​The Holidays is a lovely time of year with beautiful decorations adorning our homes and plenty of delicious savory and sweet food on the menu!  In order to have a safe festive season for all the family including your dogs please keep in mind some of the things that can be harmful and dangerous to them.

​Here is a list of things to keep your dogs away from to keep them safe:

Décor:

• Christmas ornaments
• Christmas lights
• Tinsel and ribbon
• Plants and flowers such as Lilies, Poinsettias, Amaryllis
• The needles on fresh Christmas trees
• The water that the tree is standing in
• Mistle toe
• The berries on Holly

Food Items:

• If your dogs are sharing in the Christmas turkey only give them the white meat.  No dark meat, skin and no cooked bones
• Onions
• Grapes, raisins and sultanas
• Fruit cake and Mince pies as they contain raisins and sultanas
• Chocolate
• Macadamia nuts
• Sweets and Sweet wrappers
• Alcohol

​If you want to treat your dogs as you tuck into your festive meals remember there are lots of different recipes that you can find to fill a Kong and freeze it for their treat and remember to get your dogs out for walks!  The fresh air will be good for them and good for us after our delicious meals.

Happy Holidays Everyone!  Best wishes for a healthy and safe New Year, 2021!

written by Aurora James, Reprinted with permission.

The pandemic has made nearly every aspect of our lives more complicated. Individuals and businesses everywhere have had to figure out new ways to survive. This is as true for pet shelters as it is for anyone else. Shelters have had to deal with running on a skeleton crew in order to keep staff and volunteers as safe as possible. Many are stretched thin with no sign of relief. This is hard on shelter workers and the animals they care for.
 
The good news is, you can help. Adopting or fostering an animal during COVID-19 makes a huge difference. If you take in a dog, Chitra Walmsley can help you figure out the best training techniques for your new pal. Here are some more tips for welcoming a new pet into your home during the pandemic.

Choosing a Pet 
It's important to pick a pet that's a good fit for your home and family.

• High-energy, outdoorsy families could do well with a younger dog.
• Cats are a great first pet for teens, since they’re affectionate, don’t need much training, and can handle some space.
• If you have younger kids, it might be wise to avoid senior pets or pets with health issues, who often need space and gentle interactions.

Gearing Up
These tools will make your pet journey smoother.

• For dogs, basics include a collar, leash, and crate. It’s also wise to install a fence so your pal can roam safely in your yard.
• Cats need a litter box, scratch-safe surfaces, and climbable structures.
• All pets need appropriate, high-quality pet food, including treats.

Mutually Beneficial
Bringing a pet home is good for you, too.

• Many people are facing social isolation and loneliness during COVID-19.
• Pets are a great source of comfort and company.
• It doesn’t just feel good to have a pet around - they actually reduce rates of mental illness and can even improve physical health.

Pet shelters need adopters and foster families to stay functional during the pandemic. When you bring an animal home, whether on a temporary or permanent basis, you make their job easier, and that animal’s life better. Plus, there’s a very high chance they’ll make your life better, too.

New dog not behaving as well as you’d like? Reach out to Chitra Walmsley for training advice and guidance.

Author: Aurora James
Website: http://dogetiquette.info
Email: aurora@dogetiquette.info

Photo Credit: Pexels

As well as working with clients “virtually” when shutdown began in March 2020 I also continued my growth and education in the dog training and behavior field and am now a proud graduate of the Victoria Stilwell for Dog Training and Behavior Academy!

As many of my clients know, continuing my education in the field of dog training and dog behavior is of paramount importance to me so that I keep my knowledge and skills fresh and current.  I do this each year by attending conferences, webinars, reading books by renowned trainers and each year choose a course that I feel with further my development.
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This year I chose to do the Victoria Stilwell dog training and behavior course.  I have followed Victoria for many years and am a great admirer in her belief of positive/force free training but also of the huge work she does both here in the USA and the UK to really drive this training philosophy forward.  She also does a lot of work to promote and support rescue and shelter dogs, something that is very dear to her heart.

