**Before we get into it I do want to make a disclaimer: the information provided will be general information. Breeding, individuality and experience may change how a dog reacts to certain situations. This does mean the information provided here is incorrect. The exception does not negate the rule. I have always believed that you should train the dog in front of you not how the dog should be trained because they are x, y ,z, but it is important to have an understanding and a baseline to work off of.** Something I hear a lot when listening to dog owners talk about their dogs and wildlife (or domesticated animals such as cats) is that their dog hates them. “My dog hates squirrels”. “My dog hates rabbits”. “My dog hates cats”. When in fact that is not what is happening at all. First let’s define predation and aggression: - Predation: instinctive, biological, behavior to chase, capture and sometimes kill. This is established based on their ancestral hunting instincts. - Aggression: behavior intended to oppose or defend against a threat but does not kill for food necessarily Something to consider when trying to figure out the difference between the two are what is the purpose, behavioral sequence, target perception, outcome and emotional state of the dog. Understanding the difference of these things will help tremendously on identifying what is going on in your dog’s mind and how you can properly address it. So, in the world of predation the purpose would be to obtain food which is key for survival. This drive to try again and again even when the dog fails is so engrained in their DNA that just providing your dog with good quality food at home is not enough. Your dog will not put two and two together that they don’t need to hunt after an interesting critter because you feed them good food at home. Whereas with aggression the purpose isn’t survival it is to eliminate competition or a perceived threat. This could be a threat to their territory, themselves or their pack.

Overtraining is when a dog is physically overworked. Overstimulation is when your dog has been exposed to too many exciting or stressful events with no relaxation. With overtraining your dog may become lethargic, stiff, lame, fatigue, exercise intolerant even without much exercise. Other signs could be vomiting and diarrhea. With overstimulation your dog may become (more) anxious, irritable, compulsive, hyperactive and or destructive. The symptoms listed for overtraining or overstimulation is not exhaustive. Due to these symptoms your dog may opt to not participate in physical activities with you including walks. It is important to monitor for physical signs of burnout such as changes in gait or posture. If you are unsure if your dog is displaying any of these symptoms it is recommended that your dog is seen by a reputable veterinarian, or even a sport veterinarian, where they may suggest imaging such as radiographs. If that is the case it may be a good idea to have the radiographs be sent for review by a board-certified radiologist as well. Dogs that are overtrained or overstimulated may also have changes in their eating or sleeping habits. They may start to withdrawal from socializing with other animals or even the humans in the household or they may become clingier. You may see increases in fear or aggression towards housemates or humans. If this happens assess and address your training/rest schedule and incorporate mental stimulation such as a snuffle mat, lick mat, KONG original (or similar), KONG wobbler (or similar) or puzzle of some kind. Keep the puzzles easy and fun for the dog especially at the beginning. **Note that the suggestions are not physical, but they are mental/self-soothing in a healthy, productive and nondestructive way** Overstimulation, constant elation and or stress, can lead to a weakened immune system as well which in turn can cause your dog to be more prone to sickness and disease. If your dog starts showing signs it may be in their best interest to have your dog examined by a reputable veterinarian to at least establish a baseline especially if your dog does not improve.

The Vizsla has multiple names just like the Australian Cattle Dog. They are known as Vizsla (which means pointer), Hungarian pointer or the Magyar Vizsla. This breed has been around for over a thousand years and are considered one of the oldest known hunting dogs. It is thought that the vizsla is a descendant of the eighth-century Hungarian hunting dogs. The vizsla has faced near extinction not once but twice with the first being from the Turkish Occupation (1526-1696) with a more serious decline after the Hungarian Civil War (1848-1849). The breed recovered from a small stock of about 12 true vizslas thanks to Hungarian sportsmen. The second near extinction the vizslas faced was after the two World Wars and Russian Occupation but were saved this time in part thanks to Mrs. Elizabeth Mihalyi. Mrs. Elizabeth escaped Hungary with her family Vizsla named Panni XV and was bred with Betyar from Austria. This breeding established the Panni-Betyar line which is recognized by the AKC as a foundation stock of the breed. Vizslas are known for their exceptional hunting skills, relentless loyalty, and versatility. The breed was highly regarded and treasured by Hungarian nobility. For centuries landowning aristocrats horded the vizsla and preserved their pure blood with more recently the breed is seen as not only a great hunting companion but also one great for families. The vizsla is not only treasured for their physical features but also their ability to adapt to various situations which made them versatile and reliable for tasks beyond hunting. The vizslas were not only tied to nobility and status but they also proved their worth during times of war and conflict. They were used to guard camps, sentinels, deliver messages and be a part of miliary campaigns. Dye to their speed and endurance that allowed them to be able to travel long and difficult terrains the breed was entrusted with carrying important messages across the battlefield to friendly commanders and troops. Even during the hardships of the battlefield the vizsla remained by the side of their soldier companions.

