#some dogs are bred for that THEY JUST NEED AN APPROPRIATE HANDLER

[grison-in-space]

It's hard! Making breeding decisions is hard, and it's never quite as simple as people like to pretend--especially when you take tensions between selecting against variation and maintaining variation in a closed system that is supposed to spend all its time in maximally predictable and consistent forms.

I will also say--I don't think I've mentioned this to you, but I vastly think that slow selection (and more dogs being bred only once or twice at maximum rather than fewer being bred many times) is a huge factor in sustainable, healthy breeding: you preserve more beneficial variation that way and lose less of it to plain bad luck, even though it takes you a lot longer time to get there--and outcrossing should always, always be on the table as a source of replenished variation.

So. Maybe it's good for it to be hard to make breeding decisions. Maybe it's good for a dog who isn't perfect to have a litter or two with the aim to pick the nicest of those to keep on. Maybe it's good to be a little messy about it and take some time to get where we're going.

Dog people are so binaristic in our ethics sometimes, you know? And I think in some very unfortunate ways, that binarism has conspired to create an environment that prioritizes intense, major, incredibly selection pressures on our breeding in ways that intensify genetic problems. We don't have variety left to backtrack on for CDDY in Beagles now: wouldn't it have been good to be able to outcross out to pull in ears that might be a touch more pointy but come alongside stronger backs?

People act like a population is a snapshot in time, but it's not. It's a river of potential--and all that potential is constantly fluctuating and interacting with itself in unfamiliar ways. If you don't maintain a little variation in stuff that is a bit daft and awkward (quelle horreur, pointy hound dog ears), then you can't recover unexpected positives that get lost by rigid selection. And you might not be able to observe all those positives until they are finally extirpated from your local lines! Moving slowly means you don't break anything that you didn't intend to break, in terms of structures by which systems relate to one another.

Besides, a purely static dog type is a mistake: aesthetic fashions change over time, for one thing, and a population has to be able to respond to that. But that's just the fripperies--it's much deeper than that. We risk having our theoretical population unable to adapt to the cultural expectations and options for dog keeping in our current place and time. Even if we could be guaranteed to hone in on and create a cloned line of animals absolutely devoid of variation in any way, the needs of a culture change along with changes in its dog husbandry and the way people relate to dogs. Behaviors that would have been perfectly appropriate in a dog kept in more or less constant contact with a trusted handler become very difficult to tolerate for a dog that is kept solely in the home or in a few other spaces of life. The traits that make a Beagle a fine rabbit dog do not necessarily all align perfectly with the traits that make that Beagle a house pet--especially if Bunnicula up there in that hutch is considered a house pet, too!

I guess I am saying: we need to start fostering an ethics of breeding where the answer is, much more often than in past decades, "yeah, maybe, let's see what happens and learn from it." Sometimes we learn things unexpectedly when we introduce an island into our streambed or change the angle of the riverbank. Wider streams are more stable and less flood-and-dry than narrow little creekbeds, and we have more time to re-divert the flow if we move slowly relative to the size of the population, with much more tolerance of individual cosmetic fault. That's not to say that breeders can't or shouldn't do an important job by making choices about dogs--more, that folks should spend some serious time thinking about what kinds of variation are ethically important and why, because "zero variation" is not a great recipe for long term success and relevance.

I have developed both a very strong conviction about this and also a very strong belief that the level of disability I am grappling with + the level of intellectual involvement I have sunk into my career means that dabbling in breeding is not even remotely within the realm of my immediate future, so.

(also, sympathies about the essential D: of a much more hands-off approach when you've just had a lovely high-information intensively energetic and analytic one passed to you. It can be a lot sitting on your hands, craving data and information to plan or hope about!)

In regards to my thoughts on the podcast, I guess my agonies over Kermit's back screening scores were for nothing. Whether he has two calcifications (per OFA) or five (per INCOC) doesn't really matter. X-rays aren't even good at detecting them, and they aren't a good indicator over whether a dog will have a herniation event anyway. He's CDDY/CDDY, so he's at risk, which I already knew.

So I'm back at square one (scary square), which is basically cross my fingers and hope. And follow all the best practices, which are keeping my dog fit, trim, and intact, and minimizing the hard landings, and letting him run up and down the stairs, and basically letting him enjoy his life.

He's also insured.

And because he is so cobby and struggles with the A-frame and dogwalk (he has a hard time getting enough speed to scramble up it, compared to a lighter and more springy-backed dachsund), I'm comfortable keeping him off the obstacles for the rest of his life.