The Victoria Stilwell Academy is the world’s premier institution for professional dog trainer education founded by renowned dog behavior expert Victoria Stilwell, and graduates of VSA have been individually taught in-person by Stilwell and other VSA faculty. All VSA graduates are rigorously assessed at the highest level for both skills and knowledge in the areas of dog training, behavior modification, canine ethology, creative problem-solving and more.

Additionally, great emphasis is placed within VSA’s industry-leading curriculum upon effective and empathetic human communication skills. This unique focus results in professional dog trainers who are prepared not just to train dogs successfully using powerful force-free, positive reinforcement-based tools and techniques, but also to help dog owner clients to learn how to truly transform canine behavior and set their dogs up for success using the latest in modern behavioral science methods.

I throughly enjoyed doing the course and am delighted to be part of the Academy where I will continue to receive good input from fellow trainers and a support network.  The course also kept me focused during what has been a very stressful and difficult time for us all!

For any aspiring dog trainers out there I highly recommend this course, details of which can be found below.

https://www.vsdogtrainingacademy.com/

~ by Jen Dehestani
My name is Jen Dehestani and I am very involved with animal rescue on the Caribbean island of Aruba.  Aruba has an estimated 30,000-40,000 stray and semi-stray cats and dogs on an island with a population of a mere 105,000 people, and geographically is only 21 miles long and 6 miles wide.  This ratio is quite staggering. Many go to Aruba on vacation to enjoy a slice of paradise but it is no such place for the animals of the proclaimed “One Happy Island”.  Many locals view animals as vermin and treat them extremely poorly.  Even many “owned” dogs are not treated well, not cared for properly/ neglected, and left to roam around on the streets,  reproducing freely with other unsterilized dogs.  Below is the story of one such dog, “Cleo”.

There are a handful of amazing animal rescue foundations who work around the clock helping Aruba’s animals. Sgt. Pepper’s Friends, New Life For Paws, ARF, Luna Foundation, Cunucu Dog Rescue, United Dogs Aruba, Crijojo Trappers.

Cunucu Dog Rescue, ARF, Luna Foundation, and New Life For Paws, are all 501(c)(3) organizations. Should you wish to make a donation (that is tax deductible) the donation links are below.

http://arf-aruba.com/donate/
https://www.cunucudogrescue.org/donations
https://www.paypal.me/LunaFoundation
https://www.newlifeforpaws.org/donate

​Who doesn’t just love opening the blinds in the morning to that glorious sunshine pouring into our homes. It’s the season that everyone enjoys, including our pets, so here are some tips to ensure that your canine family stay safe over the summer months.

For a lot of us it will be coming on to 8 weeks that we have been in lockdown and I know that one of the suggestions I have found helpful as a coping mechanism is to adopt a new routine and stick to it. But what about our dogs, how are they coping? Here are some key things to remember to help our furry members of the family get through this difficult and different period that we are experiencing.

Although many of us are restricted by the number of times we can go out at the moment try as far as possible to ensure that your dog has at least one walk a day. Walking your dog is not only good physical activity but it is also good mental enrichment especially when you allow your dog to smell and sniff trees, flowers, grass etc as that is how they get their information about the environment and what is going on. When your dog has had physical activity plus mental stimulation that wears them out and helps to promote a calm dog. If it is difficult for you to get out with your dog remember that a game of “Tug” or “Fetch” in the garden is good for getting some energy out of them plus you are giving them one on one time too!

Our dogs are very intelligent animals therefore to get the balance of their needs physical exercise is part of the equation the other being mental stimulation! There are plenty of ways that you can do this with your dog. Practice those training cues with them, teach them some Tricks!  There are some great puzzle toys on the market. Nina Ottosson puzzles such as Doggie Tornado, Dog Brick, Hide and Slide are great fun for them. I use these with my dogs a few times a week. If you purchase a couple and rotate them around for about 30 mins that is great exercise for your dog’s brain.

