| CANINETOURISM.CO.UK COLUMNIST - FIONA WARSTAT - Dog Behaviour Features... |
| Me Canine - You Human |
Blind Dates - Part I |
Blind Dates - Part II |
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Dog Behaviourist, Fiona Warstat - 'Me Canine, You Human!'
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The human/dog relationship has occurred for centuries. Man using dogs to fulfil a job of work, and the relationship maintained within this dynamic is unique. However as time has evolved, relationships with dogs have changed.
We no longer are looking for a relationship in which we dominate our dogs, we look for more balance, more understanding of the domesticated predator we choose to share our lives with.
This understanding only comes from seeking more information about the dog, experience, and observations. It is amazing how many clients have had dogs since their childhood, and yet only really start to learn about dogs when they own them and encounter a problem. It is not until then, does one really have to look objectively at their dog, the relationship, and the possible outcome. As with many relationship problems, learning how to communicate effectively can help, and professional outside help enables those involved to ‘bring the microscope out’ and look at a bigger picture.
With the right help, the communication can begin, learning to understand our dogs and ‘speak dog’ is vital if we are to find a resolution within a problem. After all, our dogs seem to have attempted to communicate and understand us for a long time! Canine communication is subtle, and very often missed until the dog has displayed a behaviour as a last resort, such as aggression, that is found to be socially unacceptable.
Aggression is a good example of a dog effectively using normal canine language. However, to get to the point of aggression humans recognise, there has often been a huge amount of inconspicuous non-verbal signalling prior to the often shocking outward display. Aggression in dogs has many forms or ‘types’ usually based upon clinical implications, such as pain or illness, instinctive drives or learned behaviours, or a combination. Sometimes, aggression is misplaced, re-directed or idiopathic, the cause is not apparent. Careful, experienced assessment is necessary with most aggression cases in order to establish a cause, usually beginning with a visit to the vet for a medical check.
Dogs that communicate well, rarely find the need to use aggression on a day-to-day basis, assuming all the needs are met. However, within my professional work, I am finding a disturbingly upward trend in the number of dogs lacking in social skills, including effective dog/dog communication.
In response to this, I set up non-aggression canine communication groups, carefully selecting dogs to be part of groups from whom they could learn, helping dogs gain confidence, learn appropriateness and have fun. Owners too, learned so much more about their dogs, their potential and their needs. For those dogs that resort to aggression for a variety of reasons as a form of communication, one-to-one assessments and training are necessary for the dog and owner to learn together new signals and alternative methods of communication.
These sessions have been likened to ‘Anger Management’ courses (!) with both dog and owner are empowered to look at life with a slightly different perspective, fully understanding what is expected of them within their relationship using effective communication. Aggression in timid dogs illuminates different needs. Those dogs not only need expert care in helping the timidity, but if aggression has developed, usually in the form of defence, then
careful exposure to low challenges with high support is critical.
I feel that frustration and aggression in dogs is under estimated and under valued, due sometimes to a lack of understanding. It is sad for me to observe so many owners and their dogs struggling with their relationship, that could be helped so much more if appropriate, qualified and experienced professionals are employed.
Sometimes, however, it is impossible to meet the dog’s and owner’s needs within a relationship, in which case,
alternative solutions have to be found, though this is a very small percentage of the case load I see throughout a year. Most have a successful and effective outcome, with owner compliance!
Fiona Warstat DIP.CABT (COAPE) NOCN Companion Animal Behaviour Consultant |
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| FIONA WARSTAT - 'Blind Dates' |
It has always intrigued me as to why so many people acquire dogs they essentially know nothing about. We have dogs to live as members of our family and to be a part of our lives for the next 10 years on average, yet few of us explore fully a breed or a type of dog that would be totally suitable for our life style, our environment or our temperament!
If we are led by the appearance, the status symbol, or the fashion accessory, is that an informed entry to a new relationship? And what about the dog? It may look like the dog in the picture of the book, the description may match the apparent temperament, so why does it behave so strangely or why is it so ‘difficult’ to train?
There are new match-making services setting up regularly to aid humans with finding a new relationship, assessing each member carefully and finding out as much about that person as possible in order to find a match. Wouldn’t it be great for the dog population if humans did that before entering into the hopefully long-term canine/human relationship? More dogs may find more appropriate homes, more people could have pleasure in knowing that the ball of fluff puppy they have come home with, is more likely to have the majority of its needs met within their environment, and with their family, and the relationship has a good foundation.
Some reputable rescue centres assess dogs very efficiently, taking into consideration a huge amount of variables and scenarios a dog may find itself in when homed. Some breeders are also exceptional at socialising and assessing each individual puppy before assessing prospective buyers, making sure that they have, to the best of their knowledge, placed the right dog into the right home. But dogs are accessible everywhere and unless an extensive knowledge of the breed or the type is understood, an impulsive consumer could end up with totally the wrong dog for them.
