Category: safety

Why Parkour?

Posted on by Lindsey Hazlett

Why Parkour?

 

If you’re familiar with Busy Dog on any level, you know that we’re hugely passionate about dog parkour! Have you ever wondered why or what it’s all about?

What is Dog Parkour? 

Dog parkour is often referred to as “urban agility.” The sport is composed of a number of skills that can be trained anywhere without any equipment. There are 6 base behaviors (and many others beyond!): 4 feet on, 2 feet on, under, through, in, and balance. These skills are then turned to nature, where you and your dog are challenged to find a variety of obstacles of different sizes, textures, and stability, to play parkour on! 

Red merle border collie stands on a concrete wall in a grassy field.

Benefit #1: Confidence Building

For many dogs, it will be scary at first to put their front paws on a slippery rock, or to crawl under a tree branch. Over time, practicing dog parkour will help your dog learn to trust your judgement, push their bodies in new ways, and become confident in themselves and their abilities.  Very quickly, the confidence that your dog builds in parkour will then transfer to other aspects of their life.

Benefit #2: Relationship Strengthening

As you and your dog spend time training together, your bond will strengthen. If you help your dog safely learn how to have fun in different ways, your dog will build value in the time you spend together. 

Benefit #3: Body Awareness & Conditioning (Safe for all Ages)

Does your dog act like they aren’t even aware of their back legs? This is common in young dogs. Dog parkour will increase your dog’s agility and body awareness. It also can help older dogs maintain some strength as they age.

Benefit #4: Enrichment (More Than Just a Walk!)

More often than not, simply just taking your dog for a walk isn’t enough. In addition to physical exercise, dogs also need mental exercise and enrichment! Dog parkour is an easy activity to add to the walks you’re already going on. Instead of rushing your dog pass a rock, stop and think about what your dog could do with that rock. Can they put feet on it? Circle it? Jump from one to the other?

 

Benefit #5: Optional Titling

To put it plainly, dog parkour is cool. Why wouldn’t you want to show off? Through the International Dog Parkour Association, you and your dog can earn awards. There are numerous levels, and if your dog prefers one specific behavior, you can earn a specialty title too!

Mackenzie Holmes of Busy Dog Training is a certified instructor and evaluator and can award you your training and novice level  titles.

A black dog in a turquoise harness sits in a cardboard box and faces the camera.

How to Get Started!

We offer both online and in person dog parkour classes! We also meet up once a week in a new place in the Madison area to practice as a group. Come check it out!

Visit the International Dog Parkour Association website for more in depth detail about the sport.

Busy Dog Trainer

Alex Hazlett

Separation Anxiety

Posted on by Lindsey Hazlett

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

by Lindsey Hazlett

 

In general, separation anxiety is a common issue that many pet owners experience. Now that many new owners are going back to work in the office after the pandemic, or simply spending more time doing activities outside the home, there are a lot of dogs currently struggling with this. 

 

What is Separation Anxiety?

Separation anxiety is the feeling of distress and panic that some dogs experience when left alone or when their owner leaves them. The severity of the distress can vary. 

 

Here are some common signs of separation anxiety:

 

  • Barking and howling
  • Excessive pacing and drooling/sweating
  • Destruction
  • Escape efforts
  • Urination and defecation

 

There certainly can be other causes of these behaviors (boredom, incomplete house training, alerting to disturbances outside the home, etc.), so it may be best to set up a video camera to watch what truly happens when you leave your pet alone in order to determine the root issue.

 

What causes it?

Dogs can develop separation anxiety for a variety of reasons that are often difficult to pinpoint. Common causes include lack of positive alone time as a young dog, genetic predisposition, environmental changes, changes in schedule, or any combination of these. 

 

Some dogs will begin exhibiting signs early in puppyhood or adolescence, and others develop it later in life.

 

Can I prevent it?

If your dog is young or is not currently exhibiting signs of separation anxiety, it is important to begin teaching them that it is okay to be alone. 

