Game On K9 Training

01/08/2026

I talk about this A LOT! Moving your dog's judgement bias towards a more optimistic one can resolve so many issues and prevent many others. It's a vital life skill and so easy to train. 💪🏼

Judgement Bias in Dogs: Why Some Dogs Always Think the Worst 👇

Why do two dogs react so differently to exactly the same situation?

Imagine two dogs hear an unexpected noise behind a fence. One pauses for a moment before carrying on. The other immediately barks, retreats or scans the environment, convinced something isn’t right.

The difference isn’t obedience and might not even be previous training.

It may be something behavioural scientists call judgement bias.

What is judgement bias?

Judgement bias describes how an individual interprets ambiguous information.

When neither we nor our dogs have enough information to know what will happen next, the brain makes a prediction.

Will this turn out well?

Or should I prepare for something unpleasant?

Some dogs tend to interpret uncertainty optimistically and expect good outcomes. Others are more likely to think the worst, assuming that something unfamiliar could signal danger. These expectations influence the decisions they make long before we see any obvious behaviour.

Scientists can actually measure optimism

One of the most fascinating discoveries in canine cognition is that researchers have developed ways of measuring optimism and pessimism in dogs.

In a landmark study, dogs were taught that a bowl placed in one location always contained food, while a bowl in another location was always empty. Once they understood the pattern, researchers placed bowls in ambiguous locations between the two.

Dogs showing separation-related behaviour approached these uncertain bowls more slowly than control dogs, suggesting they expected a less favourable outcome. In other words, their emotional state influenced how they interpreted uncertainty—not just how they behaved when left alone (Mendl et al., 2010).

This was one of the first demonstrations that dogs, like humans, can display measurable cognitive biases.

Behaviour is often driven by prediction

Understanding judgement bias changes the questions we ask.

Instead of asking:

“Why is this dog barking?”

We might ask:

“What does this dog think is about to happen?”

That simple shift changes everything.

A dog barking at an unfamiliar person may not be trying to dominate or intimidate. They may simply think the worst. If their brain predicts that the unfamiliar person could pose a threat, creating distance suddenly becomes a very logical strategy.

Likewise, a dog who hesitates around a novel object may simply have learned that uncertainty often leads to unpleasant experiences.

Behaviour makes far more sense when we understand the drivers underneath it.

Can judgement bias change?

Perhaps the most encouraging finding is that judgement bias is not fixed.

Research by Karagiannis and colleagues (2015) found that dogs receiving treatment for separation-related behaviour became progressively less pessimistic during judgement-bias testing.

Importantly, the researchers weren’t simply seeing fewer problem behaviours. The dogs appeared to interpret ambiguous situations more positively than they had before treatment.

This suggests that successful behaviour modification may do more than change what a dog does.

It may change how the dog navigates the whole world.

What does this mean for behaviour professionals?

When we understand judgement bias, we stop seeing behaviour as isolated reactions and start recognising it as part of a dog’s decision-making process.

Our role becomes helping dogs build a history of predictable, safe and positive experiences. By reducing unnecessary ambiguity, giving dogs appropriate choice and control, and carefully creating successful learning opportunities, we can help shift their expectations about the world around them.

Because behaviour isn’t simply about changing actions.

Sometimes it’s about changing the predictions that create those actions.

References

Karagiannis, C. I., Burman, O. H. P., & Mills, D. S. (2015). Dogs with separation-related problems show a less pessimistic cognitive bias during treatment with fluoxetine. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 10(6), 543–547.

Mendl, M., Brooks, J., Basse, C., Burman, O. H. P., Paul, E. S., Blackwell, E. J., & Casey, R. A. (2010). Dogs showing separation-related behaviour exhibit a “pessimistic” cognitive bias. Current Biology, 20(19), R839–R840.

Starling, M. J., Branson, N., Cody, D., & McGreevy, P. D. (2014). Canine Sense and Sensibility: Tipping Points and Response Latency Variability as an Optimism Index in a Canine Judgement Bias Assessment. PLoS ONE, 9(9), e107794.

