TulsaPets Magazine March 2023

12 TulsaPets • March /April 2023 Cool, Comfortable Canines Practice for Pet-Friendly Places by Mary Green CPDT-KA: Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed, CDBC: Certified Dog Behavior Counselor CNWI: Certified Nose Work Instructor K9 Manners & More, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma D o you envision yourself, your dog, your friends, and their dogs enjoying evening patio dining, with all dogs lying quietly beside their people just chilling out? So much fun! Or maybe you would like to visit some of the area attractions at times when pets are invited. Maybe you just want to take your dog with you on errands and shop pet-friendly merchants. With practice, preparation, and training, these are achievable goals. You will need to do some groundwork before you venture too far. Cover these bases first: (1) Is your canine manageable on a leash, and do you have proper equipment? (2) Can she lie down and remain in place? (3) How does she behave in the car? (4) Is she comfortable or fearful around strangers in public? (5) What are her experiences with other dogs? Take Steps toward Your Goal Walking your dog on a leash should not be a battle. Your dog does not need to be in perfect heel position but should remain beside you without straining against her collar or harness and should not trip you or switch from side to side. Practice polite walking with your dog in your house, yard, and neighborhood. Practice walking into your veterinary hospital for a quick in-and- out happy visit. Allow for your canine to have plenty of sniffing spots on your walk. Sniffing is an important behavior for dogs. A pet peeve (pun intended) of mine is when people permit their dogs to urine-mark everything. Even an intact dog can learn to potty on cue in an appropriate spot. Having proper equipment is import- ant even on a short walk. Even a dog that is microchipped needs to be wearing an ID. This can be done in various ways and should include your phone number and an alternate number for a backup contact. I do not recommend retractable leashes for outings. If you are hiking or walking in an area that provides for more distance between you and your dog, use a long line. I highly recommend biothane leashes because they don’t collect debris or get moldy or gross in water, and they come in many colors and lengths. Carry a backpack or fanny pack with water for your dog and treats for training. Consider using dog booties for rough or hot terrain. Take your time desensitizing your dog to any new equipment (booties, dog backpack, goggles, harness). Work Your Way Up to Dining with Your Dog If you want to have an outside dining experience, start with a short trip to a coffee shop or something similar. If you have taught your dog to settle on a rug or mat at home, take it with you. Be sure to give your dog treat rewards for remaining settled — but don’t feed her your food because that can lead to shameless begging. Teaching your dog a stationing behavior such as “Go to your mat,” “Place,” or “Set- tle” is another important skill for enjoying a dog-friendly outing where you want to stay for a while. Practice this at home — fre- quently — for increasingly longer durations. To be successful in a public outing where there are many distractions, your dog needs lots of practice at home or even at a friend’s house first. Be sure your leash is long enough that she can turn around and lie down but not so long that she can wander off to visit another table. If your dog has anxiety, overarousal, or nausea in the car, make short trips a few times per week. Take her if you are going to a drive-through. Favorite places are where the dog gets a biscuit or pup cup from the window. See your veterinarian if your dog has chronic nausea even on short trips. Check Your Canine’s Comfort Level Before you embark on a big outing, check your dog’s comfort level about it. Adven- tures should be fun and free from fear, stress, and anxiety for both of you. Check in with your dog about her emotional state. Is she worried, stressed, anxious, or fearful? If she is panting, pacing, whining, barking, spinning, lunging, or clinging to you for dear life, she probably is not having a good time. It’s important to look out for her emo- tional well-being in a new situation. If you plan to go where there will be other dogs, check your dog’s emotional pulse on that as well. Does she accept being in close proximity to unfamiliar dogs? If she is overaroused, can she settle down around other dogs? Again, if she is stressed, fearful, or aggressive, she needs some training be- fore you put her in a public situation. You and your pup can have the best adventures together with some advance plan- ning and practice. Different experiences have different regulations, so do your homework! As Dr. Seuss proclaimed, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” TRAINING TIP