Athena's enriching walks

24/08/2021

A fantastic post from Dawn Allen of four positive paws

It's cruel to keep a dog on lead!

I have heard this a number of times from a variety of people with varying experience, knowledge and skills.

Like many things, it depends on the context.

I saw a lot of dogs at the weekend that were on lead at a boot fair. The leads were standard length, owners were busy looking at items to purchase and many of thesed dogs were almost being strangled because of the length of the lead and because they were simply unable to sit or stand while the lead was pulled up to stop them from moving.

I am sure that every person with their dog was there to give their dogs a nice time, to get some exercise, to socialise them and to give them something interesting to do but I wonder how the dogs felt from their perspective?

There were young dogs, old dogs, tall and small dogs, pully dogs and calm dogs, quiet dogs and barky dogs and a few that were not at all ok in other dogs company.

Would it be appropriate for the dogs to be off lead? Not in this context. Would it have been better if the dogs had more space, more choice and a longer length lead that provides some flexibility without getting too close to other dogs but also not having tight pressure around the collar with a well fitting harness.

Many dogs lack the social skills and abilities that prevent them from getting into altercations with other dogs and people. Even a 100% recall is too late if the off lead dog has made an inappropriate approach and caused another dog to feel unsafe.

Just because there was no bite or fight doesn't mean the dogs felt safe or didn't suffer.

Many dogs are on lead for different reasons. Fear, anxiety, blind, deaf, recovering from trauma, newly homed, no or unreliable recall, close proximity to livestock or roads, security to name a few.

I absolutely love being able to walk my dogs on lead knowing that they are not being deprived of a really good quality walk and an enhanced experience while engaging their natural senses.

I am forever grateful to Sheila Harper for introducing me to this pioneering lead technique that enables me to walk with my dogs, safely and securely while they are enabled to walk using natural skills and abilities.

It is a longer lenght lead that can be as short as it needs to be if we cross a road and longer to provide flexibility to get to those hard to reach sniffs. It isn't a long line or an extender, it is a static lead that provides freedom with connection and communication.

I remember very clearly being introduced to this lead technique for the first time and what a pickle I got into.

I had been used to very short leads, even shorter than the standard length leads for a specific reason.

I had an open mind and stayed curious to the possibility that I could learn the technique and to support and enable my dogs to learn how to enjoy a walk that was fulfilling both ends of the lead.

I now teach this technique to pet owners and guardians and it is a wonderful feeling to see the progress and change in the dogs and the people.

It isn't for everyone. Like everything some of us will never like or want to do certain things and that is okay. We may come back to something at a later time and find that it is the time we are ready to explore and change our leads and our walks.

Yes, it could be cruel to keep dogs on leads if we were to keep them on very short leads where there is pressure on the neck and back, when there is no opportunity to sniff and explore and engage in natural behaviours or we use that lead to punish and correct.

I take great comfort in knowing that my dogs enjoy their walks with the freedom and support they need, the physical and mental exercise that matches their skills and abilities and with a togetherness of just being instead of doing.

I never believed initially that this technique would help slow down by Bull Mastiff x Rottie who was a dog that pulled like a train. In the beginning I was impatient and frustrated (thanks to Sheila for her patience and compassion) while I continued to learn and develop skills alongside Benson.

If you pop on to the video section of this page you will see how it worked out for us after investing some time, patience and trust. He was an amazing boy and I miss him loads having said goodbye to him a few years ago now.

08/08/2021

Lovely start to my walk with the amazing Mr B.
Today the first head turn from this gorgeous young pup when we met another dog.

He was allowed to look observe and process from a safe coping distance and using the natural barriers around us to put as much distance and Safety measures in place.

Fantastic watching as people and two dogs passed and a massive improvement with Mr B using body language for the first time.
Also he made a positive choice to carry on with his walk and stay within his coping threshold.

Lot's of sniffing today and observations of his surroundings.

Mr B is only 10 months old but a large breed being a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Slow baby steps at his pace and he is starting to learn the skills that he so badly lacks.

I love what I do and the way I have been taught may not be the quick fix many owners want but it's amazing to see the progress with each client and see them develop and grow in confidence and skills

05/08/2021

Had a lovely sniffy walk with a client's dog today.Small breed adorable and friendly just needs to learn his canine social skills.

He isn't bothered by the wet weather,enjoys his short car ride in the crate.

An absolute pleasure to work with 😊

03/08/2021

WARNING

My business page messenger and my personal FB page has been hacked.

Contact me via phone number please and I will verify its actually me

Sarah

30/07/2021

GRIEF AND PROCESSING FOR OUR PETS

Each of us at some point in our lives have felt the pain and emotions of grief.