What we as dog owners need to remember is that this moment in time that we are all experiencing is tough and it is stressful for us humans, but it can also be a tough time for our dogs too. Dogs feed off our emotions and if we feel low, which is not without reason at this time, our dogs’ sense that emotion from us which in turn can make them feel tense and anxious. So watch out for that.

Also, in our “usual world” there are many dogs that are used to us being away from the home for a period of time during the day. During this time, they get used to space and having down time until we return home. But at the moment with the whole family at home and the house being much busier than it normally would be our dogs may not be getting the same amount of down time they are accustomed to and need. This can lead to them feeling anxious and stressed or over stimulated. Therefore, to avoid any unnecessary tensions or conflict create a “safe place” for your dog to go to during the course of the day where they can have time on their own.

This can be done by putting their crate or dog bed in a quiet area or room in the house. Plus remember if the dog is sleeping and toddlers or younger children are around be sure to teach them not to disturb the dog when it is asleep as this can cause the dog to jump and possibly lash out unintentionally simply because they have been startled. Setting up an area like this can benefit your dog immensely giving them the opportunity to have the down time they need. Additionally, if you throw in some classical or reggae music on top that will create an even better, relaxing and calming environment.

Lastly, the new guidelines from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends social distancing for dogs too. So, when out on walks keep to the 6 ft guidelines for your pets as well as you and don’t let your dog interact with other dogs and avoiding dog parks at this time is advisable.

Please continue to Stay Safe, Stay Positive and Stay Healthy ….

When my husband and I moved to California in February 2013 from Switzerland with our two West Highland Terriers, one of the first things that struck and impressed me when I used to walk our dogs in the neighborhood was just how many other dog owners that walked their dogs had rescued them from local shelters or abroad. I soon realized the huge drive and encouragement in the USA to rescue and was very impressed with that. Since working as a dog trainer here I have worked and trained many many rescue dogs both in a shelter and a dog training school, and now having my own business here in Massachusetts I continue to work with many clients who have adopted dogs from a shelter or abroad.

I have found that there can sometimes be a stigma or myth that dogs surrendered to shelters are there because they are “bad” dogs, that there must be something wrong with their temperament, or that they have challenging behavior. However, in a lot of cases this is simply not an accurate depiction of the events that led to their being sheltered. There are many other reasons why dogs are unfortunately surrendered which can include:

​​When you look at the list of reasons above it really emphasizes the point that the most important thing a person or family has to do when considering to get a dog is “do I/we have the time and ability for this”. Dogs are very different pets compared to cats. They require a lot more of your time, energy and attention on an on going basis. When considering whether to add one to your family remember this is a life long commitment as dogs can live for between 15 to 20 years.

1. Can you afford this?
Dogs will require annual vet visits, flea, tick and heart worm prevention treatments, teeth cleaning, and depending upon the breed you may have a dog that requires regular grooming. If you cannot come home during the course of the day to allow the dog to have a potty break, do you need to think about a dog walker or doggie daycare and obviously the latter two will be additional costs.

2. Do you have the time for a dog as an ongoing commitment?
Initially the dog you adopt will need some basic training - will you be able to commit to this?  It may have behavioral problems. A lot of behavioral problems actually stem from lack of crucial socialization that a dog which may have been living on the streets etc will not have gotten. They may therefore have developed fears of, for example, other dogs, people, noises, various forms of transport, trucks, motor bikes etc.  In which case will you be able to commit to a longer period of training to help the dog through its fears? All dogs, whether they are small dogs or big dogs need exercise which is important for their physical and mental wellbeing - will you keep up with this and not just put them in the back yard to run around?

3. What breed or mix of breeds should you get?
When adopting if there is a specific breed that you are attracted to there are many rescue groups that deal with specific breed types. But one thing that you must bear in mind when thinking of a particular breed or before you go to the shelter and fall in love with a dog that is that a mix of breeds such as a Border Collie and Springer Spaniel, or Doberman and Retriever, is to make sure that you do the research on the breed types that you like to ensure that you can cope with the energy levels of a particular breed or breeds. Unfortunately many dogs are surrendered because people end up with dogs that are jumping, barking or destructive simply because they are not giving the dog enough exercise and mental stimulation.

