Muzzles, handwashing and coronavirus

The large off lead dog rushes over to you through the woods, approaching your small on-lead dog.

So far, so normal (potentially frustrating but pretty normal), right?

Then you realise that the big black dog is in fact also wearing a close fitting black Baskerville muzzle. And you’re not sure where the owner is.

Okay…….


Then the owner appeared and shouted “It’s okay, they’re friendly really. They just don’t like joggers”.

Well, credit to the owner for choosing to muzzle their dog and reducing the risk of a jogger being nipped or bitten.

But just using a muzzle, without any other strategies, isn’t really a sensible way to reduce risk and keep everyone safe.

I try to avoid horror stories, but I’ve been on the receiving end of what’s called a “muzzle punch” from a dog (who was muzzled) and trust me, it left bruises!

When we know there is a problem, it’s up to us (with professional support if needed) to create a comprehensive strategy.

Dog “doesn’t like” joggers? 

 

Let’s assume that means our dog may unpredictably rush at, bark or consider nipping joggers.

Strategies 

• Avoidance: plan to walk away from organised running events like Park Run, avoid busy regular running routes 
• Management: teach our dog to really enjoy wearing a muzzle, be able to take treats from us through the muzzle, AND keep our dog on a long line in public 
• Treatment: check what’s driving our dog’s behaviour (Fear? Anxiety? Frustration?) and develop a training plan to change both the problem and the underlying emotion 

MANY of the dogs pictured wearing muzzles in this blog are current or past WCC clients. These dogs have ALL learned to love wearing their muzzles for a whole variety of reasons. Their amazing humans know that muzzles are just part of the plan! 

By now you might be wondering what on earth this has to do with Covid19!

As a company, and as responsible individuals, we’ve had lots of discussion over the last few weeks.

While we can’t influence government policy, we can choose our own response strategy based on the available evidence and recommendations.

Hand-washing is a lot like using a muzzle on a dog – it only really helps if we’re doing the other important stuff too….

Like social distancing, reducing personal contact, regular hand-washing AND cleaning of relevant surfaces.

Respecting anyone who is self-isolating even just as a precaution, and being mindful that while you might not be badly affected, your elderly relative could become seriously ill.

What you need to know

Entirely coincidentally our only indoor classes finish this Wednesday

after which we’re on a scheduled break until the summer. This week we’re asking everyone to be sensible, avoiding any shared equipment and continuing to observe our usual high standard of hygiene.

Almost all of our other sessions are held outdoors, with the opportunity for plenty of space between people and dogs! We may adapt the structure but sessions are scheduled to continue.

If you’re a behaviour client, then home visits will continue for the moment BUT we’re asking clients to keep us informed if they experience any symptoms, or have returned from travel in affected countries according to the UK Government guidance.

For clients who are self-isolating due to suspected or confirmed infection, or in line with the government guidance on foreign travel, please do not attend for your session and contact us as soon as possible to reschedule without charge.  Please note that session charges continue to apply if we are not notified in advance of the need to cancel.

We reserve the right to ask any client or helper to leave a session if they appear to be unwell and there is a concern about infection. 

We’re looking forwards to continuing to work with you, and implementing a whole package of strategies as needed.

Morag and the beasties

What’s on in WCC Land? 

Parkour Workshops Sunday 22nd March

Gun Dog Games on Saturday 21st March

Remote Support

As always, we're available via video link and phone for ongoing training support, new behaviour consultations and more - just email the office on info@wellconnectedcanine.co.uk




The Multi-Dog Harmony workshop is currently on hold, and I’ll let you know once we have a new date.

Dealing with irresponsible dog owners *hints & tips*

I’m not sure what “be a responsible dog owner” means to you, but recently both Clare and I encountered the very opposite on walks.

Sometimes we make mistakes because everyone does.

Maybe you don’t manage to call your dog back before they bound over to say hello, or your dog steals someone else’s tennis ball while you’re picking up poop.

Easy mistakes to happen for sure.

But when Clare had to bodge a slip lead out of her own dog leads to restrain a large powerful dog (no collar or tags) that was intent on having a go at Scout, and there was no owner in sight? That’s not a mistake, but wanton carelessness.

The person who told me “it’s okay, she’s muzzled” as a large, powerful dog muzzle punched Laird in the side causing him to scream and come back for comfort – that’s not a mistake either. That’s making a really poor choice on behalf of your dog.

So what can YOU do in situations where other people’s decisions affect you and your dogs? 

1. Pay attention to your surroundings. Watch other dog’s body language as much as you watch your own dog, so you can spot potential trouble early on. Clare and I were on different walks, but we both remember spotting these dogs and feeling uncomfortable. 

2. Take avoiding action if you can – change direction, call your dogs close, stop throwing their toys and so on. When a dog is charging towards you, it might be worth throwing food to tap it on the chest or you may be better concentrating on your own dogs. I put Bronte on the lead because being deaf and now almost entirely blind it’s harder to keep her safe. Clare put Scout (deaf, entire male) on the lead because she felt he might be targeted, and her other dogs would be able to interact safely and move away.

