F ALL 2006 â¢ V ol. 41 No. 3 - San Diego Humane Society and SPCA

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A New Leash on Life In an ideal world our dogs walk loosely on-leash and always take instruction from us. But it’s not a perfect world, and very often we find that we are the ones being walked by our dogs. Walking a dog successfully on a loose leash requires understanding of both the physical and emotional components involved. As in all training, working on leash walking should be fun and relaxed for both you and your pet. This is especially true when working with shy or excitable dogs. Leash walking should never become a battle between you and your dog, and should also never include anything that could damage your relationship with your canine companion. So, why do dogs pull on leashes? First, pulling behavior stems from “opposition reflex,” or a dog’s instinctive behavior to lean into pressure on their bodies, which turns many pups into bulldozers when going out for a daily stroll. One of the most important aspects of leash walking is having the equipment best suited to your dog. The proper equipment will be well-fitted, serve as an effective management and/or training tool, and will not be harmful to your dog. We discourage the use of devices that can physically hurt your dog, such as Photo: Softouch Concepts shock collars, choke chains and prong/ pinch collars. While some people may see results with this equipment, it can significantly damage your relationship with your dog. In fact, when you train using intimidation or pain this can actively teach your dog to be afraid of you, when you want the opposite – you want your dog to have fun walking with you! Fortunately, there are many types of effective, humane and pet-friendly walking gear that can help train your dog in a positive way: Flat Buckle Collar: If your dog walks reasonably well on-leash, a flat buckle collar may be all you need for an enjoyable stroll with your buddy. These collars should be made of leather or sturdy webbing material, and always check the buckle to ensure it is strong and will not pop open should your dog become excited and lunge to the end of his leash. Leash walking should never become a battle between you and your dog, and should also never include anything that could damage your relationship with your canine companion. Martingale Collar: This type of “limited slip” collar has a loop that contracts a small amount should your dog pull or try to back out of his collar. This is not tight enough to “choke” your dog; it simply provides a bit of extra control when it is needed and also distributes the pressure around the neck so that the dog is less likely to pull. Head Halters: Head halters, which have a ring on the underside of the dog’s chin where the leash attaches, make it easy for you to turn your dog’s head gently in order to “steer” him away from distractions or in the direction you would like to go. There are many kinds of head halters on the market, but the two that we like best are the Gentle Leader ® and the Comfort Trainer. A properly fitted halter will still allow your dog to pant, drink water, and eat treats. Whichever one you choose, it is very important to never jerk your dog’s leash – this can cause very serious damage to your dog’s neck. SENSE-ation Harness: Our other favorite leash walking product is the SENSE-ation body harness. This harness is different from the traditional body harness in that the leash attaches to a ring at the dog’s breastbone rather than on the dog’s back. The SENSE-ation works similarly to a head halter in that it places far less pressure on the dog’s body and instead of creating a backward pulling feeling, these harnesses are designed to work with pulling a leash upwards, sideways or forward. As long as a leash is not pulled backwards, the pet does not feel the need to lean into the harness, which reduces pulling on the leash. Whichever tool you choose for leash walking, it is important to go slowly. This is especially true for head halters – having something on their face is a novel experience for most dogs, and so will require slow introduction using treats and praise. Remember our mantra – training should be fun for both you and your dog! Make it into a game, and your dog will love strutting their stuff in new leash walking attire! The Behavior and Training Department offers Leash Walking workshops and private Leash Walking training sessions. We have a Behavior Helpline at (619) 299-7012, ext. 2244 to advise you on the best choice for your dog. You can also find all of the above mentioned walking gear at Muttique, the Humane Society’s on-campus store. mB Photo: Softouch Concepts 16 www.sdhumane.org AnimalFare • Fall 2006
Lovable Bunny Seeks a Special Place to Spend his Days Blackie the rabbit has been waiting for a new family almost longer then any other bunny at the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA! • Blackie came to live at the Humane Society because he was one of many rabbits in a home and wasn’t receiving enough attention. • Those who work with Blackie note that although he is initially shy, he’s also quick to warm up. • Rabbits make wonderful indoor pets because they are naturally social and inquisitive animals that enjoy companionship and play. • Blackie is litter box trained and is most active during the morning and evening, making him an ideal pet for someone who works or is gone during the day. • Blackie will do best in a home with adults/older children that will understand how to gently pet and handle him. If you think a rabbit would be an excellent addition to your home, hop over to the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA to meet sweet, bouncing Blackie today! Rabbits make great indoor pets who enjoy human companionship. Tm Photo: Tricia Macri Learn valuable pet info at the Humane Society’s Happy Hour Lecture Series! The “Love Train” Rolls into San Diego These monthly lectures feature fun and informative topics for pet parents and includes refreshments and materials for just $10. Join us at the San Diego Humane Society from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month for original and important topics concerning our animal companions. Upcoming lectures include: August 17: Vaccines September 21: Dog Aggression and Reactivity October 19: Pets with allergies November 16: Pet Massage Left photo: Humane Society employees Trish Jackman (left) and Tami White (right) hold puppies brought to San Diego from the Humane Society of Mississippi. Right photo: Sherman Street Manager Jenny Gonzales and Jamie Cryer, driver of the “Love Train,” pose with Labrador Retriever puppies who made the cross country trip to San Diego. The San Diego Humane Society recently welcomed 55 puppies and nearly 40 adult and adolescent dogs from the Humane Society of South Mississippi (HSSM). Since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, HSSM has been trying to help all animals in need, but unfortunately there remains a limited adopter base in the area and the overcrowded shelter contiunes to receive animals on a daily basis. Fortunately, through the goodwill of other animal welfare organizations and the philanthropy of individuals, many animals have been transported to new homes across the country through the organization’s new program, the “Love Train.” The San Diego Humane Society accepted HSSM’s request for help and took in dogs through their Sherman Street facility, which routinely takes in adoptable animals from other shelters. After the dogs were behaviorally and medically assessed and cleared, many were adopted out over Adoptathon weekend to new, loving homes. In the future, we plan to continue to take in animals from humane organizations in the Gulf Coast area as need arises. kA Photos: Simran Zilaro AnimalFare • Fall 2006 www.sdhumane.org 17
Page 1 and 2: FALL 2006 • Vol. 41 No. 3
Page 3 and 4: From the Mailbox Dear Humane Societ
Page 5 and 6: c o v e r s t o r y Two times each
Page 7 and 8: 12 th Annual Walk for Animals Raise
Page 9 and 10: Adoptathon 2006 - A Huge Success fo
Page 11 and 12: Ask a Trainer Bark-O-Rama Q: When o
Page 13 and 14: Nadyne Marjorie Northington - Marjo
Page 15: Mary Johnson & Baby - Mrs. Lori Ols
Page 19 and 20: fall 2006 Calendar of Events august

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F ALL 2006 â¢ V ol. 41 No. 3 - San Diego Humane Society and SPCA