To Tug or Not To Tug, That is the Question

There are many theories about the game of tug with dogs.  Some say never to do this with your dog and others believe that it is no problem at all. 

I believe that playing tug is a great game with your dog as long as its done correctly. 

It's important that in each session of play that you ask your dog to drop the toy and other times allow him to take it from your hand.  It's important that he only take the toy with your permission.  You can say something like "ok" or "yes" before you actually release the toy.  A good rule of thumb is to ask your dog to "drop it" about 8 out of 10 times and about 2 of out of 10 times you give your dog the permission to "take it".

Playing tug can be safe play if done correctly so that no one gets hurt, including your dog!

1. Try not to jerk the toy back and forth in rough motions, fluid tugging is best.
2. You NEED to teach your dog to "drop it" before allowing tug play to happen.  It will save injury to you and your dog.
3. Everytime before you release the toy, you should say "ok".
4. Please NEVER lift your dog up off the ground when he is holding the toy in his mouth by holding onto the other side of the toy.  This can cause serious injury if they are unprepared for the lift and fall clumsily to the ground. 

Tug of war is one of the dogs most favourite games, and if done safely, can become a good stress reliever and fun for both of you.

One final note.  Please use caution when children are present.  Unless children have been trained in how to work with dogs, please don't allow them to play tug without proper instruction.

Play it safe and teach the commands before commencing tug.

5 Ways to Meditate with your Dog - REALLY!

If you're in the market for some good meditation guidelines for you and your dog, please check out  the link below.  It's actually a good basic guide on how to start your meditation journey with your doggy.  Remember that when you meditate with your dog, your dog is a natural at it.  You are the one who needs to work harder at achieving the peaceful state of mind.  I highly recommend meditation for you and your dog.  It creates a strong bond and focuses on positive energy.  Exactly what you and your dog need.  So, give it a try. 

Remember, for those of you in the Toronto area.  I currently run 3 meditation sessions a week.  The focus is to create a bond between you and your dog and to promote positive inner energy.

Give me a call if you're interested in giving it a try. 

http://www.holisticonline.com/Pets/pets_5-ways-to-meditate-with-your-dog.htm

Coronation Dog Park - A Real Gem in the City for Dogs!

We ventured out on this beautiful day today to a dog park which is fairly new to the city: Coronation Dog Park at 711 Lake Shore Blvd. West at Lake Shore and Bathurst by the Tip Top Tailor building. 

All I can say is what a beautiful park and an amazing experience!

Since it was such a lovely day there were many people out and about and the dog park was barking!   From the Chinese Crested to the Rottie, they were out in full force.

What great mix of dogs and what a great group of dog guardians.  Great conversation, great dogs and a wonderful atmosphere made for a wonderful day at the doggy park.  Fully fenced in and clean.  If you happen to live close by, give it a try.  It's worth the trip.  Plenty of paid parking available.  Doggy parks should be on your list of things to do with your dog.  Makes for some great doggy exercise!

All dogs were well behaved and the interaction was amazing!

Is your dog Employed?

Bottom line is, if you don't give your dog a job to do, they will become self-employed.  This means they will come up with their own "jobs" to do around the house.  They can become your self appointed host or hostess; jumping on and licking everyone who comes through the door.  They can become great gardeners and replant all your flowers and vegetables in the yard.  They can even become an interior decorator and rearrange the stuffing in your couch.  When you don't give your dog a job to do, you create an improper balance of the mental, physical and emotional stimulants your dog needs.  In short, they become bored!  Boredom then leads to other mental and physical symptoms such as stress and anxiety.

Employment is so important because not only will you provide stimulation but also promote and develop a sense of purpose and pride.  Having a dog "work" for a living eliminates boredom and engages them in life.

Jobs can include retrieving toys, doing tricks and playing games.  My dog's job is to find and bring me my keys when it's time to "go for a ride" and bring me my cell phone when it rings.

Give your dog a job to do and work to create the balance they so deserve.

Do dogs enjoy the pat on the head?

People often pat the top of their dog's head because it is an easy place for them to reach. Your dog may be used to you doing it but watch his body language.  Does he really enjoy it? 

When we touch a dog's head we can cover the dogs eyes or ears which they use to be aware and control his surroundings. We can touch the sensitive hairs on their muzzle which can be very distracting and sometimes disorienting to a dog. This can make make the dog very nervous, especially if the dog is a naturally nervous dog already. Depending on the force you are using, it can shake their head and blur their vision.

There are dogs that don't mind this if they are comfortable with the person doing it, but there are dogs, such as the typical shelter dog that just doesn't like it.  They may have been abused or have had a bad experience that you just aren't aware of.  Therefore, if you do not know a dog very well, it's best not to touch his face.  The safest is to touch a dog on his chest or back to not bother him. Leaning over a dog to touch him is not appropriate either because it might make the dog think you want to attack him. When a dog is not sure about a human's intentions he usually moves his head away from the person's hands.

If it's not your dog, a good rule of thumb is to "ask first".  Just because you are used to being around friendly dogs, doesn't mean that all dogs are friendly to you.  That doesn't mean they are not friendly dogs; they just don't know you.  It is always proper to ask to pet someones dog before doing so.  Let their dog smell you and get to know your scent before you approach them.

Canine Athletes - A Rare Breed

We know that all dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy and happy but canine athletes need further conditioning to build up their stamina and improve athletic performance.  If you've ever done a long hike or taken a long bike ride after being a lump on the couch for most of the winter, you know what I mean.   The soreness you experience the next day is a good indication of the importance of conditioning.  Sled dogs may race 1,000 miles in less than ten days and peak performance herding dogs can cover as much as 100 miles a day.  This information should really make you appreciate how much work goes into conditioning a dog for this type of exercise.  The average domesticated dog would not be able to handle this regime. 

If you are interested in helping your dog become a canine athlete, please help your dog avoid the Weekend Warrior Syndrome by gradually increasing their level of activity and length of time spent doing that activity.  It will go a long way in keeping your dog happy and safe from strains or potential injury. 

Along with the physical conditioning we need to remember the mental conditioning as well.

With both humans and dogs, stress is just a natural element in competition.  It comes not only from physical exertion but also from the psychological pressures of traveling in the car, noise, hot or cold temperatures and even the presence of spectators.  Don't think that your dog is not aware or influenced by those factors because they can effect them just as much and sometimes even more than with us.

The best canine athlete is a confident dog and is well socialized with both other dogs and humans.  They are comfortable with being handled by many different people from birth and they are exposed to all different types of environments, sights and sounds.  They are used to riding in a car, going to the vet, attending training classes and play groups and dealing with crowded places like an outdoor shopping mall with confidence.

By introducing them to all these experiences, you will help them become better able to deal with the stresses of competition.

Most importantly, you should be able to recognize whether your dog has a desire to win.  Just like we can "tell" with humans, we can too with dogs.  Some dogs just have an innate desire to win or push themselves, others just aren't that excited about chasing a rabbit or jumping through a hoop.  Those dogs can still have fun in canine sporting activities, just don't push them and expect them to be at the top of the competitors list if they don't have that drive.  It's up to you to recognize and not push if they are not interested.  Your ability to recognize their lack of desire will go a long way in avoiding stressful situations.