Snowflakes to Crocuses - Keep fit all year ‘round
By Gillian Ridgeway
When winter is upon us, it is difficult to imagine that it will ever turn into spring. At the beginning of February, when that little groundhog fulfills his obligation to remind us that spring will someday arrive, it is hard to believe that the snow will melt. The winter doldrums seem to be inevitable and each year the wait for sunshine, BBQ’s, and even mowing the lawn is like watching your hair grow. You don’t see it happening but one day, it’s there.
One of the best ways to cure the winter blahs is to start an exercise program. Our dogs are great companions for one of the best fitness programs around…walking. In fact, many people find it easier to make a commitment to their furry companion than to make a commitment to themselves. A daily brisk walk will help bring you both outside and into the sunlight, which can help combat the blues.
Nature has a natural calming effect and watching the seasons change day by day can help in the anticipation of those small purple and white crocus bulbs peeking out through the snow.
Starting a fitness program with your dog should be done step by step. It is not a good idea for either of you to overdue it at the beginning. Start slowly with a warm up and work your way up to a brisk pace over time. Watch your dog for signs of fatigue, panting, or slowing down and rest at appropriate times. (Although your own signs of fatigue may be evident long before your dog!) Make sure his feet are protected from road salt with boots or an ointment specially formulated for this purpose.
If it is particularly icy, choose a route that has been cleared and if your walk will take you a fair distance, bring along a water bottle for yourself and a canteen or collapsible dish for your dog and make sure you’re both hydrated frequently. A small light on your dog’s collar or a reflective leash will help ensure both of you stay safe in the dark.
As we are now aware, walking is a sustained aerobic activity that can help reduce stress levels in humans and it also affects dogs in positive ways. Many of us would prefer to spend the cold months in hibernation, watching television and surfing the Web. Our dogs do not have those types of distractions and need other ways to amuse themselves.
Many family pets become destructive during the winter months, chewing household furniture and belongings. Dogs can suffer stress-related disorders from a change in routine. Getting your dog out for daily exercise, whether rain, shine, sleet or snow, should help reduce his stress levels and curb unwanted these behaviours. Additionally, a dog that is physically tired will have a lot less energy available to chew table legs.
How much and what type of exercise is required for your dog? In some cases (not all), there seems to be a point where they become hyperactive. Dog parks are great fun but can sometimes become too much of a good thing as dogs get into groups and instead of becoming worn out, they can reach the point of frenzy.
One of my three dogs, an English Cocker Spaniel, is one such example. He can fetch his ball or stick for a long, long, long time but there comes a moment when he will become overly stimulated and it’s difficult for him to stop. Border Collies are famous for this, which is why they excel at dog sports - they actually become faster as the day goes on!
To help your dog avoid getting to this point watch him closely at the dog park and note when his behaviour changes. You can then use this guideline to cut your park visits a bit shorter or to take a break from the group. Use the break to work on some obedience exercises to help him re-focus.
When he’s given the correct amount of exercise plus a cool down period you’ll notice that he should return home in a more relaxed state. When visiting the park, the best plan is to walk there and back on-lead for about 15 minutes, which will provide warm up and cool down. Many people drive to the park and the dog comes back to the house while still in “park mode.”
It is important to remember that cool down is as equally important as warm up. If your walk has been particularly strenuous, take an extra lap around the block at a slower pace. Back at home, avoid muscle stiffness with a good stretch, and give your dog a rubdown while concentrating on massaging the major muscle groups.
Note: It is better to give your dog one long period of daily sustained aerobic activity plus a couple of leash walks than frequent 15-minute exercise sessions. Short bursts can make some dogs worse because they just get going then are brought back into the house. Many loving dog owners are under the impression that their dog receives “all kinds of exercise,” but they haven’t been given a good warm up, run, and cool down period. Picture yourself at the gym or biking or jogging for 15 minutes seven times each day. It doesn’t provide sufficient time to get your heart rate up.
The second part of an all-encompassing exercise program is to wear out your dog mentally. A great way to tire him is to use any obedience words in your repertoire. Have him work for you by doing a nice heel to the park and back, sitting at all the curbs along the way. Do a 15 to 20 minute obedience lesson each day separate from your walks. You can do this in your yard or in your house if you are short on time. Tire him out in an advanced obedience class, get him involved in a dog sport, or teach him tricks and put him through his paces. These activities will help keep him focused and he’ll probably love having a job to do.
It can be difficult to get started on an exercise routine but when you’ve settled into it, the benefits will be so great that it can become a hard habit to break. When those crocuses appear in the spring, the pair of you will be in good shape and, who knows, a marathon may be just around the corner.
Gillian Ridgeway has worked with dogs for over 35 years. She is Director of Who’s Walking Who in Toronto and Ajax, a consultant for Dogs Dogs Dogs, and a writer for Dogs in Canada. Gillian has appeared on Dogs in Canada TV, Global television, Q107 radio, Toronto Life magazine, and teaches learning theory at University of Toronto. She can be contacted at 416-465-3626 or www.whoswalkingwho.net
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Canine City Slicker - By Gillian Ridgeway
Where is that fantasy farm? You know the one. The farm that has dogs frolicking in the meadows after their disastrous life in the city turns out to be not suitable. We often hear that when a dog’s behavior becomes too much for some pet owners to bear, they often say that he needs to live on a farm, that he needs to run free and chase butterflies. When you stop and think about it, is farm life really that ideal for a dog?
There are, of course, many pros to living the country life for a dog. They would have more opportunity to run to their heart's content. This is providing that you have the type of dog who comes back. There are many dogs that would run off in hot pursuit of action, or even the smell of action. They might find themselves running right into danger. Foxes and coyotes can be part of country life and no dog will want to try to stand their ground against them.
