nira.bea

04/09/2022

Because when you have to go to the doctor, it usually means there is something wrong with you. And when you step foot there and see all the other sick people, it’s never a great feeling. You never know what news you will hear when you go there. So it’s understandable that pets don’t like going...

17/05/2022

26/02/2022

Dog Training Course In Spain Will Be Short, Free And Simple Keep up with the Latest News In English from around Spain

31/01/2022

A study shows that there is a way to successfully transplant burrowing owls to new habitats when developers build over their homes.

25/11/2021

In the spirit of October and all things spooky, I’m sending the concept of “heel” straight to hell.

Here’s why: It is a welfare issue.

Of the five freedoms of animal welfare most of us are aware of, it’s #4 that gets glossed over the most.

4️⃣ Freedom to Express Normal Behavior

Normal behavior for dogs looks like moving freely in nature. Sniffing. Investigating. Exploring.

The entire concept of dogs on a short leash walking right next to us looking straight ahead and not interacting with the environment is so, so wrong, and entirely a concept that WE have invented and normalized.

I am here to tell you that IT IS NOT NORMAL.

It is not only not normal—it is comprising our dogs’ welfare. Physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I am here to tell you that IT IS OK FOR YOUR DOG TO WALK OUT IN FRONT OF YOU.

Asking your dog to check in or to walk next to you briefly for safety reasons is one thing.

Ushering your dog around by the neck on a short, taut leash and expecting them to adapt and be “tired out” from that, is quite another.

I’ve seen maladaptive, frustrated behaviors present in dogs who have been yanked and pulled around time and time again. And after being introduced to a long-line and getting a taste of freedom TO BE A DOG—their entire world opens up and that frustration dissipates.

These ridiculous “obedience” ideas have permeated our culture so deeply that our expectations of both dogs and dog guardians are wildly unrealistic and psychologically damaging to all of us!

We forget about ethology and genetics.

Dogs are born with needs that we must meet.

The least we can do when we bring them into our human world is understand their origins and what they need to thrive.



ID: first slide: Letters over a photo of a skull and candles that say “To Hell With Heel”. Second slide: a video of a large brown dog walking on a long-line on the sidewalk.

25/11/2021

Yes, you read that right. I give you permission to NOT walk your dog.

The obvious disclaimer here is that dogs need appropriate exercise and mental enrichment (the amount varies from dog to dog). We are strong advocates for meeting dogs’ needs (physically and mentally).

BUT. There is this idea in our culture of the walk as a “thing dog owners must do,” and sometimes it can cause more harm than good. A few examples:

- your dog is reactive, and walks are filled with explosive reactions and stress for everyone. Suggestions instead: do training exercises in the back yard, get outside your neighborhood to somewhere quiet for a “decompression walk” (and talk to a qualified behavior consultant)

- your dog is terrified of the outside, and shakes and trembles during the entire walk. Suggestion: keep outdoor potty breaks short, and play games indoors. You can try fetch, some wrestling/chase, or even “find it” games. (And talk to a qualified behavior consultant)

- your dog pulls like a freight train on walks and tries to chase every squirrel and leaf and you end every walk with a sore arm and lots of frustration. Suggestion: train your leash walking skills indoors, in your yard, or in another quiet space without distractions! Use a flirt pole, fetch, and other active games to burn off some energy. (And talk to a qualified trainer)

- you’re having a bad day and know that going for a walk is likely to upset you when your dog pulls, reacts, etc

- there are so many other reasons why a “walk” might not be the best option for you and your dog. If your dog is stressed during walks, or you feel emotionally exhausted after them- it’s probably time to reconsider whether a walk is your best option!

Saying no to walks (temporarily or long term) doesn’t make you a bad owner. It means you’re thinking carefully about how to meet your dog’s needs, and your own!

Remember, we still have to meet our dog’s needs for exercise and mental enrichment, and there are TONS of other ways to do that!

But a walk isn’t the only way to do this, and it’s ok to NOT walk your dog.

09/11/2021

DNA from dog remains traces a relationship across time and space