Pet Adoptions, Take it Seriously

Last week,  I met a beautiful mother of two who also has two dogs, a Chihuahua and a  6mo German Shepherd puppy (I’ve changed some of the details in order to keep the family anonymous).  She’s a new client and she’s dedicated in learning about the appropriate care of her two dogs. She has good instincts and her daughter is also involved in creating structure for the dogs, but she wasn’t sure how. She also faces extreme opposition from her husband in caring for her dogs.  I’m not going into details about the conflict surrounding the dog now.  Its a pretty delicate situation, but I will share some thinking I had about adopting a new dog or adopting a dog for the first time.

1. Before actively signing the adoption papers:  Make sure all of the people in the household with whom you share a roof with are on board with having a dog join the family, or having a new dog join their already established pack.  The adults (parents, spouses, grandparents, roommates ect) in the home MUST be on the same page when it comes to the care and living situation for the dog. The process of open dialogue about the pros and cons in adopting a dog is crucial.  It allows for all people directly involved in the day to day activities of the dog to have a say in their potential role in the care of her.  If people talk openly and honestly, it will allow for the family in coming to a joint conclusion.

Some questions to help guide your discussion or your individual thinking:

  • How will I pay for vet visits (savings plan, pet insurance or other means)?
  • What will the roles (feeding, training, walking, picking up after the dog in naming a few roles) of each of the family members be in caring for the dog?  Are all on board with the members of the family having these roles?
  • What positive reinforcement trainers exist in my community?
  • Do I know about transition planning for an adopted dog?
  • What is my activity level?  What am I willing to do in exercising my dog?
  • If adopting a puppy was the option for the family (these same questions can apply for an adult dog adopted from a shelter), do I know the developmental milestones with adopting a puppy? Do I know how to house train? How will I respond if a puppy chewed on my furniture, favorite item ect? How do I keep my puppy safe when I’m away for work or school?  How often and what do I feed a puppy?  How do I teach the rules of my home and what the puppy can do or not do in the home?  How do I safely socialize my puppy?

2. WAIT!:  Ok, so you and your family decide on adopting a dog.  Now, wait!  Let the decision settle in your minds and set a date a week or so away.  This time before you actively adopt can be a way for any person to say no.  If someone does say no, then come back to the discussion and find out the reason.  Then decide if now is the time for adoption, if not, reconsider at a later date.  Many things can influence the decision making like a new job which prevents people devoting time for a new dog.  For a military member and family, it can be a PCS or a move to another state or country.  A new baby can certainly put the brakes on the adoption process.  As you can see, this wait period is important because once you adopt a dog, its for the life of the dog.  Once you sign the adoption papers and take your new furry friend home, the dog is now apart of your family and ultimately, your responsibility.

3. Consider Training Even Before Adoption and Get Your First Session Scheduled:  I mention training again since this piece of the adoption puzzle can help with the transition of a dog or puppy joining your family.  The positive reinforcement trainer will set the family and dog up for success by developing a potty schedule, how to teach the rules of the home, best food and diet tips, basic obedience and behavior modification for an adult dog.  A positive reinforcement trainer will ensure the best interest of the dog in the training process and will provide guidance on proven science based training methods.  I worked with a family who scheduled their first session the day following the adoption of their puppy.  This was the family’s first dog and they were looking for guidance on understanding puppy behavior and house training.  They have successfully integrated the puppy into their home and their family and are happy with the process.  Many families who adopt a puppy, don’t fully understand the commitment it takes in raising a well mannered puppy and often become frustrated and surrender their now adult dog to a shelter or abandon their dog all together. If these families took the time and really considered training off the bat, the family may have come to a different conclusion.

4. Understand the Needs of A Dog:  This is just as important as setting up and conducting training for your newly adopted dog.  The needs of your dog range from type of nutrition, medical care and exercise to how your dog is motivated and how do you build an emotional connection with her.  All of these components will see your new dog in a holistic way which will only make connecting with her a pleasure.  If you’re looking for a specific breed, DO YOUR HOMEWORK.  Know all of the behavior potential of a specific breed and really explore if you can meet those demands.  Working dogs in particular require mental stimulation and physical exercise on a daily basis.  They will require a job to do and must learn how to do it.  Generally speaking, working dog breeds have a higher level of energy and MUST be in a home which can provide an outlet for this energy and an avenue for learning.

