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CANINE CONNECTION: Boost your dog’s confidence with these simple activities

Having only two dogs in the house these days has left me with a bit more time. I didn’t realize just how much time having a third dog took until there was not a third dog around. And I miss it.
klucha

Having only two dogs in the house these days has left me with a bit more time.

I didn’t realize just how much time having a third dog took until there was not a third dog around. And I miss it. Well, I miss Piper and the space and time the big guy took up. It was precious time and space that I am now grateful I never once complained about having to give up. So until the day my heart has healed enough to bring another German short-haired pointer into my home, I am focusing on my other critters to keep myself busy because, as the saying goes, “The devil makes work for idle hands.”

Another big change after Piper’s passing is the behaviour of my dog Raider. Now that Piper is not here, Raider has visibly lost confidence along our walks. He used to walk ahead of me, shoulder to shoulder with Piper. When Piper dashed off into the forest after a squirrel, Raider was right behind. When Raider dashed off, Piper was the first critter he checked in with after he came back. Now Raider is reluctant to wander and investigate as he once did. He has developed a habit of following directly behind me with his nose so close that my heels rap him in the chin when I take a step. He startles easily at unfamiliar noises and when we turn back to the parking lot after a hike, he races ahead to get to the safety of the truck. I have had to find ways to bring up his confidence along our walks without his best buddy around.

Having to improve a dog’s confidence along a walk is not uncommon. Many rescued dogs have been inadequately socialized and lack healthy life experiences, so it is up to their new owner to help them see the world through confident eyes instead of uncertain eyes. They may express behaviours similar to Raider’s, or more fear-based behaviours such as slinking behind their owner when another dog or person approaches. They may lunge out and snap at a dog or person that has passed by or they may begin to bark frantically at the approach of a person or dog. All of these behaviours and more are signals of a poorly socialized dog that needs confidence boosting.

One of the best ways I have found to bring up a dog’s confidence is by doing nose work, such as participating in a tracking class or a search class. Both of these activities take the dog’s focus off of visual stimuli and, since dogs are sniffing machines, their confidence grows very quickly when they participate in either one of these super fun exercises. Consider signing up for a class. I know for a fact there are some held on the North Shore. But regardless, something as simple as tossing a few treats out along your walk and encouraging your dog to locate them with its nose is a great way to start.

Agility is another confidence-boosting exercise and this is where Raider shines. The border collie in him makes him lean, agile and fast. I have turned the forest into a natural agility course and encourage him to balance along logs, leap and sit on stumps, and dash under and over branches stacked like jumps. At the end, he is focused on me and he’s happy!

Don’t overlook obedience as a confidence booster. Working through an obedience routine with lots of praise and treats can do wonders for a dog’s confidence. Start from a sit/stay, then recall (come) from the sit/stay into a heel position, then heel to another sit/stay. When practised on walks through areas that are normally disconcerting to a dog, it is a great way for them to focus their minds on something other than their fears. If you have a dog lacking confidence and have not taken an obedience class yet, then do it. If your dog lacks social skills to participate in a group class, then consider private lessons – it is money well spent.

If you have a dog lacking in confidence when out on walks, help it out of its insecure shell by participating in one or all of these activities. Your dog will be healthier and happier for it!

Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. k9kinship@gmail.com