19/07/2026

When we see a dog fixating on another dog, staring at wildlife, obsessing over a toy or struggling to walk away from something, it's easy to assume they're being stubborn, distracted or simply "not listening."

But behaviour science suggests something far more interesting may be happening.

The dog may be struggling with disengagement.

Disengagement is the ability to stop engaging with something that has captured your attention. It isn't about obedience. It isn't about impulse control alone. It's a cognitive skill that allows the brain to shift attention, release emotional investment and move on.

Imagine two dogs walking down the same street.

They both notice another dog.

They both experience the same initial emotional response.

One dog continues staring, becomes increasingly tense and eventually reacts.

The other glances, looks away, sniffs the ground and carries on walking.

The difference may not be how they felt.

The difference may be their ability to disengage.

This concept has huge implications for how we assess behaviour.

Instead of asking...

❌ "Why won't this dog listen?"

We might ask...

✅ "Can this dog actually disengage from what has captured their attention?"

That single question changes everything.

Because dogs don't only struggle to disengage from things they find frightening.

They may also struggle to disengage from:

• Other dogs
• People
• Toys
• Food
• Wildlife
• Movement
• Sounds
• Smells

The underlying skill is the same.

And perhaps the most exciting part?

Disengagement isn't fixed.

Like many cognitive skills, it can be developed through carefully designed learning experiences that build flexibility, emotional regulation and better decision-making.

When you begin looking beyond the behaviour itself and start asking what the brain is finding difficult, dog behaviour becomes far more logical—and far more compassionate.

That's what behavioural science allows us to do.

There's an entire module dedicated to this exact concept - understanding the skill, building the skill and resolving struggles - in the Canine Behaviour Diploma for that reason!

31/05/2026

Happy 6th birthday to our most handsome boy!

My soul dog, my very good boy....so unbelievably emotionally intuitive, just the most gentle, caring soul ❤️🫶🏼

I love it when you turn into a puppy again, throwing a chew around or playing tug. Thank you for the cuddles, even when you think you're that tiny puppy again and not the 14kg dog that you are....with no idea of personal space 🤣🤣❤️❤️❤️

02/05/2026

Please read to the end.

It's my opinion that if the time is invested to teach loose lead walking, equipment like this is never needed for 'anti pulling'.

They may be a temporary solution to change the picture of lead walking for the dog whilst training if pulling has become very reinforcing or for safety but I have yet to resort to this. The only one I would ever recommend is one that doesn't tighten around the muzzle if they pull and it would have to be conditioned first to be a non event to the dog with a positive emotional response to it.

WHY I DON’T GENERALLY RECOMMEND HEAD HALTIS / HEAD COLLARS FOR DOGS

Too frequently I am reading online 'positive reinforcement / force free trainers recommend and use head collars’ and this statement being used as a way of highlighting our hypocrisy for criticising tools such as a prong, slip lead, grot or e-collar, whilst frequently recommending the use of a head collar.

I would consider myself relatively well connected with colleagues and peers, and I can only think of two who may be more quick to recommend a head collar so this common portrayal of what we supposedly advise is a little frustrating to me.

WHY I DON'T ACTIVELY RECOMMEND THIS EQUIPMENT

1. The muzzle is a highly sensitive area, and should a dog pull or lunge into a head collar, some designs of head collar can tighten on the nose or ride up into the eyes - which is unpleasant.
It can restrict breathing and cause sores from rubbing.

For some dogs, the equipment sitting on the muzzle without even tightenening is unpleasant.

2. If a dog lunges on a head collar, they risk giving themselves a serious neck injury due to the lead pulling the dog's muzzle round and back- causing a sudden and intense curve/turn/angle in the neck.

3. If a dog pulls into a head collar, this not only causes a curve in the neck but also significant loading into one foreleg. Although this can also be seen in collars and front leading harnesses.
For balance, we can also argue that excessive loading into both forelegs and shoulders can be observed in dogs pulling into a harness, even if it fits well.

