The intent of this blog is to share the latest happenings at camp yellow dog
and help facilitate a deeper understanding and connection with your pet(s). If your pet has health or behavioural issues we always recommend contacting your vet and/or a certified trainer/behaviourist. |
have you ever been somewhere waiting in line and had a person cozy right up behind you to the point you can actually feel them invading your space? if you're at all like me it probably made you feel uncomfortable, even irritated or angry. did you move up a little hoping they would get the hint? did you give them "the look"? did you turn and politely ask them to give you a little more space? or...did you wheel around and punch them right in the kisser? which option seems like the best one (assuming you want a positive outcome)? can you see where i'm going with this? when dogs feel nervous or scared most of them will give a number of subtle, and not so subtle, signs to indicate they're uncomfortable.
wouldn't most of us prefer to be told we're making someone uncomfortable rather than having them punch us in the nose without warning? dogs may not use speech the way humans do, but they have very clear ways of communicating with us. iT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO UNDERSTAND their BODY LANGUAGE AND RESPECT WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO TELL US. if a dog growls, it's very likely they have already shown many of the behaviours listed above and we just haven't noticed or understood. so what happens if a dog is continually punished when they growl? they learn that growling equals punishment. Dogs that are punished for growling can become dogs that revert to more serious behaviours in order to cope with discomfort or fear, and they often do so without warning. so what should you do if your dog growls? don't yell, yank their leash, or punish them. instead, immediately remove them from whatever is the source of their stress. this article offers some sound advice regarding what to do if your dog growls. if you aren't comfortable making these changes on your own, you're having difficulty determining the cause of your dog's stress, your dog continues to growl, or their behaviour escalates, consult a trained professional. taking the wrong action will only make matters worse for your dog and for you. next week's blog post will cover how to go about choosing the right pet professional. your dog's well being depends on it!
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The weather has gotten cooler and the rainy season has begun. For the next several months most of us will be spending more time inside with our dogs. So how do you keep your dog active physically and mentally? Games! There are an endless number of reasons for playing games with your dog. Here are just a few:
These are just a few of the many reasons why games are beneficial to your dog - and to you. A simple search of the internet will provide you with an endless number of ideas on how to engage your dog. One of my all round favourite websites is www.ultimatepuppy.com/ They have a full section dedicated to games; the why and how of playing with your dog, along with game ideas. Check it out here. You can buy games at your local pet store or online, but why not try making your own? Here's a quick and easy game to get you started... *Remember it's important with most of these games that you monitor your dog to ensure their safety. Plus - a big part of the fun for your dog is getting to share time with you! A reliable recall is one of the most important and useful things you can teach your dog. HAVing your dog come immediately when you want need/want them to, is an invaluable tool for keeping them safe, and a great way to build trust. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU WORK AT YOUR DOG'S PACE AND ESTABLISH A SOLID RECALL IN EACH SCENARIO BEFORE MOVING TO THE NEXT VIDEO IN THE SERIES. TEACHING YOUR DOG SOMETHING NEW REQUIRES PRACTICE, PATIENCE, CONSISTENCY, THE RIGHT MOTIVATION, AND PLENTY OF PRAISE. SETTING YOUR DOG UP TO SUCCEED HELPS BUILD CONFIDENCE AND AVOID FRUSTRATION....YOURS AND THEIRS!
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