BARKS from the Guild July 2019

BARKS from the Guild BARKSfromtheGuild.com

Issue 37 / JULY 2019

CANINE Addressing Aggressive Behavior FELINE Enrichment: Cats and their Boxes EQUINE Group Housing Solutions TRAINING Clicker Training Shelter Kittens BEHAVIOR Lessons from Mother Nature CONSULTING Helping with Pet Loss

© Can Stock Photo/shauna2286

TRAINING Working with Escape Artists

What’s Shocking about Shock?

What science tells us about the use of shock in dog training

PLUS: A FULL REPORT FROM PPG’S 2019 CANINE AGGRESSION AND BITE PREVENTION SEMINAR IN PORTLAND, OREGON

There Is No Excuse

FOR ABUSE

It’s time to ban shock collars I would say that, as with any helping professional, your first and primary obligation is to do no harm, and we have compelling evidence that applying shock, either systematically or randomly, to domestic dogs increases their general level of stress and discomfort. So given that knowledge, there simply is no ethical rationale for using it.

Janis Bradley,

Director of Communications and Publications, National Canine Research Council

If there’s a tool which causes pain or discomfort, it has the potential of creating other problems. As animal care professionals, I feel that if we...can’t find kinder, gentler ways of doing something, then maybe we are in the wrong profession.

Ken Ramirez, Executive VP and CTO, Karen Pryor Clicker Training

“Until these devices are illegal, consumers must protect themselves and their dogs by looking beyond the marketing messages of those who profit from their sale and use. It is not necessary to use electric shock to change behavior.

It is not necessary in humans, in zoo species, in marine mammals or in dogs.”

Jean Donaldson, Author, Train Your Dog Like a Pro

ShockFree.org

f r o m t h e e d i t o r

BARKS from the Guild Published by the Pet Professional Guild 9122 Kenton Road, Wesley Chapel, Florida 33545, USA Tel: +1‐844‐462‐6473 petprofessionalguild.com barksfromtheguild.com facebook.com/BARKSfromtheGuild Editor‐in‐Chief Susan Nilson barkseditor@petprofessionalguild.com Images © Can Stock Photo: canstockphoto.com (unless otherwise credited; uncredited images belong to Pet Professional Guild) Pet Professional Guild Steering Committee Kelly Fahey, Paula Garber, Kelly Lee, Debra Millikan, Susan Nilson, Mary Richards, Louise Stapleton‐Frappell, Niki Tudge BARKS from the Guild Published bi‐monthly, BARKS from the Guild presents a collection of valuable business and technical articles as well as reviews and news stories pertinent to our industry. BARKS is the official publication of the Pet Professional Guild.

Submissions BARKS encourages the submission of original written materials.

Please contact the Editor‐in‐Chief for contributor guidelines prior to sending manuscripts or see: barksfromtheguild.com/article‐and‐content‐submission‐policy‐procedures Please submit all contributions via our submission form at: petprofessionalguild.com/bftgcontent Letters to the Editor To comment on an author’s work, or to let PPG know what topics you would like to see more of, contact the Editor‐in‐Chief via email putting BARKS in the subject line of your email. BARKS reserves the right to edit for length, grammar and clarity.

Subscriptions and Distribution BARKS is a digital publication. Print copies are available by monthly sub‐ scription. Register at barksfromtheguild.com/subscribe. Please contact Re‐ bekah King at membership@petprofessionalguild.com for all subscription and distribution‐related enquiries.

Advertising Please contact Kelly Fahey at kelly@petprofessionalguild.com to obtain a copy of rates, ad specifications, format requirements and deadlines.

Advertising information is also available at petprofessionalguild.com/s Pet Professional Guild does not endorse or guarantee any products, services or vendors mentioned in BARKS, nor can it be responsible for problems with vendors or their products and services. Pet Professional Guild reserves the right to reject, at its discretion, any advertising.

To be in any way affiliated with the Pet Professional Guild, all members must adhere to a strict code of conduct. Pet Professional Guild members under‐ stand force‐free to mean that no pain, force or fear and no shock, choke or prong are ever employed to train or care for a pet. © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photo‐ copying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the Pet Professional Guild, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommer‐ cial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please email: barkseditor@petprofessionalguild.com.

I

t’s hard to believe that the fifth annual PPG Summit has already been and gone. It really only seems like yesterday that we were reporting on the first event, in Tampa, Florida at the end of 2015.

PPG’s 2019 event was held on the West Coast for the first time, in Portland, Oregon, and, in another first, focused on a specific theme: Canine Aggression and Bite Prevention. It also featured a very successful track on feline aggression masterminded by the PPG Cat Committee. We are delighted to bring you a full report from the event in this edition of BARKS although, to be honest, we could probably have filled an entire issue, there was so much great information and education on offer, not forgetting all the networking and fun too.

Several of PPG’s Shock-Free Coalition regional coordinators were present in Portland and had the chance to get together to brainstorm and fine tune strategy. Fittingly, then, our cover story this issue examines what science tells us about the use of electric shock in animal training, and what you personally can do to help the Shock-Free Coalition. As cover story author Don Hanson, co-chairman of the PPG Advocacy Committee, so succinctly explains: “The Shock-Free Coalition did not come to its conclusion that using shock for the training, care, and management of pets was unnecessary and harmful out of the blue. Its position is based on the careful review of the many peer-reviewed, scientific studies that demonstrate that shock is not only unnecessary but is harmful, both physically and psychologically.”

As such, we cover some of the common myths and misconceptions about training with shock, highlight what some of the professional organizations worldwide have to say about it, and also feature two case studies where shock was used that, predictably, had an undesirable — and highly unfortunate — outcome for both the dogs and owners concerned. If you have not yet signed the Shock-Free Pledge (shockfree.org /Pledge), please take a minute to do so now, and ask your colleagues and clients to consider doing so too in order to help meet the Coalition’s ultimate goal of improving the lives of pets worldwide.

Elsewhere in this issue, we continue our series on canine aggression, focusing specifically this time on how to get results in cases presenting with extreme reactivity and/or aggressive behavior. Also, on the topic of canines, we feature an article on dogs who like to escape, no matter what, and what owners can do to address the issue, specifically by examining the underlying causes.

In an extended Feline Section this month, the PPG Cat Committee presents the first of what will be their series of new member handouts and have selected that all-time classic, cats who counter surf, to start.

We also discuss kitten socialization, training for shelter kittens to help them on their way in life, and how the humble cardboard box may be the simplest form of environmental enrichment — not to mention stress reduction — cat owners can provide their feline companions.

Our Equine Section this month discusses alternative housing options for horses to ensure they have access to social interaction with conspecifics, while our Behavior Section talks exotics and addresses what we, as trainers, can learn from Mother Nature and working with other species. In our Business and Consulting Section, we talk insurance – specifically dog bite liability, pet loss counseling, getting the most out of behavior consults, and how to best maximize your training space.

Rounding out the issue, our Profile Section this month features Robert Hewings of the UK College of Scent Detection, who will be at PPG Headquarters in Tampa, Florida later this year to teach two workshops (see ad on p.45 for more information). Lastly, our Books Section this month features Service Dog Coaching by Veronica Sanchez of PPG corporate sponsor, Cooperative Paws Service Dog Education which, according to author Pamela Hogle “fills a gap in the ample shelves of dog training guides, advice, and analysis.”

As always, thanks to our amazing contributors, and to you for reading. Feedback is welcome. If you would like to contribute an article, please get in touch!

n Susan Nilso

BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

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contents 6

N EWS PPG Summit 2020, Project Trade, PPG members in the news, podcasts, webinars and workshops

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C ONSIDERING C ANINE A GGRESSION P ERSPECTIVE

FROM A

S CIENTIFIC

Susan Nilson presents a full report from PPG’s 2019 Canine Aggression and Bite Prevention Summit in Portland, Oregon, including the opening and keynote addresses, selfie and swag competitions, quotable quotes, and a photo gallery

20

W HAT ’ S S HOCKING

ABOUT

S HOCK ?

Don Hanson examines what science tells us about the use of electric shock in animal training, and what you can do to help the Shock-Free Coalition

28

A DDRESSING A GGRESSIVE B EHAVIOR Diane Garrod discusses what to look for, when to move forward, and how to get results in cases presenting with aggression and extreme reactivity

32

T HE E SCAPE A RTIST D OG Beth Napolitano provides tips on training and equipment to stay connected with the dog who tries to escape through boredom, frustration, fear – or just about any other reason

35

20

28

35

F ELINE B EHAVIOR U NMASKED : K ITTEN S OCIALIZATION Francine Miller discusses the importance of socializing kittens and how to set them up for success in adult life

36

T EACHING S TUDENTS , T RAINING K ITTENS Breanna Norris describes how she taught college students to clicker train shelter kittens

39

Q UICK C AT B EHAVIOR C ONSULT : C OUNTER S URFING PPG’s Cat Committee presents the first in a new series on feline behavior issues

40

T HINKING I NSIDE

THE

B OX

Andrea Carne explains how the humble cardboard box can improve a cat’s health and well-being

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40

G ROUP H OUSING S OLUTIONS Kathie Gregory suggests alternative housing options for horses to ensure they have access to social interaction with conspecifics

46

D UE D ILIGENCE Lauri Bowen-Vaccare presents guidelines for pet owners when looking into potential day care and boarding facilities

48

L EARNING

FROM

42

M OTHER N ATURE

Lara Joseph explains how working with exotics helps her fine tune her training skills

52

A NALYZING

THE

48

A NALYSIS

Anna Bradley discusses how to get more from the behavior consultation

54

S AYING G OODBYE Alicia Obando explains how and why she helps pet parents after bidding their final farewells

56

D EALING

WITH

D OG B ITE L IABILITY

46

David Pearsall explains how insurance covers pet professionals or their staff who get bitten on the job

58

A SK

THE

E XPERTS : M AXIMIZING Y OUR T RAINING S PACE

58

Veronica Boutelle of dog*biz responds to your business and marketing questions

59

P ROFILE : W ORKING

WITH

N ATURAL B EHAVIORS

Featuring Robert Hewings of the UK College of Scent Detection

61

B OOK R EVIEW : A N E SSENTIAL G UIDE C OACHING

TO

S ERVICE D OG

Pamela S. Hogle reviews Service Dog Coaching by Veronica Sanchez

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BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

n e w s PPG Announces Location of Summit 2020

P

PG has announced the location and dates for PPG Summit 2020!

Next year’s theme is Collaborative Care and Enrichment – Creat‐ ing Partnerships for Positive Results and a 15% Early Bird Discount and payment plans are available if you sign up before September 1, 2019.

The event will take place once again in Kanab, Utah and attendees will be able to choose between two unique programs: Program 1: The Three‐Day Summit: Monday, September 21 ‐ Wednesday, September 23, 2020.

Program 2: The Five‐Day Summit + Skills Workshop: Monday, September 21 ‐ Friday, September 25, 2020.

The event will feature General Sessions at Kanab’s new Conference Center each morning, early afternoon, and evening. For Program 2 attendees, each afternoon from Monday-Friday, eight groups of 10, each supervised by a PPG staff member and a presenter, will go to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary for lunch and then continue to Workshops on site. Each Workshop is limited to 10 attendees only.

Daily workshops will be held in: Horse Haven, Piggy Paradise, Dog Town Group 1, Dog Town Group 2, Wild Friends, Cat World, Bunny House, and Parrot Garden. Meanwhile, at the Conference Center, attendees will be able work with their own dogs under the tutelage of industry experts.

For more details and to register, see petprofessionalguild.com /PPG‐2020‐Summit‐&‐Workshops. See also ad on back cover.

BARKS from the Guild

y Bird 15% Earl if you Discount efore b register 1, 2019! er Septemb

"Training is no longer something we do to animals but something we do with animals.

It is a conversation. We want participation rather than compliance. Let [them] choose the behaviors they are most comfortable with rather than tell them what to do." - Chirag Patel, PPG Training and Behavior Workshop, Kanab, Utah (April 2018)

BARKS from the Guild is the 64-page bi-monthly pet industry trade magazine published by the Pet Professional Guild, available internationally to Pet Professional Guild members, supporters and the general public online (and in print, by monthly subscription).

Widely read by pet industry professionals and pet owners alike, BARKS covers a vast range of topics encompassing animal behavior, pet care, training, education, industry trends, business AND MUCH MORE! If you would like to reach your target audience, BARKS is the perfect vehicle to achieve that goal.

To contribute an article, please contact the editor, Susan Nilson: barkseditor@petprofessionalguild.com To advertise, please contact Kelly Fahey: Kelly@petprofessionalguild.com

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BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

n e w s PPG Names April Project Trade Ambassador

C

ongratulations to PPG Advocacy Committee co-chairman, Daniel Antolec, of Happy Buddha Dog Training (happybuddhadogtraining.com) in Wisconsin, USA who collected one prong collar and has been named Project Trade Ambassador for April 2019.

Daniel Antolec collected this prong collar as part of PPG’s Project Trade gear swap program

Project Trade (projecttrade.org) is an opt‐in program for PPG members that has been designed to create incentives for pet owners to seek professionals who will exchange aversive training and pet care equipment for alternative, more appropriate tools, training, and educational support.

Find out more about how Project Trade can help your business in ‘Helping Dogs, Helping Families,’ BARKS from the Guild, March 2017, pp.20‐25 (bit.ly/HelpingDogs).

BARKS Podcasts: Schedule Wednesday, August 7, 2019 - 2 p.m. EST Guest: Daniel Quagliozzi Topics: Cats and consent to petting; How overstimulation and petting aggression can be avoided through awareness of human intention and the understanding of feline body language and thresholds; How taking fewer physical liberties with our cats can allow for more social interaction and trust with our cats.

Register to listen live: register.gotowebinar.com/register/8557819356472911884

Recent Podcasts:

Friday, July 26, 2019 - 2 p.m. EST Guest: Adina Silberstein, CEO of Queenie’s Pets (queeniespets.com) Topic: Adina Silberstein, entrepreneur and business coach, will discuss her upcoming PPG Webinar on Wednesday, July 31, Say “No” More Often: Capitalizing on Your Unique Value (register for the webinar at petprofessionalguild.com/event‐3397056). The discussion will focus on how operating from fear can negatively impact decision-making, yet creating clear-cut, forward-thinking boundaries can positively impact work/life balance, profitability, company culture and more.

Register to listen live: register.gotowebinar.com/register/9132652830943196684

June 6, 2019: Dr. Lynn Bahr, CEO of Dezi & Roo (deziroo.com) discusses the benefits of allowing cats to scratch and how to encourage them to scratch appropriately. This podcast includes tips, tricks, and tools to help cat owners live cohesively with their clawed cats. It also discusses why it is good for a cat’s health and well-being to scratch: bit.ly/2x5LoGp. May 10, 2019: Canine researcher Marco Adda discusses his study of free-ranging dogs in Bali, Indonesia. Free-ranging dogs represent a critical field of observation where human-dog interaction can reveal essential understanding about society, human and dog behavior (see also A Better Dog‐Human Understanding, BARKS from the Guild, January 2019, pp.34‐38 bit.ly/2XXpxNu): bit.ly/2XhYi2P. Find and listen to all earlier BARKS Podcasts: barksfromtheguild.com/category/podcast.

BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

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n e w s PPG Members in the News

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heck out the amazing tale of Rocky the Moluccan cockatoo (photo, right), who is now starring in a nationwide TV commercial. Rocky was saved from being euthanized for aggressive behavior and has been trained by our very own BARKS contributor Lara Joseph. Joseph adopted Rocky almost 13 years ago and has also written about him in previous issues of BARKS (see A Cry for Attention, BARKS from the Guild, October 2014, pp.52‐54: bit.ly/2Bq0ZDv). Watch Rocky in action: 13abc.com/content/news/Local ‐cockatoo‐stars‐in‐ national‐commercials‐511200641.html. Read Joseph’s latest article on p.48.

Another PPG member in the news is Shock-

© Lara Joseph

Free Coalition regional coordinator, Nancy Bown of Dog-Harmony Inc., a nonprofit in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida that works to keep dogs out of shelters. Bown is offering free training advice for rescued dogs with behavior problems. Read all about it: waltonsun.com/news/20190506/dog‐harmony ‐offering‐free‐training‐advice‐for‐rescue‐dogs.

The Shock-Free Coalition has also been in the news in Gibraltar. Regional coordinators Nicole Corby and Yvette Potter have set up an online petition asking the Gibraltar Government to place a ban on the sale and use of shock collars. Read the article: chronicle.gi/2019/06/37144.

Congratulations to all!

Earn Your CEUs via PPG’s Webinars, Workshops and Educational Summits!

Webinars

Educational Summits

Debunk, Support Science, or Tell a Story? - Presented by Zazie Todd Ph.D Tuesday, July 16, 2019 - 2 p.m. (EDT) petprofessionalguild.com/event-3358399

PPG Summit 2020 (Kanab, Utah) (see also ad on back page) Program 1: Sunday, September 20 - Wednesday, September 23, 2020 Program 2: Sunday, September 20 - Friday, September 25, 2020 petprofessionalguild.com/PPG-2020-Summit-&-Workshops

How to Bring Back the Food Motivation - Presented by Yvette Van Veen Wednesday, July 24, 2019 - 2 p.m. (EDT) petprofessionalguild.com/event-3398510 Say "No" More Often: Capitalizing on Your Unique Value - Presented

by Adina Silberstein Wednesday, July 31, 2019 - 1 p.m. (EDT) petprofessionalguild.com/event-3397056 Fear Learning and How to Work With Fearful Dogs - Presented by Alexandra Santos Tuesday, August 6, 2019 - 1 p.m. (EDT) petprofessionalguild.com/event-3363610 There’s No Place Like Home: Easing The Transition To Inside Life For Outside Dogs - Presented by Kristi Benson Monday, August 12, 2019 - 8 p.m. (EDT) petprofessionalguild.com/event-3347233 Who Owns The Process - Presented by Alexandra Kurland Thursday, August 15, 2019 1:30 p.m. (EDT) petprofessionalguild.com/event-3236930 How do you Get a Cookie to Beat a Squirrel? - Presented by Yvette Van Veen Wednesday, August 21, 2019 - 2 p.m. (EDT) petprofessionalguild.com/event-3398565 Stereotypies: What is Being Repetitive About? - Presented by Eduardo Fernandez Ph.D Wednesday, September 11, 2019 - 2 p.m. (EDT) petprofessionalguild.com/event-3294547

Residential Workshops Successfully Train and Compete in The Show Ring - Learn The Knowledge and Skills You Need to Compete or Teach a Professional Curriculum with Vicki Ronchette, supported by Niki Tudge (Tampa, Florida) (see also ad on p.5) Saturday, September 21, 2019 - 9 a.m. (EDT) Sunday, September 22, 2019 - 4 p.m. (EDT) petprofessionalguild.com/event-2688824 Communication, Interaction, Arousal and Problematic Behaviors with Craig Ogilvie (Tampa, Florida) (see also ad on p.51) Saturday, October 12, 2019 - 9 a.m. (EDT) Sunday, October 13, 2019 - 4 p.m. (EDT) petprofessionalguild.com/event-3053427 Become an Accredited Scent Instructor with Dr. Robert Hewings (see also ad on p.45) Saturday, November 9, 2019 - 9 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, November 13, 2019 - 4:30 p.m. (EST) petprofessionalguild.com/event-3172679 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – Assistance Dog Training with Dr. Robert Hewings (see also ad on p.45) Monday, November 18, 2019 - 9 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, November 19, 2019 - 4:30 p.m. (EST) petprofessionalguild.com/event-3172793 • Details of all upcoming workshops: petprofessionalguild.com/Workshops.

Note: All dates and times are correct at time of going to press but are subject to change. Please check website for an updated list of all webinars, as well as discounted and on‐demand webinars: petprofessionalguild.com/webinars

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BARKS BARKS fromfrom the Guild/January the Guild/July 2019 2018

We Invite You to Become a PPG Corporate Partner If you are aligned with our Guiding Principles. No shock, No pain, No choke, No fear, No physical force, No compulsion based methods are ever employed to train or care for a pet.

If you want to help shape the future of the pet industry with the Pet Professional Guild and enjoy numerous benefits and discounts.

If you want to expand your reach and grow your customer base through access to a core targeted market of pet industry business professionals.Â

Three Options to Suit Your Business Goals Ambassador $850 Annual Partner Membership

Diplomat

Delegate

$650 Annual Partner Membership

$450 Annual Partner Membership

We are the only membership organization for professionals who subscribe to the view that aversive methods should never be used - or even deemed necessary - in the training, care or behavior modification of any pet.

Great benefits at every level

1

Ambassador

2

Diplomat

3 Delegate

Let’s Work Together Creating a better life for our pets as a Pet Professional Guild Corporate Partner. Become a Pet Professional Guild Corporate Partner today!

For more information please contact Kelly Fahey Kelly@PetProfessionalGuild.com www.PetProfessionalGuild.com/Corporate-Partnerships

+

uild

s u m m i t

Considering Canine Aggression from a Scientific Perspective Susan Nilson reports on PPG president Niki Tudge’s welcome address and keynote speaker Dr. Lisa Radosta’s opening session at PPG’s fifth annual summit, held in Portland, Oregon in April

PPG president Niki Tudge opens PPG’s fifth annual summit, and first on the West Coast, by highlighting the need for pet professionals to be supportive of each other

Keynote speaker Dr. Lisa Radosta speaks to the importance of maintaining a scientific perspective, avoiding labels and focusing on what is observable

P

Line of One, which explains that, when flying in formation, flocks of geese honk to encourage those at the front. “Our honking needs to be encouraging,” states the text accompanying the video. “Outcomes are more powerful when there is support and encouragement. Individual empowerment results from quality honking.”

“This really resonates with me as to what we are doing,” said Tudge.

“Together we can be so supportive. We need to respect each other’s skills and each other’s business processes and just be ultrasupportive and kind, so we can all be so much more powerful in what we’re doing.”

PG hit the West Coast for the first time in April, holding its fifth annual educational event, the Canine Aggression and Bite Prevention Educational Seminar – complete with a very popular bonus feline track – in Portland, Oregon.

As per tradition, PPG founder and president Niki Tudge kicked off proceedings with a few well aimed throws of PPG’s trademark summit “free stuff” into the audience, before getting down to business with her opening address. This year, Tudge’s theme highlighted the importance of staying focused on the big issues and not getting bogged down in minutiae.

“We have a responsibility to advocate for our pets and our clients’ pets,” Tudge said. “We need to start supporting each other rather than lose sight of the bigger picture. Don’t argue the small stuff. Just agree to disagree, because the big stuff is too important. Don’t let the ‘perfect’ become the enemy of ‘good enough.’ The big battles need all our focus.

Stay reasonable and rational while not wavering on your ethics. We can only have an impact if we do what we do as a group.”

Tudge pointed out that people leave the industry because they don't find the support they are looking for, and that exchanges on social media, too, can play a significant role here. “As professionals, we can still be kind and reasonable to our peers without compromising our ethics,” she said. “Kindness is not a weakness, but a strength.”

On that note, Tudge introduced the concept of the PPG Summit 2019 +R dog, whereby attendees would be randomly rewarded by PPG steering committee members for acts of kindness. They would then have the option of keeping the dog, paying it forward, or trading him in for a PPG gift certificate.

