TulsaPets Magazine September 2023

40 TulsaPets • September / October 2023 Speak Up for Your Dogs Advocacy Boosts Communication and Builds Trust 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 A n advocate is one who lends support to other people to help them express their views and wishes and stand up for their rights. You should always be an advocate for your dogs. You know them best. You can tell when they are hurt, scared, uncom- fortable, overwhelmed, excited — all the feelings. They signal those feelings in many ways. They use body language, avoidance, vocalizations, and even aggression to express those feelings. Dogs communicate with one another using that system quite effectively. When humans misread or disregard that communication, the situation can go sideways in a hurry. When you advocate for your dogs to help them communicate, you can defuse a tricky situation and build your dogs’ trust in your leadership ability. Adjusting to Other Dogs and People Be your dog’s advocate on a walk. If someone approaches you with a dog, how is your dog communicating? Does he enjoy a quick sniff of a strange dog and allow said dog a quick sniff of him? Then let it happen — just a three-second sniff, and be on your way. Is your dog shrinking behind you, turning away, or looking away from the other dog? Intervene by crossing the street if you can, stop and get out of the way, or retreat. Do the same if your dog lunges or snaps at the approaching dog or person. One way or another, your dog wants to increase the distance from the other party. What if the approaching person says something such as, “Don’t worry … he’s friendly!” Take evasive action anyway — that dog can be terrifying to your dog even if he is totally friendly. Advocate — support your dog by verbalizing what he cannot. Be your dog’s advocate when you have guests in your home. Understand your dog’s feelings about this — does he guard resources such as furniture or food? Maybe your dog would be more comfortable con- fined when strangers are around. Maybe the dog needs a little time to adjust when strangers are in the home, especially if you rarely have company. If your dogs are all wiggly happy whenever people come over, include them. But be sure your guests welcome your dogs’ attention. Don’t put a happy, wiggly dog in a situation that cause strangers to reprimand him for jumping up on them. Advocate — support your dogs by having them on leashes when you have guests, and have a few dog treats available to reward good behavior. Be your dog’s advocate when other people want to bring their dogs over to play with yours. Does your dog like the company of strange dogs? Do you know what size/sex/play style your dog likes? Dog-friendly dogs are not universally hap- py to play with all dogs. If your dog does not enjoy playing with or hanging out with other dogs, suggest a different activity such as a nature walk together. Be your dog’s advocate if you have overnight guests. Is your dog comfortable with strangers (or those who are not such strangers) staying for an unusual amount of time? Are the guests bringing their own pet? Being OK with all that is a big thing to ask of most dogs. Advocate for your dog by kenneling him at the vet or a facility he is familiar with. Better yet, recommend a pet-friendly local hotel where your guests might board their pet. In family situations, this strategy works especially well when the visitors are rather judgmental about your dog. Navigating Vet Visits and Training Class Be your dog’s advocate at the veterinary clinic. If your dog is going in for a pro- cedure, find out how long he will need to stay and see if there is any way to minimize that time. If you are taking the dog in for routine exams or vaccinations, find out what time is least busy and schedule then. If your dog is nervous or overly excited about the waiting room, call from your car to see if the coast is clear or if the staff can direct you to an exam room immediately — or if you need to come in through an- other entrance. If your dog is stressed out by the whole visit situation, talk with your veterinarian about prescribing a pharma- ceutical to calm the dog before the visit. Be your dog’s advocate at training class. You know your dog. You shouldn’t have to hand your leash over to anyone to work with your dog unless you and your dog are familiar with and comfortable with that person. Placing your dog in a situation in which someone else would give a correc- tion is tricky. Being in a class situation in which the instructor is the cookie fairy handing out random goodness to the dogs is usually great! If you are asked to do something in training that you are uncom- fortable with or you know your dog will be uncomfortable, politely decline, or ask for an alternative. You are the voice of your dogs when they are not heard or understood. Advocating for your dogs supports their wishes and leads to a healthy, trusting relationship. TRAINING TIP