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Pack Leader is out of date for dogs

26/10/2020 By Karen Wild Leave a Comment

Dog owners always like to know the best ways to help their dog, and often tell me they watch every program that is out there to learn more about this amazing animal. However, just as we don’t think Made in Chelsea is unscripted, or believe we would be able to mimic Bake Off recipes just by watching the show, we really need to accept that TV shows for dogs are there for entertainment – sadly, often at the cost of the dogs’ welfare.

It’s still on TV, and talked about as a mysterious wonder, the idea that we somehow have to be ‘pack leader’ of our unassuming pet dogs. People even call themselves dog experts and have probably paid a few hundred pounds to ‘qualify’ in the topic. It means that dogs are often treated badly, punished physically, shushed at in a weird hissing noise, or yanked around on their leads. All in the name of ‘pack leader’.

What if I told you that this ‘Pack leader’ dominance theory was never proven and is at least ten years out of date now?

Even the person who originally talked about ‘alpha’ (referring to wolves, which are of course, not dogs) has said he was wrong. Dr David Mech from the University of Minnesota has since recorded himself on Youtube saying how and why this wasn’t accurate. This is good science. Good science finds new evidence that renders the old theories inaccurate, and starts using the new evidence instead. It’s not anything to be ashamed of. It’s simply that we know more now.

Dogs are intelligent creatures that we have genetically modified over the years to suit our purposes. That used to be mainly for working – hunting, helping guard our homes, alerting, picking things up, but also sitting on our laps and being cuddly. Not all dogs were bred the same of course, that’s why even the ancient Greeks had little white fluffy dogs for companionship, and great big hounds for pursuit.

However, everyone has always been aware that we have to be responsible for training our dogs to do all the things we need and want, so that they and we are safe. This doesn’t mean being horrible to them in the name of an imaginary ‘pack leader’. It means understanding how they like to live, that they are driven largely by scent, movement, food, safety, and of course, mating, and how great they are at things we humans are often terrible at, which is why we want them around. They are above all nowadays, our friends, and they need us to help them and teach them in a sensible, kind and clear way – not demand and dominate.

If you’d like to learn all about how dogs really live and learn from us humans, my book Being a dog tells you everything you need to know about our much loved family friends.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: cesar millan, dog behaviour, dog help, dog training, dogs, dominance, Karen wild, punishment, puppy help

Dog leash tech gives more reasons to walk our dogs daily!

21/08/2020 By Karen Wild Leave a Comment

Exercise. We probably all need a little more of this, and pets are no different. Is there an ultimate lead that makes this easy?

The idea of an all in one convenient leash means we have seen them equipped with treats holders, water bowls, and of course, poo bag holders.

Leash fashion is taken care of with designer branding and colours, but the humble short lead may not be the future as we try to exercise our dogs under control.

Dog training is desirable to stop pulling on lead and to allow lots of freedom, but many people prefer not to let their dog entirely off their leash, or aren’t allowed by law. Longer ‘retractable’ leashes and lines combine safety and responsibility too and it is here that the human trend for tech and fitness has really overtaken leashes with functionality at the fore. Some trainers aren’t keen on flexi or retractable leads, but as with all tools, you need to know how to use them to make them safer.

So, the humble leash has seen an upsurge in style and technology!

Smart leashes, such as the Go from PetKit are hi-tech retractable leashes. Their functions include measuring walking and activity, linking via bluetooth to a smartphone. Rechargeable on usb, with the ability to charge your own phone too, these leads are designed to be more comfortable to hold too. Led lights are a popular tech addition allowing nighttime dog walks to be safer as the dog wanders to the extent of the lead, as well as reflective or luminous bands and stitching.

Encouraging a comfortable walk is assisted by the TUG ‘360 degree’ lead that again is extendable but prevents tackles with a rotating section on the handle. The SmartLeash reflects the uncomfortable nature of a dog that may pull with a shock absorbent bungee/elastic attachment.