Honking is Powerful As part of her address, Tudge showed the video Lessons from Geese ‐

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BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

PPG Summit 2020 At the close of her address, Tudge announced the location and dates for PPG’s sixth annual Summit, which will take place once again in Kanab, Utah, on September 20-25, 2020. Next year’s theme is Collaborative Care and Enrichment – Creating Partnerships for Positive Results and two unique programs are available. Program 1 will incorporate three full days of convention center-based presentations and labs, while Program 2 encompasses five days of morning and evening convention centerbased presentations and labs, combined with afternoon hands-on, multispecies workshops at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Anyone registering for the event before September 2019 will receive a 15% early bird discount (see also p.6 and ad on back cover).

In closing, Tudge introduced keynote speaker, Dr. Lisa Radosta, who had already brought down the house the previous evening with her presentation Exploring Emotions in Dogs from a Scientific Perspective at the Chat, Chuckle and Learn private dinner (see also p.15).

In her three-hour address, Radosta focused on the causes of canine aggression, the assessment of dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior, treatment plans, public perceptions, and the prevention of aggression in an accessible way, asking, ultimately, “What do we really know?”: “Is

s u m m i t “My issue with bite levels is that predictions are made, treatment is guided, and predictions, including death, are based on something that has no scientific value, that doesn’t even come close to being predictive.” - Dr. Lisa Radosta

of bite; if the premolars make contact you get another type of bite.

That’s not dependent on the dog. It’s dependent on the shape of his jaw and the length of his teeth, and yet we’re going to give him a different bite level and we’re going to call him more aggressive? That doesn’t feel safe or responsible to me.

Bite Mechanics the aggressive dog scared, conflicted, panicked, in pain? Do we know how he feels? We cannot know,” she said.

"The examination of aggression should have a scientific perspective, because it's so emotional," said Radosta. “A dog’s owners may feel angry at themselves, the dog, or the vet, and they may blame the dog and feel embarrassed or ashamed. There are also the issues of victim blaming and the fear of losing a pet. People who get bitten feel guilty that somehow they had provoked the bite, which can lead to anger and hypervigilance. They may have PTSD. But they don't want something to happen to the dog, whether it's their dog or someone else's.”

Radosta emphasized the importance of being a good scientist, stating that, as professionals, we need to be empirical, rational, skeptical and unbiased, and focus on what we can measure. “Good science incorporates peer review, repeatability and validity,” she said. “We have to really question what is true. Take littermate syndrome, for example. The population seen by professionals is biased because we only see the ones that need help. Scientists need to be without bias.”

Radosta presented examples from two studies to illustrate her point. The first study (Wood, n.d.) comprised 20 dogs divided into two groups whereby one group was trained with a clicker the other with verbal reinforcement. Findings indicated a ⅓ decrease in training time with the clicker and that behavior acquisition was quicker with fewer reinforcements. In the second study (Feng, Hodgens, Woodhead, Howell & Bennett, 2018), comprising 45 dogs and their owners, the dogs were divided into three groups for a six-week trick training course. Again, each group was trained with a different reinforcer, in this instance, verbal, food and the clicker. The study sought to find which reinforcer was better when the owner trained their dog. After the test period, it was found that there were no differences between the groups – except that the group trained with a clicker found targeting less challenging.

Words Matter “Labels are really good but sometimes they can be really bad,” said Radosta. “They facilitate communication, but only if we agree on the terminology. They can be dangerous because they put animals into a column.” Radosta cited labels such as ‘fear-induced aggression,’ ‘aggressive dog,’ and ‘fearfully aggressive dog’ as examples. “Start with a description of what you see,” she said. “Describe the behavior and don't plunk a label on the dog. Words matter.” In other words, describe what is observable, i.e.: “A dog who bites with his tail down when approached by a stranger outside of his home. Before biting, he backs up, puts his ears back, is piloerect, barks and lunges forward.”

Radosta referenced Dunbar’s bite scale (n.d.), which was “based on Dunbar’s own experience. Bite scales are really damage scales and not a measure, in any way, shape or form, of a dog's level of aggression. There are also victim factors, dog factors, and dynamic factors to consider, so within one bite, there are three categories of factors that affect the bite level, if you’re going to call it that.”

Radosta went on to discuss the mechanics of dog bites. “It's not good science to ask, is a Chihuahua more aggressive than a pit bull,” she said. “There’s going to be more damage done by a bite from a pit bull than from a Chihuahua. Does that mean that the pit bull is more aggressive? But you’re going to give him a higher bite level and then make predictions on it? That’s not fair. That’s not good science at all. What about the teeth making contact? If the canines make contact you get one type

“The skull shape is going to determine the bite level. There’s a lot of stuff that goes into the amount of damage done by a bite and very little of it has to do with the dog’s ability to control himself. A dog jaw is a third order lever. This means the force is in the middle between the load and the fulcrum. This is physics 101. Dogs do not all have the same bite mechanics or bite potential.

“In dogs with an anterior mechanical advantage, i.e. a lot of pressure in the front of the jaw, the bite force will be in the front of the jaw.

If they have a posterior mechanical advantage, that means the pressure is in the back. You give a dog a bite level three, but that bite level, three, which means there might be some lacerations, does not depend on that dog’s behavior. It depends on how his mouth is shaped. That doesn’t seem fair. But that’s what we’re doing with bite levels, if we use them to have predictive value, which they do not.

“If a dog has a very deep jaw, like say a pit bull, as opposed to how long it is, you’re going to get higher resistance stronger jaws, which we see in those breeds. They can resist us pulling their jaws apart. If you have a dog whose molar depth is really big compared to his jaw depth, he’s going to be better able to hold and bite, which is a lot like those breeds that we consider to be ‘dangerous.’ They have physical characteristics that allow them to make bites that are more dangerous.”

Radosta also referenced jaw length vs. jaw depth, i.e. the relative length of the masseteric fossa and the force produced by the masseter muscles, relative tooth row length, and also condylar offset, or jaw alignment. For example, “a Chihuahua’s jaw align like scissors so they can do a very good job of slicing in,” Radosta said.

Radosta spoke of her respect for Dunbar for paving the way, and then referenced Yin’s Canine Bite Levels (n.d.), which make no predictions but focus on education. “My issue with bite levels is that predictions are made, treatment is guided, and predictions, including death, are based on something that has no scientific value, that doesn’t even come close to being predictive,” Radosta said. “Labels can create order from chaos but can also lead us very far astray and alter treatment plans, causing us to make predictions that are not true and compromising patient care. ‘Bite levels’ are damage levels and are multifactorial with no predictive value, because the dog has no control over anything I said after ‘third order lever.’”

PPG president Niki Tudge (left) with keynote speaker Dr. Lisa Radosta on the opening day of PPG’s Portland Summit on Canine Aggression and Bite Prevention

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s u m m i t “Bite scales are really damage scales and not a measure, in any way, shape or form, of a dog's level of aggression. There are also victim factors, dog factors, and dynamic factors to consider, so within one bite, there are three categories of factors that affect the bite level, if you’re going to call it that.” – Dr. Lisa Radosta

Complex Behavior Radosta moved on to discuss the purpose or value of aggression. “Aggression is a distance increasing behavior subject to the laws of learning, so it can be punished, learned, generalized, or reinforced,” she said.

“It is often inadvertently reinforced or punished by the environment.

Aggression can also relieve feelings of stress causing it to be intrinsically reinforcing. It is a ‘complex’ behavior and is subject to many variables.

Genetics, physical or emotional trauma, lack of socialization or the wrong socialization can all be factors. We need to look at situational context, ethological motivation, emotional motivation and physiologic context. Arousal isn't necessarily indicative of a negative valence; play and fear can look the same neurochemically.

“The part of the brain that makes decisions gets shut down in situations of life or death,” she continued. “The ability for rational thought goes down and the dog cannot listen or respond to a cue. This is a neurochemical response and clients must understand this. The stress response is more powerful than any training (i.e. the 4 Fs – fight, flight, freeze, fidget). Memories associated with trauma are not erased, for example in cases of PTSD. At the same time, the pain threshold goes down and dogs can bust out of crates.”

Radosta also referenced the role of genes in behavior: “We have no control over genes,” she said. “If a puppy is still fearful at the age of 6 months, then that's not going away. After 16 weeks the vault is closed. If

the fear is still there, then you have a behavior disorder. Genetics will humble you every time. Don't tell clients you can ‘cure’ their dog. Looking at heritability, up to 75% of the expression of behavior can be inherited, depending on the breed. You cannot fix that with a pill or by working with a dog training professional. But genetics are your foundation, not your destiny.”

Radosta wrapped up by referencing the Five Freedoms (Brambell, 1965), stating that they should be included in every behavior modification plan. The Five Freedoms are: 1.

Freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition.

2.

Freedom from environmental discomfort.

3.

Freedom from pain, injury and disease.

4.

Freedom to engage in species-typical behavior.

5.

Freedom from fear and distress.

“You will always be right when you include the Five Freedoms in your treatment plan,” she concluded. n

Resources APDT. (n.d.). Dr. Ian Dunbar’s Dog Bite Scale. Available at: bit.ly/2IRPVFc Brambell, R. (1965). Report of the technical committee to enquire into the welfare of animals kept under intensive livestock husbandry systems. London, UK: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office Breakthrough Global. (2016). Lessons from Geese ‐ Line of One [Video File]. Available at: bit.ly/2WMskMx Feng, L.C., Hodgens, N.H., Woodhead, J.K., Howell, T.K., & Bennett, P.C. (2018) Is clicker training (clicker + food) better than food‐only training for novice companion dogs and their owners? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 204 81‐93. Available at: bit.ly/2XSDBr3 Pet Professional Education. (2019). Niki’s Opening Address Portland Summit 2019. Available at: vimeo.com/332847886 Pet Professional Guild Summit 2020: petprofessionalguild.com/PPG‐2020‐Summit‐&‐Workshops Wood, L.A. (n.d.) Clicker Bridging Stimulus Efficacy. Available at: bit.ly/2IleF6c Yin, S. (n.d.). Canine Bite Levels. Available at: bit.ly/2x0uzww

Dr. Eduardo Fernandez and the Importance of Selecting the Optimal Reward

“

How do you know you have the best reward?

Or, the most optimal reward for your current training protocol?” asked Dr. Eduardo Fernan‐ dez in his two‐part session, Using Behavior Analy‐ sis to Analyze Behavior, A Data‐Taking Perspective.

“In working with human populations, both teachers and caregivers who used rewards regu‐ larly picked less optimal rewards (Cote et al., 2007; Green et al., 1988; Reid,Everson, & Green, 1999),” he said.

“Paired choice preference assessments are one of the simplest systematic methods for as‐ sessing potential rewards. It's simple, it's fast, and you just present two things at a time...Shap‐ ing is often called an ‘art,’ but there is a science and function to all behavior. Taking training data forces you to focus on shaping behavior. It also re‐ quires you to generate a shaping plan. In short, just taking training data forces you to focus on behavior."

Photos: Dr. Eduardo Fernandez (standing, top photo and third left, bottom photo) and a group of volunteers demonstrate data collection in a systematic reinforcer assessment © Pet Professional Guild Summit 2019

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Snapshots from Portland

© Dawn Elberson Goehring

Dawn Elberson Goehring of Pahoa, Hawaii won the #PPGSelfie Competition and gets a ticket to PPG's sixth annual summit in Kanab, Utah in September 2020

Tami Vangool (right, with Veronica Boutelle of dogbiz) won a B-Mod Toolkit worth $300 from PPG corporate sponsor dogbiz

© Sarah Forge

Sarah Forge of Sydney, Australia won the #PPGSwag Competition and gets a $100 PPG gift voucher

Alissa Mosier won a Harmony Harness and Leash set from Tellington TTouchTM

Sally Saxton (left) won a DogNostics Career Center Walk This Way program (with PPG steering committee member, Kelly Fahey)

© Tabitha Kucera

The Feline Track was a huge draw thanks to members of the PPG Cat Committee: (left to right) Beth Adelman, Dr. Lynn Honeckman, committee chairwoman, Paula Garber, and Tabitha Kucera

The Shock-Free Coalition was well represented by regional coordinators (left to right): Mia Bonadonna, Dr. Lynn Honeckman, Kim Silver, Advocacy Committee co-chairman Don Hanson, Pam Francis-Tuss and Eve Salimbene

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#PPGSummit 2019: Sound Bites Susan Nilson presents highlights and quotable quotes from PPG’s 2019 Annual Educational Event in Portland, Oregon "We need to be careful when using genetics as an easy 'expla‐ nation' for behavior...Genetics has an important and undeniable contribution to behavior, includ‐ ing aggression. However, how and to what degree genetics in‐ teracts with environmental vari‐ ables is far from known.

Understanding how environmen‐ tal risk factors mixed with more susceptible genotypes may help contextualize risk and our understand‐ ing of behavior." ‐ Dr. Nathan Hall

"Developing a secure attachment with your dog includes allowing him to control his behavior as much as possible rather than cuing his every move. Giving dogs choices makes them feel like they have control over what they do.

Taking away choices or overdi‐ recting behavior can diminish re‐ lationships. If dogs don't have choices, they may feel helpless or anxious and that they do not have control over their own lives." ‐ Judy Luther

"Resource guarding is a natural, normal behavior in many species.

How many of you lock your house before you leave home? We all do it. We have to protect our re‐ sources to survive. However, ca‐ nine resource guarding often causes significant inappropriate overreaction by humans." – Pat Miller

"Behavior has different proper‐ ties ‐ we can measure frequency, duration, rate, latency, and inter‐ response time (IRT) and these are really useful to help us know if we're making any significant changes in our behavior change plan. Getting a measure on what we see allows us to put numbers to what we have observed, rather than create a story about what's happening." ‐ Chirag Patel

"It is a fantastically rare occur‐ rence to die of dog bite related in‐ juries, less than one in 10 million in a given year...More than 90% of dogs will never put their teeth on a person in anger ‐ half of dogs will express irritation with people to the 'cut that out' level.

Does this sound like a public health crisis?" ‐ Janis Bradley

"Prices are a part of your market‐ ing message. A lower rate sug‐ gests that you're not as good as fellow trainers with higher rates.

Low rates draw bargain hunters, not serious clients. It’s not retail.

You either need the service or you don’t. One of the tricks to selling successfully is selling to the right people." ‐ Veronica Boutelle

"Primary exposures for pet care professionals are injuries to peo‐ ple, pets or property; injuries to clients' pets; damage to clients' property, or injury to the pet care professional, their employees or independent contractors." ‐ David Pearsall

All sessions at the Portland Aggression and Bite Prevention Educational Summit were recorded! Get 25 hours of audio plus PowerPoint presentation PDFs = education starting at $6.50 per hour.

Discounts available for PPG members!

See petprofessionalguild.com/2019‐Summit‐Audio‐Files

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"Aggression is a natural, normal behavior but it is demonized in our culture to the detriment of dogs...Stress is the root cause of aggression, it compares to human road rage. When working with aggression cases, list the stressors and eliminate as many of them as possible, then identify the top 2‐4 for behavior modifica‐ tion protocols...Predatory ag‐ gression is not really aggression, it’s ‘grocery shopping.’ It’s getting food. It’s not about anger or fear. It’s about convincing the dog that there’s a better behavior" ‐ Pat Miller

s u m m i t “According to Dar‐ win, the purpose of emotions is to guide your decisions, so you will survive. In some breeds, up to 75% of behavior is genetic and no matter what you do, it cannot be changed...Dogs have the same area of facial recognition as people; the temporal lobe in the brain lights up when they see faces but not ob‐ jects...Play and fear can look similar neurochemically ‐ arousal is not necessarily indicative of a negative valence...Ask whether if what you are doing is altering the behavior. If not, then it's not effective, for ex‐ ample shouting at the dog." ‐ Dr. Lisa Radosta (above left, with PPG president Niki Tudge at the Chat, Chuckle and Learn private dinner) "Any data is better than no data, but a proper behavior analysis of any topic, basic or applied, means using data to assess be‐ havioral function...An ethogram is a behavior inventory. It is one of the most useful tools for ethol‐ ogists, animal behavior consult‐ ants, and trainers. Say the client says the dog has separation anxi‐ ety, an ethogram will tell you where it is occurring, in what conditions, at what times, and what is happening before or after the dog does X. We need data to identify these things accurately. You may say that dog is resource guarding, but how do you actually know this?” ‐ Dr. Eduardo Fernandez "The primary method cats use to avoid conflict is to disperse and move away from each other, but in a multicat household the cats are often in a high density envi‐ ronment where they can't get away from each other. When a new cat is introduced to the home, it is actually the norm for them to not get along. Preven‐ tion is key. Keep the cats under threshold and go at a pace they are comfortable with when introducing a new cat to the home." ‐ Paula Garber "58% of cat caregivers report that their cat hates going to the vet ‐ acclimating a cat to his car‐ rier can reduce the levels of stress associated with getting to the vet. This includes leaving the cat's carrier out all the time, rein‐ forcing him for entering the car‐ rier, and hiding treats in it randomly. Desensitize and countercondition the cat to clos‐ ing the carrier door, picking up and carrying the carrier, and going in the car. Also, teach cooperative care, i.e. stationing or long duration target training." ‐ Dr. Lynn Honeckman

"One of the difficulties with en‐ richment is that it's very much trial and error. It's a contingency ‐ I have to show that X is actually enriching, i.e. does the animal in‐ teract with it? If not, then it's not enriching." ‐ Dr. Eduardo Fernan‐ dez (right, with PPG president Niki Tudge at the Official Summit Gala Dinner) "When you refer to a 'difficult' client, what you mean is, I find their behavior difficult to man‐ age. This is not a reflection on the client, but a reflection on my learning history. I see it as an op‐ portunity to grow and change the way I look at things. In the same way, if a client comes in with a dog wearing a prong collar, rather than try to change the client's belief system and ask them to remove it, I try to change the en‐ vironment so they can change their own minds. We arrange the envi‐ ronment for dogs to succeed and it should be the same for our clients." ‐ Chirag Patel "Look for areas of tension in hall‐ ways and doorways. A cat lying in a hallway may look relaxed but he may also be body blocking. So if you only have a litter box in one area of the home, you may have the one cat preventing another cat from accessing it. Avoid clus‐ tering all resources in one place...There are over 47 million households with cats, with an av‐ erage of two cats per home. Intercat aggression is seen at least once a month in 44.5% of homes...Cats often do not experience positive, con‐ sistent and predictable human‐cat interaction due to people approach‐ ing them without their consent. Their resulting experiences may be traumatic, painful or forced. It's surprising cats don't bite us more often." ‐ Tabitha Kucera "During physical contact with hu‐ mans, having the possibility to flee is reinforcing, even if the cat doesn't flee. All animals have a right to decide when they want to be touched, where they want to be touched, and for how long they want to be touched...Touch the cat only when he makes so‐ cial advances toward you. Start by extending a finger and let him walk into your hand." ‐ Beth Adelman

You can also order audio recordings of the Portland 2019 cat sessions only. Just $60 for PPG members!

See: petprofessionalguild.com/event‐3390114 © Pet Professional Guild Summit 2019

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#PPGSelfie Competition: Honorable Mentions

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Setting up a selfie is a serious business

PPG staff take time out with the #PPGSelfie frame Presenters Beth Adelman (left) and Judy Luther (left to right): Rebekah King, Susan Nilson, Niki  Tudge, Sharon Nettles, and Kelly Fahey

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR EVENT SPONSORS AND VENDORS!

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#PPGSummit 2019: Portland in Pictures

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What’s Shocking about Shock?

Don Hanson, co-chairman of PPG’s Advocacy Committee, examines what science tells us about the use of electric shock in animal training, and what you can do to help the Shock-Free Coalition help pets and their owners 20

A number of scientific studies have reported that shock collars cause undue stress to dogs and can lead to a negative impact on welfare © Can Stock Photo/Vera1703

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T

he Pet Professional Guild (PPG) was founded in 2012 by current president, Niki Tudge. As a dog training and pet care professional, Tudge, like many of us, was discouraged by the flawed and harmful information being disseminated around the profession, including by some trainers, day care operators, groomers, boarding kennels, breeders, shelters, rescues, veterinarians, and even “reality” television shows.

In some cases, the latter were promoted as offering “expert” dog training advice, but were, in fact, just like most “reality” TV: entertainment based on conflict and drama.

From its inception, PPG has been committed to the training, care, and management of companion animals that are free from pain, force, and fear. Its Guiding Principles (2012) state that members are obligated to follow this philosophy: “To be in any way affiliated with the Pet Professional Guild, all members must adhere to a strict code of conduct.

Pet Professional Guild members understand Force-Free to mean: No shock, No pain, No choke, No fear, No physical force, No compulsion based methods are ever employed to train or care for a pet.”

This guarantee to kind, compassionate and scientific training methods is why I am a member of PPG and why the Find A Professional section of the PPG website is the first place I go when looking to refer to another pet care professional. Whoever I recommend reflects on my reputation and that of my business, so it is essential I know that those receiving my referrals are committed to training, care, and management that comply with PPG's Guiding Principles.

In January 2015, the PPG Advocacy Committee was born with its mission defined thus: “To reduce or eliminate the practice of using electronic shock devices in the training of domestic pet animals. PPG will achieve this goal through strategic professional, respectful and energetic processes of advocacy and education. These efforts will at all times adhere to the Guiding Principles of PPG and will be accomplished through the development of specific action plans, as determined by members of the PPG Advocacy Committee.”

Key to this plan was to use the existing and developing scientific literature, demonstrating that using shock to train animals is unnecessary and often harmful and not in the interest of animal welfare, as a foundation. Next came the Shock-Free Coalition, established in September 2017, a child of the Advocacy Committee, but a separate entity with its own website and a very clear mission: “The key purpose of the ShockFree Coalition is to build a strong and broad movement committed to eliminating shock devices from the supply and demand chain. This goal will be reached when shock tools and equipment are universally unavailable and not permitted for the training, management and care of pets.”

Critical steps in this process are: • To engage and educate pet owners and shelter/rescue workers to help them make informed decisions about the management, care, and training of the pets in their charge.

• To build a worldwide coalition that provides pet owners access to competent, professional pet industry service providers.

• To create widespread pet industry transparency and compliance regarding how professionals implement their services and communicate their philosophy to pet owners.

The Shock-Free Coalition website serves as an educational resource for anyone wanting to learn more about the organization and why ending the use of shock is so essential. It also offers anyone the opportunity to support the cause by taking the Shock-Free Pledge (see also ad on p.23), either as an individual or as a business. Participants may pledge at several different levels ranging from simply signing the pledge to signing the pledge and making a recurring financial contribution to help the mission continue toward its goal.

What Does Science Tell Us about Shock?

The Shock-Free Coalition did not come to its conclusion that using shock

A study by Schilder and van der Borg (2004) examined guard dogs who were specially bred for toughness and low sensitivity to pain and stress and found that training with shock collars caused long-lasting stress effects — to the point that the dogs continued to associate their handler as aversive even outside of a training context. for the training, care, and management of pets was unnecessary and harmful out of the blue. Its position is based on the careful review of the growing number of peer reviewed, scientific studies that demonstrate that shock is not only unnecessary, but is harmful, both physically and psychologically.

