Author: Frederike Spyrka

Trickdog Trainer

Categories
Tips & Tricks

Animal rescue dogs – Experience report by Frederike

Out of 900 million dogs worldwide, 700 million of them live on the streets.

This is an enormously high number. Because of this, I as well as numerous animal welfare activists, are happy about every single rescue dog, who finds a great home in a family.

Since a few weeks, I have had a second rescue dog. So I live together with my seven-year-old former street dog Nala from Romania and a five-month-old young dog named Swift from Spain. Both spent their first weeks and months of life in a shelter until they moved in with me.

What it means to take in an animal welfare dog

Adopting a dog from a shelter is a great thing – but it is also not so easy.

First of all, you have to find a suitable animal welfare organization – unfortunately, there are some black sheep here, too. Both of my dogs have special adoption stories and in most cases, it doesn’t work out that you choose any dog and that dog moves in with you right away. With Nala I searched for a long time on the Internet for a suitable dog. She is my first dog and I had no special ideas about what I expect from a dog. Only the chemistry should be right. Something came in between with all dogs. Either the dog was already gone or somehow the gut feeling did not fit. On the Internet, there are various sites such as tiervermittlungen.de and edogs.de , on which I also looked, which bundle the numerous dogs from shelters throughout Europe and on which also a filter can be set. For example, a few months ago I was looking for a male herding dog, preferably a border collie (mixed breed). At some point, I saw Swift and it clicked immediately. However, he was already reserved. By chance, it turned out that of the people interested in him,  jumped off and I could adopt him. With my dog Nala I had expressed interest in another dog at that time, but they suggested Nala to me – a dog that changed my complete life. So the suggestions from the organization can be very helpful and should at least be considered. Check-in any case if the animal welfare organization is serious before you take in a dog. Signs for it are that the mediators are interested in you and your living situation, inform you in detail about the dog, and would take the dog back in an emergency. In addition, in a serious animal welfare organization, no puppies younger than 16 weeks are mediated and the departing dogs are vaccinated, skipped, and dewormed.

I had then in 2014 listened to the advice of the organization and looked at the said dog – Nala was already in a shelter in Germany, so I could visit her. This is super helpful and should definitely be claimed if possible. Swift came directly from Spain. I could not meet him before and it was a much bigger risk. In such cases, however, reputable animal welfare organizations try to give a lot of info about the dogs’ stay and provide you regularly with photos or videos.

After I had decided in each case for the dog, a preliminary control was accomplished with me at home. Thereby it is controlled whether the information about the living environment is really correct and these fit to the dog. Normally a nice conversation develops and I also got some good tips on the way with Swift.

After the preliminary inspection, a protection contract is signed, which is always drawn up by a reputable animal welfare organization. And then the adventure (new) dog begins.

The way to a new home

I picked up Nala at the animal shelter in Germany. Swift was brought to Germany with a transporter and I picked him up at a collection point. It is super important to secure the dog well and make his start into his new life as comfortable as possible. After Swift sat in the transporter for many hours, he now had to travel another 500 kilometers with us to the Ruhr area – an enormous strain on the dog. That’s why you should always have a companion with you when you pick him up – my boyfriend accompanied me and drove us, so I could fully concentrate on Swift. Every hour we took a short break, for this we left the highway and looked for a quiet meadow. Arriving at home, most shelter dogs first experience a culture shock. Nala had never seen a house from the inside before and Swift had only lived in between for a short time on a foster home and then also waited in the shelter for a new life. Depending on how old the dog is, different things now need to be considered.

Familiarization takes time

Nala was about half a year old at that time and Swift four months. The younger the dogs are, the easier and faster they get used to their new home. Attention – also here exceptions confirm the rule! Since each dog is an individual, there are also very big differences here and it depends very much on the experience of the dog owner and on the circumstances. When Nala moved in with me, it took much longer for her to settle in. She was very scared and I was just very awkward, owed to the fact that Nala is my first dog and generally the first dog in our family. But despite the rough start, Nala still turned into a great dog. Swift’s acclimation according to currently is much easier. On the one hand, because he is generally quite a brave puppy, as soon as he has overcome his initial insecurity. In addition, I have much more knowledge about dogs and Nala can teach him a lot as a sovereign first dog.