As for the bitch I'm getting, this breeder is not like a Belgian breeder where she has every aspect of temperament and working ability and various drives and size and COI etc. etc. etc. taken into account, and you are matched with your puppy based on what you are looking for. She's what appears to be a pretty typical hound breeder where here is a litter of puppies, here is a bitch, have fun. I'll see if I can ask for a girl with longer legs to see if I can get a CDPA dog, but it's going to be a crapshoot.

Which I already knew going in. So this has changed almost nothing for me. I'll continue screening Kermit's back every couple of years just to see if we can track any changes, and I'll do all my own health testing for my bitch like I did with him.

And I'll cross my fingers and hope.

[darkwood-sleddog]

Ok, this is a very genuine question, but could you please list out and maybe go in a bit detail on what's wrong with the whole AKC, and history? I've very curious with wanting to know when such a stress on looks and bloodline came to be, especially when older breeds were simply bred for a job.

The AKC and kennel clubs as a concept are not inherently a bad thing. I think registries are a GREAT thing, we should be keeping track of pedigrees and accepting registrations imo. What’s frustrating to me is the closing of stud books (meaning no new blood can enter breeds) and an unrealistic expectation/desire for perfection/uniformity and the attitude that surrounds that.

Dogs shows and kennel clubs came to be because people wanted a way to exhibit their breeding stock and compare them, so they could plan their breedings, they sprung up around cattle showing (and we can see the similarities to these two venues today). There’s a pretty nice article HERE. 

In the modern day, many people believe that a breeding is only reputable if the dog is both health tested AND titled to Championship. It was not always like this in the past, just go look at pedigrees from the early and mid century 1900s. Championship and often Grand Champion in the US have become expectations to prove ones reputability instead of proving the actual quality of the dog. Breeders that breed non-championed dogs can be ripped into by many people, believing that the dog has not proven itself to be breeding quality (often completely ignoring that the dog may bring other things to the breeder’s program like a good temperament, working attitude, genetic diversity, structural fixes etc).

The sport of showing, or taking conformation as a sport to excel in rather than what it is supposed to be (an evaluation of breeding quality in dogs) creates a competitive atmosphere which means that people will be acquiring or breeding a dog that meets what is most likely to win. This causes extreme uniformity (it is not unrealistic to expect breeds to be uniform and represent breed type across a spectrum in the breed, but for them to look clone like is, imo, not it). This competitive nature has gradually grown and grown over the years, as is natural (humans love to compete with each other). 

In addition, the show world is very “who you know” so judges are not necessarily impartial (and this is not a new thing in dog shows, the partiality of judges has been questioned since the beginning lmao) and well known judges may put up dogs related to their own lines or what they desire, creating a specific ring look. In a desire to win (be it conscious or not), many people will breed towards a ring trend and this is how many breeds have changed dramatically or subtly over time in addition to actual improvements and disprovements in structure and health that may happen over time with breeding programs. This creates an exclusive club that truly feels outing to those not on the “in” and the exclusive group of people will push their agenda, therefore forcing those with slightly differing dogs to look elsewhere (truly some of these people can be so nasty and the rise of social media has not helped this). This means that dogs that don’t fit the now very narrow view of the breed are pushed out of show circles or into non AKC show circles, effectively reducing the gene pool (because often AKC folks will look down on non AKC clubs in the US and not intermingle their dogs). In addition, in AKC dogs can be handled by a professional handler, somebody who makes money specifically off handling dogs in the show ring, creating further exclusivity (handlers can be expensive and is also connected very much to “who you know”), competitive nature, and includes a bit more capitalism. 

The extreme uniformity in many show dogs we see today is the result of closed stud books. When a stud book is closed you can’t add ANY new genetics, this makes it very easy to breed true to type (meaning when you breed a border collie to a border collie you will get more border collies for example), but as dogs are culled from that gene pool (perhaps they don’t fit the ring trend or have a minor flaw like a white marking), the dogs become very closely related. Especially when you are in show circles many of the dogs are even MORE closely related. This causes extreme uniformity because the show only people are unwilling to take dogs into their gene pools they deem “lesser” for being a bit different, but no less of the breed than their own. Now many breeders are aware of the dwindling genetic diversity in their breeds and conscious do things to help this, however it’s not enough of them imo.

To fix some of these issues Champion and Grand Champion need to be reserved for truly exceptional dogs and I think for working breeds a working test prior to championship being attained would be appropriate and for companion breeds, a companion temperament test. Currently if a dog is campaigned for a length of time and the judges they are shown under are chosen carefully, they can champion (dogs need 15 points and 3 major wins for CH in AKC). Which is not necessarily then a mark of quality, just a mark of how much money/time the owner/breeder had to put towards the dog achieving points). A less exceptional dog may be campaigned for a long amount of time and a truly wonderful example of a breed may campaigned for a short amount of time and they will both be Champions (and unless you know what went on with that specific dog and aren’t very educated in that specific breed then how will you know the quality of Dog 1 is different than that of Dog 2 when they are given an equal stamp of quality from the show ring?) 