What Do the Professional Organizations Say? The current scientific data, in addition to the moral and ethical concerns about mental and physical damage to animals subjected to methods using force, fear and/or pain have moved a number of representing professional organizations to advocate for the use of humane training techniques founded on evidence-based learning theories and avoid training methods or devices which employ coercion, pain, force and/or fear (Tudge & Nilson, 2016). These include, but are not limited to: • “The AAHA guidelines oppose aversive training techniques, such as prong (pinch) or choke collars, cattle prods, alpha rolls (forcibly rolling a pet on his or her back), electronic shock collars, entrapment, and physically punishing a pet. The guidelines note that aversive training techniques can harm or even destroy an animal’s trust in his or her owner, negatively impact the pet’s problem-solving ability, and cause increased anxiety in the animal. Aversive techniques are especially a concern if pets are already fearful or aggressive, rendering any aggressive dog more dangerous. According to the AAHA guidelines, the only acceptable training techniques are non-aversive, positive techniques that rely on the identification of, and reward for, desirable behaviors. Positive reinforcement is the most humane and effective approach.” - American Animal Hospital Association (2019).

• “The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) supports the use of humane training methods for dogs that are based on current scientific knowledge of learning theory. Reward-based methods are highly recommended. Aversive methods are strongly discouraged as they may cause fear, distress, anxiety, pain or physical injury to the dog.”

- Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (2015).

• “Aversive, punishment-based techniques may alter behaviour, but the methods fail to address the underlying cause and, in the case of unwanted behaviour, can lead to undue anxiety, fear, distress, pain or injury.” - British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (2019).

• The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) “recommends against the use of electronic shock collars and other aversive methods for the training and containment of animals. Shocks and other aversive stimuli received during training may not only be acutely stressful, painful and frightening for the animals, but may also produce long term adverse effects on behavioural and emotional responses…The BSAVA strongly recommends the use of positive reinforcement training methods that could replace those using aversive stimuli.” - British Small Animal Veterinary Association (2019).

• “The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has concerns about the use of aversive training devices to control, train or punish dogs. The use of devices such as electronic collars, as a means of punishing or controlling behaviour of companion animals is open to potential abuse and incorrect use of such training aids has the potential to cause welfare

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© Can Stock Photo/vauvau

A study by Schilder and van der Borg (2004) examining guard dogs concluded that training with shock is painful and stressful; also, they found that the dogs involved in the study learned their owner’s presence predicted more shocks — even outside a regular training context

and training problems…Electric pulse devices are sometimes used in dog training as a form of punishment to prevent a dog from repeating bad behaviour. Although training a dog is important for their well-being, research shows that electric pulse collars are no more effective than positive reinforcement methods. BVA has consulted with experts and examined the evidence. Research by Schalke, Stichnoth and JonesBaade (2005) showed that the application of electric stimulus, even at a low level, can cause physiological and behavioral responses associated with stress, pain and fear. In light of the evidence, BVA has concluded that electric pulse collars raise a number of welfare issues, such as the difficulty in accurately judging the level of electric pulse to apply to a dog without causing unnecessary suffering.” - British Veterinary Association (2018).

• “The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) does not support the use of electronic behaviour modifying collars (e-collars) that deliver aversive stimuli for the training or containment of dogs. E-collars have the potential to harm both the physical and mental health of dogs.

The Shock-Free Coalition did not come to its conclusion that using shock for the training, care, and management of pets was unnecessary and harmful out of the blue. Its position is based on the careful review of the many peer reviewed, scientific studies that demonstrate that shock is not only unnecessary but is harmful, both physically and psychologically.

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They are an aversive training method that have in some studies been associated with significant negative animal welfare outcomes. Positive reinforcement training methods are an effective and humane alternative to e-collars for dog training…The use of pain to train dogs is no more acceptable or humane when it is administered by remote control, than if it was delivered as a physical blow such as a punch or kick.” - New Zealand Veterinary Association (2018).

• “E-collar training is associated with numerous well documented risks concerning dog health, behavior and welfare. Any existing behaviour problem is likely to deteriorate or an additional problem is likely to emerge, when such a collar is used. This becomes an even greater risk when this aversive tool is used by an unqualified trainer (as training is largely unregulated throughout the EU, it appears that a large number of trainers are unqualified). Additionally, the efficacy of these collars has not been proven to be more effective than other alternatives such as positive training. Hence, European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology (ESVCE) encourages education programmes which employ positive reinforcement methods (while avoiding positive punishment and negative reinforcement) thereby promoting positive dog welfare and a humane, ethical and moral approach to dog training at all times.” - European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology (2017).

In addition to these professional bodies, several countries, including England, Wales, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, the province of Quebec in Canada, and the states of New South Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in Australia, have already banned electronic stimulation devices. Under recent amendments to ACT animal welfare legislation, anyone who places an electric shock device, such as a shock collar, on

c o v e r Ultimately, I think the question everyone with a dog needs to ask themselves is, “Do I want to be working with a pet care professional that does not understand the basic principles of learning?”

an animal, will attract a maximum penalty of AU$16,000 [$11,000] and a year's imprisonment (Brewer, 2019). In Scotland, “strict guidance” has been published by the Scottish Parliament which provides “advice on training methods and training aids for dogs, with particular focus on the welfare issues that may arise from the use of aversive methods including e-collars. It highlights the potential consequences of the misuse of aversive training aids, including possible legal consequences.” (The Kennel Club, 2018) (Tudge, Nilson, Millikan & Stapleton-Frappell, 2019).

Examining Arguments Meanwhile, there are pet care professionals, pet owners, and moneyed interests, such as the companies that manufacture and sell shock collars, who disregard all the research and advocate for the continued use of shock. Common arguments include that the shock “does not cause pain or discomfort” and therefore cannot be abusive or inhumane; shock is “more efficient” for training than positive reinforcement training; shock is the “only way” certain behaviors can be trained (e.g., snake avoidance training); and using shock “saves dogs’ lives.” Let’s now look at each of those arguments individually and examine them from a scientific perspective.

#1: Does the electric shock from a shock collar cause pain?

States Anderson (2012): “During the initial training period, [shock] must be painful, uncomfortable, or frightening, or it wouldn’t work. It has to have some unpleasant feeling that is robust enough to get the dog to work to make it stop.”

Science, through published peer reviewed research, is quite clear that shock collars cause pain. While proponents might call it a “stim” a “tap,” or a “static charge,” we know from the science of operant conditioning that the aversive stimulus (electric shock) must be sufficiently distressing (i.e., physical or emotionally painful) to cause a change in behavior. If it did not hurt, it would not work.

Several studies have reported that shock collars cause undue stress to dogs. A study by Schilder and van der Borg (2004) examined guard dogs who were specially bred for toughness and low sensitivity to pain and stress and found that training with shock collars caused long-lasting stress effects — to the point that the dogs continued to associate their handler as aversive even outside of a training context. The dogs exhibited behaviors associated with fear and anxiety long after they had received shocks. “The conclusions, therefore are, that being trained [with electric shock] is stressful. That receiving shocks is a painful experience to dogs, and that the dogs have learned that the presence of their owner (or his commands) announces reception of shocks, even outside of the normal training context.” (Schilder & van der Borg, 2004).

counter the negative effects of getting shocked. This is in spite of the fact that handlers of non-shocked dogs admitted that they use prong collars and that their dogs experienced beatings and other harsh punishment, such as kicks or choke collar corrections.” (Yin, 2011).

An important point to note here is that shock collar users may sometimes say something along the lines of, “I don’t use the shock feature any more. I only use the collar with the beep on now.” However, the Shock-Free Coalition (2019) points out that the tone itself can become as aversive and damaging as the shock once the association has been established: “If I pull out a gun, and I cock it, are you any less scared than if I fired it? If your dog does what you ask when he hears the beep, it means that he has learned that the beep predicts a painful shock, just like cocking the gun predicts a bullet hitting you. While the collar is no longer physically hurting the dog, it can still be scarring him emotionally.”

Another study, by Schalke, Stichnoth, Ott and Jones-Baade (2007), examined the use of shock for training to stop undesirable hunting/ chasing behavior. This study also revealed that the dogs being trained with shock found it to be very stressful. The authors concluded, “…the general use of electric shock collars is not consistent with animal welfare.”

A third study, AW1402, conducted by the University of Lincoln and the University of Bristol for DEFRA in the United Kingdom (2010), compared the features of several shock collars and examined how they are typically used by pet owners. The researchers concluded that “for a sub-

Fear and Anxiety Late veterinarian Dr. Sophia Yin (2011) discussed this study in a post on her blog and made the following key conclusions: • Overall, the researchers concluded that even when compared to working dogs trained using choke chain and pinch collar corrections, dogs trained with electronic shock collars showed more fear and anxiety behaviors than those trained by other traditional police dog and watchdog methods.

• Avoidance behavior and fear postures during the shocks indicated that the shock elicited both pain and fear and therefore were not just a distraction or nuisance.

• “The enormous rewards the dogs experience during training i.e. chasing down, catching a criminal and winning the sleeve, do not

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c o v e r After the [invisible fence] system was installed, Jake saw the neighbor out in her yard. Since he had always liked his neighbor, he ran straight toward her, but was shocked when crossing the invisible line. This happened a few more times, until, one day, Jake was inside his home when the neighbor knocked on the front door. When the family opened the door, Jake saw the neighbor and immediately reacted by biting her in the leg. set of dogs tested, the previous use of e-collars in training are associated with behavioural and physiological responses that are consistent with significant negative emotional states; this was not seen to the same extent in the control population. It is therefore suggested that the use of e-collars in training pet dogs can lead to a negative impact on welfare, at least in a proportion of animals trained using this technique.”

The AW1402 researchers also observed that the instruction manuals that came with shock collar products did not provide an adequate explanation of how to use the device. When the individuals using the collars were interviewed, they could not explain how to use the collar properly and often indicated that they had failed to read the instructions or chose to ignore them. The researchers concluded that “…some of the reported use was clearly inconsistent with advice in e-collar manuals and potentially a threat to the dog’s welfare.” (DEFRA, 2010).

As noted in the AW1402 study, misuse and inappropriate use of shock collars are not uncommon. One of my employees witnessed such abuse at a field trial event. A dog owner with two dogs was working with one dog and had a second dog in his truck in a crate. The dog he was working with did not respond to a cue, so the owner pressed a button on the remote to shock the dog. The dog still did not respond to the cue, so the owner shocked the dog again. Meanwhile, the dog in the crate was yelping each time the owner intended to shock the dog he was allegedly training. It was not until our staff member pointed it out that the owner realized he was shocking the wrong dog as he was using the wrong remote unit.

Ultimately, I think the question everyone with a dog needs to ask themselves is, “Do I want to be working with a pet care professional that does not understand the basic principles of learning?” States veterinarian and veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lisa Radosta in the 2017 documentary, Dogs, Cats and Scapegoats: "If your trainer is still using pinch collars and choke collars, they haven't read a book or gone to a scientifically based seminar in 25 years." The sad fact is that dog training is an unregulated profession, and because of that, there are far too many people in the profession spreading disinformation about dogs, their behavior, and how to train them.

For anyone who understands how animals learn, what could be their motivation for using, recommending, and selling shock collars all

the while telling people it’s not really a shock and/or it won’t hurt their dog? They are certainly not being truthful. Sadly, greed has caused humans to do unethical and unnecessary things from the beginning of time. I believe this excerpt from Dogs, Cats, and Scapegoats (2017) further illustrates my point about shock causing pain as well as the motivation for selling shock collars. It begins with Dr. Radosta’s statement cited in the previous paragraph and continues with a video of someone demonstrating a shock collar on themselves. I use this excerpt in my orientation program for all my Basic Manners students and in a presentation for my aggression clients, and it does help people understand that shock is very painful.

#2. Is training a dog with an aversive such as a shock collar more efficient than using positive reinforcement training and food?

The next argument we might hear in favor of using shock is that the pain it causes is “irrelevant,” because, as a training method, it is “so much more efficient.” Well, is it?

The DEFRA AW1402 study (2010) indicates that not only does shock cause pain, it is often misused. This led to a second DEFRA study, AW1402a (2011), to assess the effect of pet training aids, specifically remote static pulse systems, on the welfare of domestic dogs. AW1402a was designed to investigate how dogs would react when a shock collar was used per the manufacturer’s instructions. The study looked at three different groups of dogs, all with owners that had reported their dog either had a poor recall or chased cars, bicycles or animals. One group of dogs was trained with a shock collar by dog trainers that had been trained by shock collar manufacturers; the second group of dogs was trained by the same dog trainers but with positive reinforcement. The last group of dogs was trained by members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) in the United Kingdom using positive reinforcement. The researchers found “behavioural evidence that use of e-collars negatively impacted on the welfare of some dogs during training even when training was conducted by professional trainers using relatively benign training programmes advised by e-collar advocates.” The study also demonstrated that the shock collar was no more effective at resolving recall and chasing behaviors than positive reinforcement training.

Ethics and Welfare A study by Hiby, Rooney and Bradshaw (2004) specifically assessed the effectiveness of different training methods (positive reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative reinforcement) and how they affected a dog’s behavior. The scientists did not just look at shock as an aversive, but even evaluated vocal punishment and physical punishment. They concluded: “There are ethical concerns that dog training methods incorporating physical or verbal punishment may result in pain and/or suffering. We provide evidence that, in the general dog owning population, dogs trained using punishment are no more obedient than those trained by other means and, furthermore, they exhibit increased numbers of potentially problematic behaviours. Problematic behaviours can compromise welfare as they are often associated with an increased

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c o v e r

© Can Stock Photo/mexitographer

A growing number of professional member bodies have issued position statements in support of humane training methods that are based on current scientific knowledge of learning theory

state of anxiety (e.g. Askew, 1996) and they can also lead the owner to relinquish the dog (Serpell, 1996). Because reward-based methods are associated with higher levels of obedience and fewer problematic behaviours, we suggest that their use is a more effective and welfarecompatible alternative to punishment for the average dog owner.” (Hiby, Rooney & Bradshaw, 2004).

A 2012 study by Blackwell, Bolster, Richards, Loftus and Casey specifically looked at the use of shock collars for training dogs, why owners used them, and how effective they were. The researchers concluded that “more owners using reward based methods for recall/chasing report a successful outcome of training than those using e-collars.”

(Blackwell, Bolster, Richards, Loftus & Casey, 2012).

There is ample evidence in the peer reviewed literature to support reward-based training as more effective and less stressful for the dog, and less likely to cause other behavior problems such as aggression.

There is also evidence that the use of shock can be a cause of aggressive behavior.

Aggressive Behavior: Case Studies How can shock cause aggressive behavior? I believe most everyone understands that there are times when they have been anxious, reactive, rude, or outright aggressive when they were experiencing any type of pain or stress. Often, the target of that aggression will be whatever they are focusing on when they experience the pain. Here are two cases involving dogs that were brought to me for a behavior consultation due to aggressive behavior. In both cases, the owners believed the aggression had been caused by the use of a shock collar.

Case #1: Jake “Jake,” a very social dog, bounded off to greet every person he saw.

Jake’s guardians were concerned about him leaving the yard because he frequently went to visit the neighbors. He loved visiting with them and they enjoyed having him there. For what they believed was Jake’s protection, the family installed an underground fence system that would keep him in their yard. They trained him to the system per the manufacturer’s instructions.

After the system was installed, Jake saw the neighbor out in her yard. Since he had always liked his neighbor, he ran straight toward her, but was shocked when crossing the invisible line. This happened a few more times, until, one day, Jake was inside his home when the neighbor knocked on the front door. When the family opened the door, Jake saw the neighbor and immediately reacted by biting her in the leg.

To Jake, the neighbor was the predictor of the shock, and he now associated her with being shocked. This incident could have been prevented with the installation of a real fence or by supervising Jake when he was out in the yard.

Case #2: Jenny “Jenny” would drag her guardians around on her leash, especially when she saw another dog. Jenny was just curious and friendly and wanted to greet the other dogs, but her guardians were older, and Jenny was an energetic and powerful dog. They had made no attempts to train Jenny and were frustrated with being dragged around anytime Jenny saw another dog. They went to a big box pet store where it was suggested they purchase a remote shock collar. They were instructed to shock Jenny whenever she pulled on her leash.

On their next walk, Jenny, as she always had done, moved forward in friendly greeting when she spotted another dog. Jenny was fixated on the dog she wanted to meet when she was shocked. The next time Jenny saw another dog on a walk, she immediately became anxious. As

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c o v e r the dog approached, Jenny lunged, but this time she also growled and bared her teeth. Jenny had become very afraid. She was trying to look fierce to scare the dog away before he hurt her, when she was shocked yet again. Jenny, now anxious and confused about other dogs, learned to become aggressive because of her fear of the shock, which she associated with other dogs.

Jenny’s guardians did not train her to stop pulling; all they succeeded in doing is making a previously dog-friendly dog, dog-aggressive.

If they had enrolled Jenny in a reward-based training class and made use of a front-connect walking harness, they could have taught her to walk nicely without ever causing her any pain or fear.

These are not isolated occurrences. I have training colleagues throughout the country that could tell you of similar incidents. A study

by Polsky (2000) examined five cases of severe attacks by dogs who had been trained or contained via electric shock. None of the dogs had a history of aggression before being shocked. The study concludes there is a high probability that experience with shock was at least partially responsible for the aggressive behavior. This is very similar to Jake’s story.

#3. Is the use of aversives necessary to train behaviors such as snake avoidance?

Why use a shock collar if we know it can cause pain and can create previously nonexistent behavior problems like anxiety and aggression, especially when it is no more effective and often less effective than reward-based training? One answer we may often hear is that there are certain behaviors you can “only” teach a dog with an aversive like a shock. A typical behavior that is often used as an example is training a dog to stay away from rattlesnakes, or any other kind of venomous snake. While there is no peer reviewed literature to support the argument that shock is not necessary for training snake aversion, nor is there

Dogs can be trained in snake avoidance using nonaversive methods

© Can Stock Photo/adogslifephoto

any peer reviewed literature to suggest that it is. Meanwhile, there is ample anecdotal evidence that demonstrates shock is not necessary in training more challenging behaviors. Certified professional dog trainer Pamela Johnson conducted a webinar for PPG where she explains exactly how to train your dog to be safe around snakes without resorting to the use of shock.

When it comes to teaching animals “mission critical” behaviors, far more advanced than rattlesnake aversion, one only need to look to the work done by Animal Behavior Enterprises (ABE) and the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Training program. Marian and Bob Bailey were part of both of those efforts and trained animals to do many amazing things all with positive reinforcement training. Yin (2012) discusses how Bailey and Bailey continued to use their expertise to help train military dogs and also shares a little-known story about work they did in the 1960s training cats for the Central Intelligence Agency. What were the cats trained to do? To follow people through airports. If you want to learn more about how animal training moved from being a craft to a science, you might want to track down a copy of a film ABE made on the subject called Patient Like the Chipmunks.

#4. Does using a shock collar save dogs’ lives?

Sometimes we might hear or read on social media that “using shock can save a dog's life.” This is essentially the argument for using shock to train snake avoidance. In reality, it is a last-ditch attempt to “shock” an owner into a state of fear and anxiety, because no one wants their dog to die. The fact is there is no peer reviewed research to prove or disprove this statement, and never will be, because the design of such a study would never be approved by a review board because it would not be ethical.

How You Can Help If the Shock-Free Coalition is going to be successful, we need the help of every single PPG member. Here are some things you can do to help:

Sign the Pledge If you are a PPG member and have not signed the Shock-Free Pledge

There is ample evidence in the peer reviewed literature to support reward-based training as more effective and less stressful for the dog, and less likely to cause other behavior problems such as aggression. There is also evidence that the use of shock can be a cause of aggressive behavior.

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c o v e r States Anderson (2012): “During the initial training period, [shock] must be painful, uncomfortable, or frightening, or it wouldn’t work. It has to have some unpleasant feeling that is robust enough to get the dog to work to make it stop.”

the most important parts.

Even though the ESVCE Position Statement on Electronic Training Devices focuses primarily on Europe, being one of the most recent position statements, it is a valuable resource anywhere. Ask the veterinarians in your community if they are familiar with this document and if they are not, print a copy and share it with them.

On the Web (see also ad on p.23), please do so! I get it, we’re all busy, and sometimes we put things on a “to do list” and then just never get to it. As a PPG member, you have already committed to The Guiding Principles, so we know that you understand the importance of ending the use of shock collars. It is important that we get all PPG members to sign the pledge.

Position Statements Familiarize yourself with the PPG Position Statement on Shock Training and the AAHA Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines.

These two documents, especially when used together, make a compelling and scientifically sound argument for never using shock. Ask the veterinarians in your community if they are familiar with the AAHA Guidelines, especially those that are AAHA accredited facilities. If they are not, print a copy and share it with them. You might even highlight

References American Animal Hospital Association. (2019). AAHA behavior guide‐ lines offer solutions to managing behavior problems with your pet.

Available at: bit.ly/2ZhM9s0 Anderson, E. (2012). What is Shock Training? – Is It Really Just A Tap? Shock Collar Training Explained. Available at: bit.ly/31p0G79 Blackwell, E.J., Bolster, C., Richards, G., Loftus, B.A., & Casey, R.A. (2012). The use of electronic collars for training domestic dogs: esti‐ mated prevalence, reasons and risk factors for use, and owner per‐ ceived success as compared to other training methods. BMC Veterinary Research (8) 93. Available at: bit.ly/2OEVAvY Brewer, P. (2019). Do let the dogs out: Huge fines for pet confinement part of ACT animal welfare overhaul. Available at: bit.ly/2Wx0Qu8 British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

(2019). Position Statement on Animal Training. Available at: bit.ly/2XEb8W2 British Small Animal Veterinary Association. (2019). Position State‐ ment on Aversive Training Methods. Available at: bit.ly/2F0HdAa British Veterinary Association. (2018). Aversive training devices for dogs. Available at: bit.ly/2XByUlv Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. (2015). Humane Training Methods for Dogs – Position Statement. Available at: bit.ly/2KHCcQr Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. (2010). Studies to assess the effect of pet training aids, specifically remote static pulse systems, on the welfare of domestic dogs: Project Code AW1402. Available at: bit.ly/2XwC6yJ Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. (2011). Studies to assess the effect of pet training aids, specifically remote static pulse systems, on the welfare of domestic dogs; field study of dogs in training: Project Code AW1402a. Available at: bit.ly/2XwC6yJ European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology. (2017). ESVCE Posi‐ tion Statement: Electronic Training Devices. Available at: bit.ly/2WoBMAM Hiby, E.F., Rooney, N.J., & Bradshaw, J.W.S. (2004). Dog training methods—their use, effectiveness and interaction with behaviour and welfare. Animal Welfare (13) 63–69. Available at: bit.ly/2XCS6PB New Zealand Veterinary Association. (2018). Use of behaviour modify‐ ing collars on dogs. Available at: bit.ly/2F1z6Dj Pet Professional Guild. (2012). Guiding Principles. Available at: bit.ly/PPG‐GuidingPrinciples Polsky, R. (2000). Can Aggression in Dogs Be Elicited Through the Use of Electronic Pet Containment Systems? Journal of Applied Animal

The Shock-Free Coalition website is full of excellent information for you to review and share with others as you help spread the word about the importance of educating people about the use of shock. This material is freely available to you for when you need to speak to clients and others about the reasons for selecting positive reinforcement training as opposed to using aversives. n

Don Hanson is the co‐owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) in Bangor, Maine. He is a Bach Foundation registered animal practitioner (BFRAP), certified dog behavior con‐ sultant (CDBC), associate certified cat behavior consultant (ACCBC) and a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT‐KA) and also produces and co‐hosts a weekly radio show and podcast, The Woof Meow Show on The Pulse AM620 WZON and live streamed (wzonradio.com) . He writes about pets on his blog (greenacreskennel.com/blog) and is co‐ chairman of PPG’s Advocacy Committee.

Welfare Science 3 (4) 345‐357. Available at: bit.ly/2MDilVk Sandgrain Films. (2017). Shock Collar [Video File]. Available at: vimeo.com/235106629 Schalke, E., Stichnoth, J., & Jones‐Baade, R. (2005). Stress symptoms caused by the use of electric training collars on dogs (Canis familiaris) in everyday life situations. Current Issues and Research in Veterinary Behavioral Medicine. 5th International Veterinary Behavior Meeting.

West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University Press, 139‐145 Schalke, E., Stichnoth, J., Ott, S., & Jones‐Baade, R. (2007). Clinical signs caused by the use of electric training collars on dogs in everyday life situations. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 105 (4) 369‐380.

Available at: bit.ly/2Ww2Zlf Schilder, M., & van der Borg, J. (2004). Training dogs with help of the shock collar: short and long term behavioural effects. Applied Animal Behaviour Science (85) 319–334. Available at: bit.ly/2Foqgj8 Shock‐Free Coalition. (2019). Myths and Misconceptions. Available at: shockfree.org/Education/Myths‐and‐Misconceptions The Kennel Club. (2018). The Kennel Club and Scottish Kennel Club Welcomes the Scottish Government’s Effective Ban on Shock Training Devices. Available at: bit.ly/31r1Zm7 Tudge, N.J, & Nilson, S.J. (2016). The Use of Shock in Animal Training.

Available at: petprofessionalguild.com/shockcollars Tudge, N.J, Nilson, S.J., Millikan, D.A., & Stapleton‐Frappell, L.A. (2019). Pet Training and Behavior Consulting: A Model for Raising the Bar to Protect Professionals, Pets and Their People. (n.p.): DogNostics Career Center Publishing Yin, S. (2011). Are Electronic Shock Collars Painful – A New Study Re‐ veals Some Answers. Available at: bit.ly/SHOCK‐Yin‐Pain‐2011 Yin, S. (2012). How Technology from 30 Years Ago is Helping Military Dogs Perform Better Now. Available at: bit.ly/POS‐REI‐SpyCats

Resources American Animal Hospital Association Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines: bit.ly/AAHA‐2015BHx European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology ‐ Position Statement on Electronic Training Devices: bit.ly/2F1Ag1D Pet Professional Guild ‐ Rattlesnake Avoidance Training Using Force‐ Free Methods [Webinar]: bit.ly/2Iu6h3g Pet Professional Guild ‐ Member Search: bit.ly/PPG‐Find‐A‐Prof Pet Professional Guild ‐ Position on Shock Training: bit.ly/2MC0nm0 Shock‐Free Coalition: shockfree.org Shock‐Free Coalition Pledge: shockfree.org/Pledge

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c a n i n e

Addressing Aggressive Behavior In the final of this four-part series, Diane Garrod discusses what to look for, when to move forward, and how to get results in cases presenting with aggression and extreme reactivity

Photo © Diane Garrod

Photo © Diane Garrod

Dachshunds Hopper (left) and Violet, 7- and 10-years-old respectively, are currently undergoing a behavior modification program for multidog household fighting. Their guardian says they are “progressing nicely, able to be out loose together for longer periods of time. There hasn’t been a fight in quite a while. We’re walking them every day and they sleep at night the whole time we are watching TV or whatever we’re doing, which tells us they are much, much more relaxed and less stressed.”

T

his final article in my series focusing on aggressive behavior will look into different types of aggression, as well as how and when to know to move forward in a case and how to get results. So far in the series, we have focused on (1) aggression and reactivity: theory, case studies and creating solutions; (2) getting to know a dog/fact finding via an intake form and functional assessment, plus stress release and the TOP protocols (triggers, observation and patterns); and (3) what we can learn from case studies.

Common Cases The cases of aggression and extreme reactivity I most commonly see in my practice are: #1. Fighting in multidog households. #2. Dog reactivity (on leash, off leash, in the home). #3. Bite cases (to people and/or to dogs, biting the guardian). #4. Sound and motion sensitivities.

#1. Fighting in Multidog Households Common scenarios in multidog household fighting include sibling rivalry, two females fighting, overattentiveness to the guardian, and redirected aggression. In my experience, sibling rivalry usually occurs because the two dogs have not been worked with individually. The signs of fighting often start between the ages of 6-18 months during the juvenile and adolescent periods of growth. Meanwhile, two females fighting can often occur over resources, including mild resource guarding (which is normal) going unchecked and soaring into extreme resource guarding 28

BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

(over food, objects like toys, locations, or the guardian). These cases can be extreme and may mean changing the environment, as well as a lifelong commitment to prevention, management and supervision. Thirdly, overattentiveness to the guardian means changing how that individual interacts with the dogs. Finally, redirected/respondent/reflexive aggression occurs when one dog attacks the other as a result of being overstimulated from the appearance of a trigger/stimulus. Alternatively, the aroused dog may redirect toward whatever is there - your leg, the curtains, the couch...Working through all these cases involves: • Identifying exactly what is going on in the environment: When did the fighting start and why? What exactly precedes the fights? And what behaviors...?

• Tweaking the environment to set up the dogs for success while implementing an error-free prevention, management and supervision process. This is a key piece in moving forward.

• Identifying stressors in the household and accelerating enrichment choices are also key (see Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, BARKS from the Guild, March 2016, pp.18‐23 for how to con‐ duct a canine emotional detox (CED) stress release protocol).

Once enrichment options are in place and you have identified exact behaviors from each individual, start implementing your behavior modification protocol. For me, that usually means my six-phase acclimation, tolerance, acceptance/maintenance (ATA) process to reintroduce the dogs (see Fighting in Multidog Households, BARKS from the Guild, May 2017, pp.20‐26). It is important that the process proceeds at a pace the dogs can handle, as indicated by their body language, and not at a pace set by the trainer or behavior consultant, or owner, for that matter.

c a n i n e Bite cases need to be approached with caution and with a detailed functional assessment in place. Getting a real view of why the behavior is occurring is critical to results-oriented progress. #2. Dog Reactivity (on leash, off leash, in the home) Common manifestations include: • On leash – leash reactivity (lunging, barking), barrier frustration (grabbing leash, pulling, lunging, growling, barking).

• Off leash – “bully” behaviors, rushing toward another dog, stiff posturing, closed mouth, making themselves appear bigger (piloerection), head on another dog’s back, humping, paws on another dog’s back, attacking another dog (growling, grabbing, nipping).

• In the home – at other dogs in the home, at dogs seen outside on the street or through a door/window, at visiting or neighboring dogs.

#3. Bite Cases (to people and to dogs, biting guardian) Bite cases need to be approached with caution and with a detailed functional assessment in place. Getting a real view of why the behavior is occurring is critical to results-oriented progress. Bite damage needs to be assessed (see Considering Canine Aggression from a Scientific Per‐ spective on pp.10‐12 for more on bite levels vs. bite damage), who was bitten, when, where and why. A prognosis needs to be assessed and the owner’s commitment and compliance also need to be determined.

#4. Sound and Motion Sensitivities Common sensitivities include:

• Thunder.

• Fireworks.

• Woodpeckers.

• Light.

• Shadows.

• Noisy vehicles.

• Leaves blowing in the wind.

• Barking dogs.

These cases require a complete desensitization and counterconditioning process. Note: the sounds and motions in question may be real‐ ity or perceived reality.

Setting Milestones Setting milestones means taking a step-by-step approach and establishing mini goals along the way. Think of it as a staircase and start at the bottom step. For example, the ultimate goal might be to walk past strange dogs without reacting to them. The bottom step would be to “master fake dog #1,” the second step would be “to master fake dog #2,” the third step might be “to work with a teacher dog at distance of 70 feet,” and so on. Each step is part of the behavior modification protocol as you move closer to the ultimate goal. There might be 10 or 20 mini milestones to reach first before the end goal is reached.

Moving Forward How do you know when to move forward to the next milestone?

Throughout the process of changing emotional responses (CERs), having determined the antecedents, the exact behavior, and the consequences (i.e. the ABCs) currently taking place, the next step is replacing those with new values to antecedents, the exact new behavior you want to see, and the new consequences that are clearly defined. In many cases, you will have several sets. Knowing when to move forward depends on reaching each incremental milestone, and the successful completion of

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c a n i n e Setting milestones means taking a step-by-step approach and establishing mini goals along the way. Think of it as a staircase and start at the bottom step.

the new ABCs, as well as constant monitoring of the dog’s body language signals. The norm is an 80% success rate completing each milestone. For example, a distance of 70 feet from a teacher dog, static, successfully without reaction, eight out of 10 times. Then we can move up 1-5 feet and continue the process. Clear goals, clear evaluation of those goals, and not going too fast nor too slow, is the ideal way to get lasting success.

Getting Results Photo © Diane Garrod

Schipperke Blue would startle at a leaf rolling by and every little sound and motion, making walks impossible. Today, Blue is able to handle a walk without barking and lunging, can now walk with his sibling, and is less barky in the home

I like to use what I call the “Five Equations” to solve the aggression/reactivity puzzle, with stress being the first component I address to get to the real issues. Working with a dog who is stressed means the process takes longer, can hit a wall, slow up milestones and show more regress than is necessary. Addressing this first helps everything else fall into place.

#1. Confidence

Photo © Diane Garrod

Chihuahua mix rescue Abby had severe issues with other dogs. She was released to an elderly lady but the behavior change process was too much for her to handle, and Abby was eventually rehomed

The first equation is Relax + Responsiveness = Safety, Trust, Confidence.

The relaxation process can be a full canine emotional detox, a stress release protocol for challenging dogs, or relaxation postures on a mat or in a stay. This helps the dog to know what it means to relax, to sleep deeply, and to go into problematic environments better able to make good decisions and feel safe, trust the process and be more confident.

Ignoring stress and moving forward without this important equation in place can mean that: • Internal issues and body language cues are ignored and the risk of the undesirable behavior occurring increases.

• Dogs go into situations they can't handle and the importance of escape routes is ignored. The intensity of the undesirable behavior increases.

• Pet guardians try to work through behavior issues themselves.

Intensity, duration and frequency of the undesirable are sure to increase, if stress is not released.

Putting together the right pieces of the puzzle, in order, and solving the equation before moving on to the next step is highly important in situations of high emotional arousal. Why? In the dog’s current state, he is unable to learn or retain new knowledge or information because he cannot think clearly. The goal is to change his CER to a more desirable behavior. Changing neural pathways in the brain and providing him with an alternative behavior is key. Release of stress first means getting through the milestones to the end goal will be smoother and, most likely, faster.

#2. Focus The second equation is Calm + Focus + Impulse Awareness = Self‐Aware‐ ness and Making Good Decisions. My definition of calm is not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other emotions. We want to see that the dog is starting to have automatic responses, that he is calm, and is focused on the tasks we are teaching. Impulse awareness and focus mean the dog can work through an obstacle course confidently, slowly, understanding where his body is within the environment, concentrating less on what is out there and more on the task and his responses. To master impulses means a dog’s focus will be on making the right decisions repeatedly and automatically. This mastery will result in the trigger/stimuli eventually becoming irrelevant as the steps to the goal are completed.

#3. Triggers Photo © Diane Garrod

Border collie-corgi mix Duncan has gone from fearful to confident – when his behavior modification program started he had already bitten eight times and was worried about grabs, tools, any stick-like object, or having his collar touched. He now goes everywhere with his guardians and has a no bite history of seven years

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The third equation is Acceleration of Behavior Modification + Skills into Intermediate and Advanced Categories = Working Toward Change and Irrelevance to Triggers. Often a trainer will start working on this equation right away before mastery of other steps is in place. But skipping

c a n i n e steps can lead to the behavior modification program not moving forward as planned, sometimes without the trainer being aware of why.

Missing pieces can result in: • Hitting a wall. The dog gets so far and can't go any further.

• Too many regresses.

• Owner frustration.

• Searching for another trainer.

• Confusing the dog or taking him too far too fast.

• Not clearly evaluating where the dog is or what milestone was reached.

• The dog never learns to relax but is still presented with his triggers.

• Responsiveness becomes latent or the dog simply ignores the trainer.

• The process takes longer than it needs to.

• Retention is compromised.

• Distraction stacking before the dog is ready results in flooding and regress.

#4. Real Life Equation four is Evaluation + Reaching Milestones = Progressing to Real Life (when the dog is ready). This occurs when all the techniques in equation three have been worked through to successful conclusions and the dog is ready to progress.

Keep real life exposures low level at first and then progress slowly at a distance, duration and distraction setup that keeps the dog successful.

Working in a cemetery with a teacher dog that has been used earlier and a strange dog at a distance of 100 feet with a duration of 1-5 minutes may be a good starting point at an early level of learning. Then, progress incrementally through new, real life goals and set new ABCs to

change the dog’s CERs. The planning and learning previously undertaken will help the dog acclimate to real life circumstances.

#5. Problem Solved The fifth equation is Real Life Application + Consistency and Clarity of Process = Problem/Puzzle Solved. This is where maintenance of skills and behaviors are important. Trainers/owners must be wary of slipping back into old habits or assuming that old habits can be revisited. After creating new antecedents, resulting in the new, desirable behaviors and the dog getting a different consequence, it is clear that revisiting old behavior should not part of the plan. Maintaining the learning achieved will take place for life and that learning will become stronger as undesirable behaviors decrease. n

Resources Garrod, D. (2016, March). Let Sleeping Dogs Lie. BARKS from the Guild (17) 18‐23. Available at: bit.ly/2G05PKk Garrod, D. (2017, May). Fighting in Multidog Households. BARKS from the Guild (24) 20‐26. Available at: bit.ly/2XG8vn2 Garrod, D. (2019, January). Addressing Aggression the Force‐Free Way. BARKS from the Guild (34) 32‐33. Available at: bit.ly/2CIQF9a Garrod, D. (2019, March). Getting to Know the Individual. BARKS from the Guild (35) 31‐33. Available at: bit.ly/2C4TdPu Garrod, D. (2019, May). Learning from Case Studies. BARKS from the Guild (36) 32‐35. Available at: bit.ly/2I0q777 Diane Garrod BSc PCT‐A CA1 FF1 is the owner of Canine Transforma‐ tions (caninetlc.com) based in Langley, Washington, where she con‐ ducts Treibball workshops, classes and private consults, specializing in canine aggression and reactivity.

The A-Z of Training and Behavior Brought to you by D is for...

Dead Person’s Test: A mechanism of critical thinking used to determine if something is a behavior or not. If a dead person can do it, it isn’t behavior.

This test can be used in the creation of behavior goals and behavior modification plans.

Default Behavior: The behavior that has the highest likelihood of occurring; a preferred behavior. It could be the first behavior trained, or a behavior that is assumed to be enjoyable to the pet.

Delay Conditioning: One of the four ways conditioning takes place in Respondent Conditioning.

With delayed conditioning there is an overlap of the conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus. Delayed conditioning is also affected by the length of delay between the presentation of the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus; these delays are referred to as short and long delays. In respondent conditioning the amount of learning depends on the degree to which the conditioned stimulus predicts the unconditioned stimulus. With both trace and delayed conditioning, a conditional response begins to appear after the conditioned stimulus is presented as there is a high degree of CS-US contingency and there is an interstimulus interval.

Discrimination: Discrimination training is the procedure used to establish discrimination between stimuli. In respondent conditioning a pet can be trained to discriminate and behave differently in two situations. The pet may respond to the CS+ but not to the CS-. With Operant conditioning one stimulus, SD, indicates a behavior that will be reinforced, and the SA indicates the behavior that will not be reinforced. Both SD and SA are discriminative stimuli. Discrimination occurs when one consequence is more reinforcing than another and the pet behaves differently in the situations. Difficult discriminations can be shaped by gradually making the stimulus (CS+, CS- or SD, SA) more alike.

Domestication: A change in the phenotypical expression and genotype of a pet, population of animals or plants, through a process of selection, in order to make traits that benefit humans more prominent.

Dopamine: A neurotransmitter known to affect motivation, movement and emotional responses.

Duration Behavior: A behavior that must persist for a specific period of time. Ex. A down stay that lasts for two minutes.

From: A Lexicon of Practical Terms for Pet Trainers & Behavior Consultants: The language you need to know!

by DogNostics Career Center. Available from: bit.ly/DogNosticsLexicon

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training

The Escape Artist Dog Beth Napolitano provides tips on training and equipment to stay connected with the dog who tries to escape through boredom, frustration, fear – or just about any other reason

T

he escape artist dog, also lovingly referred to as a “Houdini dog” by those of us who share our lives with them, is a master of escape. He can pull out of his harness, gentle leader, or collar, and pull the leash right out of your hand while it's still securely attached to him. He can also chew through his harness or leash in the blink of an eye. He will do whatever it takes to break free and run – for fun, out of fear, or sometimes to approach another dog. His escape techniques are as varied as his reasons for wanting to escape. However, one thing remains constant – the fear that grows in his owners’ hearts that he will escape again. As guardians, our goal is simple: to always keep our dogs safe when we are out for a walk.

Some dogs may be at more at risk for escape than others, particularly hounds, anxious or nervous dogs, dogs who are leash-averse, intense chewers, dogs with large necks and small heads, dogs with long slender bodies, reactive dogs, high-energy dogs, dogs who love to run, dogs who are under exercised, dogs who are reactive on leash, dogs with poor impulse control… Actually, it is a long list of dogs who want nothing more than to be free at the instant they decide, for whatever reason, it is time to escape.

I am guardian to two beagles who are very talented Houdini dogs.

They have tested my resolve on several occasions and made me wonder if I would ever be able to safely walk with them. Aged 3 and 5 years, both are adept at escape. They have slipped out of head collars, step-in and self-tightening harnesses, and flat collars, chewed through leashes and (almost) chewed through harnesses. They have escaped for the fun of it, both of them at the same time, at a park. Fortunately, I knew not to chase them and gave the “come” cue with as much joy as I could muster and they returned immediately knowing they would get a ton of yummy treats.

My younger beagle, who has a fear of novel environmental stimuli, has suddenly backed out of her harness when encountering a trigger on several occasions. The last, and most memorable, escape happened on the sidewalk next to a road after suddenly seeing a scary monster, i.e. a black glove someone had dropped on the ground. Pure fear elicited the flight response and she was out of her harness in a flash, backing into the road. Luckily, she was still connected with her collar so I could reach out and hold onto that until I was able to pick her up.

After that experience, I had moments of extreme anxiety during our walks and decided I would finally find a system to prevent future escape behavior. I tried adding a rear leg harness, intended to help dogs with rear end weakness, and attached that system to her chest harness and collar. It was an escape-proof system and I abandoned it only because she spent more time rolling on the ground instead of actually walking, most likely because she did not like it and, under the circumstances, there had not been sufficient time to condition her to wearing it. I finally did choose a highly-rated secure harness and attached it to a flat collar with a locking carabiner. She attempted, unsuccessfully, to escape the new harness a couple of times and I discovered that preventing escape has stopped her future attempts of escape. The escape itself seemed to be the internal reinforcement needed to continue the behavior. I now walk with renewed confidence plus a can of spray cheese and other treats in my pocket that both dogs love, but I am aware that the escape behavior can reappear at any time.

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BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

© Can Stock Photo/ksuksa

When escaping behavior is successful it gets reinforced and the likelihood of it occurring again increases

Associated Risks I have come across multiple online dog forums where people are looking for answers on how to prevent escape, the reasons for the behavior, and what is the best equipment to keep them connected to their dogs while out for a walk. According to PAWS (2019), we are justified in worrying about our dogs’ safety when we are out with them in public places: “Escaping is a serious problem for both you and your dog, as it can have tragic consequences. If your dog is running loose, he is in danger of being hit by a car, being injured in a fight with another dog, or being hurt in a number of other ways. Additionally, you are liable for any damage or injury your dog may cause and you may be required to pay a fine if he is picked up by an animal control agency. In order to resolve an escaping problem, you must determine not only how your dog is getting out, but also why he is escaping.” PAWS (2019) cites social isolation and/or frustration, sexual roaming, fears and phobias, and separation anxiety as some of the primary reasons dogs may try to escape.

To address social isolation and/or frustration, recommendations to improve the dog’s overall emotional state include daily walks, trick and/or manners training, food puzzle toys, games, rotating toys, and enlisting the help of a licensed pet sitter or dog walker if your dog is left alone for long periods of time. If the behavior is fear-related, begin a desensitization and counterconditioning protocol, and provide the dog options for a safe place to retreat, as needed. A qualified canine behavior consultant can assist with such protocols, as well as in cases of separation anxiety (PAWS, 2019).

We must also consider the increased risk of future escape once a dog has learned how to get free and the behavior has been reinforced.

training Behaviors to look for when he might be thinking about escape include freezing (fear response) when encountering a trigger (fearful event or object); sudden startle to a loud or strange noise; intensely staring at an object, person or other dog; intense pulling toward an appetitive (desired) stimulus in the environment such as a toy, another dog, a rabbit, or a squirrel.

Some management strategies for keeping dogs safe while working on training and management protocols aimed at reducing their need or desire to escape, include: • Using a flat collar and harness at the same time and keeping the two attached with a closed-gate carabiner.

• Tightening all the straps on both collar and harness to fit snugly with, barely, a two-finger margin between the dog’s neck and body.

• Keeping the dog’s collar and ID tags on at all times while outside.

• Using a fixed leash instead of a flexi leash. Flexi leashes can snap or malfunction, leaving the dog disconnected and free to run.

• Never leaving a dog alone or unsupervised while outside in the yard.

• In fenced yards, being sure to periodically inspect the fence for holes or gaps under the fencing which would allow escape. If the dog has a tendency to climb or jump the fence, make adjustments accordingly.

• Using an ex-pen or baby gate to block entry doors for dogs that like to bolt out of open doors.

Some harness manufacturers recommend buying the right size harness and collar using the dog’s chest, neck and/or belly measurements rather than body weight. Also, adjust the harness while the dog is standing – sitting increases the dog’s chest size so the harness will be loose on standing. Test the fit and function of equipment on your dog, in your

“If your dog is running loose, he is in danger of being hit by a car, being injured in a fight with another dog, or being hurt in a number of other ways. Additionally, you are liable for any damage or injury your dog may cause and you may be required to pay a fine if he is picked up by an animal control agency.” - PAWS (2019) home, prior to taking it for a “test drive” on a walk. Look for equipment that guarantees a full refund offer in case of poor fit. (Note: On dogfo‐ rum.com, a blog site for dog guardians, multiple contributors state they have found step‐in style harnesses to be the easiest for their dogs to es‐ cape from.)

Continuous Reinforcement There are some behaviors that are worth taking the time to train well, so your dog will be more likely to respond to you when out for a walk.

First, always train in multiple environments (generalize) and slowly add distractions. It is important to never punish a dog for escaping as that will result in a dog less likely to return to you. If the dog is escaping due to a fearful response, punishment will only make his fear worse. Train a really reliable “come” cue (i.e. recall) and when the dog gets to you, make sure it is a bright spot in his day by keeping it happy and fun. I like to keep all behaviors that involve moving towards me (such as “come”) on a 1:1 reinforcement schedule, i.e. each response gets a treat. I want my dogs to know that when they get to me really great stuff happens, like spray cheese and a party.