 

Create a safe space for your dog, whether it be in a crate, expen, or separate room. Include comfortable materials and eliminate the safety hazards. Then, take some time to help your puppy create a positive association with the space. Provide treats, fun toys and bones, and enrichment activities. Reward your dog for choosing to enter that space. 

 

Slowly leave the space for seconds at a time and heavily reinforce your puppy. Return BEFORE your dog has the opportunity to experience any discomfort. Practice this in tiny sessions throughout the day and help your dog build up some duration over time.

 

When should I get help?

Not only is separation anxiety intense and highly stressful for your dog, but it’s also a safety concern. When engaging in destructive behaviors, there’s always a risk that your dog may fracture a tooth, ingest a foreign body, break off nails, or lacerate paws. Therefore, it needs to be addressed immediately. 

 

As you begin formulating a plan to treat separation anxiety, stop leaving your dog alone right away as much as possible. Continuing to put your dog in situations where they will experience separation distress will only worsen the issue. See if you can modify your schedule, bring your dog along to places, hire a pet sitter or dog walker, or if appropriate, look into local doggy daycares. 

 

It may be a good idea to ask your veterinarian about potential medications or supplements to help your dog better cope in the instances where you do have to leave your dog alone in the meantime.

 

Resources

 

I’ll Be Home Soon

 

 

“Managing Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety” by Karen Pryor

 

 

 

 

 

Busy Dog Trainer

Lindsey Hazlett

 

To Greet or Not to Greet

Posted on by Lindsey Hazlett

 

To Greet or Not to Greet?

When it comes to greetings, communication is key. 

Whether your dog is being greeted by another person or dog, or if you’re personally greeting another dog, several things need to be taken into consideration. Safety and the dogs’ comfort is the number one priority, regardless of how badly you or someone else wants to say hello. Keep the communication channels open and be intentional about your actions. 

Approaching an Unfamiliar Dog

Before walking right up to a dog, asses the situation. Does the dog appear confident? Is the owner alert? If a greeting seems appropriate for all parties, go ahead and ask the owner for permission to approach their dog. If the owner says no, respect this by moving on and continuing to provide adequate space.

If the owner gives you permission to say hello to their dog, hold your hand out to the side and see if the dog is interested. If the dog approaches you happily, briefly pet the dogs chest or wherever they are comfortable. Avoid reaching over the head.

“If the owner gives you permission to say hello to their dog, hold your hand out to the side and see if the dog is interested.”

“It is okay to say no! You are your dog’s advocate.”

Practice stepping on your dog’s leash at first so that they physically cannot jump on strangers. Ask for a sit as strangers approach and reward your dog. Scatter treats on the floor for your dog to work on while a person comes.

Practice these skills at home extensively with a friend or family member before attempting with a true stranger. 

We cover Polite Greetings in our Good Dog and Puppy classes if you need a little help!

Teaching Your Dog Polite Greetings

When others ask to approach your dog, you should also take a second to observe your dog. Is your dog interested in “saying hi” right now? Will your dog be well mannered and remain under control? It is okay to say no! You are your dog’s advocate.

Think about what behavior you’d like from your dog when others approach. Would you like your dog to abstain from jumping? Do you want them to sit nicely by your side? Or do you not care what they do, as long as they’re calm? Teach your dog your expectations!

Dog to Dog Greetings

Before ever letting your dog approach another dog on leash, ask for permission first! Just because your dog is friendly does not mean that the other one is! 

If the other owner says yes, allow your dogs to walk up to each other if they are calm. Pay close attention to both dogs’ body language cues. 

If you see either dog freezing up, raising their hackles, tucking their tail, standing taller, making excessive eye contact with the other dog, or curling any lips, immediately remove your dog from the situation. 

In a positive, healthy greeting, you should see two relaxed dogs with wiggly bodies on loose leashes, tails wagging while held at a moderate height, and tongues lolling to one side.

It’s best to keep all leashed greetings brief. As a general rule, count to 3 and then call your dog away!

“In a positive, healthy greeting, you should see two relaxed dogs with wiggly bodies on loose leashes, tails wagging while held at a moderate height, and tongues lolling to one side.”