A more expansive grading of the dog’s quality (E for Exceptional through P for poor for example vs just points/Champion and above) would allow a greater diversity in the ring and a more nuanced explanation of what that judge/club thinks of the dog’s breeding quality (The Norsk Kennel Club has a system similar to this). Reduce entry fees. Ban professional handlers (reduction of capitalistic intent in the show ring), make Champion a mark of a truly exceptional dog, understand that not every dog is exceptional, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t breeding quality. Make health tests on parents mandatory for the registration of litters. Open stud books. Make registrations more easily to looked up/at. If a marking or coloring occurs naturally/historically within the breed it should be fine to show (I’m looking at YOU white shepherds). Would that make showing more complicated? Heck yeah. Would any of these changes be likely to happen? Heck no...the AKC is pretty stuck in their ways.

This is a really complex question, not one I’m able to answer in 100% accuracy in terms of why and how, other than....dog people are privileged. And they operate the AKC as such. I recommend looking into the literature from decades past and comparing them with prevailing attitudes now to get a better feel for how your breed of choice may have changed for better or for worse. Old breed literature and looking at how that literature evolves over time is a great insight into the ever morphing attitudes in the AKC.

[bloojayoolie]

Being Alone, Cats, and Children: Id 61T6, 5 yrs. 39 lbs of joy Brooklyn ACC WAPO The wiggliest, sweetest, most endearing boy w/only love in his heart for everyone! Gentle, hopeful, happy - A GEM! TO BE KILLED - 5/23/2019 Wapo is a tiny boy, who is much too thin, has old scars and callusses on his legs and needs lots of TLC ! Wapo came into the shelter trembling, but he puts his best paw forward - warming up to the staff and his volunteers, wagging his tail a little and trying to make the best of it. Wapo has been surrendered by an owner who obviously did not care properly for him, he was not even fed enough. In the shelter he is whining, when he sees a doggy friend - probably he would love to spend some time with every 4 legged buddy he sees. Please share little Wapo for the safe, loving home he deserves - with parents that actually care! A volunteer writes: I don't know if it's that sweet little face, those gentle brown eyes, or all the wiggling that goes on when I pet him, but I just find it so darn hard to pull myself away from Wapo. He can be a bit shy with new people, but don't worry, that doesn't last long and before you know it, you'll be part of his growing circle of friends. He's a really friendly and affectionate boy who'll happily do his little wiggle dance when you show him any kind of attention...or give him a treat! He has a medium-to-high energy level and knows the commands sit, come, and lie down. He was relaxed and gentle with the two large dogs he previously lived with, as well as with dogs who used to visit him. He's also been a very good boy at playgroup here at the shelter. Wonderful Wapo has become a Favorite with staff and volunteers...come and see why by meeting him at the Brooklyn ACC shelter where he's excitedly awaiting his fur-ever home. MY MOVIE: Wapo <3 https://youtu.be/xNohG9qAH00 WAPO, ID# 61576, 5 yrs old, 39 lbs, Brooklyn Animal Care Center, Large Mixed Breed Cross, Tan Male, Owner Surrender Reason: stated as person circumstance- moving - no pets allowed. Behavior History: During intake Wapo was shying away from the counselor. He did allow the counselor to collar him and take his picture with no problems. Spay/Neuter Status: Neutered Basic Information:: Wapo is a neuterd tan male dog that was surrendered by his owner due to the fact he is moving and could no loner have pets. The owner stated that Wapo was bred at home and he has had him for the past 5 years. Previously lived with:: 2 adults 2 dogs How is this dog around strangers?: When around strangers Wapo is shy for a few moments then he will warm up. When playing with adults he is gentle. How is this dog around children?: Wapo has not spent time in the home with children so it is unknown how he will react. How is this dog around other dogs?: Owner stated that Wapo has spent time in the home with 2 other large dogs and he was relaxed and affectionate. When playing with other dogs he is gentle. How is this dog around cats?: Wapo has not spent time in the home with cats so it is unknown how he will react. Resource guarding:: Wapo is not bothered if someone was to touch his food treats or toys. When someone unfamiliar approaches his house he will bark. he is not bothered if someone unfamiliar approaches his family member. Bite history:: Wapo does not have a bite history. Housetrained:: Yes Energy level/descriptors:: High Other Notes:: Owner stated that during fireworks Wapo will hide. He is not bothered if he is restrained pushed off the couch or disturbed while he sleeps. He is not bothered if he is bathed or brushed. He has never had his nails trimmed so it is unknown how he will react. Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No Medical Notes: No reported medical concerns. For a New Family to Know: Owner described Wapo as friendly affectionate and playful.When at home he will follow his owner around. He has been kept mostly indoors and eats dry dog food.When using the bathroom he will go outside on the grass or cement. When left alone in the home he is well behaved. he has never been kept in the yard so it is unknown how he will react. He has been crated an does well. He knows how to sit, come lay down and when called. He is used to brisk walks on the leash. When off the leash he will wander but comes back when called. Behavior Assessment Date of intake:: 4/30/2019 Spay/Neuter status:: Yes Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner surrender Previously lived with:: 2 Adults, 2 Dogs (Large) Behavior toward strangers:: Initially shy, but warms up quickly and plays gently Behavior toward children:: Unknown Behavior toward dogs:: Relaxed and affectionate (w/resident dogs); Plays gently (w/visiting dogs) Behavior toward cats:: Unknown Resource guarding:: Wapo's previous owner reported Wapo to growl when his food or food bowl are touched. No reported resource guarding reported over his treats or toys. Bite history:: None reported Housetrained:: Yes Energy level/descriptors:: Wapo is described as friendly, affectionate and playful with a high level of energy. Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate pulling Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Very friendly and social with people encountered on walk Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Neutral body, ears back, tail low, explores somewhat, whining, follows handler, panting, somewhat approaches, but backs away, readily accepts treats with a soft mouth, low tail wags Call over: Approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Tense, leans in immediately with contact, lip licking, closed mouth, ears back, tucked tail, accepts contact Exuberant handling: Tense, leans in immediately with contact, lip licking, closed mouth, ears back, tucked tail, accepts contact Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follows handler, low and fearful, panting Arousal comments: Knock Knock Comments: Whines when assistant exits the room; No response to knock; Approaches assistant, tail wagging, then pulls toward the door seeking exit Toy Toy comments: Minimal interest; Panting, distracted by outside noises Summary:: According to Wapo's previous owner, she stated that he has spent time in the home with two other large dogs and he was relaxed and affectionate. When playing with other dogs he is gentle. Here at the Care Center, Wapo displays a soft wiggly body when greeting both a novel male and female dog. He engages in high energy bouncy-play, with a few body bumps and persistent paw slaps. Wapo's high energy level and paw slaps quickly overwhelm the other dogs, but he does listen to correction briefly. Due to his behavior around other dogs at the Care Center, the Behavior Department recommends that Wapo be placed in a home with other dogs who are highly socialized and tolerant of his high energy behavior. 5/2: When off leash at the Care Center, Wapo is introduced to a novel female dog. He is initially nervous as he explores the pen with a lowered head/body with low tail wags. His body softens when he greets the female at the gate. He engages in cooperative chase play with leaps and bounces and does not attempt to mount the female. 5/3: Wapo was introduced to a juvenile male. He engages in bouncy play, with dramatic play bows. He mounts the puppy at the end of the play session. 5/17: Wapo returned to the group after recovering from CIRDC, and greeted a novel female dog. Wapo initially fixates on the greeter’s rear end before soliciting play. When the greeter corrects him, he walks away for a few minutes. Further, into his session, he returns to engage in play and backs away when he is overcorrected. 5/18: Wapo engaged in bouts of play, and can be a bit persistent; constantly paw slapping. He leans and lowers himself to the floor when the other dog does the same. 5/19: WaPo was introduced to a novel neutered male today. He greets the male with a wiggly body, but quickly overwhelms the other male with his high energy and paw slaps. 