There can be other dangers such as hidden fallen fence wires. A good friend of mine had a much beloved family pet that got a severe leg injury that way. Running like the wind and got his leg entangled in the wire. He never knew what hit him.
You must also be well aware of hunting season when you live outside the city limits. This is the time to keep your dog supervised and it might even be worthwhile to invest in a bright orange canine vest to alert hunters that this moving creature is a dog. Of course, on the plus side, there are many hunting dogs that love the start of the season, and the opportunity to work.
Speaking of the opportunity to work, it is not just hunting dogs that love to work. If you live with a working dog on your farm, then life is good. If you have a dog who lives on a farm without any work, that is where their life can become mundane. Even if they have the space to meander to their heart's content, they still like to interact with people, so setting aside time for the country dog is a must. Teach him some tricks, such as closing the gate as you go through, anything to let him use his mind as well as his body.
So, how does city life compare? The cons for many people are that our dogs can't run free, that they feel cooped up. There are many people who feel that dogs should not be kept in apartments or condos. Sorry, but I am not one of those people. Most do very well in environments they share with people.
Of course, I am not suggesting that you keep a dog in an apartment and never take him outside. I am suggesting that the dogs that live in cities can live a full, happy life with a committed owner. In fact, if you share your condo with a dog, you have to get out and about.
These owners are out with the dogs, strolling to the park a few times a day. They share their lives with these dogs. They sit on the outdoor patios sipping lattes while the dog takes in the scenery. Again, it might not seem ideal to some dog lovers, but the plus side of this is that the dog gets to share a stimulating environment. Even the dog parks are abundant, and there is always a canine buddy to have a romp with. And lets not forget about the dog day cares, dog walkers and dog camps that many city owners rely on. Like recreation centers for dogs, these services provide a fun environment for our pets, and a great way for some dog social interaction.
Many say that the city is not natural for dogs, but realistically, it is not natural for people and there are many people who would not give you a thank you to live in the country. They love the hustle and bustle of life downtown. And the dog? The dogs seem to be quite adaptable. One of the main problems is dogs who come to live in the city, or even a busy town, who have been raised in the country. Not all dogs have difficulty, but most seem to have a hard time adjusting to city life if raised in the country.
The city can be difficult for everyone, and the stresses of everyday city life can affect people and therefore can also affect their pets. It might seem cliché but city folks seem to want things done at a faster pace, or at least seem used to faster paced living. This can transfer to the expectations they place on their dogs. They want the training to be done quickly, and if not can express frustration. They also may bring home some of that work stress and not be as inclined to get that dog out and about, to meet their exercise requirements. No doubt about it, if you live where your dog can’t run like the wind, and you have to visit a park to give your dog the opportunity to let off some steam, then that is your responsibility as a dog owner, each and every day without fail.
Health issues are similar, but different. You might have dogs who get a tick or two from country life, but the risk of dogs getting anything contagious from being near a lot of other dogs is reduced. Of course, in the city there is access to many veterinary offices, plus veterinary emergency clinics and specialty practices, so treatment is often more convenient. The medical issues most likely balance out, but the social issues are again quite different.
Dogs who are not social with other dogs do very well in a country setting. They live life to the fullest there, sitting on the porch and running to meet the occasional visitor who pulls up to the house. They don’t have to have the ability to be social with other dogs. In saying that, it is an important area of concern. If you live in a rural environment and want a dog that is dog to dog social, or if you have aspirations to do dog related activities in the future, where you will meet other dogs, you have to be conscious of socializing them.
You have to drive into town, where they can become acclimatized to a bit more hubbub and to other dogs. And not only once or twice during puppyhood, but once or twice a week for the first year. They should be exposed to a variety of sights and sounds early on. This really helps when there is an unexpected move into the city. Dogs that have been exposed to a bit more of the world have a better time adjusting than those that have only seen the parameters of their property. No one expects their dog to make that move, but life changes and it is best to have him prepared for anything that might come up later in his life.
Realistically, dogs in a city setting should be able to get along with most dogs, or at least tolerate them. They need to be able to walk past the others without lunging at them. Why? So they can be well exercised. I don’t feel that all dogs need to run with other dogs, some of them are not that social, but it is necessary to be able to control any outbursts on the street in order to walk them for any distance. Of course, this being said, it is far easier to get your puppy well socialized to this environment as a youngster. As soon as you walk down city streets you are met with stimulation overload. People, dogs, traffic await you at every turn and this is why cities can overwhelm anyone, people or dogs, when first encountered. Getting your dog into a training class, and working with a professional to get the basics down pat is important no matter where you live.
So…city life or country life? Which one is best for our dogs? Perhaps the best life we can give to our dogs is one that is shared by us, one where we take time out of our day to stroll down the street to the park, or where we stroll through the fields of our own property. Either way, our dogs thank us for their education, for our dedication to their health and well being and most of all for our company in any situation.
Gillian Ridgeway, AHT, has worked with dogs for over 35 years. She is director of Who’s Walking Who in Toronto and Ajax. A consultant for Dogs, Dogs, Dogs! Gillian also writes for Dogs in Canada. She has appeared on Dogs in Canada TV, Global television, Q107 radio and in Toronto Life, and is co-author of the book, “Citizen Canine.” She travels with the SuperDogs Performance team and teaches learning theory at the University of Toronto. Gillian can be contacted at 416-465-3626; www.whoswalkingwho.net
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In Dog we trust…but is the feeling mutual? - By Gillian Ridgeway
The issue of trust is often discussed when it comes to dogs. It is often a topic of discussion when a family pet creates turmoil by doing something "out of the blue” or very unexpected. The scenarios can be numerous, but the general theme is the same.