What you should consider when moving in a shelter dog

In general, however, when adopting a dog from animal welfare, some things are always to be considered. First, you should make sure that the dog is always well secured. Most dogs do not know cars, bicycles, and other things that are common for us. So that the newly moved in dog does not immediately end up on the wanted list, it should always be secured either with a safety harness or with the combination harness and collar. Additionally, you should allow your new family member enough time to settle in and not expect too much from him. It is a masterpiece for every rescue dog to get used to his new life and the dog needs time as well as many positive experiences with unknown people, dogs, and the environment. You should also intensively deal with the theory around dog and dog training and at best organize professional support in the form of a dog school or a dog trainer. We also provide tips and training assistance in the Pupy app, guiding you and your dog on your journey together to become a great human-dog team.

It also took us a few months with Nala until we really found each other. A common hobby helped us. Every dog benefits from having a task and I can only recommend finding something with the dog that is fun for both of you. In the next few years, there will always be small and larger problems, but you face these challenges with every dog – no matter where his origin lies. It is important not to get discouraged and to keep looking for new solutions. By the intensive occupation with his dog, one is then rewarded with beautiful moments. I don’t want to imagine my life without my two great rescue dogs Nala and Swift.

Categories
Tips & Tricks

Single dog or multiple dogs?

Many dog lovers want second or more dogs after a while. But what is better? Keeping a single dog or multiple dogs?

What will a second dog bring with it?

If only one dog lives in a household, there is more time and attention available for this dog. Especially if there are many dogs in a household, it is difficult to do justice to all the dogs and to exercise them according to their individual needs. With a single dog, it is also easier to react to problems and manage them. If two or more dogs pull on the leash or show other undesirable behavior, it is much more difficult to keep the situation under control. If vacation care is needed for the vacations or if one is dependent on help in case of illness, it is also much easier for a dog to get support. In addition, it must not be forgotten that a dog is significantly cheaper to care for. Food, veterinary costs, etc. double or multiply with several dogs. In addition, single dogs usually bond more closely to humans and have more intense relationships.

The factors in favor of multiple dog ownership.

Every dog is different and can enrich your life in a different context. For example, each dog can be trained for specific tasks based on its individual strengths, such as a particular dog sport or therapy dog work. In addition, the different characters of the dogs offer an interesting and deep insight into the dog world and intra-species communication. With a second (or more) dog(s), the dogs always have a friend available – be it for playing or just so that the single dog is not alone. A confident first dog can also teach the newcomer a lot. But beware! Undesirable behavior gets also copied.

Now, what is better?

It can not be said in general, whether keeping a single dog or multiple dogs is better. It depends entirely on the type of man and on the idea of his life. The more dogs are added, the more limited are the freedoms and the more time the dogs need. It is the same as the costs. It should be considered in any case just as with the acquisition of a first dog, well, whether one or more additional dogs fit into the life and whether one can do justice to these. It should also be noted that not every dog benefits from another dog, so it should also be looked at whether you really do the existing dog a favor with another dog. If the conditions are right and you have a lot of fun and joy in the intensive interaction with several dogs, keeping multiple dogs can be an enrichment. Equally, however, keeping a single dog can also be more advantageous.

If you are unsure whether a second dog is right for you and your dog, you can get advice from our professional dog trainers in the Trainer Chat.

Categories
Tips & Tricks

Your summer with dog – The best tips

Finally, it is summer. Many people are looking forward to this season all year round. For dog owners with their four-legged friends, however, the summer has some challenges in store. In this article, the most important aspects are addressed so that you can experience an unforgettable summer together with your dog.

Before introducing all the great things you can do with your dog in the summer, there are some important dog safety things to consider.

Attention to heat!

