Does Your Dog Have What It Takes To Be A Therapy Dog?

As most of you already know, I've been involved in pet assisted therapy work since the late 1990's, though I did some research on the subject and piloted a program on the UC Davis campus back in the late 1980's as well. I've seen the obvious benefits of pet therapy for patients many times (reduced heart rate, slowed breathing, increased sociability, etc.) as well as some of the less obvious ones which include the benefits to the volunteers and their pets participating themselves in pet assisted therapy programs.

As I have in previous years, I will be teaching a three session series on pet assisted therapy for Molly's AdobeDogs Dog Training in Los Altos. The course begins on Saturday, August 17, at 11 a.m. The first class will cover what is involved in pet therapy work, the logistics of preparing yourself and your pet to participate, and an overview of the types of visits that you can do. The second class will cover other, more advanced forms of pet therapy including reading visits with children, off leash visits with at-risk or incarcerated youth, and animal assisted services, a specialized form of pet therapy where animals serve a direct role in the rehabilitation process, or within a clinical setting, for the patients they serve. The final class will cover the different pet therapy organizations you can join, including national groups, as well as local groups here in the San Francisco Bay Area. During the final class I will also do mock evaluations of the pets attending this class to give their owners a better idea of their pets' readiness to participate as pet assisted therapy animals.

In the past, this course has been limited, obviously, to pet owners local enough to Los Altos to be able to attend class three Saturday mornings in a row. This time around, I am hoping to open this class up to anyone interested in it by creating a virtual classroom on Zoom so that others across the country, and maybe even around the world, can attend. For those of you who are local and want to attend, here is the link to sign up: https://adobedogs.dogbizpro.com/public/registration/index.aspx?schedule=1266

For those of you out of the area who would like more information on attending the classes via Zoom, please email me or send me a message through Facebook, Instagram, Threads, etc. and I will get that information to you. You would still need to be able to view the class when it is “live,” so 11 a.m. PST on August 17. I will have someone monitor the Zoom classroom space for questions from those participants who are not present in the actual classroom, so everyone's questions can be heard and addressed in real time.

I'm very much looking forward to teaching this class as I've not taught it in over a year and I've not had the opportunity to offer any classes via Zoom as yet, so this trial run will allow me to determine the feasibility of other Zoom classes with me in the future.

As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.

My daughter and I on a pet therapy visit with Desi many years ago.

Senior Humans Make Awesome Pet Owners!

I've had a lot of older clients over the years, especially since I moved back to the east bay area where we have several large, vibrant, retirement communities populated by conscientious pet owners.  That's one of the attributes I love most about senior pet owners, they are conscientious to a fault. They take notes during our appointments, they always schedule their follow up before I leave that first appointment, and they ask great questions, actually listening to my answers.  It's not that younger pet owners don't listen, it's just that many of them are in such a hurry to get to "the punchline," that they miss all of the steps needed to help their pet actually get there safely.

Here's something I find really frustrating though.  Many of my senior clients had a terrible time acquiring their new pets.  Why, you might ask?  Well, because many rescue groups and shelters actually discriminate against older pet owners!  I understand that rescues and shelters don't want to place an animal that they see as too rambunctious, too powerful, etc. with a senior pet owner, but many seniors don't need those well-meaning rescue folks and shelter staff to tell them what they can and cannot handle. They've lived fulfilling lives and know their limits, trust me on that.  And if the hesitation with placing pets with seniors comes from a place of concern about their longevity, keep in mind that research supports that seniors live longer, happier, healthier lives when they have a support network, which can (and should) include pets.

I'd much rather see these rescue groups and shelters think more about what makes a good companion for a senior pet owner, looking at that specific senior in front of them applying for a pet, not what their own bias tells them a senior pet owner needs.  Better questionnaires about what specific behaviors/personalities senior pet owners are looking for, plus their experience, the home environment they'll be providing, etc. should all be a bigger part of matching a senior with a pet than just "Oh, this is an older pet owner.  They have to be paired with a senior animal."  I agree that senior pet owners often make lovely home environments for senior pets, but I know a lot of senior humans who want a pet who is more active and engaging than that feline or canine who is nearer the end of its life than the beginning or middle, particularly if they are seeking out a new pet after having just lost their most recent companion animal to old age. 

