Dog Walking Essentials!

Sniffari Adventure!

A “sniffari” means allowing your dog an opportunity to explore! Use a lead and harness that allow for comfort and movement. Look for a less-crowded area, a green space: a park, soccer field, trail, or beach. Let your dog be a dog! Depending on your pet’s ability, allow some slack in the leash. Their noses will lead the way!

Let Them Read the Full Story!

When your dog is sniffing out scents during a walk, they’re reading a story, of sorts. Don’t let them miss the ending by moving them away before they’ve finished.

Let the Dog tell You

Child, “Mom, may I pet that cute dog?
Mom, “Remember to STOPP!”

• S is for Stop
  Stop before moving forward.
• T is for Talk
  Ask the owner for permission.
• O is for Observe
  Observe the dog yourself. Decide what the dog might be “saying to you.” *
• P is for Plan
  Plan how you will approach the dog.
• P is for Pet
  Pet the friendly dog and enjoy!

*Observe and respect the dog’s body language. What is he telling you?

Q Do I put out my hand for the dog to smell me?
A The dog can smell you. Let the dog come to you first. Then squat down and put out your hand only when the dog is saying “I want to be petted.”

Most dogs don’t’ enjoy being petted on their heads. Instead, choose under the chin or on their sides.

Source: Ask the Dog, by Steve Dale

Signs Indicating, “Please Pet Me!”

• Dog approaches you smiling, wagging, and wriggling back and forth!
• The dog moves into your space and may even lean against you.
• The dog might roll onto her back and wag her tail.

Signs Indicating, “Don’t Pet Me Right Now!”

• Dog turns its head in the opposite direction of you.
• Yawning could be a sign of stress. If the dog’s tail is sticking straight out and kind of down, he’s not in the mood to be petted
• Displacement Behavior: A dog who pretends you’re not there by sniff at the ground or staring into space.
• Lip licking could indicate anxiety or stress by the dog.

Weather Wise

• During hot summer days, walking during the cooler periods of the morning and evening will help to keep your best friend from becoming overheated.
• Most goldens love to run, but keeping up with their jogger owners is not appropriate for all of them. Have your dog assessed by your veterinarian before having them run with you, especially in the summer.

Source: Barron’s Dog Bibles: Golden Retrievers, Edie MacKenzie

Dealing with Ticks

Depending on where you travel with your dog and when, any season can be tick season. Even in the upper Midwest, we need to be vigilant year round.

• Steer clear of tall grasses, deeper forest areas, and areas that are not mowed.
• See your veterinarian for preventative medication.
• See full articles from last month’s
  Education Newsletter on Lyme Disease and Tick Removal

Brief Info on Leash Walking

Place your pup on your left side. In a happy, voice, tell her, “Suzie, let’s walk!” Lead off with your left foot and begin moving in a moderate pace. If her collar remains in the area of your knee for a few steps, mark, and reward. Repeat every 4-5 steps. If her collar moves past your knee, quickly change direction so that she must follow you. When she catches up and her collar is once again even with your knee, mark and reward.

Source: Barron’s Dog Bibles: Golden Retrievers, Edie MacKenzie

What If My Dog Runs Off?

No one wants to face the prospect of their furry family member getting away from them, yet it happens, and for a multitude of reasons.

It’s National Chip Your Pet month!
Be sure you can reunite with your pet if he or she gets away from you!

Collars and tags can be physically removed when a pet gets lost or stolen, but a microchip is tamper-proof and makes it nearly impossible to permanently lose a pet. Although microchips can’t tell you where your pet is (it doesn’t have GPS capabilities), it does alert you when it’s activated.

Most people who rescue animals off the street know to bring them to a vet or shelter. From there, the first thing a veterinarian or shelter worker will do is check for a microchip, which is why it is so important to chip your pet. Microchips also last a lifetime and only need to be updated with your current information whenever it changes, such as when you move or change your phone number. For quality assurance, have your vet check it once a year to make sure it is still in place and working properly.

Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice