READING K9 BODY LANGUAGE

Pet owners play an important role in dog interactions and should consider themselves safety monitors and gate-keepers of the peace. Whether you have more than one dog in your household, you frequent dog parks or pass other canines on walks with your dog, the ability to understand and read canine body language is an essential skill to have for any dog owner.

Meet and Greet

When dogs play together, one of the most pivotal moments is the greeting. This will determine whether or not the two dogs will get along successfully. Can your dog tell who wants to be their friend and who doesn't? Can you? Daycare and group play is so important for your dog’s development because it provides multiple playmates with different experiences and communication skills.  A dog who plays regularly with other dogs can tell from the greeting ritual if the dog they're meeting is a friend or foe.   

What is an appropriate greeting? An appropriate greeting is rotating from sniffing the face, to sniffing the rear, sometimes doing this continually, and in circles for 10 to even 30 seconds.  An inappropriate greeting would be for another dog to come straight on, staring your dog directly in the face with no intent to sniff. Also inappropriate would be if another dog put their head or paw over your dog's shoulder without having said hello first.  The worst scenario is when a dog doesn't want to be sniffed! When this happens, your dog has two options: to understand that they have enough self confidence not to feel threatened in the "inappropriate" scenario and to not reciprocate equally negative behavior. Your dog may feel the need to communicate back to this "rude" dog.  This is when the human may need to step in. 

What You Should Know 

For the safety of the dogs, it is vital to recognize what both dogs are "saying to each other." Common stress signals to watch for are:
-Licking their lips with their tongue over and over again
-The hair on their back is raised. This can either mean, “I'm really excited" or "I'm a little nervous." 
-Ears pinned back
-Tucked tail
-Stiff body 

What You Can Do

Does your dog tend to approach other dogs the wrong way? It is absolutely possible to work on that and teach your furry companion proper greeting behavior.
1. Reward your dog for good behavior.  A simple comment like good boy/girl with some cuddly scratches can make a difference as well as a little treat.  Dogs understand they get a yummy treat when they do the right thing, so they will continue to do it.
2.  Redirect if the first meeting isn't going well. Is one dog more comfortable than the other?  Call the dog that's more confident away so the nervous dog can have a minute to get their bearings and then you can try the meeting again.

The video below demonstrates an appropriate greeting between Livvy (brown) and Hannah (brindle).While we don't reccommend having strange dogs meet on-leash, it is important to give you the right knowledge since this event is unavoidable. 

What was done right?
-Loose leashes by the two handlers (if the leash is tight this can sometimes cause an unwanted or unnatural repsonse from a dog because they are restrained)
-Relaxed and wiggly body language from both and alot of appropriate sniffing.
-Livvy, the older dog decided to end the greeting ritual first by going around mom's back, Hannah, who is still very young, read this "cut-off" signal perfectly and decided that she was done sniffing too. Hannah comes to daycare twice a week and practices these greeting skills on a regular basis. Livvy is owned by our daycare manager and assists with evaluating new dogs to join our daycare crew.


Well managed groups or play overseen by a person that understands canine body language and interactions can help a dog improve their communication skills and gain confidence. All of the daycare staff at Morris K9 Campus are trained in this skill  in order to ensure the safety of every pet and their success in the world of canine communication.

GUILTY AS CHARGED

We’ve all been there. You come home from a hard day at work, or back from a nice evening out on the town that included dinner and a movie and it hits you as you enter the house. The unmistakable odor of your dog’s elimination drifts into your nasal passages as you flip on the light. There it is, on the expensive living room rug like a silent yet noxious offering. In the moments before you raise your voice to yell at your pooch, you wonder why she couldn’t have chosen the easy-to-clean tile of the kitchen floor. As your dog races in excitedly to greet you, your angry voice meets her sensitive ears and she slinks back to where she came from. With her tail between her legs, her eyes droopy and forlorn, she plays the perfect part of the guilty party. Certain your dog’s behavior is an expression of her guilt, you think good, she knows that eliminating in the house is wrong. However, the canine world is much simpler than that and a dog's brain does not work the way our mind works.

Catch Them in the Act
We can learn many things from our dogs but perhaps the most zen-like of their qualities is the fact that they are experts at living in the present moment. In fact, they know no other way of living. So when you come home to a torn up shoe and scold your pet, it will be to no avail. Your dog will simply think that whatever he or she was doing when you came home was wrong. Fido cannot correlate the torn up shoe from hours ago with your reprimands, even if you wave the shoe in front of his or her face. Only if you catch your dog in the act of the particular crime can you punish Fido.