Most breeds of dogs were, at one time, bred to do a job of work, which means that there may be some behavioural patterns in a certain type of dog that could be unsuitable as a family pet. It goes without saying in this case, there may be problems after a very short time into the new relationship. The key to success with any dog is based on experience, assessing the individual (no two dogs are the same, even litter mates), having an open mind and a good understanding of the kind of dog chosen and it’s needs.
If you are able to fulfil the dog’s needs, and the dog is able to fulfil yours, the rest of the relationship can be established more easily.
Fiona Warstat DIP.CABT (COAPE) NOCN Companion Animal Behaviour Consultant
CLICK HERE for FIONA WARSTAT's web page on Caninetourism.co.uk |
| FIONA WARSTAT - 'Blind Dates - Part II' |
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‘Welsh Collie puppies for sale – ready now, ideal for work or pet………..’
'Lakeland x Patterdale puppies for sale – grand little dogs, ideal family pet………’
‘Gentle Giant Great Dane puppies for sale, need little exercise, ideal for working families………….’
‘Rare Komondor puppies for sale – ideal for pet or show…………..’
‘English Springer Spaniel puppies for sale – parents field trial champions, make lovely family pets…………..’
We may have all seen the adverts on boards and in papers, advertising puppies, perhaps with a ‘photo of the litter. Without researching the breeds advertised or having previous experience of the specific dogs, how do we know they are going to grow into ideal pets?
There is nothing wrong with any of the dogs’ breeds advertised, though maybe the breeder’s perspective with regard the future of their puppies is ill informed, or they may be financially motivated? Generally, the needs of the dogs in the adverts can far exceed the capabilities of pet owners, lowering the odds immediately for a harmonious relationship – unless the prospective owner is fully informed and prepared for the type of dog chosen, with commitment in mind.
| A Look at a Dog's Needs |
| Careful breeding |
A prerequisite for a happy dog. |
| Basic needs |
Quality, regular food, a fresh, constant source of water, shelter, warmth, clean environment, parasite control, clinical maintenance. |
| Company |
Dogs are social animals and isolation can be stressful. Appropriate socialisation, with experienced, qualified behaviourists or trainers allow dogs to learn skills at any age, with the right characters of dogs to teach them. Using the wrong dogs can lead to aggression, bullying and stress for dogs and owners. |
| Appropriate mental and environmental stimulation |
Relating to the breed of the dog. It is important to give the dog a job of work and problem solving to do, appropriate to his breed - even when its great fun! Bored dogs develop their own ‘work’ and behavioural problems. |
| Play |
Play is a huge part of learning for all dogs, from puppies to older dogs, to learn how not to bite other members of the litter too hard, who is stronger than who, how to negotiate, how to avoid conflict, how to make friends. |
| Exercise |
The amount of exercise needed is dependent upon the breed and type of dog, and of course, clinical health. |
| Social Inclusion |
Dogs needed to be included within the family, as well as being allowed their own space and time away from too much 'busy-ness' - dogs get tired too and can become irritable, just like us! |
| Communication & Clarity |
An understanding of what exactly is expected of them, with regard the house rules and the rules of the relationship. Although we have moved away from ‘dominating’ our dogs – quite rightly with the evidence of new research such as Ray and Lorna Coppinger (2001), dogs need consistent signals from us, as owners, in order for them to feel safe, secure and included within their home. Too much of a ‘free range’ existence can lead to dogs feeling frustrated and bored, finding their own entertainment and stimulation and developing inappropriate expectations of the world around them. |
When we stop to look at the human needs within a human/dog relationship – they do not look all that different! Apart from (hopefully!) the parasite control, our needs and dogs needs are very similar, which makes owning a dog so special.
It is incredibly distressing for owners, if they find they have to re-home their family pet because of a problem they have found insurmountable, and in the extreme cases I have seen, when the dog has to be destroyed or defended under the Dangerous Dogs Act, the stress is immense, and there follows a grieving process in the cases of destruction.
Dogs can make fantastic pets, loyal and trustworthy friends, social outlets, fitness trainers, comedy acts, remarkable psychologists……however, it is essential that we choose the right dog, and are prepared to spend time and money choosing and assessing, and taking into consideration its needs.
If you would like advice choosing the right canine companion for you and your family, or you would like help beginning a new relationship with a dog – or you are experiencing a problem with your dog, please contact:
Fiona Warstat-Dip.CABT(COAPE)NOCN, PGDip.Couns.,DipCouns (NEFC)
email – fionawarstat@instincts.fsnet.co.uk
Telephone: 01643 706213 – mobile: 07989 363 256
Or any member of COAPE (Centre of Applied Pet Ethology) or any member of APBC (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors)
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