4. Head collar can interfere with social, self regulating and explorative behaviour, especially if the lead is short. A dog may be less inclined to engage with the environment (creating vigilance when walking), less able to offer head turns or displacement sniffing as a means of difusing tension.
They may be less able to curve their body and generally soften their body language when passing or interacting with dogs.

WHAT HAPPENS IF OUR CLIENTS USE ONE?

We can count on one hand how many clients in the past few years have opted to use one (without us recommending it).

For full transparency- we can count on one hand how many times we have felt the need to suggest head collars as an option for the client to consider across our whole careers (that’s 16 years for me alone!).

Recommendation of this equipment would not be to teach the dog, but to safeguard the client whilst positive reinforcement based methods are being applied. i.e., the size and/or strength of the dog versus that of the handler/owner is a concern and that minimising that risk via other means (such as where the dog is walked whilst training is underway) prove challenging.

We would do so whilst being fully aware of the dog’s experience and the risks of that experience being aversive and work hard to mitigate that- rather than optimise that discomfort as a means of teaching the dog.

1. We do not expel our clients for their choices.

2. We will clearly explain the risks involved with this choice of equipment and put a huge emphasis on consistent loose lead walking and ensuring the dog does not lunge whilst wearing a head collar.

We will make clients aware of the risks of injury and monitor the dogs for signs of pain (which we do with all our cases anyway).

3. We will emphasis that the dog must happily put the equipment on, exhibit relaxed body language whilst wearing it and not try and paw to get it off.

4. We focus on trying to resolve the behaviours that give the client reason or need to use them and increase the handler's confidence when walking their dog.

Part of this will be looking at reducing on lead time as much as possible as well as looking at ensuring the choice of equipment doesn't replace focus on why the dog is exhibiting the behaviour (such as lunging or excessive pulling) and improving their ability to cope in that environment or context.

Improvement in those areas will reduce the perceived need for that equipment.


CAVEATS

The only 'force free' way to use a head collar is to introduce one (gradually) when a dog already walks reliably on a loose lead, providing the dog doesn't find the equipment sitting on their muzzle aversive (puts on willingly/happily, moves and behaves in a relaxed demeanour and doesn't try to paw off).

This in itself is somewhat contradictory as walking on a loose lead and not lunging should mean a head collar is not necessary.

However, we cannot completely disregard that some people will feel less anxious walking their dog knowing that should their dog suddenly lunge/pull - they won't be pulled over.

Should the dog pull/lunge- the equipment works (to stop the behaviour) by being uncomfortable (aversive) and I can't think of a single professional who would state otherwise.

If someone conditions a head collar paralell to proofing loose lead (and reducing any reactive behaviour) and a dog wears a head collar happily and comfortably, never lunges or pulls whilst wearing one, and the handler enables the dog to engage with the environment and communicate/signal to other dogs (unless taught and cued to not do so when on lead using positive reinforcement methods) then a head halti should be/feel neutral to a dog - providing the dog gets opportunities for species specific behaviours beyond the head collar!

If a dog is always on lead when out of the home and is less able to engage with their environment (sniffing, signaling to dogs etc) then frustration is likely going to increase over time - regardless of what equipment the dog is wearing.


IF YOU USE A HEAD COLLAR ON YOUR DOG

I would encourage you to get them checked out by a qualified physio periodically to ensure they have not hurt their neck.

When wearing the head collar, your dog should be able to move their head around easily. Be mindful that your default setting ISN’T a tight/taught lead as this will cause your dog to hold their head at an unnatural angle, putting strain on their neck and increased loading into one shoulder and foreleg.
The default setting should be a loose lead (bounces and swings due to lack of tension).

Consider using a double ended lead, so the attachment to the muzzle is literally used only in an emergency. This reduces the risk of damage to the neck, but doesn't eradicate it given the intensity of behaviour likely observed in what is considered an emergency.

