Dog psychology

Psychology Today publishes articles on dog training? It turns out they do. PT has a regular contributor who provides the latest psychobabble on your little mutt. The techniques seem counter-intuitive. Let the dog chase you. Play tug-'o-war. The main idea is that canine behavior is a process of tension and release. Dogs are designed to work for a living. Take away that need to work, as is the case in most households, and they get tense. Give them something to push against, to work for, and that energy can get channeled (released). One technique is the following:

Essentially it amounts to hand feeding your dog all her meals outdoors, holding the food in one hand and putting the other hand against her chest. The harder she pushes as she eats, the more confident, uninhibited, and playful she'll become. If you're really interested in trying this with your dog, click on the links, read the articles carefully, print out the description of the exercise, keep it handy, and refer to it often as you try this remarkable technique. Your dogs will thank you for it!

You can find the referenced links here:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/my-puppy-my-self/200908/how-outdoor-play-can-cure-depression-in-dogs

The interesting aspect of this trainer's thinking is the focus on the need of the dog to do work. The pushing exercise is working for supper in miniature. The trainer is ok with tug-of-war games, letting the dog alpha-up on you (on your schedule, not his), and other seemingly contrary exercises.

The author has his own blog as well:

http://leecharleskelleysblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/open-letter-to-new-york-dog-trainers.html