​Tigg’s activities today included a quick trip into town and an multi faceted activity that covered:
Lunch
Enrichment
Wobbly things (fitbone)
Barrier training

Pretty excited about finding something that covers so many bases at once!
In place of a fitbone you could use a human equivalent of the same or something as simple as a rounded garbage lid turned upside down.

Most indoor cats don't get to express any natural behaviours at all. Here are some great ideas to enrich their lives and also save your living room furniture! 

This valuable resource is available for free download at:
https://doggiedrawings.net/collections/free-downloads
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Oxytocin is needed for effective behaviour change.

Oxytocin is a powerful hormone that functions as a neurotransmitter and is often referred to as the feel good hormone. Oxytocin is produced in mammals in a number of different ways, gazing into the eyes of a loved one and in humans, physical touch with a loved one (hugging etc) also produces oxytocin.

There is also a study out there that showed that owners and dogs gazing into each other's eyes caused oxytocin production.

This new study has shown:
"Learning a new task, mastering a musical instrument or being able to adapt to the constantly changing environment are all possible thanks to the brain’s plasticity, or its ability to modify itself by rearranging existing neural networks and forming new ones to acquire new functional properties. This also helps neural circuits to remain healthy, robust and stable."

This research basically shows that without oxytocin, behaviour change is next to impossible. It explains why addicts can't break their habits without the support of loved ones and why depressed and or fearful dogs also have a hard time breaking old patterns of reactivity.

Relationships are the key to your brain health, to learning new things, to resilience, to behaviour change!! Go hug a loved one today or gaze into the eyes of your beloved dog.

​https://neurosciencenews.com/oxytocin-adult-neurogenesis-22036/?fbclid=IwY2xjawH7sLxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHb5vM_LWHihHMhXSLBfMhxGo_ALqKQltuo5uNDhVPqwEex3FbGgDOpkmHw_aem_f7QxSJ0LFVsUfOw84C61YQ

Lovely observations in the reel linked below from expert Dog Behaviour Consultant Michael Shikashio about the street dogs and how they live their lives.

These types of observations are why I advocate for leaving these dogs exactly where they are and why so many street dogs really struggle once they have been “rescued”.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/315104581336831
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Facebook Post by: See Spot Learn by Emily Dustan

Dogs behave the way they do for many reasons. They do NOT do things deliberately to be stubborn or ‘naughty’, nor do they aim to assert control. Outdated mythologies and training methods have detrimental effects on well-being and strain the relationship between a dog and their caregiver.

A dog's breed and genetic makeup can play a significant role in determining certain behavioural traits. Dogs have genetic predispositions and breed-specific tendencies that contribute to their behaviour.

Some breeds are predisposed to specific behaviours, such as herding, hunting, or guarding.

The environment in which a dog is raised and lives can profoundly impact their behaviour. Early socialisation, which involves exposing a puppy to a wide range of people, animals, and environments during their critical developmental period, is crucial for building confidence and shaping a dog's social behaviour to reduce fear or aggression.

Overstimulation can cause all kinds of unwanted behaviours as it overwhelms their senses and can lead to hyperactivity or erratic responses. For example, if a dog is exposed to loud noises, multiple people, and various stimuli all at once, or on a daily basis, they might exhibit excessive excitable behaviour, poor impulse control, become agitated and exhibit behaviours like jumping, barking, or pulling on the leash, as their senses are overwhelmed by the excessive input.

Previous experiences and learning consequences can influence a dog's behaviour. Traumatic experiences, in particular, can lead to fear, anxiety, or aggression.

How a dog is trained and educated by their caregiver or handler can significantly affect their behaviour. Consistent, positive reinforcement-based training can lead to desired behaviours, while harsh or inconsistent methods can result in confusion or fear.

A dog's health, including their physical and mental well-being, can influence their behaviour. Illness, pain, or discomfort can lead to changes in behaviour.

A dog's emotional state, including fear, anxiety, and excitement, can affect their behaviour. For example, a fearful dog may display unpredictable defensive reactive behaviours or might avoid any encounters and run away trying to hide. While a confident dog may exhibit playfulness and a relaxed demeanour.

A dog can become frustrated and destructive if their mental and physical needs are not met. This dog, full of pent-up energy and boredom, may become frustrated and exhibit poor impulse control. In their frustration, they might resort to destructive behaviours, such as chewing furniture, digging up the garden, or incessant barking. This destructive behaviour is often an expression of their frustration and an attempt to alleviate their built-up energy and mental stress.

The type of diet a dog receives can significantly influence their behaviour, with high-quality nutrition promoting better energy levels, mood, and overall well-being, while poor diet choices can lead to issues like irritability, hyperactivity, or digestive problems.

As dogs age, they may experience canine cognitive decline, which can manifest as changes in memory, learning, and behaviour. This condition can lead to increased confusion, disorientation, and altered social interactions in older dogs.

It is really important to understand that each dog is unique, and their behaviour can vary widely, even within the same breed. Dogs use body language, vocalizations, and other forms of communication to express their needs, emotions, and intentions. Understanding a dog's communication cues is essential for interpreting their behaviour.