The dog accompanies the family to a soccer game. He has been there before and has seemed to enjoy himself, according to his family. He looked relaxed and was polite and well mannered to the kids. He lives with two children and has never had any issues at home. All of a sudden, a toddler rushes up to him and gives him a big hug. The dog tried to retreat, but the toddler held on. The family thinks it is cute. Out of the blue, the dog takes a nip at the toddler and, in the blink of an eye, the family no longer trusts their dog.
Upon discussion, we find that the dog has not been exposed to toddlers and, in fact, generally keeps out of the way of any children that visit. He has been known to sometimes growl when the kids want to take something away from him and, in fact, he has snapped but never connected. Now, in light of the new circumstance, this dog not only has his life in upheaval, but may even have to be re-homed to a home with no children. Of course, the family could look at some management and behavioral work, but they have no trust and see their dog through a different set of eyes.
Relationships change over time, sometimes for the better and sometimes to the detriment of both parties. When a dog drags a child out of danger, the relationship the family has with the dog will also never be the same. A single incident can change things forever.
There is another side to trust and that is the trust that our dogs have in us. They have to trust us first and foremost to give them a proper upbringing and to teach them respect and manners. They have to trust us to know them well enough to not put them into situations that are overwhelming for them and they have to trust that if they see a problem brewing, that they will get the proper help required to make sure their dogs live a long and happy life with their families.
It is important to establish trust even before embarking on training. Our dogs need to have confidence in us. We want our relationship to reflect harmony. When you set out to train your dog in order to establish a relationship, you must be careful that you use positive, motivational techniques. Punishment can quickly diminish trust; especially if your dog does not understand why he is being punished or how he can do things better to avoid punishment in the future.
To properly ensure a relationship that is solid, you must consider being fair as foremost. Be reasonable with your requests, and follow through with your guidance. As someone said to me recently, “I don’t see my dog as a child, but as a close friend that accompanies me during the day”. Perfectly said.
Motivational, positive training will not damage a relationship, but instead will act to enhance it and will ensure that you both have a history of trust.
The family living with the dog that nipped at the toddler should have spent time teaching their pet how to deal with not only their own children, but also how to act around excitable children at a soccer game. That is fair and reasonable if you expect your dog to understand the rules of behavior.
The great thing about dogs is that they are fairly resilient. You can undo some past mishaps of trust by starting today. The more you issue signs of trust and respect to your dog, he will start to slowly come around. Initially it will take time, but as soon as your dog starts to understand the new you, you will both reap the benefits.
I have the privilege of living with a very special dog. Noah came to me very under confident, with issues of no trust. I know his original family and they were great with him, so I am assuming there is a bit of genetics at play with him. He was eight months old when he came to live with me and we had a hard time even touching him from behind. As a trainer, of course I wanted to start him on the path to success right away, but instead of working on solid commands such as sit/down/stay and come, I worked mainly on building his trust. Not only his trust in me but also in the world around him. He was easily spooked by flapping garbage bags, balloons and sudden movements around him. Each day we took 10 minutes to visit and address “spooky” things. I spent many afternoons going from grocery store to grocery store, having him sit and get his favorite treats while the clang of the shopping carts went off around us. By pairing food with anything he might find unnerving, we managed to change his mind over a period of time.
As I am a member of the SuperDogs team, I envisioned Noah as a high jumping dog. He loves to jump and is light on his feet. The main issue? He would not allow anyone to hold him while I left him on the start line. He would panic and twist in his collar and it just didn’t seem to look like much fun. Over the past year, with the dedicated help of my SuperDog team, he can now be held at that start line. Yes, it took a year, but to see the joy in him as he flies through the air is delightful. A special thank you to Carina, Amy and Sue for their patience.
This can also be applied to dogs that are learning sports such as Agility. They need to fully trust that their handler, their partner on the course, will direct them properly. They have to have an out if they are uncomfortable. If they are not sure on the teeter, they should be allowed to safely come off it at that point and the handler should make sure they go back a few steps and make the exercise easier for a while. It is of no use to force the dog to finish the teeter for many reasons, not the least is that the dog will now feel less confident the next time a piece of equipment or tricky sequence is presented. You will soon see signs of stress in the dog, such as grass pulling, excessive sniffing and dogs that simply leave the course. A dog that has trust is more likely to give it another try.
Trust comes to our dogs in many forms but one to take note of is to be very aware of the situation you are putting your dog into. If he is not a dog that enjoys the company of other dogs or has limited exposure to children, it is not ideal to take him to family events and expect him to behave. Our dogs need to know first and foremost that we have their backs. That is the deal I made with Noah. When I adopted him, knowing his issues, I made a deal not to put him into a situation that I didn’t think he could handle.
I see this at our local off leash dog park. Many dogs play, fetch ball and generally enjoy themselves. There is the occasional dog that seems to be quite uncomfortable in that situation. Not only are they not allowed by their people to sniff on the perimeter of the park and keep their distance, I see many owners pulling them in to make friends with the others. They will not get a thank you from their dog for this.
There is also a bit of human ego involved. It is common to see under confident dogs not want to approach a stranger. Instead of protecting their dogs, the owner will often bring the dog closer to the stranger. Many dogs tolerate this, but don’t enjoy it. The dog owner is often encouraged by the stranger to bring the dog in for a pat, saying, “It’s okay, I like dogs. I’m sure he will like me”. It is not simply a matter of like or dislike, it is a matter of having time to get accustomed to the stranger and our dogs need to trust that we will do what is right for them, not only what feels right for us.