Yesterday morning I was taking my two young dogs into the nearby woods for some exercise. I take them one at a time since I am working on different things with them and we also get some one-on-one time. I had finished up with my first dog, Csili, and was entering my yard when I saw my other dog, Káosz, staring off at something. I didn’t notice at first because I was taking off Csili’s harness and booties but when I did look to see what Káosz was staring at (he wasn’t responding to me talking to him which was unusual) I saw what had his attention: a deer. This isn’t just any deer either this is a domesticated deer named Charley who enjoys playing and being chased by dogs! So I didn’t freak out or start calling and pulling at Káosz to come inside especially since he was just standing up on the fence (the bottom half is blocked for him to see out) calmly staring at Charley. I head inside to retrieve Káosz's harness and leash, switch out the treats in my treat pouch for higher value and make sure my other dogs aren’t able to come out and interfere with my new morning plan of predation substitution training. Káosz does manage to break away from looking at Charley and I am able to put on his harness which he was excited to help me with. Káosz hops back on the fence to look at Charley and I just keep ahold of the leash with no tension on it, then Charley hears some commotion and starts to run towards it (he’s an odd little deer). So now Káosz’s target is moving which is now much more exciting than before so Káosz starts to jump around excited and is wanting to run around the yard. I keep hold of the leash and don’t let him run around aimlessly and spinning himself into an overloaded frenzy. I make sure to have my high value treats at the ready (dehydrated chicken hearts in this case) and when he looks at me on his own accord I start tossing treats left and right allowing him to chase and consume. I can tell that he is really enjoying the safer outlet since he is quite engaged with it. Once I feel that he is starting to relax and the dopamine is on its way down I take him inside where I quickly prepare his lick ‘em bowl with peanut butter and hang out with him in my bathroom (away from my other dogs) while he enjoys this destressing treat.

The Australian Cattle Dog aka Heelers have also been called Queensland Heeler, Halls Heeler, Blue Heeler and Red Heeler. The Australian Cattle Dog earned their other name, Heeler, due to moving cattle by nipping at their heels. This trait is present due to their dingo ancestry. What breeds were used to make up the Australian Cattle Dog is up for debate due to the records being disposed of but it is thought that some breeds include: Blue Collies, Kelpie, Bull Terrier and the Dalmatian (although the Dalmatian has been questioned). How a wild dog would breed with a domesticated dog is not entirely known but a popular theory is that a litter of Dingo puppies were abandoned and raised domestically and from there was able to breed with domesticated dogs. While the theory is a consideration it is in fact a man named Thomas Hall who is credited for developing the breed. It is said that Hall, a cattle rancher, imported dogs from the United Kingdom, such as the blue-speckled Highland Collie, other sources say bob-tailed drover dogs with a blue coat, and crossbred them with the wild Dingo. This crossbreeding created a dog that was sturdy, tough, robust, active and could handle the Australian Outback but also work alongside their human. It was in 1825 that Hall was first successful in breeding this new breed of cattle dog. Through continual and selective breeding, he had developed an extremely handy cattle dog by 1832. It wasn’t until after his death is 1870 that his dogs would become available to other people aside from friends and family. This is also where the breeding records of how the cattle dog came to be is lost to history due to the details of his breeding program being thrown away. Sometime between 1845 and 1855 another type of Heeler was developed. These were known as Timmins’ Biter and were leaner than Hall’s Heelers, were blue and had stumpy tails. Cattle dogs were also said to be mixed with Kelpie which helped further develop their herding abilities and changes to their markings.