(SAMFL) Learning Activity: Pet Handling Discussion and Practice

[ortona]

What did you learn that was new to you….

Not giving a treat until the end of the session. At my pet store, we offer treats but I usually offer the owner a choice of treats to give to their pet.

How did dog respond.

I sat next to my 7 month old Whippet puppy Very and asked for a sit. She knows sit but I am usually standing so she seemed confused, she head tilted and continued to stand. I held her close and asked again, she did sit. I held her close and stroked her. She mouthed me multiple times and wagged her tail. She thought we were playing. I continued to stroke her until I felt her relax and then asked for a down. She laid on her side and mouthed my arm but was very gentle. After a few minutes, she laid on her side totally relaxed. While working with Very, Wanda a 2 year old Whippet had come close and laid down. I moved over to Wanda who stood up when I moved and asked for a sit. Wanda didn’t sit so I gently put her in a sit by scooping her from behind her hocks. I held her close and she was showing sign of discomfort by licking her lips. I talked to her and stroked her and she relaxed a bit. I decided to stop at this point as she relaxed and I wanted to stop on a positive.

Aspects of material most essential

Watching and interpreting body language. Managing your position in relation to the animal.

Do you have a story?

One item that I didn’t see mentioned was the location of the owner during contact. At my store we now have a policy in place, we do not load vehicles with loose dogs as an employee was bit as dog was guarding owner. Owner had told employee dog was friendly but one should not rely on someone else to interrupt the dog’s behavior toward you.