“The Look”
Where does that guilty look come from? When you scream or yell at your dog it scares them. That guilty look is your pup’s response to your behavior and can be credited to stress signals and appeasement behavior. When you stiffen your body stance, wag a reprimanding finger in their face and address them in an angry, stern tone, your dog reacts to your body language and knows it’s in trouble but does not understand why. To neutralize your perceived "aggressive" behavior your dog may exhibit signs of submission. This can include their tail between the legs, squinted or downcast eyes, rolling over, a thumping tail, or even showing teeth. For a perfect example of how a dog reacts to a scolding owner, watch the infamous video of Denver the Guilty Dog.

When you return home to those inevitable messes and chewed up signs that come with the territory of being a dog owner, take a deep breath and suppress your anger. Do not attempt to discipline your pooch unless you catch them in the act. Otherwise, you are simply wasting your breath and causing your dog undue stress.

IS YOUR DOG INSECURE?

It turns out your teenager may not be the only insecure one in the household. That moody wallflower sitting in a corner with apprehensive eyes could just as well be Fido! Though your dog does not have to worry about the perfect outfit to wear to the dance, your canine has his or her own reasons for adopting this shy attitude. How can you help your pooch break out of their shell and meet the world with confidence and vigor? We’ve got some tips to eradicate this behavior.

Signs of an Insecure Pooch
Does your dog roll over as soon as you, or other people approach, exposing his or her little dog belly? Does your dog pee when you touch him or her? If your precious pup exhibits signs of this behavior, chances are you have a passive dog on your hands. Other signs of a shy dog are wide fearful eyes or squinted eyes, ears pressed flat against the head, and/or lowering its body to the ground to be as small as possible.

Why is Your Dog Shy?
There are many reasons why a dog might be shy and it can be difficult to pinpoint the root of the cause unless you watched your dog age from a puppy to adulthood. Chances are, if you adopted your dog they might have some fear issues and this probably stems from their upbringing, their former owners, or the way they were treated previously by both humans and/or other animals. This behavior is also inherited from canine parents as well, so if doggie Mom was insecure, it is possible your dog might be too.

Boost Your Dog’s Confidence

Since you can’t give your dog a shot of confidence you will have to slowly work through the issue. Do not make your dog feel more insecure by engaging in what a pooch can interpret as assertive behavior. This can include towering over your pup, staring them in the eyes, or for some, petting them on the head or back. Stick to a neutral zone like stroking your dog’s chest, and kneel down to their level without looking them in the eye. Encourage guests that come to your house to treat your dog in the same manner and to keep greetings and interactions calm and low-key. It is not a good idea to over-excite an anxious dog. It is important to remember that whatever you do, do not reprimand or scold an insecure dog; it will only make them believe they are not showing you or your guests enough respect and might result in your dog feeling more unconfident. Teach your dog basic training skills and simple commands. Your dog will gain confidence as his or her world expands and your pooch learns new skills.

Agility to the Rescue!

Another wonderful way for your canine to increase their doggie self-esteem is by partaking in agility. Agility is a great dog sport and a powerful way to increase the bond between you and your dog. Canines love having a job to do and agility not only encourages your dog to learn new skills but it allows your dog to be active and have fun while doing it. Morris K9 Campus offers a range of agility classes starting with a beginner level where no prior experience is necessary.

Help your dog tackle their insecurities and approach the world with self-assurance!

DOGGIE DANCING

Last week we taught you how to connect with your dog in the upcoming summer months by playing fetch with your spunky pal in the warm outdoors. This week, we present another fun-loving alternative that is sure to have you and your pup moving in sync together. Cue up the conga line and step into rhythm, its time for Doggy Dancing! If you and your dog want more ways to have fun together, Morris K9 Campus has got you covered!

What is Doggy Dancing?!

Don’t worry, we haven’t gone crazy, doggy dancing, or musical canine freestyle, is the newest and coolest activity to sweep the dog-nation. Doggy dancing is a modern dog sport that is competed in many parts of the world. However, it is the perfect activity for those who just want to have fun with their dog. Doggy Dancing is influenced by musical kur, a form of the equine sport, dressage, which puts a horse’s tightly controlled movements to music.