To put it clearly, I spoke to a close friend of mine about the idea behind this article, the idea of trust and its importance in the relationship between people and their dogs. Her eyes lit up as she told me of her beloved Sunny, a very special terrier mix that had come to her from rescue. She has always put the needs of her dogs before her own needs of training success. Of course, you can have both but many owners will put their need for speedy success first. As her story goes, she was at her cottage and Sunny was up on the dock. She was swimming and called Sunny to come in to join her. Keep in mind that he had never swam, never been in the water, never jumped from a dock and had no idea what he was jumping into. As he was called, he jumped with fervor and swam out to her. Her heart sang as she had a light bulb moment and suddenly realized how much trust he would have to have in her to do the jump. Her excitement and amazement of her story came through in her eyes, and you knew at that moment that developing trust is worth all the work.
Gillian Ridgeway, AHT, has worked with dogs for over 35 years. She is director of Who’s Walking Who in Toronto and Ajax. A consultant for Dogs, Dogs, Dogs! Gillian also writes for Dogs in Canada. She has appeared on Dogs in Canada TV, Global television, Q107 radio and in Toronto Life, and is co-author of the book, “Citizen Canine.” She travels with the SuperDogs Performance team and teaches learning theory at the University of Toronto. Gillian can be contacted at 416-465-3626; www.whoswalkingwho.net
One of the best ways to cure the winter blahs is to start an exercise program. Our dogs are great companions for one of the best fitness programs around…walking. In fact, many people find it easier to make a commitment to their furry companion than to make a commitment to themselves. A daily brisk walk will help bring you both outside and into the sunlight, which can help combat the blues.
Nature has a natural calming effect and watching the seasons change day by day can help in the anticipation of those small purple and white crocus bulbs peeking out through the snow.
Starting a fitness program with your dog should be done step by step. It is not a good idea for either of you to overdue it at the beginning. Start slowly with a warm up and work your way up to a brisk pace over time. Watch your dog for signs of fatigue, panting, or slowing down and rest at appropriate times. (Although your own signs of fatigue may be evident long before your dog!) Make sure his feet are protected from road salt with boots or an ointment specially formulated for this purpose.
If it is particularly icy, choose a route that has been cleared and if your walk will take you a fair distance, bring along a water bottle for yourself and a canteen or collapsible dish for your dog and make sure you’re both hydrated frequently. A small light on your dog’s collar or a reflective leash will help ensure both of you stay safe in the dark.
As we are now aware, walking is a sustained aerobic activity that can help reduce stress levels in humans and it also affects dogs in positive ways. Many of us would prefer to spend the cold months in hibernation, watching television and surfing the Web. Our dogs do not have those types of distractions and need other ways to amuse themselves.
Many family pets become destructive during the winter months, chewing household furniture and belongings. Dogs can suffer stress-related disorders from a change in routine. Getting your dog out for daily exercise, whether rain, shine, sleet or snow, should help reduce his stress levels and curb unwanted these behaviours. Additionally, a dog that is physically tired will have a lot less energy available to chew table legs.
How much and what type of exercise is required for your dog? In some cases (not all), there seems to be a point where they become hyperactive. Dog parks are great fun but can sometimes become too much of a good thing as dogs get into groups and instead of becoming worn out, they can reach the point of frenzy.
One of my three dogs, an English Cocker Spaniel, is one such example. He can fetch his ball or stick for a long, long, long time but there comes a moment when he will become overly stimulated and it’s difficult for him to stop. Border Collies are famous for this, which is why they excel at dog sports - they actually become faster as the day goes on!
To help your dog avoid getting to this point watch him closely at the dog park and note when his behaviour changes. You can then use this guideline to cut your park visits a bit shorter or to take a break from the group. Use the break to work on some obedience exercises to help him re-focus.
When he’s given the correct amount of exercise plus a cool down period you’ll notice that he should return home in a more relaxed state. When visiting the park, the best plan is to walk there and back on-lead for about 15 minutes, which will provide warm up and cool down. Many people drive to the park and the dog comes back to the house while still in “park mode.”
It is important to remember that cool down is as equally important as warm up. If your walk has been particularly strenuous, take an extra lap around the block at a slower pace. Back at home, avoid muscle stiffness with a good stretch, and give your dog a rubdown while concentrating on massaging the major muscle groups.
Note: It is better to give your dog one long period of daily sustained aerobic activity plus a couple of leash walks than frequent 15-minute exercise sessions. Short bursts can make some dogs worse because they just get going then are brought back into the house. Many loving dog owners are under the impression that their dog receives “all kinds of exercise,” but they haven’t been given a good warm up, run, and cool down period. Picture yourself at the gym or biking or jogging for 15 minutes seven times each day. It doesn’t provide sufficient time to get your heart rate up.
The second part of an all-encompassing exercise program is to wear out your dog mentally. A great way to tire him is to use any obedience words in your repertoire. Have him work for you by doing a nice heel to the park and back, sitting at all the curbs along the way. Do a 15 to 20 minute obedience lesson each day separate from your walks. You can do this in your yard or in your house if you are short on time. Tire him out in an advanced obedience class, get him involved in a dog sport, or teach him tricks and put him through his paces. These activities will help keep him focused and he’ll probably love having a job to do.
It can be difficult to get started on an exercise routine but when you’ve settled into it, the benefits will be so great that it can become a hard habit to break. When those crocuses appear in the spring, the pair of you will be in good shape and, who knows, a marathon may be just around the corner.
Gillian Ridgeway has worked with dogs for over 35 years. She is Director of Who’s Walking Who in Toronto and Ajax, a consultant for Dogs Dogs Dogs, and a writer for Dogs in Canada. Gillian has appeared on Dogs in Canada TV, Global television, Q107 radio, Toronto Life magazine, and teaches learning theory at University of Toronto. She can be contacted at 416-465-3626 or www.whoswalkingwho.net
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Canine City Slicker - By Gillian Ridgeway
Where is that fantasy farm? You know the one. The farm that has dogs frolicking in the meadows after their disastrous life in the city turns out to be not suitable. We often hear that when a dog’s behavior becomes too much for some pet owners to bear, they often say that he needs to live on a farm, that he needs to run free and chase butterflies. When you stop and think about it, is farm life really that ideal for a dog?