In summer, you must never leave your dog alone in the car. The car heats up so much within minutes that it becomes life-threatening for your dog. From 20 degrees it quickly becomes dangerous for all dogs in the car, for short-nosed dogs even earlier. Due to the fact that the internal temperature of the car rises extremely quickly, the dog must not be left alone in the car even for a few minutes.

The danger of the heat trap in the car is now known to many dog owners, another major danger that far more dog owners very underestimate is that of hot asphalt. At an outside temperature of 25 degrees Celcius, the asphalt is already over 50 degrees Celcius hot! To make sure that the surface is not too hot for your dog, you can put the back of your hand on the ground for seven seconds. If the ground is too hot for your hand, it will be for your dog’s paws. Even if your dog walks across the asphalt without any problems, it does not mean that he is not in pain. Often dogs have no choice but to walk, and over time they burn the pads of their paws. A good rule of thumb is to test any surface briefly with the back of your hand before your dog steps on it, starting at 25 degrees Celcius outside.

But what can you do if the asphalt is too hot?

Small dogs can be carried to the nearest meadow. Medium and larger dogs can be driven in a dog buggy to the nearest meadow or taken by car to the nearest forest. For all dogs, however, it is advisable to do the dog walks in the morning and evening hours and during the day to take the dogs only to the garden or to the nearest meadow to do their business.

In addition to moving dog walks to the morning and evening hours, all sporting activities should also be moved to the morning or evening. On particularly hot days or when it does not cool down at night, sporting activities should be stopped completely.

Also, make sure your dog always has enough water and a cool place to stay.

Watch out for foxtails!

Another danger that lurks in the summer is that of foxtails. Foxtails grow on roadsides and can be very dangerous for the dog. The foxtail gets stuck in the dog’s fur and bores through the skin into the inside of the dog. Due to their small barbs, the foxtails can then only be removed surgically. In summer, you should avoid roadsides with foxtails with your dog, and when it‘s not possible check his paws and fur after the walk.

Have fun in the water!

But in addition to some of the dangers, you should be aware of as a dog owner in the summer, this time of year also offers some fun.

For example, many dogs love water and enjoy a trip to a lake. Summer is the perfect time of year for a variety of water activities. How about stand-up paddling with a dog? If you don’t have the opportunity to go to a lake, maybe a dog splash pool is a great way for your dog to cool off. Some dogs also have a lot of fun having a water fight with the garden hose. With all activities with or near water, just make sure your dog doesn’t swallow too much water – then you risk water poisoning!

Alternatives for water-shy dogs:

If your dog is not a water rat, then you can keep him busy indoors with various exercises. How about practicing a new trick from our Pupy app or making a dog toy for the dog? Or you can hide treats for your dog in the apartment. Chewables can also keep your dog busy in the summer. Just make sure it’s cool enough or that the dog takes breaks to pant in between to cool down.

Also, your dog will be happy about a dog ice cream. You can easily make dog ice cream on your own; various recipes are available on the Internet or you visit an ice cream parlor, which also offers varieties for the dog (a scoop of vanilla is also a possibility from time to time).

Your dog will also be happy about a dog ice cream. You can easily make this yourself, there are many recipes on the Internet or you can visit an ice cream parlor, which also offers varieties for the dog (a scoop of vanilla is also a possibility from time to time).

And what about traveling?

The summer is also a popular travel season. Unfortunately, this leads to the fact that especially in the summer vacations very many dogs are abandoned. Please take care early enough for a caregiver for your dog, if you do not want to take him with you on vacation. If you decide to go on vacation together with your dog, please also organize everything important early. Then, however, the joint vacation with dog can bring wonderful memories.

Ultimate tip list for a great dog summer:

  • Attention hot asphalt!
  • No dog stays alone in the car!
  • Walks in the morning and evening
  • Attention foxtails!
  • Enough drinking water and a cool place
  • Trip to the lake: swimming, stand up paddling, and more
  • Dog paddling pool or water hose
  • In the apartment or house with mental stimulation
  • Make your own dog ice cream
  • Organize dog care for vacation early or plan a vacation with dog
Categories
Tips & Tricks Training

What is Trickdogging?