Harness grab games can be useful so a fearful or overexcited dog responding to a trigger will not be additionally stressed if you grab his har-

Become Your Community’s Dog Bite Safety Expert Keeping future generations safe

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BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

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training “In order to resolve an escaping problem, you must determine not only how your dog is getting out, but also why he is escaping.” PAWS (2019) cites social isolation and/or frustration, sexual roaming, fears and phobias, and separation anxiety as some of the primary reasons dogs may try to escape. ness to prevent escape. Simply associate reaching for and grabbing his harness with some tasty treats. In addition, train a really reliable “sit and look at me,” so when you are out on a walk and there are the inevitable distractions, the chance of keeping your dog calm and safe will be improved. It is also important to train yourself to remain calm and not panic. Fear and stress can be contagious and your dog may pick up on your emotional state and react accordingly. Fun and happiness are also contagious, so train with an abundance of these emotions and channel them when you need to take a deep breath and entice your dog back to you. Lastly, never chase your dog; instead teach him to chase you (Von Reinhardt, 2010).

If you are reluctant to take your Houdini dog for a walk because you are afraid he may escape again, consider trying some of the tips listed here and also consider trying out a new harness that may help keep you both connected. Safety is a major concern for those of us with dogs who know how to escape in the blink of an eye. I felt traumatized after my younger beagle’s last escape and it took me a while to regain my ability to enjoy walking with my dogs again. With a new (so far) escape-proof harness and a lot of training tricks up my sleeve I have found my confidence again. I still sometimes have to remind myself to take deep breaths and relax so I don’t spread my anxiety to my dogs, but, once again, we are out on the sidewalks and at the parks enjoying our time together. n

© Can Stock Photo/igter

A reliable recall is essential to keep dogs safe either in a designated off-leash area or when they have escaped; train this in multiple environments and slowly add distractions

References Paws. (2019). The Canine Escape Artist. Available at: paws.org /library/dogs/behavior/escaping‐dogs Von Reinhardt, C. (2010). Chase! Managing Your Dog’s Predatory In‐ stincts. Wenatchee, WA: Dogwise Beth Napolitano worked as a staff nurse in hospitals for 40 years.

Since retirement, she obtained certification as a pet care technician, level 2, and is currently working for certification as a dog trainer.

She volunteers at Courteous Canine, Inc. DogSmith of Tampa (courteouscanine.com/Florida) and is an AKC Star puppy kinder‐ garten instructor.

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Feline Behavior Unmasked: Kitten Socialization Francine Miller of the PPG Cat Committee discusses the importance of socializing kittens and how to set them up for success in adult life

Q

: Should I socialize my kitten? I’ve heard that this is important for puppies, but is it important for kittens too? If so, how do I go about it?

A: Yes! Although very few people are aware of how important this is, the socialization period is the time when all primary social bonds are formed and constitutes the single most important period during the cat’s life. During this phase, striking behavioral changes occur because of growth and experience. Socialization can occur between a kitten and humans, or between a kitten and her “natural enemies,” such as dogs.

Additionally, this is the time that cats learn to tolerate other cats, if not fully accept, other cats in social situations. When a kitten misses out on socialization during this period development of behavioral problems such as play aggression, inappropriate play behavior, and fear aggression may occur.

Critical Period

The critical period for kitten socialization usually occurs during the early weeks of a cat’s life starting between 2 to 7 weeks of age (early socialization occurs between 3-8 weeks, late socialization between 9 and 16 weeks). During this period, the cat learns to become used to sights, sounds and smells as well as how to interact appropriately with other cats, people, and other animals. A young kitten has a fearless, exploratory nature during the socialization period. They may startle easily, but they recover quickly.

The amount of handling a cat receives, the age at which it occurs, and the number of handlers all affect the degree of friendliness towards people later in life.

Frequent gentle handling and play with varied people including men, women and supervised children is ideal. It is important to encourage the cat to be comfortable with

© Can Stock Photo/EEI_Tony

All primary social bonds are formed during a kitten’s socialization period

Cats that have been handled by only one person can be held for, on average, twice as long by that person than by any other, but cats with experience of four handlers will stay with any person, including a stranger (the multiperson cat becomes socialized to all humans that behave in broadly the same way).

being held, picked up and touched in different places, such as the ears, paws and belly. You can socialize a kitten very well in as little as 15 minutes of daily handling during the sensitive period.

Cats that have been handled by only one person can be held for, on average, twice as long by that person than by any other, but cats with experience of four handlers will stay with any person, including a stranger (the multiperson cat becomes socialized to all humans that behave in broadly the same way). Kittens can do this easily until they reach the end of the socialization period where they become naturally wired to be more suspicious of things they haven’t experienced yet, so that the cat can react more cautiously to new things in the environment, such as potential predators.

Socialization Schedule

You can create your own socialization schedule for your new kitten. For example, get your kitten used to guests in the home (so she doesn’t spend the rest of her life hiding when guests visit). You can easily do this by inviting friends over for coffee or dinner and finding ways to make the experience rewarding for the kitten. Encourage her to approach your guests and reward her with tasty treats when she does so. Ask your visitors to help by playing with her (with a familiar toy) and petting her if she is comfortable with it – paired with treats. You could even desensitize and countercondition the kitten to the sound of the doorbell and a knock on the door as these are most often a signal for the cat to run and hide. During this time, you can also introduce tooth brushing, pilling, giving liquid medications via syringe, gentle examination of ears, teeth, nails and grooming, training to a harness and leash for walks outside, car rides, nail clipping, bathing, etc.

Want to learn more? Consider basic training for your cat. See Clicker Training for Cats, BARKS from the Guild, November 2017, pp. 16‐23 for some ideas. I also recommend Bradshaw and Ellis’ The Trainable Cat, a Practical Guide to Making Life Happier for You and Your Cat. n For further assistance with feline behavior issues, see PPG Feline Resources: petprofessionalguild.com/Feline‐Resources.

Do you have a question for the PPG Cat Committee?

Submit your question for consideration to: barkseditor@petprofessionalguild.com Resources Bradshaw, J., & Ellis, S. (2016). The Trainable Cat: A Practical Guide to Making Life Happier for You and Your Cat. New York, NY: Basic Books Garber, P., & Miller, F. (2017, November). Clicker Training for Cats.

BARKS from the Guild (27) 16‐23. Available at: bit.ly/2moXtRD Francine Miller is an applied animal behavior counselor and associate certified dog behavior consultant (IAABC certified associate) who has 13 years experience treating dogs and cats with behavior problems.

She currently offers house calls for behavior consultations through‐ out San Diego County, California under the business name, Call Ms Behaving (callmsbehaving.com), and overnight pet sitting in the area around Carlsbad, California where she resides. She is also the vice chairwoman of the PPG Cat Committee.

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Teaching Students, Training Kittens Breanna Norris describes how she taught college students to clicker train shelter kittens to target, station, go round a cone, and go into a crate on cue

L

ast fall I was hired to instruct the animal training classes at a local college that offers a major in captive care. In previous semesters, I had assisted the professor in teaching the lab portion of the class and had also taught the lab portion on location at the local humane society, where the students worked with the resident shelter dogs.

At the college, the animal training class is broken down into two sections of two 1-hour lectures a week and two 2½-hour labs each week.

While in class, students were taught about learning theory and also had the opportunity to do some hands-on training in lab. During the course, we worked with multiple species, including chickens, goats, ferrets, parrots, rabbits, dogs and kittens. For the kittens, I contacted the local animal shelter, of which I am on the board, asking if we could “borrow” a litter of healthy, social kittens. I fostered them in my home while we worked with them in the labs for a three-week period.

The kittens were three related grey, shorthaired tabbies, estimated to be 9 weeks old, and one black female kitten, estimated to be 8 weeks old. Shelter staff named them the “Jungle Book Litter,” and so they were named accordingly. Shere Khan was the largest male tabby, Baloo was the second male tabby, Bagheera was the smaller female tabby, and Mowgli was the younger female black kitten. Mowgli was orphaned at a dairy farm when her mother died. Sadly, her siblings did not make it, but the farmer brought this one very energetic and healthy kitten into the shelter. Staff there opted to house her with the three grey tabby kittens rather than keep her alone and, while Mowgli was smaller than the others, she fit in well with the three siblings.

Information Gathering

© Breanna Norris

The first thing we needed to do with the kittens was conduct a reinforcement assessment to gather information and find reinforcers for each individual animal. We started out working with them this way, but constantly reassessed as the reinforcers increased or decreased in value. This depended on many factors. I brought in multiple foods for students to try with their kittens, including hard cat treats, soft cat treats, a few types of wet cat food, ricotta cheese, cheddar cheese, canned tripe, cooked chicken, and cooked steak. Many students predicted that the kittens would prefer the chicken or the store-bought cat treats, but ricotta and wet paté cat food were the two most favored.

Tripe and steak also made the cut. The wet food was their regular food.

Students gave kittens the option for the foods in a variety of ways.

Food A vs. Food B, Food A vs. Food C, Food A vs. Food D, etc. They also tested Food A in the right hand and Food B in the left and then switched. In a previous semester, we had found that many of the shelter dogs showed a right-hand preference, but we did not find this to be the

We…kept Bob Bailey’s (n.d.) famous phrase in mind, “Click for action, feed for position.” In this case, click for the predetermined criteria and feed toward the back of the crate, rather than turn the animal toward the door.

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BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

Author Breanna Norris (above) and her students taught the three tabby kittens from the Jungle Book Litter to target, station, and go into a crate on cue

case with these four kittens. I offered plastic spoons, syringes (with no needle) and wooden chopsticks to students to use as dispensers for wet food and the chopsticks seemed to be the preferred delivery method.

We just put a small dab of wet food on the end and the cats could easily access it. Students worked primarily in groups of four to one kitten.

Target Training Where to begin training a kitten? We started in the same place we would with any other species, a nose target. I brought a variety of target sticks for students to use. Some were homemade with small colorful balls on the end of dowels, pens or knitting needles. Others were store bought target sticks, such as one of my favorites, the Karen Pryor click stick, which is retractable and has a clicker built in.

Most groups of students worked with one student as lead trainer, holding the target and clicker, another offering the reinforcer after the click, another taking notes in their training logs, and the fourth recording video, taking photos and setting up the area. Each of these is a very important skill independent of the others.

Karen Pryor’s Don’t Shoot the Dog was one of the textbooks assigned for this class, so in the lab we followed Pryor’s (1984) 10 Laws of Shaping, one of which is, “Don’t change trainers in midstream. You can

f e l i n e ...the first thing we needed to do with the kittens was conduct a reinforcement assessment to gather information and find reinforcers for each individual animal. We started out working with them this way, but constantly reassessed as the reinforcers increased or decreased in value. This depended on many factors. have several trainers per trainee, but stick to one shaper per behavior.”

Thus, students that worked as lead trainer on nose targeting stayed working as lead trainer until the behavior was trained.

As our labs were 2½ hours long, which, of course, is too long for a training session, we did not use the entire time for training. On some days, we worked with another animal for a short time and gave the kittens a break. We used much of our lab time to go over training plans, set up, troubleshoot and discuss. We would work with the kittens for a few minutes at a time, then take a break. During this time, the kittens could explore the lab, interact with the students, or play with toys. I set a litter box up in the corner of the room as well as a few water bowl stations. Here’s a really handy tip if you are ever working with cats in a training room: keep a roll of poop bags nearby. When the kittens use the litter box it is best to get the box cleaned immediately unless you are looking to clear a room!

Training Kittens Find a primary reinforcer: Try ricotta cheese or wet cat food on the end of a chopstick (author Breanna Norris’s cat prefers small pieces of steak).

Think‐Plan‐Do: • • • •

Readjust and re-evaluate as needed.

Write out training plans in advance and document the work.

Take time to plan.

Plan on short training sessions of 1 to 3 minutes. Make those minutes count.

Kittens are fun to train. Try teaching fun tricks, just like you would train your dog.

Crate Training After training nose targets, the students went on to work on crate training, shaping going around a cone, stationing to a platform and cooperative nail trims. The crate training progressed quickly for all four kittens, with Bagheera the star. We started with all four kittens on lab tables (although for other training some teams opted to work on the floor). We put yoga mats on the tables, so the kittens did not slip, and took the plastic crates apart, so initially we were just working with the bottom section, where we had placed soft blankets. We trained this just as you would a dog and kept Bob Bailey’s (n.d.) famous phrase in mind, “Click for action, feed for position.”

In this case, click for the predetermined criteria and feed toward the back of the crate, rather than turn the animal toward the door.

Bagheera’s team was the first to put the top on the crate, but we still left the door off. All the kittens were quick to go into the crates and the chopsticks were easy to slide through the holes in the crate to reward them in the back corner. As with the other training. we worked the kittens for 1 to 3 minutes and then took a break. Due to the age of the kittens, some days we only got a few repetitions in before they would take a nap.

After the crate training, the kittens would often go to sleep in their crates. Driving home with four crate trained kittens was an absolute breeze. At night, they would curl up in a crate with no door and in the BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

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© Breanna Norris

© Breanna Norris

Shelter kitten Bagheera was trained to go into a crate with the top initially off the crate

The kittens were reinforced at the back of the crate by students poking chopsticks with food on the end through the crate holes

mornings they would go back in easily with no hassle. Going back to the shelter for checkups was also a breeze. In fact, these kittens became so proficient at the crate training that we brought in four younger kittens from the shelter to crate train them as well. Students were soon able to give a “go to crate” cue and the kittens would run to their crates.

minutes of “Do,” and then give everyone a break. This was also a good time for the trainers to review their training plans. Were things going as expected? Did we need to make any changes? While the kittens had a drink, napped or used the litter box, it was a good time for the trainers to make adjustments. They also used this time to talk to the other groups and review videos. Why was one plan working better than another? This is a good practice for all trainers to take on board as slight adjustments to a training plan can make an enormous difference.

Shaping To shape going around a cone, each group of students wrote their own plan before beginning their training. Most started with a nose target while others used foot targets placed around the cone. The team that was most effective was the team that used the foot targets as well as a nose target at the start. These kittens had all previously been taught a paw and nose target. They initially started with four paw targets (3x3 inch squares of yoga mat strategically placed around the cones) plus the nose target, and then went down to three, two, one and then no foot targets, but just the final behavior of moving around the cone. The team working with Shere Khan, the largest of the tabby kittens, also taught him to station on a small platform. Their cue was a finger tap on the platform and he would go there and sit. These were fun exercises as all teams wrote different plans, but some clearly went more smoothly than others. None of the students had ever trained any of these behaviors before, but all were successful.

As Bailey (n.d.) reminds us, “Think-Plan-Do.” We spent a lot of time on each of these individual behaviors, making sure to not merge the three. We easily spent more time on the first two parts, Think and Plan, then we worked on the Do. I would allow time for the Think and Plan and then, when everyone was ready, would set a stopwatch for 1 to 3

Bringing th the pet ind e best of ustry to chat, chuc kle and sh are

Staying Ahead Another of Pryor’s (1984) 10 Laws of Shaping is, “Stay ahead of your subject: Plan your shaping program completely so that if the subject makes sudden progress, you are aware of what to reinforce next.” Frequent breaks in the training helped us consider if the kittens were moving ahead faster than we had expected and allowed students to make adjustments as needed. When we saw problems in the training, we found that most were being caused by lumping too many steps together. The group that worked with Bagheera on crate training found this to be especially true. In the beginning, they were far behind the other teams, but because of their splitting skills, they quickly passed the teams that lumped too much together in their plan.

The students enjoyed training kittens enormously and were surprised to learn that they were, indeed, trainable. Many of the students are interning in zoos or wildlife facilities and plan to make their careers in this field. The training, even with little kittens, has given them great experience with writing training plans, and how to work as part of a training team. n

References Bailey, B. (n.d.). Suggestions for better training. Available at: behavior1.com/page9.html Pryor, K. (1984). Don’t Shoot the Dog. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster

Resources Garber, P., & Miller, F. (2017, November). Clicker Training for Cats.

BARKS from the Guild (27) 16‐23. Available at: bit.ly/2moXtRD

Join hosts Niki Tudge and Louise Stapleton-Frappell and their special guests discussing news and views on force-free training, behavior, and pet care!

barksfromtheguild.com/podcasts 38

BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

Breanna Norris KPA‐CTP owns and operates Canine Insights, LLC (canineinsightsllc.com) based in central Maine, which offers both private and group lessons. She began her animal care career in 2001 as a farrier and horse trainer, initially as an apprentice, then made the switch to dog training in 2011.

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Quick Cat Behavior Consult #1: Counter Surfing The PPG Cat Committee presents a new series of quick feline behavior consults, the first of which focuses on cats who jump on kitchen counters Punishing counter surfing when you see it happen will not prevent your cat from jumping onto the counter when you are absent, and can risk harming your relationship with him by creating a lack of trust and/or causing him to feel unsafe in your presence.

Behavior Modification Skills

© Can Stock Photo/chalabala

Getting up high is a natural feline behavior that enables cats to survey their territory and feel safe

C

at owners will often report that their cats like to jump on the kitchen counters. While some do not mind the behavior, others would prefer their cat stayed away from areas where food is cooked and prepared. But what can they do to prevent the behavior?

Important Reminders about the Behavior • Getting up high is a natural feline behavior that enables cats to survey their territory and feel safe.

• Other reasons cats might jump onto counters include to obtain food, look out a window, get attention, find something to play with, hide, or avoid a dog, toddler, or another cat.

• High spaces that cats consider acceptable or desirable need to be in places that are interesting to them and/or where they feel safe— which, depending on the circumstances, may mean near you.

• Punishing counter surfing when you see it happen will not prevent your cat from jumping onto the counter when you are absent, and can risk harming your relationship with him by creating a lack of trust and/or causing him to feel unsafe in your presence.

Management Techniques* • If the cat is getting on the counter to access a window, cover the window with a temporary blind or window film.

• Don’t leave food or dirty dishes unattended on the counter— it is unfair and unrealistic to expect any animal to pass up food or items that smell like food.

• Also avoid leaving treats, toys, and other enticing items on the counter or stored in above-counter cabinets. *These management techniques and the behavior modification skills outlined below must be implemented simultaneously.

• Be sure to provide an alternative location that fulfills the cat’s reasons for counter surfing. For example, if he is jumping on the counter to access a particular window, offer a nearby hangout perch for him that is in front of a different window. This could be a cat tree, a bar stool, or a shelf on the wall.

• Make the hangout perch very appealing by adding a cat bed or hidey-hole to it and sprinkling it with catnip or silver vine.

• Teach the cat to go to his acceptable perch by luring him there with a treat or toy.

• Verbally praise and reward him with attention and treats for hanging out on his perch. Make sure you use a reward that is attractive and desirable to the individual cat. This is known as a reinforcer, i.e. it strengthens the behavior.

• Occasionally offer treats when he is on his perch, just for being there. This is known as a variable reinforcement schedule.

• Feed the cat his meals on his perch.

• When your cat is on the kitchen counter, simply call him to his perch, where you can praise and reward him. Use a lure, as necessary.

• You can also clicker train your cat to stay off the counter and reinforce him for going to his perch, a mat, or the floor (see Resources on p.35).

Specific Tools • Cat perch, bar stool, or shelf.

• Treats, cat toys, and catnip and/or silver vine.

• Target stick (if clicker training is used ‐ see Clicker Training for Cats, BARKS from the Guild, November 2017, pp.16‐23).

Timeline • To teach new behavior: approximately 1-4 weeks.

• Maintenance: it is important to keep up your variable reinforcement schedule for use of the alternative perching location to establish and maintain the desired behavior long-term.

A printable PDF version of this document will soon be available as a handout on the PPG website.

See petprofessionalguild.com/Feline‐Resources for updates.

Note: Every cat is an individual, and behavior is complex.

If you need help training your cat, please seek out a qualified feline behavior professional: petprofessionalguild.com/Find‐Your‐Feline‐Professional.

BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

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f e l i n e

Thinking Inside the Box Andrea Carne explains how the humble cardboard box can improve a cat’s health and well-being and help to reduce stress levels

“

If it fits, I sits.” How many Facebook memes and YouTube videos depicting cats squished into boxes and other small spaces have you chuckled over? It might be a packing box, a shoebox, even an egg carton – often far too small to actually fit the cat comfortably – and yet the said cats seem blissfully happy with their chosen spaces.

Why Do Cats Like Boxes?

While no definitive research study has come up with an answer, most behavior consultants agree boxes and other small, enclosed spaces provide a safe, secure hiding spot from which cats can observe the world. It is also thought that a well-insulated box with a snug fit helps keep their body temperature at a comfortable level to promote good sleep (very important when you consider they sleep on average around 16 hours a day!). But is there something more powerful about a humble cardboard box that cats seemingly are drawn to? Could they actually be instrumental in improving a cat’s health and general well-being?

A study by Vinke, Godjn and Van der Leij (2014) says “yes.” Conducted at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, the study looked at whether cardboard boxes could help reduce stress levels in shelter cats. Using a group of 19 cats newly taken in at a shelter, the research team gave approximately half a cardboard box to hide in and left the other half without. Monitored over 14 days and using a stress indicator score, they found that cats given a cardboard box recovered in their new environment faster with lower stress levels within a few days, as opposed to the cats without a box. “The hiding box appears to be an important enrichment for the cat to cope effectively with stressors in a new shelter environment the first weeks after arrival.” (Vinke, Godjn & Van der Leij, 2014).

Why are these findings so important? Because stress is a significant cause behind a number of common feline behavior problems and also a major factor in several diseases. International Cat Care (2017) explains how several physiological systems within a cat’s body regulate stress: “These systems control the release of hormones that prepare the individual to face a challenge, often referred to as the fight/flight response or acute stress response…these systems are less well adapted to dealing with chronic or long-term stress and this is the type of stress that plays a significant role in the development of behavioural problems and stress-related disease in cats.”

Many behavior consultants and veterinary professionals worldwide agree that a number of feline diseases may be caused, or exacerbated, by chronic stress, including, but not limited to, feline lower urinary tract disease, feline infectious peritonitis, feline herpesvirus, skin conditions, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes mellitus and feline hyperesthesia syndrome. Add to this, that common behavior problems in cats involving stress include aggression, inappropriate elimination, overgrooming and pica, and it is clear that stress can be a significant factor in some of the health and behavioral issues cat owners may encounter.

Environmental Enrichment If we can find ways to combat chronic stress, then, it would seem to follow that we can reduce the likelihood – or at the very least, the severity – of some of the health and behavioral issues seen in our feline family

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© Susan Nilson

Introducing a variety of cardboard boxes to the home environment may be one of the simplest and best additions to a cat’s life that an owner can make

members and, therefore, increase their overall well-being and even their lifespans. Which brings me back to the power of the cardboard box. I find it immensely satisfying that something so simple could have such a profound effect on a cat’s health and well-being.

As many cat owners will readily admit, they have fallen into the trap of spending loads of money on what they think will make their cats happy – plush, designer beds that look like a miniature chaise longue, motion-activated play toys, complex water fountains and fine bone china food bowls – only for the cat to completely ignore them. Remember all those memes that depict a cat ignoring the new $200 scratching post or fancy bed and choosing the box it came in instead? Now we know there’s a reason behind it!

When considering the environmental enrichment needs of their cats, owners would do well to look to the humble cardboard box as a starting point. Available in many sizes and replaceable at minimum or no cost, these everyday items could be one of the simplest and best additions to a cat’s life that an owner can make. We already have a research study that proves their effectiveness in lowering stress levels in shelters, so why not expand that to bring cardboard boxes out of the recycling bin and into the lives of cats in a variety of environments?

