TAKE A HIKE

05/09/2024

Language of a Yawn

Yawning is one of the many signals that dogs use to calm themselves or others down when they’re feeling stressed or uncomfortable.

Neuroscience shows that yawning is also triggered during moments of transition from one behavioural or emotional state to another - waking up, falling asleep, moving from being relaxed to alert or from an anxious to a calm emotional state.

Although we may be unaware of it, we also use types of calming signals. Think about the kind of body language we might show when we’re in a situation that doesn’t allow us enough personal space, like getting into an elevator with a group of strangers.

We may instinctively not face anyone directly, look down at the floor, watch the indicator buttons, focus on our phone and avoid any eye contact - these are all “calming signals” that people use to prevent any potential conflict.

If you notice more yawning than usual, or yawning in a specific situation, look into what may be causing this.

A yawn caused by stress is usually longer, more intense, with the tongue curled up at the end.

Sometimes there is so much more to a yawn than we may think.

04/07/2024

IF DOGS COULD WRITE ….A BILL OF RIGHTS

Dogs are held captive in our human world but and are not born to understand our human ways.

We expect so much of them. We expect them to know, conform and behave in ways that are “acceptable” to us.

So many dogs are subjected to force, punishment, intimidation, aversive tools or outdated training methods as humans attempt to change and control them.

There is nothing admirable, ethical or intelligent in physically or emotionally forcing any sentient being to comply.

Take the time to learn and understand how they communicate, their emotions, their needs and use updated, modern, scientifically based methods to modify unwanted behaviour.

Guide them with understanding, with patience, with compassion and kindness.

If dogs could write a Bill of Rights, these are some of the things I believe they would want us to know.

03/24/2024

Hope you’re all surviving mud season 🤣🤣

03/07/2024

MANAGING MULTIPLES
Having multiple dogs is challenging and time consuming.

This picture is of my 4 Schnauzers sleeping contentedly and peacefully together, albeit having their separate beds and space.

Pictures can be deceiving though, and this is certainly not always how it is.

Dogs don’t get to choose their housemates. We expect them to just get along with any other dog we choose to add to our home and are frustrated and stressed when this sometimes isn’t the case.

Just like people sharing a home, dogs certainly don’t always get along – at some time, there will be conflict and sometimes this can become a serious problem.

Different personalities, different needs, energy levels, ages, conflicts over resources, spaces, people, entrances, exits, health issues etc. are just some of the things that can lead to issues.

The importance of learning, recognizing and taking note of body language is so important, especially when caring for multiple dogs.

When we ignore the “whispers” of body language or simply don’t understand or notice, the whispers may soon become shouts or screams and we have missed an opportunity to manage and diffuse a situation.

Over time, sometimes just seeing the other dog becomes the trigger where initially it was only the specific circumstance or situation.

Prevention is always better than trying to “fix” a problem.

Being proactive instead of reactive is so important in managing multiple dogs.

01/28/2024

On a group hike this weekend, I heard the best dog owner response ever …

A member of our hiking group brought her leashed dog (a rescue) on our walk 🐶 Someone walked by and asked if they could pat her dog … while approaching the dog and not stopping. She said no thanks, she’s a nervous dog.

The stranger laughed and said “challenge accepted! Dogs love me!” (do not do this, teach your children not to do this 🤦‍♀️)

The dog owner took a step back with her dog, put up her hand and laughed as well. And said “WE DO NOT ACCEPT THAT CHALLENGE 😊”

Best. Response. Ever.

She knows her dog. She protected her dog and it’s space and sense of safety. Well done 👏👏👏👏

01/28/2024

Looks like the doggos are going to get the snow they’ve wanted ❄️ Stay safe everyone!

01/09/2024

RESEARCH REQUIRED!

Choosing a dog just because of the way they look.

We wouldn’t choose a partner or make a commitment to sharing our lives with someone based purely on the way they look – (I suppose there could be exceptions in some cases!)