As a behaviorist, you know I'm way more interested in the behavior of animals than what they look like or how old they are per se. I like to help my senior clients find the right pet for their circumstances.  If they live in an apartment in a senior community, for example, then a German Shepherd won't be a good match, even if the senior human has had German Shepherds before.  But you know what, if what they liked about their German Shepherds was their brains, activity level, and watchdog abilities, why not go for a Havanese instead? They are smaller so better suited to apartment life; they are smart and agile, so they'll get you out for walks and trips to the park; they'll bark when people knock on your dog, so you'll feel safe; and best of all? They are incredibly social, increasing your sociability among your peers. Again, I'm just using these two breeds as an example to make my point.  Matching seniors with pets should be about more than their age.  Prior experience and current goals for that pet are huge factors to be considered more seriously!

Another pet peeve I have is the hesitancy to even place cats with seniors.  Again, why?  They are stable home environments where people are around a lot, having ample time to spend enriching those cats' lives. In fact, go ahead and place two cats with a senior so the cats have each other for company as well.  

It's interesting.  I find that breeders are often less reluctant to place a dog with a senior human than the rescues and shelters. Now, before you jump in and say well that's because breeders are in it for the money, let me just stop you right there.  First off, shelters and rescues charge a fee for their placed pets too.  Nothing is free.  Second, breeders have invested a lot of time and money in the dogs they produce so they actually do a lot to research prospective buyers, older, younger, families, whatever, and try to make a match (if they have one!) based on that. I know breeders who won't necessarily place an 8 week old puppy with a senior, but to be fair, they also don't want to place that same 8 week old puppy in a home with toddlers either!  And there are a lot of breeders who are looking to place young adult or middle aged dogs they have that they are no longer breeding or showing.  Wonderful dogs for almost any home environment, but none more so than a senior human experienced with that particular breed.

I feel like I'm going round and round here, so I'll leave you with this final thought. If you are someone working in a shelter or with a rescue group, don't discount those senior pet owners as potential adopters.  A lot of them have the time, money, and experience for a pet.  And I can tell you first hand, they invest in their pets' mental health and well-being too. 

As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.

Older pet owners have a lot to offer the pets in their care, including an investment in quality time.

In Defense of Dogs as Child Substitutes

I was at the tail end of a discussion with a client, a woman my own age, who has an adult son living with his girlfriend. My client was being a bit dismissive about the dog her son and his girlfriend were fostering and hoping to adopt.  Basically, she made a comment about this dog being nothing more than "a child substitute" for her son, an "experiment to see if they can parent together." The part I found most fascinating about this conversation was the fact that this client herself has a little dog she absolutely dotes on.  This dog wears clothing, rides in a stroller, and goes everywhere with her. I wanted to ask her if she could see the irony in her statements about her son and his new dog? You see, from my point of view, her little dog could be viewed as a grandchild substitute!  But really, is any of that wrong anyway? Not at all.

Dogs and humans have been coevolving for over 30,000 years.  Dogs have served many roles during that time, everything from guardian to caretaker to assistant.  And, yes, child substitute.  We care for dogs, just as we care for other family members.  Their health, happiness, and success depends on us.  Most parents of young children would tell you the same applies to their little kids. Whether a person decides to have children or not is a personal decision, just as pet ownership is.  And whether a person gets a dog to serve the purpose or fill the role that a child/grandchild would in that person's life is again a personal choice.  It is not up to us to judge them, make fun of them, or deride them for their choices.

I've known many young couples who adopt a dog together and then go on to have children together too. I've also known couples who just keep adding dogs, never opting for two-legged progeny.  It's none of my business why those couples chose either route.  It's simply my job to help them with those dogs, guiding them to see the most scientifically proven, effective ways to ensure that their dogs lead healthy, happy, productive dog lives.  If your dog is your baby, that's great!  If your dog is your companion, that's great too.  How ever the relationship works for you and your dog is completely legitimate, no judgment from me. 

Now, I know there are people out there rolling their eyes when they see dogs in strollers, wearing sweaters on Fall days, or raincoats when it's raining.  I get that for some people, these dog owner behaviors seem foreign or frivolous.  But here's the thing.  Some dogs get cold on cold days and/or don't like to get wet.  Sure, they are dogs, but they are dogs far removed from those ancestors living in human camps and dealing with the elements as they arose.  You know what?  We are ourselves far removed from that as well.  

So, please don't be quick to judge that dog in a stroller (he has legs, why isn't he walking like a normal dog?!) or that dog in a coat as being an over-indulged, pampered, child substitute.  While it very well may be, it can also simply be a senior dog who can't walk long distances any more and who doesn't thermoregulate as well as he used to. His owner is compassionate and caring and trying to make sure he is comfortable while still making sure he gets out and mentally stimulated in public settings.  And please don't assume that every couple with a dog and no kids is "using" that dog as a starter "kid," waiting to see if they can hack parenthood.  That's just ridiculous.  As any parent will tell you, parenthood is hard whether you had a dog first or not!

