Stress

Stress; not good for humans, not good for dogs or anything for that matter.

The below definition was taken from Wikipedia.

Stress is a biological term for the consequences of the failure of a human or animal to respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats to the organism, whether actual or imagined.[1] It includes a state of alarm and adrenaline production, short-term resistance as a coping mechanism, and exhaustion. Common stress symptoms include irritability, muscular tension, inability to concentrate and a variety of physical reactions, such as headaches and elevated heart rate.[2]

So what stresses out a dog? Anything and everything can stress a dog; just like in humans, they are all different. Dogs all react to external stimuli very differently so what may stress out the dog next door is probably entirely different from what stresses your pooch out. With regards to training and modifying behavior; it is of extreme importance to watch a dogs reaction. The slightest bad reaction can snowball into something very large requiring more modification.

Some dogs are much more prone to stress than others. My two females are not the type to stress; my boy on the other hand is a stress monkey. It doesn't take much to have him worried and stressing. Stress can be caused by something fearful; confusion, excitement and even anticipation. Even really great situations or animate objects can cause stress. If your dog is triggered into bouts of over excitement they can easily cross a functioning/nonfunctioning line. Again Luke can cross that line easily so I watch his excitement level alot.

I've heard guardians often telling their dog to stop being silly when they show fear towards some object. It may be something like a troll on someones front lawn. But for some reason your dog does not understand that it is simply a plastic lawn ornament and is coming unglued the closer you get to it. Fear is the cause of the behavior; but the behavior is a stressful reaction to the fear. Stress is what happens to the body when we or your dog are not equipped to deal with an external stimuli.

Often a dog will exhibit a fearful response to a normal daily activity. You may have no idea what caused this odd fear and you may never know. The important thing is that you deal with the reaction, no matter what the cause is or was. It is nice to understand why your dog may be afraid of a certain cupboard in the kitchen or your ice dispencer but if you don't know why you can still help them get over it which then gets rid of the stress related response to the initiating factor.

Counter conditioning is used to create a different response when stress is the default application. Let's say your dog is afraid of the ice dispenser (I actually had a case like this,) your job is to create a positive association to the ice dispenser. Creating an entirely different association to a fearful trigger takes alot of patience and baby steps. You must look at the smallest of achievements as success; never moving on further until each step is achieved.

Stress is a very real internal response and it can be mild to extremely dangerous. Learning to see the signs in your dog takes time and takes close visual supervision. Just recently we were out at a park when a young child approached. Both dogs were fine at the approach but as the child came closer Tilley got uncomfortable; the child came up to her at the side and Tilley pulled away. But before the child was even 5 feet away from my dogs I was down and right there. I know toddlers and toddlers like to hug; which my dogs do not like to do with strangers. So as Tilley started ever so slightly to lean away I put my hand out stopping the child. The child was so involved with all the dogs around she didn't even realize I had moved her away, neither did Mom unfortunately.

**As a side note it is never a good idea to let children or anyone hug your dog. Even if you think it is a good idea and that your dog will be fine; a bite to the face cannot be undone.

No matter what the cause to a stressful reaction is; you must work to help your dog learn to deal with it. Typically stress grows on it's own but it doesn't go away on it's own. No body or dog wants to live day to day with stress; it is no way to live. So figuring out what is causing the stress is the first step; then working at creating another entirely different mental reaction to the trigger is the next step until it is gone.

One step at a time.

Leash etiquette

Good morning; what a great cool morning, love it. We all had toast for breakfast this morning; Luke and Jessie were on the bed with me and Tilley was still on her bed. I am perfecting my toast toss so that Tilley doesn't have to move from her bed to get it. At almost 13 it's getting tougher to get up so when I made a bad toss this morning I watched and laughed at her commando crawling across her bed and out onto the carpet. Obviously a much easier means of maneuvering.

Well onto leash etiquette. I'm a stickler for the proper use of a leash and when and where certain types of leashes are appropriate. I have tons of leashes but the ones I use almost all the time are my 8' 5/8s" cotton web leashes. They are long enough to give the dogs some distance and thin enough to wrap in my hand easily. I do not like the big thick 1" nylon leashes nor do I like nylon leashes in general as they can slide through your hand injuring you. I like the bungee cord type leashes; mostly when used with body harnesses though. And I like a nice short 6"-8" leash for walking through crowds.

Then there is the extension leash; most either hate or love them. I have one for Jessie and it is used ONLY when we are at the park and not around other people. If other people come around she is reigned into 5' length and locked in. Extension leashes can be dangerous and cause all sorts of problems; like cutting your leg. I've had my leg cut twice by the thin ones, clients let their dog out to the end to see me and then tried to haul them back while they were wrapped around my leg, smart. Dogs getting wrapped up in someone else's extension leash can be very dangerous indeed; fights start that way. When dogs feel trapped they swing into the fight of flight mode and being that they cannot move away they resort to aggression to get them out of the situation.

