Re-Thinking “Breedist”
The term "Breedist" is, often, automatically seen in a negative light. And rightly so! Many of you are well aware of the inhumane acts stemming from "breed legislation" or simply being shunned upon because of the breed of your dog.
But, what if the opposite happens? What if our expectations of certain breeds set unrealistic expectations? For example, Golden Retrievers love all our family and friends (and even those we do not like!), Border Collies keep us fit and healthy with their love of exercise, German Shepherds keep us safe as they protect the family, and Labradors help us through challenging times with their innate emotional connectivity.
These are all great traits, rights? Yes! So, should we care? Yes! As with humans, we do not all fit into a mold. They did not read the book that some human wrote about their breed. Maybe they simply would not agree if given the opportunity to edit the material.
ICP student, Mais St. Thomas, is well versed in Wolf Hybrids and is a certified trainer. Her three dogs all have their own personalities, each bringing joy and challenges. Naturally, they all exhibit some traits common to the breed, but in different ways.
Taking common breed characteristics into account can help us understand their emotions, cognitive skills, expectations, and perception. These factors are also affected by age, upbringing, personality, formed habits, and learned behaviors.
Breed is simply one factor, of many, that creates the entire being of the individual. Common characteristics should not be viewed as "good and positive" or "bad and negative," but rather as factors that can aid in our ability to work with each dog on an individual basis to address behaviors stemming from emotions and cognition.
Canine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CCBT) is an evidence-based method which takes into account all these factors. Breed related traits, personalities, dispositions, and even behaviors are not deemed "bad or good." Recognizing individualism is not simply a mindset or using appropriate terminology. It requires a scientifically method designed to recognize autonomy, provide agency, harness cognition, induce processing, allow for decision-making (different from "choice") and inspire a relationship based on mutual understanding.
Mais is excelling in the Canine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Diploma Program). "The CCBT program offers an entirely new approach to understanding dogs, with applicable strategies that has greatly improved my ability to work with my clients and expand my business."