Dogs are many things to many people.  I like to think of mine as treasured family members.  Their lives are short and I intend to make sure that they enjoy themselves. 

As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.

Here are Desi and Ozzie wearing their raincoats on a rainy day. Now, you could argue that rough collies have coats that are heavy enough to keep them comfortable in the rain, and while that's true, I'm the one that had to dry them off when they got home and I didn't want to dry off any more dog than I had to.  Wearing those raincoats meant I had less to dry off, plain and simple.  And did the dogs care about the coats? Absolutely not.  They wore their raincoats, went for their walks, and everyone was content. Were my dogs child substitutes? No, I don't think so, but if you do, I'm okay with that!

You Are Not Alone

I met with a new client last week who gave me a big hug at the end of our appointment as she told me, "Thank you for helping us.  I feel so much better knowing we aren't the only family having these problems with our dog." Her comment really struck me as she truly felt like they must be the only ones. When she looked at the other dogs in her neighborhood, all she saw were "perfect" dogs and "happy" owners, she didn't feel like she should be taking her dog outside of her house and subject herself (and her dog) to their scrutiny. The funniest/not really funny part of all of this is the fact that she got my contact information from one of her neighbors.  She didn't think to ask why that neighbor had met with me! If she had, she'd have found out that it took a lot of work to get that neighbor's dog to the point where she could walk with him in public spaces without him barking, twirling, and grabbing her arm when he panicks!  I've actually worked with three dog owners in that same neighborhood, so I know that while those other dogs appear "perfect" and the owners appear "happy," there was a great deal of work that went into getting there. I couldn't, of course, tell my new client these things, but, what I could tell her is this:

You are definitely not alone.  Research published back in late 2023 found that 1/3 of the dogs in the study had behavior problems, as reported by the owners, and this was not at all representative of what was found in the veterinary records for those same dogs.  The bottom line:  there were a lot of dogs with behavior problems (the most common being noise sensitivities and fear and not listening to the owners) and those problems were not being shared with the pets' veterinarians.  Yes, pet owners should report behavior problems to their veterinarians as that's your first step in getting the right help for your pet.  But even more importantly, does your veterinarian show an interest in your pet's behavior, outside of what they see during your veterinary visits?  Do they ask you questions about your pet's behavior?  If they don't, they really should, as there needs to be less stigma associated with reporting behavior problems AND veterinarians need to provide a safe space to discuss those issues in behavior that effect that pet's quality of life and that of their owners.  There IS a strong connection between physical and mental health that needs to be recognized across the board.

A pet's behavior problems, regardless of their severity, should never deter an owner from seeking help and guidance.  For many of my clients, there is (unwarranted) guilt about the problems they are experiencing, leading them to seek answers in less reputable, but nonetheless anonymous, places on the internet.  While the world wide web can be amazingly helpful in many cases, treating behavior problems in pets using the internet is a black hole of misinformation.  There are great places to find reliable information on animal behavior, but those sites seem to be underutilized, with dog owners, in particular, gravitating toward the loudest voices claiming quick fixes and guaranteed results.  This mindset leads to disappointment at best, and to detrimental methodologies being foisted on dogs at worst. I realize it's human nature to seek out a "quick solution," otherwise why would there be all those ads on social media for losing weight, making money from home, and getting in shape without working out?  But quick solutions aren't always the best ones, that is the ones that result in real changes in your pet's behavior and their mindset, without damaging their relationship with you.

Here's the way I look at it:  It doesn't matter if your dog "just jumps on people," "just barks at the window," "just pulls on leash," OR "doesn't come when called," "won't drop things when asked," etc.  Those are all issues in behavior that a qualified professional can help you with!  Start with your veterinarian as they can help guide you to the right professional for the job.  A qualified dog trainer may be recommended, or someone like me, a true, certified animal behaviorist.  Either way, your vet is in the loop on the issues that you are having, and they are guiding you directly, no need to do an internet search and get lost in that black hole of dog behavior.  One of the main reasons I started writing this weekly blog was so pet owners would have a reputable online resource they could use when trying to figure out what to do for their pets.  And if they needed more help beyond the blog, they'd know who to ask.  There are even pet owners following my blog who don't have current issues with their pets and credit ideas they picked up from my blog for helping their pets stay mentally happy and healthy, and I love that!

As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.

