Azurita's Dog Diaries

06/10/2022

I always have ideals of what a life with a specific dog may look like and what I would really like it to look like. Whether that be hanging out at a pub with them, collecting firewood in the bush with them, or running x amount of kms with them through some trails.

I used to fantasise about how I would have a dog that is completely bombproof. One where I could take them anywhere and where they would be completely fine and be able to cope with everything and anything I threw at them.

But the older I get, the softer I get too. And with age comes a little more experience as well.

I no longer think about how an animal can serve me (unless it’s Butch who will eventually carry the beers down to the camp site!) but instead how can I make the animal’s life easier and better. And that’s what determines the training we do moving forward.

Everyone has to battle their ego from time to time. As dog trainers surely all of our dogs should be able to do x, y and z and be able to cope with all the things our daily lives throw at them.

But our dogs can’t. All 4 of our dogs have some form of a limitation to where they can get to, or more accurately how far we are willing to push them.

In 2020 we took on Adira and Sunrise. Both with their own very serious issues. Alongside this we have fostered numerous other dogs and puppies as well. We have also taken on ‘rescue’ chickens, cows, sheep, goats and 1 little duckling.

Every animal I get to know, shows me how different each animal is. They have different likes and dislikes and ultimately different needs.

Lots of people will say you should not anthropomorphise animals - but I think everyone does. I do. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Obviously we shouldn’t insist they require human specific needs but if it helps you see them as an individual as opposed to a belonging, this is not a bad thing in my book.

When I get to see a dog that I have worked with previously, I’m not excited about what they can or can’t do. What really makes me smile is to see how happy and comfortable they are to be back with me. I’ll take happiness over obedience any day.

The training is the easy part, keeping them happy is the hard part. Trust can take years to develop and only seconds to lose. Dog training is a continual journey but once you create habits they’re very hard to break - this is why training the dog for ‘life’ is so important.

Whenever I get to know a dog I ask myself what could make this dog’s life better?

Then, how can I train this?

If I think of something else I will ask myself ‘will this benefit the dog?’ If the answer is no, then I ask myself ‘will it be too stressful for them to learn or achieve?’

If the answer then is yes I probably won’t train it (unless it’s for things like vet visits etc).

If it won’t be too stressful then I’ll figure out a plan and if I can be bothered I’ll simply start training for it.

Here’s Jasper (was Dud) ‘watching’ some TV.

Thanks to all our foster supporters and to Nature's Ki - Pet Wellbeing for helping us help them.

Www.Thinkdog.nz

05/10/2022

02/10/2022

A big problem with dog ownership is that we project our thoughts onto our pets.

And not in the sense you think. I’m not telling you your dog is reactive because you’re feeling anxious and it’s traveling down the lead. I’m not telling you your dog has problems because you are subconsciously telling them to behave that way.

I’m telling you that issues may occur when the idea of a dog overrides your actual dog.

Some dogs don’t like playing with other dogs. Some simply don’t enjoy being in close contact to people. Some don’t want to run around and chase balls.

I hear sometimes, when prescribing dog reactive dogs to be walked away from unknown dogs, that it isn’t fair for them. That it’s no life for a dog not being around their own kind. My argument to this is, if your dog being walked in close proximity to other dogs is causing literal, quantifiable stress and anxiety for both themselves and you, *that* is no life for them. The potential for them to be upset that they’re not frolicking with their own kind (which they have never shown any interest in doing) shouldn’t override the daily stress they endure when being forced to socialise with dogs that make them feel unsafe.

Imagine you’re scared of spiders, and you have the option of having your dinner in a room full of spiders or a room without spiders. Which would you choose? If we have the option of making our dogs’ lives a little less stressful, we should grab it.

Because not all dogs are dog social, and that’s okay. Plus, taking away those daily stressors and doing counter conditioning at a distance can actually change their emotional response towards other dogs. So after a while of not forcing daily dog to dog interactions, you might end up with a dog that even enjoys saying hello to the occasional dog.

I know this, because this has happened with my own dog reactive dog. I avoided dogs as much as I could- I chose obscure locations to walk, dived into bushes when dogs came near, kept her on-lead if there were dogs around. Now, she’s able to be walked around strange dogs and will actually go to greet unknown dogs pretty frequently. Because I didn’t force it and let her take it at her own pace.

Our idea of a dog that’s planted firmly in our heads by heartwarming tv series and Disney films is a bumbling, hyper social, do-no-harm best friend to all. Typically based on a Labrador or golden retriever. THIS. IS. NOT. EVERY. DOG.

