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• Did you observe good handling practices when dogs were being leashed and/or walked? Describe your personal observations.
• Describe two examples of how awareness was utilized by a handler.
• Describe two examples of how positioning was utilized by a handler.
• Give two examples of how contact with the dog was used in the handling.

For this assignment I decided to take my friend and her dog on a hike. Throughout the hike I was able to witness the different techniques and mechanisms my friend uses to ensure that both her and her dog remain safe when hiking a busy trail.

Throughout the entire hike my friend remained extremely aware of her dog, as well as her surroundings. When starting the hike my friend had her dog leashed and walking alongside her as she was aware that there was a lot of people and pets near the trail head. Once we were further up the trail and no one was around, my friend let her dog roam off leash, but made sure that her dog was within 10 feet from us at all times. When being approached by a fellow hiker, my friend recalled her dog to her side and leashed her dog before the hiker reached us. My friend is aware that not all people like dogs, and that the fellow hiker may also have a dog with them that we are unable to see.

When passing a fellow hiker, my friend ensures that her dog is leashed and at a heal. My friend would position herself, so that her dog is on her right side and that she is between her dog and the hiker that is passing by, as she is aware that not everyone likes dogs. Continuing up the hike, we passed several hikers with dogs. When passing a fellow hiker with a dog, my friend walks her dog off to the side of the trail and places her dog in a sit. She then positions herself in front of her dog to ensure that her dog is paying attention to her and not the fellow hiker and their dog.

During the entire hike, my friend uses positive reinforcement when her dog achieves the desired behaviour through the use of treats, verbal praise, toys (specifically his favourite ball) and head pats.

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What did you learn that was new to you?

Using one arm and wrapping it around the chest of the dog, while placing my forearm behind the dog’s hock to help guide them into a sitting position.

How did the dog respond to your approach?

When trying to approach the dog from the side, the dog proceeded to freeze, but continued to keep his eye on me. When I asked for the dog to sit, the dog stared at me blankly, so I proceeded to kneel down beside him and once the patient was comfortable with me, I placed one arm around the chest and the other arm behind the hocks and encouraged the dog to sit. At first the dog was a bit confused, but once in the sitting position I positively reinforced the dog with a “good boy” and received a tail wag in return.

What facial expression, postures or gestures did you notice, and how did you interpret them?

The dog I tried the approach on was very nervous. The dog was lip licking a lot, pacing/trying to turn in circles, the patient was panting a lot and had his ears pulled back. I could tell the dog was nervous, so prior to approaching him I allowed the dog to roam the exam room and get used to me by allowing him to smell me and smell the room.

If you are experienced in canine behaviour and handling, what aspects of the material do you feel are most essential?

Knowing and understanding canine and feline body language and how to respond appropriately.

Do you have a story about an experience with behaviour and handling that exemplifies the importance of proper equipment and handling?

Working in emergency, sometimes we get so caught up in trying to get things done in a timely manner that we forget the importance of watching a dog’s behaviour/posture before restraining an animal for an injection. A coworker of mine was assisting a doctor by restraining a dog for an IM injection. The dog’s ears were pulled back, his tail was tucked and he was giving my coworker the side eye. Both the doctor and my coworker were in such a rush that they decided to give the dog the IM injection and when the injection was given the dog reacted and turned to bite my coworker. If my coworker and doctor took a bit more time to observe the patient, they may have considered muzzling the dog to protect them both from being bitten.

How has knowing how to read dog behaviour kept you and the dog(s) safe?

It has allowed me to know when a dog is requiring a break before the dog reaches its breaking point and tries to bite people.