5/20: Wapo greets a novel female with a soft body and wanders the yard. Date of intake:: 4/30/2019 Summary:: Initially avoided contact; Allowed all handling Date of initial:: 4/30/2019 Summary:: Tense, trembling, soft muzzled as a precaution; Warmed up, tail wagging ENERGY LEVEL:: Wapo was observed to exhibit a medium level of energy during his interactions in the care center. BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 3 Behavior Asilomar: TM - Treatable-Manageable Recommendations:: No children (under 13) Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Wapo's overall level of fear and anxiety, as well as his reported resource guarding in a previous home environment, we feel it would be best for him to be placed in a stable, adult-only home environment to ensure his success. It is advised that the new adopters should be able to exercise appropriate and safe management when handling Wapo, allowing him to acclimate and decompress at his own pace. Force-free, reward-based training only is advised, as well as utilizing guidance from a qualified, professional trainer/behaviorist. Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Fearful,Anxiety Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Wapo's previous owner reported Wapo to growl when his food or food bowl are touched. No reported resource guarding reported over his treats or toys. This behavior has not been observed in the care center. Please refer to the handout on Resource guarding. Fearful: Wapo exhibits initial fearful behavior during his interactions in the care center. He was observed to pant excessively, whine and initially avoid contact with certain handlers during his assessment, although he did accept and lean into all contact. During his medical and intake exams, Wapo was also observed to show initial fearful behavior (tense, trembling and avoiding contact), but was able to settle on his own, warming up and allowed all handling. Please refer to the handout on Fearful behavior. Anxiety: Wapo displayed some anxious behavior during his interactions in the care center. He was observed to excessively pant and whine throughout his assessment, especially when a staff member would leave the room. He was not observed to escalate beyond these behaviors. Please refer to the handout on Anxiety. Medical Behavior Rating: Blue MEDICAL EXAM NOTES DVM Intake Exam. Estimated age: Approx 5 years. Microchip noted on Intake? Negative, placed at intake History : Owner surrender. Subjective: BARH, tense and trembling, soft muzzle placed for medical treatments as precaution, but he does warm up and starts wagging tail at the end of treatments. Evidence of Cruelty seen - none Evidence of Trauma seen - none, Objective: P = wnl R = wnl, BCS = 3.5/9. EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted. Oral Exam: Moderate to severe tartar (worst at canines). PLN: No enlargements noted. H/L: NSR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupnic. ABD: Tense, non painful, no masses palpated. U/G: Male intact, one scrotal testicle. No inguinal testicle palpated. MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat except alopecia and erythema at lateral aspects of hocks, elbows (likely pressure points) CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities. Rectal: Externally normal. Assessment: Dental disease, Underweight, Cryptorchid, Dermatitis - suspect pressure points. Prognosis: Good. Plan: Monitor weight, recommend dental cleaning upon placement, Neuter. SURGERY: Okay for surgery * TO FOSTER OR ADOPT * HOW TO RESERVE A “TO BE KILLED” DOG ONLINE (only for those who can get to the shelter IN PERSON to complete the adoption process, and only for the dogs on the list NOT marked New Hope Rescue Only). Follow our Step by Step directions below! *PLEASE NOTE – YOU MUST USE A PC OR TABLET – PHONE RESERVES WILL NOT WORK! * STEP 1: CLICK ON THIS RESERVE LINK: https://newhope.shelterbuddy.com/Animal/List Step 2: Go to the red menu button on the top right corner, click register and fill in your info. Step 3: Go to your email and verify account \ Step 4: Go back to the website, click the menu button and view available dogs Step 5: Scroll to the animal you are interested and click reserve STEP 6 ( MOST IMPORTANT STEP ): GO TO THE MENU AGAIN AND VIEW YOUR CART. THE ANIMAL SHOULD NOW BE IN YOUR CART! Step 7: Fill in your credit card info and complete transaction HOW TO FOSTER OR ADOPT IF YOU CANNOT GET TO THE SHELTER IN PERSON, OR IF THE DOG IS NEW HOPE RESCUE ONLY! You must live within 3 – 4 hours of NY, NJ, PA, CT, RI, DE, MD, MA, NH, VT, ME or Northern VA. Please PM our page for assistance. You will need to fill out applications with a New Hope Rescue Partner to foster or adopt a dog on the To Be Killed list, including those labelled Rescue Only. Hurry please, time is short, and the Rescues need time to process the applications.

