Dog Walking in the Dark – Be Seen, Be Safe, Keep Warm

Dog Walking in the Dark – Be Seen, Be Safe, Keep Warm

Most dog breeds were bred to work for a living and a particular purpose, like hunting, herding or providing protection. Wild dogs scavenge and hunt, care for offspring, defend territory and play with each other. They lead busy, complex lives, interacting socially and solving simple problems necessary for their survival.

Modern “pet” dogs no longer receive this level of stimulation and spend much of their time confined, alone and/or inactive. As a dog owner, you have a responsibility to fill this void.

Many of the dogs seen by The Way of The Dog have behavioural issues that are a consequence of lack of stimulation, interaction and daily exercise. This is most prevalent in the winter months, when dark mornings and evenings combine with cold (and often wet) weather to dissuade dog owners from providing the quality of exercise their dog requires. Every dog needs good quality daily exercise; this is a basic fact of dog ownership and should have been considered when bringing a dog into your life.

Lack of daylight and adverse weather conditions should not affect the levels of exercise you give your dog.

Be Seen, Stay Safe, Keep Warm

Staying safe on dark walks is as simple as being visible, being aware and wrapping up warm. Here are a few of our tips to help you and your dog stay safe and warm on your winter walks.

Be Seen

  • Use a Hi-Vis reflective or led light lead and collar on your dog.
  • Wear a Hi-Vis reflective vest over your coat.
  • Carry a torch or use a headlamp.
  • Avoid unlit roads.
  • Avoid roads that have no pavement.
  • If you cannot avoid roads without a pavement, walk on the right hand side (towards the traffic) with your dog to your right (on the opposite side to the traffic).

Be Safe

  • Keep your dog on the lead.
  • Use well lit walks that you are familiar with.
  • Consider taking your dog in the car to a well lit safe area.
  • Do you have a neighbour with a dog? Arrange to walk together.
  • Remain aware of your surroundings; leave your headphones at home.
  • Carry a mobile phone

Keep Warm

  • Bad weather requires appropriate clothing; a warm waterproof jacket, waterproof overtrousers, warm sturdy footwear, a hat and a good pair of gloves are the bare essentials.
  • It is our experience that the best quality outdoor coat and boots should be purchased according to your budget.
  • Consider your dog’s breed, age and health to decide if they require additional insulation.
  • Keep moving; if you stand still you’ll feel the chill.

Other Winter Considerations

We have previously written an article that outlines some of the hazards to your dog’s safety and wellbeing in winter, which can be viewed at www.thewayofthedog.co.uk/winter-care-for-dogs/. We’d recommend that you read this as some of the points raised could save your dog’s life.

The Alternatives

If you still feel unable to give your dog the exercise and stimulation it needs, there are a few things you could consider.

  • Finding a way to change the times that you walk your dog.
  • Enlisting the help of family members and friends.
  • Employing a reputable, licensed, 1 to 1 dog walker.
  • Rehoming your dog.

Article by Heppiness

What is Socialisation?

What is Socialisation?

You will hear the word ‘socialisation’ often spoken by dog owners, enthusiasts, and professionals alike, but what does it really mean?

Dog and catWhen raising a puppy you might hear the word repeated often without any true appreciation or understanding of its significance.  For a long time now we have been told that we must socialise our puppies at the earliest opportunity and introduce them to all other dogs so that they might become tolerant of all dogs.  This in part is true, but this approach does not explain socialisation in its truest sense or properly suggest how such socialisation should take place.

Mismanaged interactions may have negative consequences and lead to the development of behavioural problems later in life, whilst a lack of early socialisation can equally bring about similar complex problems.

How we define dog socialisation at TWOTD?

The Way of the Dog holds the view that socialisation is the purposeful act of familiarising puppies and dogs to the environment in which they live, occupy, or visit so that the animal acts in a way that is considered acceptable.

It is important that dogs become familiar with sensations, actions, objects, and living things within a variety of different environments or circumstances. Failure to introduce the dog to such things may lead to the dog demonstrating a reluctance to approach or accept unfamiliar situations and develop ways to avoid or escape them; this might include strategies that involve aggression.

iStock_000006122272MediumThe primary socialisation period for a young dog is considered to be from 3 – 12 weeks old, and is the most important period of social development.  This is why it is absolutely essential to choose very carefully where you obtain your puppy.  A reputable and ethical breeder will likely commence socialisation as soon as the 3 week point is reached.