Just as we can be introverted, extroverted or anything in-between based on environment, energy levels, pain etc, so can our dogs. Don’t force them to be the idea of a dog that’s seated in your mind, when your real dog is screaming something totally different.

TLDR: your dog isn’t Dug from Up. He might not want to be best friends with everybody in the world.

25/09/2022

PHRASES THAT RUFFLE TRAINERS' FEATHERS ... AND WHY!

So I came across an interesting post started on a dog trainer's personal FB page and it got me thinking. She asked "what words annoy you when you hear them?" She did state she didn't want the "why" of it just the words/phrases. As I scrolled down her comments I realized I agreed with many and thought - if a non-dog behavior expert was reading this they might think "why do these words bother so many trainers?!"

So, I decided to lay this out and explain the "why" to a lot of this.

Why trainers don't like the following phrases:

➡️ DOG OWNER SAYS: MY DOG IS STUBBORN!

👂🏼 DOG TRAINER HEARS: I don't know how to communicate/train properly with my dog and she's not doing what I ask so I assume she's hard-headed.

💡 REALITY: I get it. Dog owners aren't usually dog trainers, hence why I have a job! So, you don't know what you don't know. However, if your dog isn't listening or "obeying" the reality is likely that the dog isn't listening because of one, several or all of these factors: hasn't been trained to understand what you are asking of him, is confused, has the incorrect motivation in that moment, is stressed, and/or has made a poor association with the thing you ask and therefore won't do it at all out of fear/stress/anxiety. Really this could be a lot of things!

🐕 BOTTOM LINE: Training & some understanding of dog behavior will fix this label.

➡️ DOG OWNER SAYS: HE'S BEING DOMINANT!

👂🏼 DOG TRAINER HEARS: I watch a lot of Cesar Milan but don't really know exactly what all that entails .... and/or I think if a dog is doing a pushy or bratty behavior it's because he's dominant and "thinks he's boss". OR Someone hasn't been in tune with up-to-date science and studies on dog behavior and training.

💡 REALITY: Your dog can't be "dominant" as a whole. It's not a personality trait. It's not like saying my brother is "out-going". Dominance is fluid and only happens in certain contexts. Usually over resources and a dog that is aggressive or insecure is reacting for other reasons that aren't even related to "dominance". I could go on and on about this topic. It's very sadly been used and misused by a lot of trainers. The truth is that science has shown other answers to what decades ago was always blamed for "dominance". You can read more on dominance in dogs here: http://bit.ly/2GElznQ

🐕 BOTTOM LINE: Get to the root of the problem with a qualified professional (that doesn't adhere to the dominance/pack theory of yonder years.)

➡️ DOG OWNER SAYS: WE TRIED POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING, IT DIDN'T WORK.

👂🏼 DOG TRAINER HEARS: We did that a couple times, didn't get immediate results so gave up and said it doesn't work.

💡 REALITY: The thing with positive reinforcement-based training is that it does, in fact, take work, consistency and dedication on your part. It's not magic and it never works if you only do it a few times or if you are inconsistent. You often see immediate results but for them to "stick", and for long-term goals like great leash work (no pulling on leash) and coming when called, you will need to be consistent and diligent in your training efforts.

🐕 BOTTOM LINE: Don't give up. Listen to your well-educated, qualified, positive reinforcement trainer ... and stay consistent!

➡️ DOG OWNER SAYS: OH, HE'S KNOWS WHAT HE DID WAS WRONG!

👂🏼 DOG TRAINER HEARS: My dog is trying my patience on purpose and doesn't listen just to spite me even though that's not the case because dogs aren't humans so they aren't spiteful and do things "on purpose".

💡 REALITY: Dogs that continually do things do so because it works and usually there is some kind of reward in it for them, even if just the satisfaction of chewing things or tearing something up ... or they had to potty so they did it on the floor because they just couldn't hold it ... or they were anxious when left alone and so they peed the floor from anxiety/stress (not uncommon at all).

Also, dogs that *appear* to have look of guilt are only doing this based on muscle memory --- the last time she entered the room and I was in this spot she was mad so I'll hang my head low in hopes she doesn't become confrontational --- or your body language, which dogs read far better than you can even realize. Remember dogs can smell a seizure so they can smell when your adrenaline is up and your mood is changing as well as your eyes, your face, everything.

🐕 BOTTOM LINE: Your dog isn't plotting against you. He just needs proper guidance and training on what to do.

These are just a few things that dog trainers hear often and have different "meanings" for dog owners than they do for trainers.

If you need help finding a proper trainer read my blog post on this topic and tips on how to do this here: https://bit.ly/whattypedogpro

Happy training!

