Animal Behavior

Goose Bumps!

Isn’t that a great picture? Those were my family’s dogs in 1993, from left to right, Gentry, Duffy, Vicki, Annie, and Alf. In 2009 I started going to school at the University of Washington in the Psychology department and I was finally taking my first Animal Behavior class. These two seemingly unrelated facts became a goose bump creating event for me, here’s how….

 I had never been to college at an age appropriate time so I started at Skagit Valley College and my naïve goal at the time was to be an applied animal behaviorist which is a PhD level degree. Little did I know what that really meant, believe me I am thrilled with my BA. I took a lot of classes that had nothing to do with animals and as a result I was struggling to decide if maybe it was time to change my focus after 20 years as a dog obedience instructor. I also love kids and wondered about becoming a teacher.

Let’s get back to UW and it is now the second day of the Animal Behavior class, there are about 300 students in the class and Dr. Mike Beecher is talking about Darwin and ‘natural selection’ vs ‘artificial selection’ when up on the big screen pops the above picture of my dogs. I was blown away, I wanted to raise my hands and say something but I refrained. I was really shook-up seeing my dogs in class and email Dr. Beecher after I got home and told him ‘never in a million years did I expect to see my dogs in his class!’ I asked where did he get the picture, he said he had been using the picture for so many years he did not remember where he got it, but thought the dogs looked so varied it was a perfect representation of artificial selection.

The next day Dr. Beecher introduced me to the class and told the story. Mike Beecher became a true mentor to me and had a huge influence on my education during my time at UW. Seeing my dogs on the big screen seemed to me to be a message to stay the course and continue assisting people as they learn to live successfully with their dogs. Thanks Gentry, Duffy, Vicki, Annie, and Alf for being there for me, as always!

Yikes! Tight Leashes

Let's Loosen Up

If everyone in this picture said their puppy's name and the pup looked at their person, the leashes would become loose, and the handler would be able to further guide their youngster. It takes practice on the human end of the leash to loosen it up. Giving out some slack, and say the pup's name. Reward when the puppy heads your way.

When leashes are loose dog's are better able to remain calm, there is less tension obviously. Starting your training in a controled environment such as your home or a well organized group class will help the handler learn loose leash skills and build your dog's interest in you. When a person pulls on a dog's leash the dog has no option but to pull away. When the leash is loose the dog is able to choose walk back to you.

I often see trainers have the leash wrapped up in there hand because the feel they need to 'hold on' but in fact because of that tension the dog wants to pull away.

I recently ordered "The Buddy System® is a unique hands-free
leash system designed to make it easy to take your best friend along." http://www.buddysys.com/
Watch for some blogging on that it will be nice/interesting to be hands-free while walking dogs.

Holding onto a loose leash will help you and your dog relax. Maybe you are not using the correct equipment for your dog. This dog is comfortably wearing a harness that hooks at his chest, this give his person the confidence that she will have control of her young dog. Watch for my blog compairing collar, harnesses, and halters.