 

Summer Hazards and How to Keep Your Dog Safe

Posted on by Lindsey Hazlett

 

Heat

Summers in Wisconsin can get hot, and these higher temperatures can pose a threat to our dogs! Watch out for the following signs of heat stroke shared by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA):

 

  • Anxiousness
  • Excessive panting
  • Restlessness
  • Excessive drooling
  • Unsteadiness
  • Abnormal gum and tongue color
  • Collapse

 

Heat stroke can be prevented by always having water and shade available for your pet, and by keeping them inside if it’s too hot. Leaving your dog in the car during the warmer months, even if for just a few minutes, can drastically increase the risk of heat stroke. Even if you crack the windows or park in the shade, cars overheat VERY quickly and can be deadly.

 

As a last quick note, asphalt and concrete heat up quickly outside. If these surfaces are hot to touch, they are too hot for your pet’s paws! Walking your dogs in the mornings and evenings when it’s less sunny, or putting booties on your dog, can help prevent paw burns.

 

Blue-Green Algae

Blue-Green Algae is a type of bacteria that can be found in natural bodies of water, like lakes, streams, and rivers. During the summer, this cyanobacteria can bloom and produce deadly toxins. A couple of drinks of water contaminated with this bacterium can be lethal, and there is no antitoxin. 

 

The Wisconsin Development of Health Services (DHS) describes blue-green algae as “look[ing]  like spilled paint or pea soup, and can change the color of the water to green, blue, turquoise, purple, tan, or white.” Avoid letting your pet near water that matches this description. Be aware that the water can be contaminated and appear normal if the bloom is underwater. 

 

Watch out for the following signs of poisoning, and take your dog to the nearest Veterinary Emergency Hospital immediately if you suspect exposure: vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, difficulty breathing, and/or seizures (DHS).

Creepy Crawlies

Bugs come alive in the summer! Your dog will inevitably be around them, so it’s important to be aware of which to look out for and how to best keep your dog safe and healthy. 

 

Ticks can carry a variety of diseases that can be passed on to your dog by bite. In order to decrease the risk of transmission, you can talk to your veterinarian about monthly tick (and often flea) preventative. Even if you use a tick preventative, it’s still a good idea to look your pet over when she gets home to make sure there aren’t any attached ticks. Remove the ticks as soon as you find them.

 

Mosquitoes are the carriers of Heartworm, another serious and transmissible disease. This too can be managed and prevented by speaking with your vet about annual testing and monthly preventatives. Consider keeping your dog inside during times that mosquitoes are most present and active, like evenings. 

 

Bees don’t transmit disease, but they can sting your dog and cause a reaction. Most commonly, dogs will become intrigued by the bees flying around and choose to sniff or eat them, resulting in a sting frequently on the face or legs. If your dog is stung, see if a stinger is still attached. If so, remove it carefully and hold an ice pack over the site while you contact your veterinarian for next steps. VCA (Veterinary Centers of America) recommends that you bring your dog to the nearest emergency vet immediately if you notice any of the following signs:

 

  • Severe swelling
  • Hives
  • Difficulty breathing or wheezing
  • Excessive drooling
  • Agitation
  • Vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • Dizziness and/or disorientation
  • Seizures

 

Plants and Soil Additives

Summer is the season for gardening! Unfortunately, some popular plants can be toxic to dogs (and cats) if they ingest them. Examples shared by the Pet Poison Helpline include the sago palm plant, lilies, lily of the valley, and crocuses. It’s best to research any plant that you are considering bringing to your garden or home and ensure that it is safe to have around pets. Additionally, if you see your dog ingesting a toxic plant, call your veterinarian immediately. 

 

Plants and flowers aside, be mindful of the fertilizers and insecticides and pesticides you use in your garden. While most fertilizers are pet-friendly, ingestion of large amounts can still cause problems. Any ingestion of insecticides and pesticides can be fatal. Search for pet-safe products and consider creating a small enclosure around your garden if needed.

 

 

Sources

Busy Dog Trainer

Lindsey Hazlett