This is my dog friend, Millie. We've worked together since she was a pup, and we are all grateful for those lessons as she is now just under 130 lbs and many issues commonly faced by dog owners (pulling on leash, jumping up, etc.) would be just that much more risky when you are talking about a large breed dog like Miss Mille.  And, yes, she's a Newfoundland!

Too Hot to Handle!

Across the country, soaring temperatures and high humidity are making this a summer to remember, and not in a good way.  These dangerously high temperatures aren't good for anyone, least of all for our pets.  I just wanted to review some things you can do to make sure your pets are comfortable as those thermometers ascend into the triple digits.

Walk your dogs early in the morning and/or late in the evening.  I know this sounds obvious, but the number of people I see out walking their dogs when temperatures are already in the 80's and beyond amazes me. Sidewalk and asphalt temperatures can reach 125 to 140 degrees when the air temperature is 75-85 degrees.  Even grass gets hot!  If the air temperature is 95 degrees, for example, the grass is 10-15 degrees warmer than that!  For those of you walking your reactive dogs at off peak hours and off peak places to avoid running into others, you will definitely be encountering a lot more dog owners out walking at those times too.  Keep that in mind as you decide on what route to take for your training walks. 

Remember, though, that you don't "have to" walk your dog. There are lots of other ways to get your dog exercise.  Everything from tossing a ball down a hallway, to setting up an indoor agility course around your furniture will do. It's also the case that providing your dogs with interactive toys and puzzles will stimulate and exercise their brains enough that they don't need a walk on a really hot day. 

Even dogs who don't like to swim can enjoy a kid's plastic wading pool. Put a couple of inches of cool water in the pool, add in some ice cubes to chase or floating toys, and sit back with a cool drink in the shade to keep an eye on them.  I like to make fun ice cubes and ice licks for my dogs using metal mixing bowls and ice cube trays.  I float cut fruit or veggies (berries, zucchini, carrots, apples) in either the mixing bowl or the ice cube trays and then freeze them. The ice cubes will pop right out into your wading pool, but you may need to run water over your metal mixing bowl sized ice lick to get it to come out! These colorful ice floats make getting into the wading pool that much more fun.

Plus, the quickest way to cool a dog (or yourself) is by getting your feet wet! Soaking your feet cools you off quickly, as does water on your head. For your dogs, wet a cloth and stroke their heads, or pour a small amount of cool (not cold) water on their heads. Some dogs like to lay down in water to cool off, but there are exceptions to the "just let them lay in the cool water" rule.

If your dog has overheated, don't pour cold water on them or immerse them in cold water. Doing so causes blood vessels to constrict which just keeps the warmth inside them. Opt for cool water on their heads, armpits and groin with a cloth, and on their feet if they can't stand up in a pool of cool water. Give them cool or tepid water to drink from a squirt bottle, or in very small amounts in a bowl. Don't let them gulp water and don't give them water that's too cold. You can also feed them frozen treats like pupsicles and doggie ice cream to cool them down. 

Create cooler spaces for your dogs. Use fans, cooling pads, cooling vests, and air-conditioning where available to keep everyone comfortable on hot days.  Close those blinds and limit your exercise and that of your dog to help everyone stay cool. Be mindful that puppies and senior dogs can overheat (and get cold!) faster than younger dogs.  Watch for signs of heat stress.

Panting on a hot day is normal. But if the tongue is lolling all the way out, looks larger and redder than normal and is accompanied by heavy panting and/or labored breathing/inability to catch their breath, your dog is experiencing heat stress. Get them indoors where it is cooler and cool them off slowly as outlined above. If you notice them drooling excessively, having pale gums, stumbling around/ataxic, having seizures, etc., though, take them to the vet immediately.

Move those outdoor water bowls, crates, dog houses, and raised beds to shadier locations through out the day. Any water bowl can get hot, but metal water bowls outside can burn a dog on a hot day.  Water left outside should be located in a shady area, along with those beds, dog houses, etc. If you don't have a shady area to place your dog's things AND they need to be left outside during the heat of the day, invest in an awning to put their necessary  things underneath, or, better yet, leave them indoors in their crates and hire a dog walker to come let them out to relieve themselves, and bring them back indoors to play before going back into their crates until you return home.

I realize a lot of this may seem like common sense to you, but if me saying it again saves one dog's life, then it was well worth repeating.

As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.

Here are Ozzie and Desi, 4th of July, 2016.  Desi didn't care for the wading pool, Ozzie, on the other hand, thought the ice cubes were delicious right before he laid down in the cool inch of water.