No journey is the same and each of us copes and proccess loss of loved ones in our own individual way.

I lost my beautiful gentle deaf boy Carter Tuesday evening.
Dementia claimed him and I could not as his human sit back and let him suffer.

Carter deserved dignity and release from such an awful disease and he was set free at home with the love of myself our fantastic local village vet Tina and the cats.

I have other dogs as well as the cats and watching them process the death of Carter was heart wrenching but also very sereal and beautiful.

Milly my Savannah cat was meowing to me as I sat next to Carter stroking him after his passing.
I answered her as I knew she was telling me he had gone.

Milly then came onto my lap curled in my arms like a baby as I sat stroking Carter.
She then stood up and sniffed Carter's leg and face coming back to lay in my arms looking at me with huge widened eyes.

Archie my other cat refused to come in the living room at that time.

My head was reeling and I was and still am heartbroken and knew that to allow Dulcie and Lemmy to see sniff and process our loss that night was not the right time.

I couldn't let Carter go to be cremated I wanted him at home buried in our garden so my beautiful boy spent the night on his favourite part of the sofa and the magical part was both cats came in and laid on the arms of the sofa all night not leaving him once.

Dulcie the next morning was more interested in finding food than going over to smell and process the loss of her friend who was her comfort, calming influence and her rock.

Lemmy couldn't cope with being to close and as Carter's body was carried out he struggled majorly, barking,eyes wide,and displaying body language that said I'm worried,I'm anxious get him away.

After our beautiful boy was buried each one of the cats and dogs again processed our loss again.

Dulcie lay where Carter had been giving lots of calming signals her eyes wide and full of sadness.

She then lay down her head on her paws.

Lemmy wasn't interested in anymore of where Carter had last laid but he had enough information and sniffing to process his loss.

The cats kept walking about the edges of the sofa again processing their loss.

Carter passing has left a huge gap in all our lives and each of us at home will take our own time to adjust to life without him.

It's so important for us humans to remember and understand that animals grieve,they feel the loss like we do but communicate and process things in their own individual way.

Like us humans some of our pets will struggle more than others with grief.

It's for us during our own heartache to still listen observe and support our animals that we still have in our lives.

They need us even more at such a difficult time.

A journey that together we can get through.
With listening understanding and being there and taking into consideration the impact such a loss makes will help our dogs to stay within their coping threshold.

I've always referred Carter as an ambassador to Bull breeds but our lovely vet summoned Carter perfectly and simply.

Carter your an ambassador for all dogs.

Fly high my gentle perfect in man.
Your free now darling.
Loved forever 💓

23/07/2021

Shared from Silent conversation page

Learn your dog’s silent language so you can understand what he is trying to communicate.

Be open to listening. Let go of human expectations.

Gently, without coercion, try to teach skills (not obedience training) to help your dog navigate the human world.

Try to remain flexible although some things might not make sense from the human perspective. Trust the dog's perspective is valid and very real to that individual dog.

You will make mistakes along the way, get frustrated, and lose your cool at times, but you will learn so much from your dog’s point of view and, in turn, learn about yourself as well.

20/07/2021

Canine cognitive dysfunction

I'm certainly not an expert in this area and have been searching the internet for every piece of advice and knowledge regarding it.

My beautiful oy Carter has been showing various signs of it over the past few months and with every medical issues ruled out there is no doubt that is what is happening with my beautiful gentle boy.

His ear infection to start with caused him to wander constantly and excessive panting., struggling to eat and drink and just a total shell compared to his old self.
Drops and antibiotics from our lovely vet were not working and bless him the pain must of be excruciating.
Luckily a chat with the amazing lady whom I was taught canine psychology and body language an ear drop from any chemist had worked well for her dogs ears so I gave it a go.

Amazing results within a few days.

Now it's focusing on the dementia progression with my boy.

He has always been a gentle laid back soul and loved by everyone who meet him.
Non aggressive with dogs.
Never a paw out of place.
He really was/is perfection.

Now I have to block off anywhere in the living room where he can and has got stuck.
I have to follow him in the garden as he now tends to get stuck in corners.

He wanders around so much but bless him it's because he wants to go to the toilet.
In and out of the garden, refusing to come in and lay down.
Then back out the 3rd or 4th time to the garden and does his toileting.

Many may say pts but I won't give up on him all the time a spark inside him shine's.

It's not easy,it's time consuming,sad to watch but as his human I will care and love him until I know it's time to say goodbye to him.

