most common —and most misunderstood— behavioural disorders in urban dogs. In this guide we explain what it really is, how to tell it apart from simple boredom and, most importantly, how to help your dog feel safe even when you're not at home.

Does your dog get tense when it sees another dog? Or does it get so excited that you can't control it? Both cases have a solution. Socialization isn't a luxury or a whim: it's a fundamental need for the well-being of your four-legged companion. And no, it isn't something you only do when they're puppies.

"Sure, with food any dog obeys." "My dog should do things because they respect me, not for a biscuit." "Positive reinforcement works for tricks, not for serious problems."

If you've ever heard (or thought) phrases like these, this article is for you.

Positive reinforcement is probably the most misunderstood concept in dog training. It's not "bribing the dog with food". It's not "being soft". And it's definitely not "letting them do whatever they want".