A dog that can moonwalk, skateboard or do a handstand? These are all tricks that trick doggers engage in, among other things. Trickdogging is about teaching your dog various tricks, for example doing a manikin or a roll up to cleaning out he laundry and bringing in socks. After all, who hasn’t dreamed of their dog running the household and having fun at the same time? Regardless of whether the tricks are only practised in private or if the goal is perhaps to appear on a big stage or on television one day, trick dogging offers both dog and human many advantages.

Above all, it promotes bonding and trust. The dog’s self-confidence also increases and the dog becomes more balanced and attentive. At the same time, a dog that has been exercised to the full is usually much better behaved. Working for food or toys is a good way to reward your dog, it keeps the dog happy and can prevent behavioural problems. But apart from that, it is simply a lot of fun for both dog and human, and that is the main focus of trickdogging at all times.

Every dog can learn tricks

Trickdogging is suitable for any dog, can be done anywhere and apart from treats you don’t need anything else, although a clicker can be very helpful.

The clicker tells the dog that his behaviour was correct and that he will get a reward for it. In this way, exact reinforcement is possible. To condition your dog to the clicker, have your dog sit in front of you. Then you click and immediately give your dog a treat. Repeat this several times. To check whether your dog has understood the principle, you can click when he is slightly distracted. If your dog looks at you after the click, he has understood the link. Instead of a clicker, you can also use a marker signal, a word that you say instead of the clicker sound.

Training through positive reinforcement

In trickdogging, training is done through operant conditioning with positive reinforcement. This means that for every correct behaviour you give a treat, everything else is ignored. It is important that you build up each trick in small steps and only increase the demands when your dog can do the step safely.

Getting the desired behaviour

There are several ways to get your dog to perform a certain behaviour, which I would like to explain briefly. Capturing is when you capture spontaneous behaviour and reward it, for example when your dog shakes. With shaping, you reward the preliminary stages of the finished behaviour and thus keep moving forward. A special form of shaping is the so-called free shaping. The dog is not given any instructions on what to do and tries to get closer to the target behaviour by offering it. For example, if I want my dog to touch an object with a paw, I first reward every movement in the direction of the object, then movements with the paw towards the object and then the touching. The use of a clicker is particularly recommended here. Another variation is luring, but you have to be careful that the lure is released early enough. Furthermore, you can build up behaviour with targets or with the imitation method “Do As I Do” by Claudia Fugazza.

Attention!

During training it can always happen that your dog does not immediately understand what you want from him. The following behaviours show that your dog is overwhelmed: ears flattened, ears turned back, yawning, licking over the nose, stretching and stretching or shaking.

If you observe one or more of these behaviours, you should take a step back in the training, reduce the distraction, take a break, practice another trick or control the exercise set-up.

Designing the exercise

As a beginner, you should only practice with your dog for a few minutes at a time. If you are a bit more experienced, the training sessions can be longer, but should not exceed 20-30 minutes. Ideally, you should end the session before your dog loses interest.

Training tricks in different life situations

Adult, healthy dogs can practise and perform all tricks that are appropriate to their level of ability and physical condition. Very big and heavy dogs and dogs with long backs should not jump for example.

You can also start trick training with puppies, but no jumps or tricks that put a lot of strain on the musculoskeletal system should be practised. The puppy period is suitable for learning the basics, not only of the dog ABC, but also of trick training. Conditioning on the clicker, target training and introduction to free shaping or Do As I Do are also suitable for puppies. For senior dogs, if in doubt, the tricks should be discussed with the vet or physiotherapist. In general, older dogs can do all the tricks they like to do as well as tricks that are not very physically demanding or have a risk of injury. Paw tricks, looking for and bringing objects, slalom through legs or rolling out carpet are also fun for older dogs.

The first tricks

These tricks are especially good for the beginning.

  • Give paw
  • Twist
  • Slalom through the legs

If you’ve got trick fever now, then…

… download Pupy App and start with the first trick right away, order our book: “Hundetricks mit Nala: Vom Straßenhund zum Fernsehstar” by Frederike Spyrka