I don't think I have long left with him but I hope he knows how special he is and just how very much he is loved.
An ambassador for all bull breeds.
A gentleman and I'm so honoured to be his human

A video of a few months bac

17/07/2021

Shared from another page but so important to remember each pup is individual and they need to learn at their own individual pace

17/07/2021

Shared from another page

17/07/2021

Today I meet a new client and her beautiful young Rhodesian Ridgeback.
What a lovely owner wanting to support him and help him with his anxiety at home and on walks.

Today in situations that can cause him to bark and lunge on the lead he felt safe and trusted both myself and his human.

Meeting other dogs at a coping distance for Mr B gave him the chance to look process and make a positive choice in walking away with no reactivity.

Being a pup nearing adolescent age and a large breed it can be worrying for others but he isn't aggressive just full of anxiety in a world that he has to adjust to after lockdown.

Loved supporting both Mr B and his owner and look forward to our next walk 🙂

16/07/2021

An amazing opportunity and a fantastic way to spend with your dog.
I had the pleasure of attending a few years back with Lemmy

09/07/2021

For my three fur babies

28/06/2021

Apologies for my silence lately.
A few weeks back I lost my 11 year old Bull lurcher quite suddenly, although she had been poorly her death was unexpected and happened over night.

For the past week my beautiful boy Carter has had an ear infection but again has become very poorly suddenly.

As all of us dog owners know looking after a poorly dog as well as supporting them and other resident dogs can often be very time consuming.

Hope your all well and I look forward to getting back to normal very soon ☺️

27/06/2021

Shared from an amazing group ICAN.
Definitely a group worth following as really interesting articles shared regarding many different animals

21/05/2021

I've been very quiet lately due to my time put in to supporting one of my own dogs who is now 11, got arthritis, thyroid problems and gone totally blind.

So much change has had to be made to ensure Kaci is happy, comfortable and safe.

We as owners see the slow process of old age creeping up on our pets but don't realise that with some of our dogs major adjustments need to be made.
The past week has been centered around kaci, getting blood test done, meds depending on test results and also making sure that everywhere is clear for her to wander about.

For now she's on pain relief,more bloods Monday for extra testing on her thyroid.

Fingers crossed pain relief perk's her up and she starts to feel better

06/05/2021

Something all dog owners should know and understand

01/05/2021

I see so many posts asking for puppy socializing classes or owners with young dogs to meet up for the dogs to all play.

I hold back from putting my response as not every owner or business working with dogs understands how detrimental with long term consequences this can be for certain dogs.

As humans we have no wish to be forced into social situations that we have no say on. Whether we want to be there or whether the whole situation is over whelming and frightening.

Our dogs deserve us to stop and think.
To learn and understand each of our dogs is an individual.
What is fun and positive for one pup does not mean it's good for another.

I'm not knocking owners or those that hold puppy parties but I do feel that all owners need to think who really benefits from it and ask themselves why dogs should want and need to play and befriend every dog they meet.

22/04/2021

Early evening me and my very own Mr L had a lovely calm walk through the woods.
Within a few minutes of being in there we saw another dog in front passing on a path we usually walk.
Mr L was in a hurry to get to an area where he could look and process the owner and dog walking away from us.
He stood looking moved to a bushy area and stood observing them.
When he was ready he then calmly decided to choose a separate path and off we went on our walk.
It was so lovely having a walk that wasn't disturbed by anything and my Mr L with his harness and 8 metre lead loves being out.
He really does take in his environment and enjoys mooching and sniffing for as long as he wants.

Walking back down our road home he was relaxed but also observant of certain gardens but today he really was a contented fella.

My car was being cleaned parked right outside our gate.
Windows open and what does he do.
Jumps straight in the window and into the car.

He then decides to go on strike.
A favourite little party trick he occasionally does.

He lays stretched out in the foot well of the back seats.
Back legs out on the seat and his body laying in the foot well refusing to move.

So I end up sitting for about 20 minutes on the back seat while he decides to sprawl out.

Then he hears someone walking pass and gets on my lap to sit and watches a man and a dog pass by the car.
No barking or attempts at lunging.
No attempt to get out the car.
My Mr L sat watching and processing with a gentle face but a puzzled look.
He then decides to go back to sprawling in the foot well but with me encouraging him he got out the car and back in doors.

