Dog owners often do not understand what their dogs are trying to tell them, and fail to recognise signs that their dogs are under stress.
The incorrect training methods some trainers give can even add to this stress.
So said dog walker and trainer Karen Opie, who performed a dog dancing show at Old Parktonian Sports Club’s first-ever Doggy Day on July 24.
“Learning a bit about reading your dog’s body language would go a long way in reducing stress and minimising problems when out,” said Opie, who owns a dog walking, socialising and training company, Pawesome Friends.
“There is loads of information on dogs’ body language on the internet. What is key is observing your dog’s body overall from the mouth to the tail. Ears/tail pricked up or pinned back and tail down or between legs. Dogs that are stressed will express behaviours that are not normally seen at home, for example, excessive sniffing, heavy panting, barking and even scratching.”
She added that it was important to use a ‘force-free trainer’ and offered the following tips:
- Instead of having a trainer who punishes a dog by shouting, pushing, hitting or forcefully correcting with the leash for bad behaviour, find one who rewards dogs for good behaviour through treats, food and play.
- Instead of a trainer who uses shock, prong or choke collars, find one using humane, science-based methods and is a qualified trainer.
- Instead of a trainer who refuses to let you watch or participate, find one who makes training fun for you and your dog and lets you watch and participate.
- Instead of a trainer who talks about dominance or alphas, find one that understands a dog’s behaviour and body language. Also have small class sizes, with four to six dogs per trainer.
- Instead of a trainer who gives veterinary advice or diagnoses, you should be able to work with your veterinarian to care for your dog.
- Instead of a trainer who guarantees training results or makes you feel uncomfortable, or your dog scared or unhappy, find one who acts professionally and treats you and your dog with respect.
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