[theramseyloft]

Thank you!

That was very in depth and exactly what I needed to know, but now I have some more questions.

I don’t actually do structured training sessions with pigeons because literally every interaction is social training and reinforcing.

Ankhou picked up most of what he knows in the context of what he observes and how we interact with him.

“Excuse me, Ankhou.”, for example, is something he picked up watching my husband step out of my path when I was addressing him, so when Ankhou is addressed, he gets out of the walk way.

Where would a clicker have fit into that?

Or into things where there is more than one appropriate responce to a request that involves more than one step?

“‘Kou, I need to take my shot.” means “Either be still or go somewhere else until the needle is gone.” to him.

Which behavior would I click for?

Three are implied, in two steps.

1. Stop what you’re doing.

2. go away/be still

“Until the needle is gone” is widely variable, but if he can still see the needle, the time to do the thing is “not now”.

If he can’t see the needle any more, it is safe to play with, cuddle, or ask something of me.

When would I click?

When he either leaves or freezes?

When he displays understanding of the task by returing when the needle is gone?

Both?

Though the click could easily stand in for “now” or “ok”, it would be one more physical thing AND one extra behavior for me to remember, which actually makes it two extra things and twice as likely to throw a wrench into the mechanics of my randomly faulty exectutive function.

That issue is exponentially compounded by trying to slot into the list of behaviors exactly how many times I need to click, when, and for what.

Since most peoples exectutive function works just fine, the more important issue is taking into account his specific species.

Pigeons are noise sensitive prey birds.

I am also noise sensitive.

I have played with a lot of clickers (back when I bred rats and wanted to learn to use one to train them), and maybe different brands make different sounds, but all the ones I have encountered are stiff, so the click is tinny, sharp, and very loud.

Even at arms length, pressing the clicker myself so I know when to expect it, the noise startles me with its volume and can physically hurt on a hypersensitive day.

Parrots and dogs and other species with loud vocal comunication are not easily startled by that sort of input (loud clicks are already part of dolphin language!), but a pigeon would be.

So, to me, using a clicker on a pigeon plays out as:

Context clicks for pidge.

Pidge: responds appropriately.

Handler: makes a SUDDEN LOUD METALIC NOISE!!! that pidge was not expecting.

It seems more like a punishment than a stand in for “yes”.

Like if “yes” were comunicated to a dog by turning on the vaccuum cleaner when it did something right.

Comunication with pigeons needs to be calm and clear. The word is more important than the tone because the word is the consistant thing and tone fluctuates based on mood.

Yelling an enthusiastic YES! benefits a dog because the tone and volume combined convey to it that its handler is very pleased.

The happy tone conveys the emotion to the dog, and he volume amplifies the emotion.

Louder yes in happy tone means especially happy yes to a dog.

But the volume itself would make the same exchange terrifying to a pigeon because loud things automatically register as dangerous.

Danger would be the highest priority message to the pigeon, overshadowing the word meaning correct and the tone being pleased.

Coming back to the sudden loud, sharp, metalic noise: Pigeons are DEFINITELY smart enough to figure out that that specific sound is harmless, but isn’t it kind of a step backwards for the animal to have to be taught or figure out not to be alarmed by the training tool that confirms a specific behavior as correct?

And with all that in mind, would using a clicker still be as beneficial to pigeons belonging to people with out executive function disorders as it objectively is for so many other species?

I appreciate your time and patience.

Thank you so much for going into so much detail and helping me fit together the exact things I’m having difficulty with.

Based on the "training" method you just explained, do you think a pigeon would be receptive to clicker training? It seems like it would be useful to pinpoint what exact behavior you're rewarding.

Sure, but verbally praising the behavior calls it by a specific name and reenforces the language we are trying to help the indoor pigeon learn to understand.

A clicker is quick, but does not reenforce learning what the behavior is called.

[deankfjk732-blog]

What Type Of Pet Dog Would Match You Finest: An Appearance At Canine Breeds

10 Things You Require To Know Prior To Getting A Dog

To begin with, would you desire a huge pet, state around 100 lbs, a medium-sized pet dog, around 50 lbs, or a small or toy dog, which would be under 20 lbs. If you desire a large dog but have a small lawn, then you would need to offset the lack of space by taking it on a lot of strolls. If you desire a small dog, then a little type, especially in the toy group would be the very best choice for you.

Because you like your animal, you likewise want to provide some believed to how he or she will fare in a big crowd of revelers. If you understand that your canine is prone to anxiety, you might give him a restricted role, such as strolling down the aisle, but then going house for the reception (you can always bring him a dog bag later on!). On the other hand, if you have a fun caring Lab or a laid back golden retriever, he can remain and enjoy the festivities as long as he likes. It is essential to designate somebody as the pet dog's handler for the evening to make certain that he is gotten for restroom breaks as needed and to keep him from tasting the wedding event cake.

Canine Habits - Our 2 Australian Shepherd Puppies And The White Couch

To get in touch with quality of french bulldog young puppies you should make certain to deal with reputed bulldog breeder. It is always smart to handle an individual who exclusively renders its service as a French bulldog breeder. Locating out a quality breeder would end up being a bit of tough job especially if you are just brand-new to the area or if it is the very first time for you to embrace a pet dog as an animal. Then at this point of time you are not just needed to handle reputed breeder however you must also ensure that you get in touch with quality of pet.

As soon as you find the ideal breeder and get your pup, you ought to be prepared for some work. Golden retrievers are notorious chewers and don't be surprised to find http://lukasjnqb512.angelfire.com/index.blog/1546672/box-of-puppies-left-under-bridge/ your valuables and space filled with bite marks need to you leave the pet dog unattended for too long. Offer it enough toys to chew on and you must be great. Simply remember: a pet does not know the distinction in between a "chew shoe" and your $200 Nikes!