My boy will never be the "perfect" dog but he's an amazing teacher and I wouldn't be without him now

22/04/2021

Choosing the correct walk for individual dogs is an important part in building their confidence.
Today I had my weekly walk with the sweet Miss L and I choose a walk with zero dogs and people.
Miss L loves to sniff and is a busy girl snuffling the bushes and under growth but due to her fear and struggles in a high dog populated area she has always been on high alert which shows in her entire body and face.
Today such a difference she had a happy little spring in her step and her dear little face was relaxed and soft.
She looked so happy on the entire walk.
Being able to relax trusting myself and her lovely owners little Miss L was content to sniff observe her surroundings and be a busy little bee sniffing in the undergrowth and choosing to have a little paddle in a stream and then out and on with her walk.
So lovely to be part of her learning and support journey

20/04/2021

Today I had my weekly walk with my gorgeous Mr J.

Oh what a different little fella he is from the one I met a few weeks back.

Mr J when I first met him had no recall at all.
He assumed all dogs were there to run over and bounce all over.

On lead he was very vocal.
Up on his back legs making lots of noise and generally looking out for the next dog he saw.

His lovely owner is a pleasure to work with and the consistency and understanding of Mr J needs and support out on walks really does show the time and understanding she has put in between our weekly walks.

Now Mr J enjoys and concentrates on his walks engaging with the environment,using his nose and isn't on constant look out for other dogs.

He now can look and process dogs in the distance and choose to carry on with his own walk and enjoyment.
Passing dogs are no longer a major struggle for him.
No up on back legs,no loud noise.
He looks processes and carries on.

We use ourselves as barriers if off lead dogs come over not for any other reason than to make sure Mr J feels safe and allows him to watch and choose to make positive choices.

What a remarkable difference in less than four weeks.

He's certainly a little star but credit has to go to the time his lovely owner puts in between our walks

20/04/2021

Yesterday I met a new client and her adorable rescue Mr B.
I chose a particular walk for him as he's very vocal and bouncy when he see's other dogs.

What an absolute gentle fella he was and loved using his nose sniffing out different scents.
Standing and observing the jackdaws in the distance.

At one point next to the edge of some woodland he's sniffing and mooching in a calm relaxed manner when suddenly a hen pheasant flew up screeching and got slightly tangled in the fencing before flying off.
Mr B didn't react in anyway.
Didn't try to grab her,didn't get stressed and over whelmed with the sudden screeching and flapping.
He just looked and carried on doing his own thing.
He really is a beautiful gentle soul and I look forward to our next walk

18/04/2021

A beautiful clear picture of my Mr L displaying body language.

If we look carefully and look at the whole image of him we can see the tail is high and slightly curved..

The face shows tightness round his mouth,frowns on his brow.

His eyebrows are raised.
Both ears are up and held rigid.
The neck is tence.
His body posture is tight with a paw lift.

The reason for Mr L body language was due to the sound of my phone making a beep as we were wondering a long enjoying a walk with no-one about .

The photo is a screen shot of a short video I had taken.
After this we came across a lady walking .
No dogs with her and she was amazing at my request to totally ignore Mr L.
The reason I asked this is due to the fact he does like to go over and get fussed but it over whelms him with the physical contact and this does not help in him making good polite positive choices.
Due to the lady's action Mr L was able to choose to be polite and carried on mooching and sniffing which he loves to do.

14/04/2021

Useful poster here for you

14/04/2021

A lovely quiet peaceful walk today with a new client.
I chose a particular walk where I've never seen other dog walkers and very limited live stock in surrounding fields.
Mr B was quite stressed from being in his humans car so I've suggested working on that each day a few minutes at a time and building the time spent in the car to limit the negative impact a car journey has on Mr B.
It was very obvious that Mr B was over whelmed with the car journey to where we met up so I explained that we would go by his coping abilities and not push him beyond his threshold.
I also explained to his lovely owner how letting him off lead to run free while being so stressed would no doubt push him well over the coping level he had.
Mr B was very very responsive to the lead handling technique that Shelia Harper teaches and although not engaging with his surroundings and not much sniffing and mooching he responded to me in staying at the edge of the field where he had bushes and trees he could use as natural barriers.
He found a stream/river that runs a long side the foot path and enjoyed a paddle but again I explained the need to watch for enjoyment turning into a stressful situation.
He was fantastic at responding to my request at coming out the water.
Beautiful response to gentle stops put on the lead.
His owner was delighted how he wasn't pulling and how she noticed the difference with an 8 metre lead and the valuable knowledge of the lead handling and understanding what Mr B was communicating.
For a dog that struggles with car journeys and to meet me for the first time in surroundings totally unfamiliar to him Mr B did amazing.
I've suggested to his owner to let him have 1/2 days chill out time at home with bones,soft teddies to mouth at to help self soothe himself as today although only for a short period the whole car journey with his owner,our hours walk was now at the limit of his coping threshold.
I explained how it would leave him with no coping resources if he was to have added stress and that we want his walks and experiences with the car to be positive.
Looking forward to next week when we meet up again