Photo Courtesy of FlyNutAA

How Does Our Doggy Dancing Class Work?

Morris K9 Campus will get you started with the very basics. We combine off-leash obedience training with enjoyment and motivation. You will learn to do heeling formations, group formations, pace changes and turns as well as a slew of tricks such as circles, flipping to heel, sit between legs, weave through legs, and jump through arms, legs or hula hoop. Eventually, your imagination will be the only limit to the tricks, turns, and freestyle moves you and your dog will perform in harmony.



Who Should Try Doggy Dancing?

This class is recommended for any dogs that have taken basic obedience or agility classes at Morris K9 Campus or the equivalent at another school, or for owners that want an opportunity to enliven their dog’s life with more interactive activity.

When is Doggy Dancing?

Doggy Dancing will be offered Sunday, July 10 at Morris K9 Campus from 11AM-1PM. Click here to enroll today!

Here's a preview of some steps you and your dog will learn in our Doggy Dancing Workshop.

Does your dog want to dance?!

It's Bite Prevention Week! Know the Signs!

As we mentioned in our previous blog post, this week from May 15-21 is Bite Prevention Week. This initiative was created by the non-profit organization Doggone Safe whose mission is dog bite prevention through education. Their goal is to not only protect children from dog bites that could have been prevented by knowing dog body language, but to also save dogs from being uselessly euthanized or sent to a shelter. Since we cannot strike up an easy conversational rapport with the canine member of our family, we must rely on more subtle signs of communication that consist of dog body language. Learning to read what your dog and other dogs are feeling is the key to safety. In honor of Bite Prevention Week, we are elaborating on canine body language.

Watch Out!
-Tail between the legs
-Ears back
-Whites of the eyes showing
-Teeth bared
-Head down
-Excessive yawning or licking
-Tense furrowed brow
Situations to Avoid
-Do not approach a dog that is eating or chewing a bone
-Adhere to the old adage, let sleeping dogs lie. Never interrupt a slumbering dog.
-Do not force a dog into a submissive position.
-Do not approach a dog that is tethered

Be My Pal!
-Tail wagging
-Relaxed expression
-Tongue out, mouth open

Doggonesafe has made an informative video illustrating these important canine cues.

Dogs may not be able to tap you on the shoulder and say, “Hey, I’m scared!” or “Hey, I’m annoyed right now!” but their body exhibits these signs in numerous ways. Subtle though it is, we would all benefit from tuning our radar to these important canine signals.

That Bites!

When it comes to dogs and children, the last thing you want is an altercation between two of the cutest members of the family. How can you keep the peace? Next week is Bite-Prevention Week and child-dog expert Colleen Pelar has excellent tips to ensure all members of the family share a safe, loving, and harmonious relationship. As a dog trainer and mother of three kids and a dog, she knows what she’s talking about!

Canine Body Language

Dogs will often alert us to how they are truly feeling, but since not all of us are dog training professionals, it can be difficult to discern what’s really going on in that fuzzy head. Luckily, Pelar has us covered. She points out that most dogs, when nervous, will display indications of this emotion by attempting to calm themselves down, what she calls, “an attempt at self-soothing akin to thumb-sucking.” According to Pelar, these are the most important signs to look for:

Lip licking—When a dog is a little anxious, he will often quickly stick out his tongue and lick his lips. It’s usually just a fast, little flick. Watch your dog; this is one of the most common signals I see.

Yawning—This is often mistaken for contentment.  The dog is surrounded by kids, and he lets out a big yawn. Isn’t that sweet?  Nope, it’s a sign that he’s in a little over his head and would appreciate your help.

Shaking off—We’ve all seen dogs shake off when they are wet, but this happens at other times too. I liken it to a reset button on a video game. Time to shake off and start over. It will happen right after something makes the dog uncomfortable, usually as he’s walking away.

Freezing—Watch out! Freezing is one step beyond a calming signal; it’s often a last-ditch attempt to tell you to back off. Dogs typically freeze right before they snap or bite. That may sound obvious, but one of the scariest things I ever saw was when an owner told me, “Lucy loves to have kids hug her. Look how still she is.” It was a heart-stopping moment for me. Lucy, thank goodness, did not bite, but she was definitely not enjoying the experience. 

Alone Time

Just as every person needs alone time, every dog needs a bit of privacy as well. You and your kids should respect that. So when Fido is slumbering away in the dog bed or crate dreaming of digging up bones in the yard, your children should realize pup is now off-limits.

