AN EXPRESSIVE LIFE

Probably the sole reason I became a Dog Trainer was finding a passion for how dog's learn and what drives behaviour, this was due to my own little lad Ted needing help when he began to 'react' to other dogs in a way that humans (and dogs) find unacceptable.

Ted became REACTIVE or as I like to call it EXPRESSIVE this means he would express behaviours (or react) when faced with a trigger that makes him feel anxious or fearful. Ted could growl, bark or maybe lunge when faced with something he finds scary, he expresses these behaviours in an attempt to make the trigger go away which creates the space he needs. So lets think about that, expressing these behaviours has made the scary thing go away thus meaning to him this is what works as this works this is what I need to do in future.

So sometimes this works as the trigger (a dog or stranger) will back off, but occasionally a dog may also react towards him because they are only trying to come sniff to find out all about him, but he doesn't want this attention and they in turn could also respond to his reaction.

It took a single scary event to change Ted from a very happy 10 month old dog, who had been exposed to dogs, traffic, children, adults, fireworks, novel items, novel sounds, the vets etc all in a positive way with nothing going wrong.

Then one day on a walk when Ted was 10 months old he got bowled over and pinned down by 3 entire male dogs. Hormones had possibly driven their behaviour as entire males can smell scary so Ted possibly smelt like something they needed to be worried about.

He wasn't bitten but he was scared, bruised and definitely shaken by the trauma. Yes trauma- a single scary event can be very traumatic for dogs just like humans and can leave a lasting memory that causes anxiety and fear, it's like PTSD, and they can't just get over it or shake it off, they need help to decompress and feel safe and secure around the things that have caused the trauma.

Trauma's come in all shapes and sizes and it really depends on the individual as to what they perceive as traumatic or scary. I'm a little bit scared of wasps, the sting hurts and I'm allergic so any sting can cause me a huge trauma whereas my husband thinks I'm daft to be worried about such a small thing, I was stung as a child ( I trod on a wasp) and had an allergic reaction, I had to wear slippers for a few weeks to school ( that was traumatic).

When we think of reactivity in human terms and how we could react to something it's easier to be compassionate, to have empathy and to understand.

Ted can sometimes also be worried about some humans again a scary event contributed to this by being kicked by a so called friend- needless to say we aren't friends anymore!!

Also our communication is understood by other humans, but sometimes humans don't read dogs very well-we don't speak their language and some humans see this communication as aggressive and not appropriate.

Dogs are just like us and what is traumatic or scary for one dog wouldn't necessarily be the same for another and it's never breed specific it's completely individual to each dog.

So I sought help for Ted. I found two amazing Behaviourists Penel & Laura who helped me understand and change life for Ted. We had a consult, we joined a reactive classes, they helped Ted be more confident, they became his Aunties and a safe place to learn. I took on skills to help him cope emotionally, I went to workshops to do fun things in a safe environment it has been life changing for us both. I’m now a dog trainer and I work with Laura helping other expressive dogs and their caregivers which is just the best job ever.

We see Penel when we go on holiday, he always remembers her.

So what is sharing your life with a expressive dog like?

To be honest everything is considered, everything is thought about and everything is about how Ted will feel in that situation. If it's something we feel he won't be comfortable with we just don't do it. Can you imagine be subjected to or having to face your fear every single day. I know there are wasps around me all summer which I can handle, but I'd never go near a nest.

In the beginning yes things went wrong because we thought he'll be ok with that, or he was OK with that last time he'll be OK again and sometimes he wasn't because his bucket was filling up.

I walk early mornings in really open spaces so I can see what's around us.

I use a trailing long line so I can pick it up if I need to ask another dog owner not to let their dog approach, Ted has a lead sleeve the says 'I NEED SPACE'.

I use freedom fields.

I’ve taught him cue’s like ‘this way’ so we can move away from a trigger and it’s rewarding to do so.

We cross the road if a trigger is approaching.

I learnt if he stops it means go another way please so we do.

I understand the dog type that will worry him and avoid them.

I try my upmost to prevent conflict.

I desensitise at a safe distance to help him feel emotionally happier about the trigger.

I do lots of enrichment, parcours, scentwork, teach tricks all to keep him mentally stimulated especially if something went wrong on a walk.

I walk with dog friends, he has quite a lot considering, these are dogs he's known for many years and always has fun times with.

We introduce new people via scent cloths paired with food and we name them Auntie.... Uncle....

We visit family members and their gardens

We take new things at his pace.

I avoid dog parks or dog shows and really crowded places as he just doesn't cope with all of that.

As you can tell our life revolves around his needs, it's not always been easy and I do get those 'all dogs love me' people or the 'it's ok my dogs friendly' brigade thinking their attention will help. I've literally body blocked people from getting too close after the 3rd time of asking them to stay away!!

Ted has helped me to understand more about companion animals that I ever thought imaginable. We have been on such a journey which we are still travelling together. He now helps me at work, he helps build confidence in puppies (he loves puppies) who are a little shy and he also helps with some of the reactive dogs when we are helping them feel safe around dogs and humans.

When we decide to share our life with a dog we have to be open to change and adaptations without those can we really fulfil their needs. Changing just a few things can really impact their lives and wellbeing for the better.

I will always advocate for his needs to keep him safe and to make him feel safe.

As you can tell he is my world.