May 17, 2014 | Blog, Dog Care, Dog Care & Education
It takes only a matter of minutes for you to lose your loving companion when left in the oven that could be your car! The sun is out and it is beautiful, but the sun beating down on a parked vehicle with a dog trapped inside is likely to end in a horrendous death. Depending upon the outside temperature it could take a matter of minutes before the inside of the vehicle is so hot that a dog will die an agonising and painful death.
“Even on a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can quickly soar to as high as 120 degrees. Shock sets in as the dog’s internal temperature rises, and death can occur in just 15 minutes. It’s a gruesome, terrifying way to die—dogs struggle to escape the vehicle, often salivating heavily, losing control of their bladder and bowels, and clawing the car windows so violently that their paws become bloodied.” (PETA, 2013)
Now that the summer has arrived it is fitting that we remind ourselves of how dangerous the sun can be to our faithful companions. There is no sense in taking chances, a window left open sufficiently to allow some air circulation will not save your dog if the temperature soars, dogs can still die with the window open. Each summer people take risks believing that their dog will be safe only for the unthinkable to happen. The RSPCA report that they receive over 6000 calls a year concerning distressed dogs left in cars.
In 2011 the Dogs Today magazine launched a “Don’t Cook Your Dog” campaign urging dog owners to join. The Way of the Dog would like to take the opportunity to remind people of this campaign but more importantly to remind people of the need to protect their dogs from the effects of the sun. A dog can start to suffer in as little as two minutes when trapped in a hot car; this can lead to damaged organs, brain damage, and death.
Protect your dog from the sun and do not leave it in the car on any occasion, there is no safe time limit, the only safe place is outside the car.
Attached are some interesting articles that relate to dogs being left to die in cars. There is also a poster attached that you can download and publicise courtesy of Dog’s Today magazine.
Related Articles:
http://www.dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/dontcookyourdog/
http://www.peta.org/blog/spread-word-dogs-die-hot-cars/
http://www.vetsonline.com/news/latest-headlines/veterinary-practices-urged-to-support-poster-campaign.html
http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/dogs/health/dogsinhotcars
May 14, 2014 | Dog Training
In this blog we will focus on one-to-one training versus group training. Both possess strengths and weaknesses; however at The Way of the Dog we feel that they are both very different approaches to training. Many new dog owners enrol in group training from the outset because they are led to believe that this is the best and only way to socialise their dog, this is not the case and we will discuss socialisation in a separate blog.
We hold the view that one-to-one training supports a new dog owner to learn in private and at their own pace allowing them to become accustomed to unfamiliar training methods before moving into a group dynamic at the appropriate stage of training. It supports uninterrupted training free from distraction and the desire to interact with other dogs, therefore enhancing the possibility of progression for both dog and handler.
Whilst group training can be very beneficial in teaching your dog how to behave when in the presence of other dogs, at The Way of the Dog we do not consider that it is the best way to commence your training. Socialisation with other dogs is key to a dog’s successful development and whilst a group session can support this it is essential that this is managed carefully. Many dogs are distracted in the group environment which is obvious considering the fact that the owner is unlikely to have much control at this stage. When taking part in training of any kind for the first time many dog owners feel embarrassed, disorientated, hopeless, and uncoordinated. When in a group environment these feelings are often intensified and may lead to group training becoming non-productive and in some cases damaging.
If you want to get the best from a group class we recommend that you take part in a class that has a ratio of 6 dogs, 6 handlers, and a fully qualified dog training instructor. This approach supports a healthy and manageable student to instructor relationship and will allow you to get the very best from the session. You should expect during a 60 minute lesson; a proportion of individual attention, enough space to work in, and the ability to speak to and hear comments from the instructor. It should be a stress free environment where dogs are carefully managed and prevented from being confrontational with other dogs. In certain situations confrontation may be difficult to avoid, however it should be a rarity rather than the class norm. Anything other than that described above then you should really consider the value and the quality of the training that you are receiving.
So the choice is yours to make, should it be one-to-one training or should it be group training? What you should perhaps ask yourself before making a choice is; “What do I want to achieve from my training?” “Will my chosen route allow me to achieve this?”
Related Articles:
https://thewayofthedog.co.uk/will-train-dog/
https://thewayofthedog.co.uk/how-do-you-choose-a-trainer/
What is Socialisation?