As Pelar poignantly remarks, “It’s important not to blame kids for being kids or dogs for being dogs.  Let’s be realistic; it’s impossible to control someone else’s behavior 100 percent, be it dog or child. We parents can, however, teach dogs and kids to enjoy each other’s company more by building an understanding of each other’s behavior.”

Credit: Colleen Pelar, CPDT, CDBC, author of Living with Kids and Dogs . . . Without Losing Your Mind, is America’s Kids and Canines Coach. Colleen has more than 15 years’ experience as the go-to person for parents trying to navigate kid-and-dog issues. Because a knowledgeable adult can improve every interaction between a child and a dog, Colleen is committed to educating parents, children, and dog owners on kid-and-dog relationships. 
http://www.livingwithkidsanddogs.com/lkd.html

When a Stranger Calls

The early morning garbage man, the mail carrier, or even the occasional Girl Scout selling those delicious cookies is often enough to send Fido into a barking frenzy. No doubt, for safety alone, alerting us to the presence of a stranger is a valuable benefit to owning a dog.

However, if your pooch takes it too far by displaying aggression, don’t worry; there is no need to hide your little Cujo in the spare bedroom. The following tips are provided by Dr. Sophia Yin, a veterinarian and animal behaviorist, in a guest blog for Dogster.com.

Womb to Tomb

If your dog was never properly socialized from the early stages of tiny furry cotton-ball to adult fuzzbucket, it makes sense that random people and other dogs might frighten a pet with little outsider experience. Make every attempt as your dog develops to introduce him or her to new people, places, and other pets. This will ensure your canine doesn’t develop a fear of unfamiliar people, places, or situations. Just keep in mind that some breeds are naturally more sociable than others.

Body Language

Learning to read their body language provides critical clues into dogs’ thinking and how they are likely to react to certain situations. According to Dr.Yin, “Fido may be tense with eyes darting back and forth or his gaze looking away while he's cowering. Or he may be yawning, licking his lips or panting when he shouldn’t be hot.” All these signs should alert you to your dog’s discomfort and give you time to warn eager petters about the possible danger. Look for the same signals when approaching dogs that you have never met and always remember to ask before petting an unfamiliar dog.

Small Steps

Once you’re fluent in your dog’s body language, take little steps to eradicate unfavorable behavior toward strangers. Invite guests over one at a time so as not to overwhelm your dog. Have the acquaintance come in the house, but don’t let them pet or even look at your dog. Provide your guest with treats so Fido will associate this new person (and new people he or she meets in the future) with a positive reward. You can also try distracting your dog from his or her fears by asking your pet to perform tricks, focusing on you rather than the stranger.

Until you are absolutely confident in your dog’s behavior toward new people, do not allow any petting. Simply work on providing constructive and pleasurable experiences for your dog so that guests feel pawsitively welcomed by not only you, but your dog as well!

Is your dog ready to meet new people this spring?

Sources: dogster.com “Dogs and Fear of Strangers.”

The Canine Meet and Greet

The reason why dogs typically have trouble meeting new people is that they didn't have enough positive experiences with a variety of unfamiliar people during puppyhood. From three weeks to three months of age, puppies are most receptive to forming bonds. If they meet a variety of people and have positive experiences, they believe that all people will treat them well. Dogs who don’t receive the type and number of experiences they need often end up being fearful of some or all unfamiliar people.

Fortunately, Morris K9 Campus provides plenty of opportunities to socialize dogs--our Levels Training Program, Daycare and social events that incorporate a variety of dogs and people. But just in case your dog or someone else's hasn't be properly socialized, here are some tips for a doggie meet and greet.

How We Make It Worse

People can unintentionally make the situation worse by forgetting to let a dog approach them rather than barging into their space. In this case, some dogs will freeze or shrink, pretending it's a bad dream, while others bark or growl. A sweet, slightly insecure dog can quickly turn into a defensive, growling one at the least convenient moment.

Some owners respond to this behavior by reprimanding or punishing their dog, but this just teaches him to hide his fear from you. As a result, your dog might repress his barks and growls until he reaches his breaking point, resulting in a bite.

Why Are Dogs Afraid of Me?

