Sunday, April 23, 2023 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 38 SPONSORED CONTENT PROVIDED BY EMERALD CITY PET RESCUE It’s commonly believed that when a city dweller wants to get a dog, it’s simply not practical to choose a larger breed. But in reality, people who prefer bigger dogs can absolutely give their furry friends a happy, healthy life in an urban environment. The good news is, there are ways to help a big dog adapt to the trickier aspects of urban life. How to manage public spaces Christi Waters, a canine behavioral specialist at Emerald City Pet Rescue, says public spaces can be very difficult for large dogs. “Dogs negotiate in terms of space,” she explains, so tight spaces make it difficult to move around. Waters says teaching dogs calm behavior is beneficial for when they’re in small spaces. In a lobby, she recommends putting the dog in a “down” position and tossing treats every few seconds to reinforce the behavior. “If they get up, put them back into the ‘down’ and keep working on that,” she says. To establish a foundation for this behavior, Waters recommends starting at home where it’s easier to focus. “Dogs learn better when there aren’t as many distractions,” she says. Elevators are especially tight spaces, so Waters suggests not entering an elevator with other dogs because it could cause stress. She recommends taking the stairs as it’s great exercise for both the dog and its owner. However, if it’s necessary to take the elevator, Waters says “teaching the position ‘middle’ can be very helpful. In this position, the dog sits in between your legs and stays.” Each dog will have its own challenges based on breed, Help a big dog live its best urban life Emerald City Pet Rescue has been established since 2013. We provide the best support and medical care to rehabilitate our rescue pets until we place them into their forever homes. Visit emeraldcitypetrescue. org for more information on how to get involved. personality and background. Madisyn Stoces, a veterinary assistant who rescued her huskymalamute mix, Bucky, says that he was injured in a car accident before she adopted him. The accident caused a permanent injury to one of his back legs, leaving it weaker than the others. As a result, places with slippery floors make him nervous. “He’ll put on the brakes because he knows that he doesn't have the best traction there,” says Stoces. “We’re working on it. Usually, I just pick him up and carry him a little ways into the store. He trusts once I carry him across the floor a little bit, ‘OK, Mom didn’t fall, so I’m not going to fall.’” Navigating public transit Waters says bus rides are one of the trickiest areas to navigate due to limited space. “Again, teaching that calm behavior and reinforcing it is crucial,” Waters says. Before an owner boards a bus, it’s important to research the city’s rules for non-service animals — but that doesn’t mean it’ll always go smoothly. For example, if there’s already a dog on the bus, the driver may refuse to let another dog board. And, of course, if a dog creates a disturbance or presents a hazard, the driver will likely demand an exit. In that situation, Waters recommends leaving the bus and waiting for another that has fewer passengers. Although owners should be willing to advocate for their dogs, it’s important to be aware of how their own emotions may impact the dog. “You wouldn't want them to have a negative experience that may become a permanent association with riding a bus,” Waters says. This is another situation where it’s best for the owner to start small and work their way up. For example, for anyone who will frequently need to ride the bus, start with short trips so the dog gets accustomed to the experience before a longer ride is necessary. Waters also suggests avoiding rush hour. Safely using sidewalks The first step to navigating sidewalks safely is to ensure a dog is properly leash trained. Waters recommends starting by using a longer leash and practicing in a public park where there’s more space and fewer distractions. “Rehearse them there, and then take them into the city,” she advises. Sidewalks are another area where it’s best to choose a time of day that’s not busy, such as early in the morning or in the evening. Some dogs have issues passing others, so Waters recommends crossing the street when possible to avoid negative encounters. Ultimately, it comes down to great leash training. “It’s difficult because dogs aren’t naturally inclined to be on leash, so that’s one of the toughest behaviors to try to teach them,” says Waters. Rewarding a dog with treats for walking very close to its owner on a crowded sidewalk will also reinforce positive behavior. Managing contact with other dogs Ensuring safe contact with other dogs is also crucial. This is another area where Waters recommends starting out in a smaller, quieter environment — ideally with the dog of a friend. She notes that most trainers advise staying away from dog parks because it’s impossible to know not only the behavioral mindsets of the other dogs, but basic health issues such as vaccination status. Once a dog is prepared to encounter others, it’s important to be aware of the problems leashes can cause. “Leashes restrict [the dog’s] natural ability to run away if they want to, so they’re left with a fight or freeze response, and lots of times dogs will pick that fight response,” Waters explains. It’s also risky to let dogs sniff each other out while on leashes because they typically want to get in each other’s faces, which can escalate and cause the leashes to become tangled. She recommends allowing the dogs to sniff for a few seconds, then either calling the dog back or cuing them to continue walking. Keeping dogs engaged It’s important to keep any dog both physically and mentally engaged. Fortunately, there are plenty of toys and games that do the trick. Waters recommends chew items, treat-dispensing balls and “Dog TV” — YouTube is full of videos designed to entertain dogs. Spotify also has a free playlist titled “Through a Dog’s Ear” that’s full of calming music. Stoces uses lick mats and snuffle mats to keep Bucky entertained. “I have a bag of freeze-dried chicken and I’ll just crumble it up in the snuffle mat and that keeps him busy for 15- 20 minutes,” she says. Donate today! (Josh Norem Photo)
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