Puppy socialisation by TWOTD

If a puppy is not correctly socialised during the early sensitive periods there is a possibility that a dog will never adjust to or accept novel events later in life.  It is therefore essential that time and effort is taken to appropriately socialise a puppy to as many events as possible.  The Way of the Dog takes this role very seriously and delivers bespoke puppy development courses that focus on properly managed socialisation whilst developing confidence and shaping character.

 

  • Socialisation should always be carefully managed and not delivered randomly or without any consideration to how a particular dog may react.
  • Dogs can be bold or cautious, weak or strong; they may dive in to a situation without hesitation or demonstrate much reluctance, they are all very different even at such an early stage.
  • Puppies should always be carefully introduced to other puppies and caution should always be exercised when introducing them to adult dogs.
  • Enrolling a puppy in a group puppy class is not always the best approach to socialisation as a mismanaged class can be responsible for the development of fearful or aggressive temperaments if the puppy is subjected to negative experiences.

Commit to thorough socialisation of your dog

Social maturity and development continues through to the 18 – 24 month point depending upon the individual dog.  It is possible that a dog can become unusually sensitive to any event or circumstance during this period.  Puppies considered to be socialised during their early months may suddenly develop what seem like irrational fears towards events that at one time caused them no concern.  Therefore, socialisation should always be carefully managed and maintained during the first year of a dog’s life and owners should consider sustaining such approaches beyond until a dog is considered to be a well-adjusted adult.

If you’d like to enrol your new dog on one of our bespoke Puppy Development Courses, please Contact Shaun today.

Related Articles:

https://thewayofthedog.co.uk/will-train-dog/

https://thewayofthedog.co.uk/how-do-you-choose-a-trainer/

 

Seb the Romanian Orphan

Seb the Romanian Orphan

This is the study of Seb the Romanian Orphan.  Seb and his owners are currently engaged in a training and behaviour project with The Way of the Dog Ltd.  Raised on the streets of Romania Seb learnt to scavenge for food and fight for survival.  A feral dog is an entirely different prospect than taking on a young puppy from a reputable breeder.  Below is the story of how Seb found himself with a loving family from the UK.

In late 2011, a tour across mainland Europe with the band Midas Fall took us (Seb’s owners Liz and Rowan) to Romania for the first time.  The Romanian leg of the tour began in Cluj Napoca in the west, onto Lasi in the north east and finally to the capital Bucharest in the south.

Throughout our time in Romania we encountered thousands of stray animals; dogs and cats lined the streets of cities, towns and rural villages.  The animals waited outside shops, bars, restaurants and even public toilets to beg for food and affection from passers-by.

The pain and suffering of the countless malnourished and often injured stray animals was very difficult to absorb.  The experience was so far removed from anything we had ever seen before that it became almost surreal.

After arriving back in the UK we decided that on our next trip to Romania we would adopt a dog – that dog was to be Seb.  He came to us quite by accident; an unscheduled stop at a service station on the outskirts of Lasi was the moment it all began.  Pottering around by the automatic doors was a tiny black puppy; his fur was matted, he was smelly, flea-ridden, had an eye injury and was clearly in need of a good meal.  However, in spite of his desperate situation, Seb was extraordinarily affectionate, playful and trusting – we knew he was a keeper.

Seb 1

After scouting the area for other dogs, as he seemed very young to be alone, and checking with the service station attendant that he wasn’t someone’s mistreated pet, we decided to bring him home.  That night we drove to a hotel Brasov where Seb was treated to a bath, a hot meal and a soft bed by a roaring fire.

Seb 2The following day he was taken to a vet in Bucharest, where he was vaccinated, chipped and quarantined for three weeks before embarking on his journey to the UK, arranged with the help of Red Panda Romania.

Red Panda Romania is an animal charity based in Bucharest who work with various animal aid organisations across Europe.  Since the Romanian government issued a mass-cull of stray dogs in September 2013, Red Panda and other animal charities have worked tirelessly to stop dogs like Seb being slaughtered on the street or being left to die in ‘kill shelters’.  Of the dogs lucky enough to be saved the vast majority are adopted by people living in the UK.  Many of the adopters already have pets and frequently publish success stories showcasing how well the strays settle into family life.

In our case, Seb settled in very well with our other dogs and was comfortable in his new surroundings within a few days.  

Seb 4However, his harsh start in life had impacted him more than we had anticipated and it was clear that we’d need help raising him to reach his full potential.  A chance meeting with Shaun from The Way of the Dog led to us being taken on as clients and the next chapter of Seb’s story began.

In the next chapter of Seb’s story The Way of the Dog Ltd will explain how the relationship came together. 