There are some head collar designs that do not tighten on the muzzle when there’s tension on the lead and the flat webbing is likely more comfortable on the muzzle than anything rounded, such as rope figure of 8 leads. These features may help them be less unpleasant for the dog.

Image from Company of Animals website.

11/03/2026

⭐ 3 week Recall Masterclass starting this weekend! ⭐

Come and join us as we team up with Canine Connections Herts!

Spaces are limited, only a couple left!

13/02/2026

A professional is asked about what’s causing the rise in dog bites. They’re given the opportunity to educate the public on a big media platform on how to prevent their dog biting.

They don’t….

❌ Mention unethical breeding practises. That owners should get a dog from a breeder who considers the health and temperament of both parents, who proactively socialises any litters they bring into the world as well as pairing puppies with suitable homes.

❌ Mention the rise in ‘power’ and working breeds due to the influence of breeds frequently featuring in dog training social media videos, and how more and more people are getting a breed of dog who is beyond their current capabilities. All because they like and have been sold the idea of controlling such a powerful dog via social media.

❌ Discuss that an increase in dog population parallel to a busier world where people have less time (to train, walk and BE with their dog) will by default increase the risk of incidents.

❌ Describe how it’s important to systematically increase a puppy or dog’s experiences parallel to helping them develop coping strategies and confidence in navigating what is an ever increasing challenging world.

❌ Meeting the physical, social and mental stimulation needs of the dog as an individual, ensuring training takes into consideration what life skills the dog may need to live a fulfilled life safely.

❌ Being someone who your dog wants to listen to, not because they fear you, but because you are a calm, consistent communicator who helps them try to succeed in this complicated word.

❌ Being someone who listens to their dog by learning to understand (in the moment) canine body language, so you can be better able to respond to situations and help your dog not escalate their behaviour.

❌ Discuss how more dogs than ever are struggling with muscular skeletal issues, skin disease and gastro intestinal issues that could be the cause or maintaining factor in their aggression (and link this back to responsible breeding but also why it’s important to get a health check for any dog with behaviour problems!).

❌ Describe the rise in popularity in dog training as a profession resulting in trainers (using any method of dog training) taking on extreme cases without adequate practical experience or knowledge (including qualifications) on dog behaviour.

❌ Acknowledge the overwhelming amount of information on social media and online that can lead to owners hop skotching from one method or approach to another, often trying to bypass professional support.

A missed opportunity to highlight that growling, barking, lunging and biting are behaviours symptomatic of an underlying feeling that is often motivated or influenced by health problems, stress, historic or current negative experiences, as well as the relationship and interactions we have with our dogs.

What they do with that opportunity instead is…

✅ Refer to the force free ‘movement’ - a supposedly new 'movement' that's been around since the 80s- as ‘woke’ and largely responsible for the increase in dog bites.

✅ Prioritise the need to correct dogs with behaviour problems instead of (or before) understanding and supporting them by identifying why they are aggressive in the first place.

So focused on defending and advocating their preferred method of training, they used the platform to target those who do different and sensationally misrepresented and insulted them (or tried to).

Thank goodness the wonderful Ann BD had a larger section on this feature to bring some less emotive and more intelligent points into the discussion.

In a world where the number of followers can be mistaken for expertise…. I encourage everyone to follow professionals who demonstrate a deep understanding of behaviour and who showcase their process AND long term results.

Clients/owners walking/training/enjoying their relaxed and happy dogs - ideally months after their session- is my criteria for longterm success.

Please be cautious of those who struggle to communicate diplomatically and thoroughly, resorting to labels, name calling, insults and making sweeping generalised statements without acknowledging a single nuance of what is almost always a very complicated thing.

Professional conduct is waning within this industry and that need not be the case regardless of our stance on opposing methods of training.

Note- whilst it's not overly difficult to learn the identity of this professional, this post reflects on a broader issue within our industry. I acknowledge that this post cuts VERY close to my 'no name and shame' rule, but I will delete any naming of the individual in question.

27/01/2026

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