Pure Spirit - Animal Communication & Dog Solutions

11/16/2024

Of course you shouldn't bring an unvaccinated puppy to an unregulated place that is frequented by unknown dogs, but there are plenty of opportunities to socialize in safe places. I agree with the experts that the minor risk is well worth the reward! -Mary Budd Bente

Looking at current position statements from organizations like AVSAB (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior), who are the leaders on veterinary care and behavior, they are abundantly clear that the outdated belief of avoiding socialization until vaccines are completed has no place in current standards. This is relevant because in many cases this fear of strangers or a particular group of people, results from lack of socialization during this critical period and can have lifelong impacts into adulthood.

11/11/2024

11/04/2024

New study published in Animal Cognition found that dogs have a bias towards vowels when understanding human language. This differs from people who have a bias for consonants. In the study 44 dogs were played mispronounced versions of their names, one with the vowels incorrect and one with the consonants incorrect.

Dogs demonstrated a vowel bias rather than a consonant bias, preferring their own name over a vowel-mispronounced version of their name, but not in comparison to a consonant-mispronounced version. It didn't seem to have much of an impact on their understanding if the consonants in their own name were wrong.

This is interesting when thinking about how dogs respond to our vocal commands - it is more important for us to pronounce the vowels well than the consonants. This might not be intuitive because it is the other way around for us humans.

I've actually tried this on my own dog, Maki. If I call him Baki or Raki or Waki, he responds as if I'm calling his name. If I call him Muki or Moki, he doesn't pay as much attention. Does anyone else have similar experiences?

Paper: The role of linguistic experience in the development of the consonant bias, Animal Cognition October 2020

Link to paper: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-020-01436-6

11/04/2024

10/06/2024

DISTRACTED DOG WALKERS

The distracted dog walker is commonly seen chatting on their cell phone, wearing headphones or socializing with other people while oblivious to what their dog is doing, how their dog is feeling or what is going on in the environment.

This may not sound like a problem to some, but it is something that many people have a problem with, even more so if you have a reactive dog.

I compare walking a dog to driving a car. It’s not so much about our driving skills, but having to constantly be aware of the driving skills of others – trying to predict what they will do, which rules of the road they will ignore and how distracted they are. This is especially true in the country I live in, where driving can be a stressful experience.

I understand that we often need to multi task – there simply doesn’t seem to be enough time in our day to accomplish everything we need to, but walking our dogs should not be one of these times.

Some people might say – “but my dog is really friendly, well socialized, gets on well with everyone, is well trained, knows this environment well etc. and I hear that.

But another dog might not be – maybe they need space, are reactive, are not sociable, are recovering from an illness, might be terrified of another dog racing straight towards them chasing a ball thrown from a ball launcher etc.

If distracted dog walkers have no regard for other dogs or other people, they should at least have regard for their own dogs. Walking your dog should be a time of bonding, of relationship, of seeing the environment through the eyes of your dog, of reinforcing and teaching wanted behaviours, of keeping them safe and protected from the unknown.

Our dogs need us to be focused, to pay attention, to be aware and attentive.

Our dogs depend on us to advocate for them.

10/03/2024

This is becoming a welfare issue!

Im tired of hearing “the vet says there is no pain” by a guardian after they have taken their dog to the vet. It leaves me deflated and frustrated and feeling so sorry for the dog.

Myth Bust:

PAIN CANNOT BE RULED OUT IN ANY ANIMAL (dog, cat, horse or hamster), by anyone!

* A quick palpation - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

WHY?

The dog may shut down due to environmental factors or dislike of a strange human touching them, they keep still to get it over with ASAP!

The dog may be over aroused or overwhelmed by the clinical environment (excited/scared etc) to the point that adrenaline is so high it blocks pain!

* Blood Tests - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

There is currently NO blood test that can detect pain.

* Diagnostic imaging - CANNOT RULE OUT PAIN

Yes they can pick up a variety of conditions, but even the GOLD standard MRI doesn’t pick up everything, but NONE of them can detect PAIN.

Just because a source cannot be found doesn’t mean there is no pain.

PAIN is subjective, it is whatever that being (human or animal) perceives it to be!

Pain can come in many different forms, it is extremely complex, and can effect the individual in many different ways. A dog may get injured, the injury may have healed, but the pain remains … this is known as maladaptive pain.

Behaviour can be a HUGE indicator for PAIN:

* There could be a change of behaviour that has been directly caused by PAIN.