No matter what leash your dog is on when you meet someone else with a dog; do not allow them to become tangled. If they are becoming excited either move away and keep on your walk or drop your leash. But even if you drop your leash watch for tangled feet. If you have a dog that tends to be aggressive on leash, stay calm when you meet others with dogs and keep walking. Get a bit of distance by stepping off the path and calmly moving away but do not change your stride, do not have your dog stop and sit. When you do have to reel your leash in do it in a calm and smooth manner. Do not panic; the more calm you remain the calmer your dog will be.

Do not allow your dog to wander up to others without asking. Extension leashes are horrible for this although people do it on shorter leashes as well. When I walk Jessie I send clear messages that we do not want to meet with others. I get distance, step off the path and continue my walk. Sometimes the other people are so anxious to have their dog meet my dog that they don't register our message so then I must tell them that she is not social. But had they been paying attention they would already know that.

When walking with your dog on a leash have a look down at what is going on when you are walking. Does the clasp hit your dog in the face? Does the leash keep swinging and catching their ear? I see these type things all the time as the dog struggles to get away from the annoyance. Does your leash hang down to far and keep tangling your dogs feet? Is it too short so that your dog cannot do their much needed sniffing? These are all things to watch for.

No matter what leash you use; watch how you use it and hopefully it is not connected to a chain.

The "In" virus

Okay; I'm sure you are all up to your eyeballs with the talk of viruses but here's one you may not have heard of. I actually got wind of it about a month ago when someone on my one of my lists asked if anyone was getting the vaccine for their dogs. From there I did my research about this information that was new to me. Then this morning I got this great newsletter written by my veterinarian on the subject. Please read it.

I believe that with all the new information coming out about over vaccinating our dogs; the big pharmaceutical companies are scrambling. What can they produce that every dog owner will need? Well I think that this one; the H3N8 is the new hope for these companies. And what better time to introduce it than now when everyone is freaking out about the H1N1 virus? My dogs will not be getting it.

Luckily there are people for the dogs and not just people for the money. These are some great links to have a look at as well with regards to vaccinations.

The Rabies Challenge Fund

Is your Vet still over vaccinating?

As a trainer I am a big believer of educating our canines but first off; educate yourself. Your dog is worth it.

Musings on a Tuesday

Well; I'm off to Costco this morning, and I'm hoping to get a new dog bed. The favorite bed of the poodles is the couch type I got a couple years ago. It has now seen better days after suffering from the wrath of Luke's comfort driven digging. There is a big hole in one side and pills all over it; so it is time for a new one. Unfortunately every time I go they don't have them; maybe now that it is the season they will have them, I can hope right?

But first things first; walk time, but before that is gym time. When I get home from the gym in the morning the dogs are all still asleep on my bed or theirs. They know the routine; which is very loose. I don't like routine myself and try to not do the same ole all the time. Dogs learn routine very quickly and depending on the dog; can have difficultly veering from it or not. Tilley is very flexible with regards to routine; she doesn't care what we do and goes with the flow. Jessie can get stuck on routine sometimes like being the first one to go on a walk in the morning; so again, I try to switch it up.

But then there's Luke; the routine meister, that boy can get so stuck that he is unable to go left or right. He likes what he likes and he does not like change. He is by far the most complicated dog we have ever had; in a good way. If I am on the computer Luke is either on my bed or behind me on the floor. When I am in the kitchen he is on his lounge outside where he has the best seat for viewing me. And his most routine of routines is in the evening; after dinner he likes to go downstairs and watch tv. It's not so much the tv as it is the fact that we are stationary and he likes that.

Luke will wait at the kitchen door; watching me as I clean up the dishes and their meal. He waits patiently; watching my every move, he is waiting for the slightest sign that tells him I'm done and going downstairs. When that time comes and I head towards the door he starts wagging; he then charges ahead of me to the top of the stairs. With a big goofy face that says "we're goin down right Mom?" all over it his glance darts from me to downstairs and back again. And if that happens to be where I am going he runs down and proceeds to spin with excitement. He patiently waits to see where I will sit. Once I'm down he does his ritualistic 12 circles and lays at my feet, very content.

If it happens that I am not going downstairs and am going up instead; he charges up ahead and watches. He wants to know my every move; where I'm going and when. Luke is a foot watcher; many dogs are but it is done so subtly that you don't notice. Again with Luke; not subtle.

Have a good one.

