Observations from a Well-Traveled Dog Walker/Owner

As a devoted dog owner, I’ve wanted to write this blog for a long time.  My second award-winning novel, Plenty, spotlights the many
ways trained dogs serve people. We owe it to our canine companions to be their
best friend.  How to be a best friend and a leader? In my opinion, training, exercise and time build the bond needed to nurture confident
good citizens and respectful family members.
Whether obedience or agility, nose work, rally or barn hunt, all lives
stand to be enriched. For those who realize the win-win benefit of walking and
exploring public parks, among the most useful commands – leave it, heel, come and wait.

Ever been ambushed
from behind by an aggressive, truculent, loose, old Black Lab or charged by a
loose Pit on the beach with family and canines in tow? I have. The lessons
taught and bond forged can make the difference between life and death for your vulnerable
best friend.

Some safety insights and anecdotes – for those who dislike suspense and drama– from a professionally
trained, experienced dog owner.

I’ve walked miles with my German Shepherds and Pyrenees,
typically 7 miles a week every week. A promise made to rescue groups, to work
my dogs everyday for at least 30 minutes, formalized by signing a
contract.  For those who don’t know, a
walk can be transformative. How powerful
is it? After a neuterectomy, the vet prescribed Ace and later Xanax for my young
fit must-be-sedated dog.  After he chewed
through two dog kennels and began jumping in the air to snap at imaginary
objects, I began to search for another answer. Yes, the long slow walk – more effective than potent prescriptions.
Never underestimate the power of exercise or the walk to calm a canine, change
demeanor or control destructive behaviors.

Surprisingly enough, it’s not the leaf blowers, concrete
trucks or other large dogs that create problems, but, by and large, the
thoughtless actions of irresponsible owners – including but not limited to:
letting dogs off leash, letting the dog charge other dogs and lack of basic
obedience skills such as come, leave it and no.

Let’s start with skateboarders,
joggers and bikers, all of which can easily startle a dog.

How to manage the
sound of a grating skateboard and a free wheeling teen while walking dogs next
to a busy street frequented by city buses? A command to sit and stay off the
sidewalk to face the danger has worked for me many times. Add a smile to relax
all muscles in your body -important because dogs can sense your fear, anxiety
and anger through the leash. Once again, my dog trainer talked me through strategies
to deal with life in the big city.  A
trainer and desensitization exercises – a sturdy wall against scary surprises
and challenges.  As part of the pack’s
continuing education a skate board sits outsides the back door; so, that I can
use it gradually as a desentizaiton tool.
One of my trainers told me “Be positive about the challenge – see it as
a training test at which you’ll succeed. “

How to best defend
against the fall predicated by a shadowing runner?  Mindfulness listening, and tuning into a dog’s
body language have always been tactics, but not fail proof. For runners, it’s always a good idea to call out to alert
the owner of your presence. For the runner enjoying the day plugged into his
favorite music, I recommend unplugging to maintain mindfulness about
surroundings – to be aware of another runner with dog in tow or loose vicious
dogs who label passerbys as trespassers. In my neighborhood this week, a runner,
while tuned into his music, attacked by a loose Pit. His calves mauled and
shredded by the angry dog.

How to defend against
an eighteen year old jogger who suddenly turns from a blind corner in to a
narrow park corridor and runs within a few inches of three protective dogs?  Well, my plan to step away from the sidewalk
and park the pack thwarted by dense bushes flanking both perimeters of the
sidewalk. Leave it and heel saved the day as only one dog barked a warning.
Commands – the great equalizer when common sense doesn’t prevail.

Finally, how to deal
with the stealth and silent bikers that whizz by? Listening and watching my
dog’s reactions, especially the one that’s 360 alert all the time. The best
bikers ring a tinkling bell or call out. The worst don’t do anything but zoom
by triggering a negative reaction by the pack and me. Like horses, dogs sense fear
and anger. Circling back to desentization training plus leave it and heel work
wonders and so do classes with a professional.

Next on the drama list – kids, loose dogs and dog parks

How to defend against
kids who run, screaming, up to the dogs? I wave them away or walk in a
different direction. Don’t let your kids
run at dogs because of a desire to pet the cute puppies.  Most dogs don’t like hugs.  Ask the owner first  – many dogs don’t like the traditional
pet/tap on the head, but prefer stroking. Especially, not a good idea, for
adults or kids, to run at the protective breeds or large protective breeds. Best
not to be perceived as a potential threat.

How to safeguard your
family and the pack from a loose charging dog on a touristy beach? How to
take control when a loose hapless combative dog and an irresponsible owner
cross paths with you? On the advice of my local police department and my dog
trainer, I always carry pepper spray.

By the way, I’ve been told many times that if a loose dog attacks a dog on a leash, the
loose dog will be deemed culpable and will be viewed as such by authorities. Finding
a bodily injury defense lawyer also not a desirable project to add to the daily
planner. Keep your dog leashed for his safety. Useful to know if someone wants
to see what’ll happen in a dog fight match-up. I’ve met that person too.

How to survive the
dog park? Observe the owner group and the dogs with laser like focus.
Shadow your dog. If a dog owner brings a prey-driven,
energetic, as in waited-all-day-to go-outside, dog to a dog park, the stage
has been set for a fight.  Exercise a
high-strung dog before the unleashing him in the park. A few sessions of nose
work may effectively drain a dog’s energy level as will a game of fetch. Call a
local dog trainer for details. I’ve had more training conversations re: dog
park danger than any other subject. My trainer also recommends going to the dog
park early morning, midday never after 5 pm.  Snapping and straining canines led by grumpy
owners never a good mix.

I no longer go to dog parks, preferring to travel the
sidewalks. My next post re: a small family pet being attacked at a pet park by
a vicious dog in full view of the small children and their horrified mother
coupled with numerous stories about dog fights tainted my view forever.  By the way, I’m not a proponent of breed
phobia – the owner always responsible
for exercising, training and controlling his dog. Unfortunately, some breeds attract “bad
owners” given the most minimal standards. Furthermore, most folks don’t have
the opportunity to quiz an owner before dogs meet in  “play” at the park. And unfortunately, some
breeds have gained popularity due to their fighting skills, bloodlines honed by
corrupt breeders and bookies.

Political correctness
doesn’t matter when I assess a park or a situation or an owner. My dogs
aren’t allowed to play with certain dogs. Loyalty
to my pack outweighs any lame thoughtless outrage about my decision. Given my emotional, financial investment and
love for my pack, I don’t take risks with dogs designed to do a lot of damage
or uber aggressive dogs regardless of breed.

Aside from hackles,
the unwavering stare should send up red flags for some intervening action to
take place before blood bubbles.

Finally, your furry best
friend depends on you everyday to set him up for a positive safe experience. Don’t fail him by taking unnecessary
risks.

To those park-goers, families and pedestrians who think about
the welfare of all dogs and dog
owners who responsibly share the same space by picking up poo, training and restraining
their pets, I owe you my profound gratitude.

To the aware owners/trainers of prey-driven or aggressive
dogs who remain mindful of the concerns of other owners and act accordingly to
keep the peace for all, I can’t applaud you loudly or often enough.

Happy Tails and Happy Trails in 2017!!