Many of us can’t understand why dogs are afraid of people who are making friendly human gestures. But try to think of things from a dog’s perspective. Imagine your child is afraid of dogs and a friend allows their dog to bound right into your child’s face. Telling your child the dog is friendly isn’t likely to make her feel any better. Instead, your child would appreciate being able to greet the dog on her own terms. 

So how should we meet a dog? Stand straight up or crouch down on one knee while looking slightly away so the dog can approach and sniff you at his own pace. You can speed up the friendship if you drop some tasty treats close to where you’re standing. If the dog takes the treats without any hesitation, you can try holding the treats in your hand for him to take.

The trick to ensuring that you don't frighten a dog even after an initial positive greeting is to gradually get him used to you in different positions. Avoid leaning over him, reaching over his head or grabbing and hugging him. Instead move slowly and smoothly in order to give him a chance to back away.

What Is the Dog Telling Me?

Often the biggest mistake we make in meeting a dog is failing to recognizing body language. For example, a dog may be tense with eyes darting back and forth or looking away while he's cowering. Yawning, licking lips, panting, moving in slow motion, moving ears down or to the sides, tail between his legs or a furrowed brow are all signs that the dog is stressed or anxious. If you see any of these signs in a dog, quickly move away so he's out of range. The goal is to change the dog’s emotional state from scared to happy so that he can eventually learn to associate unfamiliar people with good things

A Happy Ending

The body language you want to see when greeting a dog includes relaxed posture and a steady, soft gaze. His tail should either wag or hang loosely down. The experience should seem very familiar to the dog and be fun and pleasant for you! 

If your dog is struggling with meeting new people or dogs, give us a call. We'd be happy to work with both of you to make meeting new friends a positive experience.

Source: www.dogster.com

Four Helpful Tips For a Safe Howl-O-Ween

Halloween is a fun time of year for both adults and children…costumes, decorations, creepy music, and trick or treating! Unfortunately, this holiday can also spell trouble for your pets if you’re not careful to protect them. Here’s how:

1)      Making your own costume or decorating for a party? Place all those craft supplies in a safe spot so your pet doesn’t play with, ingest or choke on them. Also keep an eye on your pet’s reaction to any costumes. If he can’t handle it at home, he definitely won’t be able to enjoy a night of trick or treating.

2)      If you go trick or treating, stay with your pet at all times or leave him at home. We all know Halloween is a night of mischief, which unfortunately can mean that pets get teased or injured. Black cats are especially prone to poor treatment. If you bring your dog trick or treating, make sure he is well-fed, well-socialized, and on-leash at all times. Cats are best kept indoors.

3)      If you are handing out candy at your house, keep pets away from young children who come to the door. If your pet shows any signs of fear or aggression due to all the stimulation of costumes, strangers and unusual activity in his home, take him to a quiet, safe place for some alone time.

4)      After you’ve collected your goodies, keep it out of reach. Chocolate and artificial sweeteners found in many candies, as well as wrappers, can be poisonous to pets. Instead, offer your pet a store-bought dog or cat treat so he doesn’t feel left out!

     Whether your pet is gung-ho to enjoy all the Halloween festivities or drawn to solitude, you can make it a safe and enjoyable evening by following these simple suggestions.

      Happy Halloween!

The Biting Truth

According to Colleen Pelar, Pet Safety speaker for our upcoming Family Pet Safety Night,  nearly 2.8 million children are bitten by a dog each year. And half of these bites come from the family’s own dog!

Colleen tells us that parents can greatly decrease the chances of a bite by keeping the following in mind:

1. When choosing a dog for your family, look for one that adores children. A dog that enjoys children will give them the benefit of the doubt when they pull a tail or step on a foot. Some dogs can be great family members with the support and supervision of the parents, and some dogs are simply not compatible with children. 

2. Know what dogs don't like. For example, dogs DO NOT like to be hugged! Likewise, dogs need personal space, and this is a concept young children simply don't understand. 

3. Learn some basic canine body language. When a dog is unhappy, he or she will exhibit the following behaviors:

• Lip licking
• Yawning
• Shaking off (like when wet)
• Freezing 

With some careful planning and supervision, we as parents can do a lot to ensure a happy home where both children and dogs live happily ever after.

For plenty more tips and information on dog safety, please join us for Family Pet Safety Night, Sept. 24th! In addition to Colleen, Todd Kramer, Executive Director for Noah's Ark Animal Welfare Association, will be there to assist families with finding the right dog for them!