We begin this week’s “RUFF TAILS” featuring a beautiful pure-breed German Shepherd named Looky.
Looky is a strong, majestic Shepherd weighting close to 100 lbs. Looky has a wonderful temperament and personality.
We are from Montreal, Quebec and came in for training, as Looky has a very strong reactivity and protection disposition. Looky on-leash is so strong, he can pull you down to the ground.
I reached out to Paul and agreed to the cost-effective investment to travel to Ontario and complete the E-collar Certification. Our pack bond has improved and the reactivity and pulling has improved on and off leash.
Welcome to Doggie Dialogue
Some K9’s love the car, others K9’s dread it. Some K9’s during the car ride will drool, whine and even experience motion sickness.
If your K9 has been trapped in the car or has been involved in a car accident, this will greatly add to the anxiety and stress.
The good news your K9 can be taught to associate the car with wonderful experiences, by you using desensitization techniques, step-by-step.
Most of our clients will start by having the car parked in the driveway, engine shut off, and backdoor opened. When your dog is relaxed, you can offer a favourite toy, special treat or even play a game, anything to help your K9 link the car to fun and food.
Remember, move slowly, if your K9 stops playing or won’t take a “treat”, then you are moving to fast. Simply take a step back, start again and wait until your K9 is totally relaxed.
In the beginning your K9 may only stay inside the car for only a minute, and it may take weeks of patiently training, to build confidence in your dog.
You may have to ask Paul for some assistance in this matter, if a few months go by with no progress.
We recommend having your dog safely secured in a moving car.
We suggest a dog crate or harness to secure your dog in your vehicle and use this as part of the training.
Lastly, your final step, once your K9 is comfortably in the backseat, turn on the car, then shut it off, do not leave the driveway yet, let your K9 associate with the sounds of the engine and reward this good behaviour of staying calm, with a treat or some fun and games.
We recommend the 1st trip can be as simple as up and down the driveway or around the block. Start with a short trip. Remember to praise your K9 while you are driving. (no baby talk)
A positive reward for this would be to let your dog out a park and play with your dog before heading back home.
Soon your K9 will look forward to the car rides and fun destination. Remember every day is a training day.
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