Adopting a dog will change your life and your commitment and love for her will change hers. Be fully on board with adoption for the welfare of the dog.  If you or your family decide adoption is not an option at this point in time, there are other avenues for exploration.  You can consider volunteering for a shelter or a rescue.  This gives you the opportunity in spending time with dogs in shelters while giving them a chance in socializing with different people.  Adoption is forever, take it seriously!

 

A Vegetable a Day….

A client and I recently had a discussion on pet nutrition.  She was feeding her dog Hill’s Science Diet and heard from a Facebook group about the problems associated with that particular brand.  The concept of ‘people food’ came up and we both laughed as we discussed ‘people food’ is just food and our pets can benefit from many of the real foods we eat.  By real foods, I’m referring to food which is virtually unprocessed like fresh vegetables and fruit, raw bones and meat.  As I mentioned earlier, humans, dogs and cats, are all mammals and all have similar dietary requirements with some exceptions and restrictions because of health, species, age and allergies.  Foods like chocolate, onions and grapes, for example are dangerous for our pets.  Other than a few exceptions, including the ones I mentioned, much of what is good for us, is also beneficial for our furry friends.

The Western Diet, which demonizes fats, but struggles with finding the balance in carbohydrates contributes to the obesity problems not only for us, but also for our dogs and cats.  Dogs, are mostly carnivorous and an overabundance of carbohydrates in their pet food or snacks or otherwise supplemented in the diet is overkill.  All mammals can produce carbohydrates within their bodily processes (including humans) and more of the dietary focus can shift towards, real proteins and fats, vegetables and some fruit.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes are rich in fiber, manganese and Vitamin A.  Particularly, Beta Carotene being the most concentrated form of the vitamin is found in vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin and other yellow/orange vegetables.  Vitamin A is also highly concentrated in the liver of animals. Dogs, like humans can convert the vitamin into useful properties within the body for necessary functions like protecting vision and preventing cancer.  Since, Vitamin A doesn’t break down when cooked, any pet guardian can incorporate sweet potatoes into their pet’s diet. You can dehydrate strips or slices of sweet potato as jerky or you can simply bake a sweet potato, let it cool, mash it up and supplement your dog’s dinner.  Since, the vegetable is fibrous, too much can make your dog’s stomach a bit upset.  I would suggest trying a bit at a time, first seeing if you’re dog enjoys it and secondly, making sure your dog doesn’t have any adverse reactions.  I usually split a medium sized sweet potato between both my dogs for two meals apiece.  I know Jack has more sensitivities with food, so I’m more careful with him.

Carrots

Carrots, are also rich in Vitamin A and offer the same benefits as sweet potatoes, but may cause less distress than its counterpart.  Since carrots are fibrous, I reduce the amount of the grain free pet food and  add chopped carrots for Jack and Bernie in their dinner.  The addition of carrots helps with keeping obesity away.  The fiber keeps them feeling full longer since it takes longer to digest it.  At times, I offer them a carrot apiece as a healthy snack.  It helps clean their teeth and provides healthy benefits!

We are what we eat and the same goes with our pets 🙂  If you make any dietary changes, make sure you consult with a professional before doing so and know your pet’s health history!

BAT Effectiveness

A couple of weeks ago, I published Take a Breath and Reset Your Mind where I discussed Jack’s progress and my expectations for his continued growth.  Briefly, I mentioned how I brought Jack into a training session with a reactive dog named Sadie.  Well, Jack did his job and him and Sadie played.

A bit of background on Sadie.  Sadie is a Boxer.  I first met Sadie at the Humane Society of El Paso where I volunteered several hours a week at the time.  Sadie was surrendered by a couple of different families because they didn’t feel Sadie could be around other dogs. While at the Humane Society, she was sweet and enjoyed being with people.  When Linda talked about her love of the Boxer breed, I shared there are Boxers at the Humane Society.  And what do you know, Linda adopted Sadie!

Sadie’s reactivity prevented the possibility of her being social and greeting another dog.  As a smart and dedicated woman, Linda ensured Sadie’s safety and remained cautious when walking Sadie as she would often lunge, crawl, dart or do whatever in an attempt to meet another dog.   After Sadie settled into her new home, Linda and I set up training.

The first things the three of us worked on were basic obedience.  Sadie is extremely food motivated, so this came in handy.  We worked on sit, down, stay, down/stay, focus and loose leash walking.  Out of all of these, focus was the most important as a preliminary step in Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT).  The reason, focus was the behavior which took the attention away from a distraction and brought attention right back to the handler.  Sadie’s energy in training was so great.  She learned quickly and stay motivated.  Linda also continued practicing with Sadie during the rest of the week and it showed.  After several sessions, it seemed to me Sadie’s progress was starting to plateau and I immediately thought of bringing Jack in for Sadie’s BAT training.