May 13, 2014 | Blog, Dog Training
In a previous blog we discussed ‘How do you choose a trainer’ giving you things to consider when searching for a potential candidate to work with you and your dog. Like many of today’s skills and services there are those that are enthusiasts, amateurs, or professionals, capable of offering different levels of service and proficiency. To support you in identifying who-is-who The Way of the Dog will run a series of blogs to help you make informed choices about enlisting the services of reputable dog trainers.
One of the most important decisions to be made when taking ownership of a new puppy, or when re-homing a dog, is how, when, and where you will begin the dogs training. Scientific evidence supports the fact that initial dog training should begin early and certainly during the first 6 months of a dog’s life as this will help shape the future long term behaviour of the dog. Unfortunately, a large proportion of dog owners leave it to chance and often far beyond the 6 month period when the dog has become difficult before they seek assistance. It is no coincidence many young dogs, who receive no formal training during the early months, are later abandoned, handed over to dog rescues, or are passed from home-to-home, during the period 6 months to 2 years.
Training a dog that is older than 6 months should not be a problem for a competent and qualified dog trainer. It just means that it is likely to be more difficult, possibly more expensive, and certainly more time consuming for the dog owner during the initial stages of training.
So what should we consider before enlisting the services of a dog trainer? During the coming weeks we will discuss specific aspects that may help you decide how to choose the right trainer for your needs. Here are a few topics that we will discuss:
- ‘One-to-one training versus group training.’
- ‘What constitutes a qualified dog training instructor?’
- ‘Should training be conducted indoors or outdoors?’
- ‘How much should dog training cost, price versus quality?’
If there are specific questions that you would like to raise relating to the sourcing of dog training please feel free to leave a comment and The Way of the Dog will consider including in future blogs.
Related Articles:
https://thewayofthedog.co.uk/how-do-you-choose-a-trainer/
Mar 21, 2014 | Dog Training
During the month of February The Way of the Dog Ltd visited AIM Education, Stanningley, Leeds, to teach young people about responsible dog ownership and the impact that status dogs are having on our communities. During both visits Olla was the main attraction with the young learners interacting with him at every opportunity.
AIM Education is a new non-for-profit organisation, which has been set up to create opportunities to overcome inequalities and enrich the local community. The organisation works with young people who are referred from schools, in need of a different educational route.
This particular dog project was a working collaboration between Carl Harrison (Director, Aim Education) and Shaun Hesmondhalgh. Carl is a former member of the Royal Air Force Regiment and a former teacher and colleague from Bolton College. A two pronged approach allowed this project to get off the ground with Carl securing funding from concerned stake holders and Shaun developing and delivering the workshop.
The youngsters engaged from the start using their imaginations and their personal experiences to bring creativity and realism to the sessions. They presented firm and responsible views on how dogs should be treated and provided real accounts about horrific and fatal incidents concerning status dogs. The experience was enlightening and it was both interesting and concerning to hear the different views that the young people have concerning the motivations for owning a dog.
To conclude the workshop an obstacle course was set up and the learners challenged Olla to a race. After much laughter and excitement the score finished 2 – 2 as the final run off was declared void due to shortcuts being taken by both the youngsters and the dog. The whole workshop was a resounding success, a remarkable experience, and it was fantastic to see Olla, who has had his own emotional journey, interacting in a relaxed and comfortable manner with the young people of Leeds and Bradford.
The Way of the Dog Ltd is a professional training provider and dog behaviour consultancy and is able to deliver bespoke educational workshops to youth and community groups seeking to raise awareness regarding responsible dog ownership. Please contact Shaun Hesmondhalgh at The Way of the Dog Ltd for more information.
Dec 6, 2013 | Dog Training
The Dog Training industry is a rapidly growing trade with many turning from dog lover to dog trainer in a very short space of time without formal or industry recognised qualification. The current situation is that the industry is largely unregulated and as a result many different trainers or training providers offer a range of different classes or courses that are in some cases misleading promoting a false sense of ability and understanding. Until such time as the industry is regulated there will be many who will continue to claim that it is not necessary to receive professional training before positioning oneself as a professional trainer or behaviourist.