Here are a few of my top picks for now, if you’re heading towards a new choice to keep your dog exercised but remember, long lines of this type need you to be vigilant – never ever walk your dog on an extending leash next to a road!

Filed Under: affiliates, Blog, Tips and Advice, Trainers and Behaviourists, What's New Tagged With: dog, dog lead, dog leash, dogs, flexi lead, retractable, technology

Does hybrid vigour help our dogs live longer?

21/08/2020 By Karen Wild Leave a Comment

RSPCA how long do dogs live infographic

Filed Under: Blog, resources, Tips and Advice, Trainers and Behaviourists, What's New Tagged With: crossbreed, dog, dog behaviour, dog breeding, dog health, dogs, hybrid, Karen wild, mongrel

Games ‘not’ to play with your dog

10/08/2020 By Karen Wild Leave a Comment

Any play can turn into a problem if you don’t think through the rules and regular routine of the game beforehand. It’s a good idea to think about what the game is actually ‘for’! 

Let’s think of a basic ‘fetch’ game. Simply tossing a ball over and over until your dog falls down, exhausted, might sound like the best idea for a quiet life but can create a serious obsession for your dog. It can also create injury issues as the dog repeatedly lands on the same joints over and over in a frenzied attempt to catch. As we know, nothing is good when it’s excessively repetitive. This can be particularly problematic with some working breeds such as Border Collies, who then constantly obsess about the game and cannot break off from it.

Now let’s look at chasing your dog. I have heard several owners say they love running after their pooch while it gambols about the lawn. This might be hilarious as a mock ‘I am gonna getcha!’ game but it actually teaches the dog to run away from you. This has to be the very last thing you want your dog to learn. It is even worse when the dog also has a toy and learns to ‘keep away’. Before too long you have taught your dog never to return to you and also, that they can hold onto things without giving them back.

How about play fighting, where you encourage your dog to mouth on your hands or clothes. Even if they are gentle, you are teaching your dog that mouthing people is a great game. You might be fine with it, but it may not be the same for anyone else, especially anyone frail or small. It’s not a thing to boast about, ‘He doesn’t hurt me!’. You have taught a dog to play with people using their grabbing and mouthing behaviours, which could be easily misinterpreted as biting. Easily done and forever a problem, so the quick answer is, don’t teach it. Using their mouth on people is a habit we do not want any dog to learn.

This doesn’t mean you can’t play with your dog – far from it! Reverse the above. Ask your dog to bring things back to you, little and often. Vary the game by hiding things for them to fetch rather than asking them to run back and forth. If they need that much running exercise, teach them a send away.

Instead of chasing your dog, invite them to chase you! Easy!

And finally, play with a toy rather than your body. There are millions of dog toys out there, and you only really need to pick one. It’s not hard, and it’s a lot of fun. Enjoy!

Here’s just an example of a few to try! Click the image for more info.

Filed Under: Blog, Tips and Advice, Trainers and Behaviourists, Uncategorized, What's New Tagged With: dog mouthing, dog play, dog rough, dog toy, dogs, mouthing, play, recall, rough play, run away dog

Coronavirus COVID 19 and our dogs in lockdown

25/03/2020 By Karen Wild Leave a Comment

Music by Louis Wild ©Copyright WildMusicStudio 2020

Emma Milne is a Vet, author and animal welfare enthusiast.
Emma qualified from Bristol in 1996 and was featured in BBC’s hugely popular Vets In Practice series for 7 years. Emma is frequently on TV and radio and writes for many magazines as well as her own books. Emma is passionate about animal welfare and has campaigned for many things. Her main areas of interest are pedigree health issues, captive wild animals and promoting responsible pet ownership.

Filed Under: Blog, podcast, Posts, Tips and Advice, What's New Tagged With: coronavirus, covid19, dog activity, dog exercise, dog walking, dogs, emma milne, lockdown, special, urgent, Vet, veterinary

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