4. Puppy or Adult dog?
For families that are thinking about a puppy, who themselves require a lot of care and attention in the first few months, children that are 6 years old and above are better suited but should still be closely monitored around the puppy.  Young pups have sharp milk teeth that can hurt when they nip children and sharp nails, and what you want to avoid is children’s’ excitement of getting a puppy turning into them fearing a puppy because of the nipping or scratching.  So with young children an older dog might be better suited.  Older dogs have a more established personality and don’t need to potty as often as a young puppy.

In essence, think very carefully when deciding to add to your family with a four legged friend. Ensure that the whole family is on board with the decision and that you make the right choice on the breed(s) that you choose.

Dogs can be such a rewarding member of the family, fun, playful, encourage you to take more exercise.  You will meet new people when you get a dog therefore increasing your network of friends. In a nutshell they can be a huge joy once they are trained, they understand their boundaries, and they are cared for in the appropriate way.

Dogs need exercise and we all want to walk our dogs and have a pleasurable experience, but sometimes our dogs are not confident in the external environment particularly when they see stimuli such as other dogs, people, or children. Their reaction is often barking and lunging on the leash, or freezing on the spot. As the stimuli gets nearer and nearer, your dog may lunge and bark at it or they may simply try to evade or run away from the trigger.

The reason that dogs behave this way is actually because they are anxious, nervous and fearful. It may be because they are genetically predisposed to be fearful or it could be the result of a lack of socialization with different people, other dogs and children during that crucial period when they are between 8 and 16 weeks old. Or it could be that during one of their fear imprint periods they had a single traumatic event which can have lasting consequences as explained in my previous blog on Socialization.

Therefore, two of the important things that dog owners need to learn about their dogs are, firstly, understand what your dog’s triggers are (other dogs, strangers, children, etc), and secondly to learn your dog’s body language.

When a dog is walking towards something that causes them anxiety, as they are approaching it from a distance, dogs start to exhibit displacement behaviors called stress signals in order to signal to the thing they fear to keep away. But if that trigger keeps coming nearer and nearer, that is when the dog goes over its threshold and either starts barking and lunging, freezes on the spot, or tries to flee. There are a number of stress signals dogs exhibit which include the following:
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• Averting the eyes
• Turning away
• Yawning
• Lip licking
• Slowing down in movement
• Sniffing the ground
• Shaking off

So, you understand what your dog’s trigger is and you have started to notice that as they walk towards it on walks that they turn away or lick their lips, sniff the ground or slow down in movement, or, they may do all four of these things, what do you do to avoid your dog going over it’s threshold? The answer is to take them away, cross over the street to avoid that dog or person from walking past them, turn down another street, block your dog’s vision of the trigger by hiding behind a car until the trigger has moved on. By doing this you prevent them from going into that red zone where they are no longer able to listen to you because their fear has taken over and in the long run the more you understand your dog’s body language they will be less anxious on their walks, your walks will be more relaxing and enjoyable and your dog will have more confidence in you.

When you are consistent with this over time, you will find that your dog will start to be able to tolerate their trigger being a little nearer to them, but it takes time. It is also a good idea to get the help of a trainer who can also put together a training plan consisting of tightening up some obedience cues that will help you on walks but also explain how desensitization and counter conditioning, where you reteach your dog to have a better feeling when looking at a stimulus that causes them anxiety by pairing it with something really delicious. Over time this will help your dog to feel more comfortable around their triggers.