We would first really get to know them, what kind of personality they have and who they really are before making that sort of commitment.

Yet people continue to choose dogs just because of the way they look.

Maybe they saw a dog like that in a movie that they enjoyed or maybe they just really like the way they look, without having any understanding or thought to learn about what that particular breed was selectively bred to do and what behaviour might be expected.

The way a dog behaves is not always specific to the breed. Dogs are individuals, with their own unique personality and their behaviour is shaped not only by genetics, but by specific life and learning experiences and environment, but problems can happen when the traits of that breed and their specific needs are not taken into account.

Some breeds may just simply not be compatible with a particular person or family’s needs, lifestyle, environment or expectations.

Is it fair or ethical to need to suppress, train out or even punish breed specific tendencies, calling them behaviour problems, when we hold a dog in a captive environment that is unsuitable for them.

First research the breed and learn all you can about potential traits and what to expect before making that choice.

10/20/2023

We’ve certainly been enjoying the fall sunshine this week! Happy weekend, everyone 🍁

09/24/2023

09/22/2023

QUITTING SO MUCH SITTING
How did we become so obsessed with making our dogs sit for everything?

Maybe because we believe that a dog that sits on cue is obedient, well mannered, calm, has self-control and that sitting is incompatible with unwanted behaviour. Maybe because it makes us look good as strong, respected leaders or disciplinarians and allows us to feel in control.

But is it all really necessary or in the best interests of the dog, both physically and psychologically to expect them to sit so much?

Sometimes what we have always believed is not what’s best for our dogs.

“Sit” is usually one of the first thing puppies are taught. Just one session at a puppy school may include up to 20 or more “sits” - that’s a high intensity workout for a dog at any age, but puppies in the growing stage are particularly at risk. These sitting repetitions put excessive pressure on the developing skeletal system which may lead to damage or injury that may only become apparent at a later stage.

Senior dogs may find it really painful to sit down and then get back up. Sitting puts pressure on the lower back, hips and supporting muscles. Certain breeds are just not designed to repeatedly sit.

There is nothing wrong with teaching our dogs to sit and occasionally asking for sits in certain situations, but look at teaching more natural, alternative behaviours as well, that are just as effective.

Wait, stand, 4 paws on the floor, hand touches or chin rests are all some behaviours that can replace repetitive sitting.

09/22/2023

👏👏👏

08/17/2023

DOUBLE TROUBLE
The challenges of raising two dogs together.
The problem behaviours that are commonly seen in dogs that are raised together is known as “litter mate syndrome” or “litter mate dependency”, but these behaviours are not specific to dogs from the same litter and can occur with any pair of dogs that are raised together.

These behavioural terms have been a topic of discussion for some time as to whether they really exist and are also not recognised as a “syndrome” by veterinary behaviourists or other experts.

If this “syndrome” isn’t real, then why do we see a pattern of this behaviour in dogs raised together?

These behaviours are more related to the challenges and time commitment involved in ensuring that each dog develops as an individual and reaches their full potential.

Raising just one puppy can be frustrating, challenging and time-consuming. Housetraining, socialisation, habituation, management, mental and physical stimulation, training, adolescence, etc is challenging enough with just one, let alone two.

Some people may believe that it’s a great idea to get two pups at the same time - they will be able to keep each other company when you’re not around; they won’t be bored; they’ll have each other to play with; they will always have a friend; both children in the family can have one; the breeder said it’s a good idea, you just couldn’t bear to leave the other one behind….and more, but this can lead to long term problems if not handled correctly.

Think of it as having twins. Parents of twins are advised to separate them into different classrooms when they start nursery school to help them develop as individuals and reach their full potential without one child over shadowing the other. Parents are advised to do all they can to ensure that they raise two separate individuals, confident within themselves and not reliant or overly dependent on one another. Dogs are not people, but a similar principle applies.

Yes, some pups raised together may form healthy human bonds and develop into well-adjusted, confident dogs without too much intervention from us, but it’s important to be aware of what could go wrong and how to prevent problems from developing.