Teaching Responsible Dog Ownership

Teaching Responsible Dog Ownership

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.

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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.

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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.

M1460009To 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.

The Case of the Feisty Welsh Terrier – Aggression Enhances Aggression

The Case of the Feisty Welsh Terrier – Aggression Enhances Aggression

Earlier this year I arrived home and found a note attached to my door.  The note was a plea for help and a request to contact the owner of a one year old Welsh Terrier called ‘Bailey’.  I immediately contacted the owner and arranged a meeting.

 

I met a lovely lady who was very distressed and at her wits end, ‘Bailey’ had been punishing her and inflicting nasty bites.  What surprised me was the fact that I knew this little dog and had no idea of the double life it was leading.  I had encountered her whilst out with my own dogs.  The dog that I had observed was a pleasant and confident dog, albeit one that was noticeably very independent.  However, I had no idea what was occurring behind the scenes.

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Following an initial consultation with the owner it soon became apparent that this was a situation whereby a dog was controlling the environment and more significantly the owner through physical force and aggression.  The owner had reached a crossroads and had no idea which way to turn.  This was further complicated by the actions of the dog walker and also guidance provided by a local trainer.

 

The dog walker held the view that all dogs should know their place and be put there physically.  Sadly, this is also still the view of many that operate in the dog industry; however there is a vast difference between calm effective leadership and physically forcing a dog into submission.  This position was further exasperated by the actions of a local dog trainer, who provided advice, guidance, and instruction that resulted in an escalation of the dog’s aggressive temperament.

 

A clear lack of knowledge, experience, and professional training, resulted in extremely poor advice being given.  The individual instructed the owner to tackle her dog’s display of aggression with a rolled up newspaper and charged her for the privilege of such outrageous advice.  Using physical punishment to deal with a dog already learning to be aggressive is quite simply a recipe for disaster.  Meeting aggression with aggression generally leads to one party getting injured and the intensification of behavioural problems.

 

This was a straight forward case of people misunderstanding how dogs learn and failing to recognise breed traits, if you fight a terrier there is a strong chance that it will fight back.  After all they are game dogs that were bred to tackle, badgers, otters, foxes, and other creatures once considered vermin.

 

‘Bailey’ had simply learnt to defend herself against anything that she considered unpleasant. However, she had also become accustomed to redirecting her pent up aggression on her loving owner.  She was being the dog that she was bred to be, fearless, bold, and game, but she was expressing her anger in the wrong direction and with significant consequences.  When she became intolerant or bored she became feisty and attacked her owner.  This was demonstrated through several unpleasant encounters that resulted in superficial injuries.  The position was untenable, the relationship damaged beyond repair, and urgent action required.

 

The owner truly cared for ‘Bailey’, but sadly she was unable to meet the needs or control the demands of her terrier and it soon became apparent that a new home was the only likely successful outcome for this young dog.  A new home would be a chance to start afresh with strong owners who understood the needs of the dog and more importantly could meet them.

 

Before attempting to find a new home the people who bred ‘Bailey’; were contacted.  They formulated the opinion that the owner was too soft and should take a firm stance with ‘Bailey’.  This opinion they formed without any observation or assessment.  They also criticised the owner for seeking external support from The Way of the Dog, but then stated that they would euthanize ‘Bailey’ if she returned to her breeding home.  The owner was heartbroken; she knew that she had to find a new home or continue to suffer the punishment from ‘Bailey’.  She could not support the breeder’s views or their suggestions of euthanasia.  She had tried her hardest to engage with ‘Bailey’, but the damage was done.

 

Notwithstanding all the unnecessary sadness, this case has ended well.  I can happily report that some months on ‘Bailey’ lives in a new home with new owners and other dogs to provide her with guidance.  The early days have not been without incident but she has slowly learnt to trust again and is progressing very well indeed.  Her new owners manage her carefully reducing any opportunity for her to practice being aggressive.

 

They have taken ‘Bailey’ very much to their hearts and have provided a stable home and environment in which she can now flourish.  Each week that passes is a step in the right direction and the new owners are committed to meeting ‘Bailey’s’ needs and maintaining a safe and structured environment.  ‘Bailey’s’ former owner is delighted that ‘Bailey’ is now happy and safe.

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From the many cases that I have dealt with the case of ‘Bailey’ epitomises the extent to which routinely treating a dog with physical force and punishment can lead to real and serious damage for both dog and owner.  It also highlights the extent to which damage can be caused by enlisting the services of poor trainers.

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