Teaching your dog to walk politely on its leash takes time, practice, consistency and patience. In addition to training you need to think about the equipment that you are using to walk your dog. If your dog pulls a lot when you are walking them, one of the tools that is very effective is a harness where the leash attaches to the “D” ring on the dog’s chest. The harness I usually recommend is an Easy Walk Harness. Traditional harnesses where the leash attaches to the dogs back encourage them to pull harder because of the opposition reflex which causes the dog to pull against the pressure. When the leash is attached to a dogs chest this helps to stop pulling by steering the dog to the side and redirecting his attention towards you. The most important thing is for the harness to be fitted snuggly, meaning that you can only put two fingers underneath the harness all the way around. Once it is fitted correctly, the harness will sit properly on the dogs body and will move in motion with the dog whereas if it is fitted loosely can cause uncomfortable chaffing. Additionally once fitted correctly for example, if your dog pulls out of a six-foot leash, the harness will pull them to one side and the dog will soon learn that pulling does not get them to that smell or to that thing any faster and encourages them to walk beside you.

If your dog pulls, lunges or jumps at people, other dogs, joggers or cyclists that go by, then you need to think about trying something else. What I recommend to my clients in these cases is the Gentle Leader Head Collar. The Gentle Leader is not a muzzle so your dog can eat, drink, bark and pant while wearing it. But as it is a head collar, you have complete control of the dogs head so if your dog wants to jump or lunge or pull, it simply can’t. The fit of the head collar is very important and the straps fitted high behind the dogs ears must be snug in order for the head collar to do its job and to prevent chaffing around the ears. Also, with this type of equipment how you acclimate your dog to wearing it is equally important and should be done over a period a time. Once your dog gets accustomed to it, it will be so much easier to redirect them away from triggers helping your walks to be more pleasurable. You as the owner are empowered to communicate positively and effectively what you want your dog to do and therefore making you feel more confident about walking your dog outside rather than stressed and worried.

One of the most important considerations that you need to take into account when thinking about getting a dog or when you have a dog is that no matter what size your dog is, they all need daily exercise. If you are considering a pure breed dog, think about the exercise requirements that the breed type requires and be honest with yourself about whether you can sustain those requirements for the rest of the dogs life or if you have the resources to employ a dog walker or send it to doggie daycare or a combination of both. Similarly, if you are looking at a rescue dog, get as much information about the breeds that the dog may be mixed with to give you an idea of the amount of exercise it may need. In terms of actual exercise, a good walk around the neighborhood allowing your dog to sniff is great. Remember to change your routes daily as some dogs can become territorial over a particular area if you only walk them there. Take them to the local park, walk them around and maybe play a game of fetch. If you take them to the dog park remember to give them about a twenty-minute brisk walk beforehand so that all of their pent up energy doesn’t get thrown onto the dogs in the dog park, especially first thing in the morning when they have rested overnight and are full of energy!

Hiking is also great activity for dogs particularly as they have an opportunity to take in plenty of different scents, which for a dog, would be like going to Disney World! Remember though that you should only start to hike with dogs after the age of one-year old when their joints and bones have formed properly.  Jogging is also a good form of exercise but here again, only start jogging with your dog after it is one-year old so that it’s bones and joints are formed properly.  Remember to build dogs up to the distance that you would normally run. Don’t assume that your dog can just do it automatically. Just as humans have to begin to jog gradually, dogs are no different as they need to build up their stamina. Also, before you begin jogging as you do with yourself, remember to warm your dog up first by walking them briskly for about fifteen minutes. This allows them to toilet and maybe get a little sniffing done. Then after your jog has finished, cool them down by walking  them for around fifteen minutes again so that you bring down their adrenalin levels and avoid having a highly aroused dog afterwards.  Other fun activities to consider are agility, flyball, swimming (a great activity especially for senior dogs), tracking and many more.

Dog’s are very intelligent animals and as well as physical exercise they also need mental enrichment.  Ways in which you can mentally enrich your dog can include obedience training, puzzle toys, a stuffed Kong, agility training, nose work, playing hide and seek, and trick training. All of these activities engage your dogs brain getting them to think about how to solve something and if you are doing this along with the physical activity the end result will be a tired dog. Exercise and mental enrichment are such an important part of any dog’s life for them to stay healthy, well balanced, prevent obesity, and it also helps with preventing behavioral problems such as barking, chewing, digging and other destructive behaviors and also helps to alleviate stress and anxiety.