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Teasel.. and a blog about choice.

How time has flown! From the terrified puppy that arrived with her mum back at the start of summer, to the lovely wee thing we have now growing daily in confidence. She is simply a pleasure, especially now we see her naturally playful character coming through!


My blog today is about choice. Of all the fosters, and dogs we have had over the years, Teasel has given me most "paws" for thought on this subject (s'cuse the pun!).


So why should we be giving dogs choices I hear you ask?

Let me talk a little about management first. Management simply refers to what we use with our dogs to keep them safe and in control in various situations. In Teasel's case, we are talking about the equipment we use on a walk.


Equipment and dogs

Sometimes dogs can develop an anxiety about equipment. This can appear spontaneously or as a result of poor habituation. It is not unusual for puppies to suddenly become a little unsure of things that previously they were perfectly happy with. This is normal, and occurs as their confidence has a little wobble as they develop. Puppies can be a little sensitive about wearing a harness for example, this reticence is a cue that we simply need to take things a bit more slowly. Use something else instead whilst we work on positively conditioning our puppy to feel comfortable with a harness, or not use one at all. Personally I am not a fan of trying to push water uphill, so if my dog is plainly not happy with something, I move on.


Teasel was terrified of wearing a lead and collar. Her head would drop, her body would become still. Not a growl, or complaint - just this sad passivity. Had she come from a place where where all her choices had been removed? When you remove an animals choice repeatedly they learn there is not much point in trying to escape, then we can see this passivity, and refer to it as a state of "learned helplessness". Simply put, there is no point in trying to communicate that you are uncomfortable or frightened, so you don't anymore. Think of the rabbit in headlights scenario. As a dog trainer, and behaviourist we are taught to say what we see, and not to make assumptions. This is important because actually we don't really know what Teasels early months looked like, but by building a safe zone and offering choices we can start working on a relationship built on trust. In the case of the collar and lead, we stopped and moved to a harness, and that worked out just fine with a slow, gentle introduction.


What is a safe zone?

I had a great discussion about this with my husband today, and our musings this morning prompted me to write this blog. In a multi dog household, it is important that all our dogs have their "space". Whilst we were drinking coffee and having a natter, we observed that we have six dogs co-habiting quite happily in a fairly small cottage. We concluded over the croissants, that a safe zone is a place where a dog chooses to go whenever they need to. It can be a comfy bed in a quiet area of your home, a cosy crate, or simply a favourite corner of a sofa. We don't send our dogs there, but they know intrinsically that it's their space where they can rest uninterrupted. Teasel has decided that the corner of my old leather sofa is her space. The three big dog beds by the log burner are usually occupied by Bramble, Otter and Casper.


By giving a dog the ability to make choices, then we can help our dog to feel safe, slowly building a relationship based on empathy and trust.

Offering a dog a choice is also a way of asking a question.."Are you OK with this?"

One of Teasels' foibles is entering the cottage. She is a bit of worrywart when it comes to our front door. She pauses and becomes watchful, trying to discern if it is indeed safe. It would certainly be very easy to lure her through. But we need to be aware that the the food used for luring could be ( from the dog's perspective..) associated with a "bad thing". So, we are right back talking about choices again. Yes, it would be easy to lure her through the door, she is certainly a foodie! But would it then be her choice or mine? Would the food end up causing a conflict? Whilst it has been rather inconvenient waiting for her to come through, it is always on her terms, and when she feels it's safe. In Teasels case we ask the question "Are you OK with this?" Her body language, and stillness tell us she is uncomfortable. So we just stand back, give her space, and allow her time to come through the door on her terms. Now we make a game of it. I throw a ball outside, and she loves to run back to me through the door and give me the ball! Teasel doesn't have to give me the ball, it's her choice. Gradually her worry about coming through the door has been replaced by the anticipation of a game. Thank you to David Brice IMDTB, for this great tip! :)


Teasel has needed time to find her paws and grow. Our role is about giving her freedom to explore, having fun sniffy walks and feeling safe. Learning happens when all these boxes are ticked. Learning that she can make good choices, and learning that she can live in harmony with humans and other dogs. Teasel has really blossomed into the lovely young dog we knew that she was. But it has taken time and a lot of patience! We needed to build a stress free and safe environment, listening to her needs and responding in a pro-active and not reactive manner.


So why offering your dog a choice is a good thing..

In summary, choice is about building or deepening your relationship with your dog. It is about empathy, and communication. It not about a free for all, or removing boundaries, we know having structure is important for our canine companions. Having a predictable routine for a new dog, especially when adopting an older dog is reassuring for them. Choice can simply be a shift from "telling" or "commanding our dog" to do something, to having a two way dialogue instead.


Simple tips on how you can offer choice..


Create a safe zone - what is your dogs go to place? If they don't have one, observe where in your home your dog likes to be, and make it extra special and comfy!


Letting your dog sniff on a walk - forget about walking from A to B, and just have a sniffy mooch instead at your dogs desired pace. Take the time to observe their body language, how long are they sniffing that thicket of grass for example? Are they relaxed or excited by the scents on your walk? Sniffing is a natural way for dogs to fulfil their sensory needs and is deeply satisfying for them.


Use the 5 second rule - when stroking or allowing others to pet/stroke your dog - is this what your dog really wants? What is the 5 second rule? Pet your dog briefly, if on the sofa for example. Then stop and wait for 5 seconds. What does your dog do? What is their body language saying? For sure with Bramble she would be nudging and pawing for attention, but some dogs equally might be just happy "being" with you.


Let your dog approach visitors in their own time.. Sometimes, and understandably so, there is a tendency for visitors to make a bee-line for the dog, especially a new adorable puppy or a newly adopted dog that everyone is keen to meet! Remember the dogs safe zone? Maybe create one in a quiet area of the house, wait until the visitors have settled, and let Fido say hello without any pressure. Generally dogs like to greet humans from the feet up.. so give Fido a bit of time to sniff and say hello!




Video - Teasel at five months.. all about choice and working with what she loves!



I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog, if you have any questions or are interested in working with me, I would love to hear from you!

Best wishes, Kate xx




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