08/08/2023

DON’T FORCE ME TO BE SOCIAL!
Do we like everyone we meet? Do we all enjoy socialising and spending time with lots of different people? I certainly don’t and refer to myself as a “caninetrovert” – a person that much prefers to spend time with dogs rather than people. Maybe I’m a little different to the “norm”, but be that as it may, we are all individuals with different personality styles and social preferences.

Some of us are extroverts, gaining energy from interacting with people; some of us introverts, who find people draining and need alone time to recharge our social batteries and some of us are somewhere in between.

If we acknowledge that we are all different in this way, we also need to acknowledge and accept that our dogs are similar.

They could be overly affectionate or fiercely independent, approachable or nervous, energetic or laid back, confident or cautious, sociable, tolerant, selective or reactive.

We may be really disappointed when our dogs turn out not to be the socialite we expected them to be.

Some may even see this as a behaviour problem that needs to be “fixed”. Sometimes it can be improved, especially if the cause is from a negative experience, but genetics, breed tendencies, individual personalities, health and age all contribute to tolerance levels and sociability.

Accept your dog for who they are, allow them to choose whether they want to be sociable or not, respect their choices and never force an interaction that your dog is not comfortable with.

07/25/2023

ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION?
Distracted dog walkers
The distracted dog walker is obliviously chatting away on their cell phone, listening to music or a podcast while wearing headphones, catching up on the daily news or socializing with other people while they’re not aware of what their dog is doing or what is going on in the environment.

This may not sound like a problem to some people, but it is something that I have a problem with.

I understand that we often need to multi task – there simply doesn’t seem to be enough time in our day to accomplish everything we need to, but walking your dog should not be one of these times.

Some people might say – “but my dog is really friendly, well socialized, gets on well with everyone, is well trained, knows this environment well etc. and I hear that. But another dog might not be – maybe they need space, are reactive, are not sociable, are recovering from an illness, might be terrified of another dog racing straight towards them chasing a ball thrown from a ball launcher….

If distracted dog walkers have no regard for other dogs or other people, they should at least have regard for their own dogs. Walking your dog should be a time of bonding, of relationship, of seeing the environment through the eyes of your dog, of reinforcing or teaching wanted behaviors, of keeping them safe and protected from the unknown.

Leave the multi-tasking for another time – your dog needs you to pay attention.

07/09/2023

Agreed 😊

Fun facts about dog walking: studies show that people who walk their dogs regularly are happier, more energetic, more relaxed and less stressed! 🐕 It’s great motivation to get out with your furry bff along the .

06/29/2023

PESKY PULLERS

Why dogs pull on leash

This is a really common problem and one that often causes us huge frustration.

It can make walks really unpleasant or we may even stop all together because our dogs pull so much.

Understanding why dogs pull is important. They don’t pull because they are trying to be the Alpha, be the top dog, trying to dominate us or take over the world.

Getting out for a walk is a really exciting, stimulating time for our dogs, especially if they’ve been cooped up in the same place for hours or days at a time without anything to do.

Pulling is normal, natural behaviour. Having to walk slowly, calmly, stuck to our side when the only thing our dogs can think about is pulling forward and exploring the environment requires a huge amount of impulse control that may be just too much for many dogs to master.

Yanking the leash, using choke collars, prong collars, slip leads or similar types of tools in an attempt to control this natural impulse is not the answer.

They may provide us with a feeling of being in control but leave our dogs feeling even more frustrated or they pull even harder in an attempt to make us move forward.

Do we really need to have our dogs walk calmly stuck to our side? Is this being fair to them?

Learning and practicing loose lead walking, using a long line when it’s safe to do so, taking your dog for a decompression walk where they can choose which direction to go and when to stop and sniff, booking a sniff spot or a walking area, driving to a safe, open area where they can explore, rewarding them for checking in with you are all ways to meet their natural needs and might even result in a dog that stops pulling.