––
Stacy Greer, CPDT-KA
Sunshine Dog Training & Behavior
sunshinedog.com

17/09/2022

Being a good dog owner includes knowing when *not* to get a dog.

Today I saw some absolutely beautiful puppies, little border terriers that are local, come from a great breeder and whose parents do agility classes with me. The offer was there to have one of them, and they were totally perfect. I said no.

Why? Because it wouldn’t be fair.

As a kid, I dreamt of having a house full of dogs. Dogs of all breeds. I thought that as soon as I had my own house, my own van, my own money and no longer had my parents telling me I couldn’t, that dream would be a reality.

I have all that now, and yet I still said no. I would love more than anything to have one of those gorgeous little puppies, but my three dogs deserve to be a priority. Willow, at eighteen months, is still a baby herself. Tulip, at five, is just starting to settle down and enjoy her life to the full. Bramble, at twelve, is still fit and active, but she doesn’t need another puppy to look after.

Dividing my time between these three is enough. A puppy is an enormous responsibility and it took a huge amount of planning and work to raise Willow. She did four puppy classes a week, swimming lessons fortnightly, she did visits to cafes, farms, shops, high streets… she was years in the making, and she’s not even fully baked yet.

And I have to be realistic. Three is manageable. They get on well, are easy dogs and life is smooth right now. What if the puppy was reactive like Tulip, and I had to separate them? What if I became ill and somebody else had to look after them? What if finances become an issue, could I afford another pup? What if I wanted a holiday, are there people I can trust who will take all four dogs? These things and more need to be considered before even thinking about getting a new pup.

It can be hard, this isn’t the first puppy I could’ve had, other students and friends have offered me equally beautiful, exciting pups. I know that young-me would be screaming at present-me for not taking all the puppies. But that’s growth.

Having unfortunately once known a family who bought puppies on an impulse and rehomed them once they weren’t cute and small anymore, over and over (a sickening amount of times), without once thinking of the consequences or impact it had on these dogs, I just couldn’t do that. Dogs mean more to me than that. These three deserve my full attention, and the adorable little puppies I saw today deserve their future owners’ full attention.

I could get another puppy now, but I’ve learnt that being a dog lover isn’t about having all the dogs, it’s about giving all your love to the dogs you own.

15/09/2022

🛑 FREE FEEDING YOUR DOG! Are you a free-feeder? You may want to re-think that!

Is your dog a picky eater? Guess what - Free-feeding, defined as putting food in the bowl and leaving it until Fluffy eats it all, or until you put more in there - is why you have a picky eater!

WHY DOES FREE FEEDING CAUSE PICKY EATERS?

➡️ If Fido knows food is always available he has no reason to have to finish it right when it's placed in the bowl.

➡️ If Fluffy learns that if she walks away from the bowl that tells you she's finished & you pick up the bowl, she'll learn that food is not always available.

➡️ When a dog learns that food comes 2 x a day & goes away if he chooses to walk away from the bowl, he'll quickly learn that he eats it all or has to wait until the next meal.

⚠️ Some dogs do not eat well regardless, so when this occurs it's important to seek the advice of your licensed veterinarian to rule out medical reasons for poor eating habits.

Schedule Feeding is so much more beneficial to dogs! This is defined as - you put food in the bowl, if/when Fido doesn't finish in either a certain timeframe (10-20 minutes) or once Fido walks away from the bowl you pick it up so he has no more access to it until the next meal. This happens regardless of how much food is left in the bowl when you pick it up.

From a professional trainer standpoint most dogs that are picky eaters are taught to be this way unintentionally. I see many dog owners add multiple things to their dogs food in an attempt to get them to eat. I've also seen some dogs not finish food because they either don't like the food or they are actually being over-fed (usually unbeknownst to the owner).

Medical reasons aside, all dogs will learn to eat when given their meal if they are properly schedule fed.

KEEP IN MIND

🥩 Sometimes you need to add fresh foods to your dog's food: boiled/scrambled eggs, boiled chicken, cooked ground beef, plain yogurt, to name a few. These are not only healthy but variety can help keep your dog looking forward to the next meal.

📏 Sometimes those dog food bags are not a good guide for how much to feed. Use the guide loosely but then watch your dog's waistline. If you cannot feel your dog's ribs when you press in to feel them without trying really hard, she's likely overweight. Cut back on the food a bit, or if she feels too thin add more.

🚽 Potty training will not go smoothly if you do not know how much or when your dog last ate. Also if your dog is able to eat throughout the day because you free-feed be ready for pooping throughout the day with no set schedule!