3. Intervene if you feel safe to do so – grabbing someone else’s dog is always risky, but you need to weigh up your options. Clare couldn’t see an owner anywhere, and that dog was persistently having a go at Scout. She knew that all her dogs would lie down and wait at a distance while she dealt with the strange dog, so that was the best option at the time. 

But be mindful of your own safety too! 

And if situations like this keep happening?

Consider when and where you walk your dogs.

While I’d love to be able to change the rest of the world sometimes it’s easier to change my own habits!

I sincerely hope you’ve had better walks than Clare and I, amazingly we weren’t even in the same place or out together when all these things happened.   Our dogs are doing okay, and hopefully our blood pressure will be back to normal soon!

Happy walks

Morag & Clare*

*who are still practising breathing calmly

Want to know what else you can do with your dog? 

See all our classes, workshops and activities here:  https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=13187434

We’ve just posted dates for mini-workshops on Parkour on a Wednesday evening too!

Plus keep up to date with our activities and events by signing up to our mailing list! https://wcc.clareassoc.com/signup/

Just how anti-social are your dog walks?

Walking down the railway line at night.

Hoping that it’s late enough, dark enough, raining enough, that no one else will be out walking their dogs.

The screaming cacophony that erupts when your dog spots another canine around the corner.

The embarrassed half smile you share with the other owner as you wrangle your dog past, wishing that there was something else you could do.

Let’s face it, it’s really not fun to be the person holding the lead when a dog loses their mind.

It might be excitement, frustration, fear or anxiety – but it looks and sounds horrendous!

And it’s not much better when you’re on the receiving end.

Lots of dogs get upset or join in if another dog barks or lunges at them. Now we’ve got two or more dogs who are getting progressively upset!

WCC’s top tips to cool the situation

If your dog might start the barking (on lead, on a walk)

• Avoid narrow paths and walks without easy escape routes
• Consider using scentwork games and fun in the house or garden rather than walking at busy times
• Carry super tasty interesting food to distract your dog with, and practice doing it when there AREN’T any other dogs around too
• Move away from the other dog as soon as you can, turn and run away if you need to!

What to do if another dog kicks off at yours?

• Use a cheery voice and distract your dog with some treats (having another dog bark = tasty food)
• Smile, breath and practice feeling compassion for the owner of the other dog
• Move yourself and your dog out of the way
• Keep your dog busy and focused on you if the other dog is passing close by

I hope your late night walks are calm and relaxing, but just in case they’re not you might want to book into a Rehab Club date for some extra help.

Happy walks

Morag and the WCC Team

What’s going on in WCC Land?

We’re back from our short break (and birthday celebrations for Clare & Morag) so it’s all systems go for the new classes and sessions.

Rehab Club

Open to anyone who has completed at least a 121 session with us already. Suitable for dogs who struggle around other people and/or dogs whether worried or excited. These are small group sessions lasting 2hrs with refreshments and supportive coaching to get the best from you both.

Running monthly on Sundays (South Cave) and Tuesdays (South Cave & York), the next club is on Sunday 14^th October 

Rehab Club Dates

Sunday Sports & Social Club

A relaxed friendly group of WCC peeps who get together to share cake, drink tea and even do some dog training. We’ve space and equipment for most dog sports plus great trails for running or walking.  South Cave venue.

Next Club date: Sunday 14^th October 2pm

Tell us you’re coming, and get a reminder with directions

I’m coming to Sunday Sports & Social

Canicross Classes (Tuesdays @ 7pm)

If you’ve ever fancied trying to run with your dog, or taken part in an intro workshop but failed to make it a regular habit, why not sign up for our weekly Canicross Classes!

You can book just one or two classes, or grab the whole ten week block and get a discount (use this code COMMITEDCANI-X to get one session free).

New to canicross? You MUST attend week 1 for an intro and kit fitting.

Classes start Tuesday 16th October, 7pm

You DON'T have to be super fit or running far to join in, but you WILL need a headtorch!

Canicross Classes

Week	Date	Location (postcode)	Skills focus
Week 1	16th Oct	Heslington YO10 5EW	basics & running in the dark
Week 2	23rd Oct	Wheldrake Woods YO19 6BG	trail technique & passing
Week 3	30th Oct	Huntington YO32 9RE	consistent pulling
Week 4	6th Nov	Welburn Woods YO60 7ED	hill techniques
Week 5	13th Nov	Knavesmire YO23 1EX	race protocols, start line and sprints
Week 6	20th Nov	Heslington YO10 5EW	Commands, directions
Week 7	27th Nov	Wheldrake Woods YO19 6BG	Technique and directions on narrow trails
Week 8	4th Dec	Huntington YO32 9RE	Pace changes and building speed
Week 9	11th Dec	Clifton Ings (Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride) YO30 5XZ	Consistency and pacing
Week 10	18th Dec	Knavesmire YO23 1EX	Mock race!

Book canicross classes here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=13187434&