There are, of course, many pros to living the country life for a dog. They would have more opportunity to run to their heart's content. This is providing that you have the type of dog who comes back. There are many dogs that would run off in hot pursuit of action, or even the smell of action. They might find themselves running right into danger. Foxes and coyotes can be part of country life and no dog will want to try to stand their ground against them.
There can be other dangers such as hidden fallen fence wires. A good friend of mine had a much beloved family pet that got a severe leg injury that way. Running like the wind and got his leg entangled in the wire. He never knew what hit him.
You must also be well aware of hunting season when you live outside the city limits. This is the time to keep your dog supervised and it might even be worthwhile to invest in a bright orange canine vest to alert hunters that this moving creature is a dog. Of course, on the plus side, there are many hunting dogs that love the start of the season, and the opportunity to work.
Speaking of the opportunity to work, it is not just hunting dogs that love to work. If you live with a working dog on your farm, then life is good. If you have a dog who lives on a farm without any work, that is where their life can become mundane. Even if they have the space to meander to their heart's content, they still like to interact with people, so setting aside time for the country dog is a must. Teach him some tricks, such as closing the gate as you go through, anything to let him use his mind as well as his body.
So, how does city life compare? The cons for many people are that our dogs can't run free, that they feel cooped up. There are many people who feel that dogs should not be kept in apartments or condos. Sorry, but I am not one of those people. Most do very well in environments they share with people.
Of course, I am not suggesting that you keep a dog in an apartment and never take him outside. I am suggesting that the dogs that live in cities can live a full, happy life with a committed owner. In fact, if you share your condo with a dog, you have to get out and about.
These owners are out with the dogs, strolling to the park a few times a day. They share their lives with these dogs. They sit on the outdoor patios sipping lattes while the dog takes in the scenery. Again, it might not seem ideal to some dog lovers, but the plus side of this is that the dog gets to share a stimulating environment. Even the dog parks are abundant, and there is always a canine buddy to have a romp with. And lets not forget about the dog day cares, dog walkers and dog camps that many city owners rely on. Like recreation centers for dogs, these services provide a fun environment for our pets, and a great way for some dog social interaction.
Many say that the city is not natural for dogs, but realistically, it is not natural for people and there are many people who would not give you a thank you to live in the country. They love the hustle and bustle of life downtown. And the dog? The dogs seem to be quite adaptable. One of the main problems is dogs who come to live in the city, or even a busy town, who have been raised in the country. Not all dogs have difficulty, but most seem to have a hard time adjusting to city life if raised in the country.
The city can be difficult for everyone, and the stresses of everyday city life can affect people and therefore can also affect their pets. It might seem cliché but city folks seem to want things done at a faster pace, or at least seem used to faster paced living. This can transfer to the expectations they place on their dogs. They want the training to be done quickly, and if not can express frustration. They also may bring home some of that work stress and not be as inclined to get that dog out and about, to meet their exercise requirements. No doubt about it, if you live where your dog can’t run like the wind, and you have to visit a park to give your dog the opportunity to let off some steam, then that is your responsibility as a dog owner, each and every day without fail.
Health issues are similar, but different. You might have dogs who get a tick or two from country life, but the risk of dogs getting anything contagious from being near a lot of other dogs is reduced. Of course, in the city there is access to many veterinary offices, plus veterinary emergency clinics and specialty practices, so treatment is often more convenient. The medical issues most likely balance out, but the social issues are again quite different.
Dogs who are not social with other dogs do very well in a country setting. They live life to the fullest there, sitting on the porch and running to meet the occasional visitor who pulls up to the house. They don’t have to have the ability to be social with other dogs. In saying that, it is an important area of concern. If you live in a rural environment and want a dog that is dog to dog social, or if you have aspirations to do dog related activities in the future, where you will meet other dogs, you have to be conscious of socializing them.
You have to drive into town, where they can become acclimatized to a bit more hubbub and to other dogs. And not only once or twice during puppyhood, but once or twice a week for the first year. They should be exposed to a variety of sights and sounds early on. This really helps when there is an unexpected move into the city. Dogs that have been exposed to a bit more of the world have a better time adjusting than those that have only seen the parameters of their property. No one expects their dog to make that move, but life changes and it is best to have him prepared for anything that might come up later in his life.
Realistically, dogs in a city setting should be able to get along with most dogs, or at least tolerate them. They need to be able to walk past the others without lunging at them. Why? So they can be well exercised. I don’t feel that all dogs need to run with other dogs, some of them are not that social, but it is necessary to be able to control any outbursts on the street in order to walk them for any distance. Of course, this being said, it is far easier to get your puppy well socialized to this environment as a youngster. As soon as you walk down city streets you are met with stimulation overload. People, dogs, traffic await you at every turn and this is why cities can overwhelm anyone, people or dogs, when first encountered. Getting your dog into a training class, and working with a professional to get the basics down pat is important no matter where you live.
So…city life or country life? Which one is best for our dogs? Perhaps the best life we can give to our dogs is one that is shared by us, one where we take time out of our day to stroll down the street to the park, or where we stroll through the fields of our own property. Either way, our dogs thank us for their education, for our dedication to their health and well being and most of all for our company in any situation.