New Addition What about when an owner introduces a new feline member to the household? New additions take time to settle into their new environment and some will take longer than others depending on their age,

When considering the environmental enrichment needs of their cats, owners would do well to look to the humble cardboard box as a starting point.

f e l i n e background, socialization and, of course, the techniques used for introducing them to their new home (see Friends, Foes, or Something in Be‐ tween, BARKS from the Guild, November 2018, pp.36‐38). Why not have cardboard boxes everywhere in the home for the new addition? Plenty of hiding spots in various locations could well reduce the settling time and promote a happy, healthy cat.

“The environment may well be the last thing you consider when assessing the welfare of your cat, as humans tend to perceive safety and love as being the most important provisions for their pets. However, being confined indoors or bored or having restricted access to hiding places or litter trays, for example, can be very stressful for some cats.”

(International Cat Care, 2017).

This is particularly important in a multicat household. Providing plenty of hiding spots for both the newbie and the resident cats is absolutely essential, and cardboard boxes are so inexpensive, owners could literally have them everywhere! Place them in a wardrobe with the door slightly open; place them under the buffet in the corner; place them up high on a shelf (being careful they can’t tip over); place them under beds – place them anywhere you can think of that a cat would retreat to and offer them some extra security. It will cost next to nothing but will mean the world to the cat.

And owners need not stop at just placing cardboard boxes around the home. They can get creative and let their imaginations run wild.

Cover the boxes in colored paper or fabric to match the décor or go even further and build an architectural masterpiece! There are numerous instructional videos online about building amazing cardboard cat havens including storybook castles, boats and even forts. Of course, the cats probably won’t care what the final structure looks like, as long as it provides safety and security, but the owners will certainly have fun.

Using a group of 19 cats newly taken in at a shelter, the research team gave approximately half a cardboard box to hide in and left the other half without. Monitored over 14 days and using a stress indicator score, they found that cats given a cardboard box recovered in their new environment faster with lower stress levels within a few days, as opposed to the cats without a box.

What about taking a cat to the vet? With a decent sized carrier, owners could actually place an appropriately sized cardboard box inside it.

Place the cat in the box and place the box in carrier – how much easier to slide or lift a box out of the carrier and the cat could possibly stay in the box for the entire exam (assuming, of course, he doesn’t try to jump out at any stage).

The uses of cardboard boxes to enrich a cat’s life are many and varied. As cat owners, we just have to open our minds and understand what these inexpensive yet invaluable items can actually do, and how grateful cats will be to their owners for making the effort. They may not express it openly but their good health and happiness will tell the story.

After all, we live in a world that creates far more waste than it should.

Who would have thought we could repurpose cardboard boxes in homes, clinics, shelters and catteries everywhere and not only do something good for the planet, but indeed do something very important for our feline friends – something that could benefit their health and wellbeing and therefore potentially increase their time with us? What cat lover doesn’t want that? n

Boxes Galore What about cats needing to spend time away from home? Vet clinics and catteries have cardboard boxes galore. They receive deliveries of food, pharmacy and retail items on a regular basis. They could make use of these magical hiding spots to help lower the stress levels of the cats who are coming to stay. A fresh cardboard box and a piece of clothing with the owner’s scent on it could do wonders for a cat having to spend time in a different environment. I know of a cat boarding facility that provides all cats with a cardboard box turned upside down with at least two entry/exit points and they work like a charm. If only more people in this field realized the difference they could make to the cats in their care.

References International Cat Care. (2017). Stressed cats ‐ Identifying and address‐ ing the signs of stress. Available at: bit.ly/31fGdRW Vinke, C.M. Godjn, L.M. & and Van der Leij, W.J.R. (2014, November): Will a hiding box provide stress reduction for shelter cats? Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science 160 86‐93. Available at: bit.ly/2Ws5Znw

Resources Garber, P. (2018, November). Friends, Foes, or Something in Between.

BARKS from the Guild (33) 36‐38. Available at: bit.ly/2EU2L0Y Andrea Carne is a graduate of the University of Southern Queens‐ land, Australia where she majored in journalism and drama before, later in life, following her dream to work in the field of animal be‐ havior. She is a qualified veterinary nurse and dog trainer and mem‐ ber of PPG Australia. Her special area of interest is cat behavior and her passion for it led to the establishment of her own cat behavior consultancy Cattitude (cattitude.com.au), based in southern Tasma‐ nia, through which she offers private in‐home consultations.

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e q u i n e

Group Housing Solutions Kathie Gregory suggests alternative housing options for horses to ensure they have access to social interaction with conspecifics

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s discussed in my previous article (see Stable Life, BARKS from the Guild, May 2019, pp.46‐48), there are numerous, well documented issues arising from housing that keeps horses in isolation. What, then, are the alternatives and what impact do they have on the horse?

Reactivity, manageability (Rivera, Benjamin, Nielson & Zanella, 2002), activities horses engage in—often called the time budget—(Benhajali et al. 2007) and learning are all influenced by the type of housing horses are kept in, and all have an impact on equine welfare and the safety of both people and horses. Routine in healthy free ranging horses is predictable, with repetition of activity patterns from day to day (Berger, Scheibe, Michaelis & Streich, 2003). Horses have evolved as a social species to live in groups. The group is essential to the survival of the species, providing safety in numbers, working together to detect and assess any potential threat. The fact that many horses are now kept in a domesticated environment where there are no predators has not changed their survival mechanism. As such, significant issues arise from a lack of social contact, not being part of a group, and the lack of opportunity to form friendships. It is intrinsic to the psychological and physiological welfare of a social species that they are able to live in a social environment.

When horses are isolated, have minimal contact with others, and lack the freedom to form groups, they suffer higher levels of stress than those with access to social interactions. One of the reasons for this is the survival mechanism (stress response) that continues to operate in the domestic setting. Without the support of the group, however, each horse is on his own and this can lead to increased vigilance and continued activation of the stress response, which should only activate during emergencies. This may be a contributing factor in chronic stress related disease (Sapolsky, Romero & Munck, 2000).

A study by Yarnell, Hall, Royle & Walker (2015) of horses kept for a period of time in four different housing options found a variety of indicators confirming that horses who do not have adequate social interaction are predisposed to suffer from a number of issues. The four housing options were broken down as follows: • Single Housed No Contact: As the name suggests, horses are kept in complete isolation, each in their individual stall. There is no possibility of any physical contact due to solid walls between neighboring stalls.

• Single Housing Semi Contact: This type of housing keeps the horse in isolation, but he is able to see and make some minimal physical contact with horses on either side of him.

• Paired Housing: Two horses are housed together and have full contact with each other. As with isolation and single semi contact housing, if there are several pairs of horses housed in one barn, they would also likely be able to see those horses on the opposite side of the barn.

Horses have evolved as a social species to live in groups. The group is essential to the survival of the species, providing safety in numbers, working together to detect and assess any potential threat.

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BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

© Can Stock Photo/joyfull

In a natural environment, horses live in groups where they have the opportunity to enjoy social contact, be part of a group, and form friendships.

• Group Housing: This is the most natural housing solution. All horses in the group have full physical contact with each other. It most closely mimics the natural social grouping of horses.

The study measured adrenal activity via non-invasive fecal corticosterone metabolite analysis (fGC), eye temperature (as a measure of recording the stress response), a behavioral analysis of the horses’ activities, how long they engaged in them, and, finally, how easily the horses could be handled.

Horses in group housing with full contact recorded the lowest levels of adrenal activity on the fGC test with levels increasing in tandem with increasing levels of isolation, and single housed no contact giving significantly higher levels than the other housings. Group housing with full contact also recorded the lowest eye temperature readings. Horses that were in housing that had no, or limited, social time were much more difficult to handle, a finding supported by Rivera et al. (2002). Keeping horses in group housing reduces stress (Mayes & Duncan, 1986). The result of stress-free horses is that they show similar daily patterns to freeranging groups, and are active in seeking the company of the other horses in the group. This is in direct comparison to horses kept in stalls, who spend more time displaying stereotypical behaviors (Heleski, Shelle, Nielson & Zanella, 2002).

Stereotypic Behavior The link between stereotypic behavior, housing conditions and social isolation has been experimentally demonstrated by Visser, Ellis and Van Reenen (2008). Oral stereotypical behaviors have been noted as common in captive ungulates (Bergeron, Badnell-Waters, Lambton & Mason, 2006; Mason & Rushen, 2006). Crib biting can take up as much as 65%

e q u i n e of the daily time activity of domesticated and captive horses (Bachmann, Bernasconi, Herrmann, Weishaupt & Stauffacher, 2003). Further, Archer, Freeman, Doyle, Proudman and Edwards (2004; 2008) showed a correlation between crib biting and a specific form of colic. Lack of a sufficient area to move about and lack of social interaction contribute to the repetitive actions we may see in stabled isolated horses and diet also has an effect. Horses who are fed higher quantities of concentrate display more stereotypic behaviors. Decreasing concentrate and increasing roughage can help reduce these behaviors (Redbo, Redbo-Torstensson, Ă–dberg, Hedendahl & Holm, 1998).

There is much more research on how the housing solutions we commonly use have a negative impact on specific aspects of equine physical health and psychological well-being, showing us that keeping horses in a way that does not cater to their needs will very likely lead to many and varied problems.

Many of the solutions are for the benefit and ease of people rather than the horses (Mills & Clark, 2002). We must acknowledge that as we expect horses to live in housing that goes increasingly further away from how they naturally live, there is going to be a corresponding decrease in welfare and a significant increase in physiological and psychological issues. In my opinion, it is not acceptable to make a few small changes, such as adding mirrors to horses living in isolation with minimal contact, and feel content that their lives have improved sufficiently. This does not come close to addressing the very low level of welfare for horses kept in this way. However, nor can we just wave a magic wand so all domesticated horses live as close to a natural life as possible. The situation is as it is, and even though we now have evidence of how stabling adversely affects horses, few will be in a position to make immediate changes that actually make significant improvements to housing.

Resource guarding is also something rarely seen, if at all, in free-ranging horses, but is often seen in captive ones. There is less chance of this behavior occurring if you think about where to place items — such as feed stations — in the environment, and how many you need so the horses do not feel compelled to compete.

Building Enrichment What can we do instead? To start, we can look at how horses naturally lives and what is important for them. Being able to see and interact with other horses is very important. Although the use of mirrors in isolation situations will have very little impact, they should be used nonetheless, in my opinion. It is also crucial to provide opportunities for the horse to have as much time as possible out of the stall so he can see and interact with other horses.

Organize activities such as regular hacks so the horse is able to get sufficient exercise. Build in stops along the way so he can graze. Going out with the same people and their horses will help him build friendships. It may be possible to rent a field, as once friendships are established, it is much safer to turn out horses together compared to turning them out as strangers. When horses are in their stalls, there should be plenty of interactive toys to choose from to provide some mental stimulation and combat the boredom of being confined. Provide a diet that is minimal in concentrates and high in roughage and include small amounts of fruit and vegetables for variety and interest. Making fruit and vegetable lollipops is a great way to keep a horse occupied.

BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

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e q u i n e Natural Environment Those of us who keep horses must also look to the future and how we can effect change. We should plan for how we progress in the way which we keep horses so we can move to a solution that more closely represents a natural environment. All buildings need repairs and updating at some point, so that is an ideal time to look at how they can be improved to give the horses the contact with each other they need.

The optimum housing solution is a field shelter. This is a large open fronted construction without stalls. It may be open to a hard standing yard leading to a field, or it may be in the field. This type of housing most closely represents how horses naturally live. They can choose to be in or out and are able to live as a group. Indeed, many horses choose to remain outside even in bad weather (Schatzmann, 1998).

If constant access to pasture is not possible, put some thought into fencing and gates so that areas can be opened or closed as necessary.

Putting strangers together can lead to agonistic behavior that is not common in free-ranging horses, so developing friendships first avoids this possibility. Think, too, about where things are placed within the environment. Resource guarding is also something rarely seen, if at all, in free-ranging horses, but is often seen in captive ones. There is less chance of this behavior occurring if you think about where to place items — such as feed stations — in the environment, and how many you need so the horses do not feel compelled to compete.

A housing solution that most closely replicates a natural lifestyle offers the optimal welfare for domesticated horses. This solution results in physiological and psychological health, with horses that are more receptive to being handled and find learning easier, plus it increases safety for both horse and person. Ultimately, we see happier more content horses, which can only have a positive effect on our relationship with the horses we work and live with. n

References Archer, D.C., Freeman, D.E., Doyle, A.J., Proudman, C.J., & Edwards, B. (2004). Association between cribbing and entrapment of the small intestine in the epiploic foramen in horses: 68 cases (1991–2002).

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 224 (4) 562– 564. Available at: bit.ly/2ERz7cN Archer, D.C., Pinchbeck, G.K., French, N.P., & Proudman, C.J. (2008).

Risk factors for epiploic foramen entrapment colic: an international study. Equine Veterinary Journal 40 (3) 224‐230. Available at: bit.ly/2WKobYL Bachmann, I., Bernasconi, P., Herrmann, R., Weishaupt, M.A., & Stauf‐ facher, M. (2003). Behavioural and physiological responses to an acute stressor in crib‐biting and control horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 82 (4) 297–311. Available at: bit.ly/2HUQ2gy Benhajali, H., Richard‐Yris, M.A., Leroux, M., Ezzaouia, M., Charfi, F., & Hausberger, M. (2008). A note on the time budget and social behav‐ ior of densely housed horses, a case study in Arab breeding mares.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science 112 1‐2 196–200. Available at: bit.ly/2WJmrii Berger, A., Scheibe, K.M., Michaelis, S., & Streich, W.J. (2003). Evalua‐ tion of living conditions of free‐ranging animals by automated chronobiological analysis of behavior. Behavior Research Methods, In‐ struments, & Computers 35 (3) 458‐466. Available at: bit.ly/2Wt5p97 Bergeron, R., Badnell‐Waters, A.J., Lambton, S., & Mason, G. (2006).

Stereotypic oral behavior in captive ungulates: foraging, diet and gas‐ trointestinal function. In: Mason, G., Rushen, J. (Eds.), Stereotypic An‐ imal Behavior: Fundamentals and Applications to Welfare.

Wallingford, England: CAB International, p.20 Heleski, C.R., Shelle, A.C., Nielson, B.D., & Zanella, A.J. (2002). Influ‐ ence of housing on weanling horse behavior and subsequent welfare.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science 78 2–4 291‐302. Available at: bit.ly/2wzinm9 Mason, G., & Rushen, J. (2006). A decade‐or‐more’s progress in under‐ standing stereotypic behavior. In: Mason, G., & Rushen, J. (Eds.).

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© Can Stock Photo/goce

It is important to provide opportunities for horses to have as much time as possible out of their stalls so they can see and interact with other horses

Kathie Gregory is a qualified animal behavior consultant, presenter and author, specialising in advanced cognition and emotional intelli‐ gence. Passionate about raising standards and awareness in how we teach and work with animals, she has developed Free‐Will TeachingTM (facebook.com/freewillteaching), a concept that provides the frame‐ work for animals to enjoy life without compromising their own free will. She has authored two books, A tale of two horses: a passion for free will teaching, and A Puppy Called Wolfie: a passion for free will teaching, and her work is currently divided between working with clients, mentoring, and writing.

Stereotypic Animal Behavior: Fundamentals and Applications to Wel‐ fare. Wallingford, England: CAB International, pp.5–6 Mayes, E., & Duncan, P. (1986). Temporal patterns of feeding behavior in free‐ranging horses. Behaviour 96 105‐129. Available at: bit.ly/31a9zkA Mills, D.S., & Clark, A. (2002). Housing, Management and Welfare. In: Waran, N. (Ed.). The Welfare of Horses. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer Redbo, I., Redbo‐Torstensson, P., Ödberg, F.O., Hedendahl, A., & Holm, J. (1998). Factors affecting behavioural disturbances in race‐ horses. Animal Science 66 (2) 475–481. Available at: bit.ly/2MqGG0p Rivera, E., Benjamin, S., Nielson, B., & Zanella, A.J. (2002). Behav‐ ioural and physiological responses of horses to initial training; the comparison between pastured versus stalled horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 78 2–4 235‐252. Available at: bit.ly/2WIuXyg Sapolsky, R.M., Romero, L.M., & Munck, A.U. (2000). How Do Gluco‐ corticoids Influence Stress Responses? Integrating Permissive, Sup‐ pressive, Stimulatory, and Preparative Actions. Endocrine Reviews 21 (1) 55‐89. Available at: bit.ly/2KtMV0L Schatzmann, U. (1998). Winter pasturing of sport horses in Switzer‐ land – an experimental study. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 27: Equine Clinical Behaviour 53‐54 Visser, E.K., Ellis, A.D., & Van Reenen, C.G. (2008). The effect of two different housing conditions on the welfare of young horses stabled for the first time. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 114 3–4 521–533. Available at: bit.ly/2EOqm35 Yarnell, K., Hall, C., Royle, C., & Walker, S.L. (2015). Domesticated horses differ in their behavioural and physiological responses to iso‐ lated and group housing. Physiology & Behavior 143 51‐57. Available at: bit.ly/2Wlayja

Resources Gregory, K. (2019, May). Stable Life. BARKS from the Guild (36) 46‐48.

Available at: bit.ly/2XsRa0m

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pet care

Due Diligence Lauri Bowen-Vaccare continues with more guidelines for pet owners to consider when looking into potential day care and boarding facilities to make sure their pets get the best possible care

I

n this article, I will set out some more recommendations for things pet owners may want to keep in mind when touring and interviewing day care and boarding facilities in their local area. (For my first five recommendations, see Choosing a Boarding and Day Care Facility, BARKS from the Guild, May 2019, pp.50‐51). I will now start with #6.

Dogs with Other Dogs in Day Care #6. Dogs should be introduced very gradually into a play group – even if the play group consists of only two dogs. Dogs new to the facility should be given plenty of time to get used to the new environment and the staff before being introduced to new dogs. When the dog is comfortable, he should be taken into a play area to meet one other dog – one who is a regular client (whose owners have given permission to use him as an occasional “test” dog), and who is relaxed and likes dogs, with a history of very polite dog greetings and play. These two dogs need to be given time to get comfortable with one another before another dog is introduced. If the new dog is comfortable with only one playmate, he should not be forced to be in a group of dogs. There are a few basic protocols that knowledgeable, experienced handlers use for introducing dogs to one another and assessing for play groups, and this is just one reason why staff must be appropriately educated and trained in dog communication signals, including body language, facial expressions, vocalizations, and much more, and how and when to appropriately respond. #7. Not all dogs are suitable candidates for day care. How does the staff decide who can participate, whether in a group or on their own with one-on-one supervision by a staff member? If they allow dogs with a bite history to visit their facility, how do they ensure the safety of the other guests and staff? #8. A well run facility isn’t noisy. There will be play barks and vocalizations and occasional howls or barks, but the overall noise level should be low. A noisy facility is one where dogs are bored, scared, lonely, not getting enough mental stimulation, not getting enough outside time, not getting enough human interaction, etc., and anxiety/stress levels are moderate to high. The exception to this might be at mealtimes when the dogs are waiting in their kennels as the staff prepare their food. However, vocalizations should drastically decrease once the food has been served. The facility should have the means to safely and humanely address dogs who are visually overreactive to other dogs or humans by placing a solid barrier in front of their kennel, permitting them only to use a play yard where they don’t have visual access to other dogs or people, walking them out of sight of other dogs, people, cars, etc. The facility should also be equipped with soundproofing panels inside wherever dogs congregate. These areas include, but not may not

Not all dogs are suitable candidates for day care.

How does the staff decide who can participate, whether in a group or on their own with one-onone supervision by a staff member?

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BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

© Can Stock Photo/raywoo

Dogs in a day care or boarding should be introduced very gradually into a play group even if the play group consists of only two dogs; facility staff must be appropriately educated and trained in understanding canine communication signals, including body language, facial expressions, and vocalizations

be limited to, playrooms, training rooms, kennel rooms, etc. #9. Are there toys in the play areas? If so, how do staff members prevent and/or monitor resource guarding? Resource guarding is a natural, normal dog behavior, and even if your dog doesn't exhibit this behavior, others may. Often, dogs don't present with resource guarding in the home, but may exhibit signs of it at day care or the dog park. Day cares should have protocols in place to prevent unnecessary confrontation between their canine guests. If you have multiple dogs, and you prefer they not share space when toys are out, make sure you inform the staff. #10. Activities involving food should be reserved for one dog at a time. Dogs who do not live together should never eat together, whether they are scavenging in an indoor play area, outdoor play yard, making use of food puzzles, or celebrating another dog’s birthday, etc. This may also apply to dogs who eat together even if they have no problems at home with food. If you have multiple dogs and you prefer they not share space when food is around, make sure you inform the staff. If you have multiple dogs, and want to ensure they eat the right amount and/or aren’t able to eat each other’s food for any reason (e.g. they have different diets, one dog is on a prescription diet, etc.), make sure the staff will separate your dogs at meal times. A responsible staff will immediately separate dogs who live together if there is any doubt there will be a problem when food is present. #11. Dogs should not be permitted in any part of the facility, inside or out, that is under construction, renovation, is being painted/stained, etc. even when no one is actively working in that area. #12. The facility should have a relationship with at least one nearby vet and should be in good standing with area vets. #13. The facility should have a plan in place in case of a fire or other

pet care Resource guarding is a natural, normal dog behavior, and even if your dog doesn't exhibit this behavior, others may. Often, dogs don't present with resource guarding in the home, but may exhibit signs of it at day care or the dog park. emergency. Some of these emergency plans may be region specific. #14. The facility should be appropriately insured, by coverage that is specific to the services they provide and show proof if asked. #15. Boarding and day care facilities are restricted or even prohibited in certain areas (e.g. business/commercial and residential districts) for multiple reasons, some of the most important being safety to the dogs [if any escape, their chances of being stolen, injured or killed drastically increases in densely populated and traveled areas]), and general health and safety for the community (e.g. to prevent the spread of disease between animals and humans, for noise and odor control, general sanitation, and to prevent an escaped pet from injuring or killing another pet or human). Make sure the facility is operating legally within local zoning regulations. When an exception has been made for a facility to operate in an otherwise restricted area, take note of what surrounds the facility: How close is it to the road? How busy is the road, and how many lanes are there? How close is it to residential properties and other businesses? These are just a few things that could negatively impact the safety of a dog’s visit to that facility. #16. With the exception of discount packages, which are paid up front, do not pay for services ahead of time (in other words, do not pay for overnight boarding or a day of day care that is not part of a discount package or grooming or other services until you pick up your dog).

Should you pay up front and discover, upon picking up your dog, that he has been mistreated, neglected, is acting strangely, has lost weight, has urine, feces or vomit on his body, smells of urine, feces or vomit, is injured, etc., you have essentially paid for someone to take care of your dog but didn’t and, maybe even mistreated him. A few examples of what has happened to dogs I know include severely injured necks, hit and killed by a car following an escape, shock collar burns, choking/ strangulation by their collar, a grooming “accident” that required veterinary attention, extremely poor grooming, puncture sites on the body, considerable weight loss, feces matted in the fur, ear nearly ripped off during a fight with another dog, loss of an eye, broken tail, broken leg, development of fearful and/or aggressive, and/or overreactive behavior on and/or off leash. (See also The Dark Side of Dog Training and Pet Care, BARKS from the Guild, March 2018, pp.14‐21.) #17. All staff are responsible for the dogs' care regardless of their personal life choices (e.g. a staff member who is vegan or vegetarian cannot refuse to feed your pet because you feed a whole foods diet (cooked or raw); a staff member who uses handling or training methods with their dog that consist of physical or verbal punishment is not to use them on guests [this should not be an issue if the facility owner did their due diligence when hiring employees and the staff is appropriately educated and trained in dog communication cues and the use of the most humane, and up-to-date scientifically sound effective handling and husbandry philosophies and methods]). Their job is to properly care for your dog, as closely as possible as you do at home. Staff should also refrain from using physical and/or verbal punishments with dogs whose owners use these methods with their dogs (again, this should not be an issue if the staff is properly educated and trained).

