February 2011

Evaluating Aggression In The Shelter Dog...

Posted by jennifer on February 16, 2011.

Run after run, I slowly walk down the aisle. Some tails wag, other bodies shake, some mouths growl and others have a warning sign on their run that says: "Do not touch" on the gate. Those are the runs that I find where a dog is in need of significant help.

After spending a long time working with extremely severe cases of dog aggression and aggression in captive wolves, it takes a lot for me to label a dog "aggressive" even though there are a lot of dogs that are deemed so.

Because dogs originated from wolves, in stressful situations, they still hold more fear than aggression towards humans and although something may look aggressive on the surface, most often it's not. With that said, it's important to work with the dogs that are shaking in their runs that everyone is afraid to touch. I should know as I own one of those dogs. Believe it or not, she is the sweetest dog I've probably ever owned once I got her out of the environment.

Some people are quick to determine a dog's state of mind when not looking at all the underlining issues. It's hard to say that a canine that is growling and barking is actually going to retain that when adopted. In most cases of shelter dogs, it is fear that is the ruling factor not dominance.

I always tell people that if you have an intelligent animal, expect that you may experience aggression in times of high stress. I know that if my dogs were in that environment as two German Shepherds for a prolonged period of time, they would start becoming aggressive. All people and all animals can be aggressive given fight or flight or the right circumstance to push them over the edge. It would be hard for a person to sit in a run day after day with all the noise and stress let alone a dog.

Certain tests that are done on shelter dogs to determine their thresh hold of tolerance should be done away from the kennel environment and not on any dog displaying aggression or fear. First you must build trust to get them completely over that hurdle before presenting something that could back fire that on that trust.

I don't believe in testing dogs inside shelter environments because it's not fair and not accurate. If you want to take the dog out for a walk first, that's one thing but doing anything along the lines of testing in a shelter run is like teasing a lion locked behind a cage. You have to remember that all things must be looked at from the dog's perspective.

The stress of a shelter can wear thin on not only the dogs but the people trying to save their lives. It's important to recognize that without these dedicated souls, most dogs in these environments would not make it out alive.

Hopefully, we can continue working on protocols while still establishing the need for individuality as truly, no dog is the same :-)

Henry 4.JPG

Comments (0) | email to a friend | permanent link

Evolving The Animal-Human Connection...

Posted by jennifer on February 7, 2011.

As we enter year 2011, new advancements in science are proving that our genetic DNA differs slightly from other humans. For instance, if you are a Sherpa, you may carry a different variable in the Ace gene that allows you to climb a high altitude mountain without using supplemental oxygen. While we advance towards new science, we can't forget the changing evolution in our relationship to claiming simplicity and understanding our pets.

The farther we go into our role as a supreme thinker, the farther we move away from seeing other creatures psychology. There is also a very big lack in sole responsibilty- taking time to work on our own human issues that effect our best friends.

It is important to recognize that without claiming our own short comings, it is very hard to work honestly and clearly with other animals. I see more and more people these days (without fault of their own), are not having the ability to look at their lives, go into their past and relieve themselves of the hurdles that block them to a more peaceful way of living. This then causes an animal who thinks, feels, smells & sees differently than us to take on these problems through energy, feeling & 6th sense which causes everything from stress, anxiety, fear and aggression.

While seperating animals that have true psychological and physical issues in relation to brain chemistry, genetics, etc. when I see a dog, I first have to see what is going on with the owner.

In relation to my work, I have seen it all from OCD to the loss of a spouse, divorce to alcohol & drug abuse issues, panic disorders, hoarding cases to even anger & rage. In order to make signifigant progress with the animal who is being effected by all of this, I must take into consideration human psychology.

I spend a great deal of time weekly clearing my mind of any anything that will hinder my work in helping a dog, wolf, etc. in need of assistance. If I were to walk into a house with an aggressive dog and carry my own personal issues into that environment, I would likely trigger an attack.

It is very important to me to walk into any environment with a clean slate and a clear mind having no adgenda until I get to know the animal and it's owner first.

I must shake hands with a dog (aggressive or not) and always meet them as an equal prior to proceeding and do the same with any humans in the picture. My approach differs drastically on a full scale as to solve a problem. No dog or person is the same and I must look at every case as individual.

What makes individuality is the sole & personality of the being. Just because Sherpa's hold a slightly different DNA code, it doesn't mean every Sherpa is the same although they may generally be able to breathe better than the average person at high altitude.

It is important in our own evolution to take sole responsibilty, concentrate on the details and not gloss over these things in order to be successful in life as well as with our pets.

I feel that by gaining this greater awareness & knowledge, we would have far less animals being killed everyday due to human issues as well as many less animal related problems if we took time to look at ourselves.

Comments (0) | email to a friend | permanent link