Gillian Ridgeway, AHT, has worked with dogs for over 35 years. She is director of Who’s Walking Who in Toronto and Ajax. A consultant for Dogs, Dogs, Dogs! Gillian also writes for Dogs in Canada. She has appeared on Dogs in Canada TV, Global television, Q107 radio and in Toronto Life, and is co-author of the book, “Citizen Canine.” She travels with the SuperDogs Performance team and teaches learning theory at the University of Toronto. Gillian can be contacted at 416-465-3626; www.whoswalkingwho.net
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In Dog we trust…but is the feeling mutual? - By Gillian Ridgeway
The issue of trust is often discussed when it comes to dogs. It is often a topic of discussion when a family pet creates turmoil by doing something "out of the blue” or very unexpected. The scenarios can be numerous, but the general theme is the same.
The dog accompanies the family to a soccer game. He has been there before and has seemed to enjoy himself, according to his family. He looked relaxed and was polite and well mannered to the kids. He lives with two children and has never had any issues at home. All of a sudden, a toddler rushes up to him and gives him a big hug. The dog tried to retreat, but the toddler held on. The family thinks it is cute. Out of the blue, the dog takes a nip at the toddler and, in the blink of an eye, the family no longer trusts their dog.
Upon discussion, we find that the dog has not been exposed to toddlers and, in fact, generally keeps out of the way of any children that visit. He has been known to sometimes growl when the kids want to take something away from him and, in fact, he has snapped but never connected. Now, in light of the new circumstance, this dog not only has his life in upheaval, but may even have to be re-homed to a home with no children. Of course, the family could look at some management and behavioral work, but they have no trust and see their dog through a different set of eyes.
Relationships change over time, sometimes for the better and sometimes to the detriment of both parties. When a dog drags a child out of danger, the relationship the family has with the dog will also never be the same. A single incident can change things forever.
There is another side to trust and that is the trust that our dogs have in us. They have to trust us first and foremost to give them a proper upbringing and to teach them respect and manners. They have to trust us to know them well enough to not put them into situations that are overwhelming for them and they have to trust that if they see a problem brewing, that they will get the proper help required to make sure their dogs live a long and happy life with their families.
It is important to establish trust even before embarking on training. Our dogs need to have confidence in us. We want our relationship to reflect harmony. When you set out to train your dog in order to establish a relationship, you must be careful that you use positive, motivational techniques. Punishment can quickly diminish trust; especially if your dog does not understand why he is being punished or how he can do things better to avoid punishment in the future.
To properly ensure a relationship that is solid, you must consider being fair as foremost. Be reasonable with your requests, and follow through with your guidance. As someone said to me recently, “I don’t see my dog as a child, but as a close friend that accompanies me during the day”. Perfectly said.
Motivational, positive training will not damage a relationship, but instead will act to enhance it and will ensure that you both have a history of trust.
The family living with the dog that nipped at the toddler should have spent time teaching their pet how to deal with not only their own children, but also how to act around excitable children at a soccer game. That is fair and reasonable if you expect your dog to understand the rules of behavior.
The great thing about dogs is that they are fairly resilient. You can undo some past mishaps of trust by starting today. The more you issue signs of trust and respect to your dog, he will start to slowly come around. Initially it will take time, but as soon as your dog starts to understand the new you, you will both reap the benefits.
I have the privilege of living with a very special dog. Noah came to me very under confident, with issues of no trust. I know his original family and they were great with him, so I am assuming there is a bit of genetics at play with him. He was eight months old when he came to live with me and we had a hard time even touching him from behind. As a trainer, of course I wanted to start him on the path to success right away, but instead of working on solid commands such as sit/down/stay and come, I worked mainly on building his trust. Not only his trust in me but also in the world around him. He was easily spooked by flapping garbage bags, balloons and sudden movements around him. Each day we took 10 minutes to visit and address “spooky” things. I spent many afternoons going from grocery store to grocery store, having him sit and get his favorite treats while the clang of the shopping carts went off around us. By pairing food with anything he might find unnerving, we managed to change his mind over a period of time.
As I am a member of the SuperDogs team, I envisioned Noah as a high jumping dog. He loves to jump and is light on his feet. The main issue? He would not allow anyone to hold him while I left him on the start line. He would panic and twist in his collar and it just didn’t seem to look like much fun. Over the past year, with the dedicated help of my SuperDog team, he can now be held at that start line. Yes, it took a year, but to see the joy in him as he flies through the air is delightful. A special thank you to Carina, Amy and Sue for their patience.
This can also be applied to dogs that are learning sports such as Agility. They need to fully trust that their handler, their partner on the course, will direct them properly. They have to have an out if they are uncomfortable. If they are not sure on the teeter, they should be allowed to safely come off it at that point and the handler should make sure they go back a few steps and make the exercise easier for a while. It is of no use to force the dog to finish the teeter for many reasons, not the least is that the dog will now feel less confident the next time a piece of equipment or tricky sequence is presented. You will soon see signs of stress in the dog, such as grass pulling, excessive sniffing and dogs that simply leave the course. A dog that has trust is more likely to give it another try.
Trust comes to our dogs in many forms but one to take note of is to be very aware of the situation you are putting your dog into. If he is not a dog that enjoys the company of other dogs or has limited exposure to children, it is not ideal to take him to family events and expect him to behave. Our dogs need to know first and foremost that we have their backs. That is the deal I made with Noah. When I adopted him, knowing his issues, I made a deal not to put him into a situation that I didn’t think he could handle.
I see this at our local off leash dog park. Many dogs play, fetch ball and generally enjoy themselves. There is the occasional dog that seems to be quite uncomfortable in that situation. Not only are they not allowed by their people to sniff on the perimeter of the park and keep their distance, I see many owners pulling them in to make friends with the others. They will not get a thank you from their dog for this.
There is also a bit of human ego involved. It is common to see under confident dogs not want to approach a stranger. Instead of protecting their dogs, the owner will often bring the dog closer to the stranger. Many dogs tolerate this, but don’t enjoy it. The dog owner is often encouraged by the stranger to bring the dog in for a pat, saying, “It’s okay, I like dogs. I’m sure he will like me”. It is not simply a matter of like or dislike, it is a matter of having time to get accustomed to the stranger and our dogs need to trust that we will do what is right for them, not only what feels right for us.