What is Behavior Adjustment Training?  Essentially, BAT is working below a dog’s threshold to a particular trigger and reinforcing replacement behaviors such as sniffing the ground, looking away, moving away and focusing on the handler when a trigger is present. The goal being changing a dog’s emotional response.  Threshold training means working at a point below where the dog becomes noticeably stressed.  Once at the point of a dog barking, lunging at the trigger, its vitally important in moving the dog farther away since no training can happen at this time. The dog is too far gone in reacting to the trigger.  Once the handler determines when a dog can remain relatively relaxed and practice the focus cue or sees other replacement behaviors and reinforces them, then the handler can slowly decrease the distance to the trigger all the while keeping the dog relaxed.  The focus cue (look at me, watch me can all do the same) reorients the dog to the handler and the dog is reinforced after looking the handler in the eye.  This is implementing a replacement behavior on cue.   For more in depth understanding on BAT, check out: “Behavior Adjustment Training: BAT for Fear, Frustration and Aggression in Dogs” by Grisha Stewart.

The day came for Sadie and Jack’s first meeting.  Since Sadie is reactive and being out for a walk may be too distracting and a bit overwhelming for her, Linda and I decided for the two dogs to meet in Linda’s backyard.  Both Jack and Sadie were on leashes (which was a difficult consideration, but one where both Linda and I remained in control).  As Jack entered the backyard, Sadie was whining, barking, lunging and completely fixated on Jack.  She was unable moving away or showing any replacement behaviors.  She was locked in!  Jack didn’t match her energy.  He ignored her, worked on obedience training with me and moved away with ease.  Jack and I would move towards them at a safe distance and once Sadie started reacting and lunging, Jack and I swiftly moved far away.  We continued working in this fashion.  As the session progressed, her energy towards Jack began decreasing and she began sniffing the ground and turning away from him.  As soon as she would, Linda would praise her for those behaviors.  Sadie showed progress, but still not enough for them working on greeting behaviors.

The second session, a week later, we saw such progress!  When Sadie and Jack were introduced again, Sadie did show stress, but her ability in doing replacement behaviors increased and she was able to do the focus cue when Linda asked.  The progress made was amazing and reinforced for me the effectiveness of BAT.  Even Jack was more comfortable, as soon as training was done, he gave a play bow!

Finally, by our third session with Jack, Sadie seemed even more relaxed.  She ignored Jack more, looked away from him and the two of them were able to lay side by side with a few feet apart for a few seconds at a time.  Remembering Jack giving the play bow last time, I felt we could move their introduction along. Luckily, Linda has a baby gate which she used for Sadie.  I put Jack in the kitchen and baby gated Sadie in the dining room.  The gate served two purposes.  The primary, it was a barrier for both dogs while allowing both dogs to see and sniff each other without being able to get to one another.  The second purpose, it allowed both Jack and Sadie roam free without leashes.  As you may know, leashes, especially, tension on a leash often causes tension in a dog which then translates into reactivity.  The ability for both Jack and Sadie having the freedom allowed for more relaxed approach in their first meeting.  Linda and I practiced obedience training with both dogs as they were separated.  Linda also crossed over the barrier and sat with Jack in the kitchen and Sadie didn’t show any stress.  After about 15 minutes and Jack jumping on the gate, Sadie and Jack met.  Let me tell you, it was awesome.  Jack immediately picked up one of Sadie’s toys and started running around the couch and Sadie began chasing him.  She allowed him to take a toy out of her mouth and playing ensued.  There were moments where Sadie’s body language became rigid and frozen.  I made sure to interrupt this behavior since this is indicative of more aggressive action about to possibly take place.  I then rewarded the replacement behaviors which happened in response.

Courtesy of Linda S, Sadie's mom :)
Courtesy of Linda S, Sadie’s mom 🙂 Jack and Sadie after some play time.

BAT is a useful strategy in changing a dog’s emotional response about a stressful trigger.  Its done in time with how quickly or slowly the dog works and progresses and should not be rushed.

If you have a reactive dog and you’re concerned about her around other dogs and people, please contact a positive reinforcement trainer for guidance.  You can certainly utilize the BAT protocol when out on walks or at home, when you’re working one with your dog, but if you want your reactive dog to meet another dog, before doing so, please have an evaluation done in order for a full assessment on the dog’s behaviors.  The last thing you or your dog would want is for a fight or worse.