Probus Bedfordview hosts talk on animal psychology
“A dog should be next to you or behind you, not in front of you. That is why so many people today are subservient to their dogs,” says Dr Platzhund.
Probus Bedfordview’s speaker this month was Dr Melvyn Greenberg, popularly known as Dr Platzhund, who tackled animal psychology.
Greenberg qualified as a veterinarian in 1973 and has specialised in animal behaviour throughout his career.
His presentation highlighted several obstacles pet owners face, spotlighting how people’s understanding of animal behaviour or lack thereof can shape their pets’ well-being.
He began by addressing the growing disconnect between people and animals’ instincts, “People 100 years ago were more cognisant of animals’ needs than they are today. Today, they rely on TV, Hollywood and adverts to shape their understanding of animals,” he said.
With anthropomorphised characters like talking dogs in movies, he believes people’s perceptions are often distorted about what animals can and should do.
In 1995, he won The Boswell Award and in 1999, The Rich Massey Trophy, both for outstanding service to his profession.
He co-founded the Animal Behaviour Consultants of SA and was the first vet to host two 13-episode TV series.
He said most pet owners are unaware of the true genetic and instinctual needs of the breeds they choose.
As a result, pets often develop behavioural issues like anxiety, aggression and destructive behaviour, which owners are ill-equipped to manage.
“There’s a famous saying that says, ‘If you treat a dog like a human, your dog will treat you like a dog’,
because dogs do not understand human behaviour and people don’t understand animal behaviour’,” he shared.
Behaviours like biting and urination are natural for animals but become problematic when misinterpreted or left unchecked.
“All the behavioural problems we see in dogs and cats today are normal behaviours, but, unfortunately, they are exaggerated and unsuitable for us. For a dog to bite you, dogs bite, it’s normal.
“But the fact that it bites you is inappropriate. If a dog defecates on your carpet, toileting is normal. The fact that it’s your carpet is inappropriate.”
His experience comes from studying domesticated pets and wild animals.
Observing how wild dogs, cats, and even African leopards behave gave him invaluable insights into the instincts that drive our pets’ actions.
Adding to his already impressive list of achievements, he also wrote Doctor Platzhund’s Pet Pionters.
“That’s where we have to understand that these behaviours are not wrong from the animal’s point of view.
So that is what I do because I feel sorry for dogs and cats living in a home with people who don’t understand them.”
He also criticised common misconceptions about pet care. For example, how pet owners can be about clothing, feeding, and even exercising their dogs.
“One of the things also disconcerting and stressful these days is when a person walks into my practice with a jacket on their dog. I want to be nauseous.
“Dogs are insulated and designed to survive -40°C in winter. They suffer from heat but not from cold,” he stated.
Breeds like the Alaskan Malamute thrive in low temperatures.
“If a dog has a bad history, sometimes we don’t know its stress factors because it may have no coping or social skills. Go to a dog trainer and train your dog. Do socialisation,” he shared.
He also emphasised the importance of correctly feeding dogs, warning against leaving food out all day and feeding them human table scraps.
While addressing the behavioural issues often stemming from no proper training or leadership, he argued that many owners inadvertently reinforce problematic behaviours by rewarding their pets with affection when they display aggression or stress.
“When a dog barks, and you praise it, you’re reinforcing bad behaviour,” he said.
He explained that the key to a peaceful relationship with pets is consistency, setting boundaries and rewarding good behaviour.