Its nice to be missed

I went down to San Diego yesterday early in the morning; spent the day with my daughters. The drive down was sweet; 55 min from door to door. Now coming back was a different story; 2 hours crawling home. One thing you can be assured of traveling back and forth to San Diego; at some point you'll be snagged in traffic. I made a quick pit stop at the grocers to pick up some beef for the pooches and headed home. I always miss the dogs when I'm away for the day and I was looking forward to a nice greeting.

Well; I got it. I got crying, spinning, jumping, head sniffing and kisses. What's not to love about an over exuberant greeting. During dinner my husband and son told me that little Jessie had been looking for me all day. She sat at the top of the stairs crying; that's so sad. I feel so bad for her these days because she is loosing her sight and when she can't find me; her sniffer fails her as well. I'm sure she thinks that she just can't find me; not that I may not be there. But at least she has her canine buddies to keep her company.

The dogs had taken up position at the front door but I came in through the garage. There they were all facing the door barking; I watched for a few seconds and then announced myself. Everyone pounced; even Jessie but then she made her exit to do the usual routine, grab a toy and charge around with it. Luke and Tilley followed me into the kitchen continuing with their "welcome home Mom."

Being that everyone was a little excited I walked out into the cool evening air and chilled. Looking up to the stars the dogs started to relax and sat just looking at me; much calmer. Once calm we went in and had dinner; a raw beef quickie and everyone enjoyed it immensely. I had planned on kibble for dinner but the guilt of feeding them kibble for breakfast took over. Even though their kibble is a good one; Orijen, and I keep it on hand for days like this was I still wanted them to have fresh food. So I opted for fresh raw beef instead of kibble.

Once everyone ate it was then downstairs for a bit of National Geographic. The evenings are getting cooler and I was tired from the day; I curled up in my favorite chair with my big wolf blanket. Jessie jumped into my lap and curled up immediately; Luke lay at my feet in a big blanket and Tilley joined my son on the couch. With full stomachs and the boss safely home they were all happy; me too.

Got a secret

Got a secret? Tell a dog. How many times have you had a secret soooo good that you had to tell someone. In your excitement to share with another you impulsively spill the beans; to the wrong person. I know I've told many things to people; specifically asking "please do not tell anyone," only to find out within less than a day the news was out. Basically if you have a secret that you really don't want getting out; you tell your dog.

Isn't that one of the many fabulous things about dogs? Dogs can keep our secrets very well; forever in fact. If you are a very private person and do not like to share with others; a dog is often a great one to talk to. But not everything can be kept secret; even by dogs. Personally my dogs have let me in on several things that were very important that I find out. They can speak volumes with their actions but you must be watching; often signals are easily missed if you are not paying attention.

Dogs communicate far better than we do; a simply glance can have alot of meaning but if you miss that glance you've missed the whole story. Perhaps your spouse has brought home a special something; hiding it behind a couch. I know my guys would let me know right away; no bag comes into this house without the dogs knowing about it. And if they feel like it is a gift? They are all over it. If a cat has been in the backyard or someone who shouldn't have been; they let me know that as well.

Often things cannot be hidden from others if the dog knows about it but you can be pretty sure that if you tell your dog a secret; your secret is safe. ;)

Friends and the poodle herd

Yesterday we met a few of the regulars from our local poodle group. It is always so much fun catching up and seeing our friends and it's not just the humans that enjoy meeting up with friends. We met at the Montage; one of our favorite places to walk, it truly is like walking through a postcard. The grounds are landscaped to perfection and it is very dog friendly; along the pathways are water fountains with dog bowls attached at the bottom. And the view from where ever you are standing is simply spectacular.

But even before we get there the whining commences; as Luke inhales a nose full of sea breeze he knows where we are headed. Well he knows that we are headed to one of the beach spots that we frequent. So 10 minutes from our destination he is pacing back and forth, whining. As I pull down the ramp and into the parking spot the whining gets louder and once parked he's pretty wound. I get out; pay and put my stub on the dash while the dogs are still in the car. If I do take them out for this process Luke baulks at returning to the car so I do that part alone and then they get out of the car.

He can barely contain himself and is speed scanning for his pals; it is on a rare occasion that we don't meet up with friends here and he knows that. At the first sight of a few of his buds he's a spinning, whining fool and all of this makes me smile at how happy he is to see his friends. Luke being a reactive dog makes it very easy to read him and when he does not know a dog it is clear. All of this crazy behavior is strictly reserved for his buds.

Then comes the biggest greeting of all; his friend from our regular park. She is by far his favorite and I'm sure it's because he sees her the most often. One glimpse and he's chomping at the bit to connect. We have our huge greeting; poodles everywhere sniffing, wagging and spinning all with huge grins on their faces. Then we walk; everyone calms and is happy to share the time walking with their poodle friends. It is a great gang of people and dogs.

Seeing this many poodles together always causes a sensation; from stares to people who need to touch. And let's face it; who doesn't love to talk about their dog to others?