Doggies out on a field trip!!!

Cute huh? Indy was adopted from the Vancouver Pound and joined her new family just over a month ago and now she has joined the Paw In Hand family too.

This blog post is not just about Indy though ... it is about any dog that you interact with. It could be any dog that I take out on a doggie field trip for the first time or any time afterward for that matter. It is about trail training and communication and relationship and understanding your dog and having fun together -- all the fun things in life together with YOU.

From the time I first met Indy at her front door I watched her body language and interacted with her according to her responses. I responded by using my body language, reinforcing behaviours that I like and trying to prevent or interrupt behaviours that were undesirable ... and mixing in a few simple foundation training games too!

- My greeting when meeting Indy and her handler on the porch was based on Indy's comfort level. Our body language makes a big difference when approaching dogs. Indy was happy to meet me.
- Putting the leash on Indy and handling her head and shoulder area was combined with happy voice and treats and her body language showed relaxed anticipation at every step.
- Collar grab test was paired with a tasty treat as a safety test as well as a foundation for recall games.
- Walking on leash towards the van: if she pulled I stopped and waited for her to check in with me then we moved forward again. Every step matters if you want your dog to be attentive to you and not learn leash pulling either.
- I ensured that she happily jumped into the van and had a comfortable space without being crowded by other dogs.
- She was close enough to my drivers seat that I could treat her if needed and calm her. She didn't need it though. She was my last pick-up before the walk so she didn't have to wait long before we got to the parking area.
- When we parked I calmly got together my backpack and gear as the dogs all waited patiently. Premack ... wait and be quiet and good things come ... then I got out of the van and walked around to the sliding door.
- Indy was the first to do the reorienting exercises, default wait and sit and that I do at all doorways and of course always out of the van ... No rushing off without the special key (ME!) first!
- We played a few attention and focusing games while the other dogs waited patiently in the van. Indy passed the tests. I then let another dog out of the van to see if Indy would still check in with me -- she passed that too -- and then the field trip began!

During our walks there are many things that I do to keep the dogs attentive to me. Mini training games such as auto attention, treat zen, name game, release cues, recall, stop motion cues, Premack trail rewards, and more! I watch their body language for early signs that could lead to trouble and redirect them to more appropriate outlets. Always easier to get dogs to DO something than to NOT DO something. At worst a dog may get a time out on leash.

Potential new doggie clients are pre-screened. Dogs with aggression, bike chasing, wildlife harassing, or other such issues are not candidate for group off leash field trips.

Of course dogs can always learn new things ... both desirable and not desirable so I try my best to set my doggie clients up for success so that they have many happy years adventuring with me. If owners can do their part in training their dogs some foundation behaviours it helps greatly in problem prevention.

Join us at least once in a STEP ONE Training Workshop to learn about some of these simple yet crucial games that can fit easily into daily life
http://pawinhand.blogspot.com/p/step-one.html

Heat Wave Warning! Please take time out to read...

When I had my group of doggies out on the field trip yesterday I was very conscious of the increased risk of heat stroke, especially so for a few of the dogs. One was a hunting breed that is "go go go go" running through the forest type of dog that doesn't know when to stop. A couple of sessions on leash were necessary to help regulate body temperature. Another large overweight dog and a thick coated dog had to be watched carefully too. Luckily these dogs were all ones that readily dipped their bellies into the cool creek!

I of course chose shaded trails yesterday, decreased my pace and ensured we kept doubling back to the fresh water holes. I carry a first aid kit in my back pack, emergency phone numbers and an extra water bottle too!

I am certified in Canine First Aid. It was a very informative course! If you are interested in taking a Canine First Aid Course with Dog Safe check out: http://www.dogsafe.ca/index.html

Please take a few minutes out to read this so that you are aware of signs to look out for. Prevention is the best of course though!






Dog Heatstroke - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
Posted by Clare Bristow
Dog Heat Stroke can strike in minutes on hot, humid days, and may prove fatal if it's not treated promptly.
The good news is that it's preventable and I've listed below the symptoms of heat stroke, how to treat and prevent it, and the dogs most likely to suffer from heatstroke.

What is Heat Stroke?
Heat stroke occurs when your dog is no longer able to maintain his normal body temperature of approximately 101F and it rises to 105F and above.
At temperatures above 106F your dog's internal organs will start to breakdown, and if he's not cooled quickly enough, he will die. Even if you can bring his temperature down, he may well have suffered irreversible internal damage.
Dog's regulate their temperature primarily through panting - on hot, humid days they are unable to cool their bodies effectively, and as a result their body temperature rises rapidly.
If your dog's temperature exceeds 106F, you only have minutes to save his life.
Symptoms of Heat Stroke
If your dog has heat stroke he will progressively show these signs:
Excessive panting;
Pale gums, bright red tongue;
Disorientation and your dog doesn't respond to his name;
Increased heart rate;
Thick saliva;
Vomiting;
Breathing difficulties;
Collapse;
Coma;
Death
Treatment
Heat stroke often occurs because a dog is confined, either in a car, kennel or crate; the first thing to do is remove your dog from where he was confined.
Make sure your dog is out of the sun and has access to water but don't let him drink too much.
Cool him with cool/tepid water - either immerse him in a bath, gently hose him or apply cool towels to his body. Importantly do not leave wet towels on your dog and do not use very cold water - both prevent your dog form being able to cool himself.
Move your dog to an area where there is cool air circulating, such as an air conditioned room or stand him in front of a fan. The cool circulating air will help your dog to reduce his temperature.
Keep monitoring your dog's temperature with a rectal thermometer; once it returns to normal stop the cooling process.
Whilst you are cooling your dog down phone your local emergency dog clinic, explain the situation and perform any additional treatment they suggest before taking him to the clinic.
Even if you manage to reduce your dog's temperature at home, take him to your vet for a thorough checkup - internal damage to your dog's organs might have taken place even though he recovered from heat stroke.
Dogs Prone to Heatstroke
Young puppies and older dogs;
Overweight dogs;
Dogs with an existing illness or recovering from illness or surgery;
Dog breeds with short faces - Bulldogs, Shar pei, Boston Terriers, Pugs - have narrow respiratory systems that easily get overwhelmed in hot and humid conditions;
Double coated breeds such as Chow Chows; and
Dogs bred for cold climates such as Malamutes, Huskies and Newfoundlands.

Preventing Heat Stroke
Be aware that the outside temperature can be a lot warmer than that shown on your thermometer -on humid days the relative temperature is much higher;
Dogs really don't know when to stop - try and keep your dog's activity to a minimum particularly on hot and humid days;
Exercise your dog early in the morning and/or later in the evening when the temperature is cooler;
If possible keep your dog indoors during the heat of the day in a well ventilated or air conditioned room; and
If your dog is outside during the day, make sure there is plenty of shady areas for him to lie in and he has access to cold water. If he likes water, put a paddling pool of water for him in a shady part of the garden so he can lie in that to keep cool, otherwise periodically spray him with cool water.