To put it clearly, I spoke to a close friend of mine about the idea behind this article, the idea of trust and its importance in the relationship between people and their dogs. Her eyes lit up as she told me of her beloved Sunny, a very special terrier mix that had come to her from rescue. She has always put the needs of her dogs before her own needs of training success. Of course, you can have both but many owners will put their need for speedy success first. As her story goes, she was at her cottage and Sunny was up on the dock. She was swimming and called Sunny to come in to join her. Keep in mind that he had never swam, never been in the water, never jumped from a dock and had no idea what he was jumping into. As he was called, he jumped with fervor and swam out to her. Her heart sang as she had a light bulb moment and suddenly realized how much trust he would have to have in her to do the jump. Her excitement and amazement of her story came through in her eyes, and you knew at that moment that developing trust is worth all the work.
Gillian Ridgeway, AHT, has worked with dogs for over 35 years. She is director of Who’s Walking Who in Toronto and Ajax. A consultant for Dogs, Dogs, Dogs! Gillian also writes for Dogs in Canada. She has appeared on Dogs in Canada TV, Global television, Q107 radio and in Toronto Life, and is co-author of the book, “Citizen Canine.” She travels with the SuperDogs Performance team and teaches learning theory at the University of Toronto. Gillian can be contacted at 416-465-3626; www.whoswalkingwho.net
Dog Trainer Inc.
By Gillian Ridgeway
As my good friend Melvin used to say, “everybody’s a dog trainer”. As a trainer that has spent my entire adult life working with dogs in some capacity, I find it unusual that dog trainers seem to be coming out of the woodwork to hang their shingle. For the past few years we have been inundated with calls and emails from people looking to escape the corporate life and enter the wonderful world of dogs.
Many of those calls are similar. The caller wants to become a dog trainer after they retire from GM or other large companies. We smile and think to ourselves, yes…after we retire as dog trainers, we will go and just work at GM.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I think the pursuit of your dream is one goal that everyone should aspire to. To work with and for dogs has been the delight of my life and I consider myself one of the fortunate ones that combines business with pleasure on a daily basis. There is a combination of education and experience that comes into the scenario and, of course, a love of people. You heard that right…a love of people. Dog trainers spend the majority of their time with the owners of our fabulous canine scholars, not necessarily the dogs themselves. Of course, there are some trainers that take dogs into their home to train them, but most of us teach private lessons or group classes and then send our furry friends on their way.
To be an effective dog trainer you need to wear many hats. Although you will be expected to be educated in dog breeds, nutrition, behaviouur and even certain dog sports, it is the human side that gets both complicated and interesting. Don’t go into dog training unless you like people. All people. It is not for us to judge our clients. It is up to us to educate them. Meeting people from a variety of backgrounds is what I love the most about my job. The one thing they have in common is they all love their dogs!
While trainers all need to understand the basics of dog behaviour and how to teach skills such as sit, stay, down and come when called, they also need to wear the hat of a counselor. After working with people and their dogs since 1972, it is clear that this hat is the most important and is what sets apart the trainers who make this their life’s work from those that think dog training consists of getting the perfect sit. It is the counselor hat that comes into use in almost every scenario.
Dog trainers are dealing with much more than the perfect recall. They are often involved in dog custody issues, a dog behaviour disrupting the home, helping to pick a new pet, introducing the dog to the new baby and sometimes even re-homing issues. Sometimes we are just lending an ear to someone that needs us when they are grieving the loss of their pet, especially when they have a new canine addition who is just not the same.
Having a good understanding of learning theory can be utilized not only for the dogs, but also for our clients. It is always amazing to see trainers click and treat the dogs, but never do the same for the dog owner. A little bit of encouragement and praise can go a long way when teaching skills to adults, as well as dogs.
Which brings us to another important fact. Dog trainers are teachers. This is another hat that might seem obvious but can get complicated. As teachers, we need to show our clients how it is done, not do it ourselves. Some very effective dog trainers are less effective as teachers. It is important to not only understand how to get the desired result from the dog, but also how to inspire and motivate our clients. We need to be able to decipher how our clients learn best – by watching or doing or a combination.
We also need to be able to adjust ourselves to our clients’ skill level and keep things on a positive note while they are learning what is needed to teach their dogs how to ‘sit’ when asked. Dealing with frustration is quite common, and adjusting things so the dog owner feels they have information needed is key. If our clients don’t understand our instruction, we need to be able to switch gears quickly. It is not in anyone’s best interest to simply repeat the instruction for the 49th time; we need to sort out another way to explain it. After all, we are the teachers.
Another hat is one of businessperson. If you go out on your own as a trainer, it is important to take a night school business class, or educate yourself on the running of your own business. Then, of course, there is the hat of janitor. Yes…you will always have a mop in your hand when you work with dogs. It is one of the tools of the trade. How about the hats of web site manager or marketing department? The list can be extensive.
When the calls come in for people wanting to be a dog trainer, it is very common for them not to have their own dog. While there might be some people that can teach the skill of dog training to their clients without living with a dog in their home, it seems to lack some credibility. It would be like taking golf lessons from someone that had taken a few lessons in the past, but doesn’t own a set of clubs and doesn’t play the game anymore. It just sounds unusual. As I like to say, “there is simply no substitute for experience”. So while getting some education is great, you can’t rest there.
The day to day living with our own dogs is always a learning experience. Our own dog stories can be shared, and we can see that we are all in the same boat. Trainers might have the skills to deal with situations as they come up, but they still come up. We have all had our fair share of housetraining issues and dogs that would prefer to chase a leaf than to come when called. That not only keeps us humble, it keeps us smiling at our dogs, which is the best feeling of all.