18. Some facilities require a meet and greet visit or trial run with the dog, consisting of a few hours to half a day or more, before the dog is allowed to come regularly for day care or stay overnight. Fees will vary from facility to facility and some may not charge at all. Some may allow or request the owner’s presence for this is trial run, while others are un-

able to allow owners to stay with their dog for safety and liability reasons. Facilities that do not provide day care may be more inclined to allow the owner to walk around the facility with the dog, while those that do offer group play cannot allow owners to enter areas where other dogs are congregated, for safety purposes. If a facility does not require a trial run, owners are strongly encouraged to schedule a meet and greet in an attempt to help their dog and the staff, learn more about one another, and to see if the dog is suitable for that facility, in general, and vice versa. Owners may also consider boarding their dog for a night or two before scheduling a stay of several nights. n

Resources Bowen‐Vaccare, L. (2019, May). Choosing a Boarding and Day Care Facility. BARKS from the Guild (36) 50‐51. Available at: bit.ly/31fs5br Sherwin, N. (2016, September). The Right Environment. BARKS from the Guild (20) 39‐41. Available at: bit.ly/2FqCbQ0 Sherwin, N. (2016, November). Raising the Red Flag. BARKS from the Guild (21) 45‐47. Available at: bit.ly/2ze4TxL Steinker, A. (2018, March). The Dark Side of Dog Training and Pet Care. BARKS from the Guild (29) 14‐21. Available at: bit.ly/2DpV82D Lauri Bowen‐Vaccare ABCDT is the owner of Warren, Kentucky‐ based Believe In Dog, LLC (believeindog.weebly.com) and is an honors graduate of Animal Behavior College, with a specialty in training shelter dogs. Her focus is on the dog‐human team, and she specializes in reactivity, resource guarding, fearful and timid dogs, bringing outside dogs in, and outside pet dogs. She also ad‐ vises and assists trainers who want to cross over to force‐free training.

BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

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behavior

Learning from Mother Nature Lara Joseph explains how working with exotics and undomesticated animals helps her fine tune her training skills and demands that she continually raises her game by knowing and doing better

© Lara Joseph

© Lara Joseph

A pair of baboons learn to station and to focus on the next cue; the animals determine if eye contact is a positive reinforcer or an aversive

Molly the ring-tailed lemur has spent several months at author Lara Joseph’s (pictured) training center learning to socialize with people

I

quickly become overwhelming. I often say, "My competitor is Mother Nature." I never expect to win, but she continually causes me to set my bar higher in knowing and doing better.

teach a lot of people to understand behavior through applied behavior analysis and its application with exotic animals. Of course, I didn't know I would grow up to be a professional animal trainer focusing primarily on exotics, but my interactions and observations with them have shaped where I am today because of everything they have taught me. With exotics, there is very little room for error, which means we have to pay close attention to the subtleties in behavior across a variety of species, all the while focusing on the individual.

I never imagined my life would involve waking up with owls flying through my house, a lemur on my lap in my training center as I write articles (like this one - see photo, above right), or a pig nibbling on my toe for attention, while surrounded by numerous species of birds, ranging from raptors to parrots. It's the hardest I've ever worked and I wouldn't change it for the world. I have let the animal world shape a good portion of what I do. My love is clearly working with exotics and undomesticated animals. Why? Because it is different. I find working with them fine tunes my training skills and my ongoing work with behavior cases. Unfortunately, in the exotic animal world, behavior issues are prevalent in the companion animal, zoo, rescue, and animal education communities.

Working, training, keeping, and enriching the undomesticated can

I never imagined my life would involve waking up with owls flying through my house, a lemur on my lap in my training center as I write articles (like this one), or a pig nibbling on my toe for attention, while surrounded by numerous species of birds, ranging from raptors to parrots.

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BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

Inadequate Enrichment Sadly, behavior issues are skyrocketing in the realm of exotic animal care. Most of what I see is due to ongoing, stressful conditions and, often, the signs of stress are not recognized in the companion animal community or facility staff, who are not always educated appropriately.

A lot of the behaviors I see are due to frustration, lack of choice, and the result of animals not being able to control their own consequences. I find that many caregivers and keepers of exotics do not understand the behaviors they are seeing. Instead, anthropomorphism tends to play a significant role, but this can be very dangerous, both for the animal and the keeper.

Inadequate enrichment is probably the most common cause of undesired and stress-related behaviors. Even if enrichment is in place, then problems can stem from it not being individualized, from the object or action failing to modify behavior, or not involving problem-solving skills (or if these are present, the level required is not high or demanding enough). I also find that enrichment gets redundant and stagnant. All of this can lead to frustration, self-mutilation, abnormal repetitive behaviors, and more.

I have no doubt positive reinforcement training is an animal's preferred form of enrichment – even with animals that are not considered to be social. I know it, I live it. I have seen the consequences of this form of interaction in effect with numerous types of animals, from giraffes to raptors. I have too many videos to count documenting how behavior modification plans, training, and enrichment have improved serious be-

behavior havior issues, ranging from self-mutilation to behavior labeled so aggressive that no one has interacted with the animal in years.

In cases where no one has interacted with an animal for several years, it usually means that animal does not get out of his enclosure. I can often quickly identify these animals. I notice the length or sharpness of nails, lack of muscle mass, abnormal repetitive behaviors, lack of grooming, and disconnect from the humans. These cases are the primary reinforcers behind the work I do. I teach and show others how we can empower the lives of these animals through training. Once we get started, the animals demonstrate how training empowers their lives by starting to make eye contact again. Other signs I am doing my job properly are watching the animals run, fly, and swim to their stations at the sight of me, hearing my voice, or seeing a target stick. I often tell people, when you first begin working with some of these more challenging cases, you are lucky if you can use food as a reinforcer. Once you do get to that point, you will see your reinforcers change from food to the opportunity to engage with you. The case of Mona the monkey comes to mind. One day I'll write another article about Mona detailing the power of positive reinforcement training. She was a primate labeled as an aggressive, one-person animal who didn't like females, but who became a happy, engaged being who would run to her station in anticipation of physical contact with me.

Sadly, behavior issues are skyrocketing in the realm of exotic animal care. Most of what I see is due to ongoing, stressful conditions and, often, the signs of stress are not recognized in the companion animal community or facility staff, who are not always educated appropriately. A lot of the behaviors I see are due to frustration, lack of choice, and the result of animals not being able to control their own consequences.

Identifying Positive Reinforcers

Identifying Aversives

Throughout my career, exotics, undomesticated animals, and animals not naturally social in the wild have been my best teachers. They have helped me think beyond food as reinforcers. They have helped me identify potential positive punishers of prey animals. They have taught me to fine tune my training applications to be able to correctly identify the behavior I am seeing. Many times when I begin working with an animal, I end up disagreeing with a lot of what I have been told in advance. I take everything with a grain of salt because I don't want it clouding my ability to correctly and accurately observe and identify the reinforcers behind those behaviors.

Once you finally begin correctly identifying positive reinforcers and positive punishers, the animal recognizes this. This is the part I absolutely love. This is when we start to make a connection, when the animal recognizes you have identified a potential aversive and removed it.

Talk about teamwork and building a reliable form of communication without even opening your mouth!

A few examples of nonfood reinforcers for different species of animals include: the pace at which we move, proximity, heat, cold, the sun, the opportunity to make choices, tone of voice, rhythm, eye contact, the opportunity to have control when to engage with us, water temperature, opportunity to interact with novel objects, physical contact, the direction the wind is blowing, and so much more. These could also be aversives for some animals, but training helps us identify this.

Meanwhile, the pace of the delivery of a potential reinforcer could be either reinforcing or aversive. Over the years, I have noticed when dog trainers train a new species of animal, they tend to want to deliver the reinforcer at a quick pace or with fast movements. The speed at which we provide a reinforcer to an animal that is familiar with us can be performed smoothly, but with an unfamiliar species and one who may be unpredictable in his interactions with people, the faster the pace at which we move, the more potential there is that we could reinforce a lunge, a bite, or send him into overstimulated behaviors.

I was lucky enough to host several workshops and a presentation at PPG’s Training and Behavior Workshop in Kanab, Utah in April 2018. In these workshops, held at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, I began helping the attendees identify reinforcers and aversives with parrots. Before anyone made physical contact with the birds, we engaged in many exercises to introduce ourselves and get the birds familiar with behavior and consequences. I also gave examples of ways in which we could unknowingly pair our interaction with aversives. For example, most birds will

positive reinforcer. However, if I see behaviors indicating that it could be a reinforcer, I'll often test the observation by asking the animal to target the side of his face to his enclosure. I will then touch toward the back of the head, neck or rear, far from the mouth (to make sure I have time to move in the event I am wrong). If I am wrong, and the animal moves his head from the target, I stop immediately and try later as I continue to build my relationship. I once worked with a primate who liked to touch but didn't like to be touched. I allowed him to touch me as a reinforcer for me shaping a veterinary examination.

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Physical Contact: Reinforcing or Aversive?

In my work, we use physical contact with many social animals, but only after we have a history of working with them and have a clear understanding of their behaviors. We also only use it if the animal shows an interest in us touching them or them touching us. Physical contact can be a stressor to many animals, and we may never be able to use it as a

credentialingboard.com BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

49

behavior the people before making physical contact.

Parrots don't like their tail feathers being bumped as it knocks them off balance. If we are continuously asking a bird to step up onto a dowel or our hand, and we then move our hand toward us instead of upward, the tail may be dragging against the dowel, pushing the bird forward.

This aversive becomes paired with our cue to step up. People then wonder why their bird begins biting when stepping up. Like dog trainers, I often hear the words, "He bit for no reason." But there is always a reason for behavior, and we can identify that reason through training. n

© Lara Joseph

At PPG’s 2018 Training and Behavior Workshop at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah: Joseph (left) explains that birds do not like having their backs to the wind as it can blow their feathers out of position and knock them off balance (with attendee Anna Morey and Frankie the African grey)

not tolerate the wind to their backs as it blows their feathers out of position and can knock them off balance. Thus, if we are asking a bird to step up onto our hand while his back is to the wind, we are pairing our interaction with an aversive. During our workshops, we had the birds turn toward the wind and then asked them to step up onto a dowel, i.e. off-contact training. We discussed the differences between asking birds to step up onto the dowel vs. our hands. My aim was to shape the attendees' comfort level with the birds and the birds’ comfort level with

Lara Joseph is the owner of The Animal Behavior Center (theanimalbehaviorcenter.com), an international, educational cen‐ ter in Sylvania, Ohio focusing on teaching people how to live, love, and work with animals using positive reinforcement and ap‐ proaches in Applied Behavior Analysis. She is a professional animal behavior consultant and trainer with a focus on exotics and travels internationally giving workshops, lectures, and provides online, live‐streaming learning programs on behavior, training, and en‐ richment. Her focus is on behavior and training with all species of animals whether in the home, shelter, zoo, or educational ambas‐ sador. She sits on the advisory board for All Species Consulting, The Indonesian Parrot Project, Collaboration for Avian Welfare, and is the director of animal training for Nature's Nursery, a wildlife rehabilitation center in Whitehouse, Ohio. She is also the founder of several animal organizations for animal welfare and has much experience working with special needs animals. She is a pub‐ lished author and writes regularly for several periodicals and also blogs for Deaf Dogs Rock. She has also been asked to co‐author and is currently working on an international manual of animal be‐ havior and training. She is a guest lecturer in Zoo Biology; Animal Nutrition, Behavior and Diagnostics taught by Dr. Jason Crean at St. Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois.

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consulting

Analyzing the Analysis Anna Bradley discusses how to get more from the behavior consultation, for both professionals and the clients

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am a clinical animal behavior consultant working in the United Kingdom who specializes in dogs. I recognize that for many owners, visiting me may not be easy. It may be a last resort, it may be bound with other personal emotions and it may sometimes be financially difficult and, because of those reasons, viewed as a potential success/failure gamble. Bearing this in mind, I want to talk a little about how to maximize the behavior consultation process for clients.

Defining Behavior Sometimes it is difficult to get past the starting post and confusion surrounding the term “behavior” itself. At the outset, I am clear in my definition that it is the animal’s emotional response I am focusing on. I want to delve into “the why,” not just treat the symptoms of the problems. I want to look at how that animal thinks and feels and what precedes that, what is the context, what is the pet guardian doing at that time, what is the resulting consequence etc. All of these questions – and there are a whole load of questions – give me clues as to how that animal is thinking and feeling, i.e. the emotional context. It’s no good papering over the cracks with gadgets, quick fixes etc. © Can Stock Photo/semenovp

Triangulation I receive my clients via veterinary referral. This is incredibly important because very often medical or health issues can influence behavior.

These can be acute, chronic issues or perceived and associative pain. It is surprising how often links between medical and behavioral issues exist without an owner’s knowledge, the most common being irritability from ear mites, skin scratches, anal gland impaction. So I will always ask for a full medical exam first and vet records to be sent through. This also means that the vets can be kept up to speed regarding the consultation process and their advice can be sought with reference to the prescription of any behavioral drug.

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BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

It is important that behavior consultants receive their clients via veterinary referral given that medical or health issues, whether acute, chronic, or perceived and associative pain can often influence behavior

Forewarned is Forearmed While every clinician would like to glean the most concise information from every client, even with the most perfect questioning technique, sadly this doesn’t always happen. I find it helpful to issue a pre-consult form to each client prior to arrival. Most will complete very comprehensively and then you have a useful hard copy for your records come appointment time.

Consultation It is important to realize that you cannot be an animal behavior consultant without some element of human emotional support. The two are intrinsically bound. Many behavior cases involve difficult family situations, for example, relationship breakdown, bereavement, internal strife, legal involvement, terminal illness etc. and many times families may actually be using the consultation as a counseling session. This is where you have to be careful and listen, but remain detached and focused. Sometimes this is very difficult. Very often I am asked, “What would you do?” and I never answer this question as there is potential for liability, so I turn it around to answer what would be best for the individual in their current context.

At the outset, I will always discuss goals. What does the owner want to achieve from the process? Many owners have a very good idea of what they want from their dogs and I will normally “park” this until three quarters of the way through the consultation. We will then revisit these goals after a careful analysis of the dogs’ issues and in the majority of cases reevaluate them. Goals have to be assessed in terms of what is realistically achievable and practically possible and this must be agreed upon with the owners.

consulting I want to look at how that animal thinks and feels and what precedes that, what is the context, what is the pet guardian doing at that time, what is the resulting consequence etc. All of these questions – and there are a whole load of questions – give me clues as to how that animal is thinking and feeling, i.e. the emotional context. It’s no good papering over the cracks with gadgets, quick fixes etc.

A listening role is absolutely paramount. Clients will offer a huge amount of information. Much of this, although interesting, may not be completely relevant, but wait for that little “off the cuff” remark – very often that is the gem you have been waiting for that glues the puzzle together. Very often it may happen as they’re going out the door! Questions must be probing and the technique is certainly a skill that becomes honed over the years. You must know what to ask according to the particular issues at hand.

Observational skills are also, of course, critical. Watch the dog and watch the owner. What is that dynamic like? I personally don’t like a whole lot in the room: toys, activity items, food etc. I know a lot of people do, but I prefer to just have the room, the dog and the owner and watch the interaction. I give both 20 minutes or so to acclimatize as it’s a new place and both are maybe a little apprehensive, and then begin to watch. It’s actually amazing to see how many so-called “neurotic” dogs (that’s a term used by the owners) sit completely calmly when they are in the consult room. For me, it’s a joy to see. Many of these dogs are simply so relieved that, for once, they can switch off and relax.

I never interact with the dogs until the end of session.

Keep It Going Following the consultation, owners will receive a behavior modification

report which contains all we discussed within the session. Immediately after the consultation, however, I stress to my clients that behavior change is not a quick process. They need to understand this and commit to the process so they will stick to the plan while realizing it will be hard work. Behavior change is like a roller coaster. There are lots of ups and downs and that is to be expected. Owners must not become disheartened if their dog relapses a little, it’s all part of the process, but they must report it and talk.

Talk Talk Talk I cannot stress this enough. I conduct a first followup four weeks postconsultation and then each case is assessed separately with reference to the follow-up interval. It is crucial that owners make contact if they are concerned or if they feel things are not going to plan. Dogs are not machines and the strategy we have decided upon may need tweaking once it is implemented. It is also important that liaison continues with the client’s vet in cases where medication has been prescribed or where success is not as expected and medication may be the next step. It may be necessary also to contact other paraprofessionals who may offer assistance, for example physiotherapists or hydrotherapists.

For some clients, attending a behavior consultation can be seen as a terminal solution bound with all kinds of emotions. Skills in preparation, listening, questioning techniques, empathy, dedication to client support and liaison with other paraprofessionals will all add to ensuring the process is as fulfilling and successful as it should be. n Anna Francesca Bradley MSc BSc (Hons) is a United Kingdom‐ ebased provisional clinical, certified IAABC animal behavior consult‐ ant and ABTC accredited behavior consultant. She owns Perfect Pawz! Training and Behavior Practice (perfectpawz.co.uk) in Hex‐ ham, Northumberland, where the aim is always to create and re‐ store happy relationships between dog and owner in a relaxed way, using methods based on sound scientific principles, which are both force‐free and fun.

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consulting

Saying Goodbye Certified pet loss counselor Alicia Obando explains how and why she helps pet owners after bidding their final farewells

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© Can Stock Photo/bakhurmikele

Pets are a constant presence in their owners’ lives and people often experience complex and profound feelings of grief at their loss

ecause cats and dogs have much shorter lifespans than those of their owners, pet owners frequently face pet loss (Tzivian, Friger & Kushnir, 2015). If you’ve had the unfortunate experience of losing a pet, which happens to all pet parents sooner or later, then you may have heard a phrase similar to one of these: “You can always just get another cat,” or, “It’s time to move on. It was just a dog.” Many people who don’t have pets, or who don’t see their pets as integral family members, may not understand why the loss can be so hard. A grieving pet parent may even not understand the feelings themselves. They may feel silly talking about it or seeking help to process it.

According to Tzivian et al. (2015), the loss of a pet may be “very stressful to the owner, whether these deaths were caused by euthanasia, accident, or by the progress of illness. The longer one has a pet, the greater the attachment can become, and this strong attachment may provoke a distress reaction upon a pet’s death. Many people grieve for their pets in much the same way as they do for the deaths of their friends. Families are known to experience a range of emotions in response on the loss of animal, such as a deep sense of sadness, grieving, crying, and even depression.”

For many pet parents, their pet was a daily source of love and companionship that is now suddenly gone. This loss can sometimes be harder than losing a friend or family member who wasn’t such a constant presence in their lives. Pets give unconditional love in a way that most humans do not or even cannot. This is what makes our relationship with them so special. This relationship can be especially crucial for those living alone or with physical or mental challenges that the pet has helped them handle. For some people, caring for their pet gives their lives purpose. They feel useful and needed in the caring of their pet.

Sometimes their pet also allows them to feel more connected to others in their community. To suddenly lose a companion like this can be devastating, and many may not feel that they have anyone in their lives to turn to when it happens.

A study by Barnard-Nguyen, Breit, Anderson and Nielsen (2016) found that pet owners often experience “complex and profound grief reactions when their animals are euthanized.” They also sought to identify factors related to the three grief reaction subtypes: sorrow, anger, and guilt with results indicating that attachment to pets was a strong predictor of feelings of grief/sorrow and anger. Sudden death was also related to feelings of anger, while cancer diagnosis was negatively related to feelings of anger and guilt (Barnard-Nguyen et al., 2016).

Pet Loss Support As a child and pet care educator, I help families of all sizes care for their pets in a way that keeps everyone safe, healthy and happy. I help people integrate a new pet into the home, provide pet care services, teach dog safety classes and help people manage pet care concerns. For me, it only made sense that I also helped people with one of the hardest pet care concerns of all, the loss of their pet. As a former child and family therapist, offering therapeutic support was something I was familiar with. I found an organization that provided an intensive five-week course to get certified as a pet loss counselor. So now I have added pet loss support as one of the services I provide.

It's important to distinguish this role from the role of a therapist. I

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consulting According to Tzivian et al. (2015), the loss of a pet may be “very stressful to the owner, whether these deaths were caused by euthanasia, accident, or by the progress of illness. The longer one has a pet, the greater the attachment can become, and this strong attachment may provoke a distress reaction upon a pet’s death.

Many people grieve for their pets in much the same way as they do for the deaths of their friends.”

am not a licensed counselor or social worker, so I do not offer therapy or counseling. I refer to my sessions as pet loss support. Based on the teachings of my certification program, I offer up to three support sessions with my clients. If they feel that more help is needed, I then refer them to a licensed therapist whom I have identified as experienced in the area of pet loss. n

References Barnard‐Nguyen, S., Breit, M., Anderson, K.A., & Nielsen, J. (2016).

Pet Loss and Grief: Identifying At‐risk Pet Owners during the Euthana‐ sia Process. Anthrozoös 29 3 421‐430. Available at: bit.ly/2IeHMae Tzivian, L., Friger, M., & Kushnir, T. (2015). Associations between Stress and Quality of Life: Differences between Owners Keeping a Living Dog or Losing a Dog by Euthanasia. PLoS ONE 10 (3) e0121081. Available at: bit.ly/2XiKHF7

Resources Todd, Z. (2015, May 6). Loss of a Dog: The Importance of Social Sup‐ port. Companion Animal Psychology. Available at: bit.ly/2EPWwLQ Winch. G. (2018, May 22). Why We Need to Take Pet Loss Seriously.

Scientific American. Available at: bit.ly/2JXOTXQ

© Can Stock Photo/dolgachov

Losing a pet can be devastating and some owners may seek out extra support to help them through the process

Alicia Obando is a child and pet care educator with a Bachelor’s in early childhood education and a Master’s in counseling children and adolescents. She has worked on behalf of children and families for over 30 years and in the animal welfare arena for over 15 years, recently becoming certified as a pet loss counselor. In 2015, she started her Chicago company, Pitter Patter Parenting (pitterpatterparenting.com), where she offers pet care, education and support to help families manage kids and pets together safely, while honoring the bond that people have with their pets. She works with families individually in their homes, and also teaches pet safety classes to children and expectant parents at various lo‐ cations around the Chicagoland area.

Pet Professional Guild has partnered with BarkBox to provide all members with a 20% discount. * Order a monthly box of dog goodies for your canine friend! * Special rates available for gifts for dog friends * A portion of proceeds from each box will go to help dogs in need The promocode can be found in the Member Area of the PPG website: PetProfessionalGuild.com /benefitinformation

www.barkbox.com BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

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business

Dealing with Dog Bite Liability David Pearsall of PPG corporate sponsor Business Insurers of the Carolinas explains how insurance covers pet professionals, their staff, or third parties who get bitten on the job

D

og bite liability and workers’ compensation claims continue to be the largest losses we, at Business Insurers of the Carolinas, see from the pet services industry each year. Regardless whether you are a pet trainer, pet sitter/dog walker, operate a daycare/boarding facility or a pet grooming business, a dog bite is often your worst nightmare.