🤒 If you don't know when your dog last ate or how much you won't know if her eating habits are normal or not. If you have a dog that eats when you put food down you'll be able to easily tell if she stops eating and that it's not normal. This is a first sign of illness and reason to call your vet. If you don't know this you may not know when your dog is ill because she has no real eating pattern.

🦮 If your dog is able to have free access to food most of the day your dog won't value food much. Why should he? He can get it really whenever he wants. So, to make training easier you want to be more in control of your dog's eating. Schedule feed and make food a valued item to your dog!


––
Stacy Greer, CPDT-KA
Copyright© 2022

11/09/2022

I saw a meme posted today, that stuck with me. Not in a good way. The key phrase from it was that "dogs crave discipline and structure." And as your friendly neighborhood ethologist, I am here to tell you: no they don't.

In dog training it's fair to say when people use the word "discipline" what they mean is "punishment." And when they use the word "Structure" what they mean is "to be controlled." And neither of those things are inherently true. Discipline and structure are both a byproduct of our need to control. They are the words and concepts we use to control the world around us, and those whom we are "in charge of."

Dogs actually want: Security (to feel safe, comfortable and secure in their environment.) Relationship (to have engagement with us, a bond and trust in us.) Enrichment (to have their needs met through play, learning, and experience.) Control (to be able to exercise choice in their environment.) (Mangos wants me to note that dogs also crave snacks.)

No animal desires punishment. Behavior is driven by whatever is going to prove most reinforcing at any given time. When we use punishment and force in training it becomes the thing the dog wishes to avoid, so their behavior is driven to seek what alternatives are available out of fear. This is not a healthy learning environment, and the act of seeking to avoid a punishment is not conducive to the brain actually retaining learned information.

The kinds of memes that suggest dogs DESIRE discipline and structure are written as a means to make pet guardians feel more comfortable with force in training. They are 100% designed so that guardians won't question causing harm to their dog because "the dog wants it." The use of the word "Structure" is a euphemism for control. It justifies the micromanagement of a dog's environment so their choices are limited, and learned helplessness is the goal. This is justified because "your dog wants to be controlled." No, he does not. I assure you no living, thinking, feeling being wants to be punished or have no freedom of choice and control in their lives.

09/09/2022

06/09/2022

"Puppy Socialization"....what is it, really? 🧐
Let's start by reviewing what it ISN'T....
Socialization is NOT:
🚫 throwing your puppy into puppy kindergarten group classes
🚫meeting and playing with as many dogs and puppies as possible
🚫 meeting and letting as many people as possible hold and interact with your puppy.
If this is the picture you have - you, like many other people, could be setting your puppy and yourself up for a lifetime of stress.😬
👉There is certainly a right way and a wrong way to "socialize" your puppy and honestly, most people are doing it the wrong way.👈
"Socialization" is like this puzzle🧩 ; where each component plays a role in the complete picture.
It's about exposing your puppy to novel experiences in a gentle way, so your puppy leaves that experience feeling good, feeling calm, feeling safe - and thus feeling good about doing it again!🥳
My students learn how to expose their puppies systematically to the world around them to build positive associations. My favorite game, "watching the world go by", cultivates opportunities for their puppies to experience the world in a low-stress, positive way. Our only goal- letting our puppies learn about the world around them! The sounds, surfaces, the environments, the people, the animals, etc. and that in fact, the world is not a scary place.✅️
This needs to be done gently, considering your puppy's feelings. If you're thrusting your puppy into different situations in the name of "socialization" and your puppy is leaving feeling stressed, exhausted, or overwhelmed😨 - you're doing more harm than good. The world will become overwhelming and scary, not fun and positive at all. This can create a lifetime of problems and stress for your dog and for you.
And there isn't one specific "recipe" for properly exposing our puppies to the world. Why is this?
Because puppies are NOT blank slates.
Every puppy is an individual, a sentient being with his/her own personality traits, inherited traits, and genetic make-up. So socialization cannot be a "one-size-fits-all" process. It's about understanding YOUR puppy's needs and setting YOUR puppy up for success as he/she begins to learn about this new world.
And if you'll notice, interactions with other dogs and people (though important) are not top priority and instead, only play a minor role in the full socialization puzzle.
So be thoughtful and comprehensive in your socialization approach with your puppy, Focus on building neutral and positive experiences to the world around you and your puppy, cultivating ample opportunities for your puppy to learn what the world is all about.
There are so many pieces to the socialization puzzle... if you'd like help setting your puppy up for success with a proper socialization plan, reach out!
>
Send me a message 👇 to set up a time for us to chat about your puppy 🙂

02/09/2022