So, you still want to be a dog trainer but don’t know how to start? I would suggest you start by training your own dog. Get into some classes to give you the basic (and advanced) skills. Consider doing tricks, rally or dog sports. Heck, the least you will end up with will be spending quality time with your own canine buddy. Attending workshops and seminars on any dog topic is also another great way to keep up your education. Some training schools have an apprenticeship program that you can pay for. Some schools take in assistants to help in their classes. Either way, a mentoring program is the best way to learn and get some experience.
One of the great things about being a dog trainer, or dog-training assistant is that you can do it part-time. There are a lot of dog trainers, in fact it might be the majority, that work at dog training schools or clubs just one evening a week. They are involved in the world of dogs, can often take classes with their own dogs for a reduced fee and can make some pocket money while doing what they love. I know some trainers that spend their day in the hectic pace of a 9-5 day job and love teaching dog classes. For them, it is a much needed energy boost to their week. Keep in mind; even part-time trainers need to focus on education and experience.
As you can see becoming a dog trainer is more than knowing how to teach a dog to ‘sit’ or ‘stay’. It takes compassion, kindness, a good dog education and a genuine love of people. I encourage you to all follow your heart. One of our trainers said it best when she looked out amongst the latest group of puppies in class, “this is my bliss”.
A Fine Line
By Gillian Ridgeway
Balance is becoming the main focus in the dog training community. Striving for the perfect combination of rules and leniency that will ensure our dogs have self-confidence and manners, yet still have joy inside, is a worthwhile ideal.
This said, the shift in the pendulum from never saying no, all the way over to the other side to encompass harsh treatment is not what balance is all about.
Striking a balance means to choose a moderate course or compromise. Picture a teeter-totter, nicely perched on the fulcrum, the plank straight and neither end touching the floor. That is balance.
In all areas of our lives we are starting to consider alternatives to keep us level, feeling calm and stress free. Yoga is rapidly on the rise and more and more people are considering the art of Feng Shui as they decorate their homes. Yes, all in the name of balance.
It is often said that dog trainers need to have a large tool kit, a bag of tricks, that they can use in different scenarios. The tool kit of today’s trainers seems to be moving away from various methods of training, to simply being full of different pieces of training equipment. We are taking our thinking caps off and resorting to a quick fix, all in the name of balance. This type of shift has really very little to do with balance. Now consider the same teeter totter wildly moving up and down, with one side of the plank being planted on the ground and the other side swaying in the air. Then keep watching as the same plank quickly switches and the opposite side goes into the air, the word balance would not come to mind.
In an effort to find that fulcrum, harsh training equipment is once again being re-considered. As a trainer who started my career in the early 70’s, it is apparent that we are now coming full circle. We have seen the pitfalls of never saying no. This was a very popular dog training technique that seemed to be at its height of popularity in the late 1980’s. This was a time when it was common to let large growling dogs sleep on the couch and offer a reward when they finally decided to climb off. It was a time when the pendulum had definitely swung much too far on one side. As the years passed on, it became evident that the techniques being used did not help most dogs, and in fact without offering any guidelines to them, we were not doing them any favors.
Now, as dog training actually becomes more complicated, as we are starting to discover more and more about animal behavior, techniques are going back in time. Choke chains and prong collars are evident on the most benign family pets as a counter balance, as a way of saying that we are once again in charge of our dogs. This is often tempered with the use of treats in the training and a quick game of fetch if our dog does as he is told. Make no mistake about it this is not balanced.
Consider this, you open your door and find a friend with a bunch of flowers to offer you. You gladly accept them. The same situation happens the next day, and the next. You are happily anticipating the door opening. Then, one day, the doorbell rings at the same time of day and you open it and, instead of the flowers, you are greeted by a swift slap to the side of your face. Not sure what you have done, you go inside. The next day arrives and the door bell rings. This time, you flinch as the bunch of flowers greets you. Although you are greeted many times more with flowers, the sting of the slap was so great that you are never fully confident when opening your door. That is very similar to what your dog may feel when given treats and a toy on one hand, and a jerk on a chain collar the next instance. The sense of trust is gone.
There is a line that I heard on television one day that made me sit up and take notice. It was not pertaining to dog training but, in fact, to children. “When education runs out, aggression sets in.” Meaning, when you don’t quite know what to do, it is human nature to lash out at something or someone. In other words, frustration sets in. Don’t fool yourselves into thinking that you have a balanced training program if you are all over the map with your techniques and equipment.
Although we are often looking for a quick fix in our everyday lives, if you take a closer look you will find that a shift is also being made there. Microwave dinners are being replaced by home-cooked meals, faster cars are being replaced by smaller, more energy efficient cars and service is overtaking speed as our number one priority when shopping.
Dog training will be taking its cue from the society around us. Hopefully, instead of old style equipment that is being used to find the quick fix, it will be education that rises to the top. It will be the thought put into finding help for these problematic dogs and it will be our time and consistency that brings about the much needed change in the dogs who put their trust in us.
Of course, our dogs need rules and guidelines. That is what the mid point of the balance beam is. By being clear, fair and consistent our dogs will learn to trust us under a variety of circumstances. Let your dogs have some fun, and rein them in when needed. Be very clear in your message to them. It is not in their best interest to allow them to walk all over you, but neither is it in their best interest to subject them to erratic behavior and heavy-handed treatment.
“Mean what you say and say what you mean” is my mother’s favorite line, and one that should be well used by dog trainers. By providing this to our dogs we will be providing the best to them that we can, and the bonus to that is that we can feel good about ourselves while we accomplish it. That is the meaning of balance.