For this briefing, let’s look at how insurance covers bites to others as well as to you or your staff, with some claims examples you can learn from.

As most pet professionals are aware, a general liability policy will protect you against bodily injury or property damage to others caused by your negligence (or your staff’s negligence while working for your business). Typically, a $1,000,000 liability limit is recommended. Please be aware that under most general liability policies, defense cost is outside of this limit, and the insurance company will defend you if a lawsuit is brought against you/your business. There is also a medical payments limit (typically $5,000 - $10,000) which is used to settle most small bite claims where the victim is not seeking a huge settlement, but simply wants their medical bills covered. But be aware this limit does draw down the $1,000,000 each occurrence limit.

Let’s take a look at the following example of a recent dog bite claim to further illustrate. A dog trainer was speaking to an existing client when a new client and her dog came in the facility for a private lesson. One of the dogs in the trainer’s care ran up and attacked the new client’s dog.

The client attempted to break up the fight and was bitten multiple times on her hand and fingers. Her dog was also bitten and required stitches.

The victim suffered $7,500 in medical bills and her dog suffered $1,600 in vet bills. The victim hired an attorney and filed suit with an initial demand of $1,000,000 policy limit. Three and half years later, after much back and forth, depositions and mediation, the claim settled for $104,826.

This is typical of many dog bite claims, as often attorneys will seek the policy limits as a starting point, but rarely, if ever, will they recover that much. Often, dog bite claims will last anywhere from 2-5 years before they settle or go to trial. According to the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm Insurance Company, the average dog bite homeowner’s liability claim in the U.S. as of 2017 was $37,051, although this figure has been increasing significantly over the last few years. In addition, per the closed claims files in our office, the average dog bite claim involving a pet professional’s general liability insurance was $59,213 in 2018 (approximately 60% higher than homeowner’s liability claims).

Here are a few more examples of dog bite liability claims: • A rescue dog that was being boarded at trainer’s facility bit a third party on the leg while at the facility. Total Paid: $28,385.

• Claimant was walking his small dog at apartment complex

Be aware that general liability policies only cover injuries to a third party and do not cover you or your staff (regardless if you call staff independent contractors or employees). The only type of insurance that will cover you and your staff against dog bites sustained on the job is workers’ compensation insurance.

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© Can Stock Photo/suemack

Dog bite liability and workers’ compensation claims are the largest losses seen at Business Insurers of the Carolinas from the pet services industry each year

when a much larger dog in a dog walker’s care broke free and attacked the smaller dog. The dog owner suffered major injuries, and his dog, very sadly, passed away. Total Paid: $252,659 • A 3-year-old girl was bitten in the face while attending a group training class with her mother. Total Paid: $57,540.

• Trainer took a dog to a charity event to socialize. Claimant came by to pet the dog and when she attempted to do so was bitten in the face. Total Paid: $377,786.

• Neighbor came over to pet sitter’s home, where she was boarding a client’s dog, and asked if she could pet the dog. Sitter agreed and dog bit her on the hand. Total Paid: $20,000.

Lowering the Risk Here are a few tips on how to lower your dog bite liability risk: • Always use a leash when taking dogs into public places where other people and pets are present.

• Do not allow people to come and pet or hug a dog in your care, especially children. It is your job to keep others away, no matter how friendly the dog in your care appears to be.

• If operating a training facility or boarding/day care facility, limit entry and exit to one family at a time. When you congest an area with multiple families and/or dogs at the same time, it is a recipe for disaster.

• Never allow people to get between two dogs that are fighting.

• Always be aware of your surroundings when taking dogs in public or holding group classes in public places.

Workers’ Compensation Now let’s turn our attention to when you or your staff is bitten by a dog in your care, custody or control or bitten by another dog while working in a public setting. Unfortunately, we hear more horror stories each year from pet industry professionals who mistakenly believed they were covered by their general liability policy. Be aware that general liability poli-

business Recent General Liability Claims • During a dog behavior class, a client sustained injuries when a dog caused her to fall. Total Paid: $7,264.

• Cat became sick while being boarded and required medical attention. Total Paid: $462.

• While in pet sitter’s care, dog injured leg and started limping.

Dog was taken to the vet and required surgery on the leg. Total Paid: $3,128.

• Pet sitter failed to lock the door and set the alarm when they left the client’s home. Client’s home was broken into and TV was stolen. Total Paid: $648.

• Dog ran into chain link fence while at insured facility injuring back leg. Total Paid: $740.

• While training a dog, the dog got away from the trainer and ran away. The dog was located and taken to the vet because he had cies only cover injuries to a third party and do not cover you or your staff (regardless if you call staff independent contractors or employees). The only type of insurance that will cover you and your staff against dog bites sustained on the job is workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation is subject to each individual state statute, so benefits will differ depending on the state you live and work in, or are injured in.

Workers’ compensation claims can last anywhere from one day to three years or more depending on the severity of the injuries and the cooperation and communication of everyone involved. If the bite/injury is minor, it is best to utilize a health clinic as opposed to an emergency room, and the person can usually be well taken care of and be back to work within a day or two. Even if a bite wound is more severe, but not life threatening, it is still usually better to go to a health clinic that understands occupational injuries and the type of work your business is in, so they can adequately assess the timeframe in which your employee can get back to work safely. If the injury is life threatening, however, of course the person will need to get emergency care.

The workers’ compensation claims that go on for multiple years are typically those where communication has broken down between the employer and the employee, and/or the employee and the insurance company. So, the employee or injured person hires an attorney as they do not feel they have been treated fairly, either by the insurance company or the employer. As stated earlier, the workers’ compensation benefits are subject to individual state statutes, so while they are defined, sometimes there are disagreements as to the severity of the injury, and other factors such as pre-existing conditions may come into play. Also, sometimes people do not wish to come back to work even though their doctor has released them, or the employer fires the employee as they don’t want the person working for them anymore. All of these factors can cause a workers’ compensation claim to drag on and become very expensive.

Now, here are a few examples of workers’ compensation dog bite claims: • While on a walk, the dog ingested foreign object. Employee attempted to get the item out of the dog’s mouth and the dog bit the end of the employee’s finger off. Total Paid: $17,599.

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The

been hit by a car. Total Paid: $1,240.

• Dog’s eyelid was snagged in clippers, dog required stitches.

Total Paid: $1,022.

• During training class insured’s client tripped on mat which resulted in teeth being knocked out. Total Paid: $3,996.

Recent Workers’ Compensation Claims • During training class, employee was bitten on the buttocks by a dog. Total Paid: $160.

• While walking dog on a leash, dog pulled the employee causing fracture to metacarpal on left hand. Total Paid: $6,414.

• Employee fell on turf at facility and injured her wrist and shoulder. Total Paid: $674.

• While brushing dog’s teeth, dog bit the employee on the finger. Total Paid: $3,598.

• Dog bit trainer’s assistant/employee on the left upper leg.

Total Paid: $9,717.

• Two dogs at day care got into a fight, an employee attempted to breakup and lost tips off two fingers. Total Paid: $102,135.

• Dog walker came to walk the dog at a client’s home and was bitten on the hand while attempting to leash the dog. Total Paid: $39,610.

Now, here are some things you can do to lower your risk and keep cost of workers’ comp claims down: • Communicate and train employees/staff on proper safety practices, and always document it if they do not follow them.

• Never get in between two dogs that are fighting. Try creating a distraction or throwing water on them to break them up. (See also PPG’s member handout, How to Break up Dog Fights!)

• Inform all staff of what to do in the event of a workers’ compensation claim, and where to go for treatment depending on their injury.

• Establish a light duty/return to work program so even if the employee cannot do their regular job, they can get back to work sooner.

• Establish a relationship with a local health clinic that understands occupational injury claims. Share with them what your work involves, and if you have a light duty program. Send staff to the clinic as For additional insurance questions or to learn more about individual state requirements, please contact David Pearsall: dp@business‐insurers.com.

See also ad on page 43.

Resources Pet Professional Guild. (2012). How to Break up Dog Fights! Available at: bit.ly/2WNZURo David Pearsall is a certified insurance counselor (CIC) and co‐owner of Business Insurers of the Carolinas (business‐insurers.com), a multi‐ line commercial insurance agency specializing in insurance for pet service professionals since 1992. He has headed up association liabil‐ ity and bonding programs for national pet care service associations for over 20 years, including PPG. He is a licensed insurance agent in all 50 states and has held the CIC designation since 2002.

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business

Ask the Experts: Maximizing Your Training Space Veronica Boutelle of PPG corporate partner dog*biz responds to pet professionals’ questions on all things business and marketing

Q

: I finally have a facility! I am so excited. This dream has been a long time coming. I’m also nervous. It’s pretty freaky having this huge lease bill I have to cover every month. I’ll be using the space mostly for classes and will probably see some of my private clients there, too. But the space will be empty a lot, especially during the day. What are some ways I could make better use of it to help cover my scary new bills? Thank you! ‐ Excited in the Midwest A: Huge congrats! We’re so excited for you, and so glad to see you thinking about how to make the most of your space.

There are lots of ways to set your space up to generate revenue during the day. Here are a few ideas: • Offer daytime classes for seniors and/or stay-at-home moms.

• Hire local trainers to offer specialty classes outside of your expertise.

• Rent your space to local trainers for classes or private training.

• Rent your space for dog sports practice.

• Offer day care services.

• Offer a day care-and-train service like a half-day puppy day training program.

• Run a summertime humane education day camp for kids.

What’s most important in weighing all these options (and any others) is choosing the one or ones that make most sense for your business. Run the numbers (revenue potential and expenses) to determine how each option will contribute to your bottom line. Look at the operational implications of the various services. As you can imagine, some of these options are much more complicated and time intensive than others. Be sure to consider things like time commitment, oversight required, startup complexity, staffing needs, and admin load as you look at each idea. Choose services that match your locale clientele – there’s no point in running daytime classes if you don’t have the senior or stayat-home market for them, for example. And, of course, consider what actually fits your space. For example, you may be keen to add certain kinds of classes like agility, but not have adequate room. Or your space may require construction adjustments, like the addition of a doublegate safety area, before adding any services that involve dogs being off leash.

Make sure to use your space in ways that truly work for you. You’ve achieved your dream of having a facility. Be careful you get to enjoy it.

That means passing on services that require you to spend time in ways you’d rather not (for example, tied to a day care floor instead of out day training, or overseeing a large staff when you’re really not comfortable doing so, etc.).

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© Can Stock Photo/daliborsosna

There are a variety of ways pet professionals can ensure they generate extra revenue from their training facility, dog sports being one of them

Finally, and this is so important: Make sure to use your space in ways that truly work for you. You’ve achieved your dream of having a facility. Be careful you get to enjoy it. That means passing on services that require you to spend time in ways you’d rather not (for example, tied to a day care floor instead of out day training, or overseeing a large staff when you’re really not comfortable doing so, etc.).

Again, congratulations on your new facility. We’d love to hear what you decide to offer and how things go for you—please plan to drop us an update email.n

Do you have a question for the business experts at dog*biz?

Submit your question for consideration to: barkseditor@petprofessionalguild.com

Learn how

can help your business:

www.dogbizsuccess.com Veronica Boutelle MA Ed CTC is founder and co‐president of dog*biz (dogbizsuccess.com), and author of How to Run Your Dog Business and co‐author of Minding Your Dog Business. dog*biz offers professionally designed positive reinforcement dog training class curricula, including Open‐Enrollment Puppy, Open‐Enrollment Basic Manners, and short Topics classes built for retention.

p r o f i l e

Working with Natural Behaviors In our ongoing series of PPG member profiles, this month BARKS features Robert Hewings of the UK College of Scent Detection

R

obert Hewings worked in the Metropolitan Police dog section in the United Kingdom for 15 years. He then became an instructor at the Dog Training Establishment, but decided it was time to set out on his own learning journey.

Q: Can you tell us a bit more about yourself, how you first got into animal behavior and training and what you are doing now?

A: In 1991, I joined the Metropolitan Police dog section, and after 15 years of operational duty became a full-time instructor at the Dog Training Establishment. During my instructor’s course I asked, "Why do we always train this way?" and was told simply, "That’s why!" This was not an answer I was prepared to accept. We learned our training methodology purely by copying the senior instructor. So I decided to begin my own learning journey, commencing with a bachelor’s, then a master’s, and now a doctorate of professional practice. These qualifications have completely changed my approach to dog training and allowed me to introduce the answers to that "Why?" question within the training environment.

I retired in 2016 and now find myself as head of school at the UK College of Scent Detection, where I use my scent training experience combined with my academic qualifications to tackle a new venture. I train pet owners and professionals, learning together, within this new establishment.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your own pets.

A: Rupert is the latest addition to the family. He is my first rescue, nonworking, just-for-fun pet dog. Wow! What a challenge, a cockapoo with a bite history, a resource guarder, and an aggression problem, coupled with reactive fear. Rupert was on the euthanasia list, and I am a softy. Anyway, after months of bribery and corruption, stacks of love and kindness and much cognitive enhancement, he wants to study math now! We are proper mates, things are working out, and he has fallen for my wife's working Sprocker. Rupperty (the thief) has become a “nice but naughty” lad. He can track and search for gun oil, and he's a sweetie.

Q: Why did you become a dog trainer or pet care provider?

A: I became a dog trainer to share my experience as an established police dog handler from my time at the Metropolitan Police. To become a fulltime trainer was a goal I had from the moment I set foot in the Metropolitan Police Dog Training Establishment. My knowledge pool was soon to change, however, and my academic journey started. Discovering there was a “better way” made me a better trainer with people as well as dogs. Without being given the “wrong” answers on my senior trainers’ course this would never have happened.

Q: What do you consider to be your area of expertise?

increases the partnership between you and your dog, which is an absolute essential when working together. I have realized the damage caused by using force, pain and “annoyance” (e.g. pulling, dragging and tugging). Now it’s force-free and choicebased all the way, because I have seen that it works a whole lot better.

Q: What drives you to be a force‐free profes‐ sional and why is it im‐ portant to you?

A: Proof! It’s as simple as that. Over the years, I have had more success with force-free training. I have seen firsthand the damage compulsion © Robert Hewings training can cause within “Rupert is a bright lad, he needs cognitive enhancement” - Robert Hewings with his a dog and the relationship between dog and han- rescue cockapoo, Rupert dler. We are here to improve the human/dog dyad and not harm it.

Working together is the goal and working together can only be truly practiced when a force-free training methodology is used.

Q: What is your favorite part of your job?

A: There is something I haven't mentioned and that’s our partnership with the charity Bravehound. Training assistance dogs with the lads is without doubt the best, most rewarding experience ever, as we know that dogs can help heal invisible wounds, thereby returning freedom to people who have cared for our freedom. It is a truly amazing opportunity to see the joy and happiness a dog can bring our ex-service men and women. It is life changing.

Q: What reward do you get out of a day's training?

A: I am lucky, as I trained dogs to alert to epilepsy, stress, anxiety (PTSD nightmare wake up) and diabetes. But the best reward (sorry to be cheesy) is the “Yes, I've got this!" moment for both dog and handler, which is a regular occurrence during our search and tracking courses.

A: Scent detection.

Q: Who has most influenced your career and how?

Q: Are you a crossover trainer or have you always been a force‐free trainer?

A: Yes, I am, as I knew no better when I entered the world of police dog training back in the early 90s. However, things are changing. Slowly, but still changing. With education and scientific evidence, my training completely changed, as I was soon to realize that education and understanding

A: My biggest influencers are three university lecturers: 1. Lynda Taylor, 2.

Marion Justice, and 3. Pauline Jackson. In 2006, as a police dog trainer, I started my education at Bishop Burton College in Yorkshire, England and these three lecturers changed my training, my outlook, my style of handling, and introduced me to force-free training. This allowed me to take new ideas back to the Metropolitan Police and share my newfound knowl-

BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

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p r o f i l e edge. Without these lecturers, I would not have progressed to my Ph.D and I could not have changed so many pathways within the police force. I would not have become the dog handler and instructor I am today.

Q: What awards or competition placements have you and your dog(s) achieved using force‐free methods?

A: None. My biggest award is that Rupert has not been euthanized and, using force-free methods, he has been given a happy, more relaxed, less fearful life. We also have a STRICT force-free methods policy within the UK College of Scent Detection, and we have amazing success on every course.

Q: What are some of your favorite positive reinforcement techniques for the most commonly encountered client‐dog problems?

A: I am researching emotional learning and emotional distress and my research has taken a turn to neuroscientists Panksepp and Biven, particularly looking at the SEEKING system of the brain. I believe the introduction of nose work will “wake” the SEEKING system and improve relationships between dogs and their owners, as well as make training fun and interesting for all. If we combine natural behaviors with force-free training, then it all fits together.

“Rupert is the latest addition to the family. He is my first rescue, non-working, just-for-fun pet dog. Wow! What a challenge, a cockapoo with a bite history, a resource guarder, and an aggression problem, coupled with reactive fear.

Rupert was on the euthanasia list, and I am a softy.” - Robert Hewings London searching for armed suspects. I remember one time telling a team of armed police that my dog had found the suspect, only to discover we had found a hedgehog! The list is really quite long…

Q: What advice would you give to a new trainer starting out?

A: EDUCATION. Talk to people and learn. Watch, and ask questions.

Q: How has PPG helped you to become a more complete trainer?

A: By opening up communication channels and allowing me to learn and share methods. n

Q: What is the funniest or craziest situation you have been in with a pet and their owner?

The UK College of Scent Detection (ukcsd.com) is located in Orpington, Kent, England.

A: When I was a police dog handler, I might be rappelling with the dog, riding in helicopters, or on high-speed boat chases on the River Thames in

To be featured in the BARKS Profile section, please complete this form: bit.ly/2y9plS1

www.petdogambassador.com

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BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

b o o k s

An Essential Guide to Service Dog Coaching Pamela S. Hogle reviews Service Dog Coaching by Veronica Sanchez ervice Dog Coaching by Veronica Sanchez fills a gap in the ample shelves of dog training guides, advice, and analysis. Part instruction, part foundational knowledge, and part great tips, it is tailored perfectly for its well-defined audience: Experienced pet dog trainers who want to add service dog training to their skill sets and service offerings.

Sanchez opens the book with a clear explanation of what she means by service dog coaching and where it fits on the more familiar spectrum of service dogs trained and placed by organizations at one end and wholly owner-trained service dogs at the other. Articulating the drawbacks of each of those more conventional approaches to getting a service dog, Sanchez makes a strong case for coaching, which is essentially guiding an owner-trainer through the process of selecting and training a service dog: People who need and want a service dog benefit by building their relationship with their future service dog while training him or her, learn training and handling skills, and do not have to wait years for an organization to have a suitable dog available. Trainers can extend their skill sets and clientele, develop long-term training relationships, and help people who need service dogs get appropriate, well-trained, temperamentally suitable dogs who have the skills they need.

It’s not a panacea and not a quick process, and Sanchez is honest about both — and strongly, repeatedly emphasizes that trainers must be equally honest with potential and actual clients. Not all dogs can be service dogs. Not all people who need a service dog have the ability to train their own dog. The process can take months or longer. A puppy chosen for the task might prove unfit for a variety of reasons.

While experienced dog trainers might assume that they can just jump into training service dogs, there are significant differences in the expertise and knowledge needed. Training skills are only the beginning: Being able to teach a dog a to tug open a drawer or nudge a light switch does not make you a service dog trainer. That’s why this book fills such an important gap.

In describing what a coach might do, Sanchez hits all of the important points: • Public Access Training (PAT), where a service dog in training is gradually exposed to public places and then is asked to perform basic behaviors, is vastly different from pet training and skills or task training.

• People who decide they want a service dog might have unrealistic expectations about what the dog can do for them and how long the training could take; the trainer-coach must gently adjust these expectations.

• There is no formula or off-the-shelf set of skills and tasks for training service dogs; the many types of services dogs might provide, and the myriad types and combinations of disabilities a client could have mean each client-dog team is unique. The trainer-coach has to be willing and able to create a long-term, detailed training plan for each client.

S

WRITE FOR PPG! We are always on the lookout for interesting features, member profiles, case studies and training tips to feature in BARKS from the Guild and on the BARKS Blog. If you’d like to join the growing band of member contributors, please get in touch.

Service Dog Coaching

by Veronica Sanchez combines instruction, tips and foundational knowledge tailored to experienced pet dog trainers who want to add service dog training to their skill sets and service offerings

• It’s not only the human client’s needs that matter; the trainer and the client are the dog’s caretaker and advocate. The trainer must know how to recognize and address stress in the dog — and ensure that the human client learns to do this and understands how important it is to meet the dog’s needs as well as his or her own needs.

• Many service dog relationships entail multiple human caregivers, family members, and others who must be part of the training.

• Public access laws are confusing, and not all states allow public access for service-dogs-in-training. Sanchez strongly and wisely encourages trainers to seek legal counsel before starting to train service dogs — and to sign detailed contracts before starting work with a client.

In tackling the potentially contentious topic of training methods, Sanchez provides a well-reasoned, calm, and sensitive explanation of why aversive training methods are not acceptable in service dog work. She emphasizes the relationship between the person with the disability and the dog partner, as well as the need for two-way communication.

The book is sprinkled with anecdotes and analogies that will help sea-

BARKS BARKS from the Guild blog Email: barkseditor@petprofessionalguild.com

BARKS from the Guild/July 2019

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b o o k s It’s not a panacea and not a quick process, and Sanchez is honest about both — and strongly, repeatedly emphasizes that trainers must be equally honest with potential and actual clients. Not all dogs can be service dogs. Not all people who need a service dog have the ability to train their own dog. The process can take months or longer. A puppy chosen for the task might prove unfit for a variety of reasons.

soned dog trainers begin to understand how different service dog training is from pet dog training, while also showing them how to apply their skills in new ways. One example is Sanchez’s explanation of how a working retrieve, a key skill for mobility service dogs, differs from a play retrieve. She offers tips for getting a dog to tilt his head to pick up an item, like a bottle, without knocking it over first. And she mentions common errors that trainers and owners make when teaching the working retrieve, such as using floppy items that might encourage play.

Many pet dog trainers have little experience working with people with disabilities and little understanding of their needs. Sanchez offers this personal perspective and provides valuable information on how to make training and training spaces accessible and raises issues that trainers might not consider, such as the difficulty of arranging transportation to “field trip” sites with some disabled clients or the need to allow more time or make other modifications when working with some clients. She does so in a clear, matter-of-fact manner that could ease a point of anxiety for many

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trainers considering this route.

The audience for this book is narrowly drawn, but it’s an area that I believe will grow exponentially — especially with people of Sanchez’s caliber providing quality resources to help capable trainers extend their repertoire.

My main gripe with this book is that I wish I’d thought to write it first!

The book concludes with a helpful list of resources and what seems to be a thorough index, though a section was missing from my copy. It’s a thorough book, even at only 100 pages, and very thoughtful in its approach and content. This book is bound to become an essential guide to many trainers seeking to provide a valuable new service and meet a growing need. n Service Dog Coaching Veronica Sanchez (2019) 104 pages Dogwise ISBN: 9781617812361