​https://www.facebook.com/seespotlearn/posts/809631541172873

Do you know when your dog is feeling uncomfortable during an interaction? If you do, do you step in?
Check out the reel linked below for some tips on how to prevent your dog from becoming reactive.

Reactive dog prevention:
1. Learn to read dog body language.
2. Step in when you need to for your own dog regardless of what anyone else tells you.
3. Understand that your dog does not need to say hi to ALL other dogs (or people). It’s totally ok to just skip dog to dog (or dog to people) greetings all together!!
4. Being selective about your friends is totally normal - even for dogs!

​https://www.facebook.com/reel/925428956374309

It's s bit chilly out there today! If your dog is awkwardly lifting their paws off the snow then it's time to get them back inside! Winter boots can be an option, but the nice ones are expensive and dogs don't always love wearing them. If you haven't yet trained a good association to putting boots on your dogs, it may be a bit too late to use them this weekend. Our top tip here is to put a jacket on your dog and do multiple short walks throughout the day when you can.

That might get them out for their bathroom breaks but it doesn't help you tire them out. Read on for top tips on indoor activities for your active pooch!

Puzzles
Instead of a walk to tire out your pup, consider a food puzzle for each meal. Something as simple as a pop bottle with some holes in it to let the kibble fall out of is all you need. Or get out all your recycling and use boxes and paper to hide your dogs kibble in a snuffle box. You can also Google DIY puzzle toys for more ideas. - get them sniffing and problem solving inside.

Nosework
There are various studies out there and a lot of anecdotal evidence that shows that dogs using their brain to search out and find a scent is very enriching and mentally stimulating. As a result a few nose work games can tire your dog out just as much as a 1 hour off leash walk. Nose work is great for these periods of time when we might be keeping our dogs indoors.

Polly and Dave will definitely be working on some good nosework games this weekend. Here's an quick read article on some scent games you can play with your dog: https://moderndogmagazine.com/.../8-fun-scent-games.../80052

Trick Training
Teach your pups some fun tricks this weekend. There are so many great Youtube, Instagram and TikTok videos that can help you with teaching your dog new tricks. One of our favourite YouTube trainers is KikoPup. This weekend Tigg will be working on perfecting his jump through my arms trick and learning a new trick - jumping over my arms posted by Instagrammer the.trick.team
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cvcfn8fgOl6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
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What will you be doing this weekend to keep your dog sane?

Quite often I advise clients with dogs with behavioural problems to increase their sniff walks. This is not the same as exercise.

Doing chuckit reps is not the same as wandering freely through nature and sniffing ALL THE THINGS And there is scientific evidence to support this statement.

(If you have a reactive dog, then please check the previous blog post for a rebuttal post.)

"Why skipping your dog’s walk is a bigger deal than you think!"
By Kelly Conaboy
February 20, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. EST

"My landlord recently installed a fence around the shared front yard of our building in Upstate New York. Each of her tenants has a dog, and she thought it would be nice to provide a safe off-leash space where they can run around and chase a ball. But this act of kindness has introduced an unfortunate new temptation. When it’s time for one of my dog’s three daily walks and the weather is bad, or I’m particularly busy (or particularly lazy), I now sometimes think: “Maybe I’ll just let him into the yard?”

"Of course, I’m happy to have a place to let him out for quick pee breaks. But I fear falling into a pattern of regularly skipping walks. Research indicates that many humans do: A 2011 study from Michigan State University on the benefits of dog-walking found only two-thirds of its subjects routinely walked their dogs. According to experts, this forgoing of walks doesn’t only make neurotic dog guardians like myself feel guilty. It can significantly affect your dog’s emotional and physical well-being.

"“First of all, dogs don’t exercise by themselves, for the most part,” says Stephanie Borns-Weil, an assistant clinical professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. The amount of exercise a dog needs varies based on age, breed and health — it can be as little as 30 minutes a day or as much as a few hours — but virtually all dogs need exercise in some form.

"The typical yard, Borns-Weil says, just doesn’t offer enough stimulation to prompt an adequate amount of movement. Unless you’re spending time playing with your dog, “they’re just going to sit there,” she says, “because the space is familiar.” She compared it to reading the same book over and over again, or seeking enrichment by hanging out in your bathroom.

"This need for exercise, while crucial, isn’t even the most important reason to walk your dog. They may or may not get some exercise in the yard, Borns-Weil says, “but they’re not getting companionship [from their human], and they’re not getting the mental stimulation that comes from seeing new things, or, from the point of view of a dog, sniffing new things.” Dogs who don’t have these needs met “are subjected to some of the same effects of long-term chronic stress on their health that people are,” she says, ranging from depression and anxiety, to problems with the immune system. (Studies have found that dogs in shelters, too, benefit from direct human interaction, which reduces stress and stress-related behaviors.)

