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If you're anything like me, going on a walk with your dog is as much for your dog's benefit as it is for your own. If I'm stressed or just need a break, taking my dog for a walk can be one of the best ways to instantly give me those endorphins. It gets us both moving and gives us the exercise and socialization that we need. But not if we stick to a rigid obedience "heel", where I require him to be at my side "watching me" the whole time - that's more like work than a leisurely outlet for our energy! So instead of using a short leash and holding him tight and close, I most often choose to walk using a long line. When I say “long line”, I’m not referring to the metal line that you stake into the ground in your back yard; nor do I mean a retractable leash which is like a shoestring attached to a plastic handle and offers you little control. I mean a 12-15’ leash made of cotton webbing that looks like a regular leash only much longer. Sometimes they are referred to as “training leads” and you can often find them online or in a store packaged wrapped in a spiral. They come in 10’, 15’, 20’, 30’ even 50’ varieties, but 15’ is usually all you need for walking – anything longer is just too much to handle and unnecessary. I use one of these 15’ long lines almost anytime I take my dog out and about. He and I both love the flexibility it offers when used correctly, and it makes for a more pleasant outing for both of us! In a nutshell, here are some of the reasons why using a long line can make for a walk that is more fun and rewarding for you both...
A big "THANK YOU" to all who came out for my "Life After Trauma" presentation at the Marlboro Free Library on Tuesday, April 26th! Those in attendance had the opportunity to learn about their dog's emotional state, which can be influenced by many factors, and to understand how this emotional state is connected to several common rescue dog (or any dog really!) behaviors - such as jumping and nipping at guests, barking and lunging on leash, separation anxiety and resource guarding. If you weren't able to make it, stay tuned... we may be doing another one soon!
The nice weather is here - and if you're anything like me, you love spending some time on these nice days with your dog. You think of the fun things you can do together - the sights you'll see, the places you'll go. But if Lady isn't used to high-intensity public locales or handling herself in social situations, getting out and about to new places that offer new sights, new sounds, and a lot of people and other dogs can be stressful and overwhelming for her (and as a result, less fun for you).
If you want to be able to take Lady into these kinds of situations with you - strolling through the center of town on a sunny afternoon, enjoying a bite at the local café, or meeting friends on the rail trail - it's important to set Lady up for success by breaking these situations down into small slices and building her up to be confident in them. Starting with places like the Walkway or rail trail, a dog park, or other bustling sites may actually do more harm for Lady than good if she's staying in a highly-aroused emotional state the whole time. Ensuring Lady can take some time to process situations without pressure will allow you to help Lady stay in a calm emotional state, building her confidence so you can get closer to your goal. Picking the right kinds of outings for Lady that are going to help her rather than hinder her are critically important to your success. But do you know where to go or what to look for in terms of good socialization? I've made a list of some of my favorite places in the Hudson Valley for positive socialization. I like them all because they each allow the space needed for Lady to process at a distance where she feels comfortable, you can be as close or as far away from the action as needed, and they all have fun things to offer too! Want to know where? Written by Trista Polo and Bella, According to Bella
Poet Anatole France once said, "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." All of my fellow animal-lovers out there will agree that sharing your life and love with animals is one of the most rewarding experiences one could ever dream of. Our pets love us, want to spend time with us, make us laugh, are there for us when we cry, and make us all better people for loving them. So on National Pet Day, let's take a moment to recognize our furry (or not-so-furry) friends who bring so much joy to our lives. And remember, it's not just about appreciating them on National Pet Day, but on every day of the year! How are you celebrating? MY THREE FURRY LOVES: The apple of my eye, my Corgi-man Scout. He and I like to go hiking whenever we can, to enjoy nature and breathtaking views right here in the Hudson Valley. Anytime we can go out hiking or walking together is a fun time really - we just enjoy being outside together. When we're inside, we get to enjoy the company of Scout's fur-sisters, Chloe and Abby. As true kitty sisters go, they definitely like to hide and taunt their little brother - Chloe usually by making herself comfortable in all sorts of unexpected places where Scout can then "find" her, and Abby likes to sit on the staircase and peer down to her brother below (knowing that she's protected by the staircase rungs makes her brave). Every single day of the year, I am SO grateful to have these little loves in my life! I would have many more if I could, but my husband keeps me grounded ;-) "If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans."
~ James Herriot I'm a lover of small businesses that work hard to get to where they're at, and even more of a fan of dog-related small business stores. I'm happy to send this shout-out to some friends of mine, Dana and Eric Peterson, who had their grand opening this weekend of Dexter's Dog Boutique - on Montgomery Street in the lovely town of Rhinebeck! Dexter's Dog Boutique proudly offers a plethora of natural items made with love, many from around the Hudson Valley but ALL from the USA. You can find tasty treats made from wholesome natural ingredients like organic beef or turkey, cranberries and butternut squash; quality leashes and collars, and comfy dog beds to fit any size canine (I almost curled up in one myself!). They carry some of the best holistic and nutritious food brands out there, like Fromm's and Wellness CORE (grain-free). And let's not forget the all-important toys and chews to satisfy our best four-legged friend's energy. Dexter's carries Planet Dog's Orbee-Tuff line (one of my favorites, as you can see from my article The Best Items for Your Best Friend in my Training Library), durable tug toys made of recycled firehose and plastic bottles, and natural chews such as antlers, bully sticks and beef trachea to help keep your dog's teeth healthy. Their prices are very reasonable, and the service is great - Dana and Eric are committed to helping their shoppers pick the best items for their best four-legged friends! So if you find yourself visiting the Rhinebeck area, or even if you're looking for a fun drive to take on an upcoming spring day, make Dexter's Dog Boutique at 6423 Montgomery Street in Rhinebeck your doggie-shopping destination. You won't be disappointed, and neither will your pup!
1. Confident Leadership/Structure/Communication. Dogs are loyal and social creatures. Most want to do what makes us happy, which includes following the rules to ensure they don’t ever get on our bad side. But dogs and humans are two different species. We speak two different languages and have different ways of doing things (scent preferences anyone?) – and so the rules aren’t always clear. Contrary to all the amazing things dogs can do, they don’t have the ability to read our minds. So that means we have to be crystal clear about what it is that we want and expect in terms of the rules and acceptable behavior, and communicate that in as succinctly a way as possible for our dogs to learn and understand. Conveying these rules confidently and positively, consistently, and in small slices that can help your dog learn and succeed will create a relationship based on respectable leadership and clear communication. Dogs crave structure in order to be well-behaved – so give it to them and you will have a four-legged friend who loves to please you! (For more on creating this respectable leadership, see the article on my website, “R.E.S.P.E.C.T. – Find Out What It Means to Your Dog”).
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AuthorMaria Huntoon, CBCC-KA Archives
April 2020
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