Pawsitively Lakewood: Ask the Trainer

One day you are walking down the street with one of your family members enjoying the sunshine and the smell of flowers in the air. You come across a giant, three times your height, baring it's teeth. Your family member quickly tries to pull you backwards, obviously being scared. You hold your ground protecting your family member but your own fear is seen through your furrowing brows and quickening of breath. The giant then in a quick motion leans above you in a threatening manner and one of his giant hand shoots out at your face. If this were a movie, you would comically punch the giant in the crotch and then run off to safety. But this isn't from a movie, this a situation that dogs deal with every day.

 This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. So, I decided to write my first Ask the Trainer on this very subject. One of the primary reasons that people get bit is by not respecting proper dog manners. Here are some tips on proper canine etiquette.

1. Always ask the owner if you can pet their dog. Their dog won't be comfortable when their owner isn't.
2. Don't stare into the dog's eyes. Even though we as humans are supposed to look the person we're talking to in the eyes, this is seen as a challenge of dominance, even a threat, to a dog.
3. A dog pays attention to far more than just your words. He sees where your eyes are looking and how much you're blinking. He watches everything from how fast you're breathing to the location of your hands. One important part his observation is your stature. The farther forward you lean the more aggressive you appear. The reverse is true as well, if you are leaning back you seem far less threatening. People react to these stances in much the same way. Wrestlers crouch and lean forward when beginning a match. In a horror movie when someone is frightened they will lean back away from the danger. When meeting a dog keep your stance straight up and down, neutral. This shows that you are neither scared nor a threat to the dog.
4. Your stance is still important when you attempting to pet the dog. Keep your stance vertical and bend at the knees to bring yourself to their level.
5. Approach and move at slow and steady speed. A quick movement will startle the dog. If a stranger darted his hand at you and you didn't know why, you'd probably jump back.
6. Allow the dog to approach you. Bend down and allow the dog to approach you for greeting. Imagine if a stranger walked up to you on the street and started stroking your hair. You'd probably hit him. Dogs tend to be more physical than people but they deserve the time to trust you first.

 Some advise to the the dog owner.

If you are afraid your dog is afraid. You must feel confident and in charge of the walk. When your dog is allowed to be in charge he will actually feel less confident about the situation. Training your dog in loose leash walking will allow you both to be more confident and keep you in charge of the walk. If your dog pulls, either stop walking or change directions. The combination of pulling and moving forward reinforces that good things happen when the dog pulls. When your dog pulls at someone and you pull back or yell at them they think you are scared of it. If Their leader is scared so are they; this raises their tendency of trying to “protect” you. On the chance that training on your own doesn't work, some time with your local dog trainer can help find a training method that works best for you and your furry family member.

There are some great activities this week for our dog loving community:

The Citizens Committee for the Lakewood Animal Shelter is hosting a fundraiser on Thursday at the Avenue Tap House in Lakewood from 5:30 to 8 pm called the 'Hair of the Dog' happy Hour and Silent Auction. There will be DJ entertainment, food, open bar and local comedian Mark McKenzie!

 Avenue Tap House

18206 Detroit Avenue

Lakewood, Ohio

$25 pre-order or at event.

 Patch has a great article on it at

For More information: http://www.cclas.info/HOD2011.html

Paws will be hosting PAWS-4-a-Cause: Find Your Forever Friend at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Grounds on Saturday May 21^st from 9:30 am to 3:00pm. Bring your dog! There will be dog contests. You can take a 1 or 2 mile walk around the park. If you pre-register you get a doggie bag and t-shirt. There will also be a raffle and a lot of vendors that will have tables. I'll be there with Pawsitive Influence as well!

Cleveland Metroparks Polo Grounds - South Chagrin Reservation

3841 Chagrin River Rd

Moreland Hills, OH

$25 pre-order and $30 at the event

 For more information: http://www.pawsohio.org/index.cfm/events/p4ac-2011/

All Dogs Heaven will be hosting a fundraiser at the Screaming Rooster in Lakewood called Grog for Dogs from 6:30-90:30 pm Wednesday may 25th. There will be a raffle, celebrity bartending, pizza and live music! I'll have more information on this event next week.

The Screaming Rooster

15527 Madison Ave

Lakewood, OH

 For the poster: 

http://www.alldogsheaven.org/Event.aspx?id=ylyjwxwI5kqfsDfRJP-JPw