Picking Your Next Pet Dog Type - What's Finest For You?

Health Issues: One rather odd health issue with the australian shepherd issues any breeding between 2 merle pets. This crossing can often lead to deafness or blindness in the offspring. Care should be exercised to choose an appropriate mate for the merle canine. Severe spine problems can occur if bob-tail pets are bred to bob-tail pets. The Shepherd can also suffer from cataracts. Hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism can likewise occur in this type.

Pekingese: The Pekingese's bark competitors that of the Chihuahua. They are a royal toy breed with an extremely enthusiastic bark. They enjoy being pampered, however take the job of signaling their household to risk extremely seriously.

Choosing A Dog Type: Medium Sized Dogs

Numerous pets do not get enough workout also. Training and having the capability to move can be a favorable thing supplied that they are safe there. Each individual must decide on their own, based on location, type and use of the pet what the response is. It belongs to being a responsible owner and not up for others to dictate due to the fact that of disagreeing.

[w0lfmaan]

Sled Dog Film Review

Sled Dog Film by Fern Levitt

Review by Wolfmaan December 3, 2018

I have been fortunate enough to get a private screening of the 2017 documentary by Fern Levitt called "Sled Dogs: The Cold Truth about Mans Best Friend". This movie was created with the help of

Search Engine Films

, the

Documentary Channel

, and the

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) 

 The documentary wanted to show some of the extremely rare, sad, and sinister things that happened in the dog sledding industry in North America.  

Before you begin reading this article, it's important to understand my perspective. I have been working in the outdoor industry for over a decade and have a long list of professional credentials. I own my own sled team, and run my dogs recreationally any time the temperature is below +10C. I have worked for dozens of outdoor recreation facilities including some portrayed in this documentary. I have a passion for dogs and strongly believe that dogs should have the opportunity to do what they are built to do. My dogs are like my children. They live in my home, sleep in my bed, and get chauffeured around in their own bus. Yes, a bus. They receive the

BarkBox

every month, and are cared for similar to human children. I am very much and shamelessly pro-working dog, and anti-abuse. The majority of mushers commercial or otherwise feel this way. Humans have a passion for dogs. It's in our genetic makeup. Scientists have discovered that when early humans began tens of thousands of years ago domesticating dogs for hunting and protection, they became a part of our humanity. Dogs could run faster, smell better, and protect us in ways we couldn't do ourselves. In return we gave them food, and shelter and love they desired. It has always been a symbiotic relationship. Scientifically speaking humans are genetically coded to love dogs, because those who did not love dogs, and tried to live in caves alone - died. If you didn't have a dog to help you hunt, your family would have starved. If you didn't have a dog to watch over you while you sleep, your family may have been eaten by bears, sabertooth tigers, or slaughtered by other tribes. Dogs helped us survive. Dogs have been everywhere on the planet humans have gone, including into space.  

Dog on Russian Space Station in Microgravity

  For tens of thousands of years dogs have been built and bred for specific purposes. Some dogs are best suited for hunting, herding sheep, and of course hauling loads. Some have been trained to detect bombs, illegal drugs, oncoming seizures and even cancer. Most dogs were bred to have specific working traits, Be it pointing for Pointers, Retrieving for Retrievers, or pulling for Arctics and other sled dogs. Sadly with extreme human domestication, living in cities away from wilderness life, many of these dog traits are no longer needed. For example few people in the western world adopt a Jack Russell Terrier to run around their apartment and kill rats. The Northern breeds such as Siberian Husky, Malamute, Northern Inuit Dog, and Akita have been bred to withstand extreme cold temperatures as cold as -60C and often haul heavy loads for long distances. Studies have shown their foot pads reduce blood flow in the cold and allow them to go "barefoot" over all terrain and weather. Something few humans can comfortably do. Indigenous people in many northern climates such as Siberia and Northern Canada still use dogs for their day-to-day travels as part of their cultural heritage. Often times dogs are capable of accomplishing tasks that machines cannot.

RCMP Officer with Sled Dog Team

  With a deep and rich history, it's no wonder that sled dog sports have flourished over the past decades. People see the beautiful crystal blue eyes of the Siberian Husky, and hear the yipping of their pack members on the dog line. People who have visited dog mushing facilities watch as the dogs try and pull the sled, even when it's anchored to a tree or vehicle. The dogs are always raring to go. Most mushers will tell you "These dogs love to run! We can't make them run. Making a dog pull a sled is like trying to push a rope".  You can see it in the dogs eyes, and feel their energy when near them. They truly love to run and pull. What could sound better than a dog with over 11,000 years of breeding to run and pull, get that exact life. They get to live in the wilderness, get food better than us, and enjoy their passion. For most sled dogs, and mushers, this is precisely what happens.