The situation is further confused by the myriad of different qualifications, post nominal letters, or affiliation to associations and organisations. Badges of honour or association with elitist groups do not ensure quality, ability, or professional standards. The truth is that some organisations are open to anyone who can pay the entrance fee or meet specified criteria seldom related to the promotion of professional and ethical dog training standards. Some make claims that are quite simply impossible to achieve, but nonetheless they continue to tap into your emotions and suggest otherwise.
So how do I choose someone I hear you asking? Simply put, you need to take your time and ask those that you are considering working with difficult questions about who they are and where they have come from? Never part with your money until you know exactly who it is that you have enlisted. Adopt a similar approach to that relied upon when seeking tradesmen to work on your home or perhaps coaches or tutors working with your children.
Only recently was it necessary for me to clean up the mess left behind following the exasperating service delivered by an amateur trainer claiming professional status. Clearly possessing no knowledge of how dogs learn or taking into consideration individual breed characteristics the unskilled individual armed the unsuspecting owner with a weapon to thwart aggressive approaches. Cans and cartons filled with stones, water pistols, rolled up newspapers, aerosol cans, these are the types of tools that may very well suppress a behaviour but do not get to the heart of the matter. Suppressing a behaviour has the potential to lead to other behavioural problems developing. A rolled up newspaper to thwart an energetic and mischievous terrier is likely to lead to one thing, and one thing only, the escalation of aggression. The aggression may not necessarily be immediate, but it will return with a vengeance at some point.
I often muse over the following questions; How can one claim professional status if not working or training dogs full time? How can one claim to be a professional trainer without receiving professional tuition from an appropriate source? Clearly there will always be exceptions to the rule, with truly gifted people. Like the golfer who has never had any formal training yet can play golf once a year and beat everyone on the course. This does happen, but the reality is that these people are few and far between and can rarely explain the talent that they possess. We all strive for the unconscious competence, yet this seldom comes without years of practice and exposure.
For the vast majority of dog owners dogs are our pride and joy, our valued companions. The Way of the Dog believes that dog owners should tread very carefully when seeking out people to work with their faithful companions. Do your homework, take your time, and check credentials.
Share your tips or experiences on how to select a trainer here and help others to make the right decision about their dogs future.
More to follow on this subject.
Sep 5, 2013 | Dog Behaviour
Do people really understand what their dogs are communicating? Or is it that our human rationale takes over and we seek to excuse our dog’s poor communication and unruly behaviour with something we consider acceptable instead of the truth?
Here comes that dog again….
Regularly I encounter others out walking their dogs and more often than not their dogs are off the lead and enjoying being a dog. In some cases this poses no issue as the dog is extremely well behaved responding to their owner’s words and demonstrating balanced behaviour. These dogs are happy to engage in play and soak up the benefits that such mental stimulation will bring.
However, there are also numerous occasions where I encounter dogs that are not under control presenting as anti-social yet their owners justify their dog’s behaviour by those mortal words, “My dog just wants to play.”
My interpretation is often somewhat different, I see a dog that lacks discipline failing to respond to the owner’s words, and is seeking to threaten or intimidate by rushing or forcing itself upon the passing dog. The truth is that some dogs just don’t know how to play or communicate; they may be overly exuberant or unnecessarily forceful. They lack appropriate communication skills and do not take heed of subtle cues from the dog wanting to be left alone. They seek to forcefully inspect or interact with the dog with no interjection, supervision or leadership from their owner. This often leads to scuffles and over reactions.
Read the situation
Of course it is true that many dogs are happy to play and socialise, however there are rules to be considered:
- Are the owners happy for their dogs to interact?
- More importantly, do the dogs actually want to interact?
Dog owners should consider whether the oncoming dog is a potential play mate before allowing their own dog to rush ahead. If the oncoming dog is on the lead I would suggest that it is safe to say that there is a perfectly legitimate reason for this and perhaps the owner doesn’t want a dog to dog interaction. There is no requirement for all dogs to meet and greet when being exercised.
Not every dog wants to play with another dog, not every dog is comfortable with other dogs. There are many dogs that are poorly bred, lack appropriate socialisation training from birth, or simply lack the confidence and courage to be around other dogs due to a host of different reasons. Some dogs are not seeking to play, quite the opposite, they are seeking to create space and distance by rushing at the other dog because they are potentially fearful and lack certain confidence.
All people are different and I firmly believe that all dogs are different, we should consider this when we are out exercising our dogs and respect the space of fellow dog owners.
Have you ever considered that my dog doesn’t want to play?