13/04/2021

A lovely walk today with a client and her lovely
Mr J.
What an incredible difference in 2 weeks.
From an over friendly unskilled youngster with no recall,too a calm on lead dog making positive choices.
Engaging with his natural surroundings and spending time sniffing and mooching.
Confidence and the need for Mr J to be vocal as he can't dash off to others dogs was almost non existent compared to 2 weeks ago.
Checking in with his lovely owner today.
The lovely thing to acknowledge is our walks are not about us.
Our walks are centred and based on our dogs needs and support and to have an owner from the very 1st meeting admitt that small changes to support Mr J had to come from her make such an incredible difference.
Both my client and Mr J are an absolute pleasure to work with and listening being consistent makes changes no matter how small so very obvious.

09/04/2021

A beautiful peaceful walk today with my Mr L.
Choosing the appropriate time for his walks is so important.
Mr L can and does at a safe coping distance and using all natural barriers use beautiful clear body language with dogs that he encounters.
He makes positive choices after standing,observing and processing.
Choosing to carry on with his walk and back to what he enjoys.
Sniffing and mooching

04/04/2021

The love most families have for their family dog can never be doubted but at times owners struggle to understand the correct walker,day care or behaviourist that is best suited for their dogs individual needs.

Not each professional caters for specific needs.
Ie fear of humans and dogs. Anxiety and knowing how to assess a situation before things escalate.

Realising that extra precautions are needed and to have the honesty to say that certain fearful dogs would benefit in a different setting to support the fear issues they have.

Understanding the threshold level that give our pets the capability to cope or pushed beyond their limits to the point flight mode can and does kick in.

So many factors to think about when the safety and welfare of our dog/s is placed in the care of a professional.

Never worry about asking questions to any professional that you consider trusting the safety and welfare of your dog with.
Any professional will welcome your questions and try and help decided if they are the correct care that's needed.

If like some dogs fear of humans is a major issue ask inquire what skills and knowledge they have to support your dog.

Remember that you as owners have the right to ask.
We are our dogs voices

31/03/2021

Shared post that is a valuable for all dog owners/walkers to acknowledge.

30/03/2021

Due to the level of dog thefts I'll refer to any clients dogs as Mr or Miss with the first initial of their name.

Today I had a supported walk with a delightful little character that needs support on his social interactions and recall.
A lovely little guy who thinks everyone is there to be his friend.
One of the best outcomes during our supported walk was the honesty of his owner.
Knowing that to give Mr J the skills and confidence to act appropriately she her self has to make changes in herself.
Not major ones as both were amazing.
A learning experience for both and a walk that enabled Mr J to relax and enjoy as well as his lovely owner.
It was a fantastic walk and I'm looking forward to our next one.

29/03/2021

Rest days or duvet days are just as important as lovely positive walks.
Knowing when these days are needed is when our dogs benefit the most.
Allowing rest days after a walk that for any reason sends their adrenaline and stress levels higher than usual gives our dogs the chance to relax distress,adrenaline levels to come down and rebalanced them selves enabling their threshold to be within in their coping ability for their next walk and what they experience and encounter.
We all as owners go out of our way to make our pets have lovely safe walks but as we all know it doesn't always turn out how we planned.
Mine today have all had a day of rest.
Miss D struggles with lots of input and yesterday she was on high alert due to walkers with an on lead dog in the distance.
Due to this I took a different route to shorten our walk knowing she was getting to the point she wouldn't cope.
Taking a shorter route was not so beneficial for Miss D.
We came across a toddler and his dad plus their off lead dog who ran over very close to Miss D head and it wasn't a friendly encounter but barks and growls.
This was the tipping point for my girl as we headed to the entrance of the woods.
Mr C my deaf boy has far far better skills and coping abilities than Miss D but gets very depressed if he encounters any dog that lunges barks and growls.
He doesn't react back in the same manner but will stand and give very clear calming signals.
Mr C tends to hold any stress inwardly which is something that can and does cause medical and behavioural issues.
Mr L had a lovely walk but in an area he doesn't often go and somewhere that deer often frequent.These factors a lone are positive experiences for Mr L but also enough to push him towards his threshold limits..

Understanding and supporting our dogs,knowing when to allow a day or at times 2/3 days of rest then allows them to be able to cope far better on their next walk and all they experience.

I use my 3 and their walks because they vary greatly in the support that I give to each at home on walks and life in general