* There could be a worsening of behaviour due to an increase or new presence of PAIN.

* There could be a lack of “normal” behaviour due to PAIN.

* There could be behaviours that are present but that the guardian/owner don’t deem to be problematic that are indicators of PAIN.

* The dog may have ALWAYS displayed behaviours that are indicators of PAIN, but they have been ignored and put down to “just the way they are”.

* There may be NO problematic behaviours at all …. And the dog might still be in PAIN!

* The dog might be energetic, always on the go … and still be in PAIN.

* The dog might be lazy … and still be in PAIN.

* The dog may zoom up and down stairs … and still be in PAIN.

Diagnosing PAIN is not simple and can be difficult to get on top of.

A PAIN relief trail can be great! But often only one type of analgesic is tried and sometimes this doesn’t get results leading to the ASSUMPTION that there is no PAIN!

Here’s why:

* The drug was only trialed for 2 weeks - when living with chronic pain it can take longer to relieve. 2 weeks is not enough.

* The drug used wasn’t targeted to the type of pain the animal is feeling; soft tissue, bone, nerve or a combination of all.

It might take a number of different medications or a combination OVER TIME to see a difference.

ALWAYS keep in mind, NO ONE can rule out another being’s PAIN.

NO ONE. Not me. Not you. Not a Doctor. Not a Vet.

09/21/2024

Excellent read.

Our dogs recall quickly, shed enthusiastically, outrun eagerly, turnback positively and try harder than most, for one simple reason, they want to—
You can't force or bully a dog into wanting to try for you,
especially when conditions are hot or the task difficult; you have to earn it.
Key to this is helping him enjoy aspects of training he finds difficult; it’s an integral part of gaining trust .

Your dog recognizes situations that make him feel uncomfortable. When you help overcome that discomfort and turn it into something he enjoys,
he connects the positive feeling comes from working with you.
It elevates your connection and empowers your bond, growing confidence both in himself and you.
You’ll need to also be fair, consistent and teach in a way your dog understands.
It’s your responsibility to communicate clearly; it’s not your dog’s burden to interpret accurately.
The more unambiguous and intuitive your method, the less room for misinterpretation.
You empower your dog’s development by setting him up to succeed and this includes keeping reasonable expectations of gradual improvement.
Training should never be about ego or an agenda to compete in X trial.
Success at competition is the knock on effect of good training.

A dog’s ‘try’ is ultimately a reflection of his desire and enjoyment. There are different methods that are successful but there’s a big difference between training in a way that makes sense to your dog that he enjoys
versus only drilling or imposing your will. The latter doesn’t result in your dog giving you his heart—
You can just train or you can partner.
macraeway.com

09/11/2024

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/sep/07/when-dogs-recall-toys-and-horses-plan-ahead-are-animals-so-different-from-us?

We’re warned not to assign human qualities to other species, but evidence of their complex abilities is mounting

09/04/2024

"I am fine!"

"No, you're not."

"No... I am fine."

"I can feel that differently."

"Don't feel me."

"Why. You are literally on my body and next to me. I am always feeling you."

"Because I am holding back the flood of feelings that I have no idea what to do with. If I felt them, I might fall apart"

"Ok. I won't feel you then."

"Excuse me... can you pay attention to me? I am asking you a question nicely. Can you respond to me nicely please?"

"But we just made an agreement. That I disconnect to how you feel, just like you disconnect to how you feel."

"Yes but, don't connect to my feelings. Connect to my actions and commands."

"They are one and the same. That is impossible unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless I detach myself from you. Emotional death."

"Great. I'll have one emotional death please. None of those nasty inconvenient feelings. Let us just do actions please."

"Ok. But I am here, waiting for you."

"What are you waiting for?"

"For you to feel. So that we can communicate with feel."

08/11/2024

Brown County, Wisconsin - be on the lookout for Elmer! Last seen in Suamico.

UPDATE: Jennifer Van Enkenvoort and the Get Toby Home Inc., Volunteer Lost Dog Search & Rescue Group crew got him! He’s safe and back in our care. Thanks everyone for the prayers and shares ❤️
—-
📣SOS📣Elmer got loose from his new home. Please keep an eye out. If you see him, DO NOT CHASE him. Report any sightings to Jennifer Van Enkenvoort @920-639-2359 immediately or message us.

Last seen near 325 ridge haven court in little suamico, WI dragging a retractable leash.