This activity will add to your retention of the material on behavior and handling that you have just studied. Your participation in the discussion will also let your instructor know how you’re progressing in the course material. This is not graded, but your participation counts as an assessment. We want to know your thoughts!

Everyone who has spent time with or around dogs has experienced or observed some do’s and don’ts. The information you have just studied will help ensure you handle pets safely, ethically and professionally.

For example, if you have your own dog at home, you can set up a space as if you were going to provide a massage session and introduce yourself to the animal as describe in the chapter.  Observe your body language and the dog’s response and observe how your handling has changed or supported the ways in which you formerly communicated with your pet. You can also use a friend or family member with a pet for this exercise.

If you don’t have access to dogs for this activity, observe handling on video or the Handling part of the DVD. Visit a pet store and look at and get information about different types of harnesses and collars. Have someone show you the difference between two types of restraint such as a harness versus a haltie or a martingale color.

No matter what your circumstances, there are many different ways to practice at least two aspects of handling included in the material you’ve just studied.

Then, share your experience in the discussion group, by clicking on the subject line of the post below. That will open up the discussion board for you to add your assignment comments to the thread. Give us the details on the dog, the equipment used and the overall situation.  The discussion is not meant to invite judgment or promote one method over another but to discuss the different approaches that you are likely to encounter in your practice.  As in all discussion activities in this class, please be respectful of your classmates as you discover and learn from one another. At no time does NWSAM condone or support one particular training method or approach over another or condone students admonishing another student for sharing their experiences or comments.

NOTE: Discussions are asynchronous, depending on enrollment times and cohort sizes, which means you may not see anyone else discussing this activity when you do. That’s perfectly fine. Your posting to the discussion board when you reach this point in your studies is what’s important.

What did you learn that was new to you?

How did the dog respond to your approach?

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

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

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

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

Enjoy this practice time with the dog(s)  and share your experience(s). We all learn from each other.