Home / Blog/Training Tips / Summer is here – is your dog ready to go public?

Summer is here – is your dog ready to go public?

Posted on: 06-8-2012 Posted in: Lifestyle, News

How to manage your dog at big public events

Summertime is upon us so the world of big, public, dog friendly events is here. This can be good or bad depending on your dog. Are these events good for everyone? Like dog parks and doggie day care, NO not good for everyone but there are some things you can do to help your dog at these events and even make them FUN – for both of you! I have a few simple suggestions…

  1. Treat, treats, treats! Invest in an inexpensive treat bag that attaches to your clothing. When you want to desensitize your dog to ANYTHING you pair “scary” stimulus with something your dog LOVES. This usually means chicken/liver/cheese/hot dogs…. When your dog is exposed to something that makes him uncomfortable or uneasy, chicken/liver/cheese falls from the sky. Your dog’s reaction is unimportant; we just want to change his base emotional response to that “scary” or uncomfortable stimulus.  Dole out the treats generously at these events!
  2. At busy events, keep your dog on a short leash. You cannot control your dog’s reactions or protect him from anyone/thing if he is 6 feet away from you. Your dog should be close enough that you could reach your hand (filled with liver treats!) in front of his nose and reel his attention back up to you. Throw out that flexi-leash!
  3. If your dog pulls on leash put him on a head collar (Gentle Leader Halti) or front clip harness (Wonder Walker, Easy Walk, Freedom harness etc.). Tension around your dog’s neck can cause physical and behavioral damage.
  4. Know your dog’s limits. If your dog is stressed and uncomfortable at these events, leave him home. Work on some behavior modification and desensitizing exercises before you expose him to so much. Learn to read your dog’s body language and signs of stress so that you can first recognize and then HELP him to feel more comfortable.

For more info on body language, signs of stress and safely socializing your dog take a look at these:

5WaysToSocialize

Body Language 

 

Rufus

About the Author

Danette Johnston
Danette Johnston, Owner, has been a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) in the state of Washington and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) as well as a Certified Fear-Free Professional Trainer. She has trained dogs (and people!) working in animal hospitals and shelters prior to opening dog’s day out in the beginning of 2000. She has published articles on dog day care and dog-dog interactions for The Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). She has lectured on dog behavior to Veterinary Technicians and students at the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians conference. Danette is a Licensed Canine Good Citizen and Tricks title evaluator for the the AKC and worked as a Delta Society Pet Partner’s (animal assisted therapy) Instructor and Team (with her dear departed dog Georgia). She is a "Be A Tree" presenter and the NW Coordinator for Doggone Safe, an organization dedicated to education on the prevention of dog bites. She created a comprehensive Shelter Training Program working with shelter and rescue organizations. Along with her group classes and private lessons at DDO, she teaches seminars including: Difficult Dog, Canine Body Language and Barks & Babes, a class for expectant parents. She currently shares her home with a brown tabby (with many extra toes), a Pittie/Border Collie mix, a growing (too fast!) human boy and a very tolerant husband.

Leave a Reply