"To help your dog get the most out of her walk, let her explore. “Sniffing is the way that dogs experience the world,” says Valli Fraser-Celin, a humane dog training advocate. Where humans have 6 million olfactory receptors, research shows dogs can have up to 300 million; it’s how they acquire information about their environment and communicate. Dogs can tell which animals have been nearby — including sniffing out their gender and information about their health. A friend’s dog walker used to equate the act of sniffing to a dog “checking their email.”

"But so often, humans hurry them along, prioritizing exercise (or their own schedule) over their dog’s interest in the world around them. “It would be like taking me to the Smithsonian Institute,” Borns-Weil says, “and I’m wanting to stop and look at the exhibits, and somebody says, hey, hurry up, we’re just exercising, keep walking.”

"Allowing a dog to pull off to the side and sniff whenever he wants can feel wrong to those accustomed to outdated, dominance-focused training methods, which prioritize obedience above all else (and which are based on a long-debunked, but still persistent theory). Fraser-Celin warns against getting wrapped up in that mind-set.

"It isn’t necessary that your dog walk obediently behind or beside you, or that they only stop to sniff when you grant permission. What’s important is that you pay attention to what they’re communicating, and help them meet their needs. “If your dog wants to sniff every blade of grass,” Fraser-Celin says, “then that’s what they want to do on their walk.”
"After some amount of time, you can usher them to a new area to sniff, or you might even designate a portion of the walk for sniffing and a portion for exercise. But, above all, guardians need to take the animals’ lead, Fraser-Celin says, “rather than focusing on what our intentions are for the walk.” And if your dog isn’t into meeting strangers, canine or human, don’t feel pressured to acquiesce to those who insist their dog “is friendly!” or “all dogs love me!”

"“Whenever you’re out in the world, it’s important to be an advocate for your dog’s needs,” Borns-Weil says. “Your dog is not public property.”

"For dogs just learning leash skills, Fraser-Celin recommends starting in the house, or another area free from distractions, and using a well-fitted harness to take the pressure off their neck. (A fanny pack full of treats also comes in handy, I can tell you from experience.) If more help is needed, you might consider working with a positive reinforcement trainer. And if you feel your dog is uncomfortable walking, or has developed what seem like new fears or behavioral issues, Borns-Weil recommends a checkup to rule out medical problems. If your dog has a significant amount of anxiety around walking, it may be an issue for a veterinary behaviorist.

"As for my dog, I can barely get one-third of the way into the question “Do you want to go for a walk?” before he’s jumping with excitement. Whenever I’m tempted to flake out on him, I try to remind myself of that. Plus, he’s not the only one to whom I’d be doing a disservice. Spending this time with me is important for his health and well-being, yes, but it’s just as important for mine. Studies have shown what many dog lovers likely already know — that canine companionship and dog walking can reduce stress, benefit health, lower medical costs and decrease depression and anxiety. It’s a gift we can give each other. Fenced-in yard be damned.

Kelly Conaboy is a writer in New York who covers dogs, culture and dog culture.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/why-skipping-dog-walk-bigger-131352061.html

Follow up on the “Skipping the Dog Walk” article linked below that inspired this post.

For some people walking their dog is a lot easier said than done. Many people own reactive dogs. Dog-dog reactivity is on a spectrum. Some dogs have reactivity that just looks like stiff body language when greeting other dogs, but never goes past that. The owners usually have no idea and walk their dogs regularly, off leash on local trails, oblivious to their dogs concerns. Their dog didn’t get into a fight, so no big deal.

On the other end of the spectrum there are the dogs who see another dog from a football field away and lose their mind barking, growling, lunging. The owners of these dogs feel they can’t walk their dogs because of the potential to undo all their training when an oblivious dog rapidly approaches and/or the embarrassment of their own dog over reacting.

All of the public trails in my local town are designated on-leash only or "under the immediate control" of a person. That means a bullet proof recall. All of them. There are no exceptions according to the bylaws.

No one adheres to these rules, unless they aren't from the area. (Local bylaw tried to patrol them once and the backlash was so overwhelming they quickly ditched the idea.) This also means that people with reactive dogs have no where safe to walk their dogs in towns just like mine.

So the next time you see someone walking their dog on leash, please leash up your dog. Even if you think your dog is friendly, that is not an assumption you should be making about the other dog.

Not all dogs want to be charged at by an off leash dog. Actually I can tell you that most of them don’t! This is not considered polite or friendly in dog language! The ones on the public trails going out at busy times of the day tolerate it at best. The ones that can’t handle it, just aren’t there. Their owners are either not walking their dogs at all (to everyone’s detriment) or they are in the bush at 5am hoping they won’t see another dog.

Please be considerate about other dogs on the trail and don't make assumptions :) 

Article by Zazie Todd "Having a Reactive Dog is Difficult and Costly, Study Shows"
https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2024/02/having-reactive-dog-is-difficult-and.html?m=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawH2XrRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbCvRgg6xjk0wB4NzmQ_f7eY9HKdEli1nJPaMPlOW84F-PW8KhgUiOoPWQ_aem_LUpkJ6vg2L_Bur8ad1UL-g
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