Every single musher in the world has a passion for dogs

. No one gets into dog sports because they dislike dogs. Mushing and handling dogs becomes an unhealthy obsession. We wake up in the morning and feed and run our dogs. We go to work and think about the dogs. We go on dates with new potential love interests and speak of our dogs. We reluctantly go to social events and leave our dogs, only to speak of our dogs to everyone who will listen. We wake up at ungodly hours to feed, water, and race our dogs. We buy specific vehicles just to move our dogs. We are often surrounded by statues and "stuffies" of dogs in our homes and vehicles. Dog sports consume mushers. Sadly not everything is as beautiful as it seems. There are large, commercial operations around the world who need to keep hundreds of dogs in order to supply demand from consumers. Most dog facilities take immaculate care of their animals. The documentary Sled Dogs: The cold truth about mans best friend delves into a few of the bad apples of the bunch. It shows the good, the bad, and the ugly of both the commercial industry and the personal side of the dog sledding industry. Weaved throughout the film is the plight of a dog musher running the Iditarod. We see how the veterinarians are constantly checking the dogs, ensuring there are no issues with their health, and mushers are shown constantly caring for their dogs. They rub cream on their feet, feed them super high calorie and fat foods, and observe mandatory rest breaks to ensure everyone is in top shape, and the dogs are cared for. Dogs that show any signs of injury such as stiff joints, muscle soreness are "dropped" or removed from the race team. Female inmates at the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center in Eagle River care for "dropped dogs" and continue a tradition which began during the 1974 Iditarod.  

This kind of care, constant checking, loving, and caring of the dogs is what everyone expects the industry to be. Most of the dog sled facilities that operate carry a passion for dogs, have staff that live, breathe, eat, and sleep dogs, and will do anything possible to protect and care for them. The sad part of the film, shows how a few of the dog sled facilities keep their dogs in the off season, how they judge and execute dogs that don't make the cut, and portray some of the abuse some of the less reputable facilities bestow on their dogs.

Tethered sled dogs with dilapidated but functional shelter

  The film focuses a lot on dog tethering. Although dog tethering is the industry standard for dealing with large amounts of dogs, it can quite quickly turn into a neglect situation if dogs are not properly cared for and exercised. Tethered dogs need to be seen to multiple times a day, including spending time off-tether in order to burn off energy, interact socially and get exercise. The photo above shows a tethered sled dog with a home in disrepair. By human standards this "home" may be an abomination, however for dogs this small box provides the ability to get out of the rain. The small size ensures the the dog will not get as cold as there will be less moving air inside the box and they will stay warmer. Dog tethering in the industry is considered a "necessary evil" for a multitude of reasons. Unlike many peoples fantasies, dog mushers cannot simply buy an old warehouse, fill it with couches and have hundreds of dogs running loose. Loose dogs will almost always lead to dominance issues, fighting, or worse. Dogs that are allowed to run untethered will often make quick twists and turns during play which can rip muscles in their legs and cause irreparable damage to tendons and cartilage. Dogs usually form certain hierarchies and will cause significant harm to each other if this is challenged.

Several high end mushers have spoken out AGAINST free running dogs and been supporters of tethering for just this reason

.

[LINK]

It's also important to understand that tethered dogs do not spend their entire lives chained up. They are chained up between running. No different than a domestic dog spending 8 to 10 hours in a crate while their owners are at the office. The difference is the dogs are outside, have water and food, and when properly cared for, are constantly being inspected by staff and owners. Proper, humane, attentive, and ethical tethering is an appropriate way to handle large numbers of dogs. Tethering prevents fighting, undue joint stress and tearing of muscles and ligaments. The

scientific study

[LINK]

by the College of Veterinary medicine at Cornell University found that comparing sled dogs confined by tethers to those confined in pens found no evidence that tethering is unsafe or inhumane if carried out properly. If a dog is to live on a chain, in a pen, or on a couch they can still be neglected and abused. Proper treatment is key to ensuring dogs live fulfilled and happy lives. Dogs need to feel happy and  love by their handlers. The film also goes in-depth into

the 2010 Whistler dog massacre

[LINK]

. This event was when employees of the Howling Dog Sled Tours was tasked with, and completed the execution of 56 sled dogs. After spending two days killing dogs, Robert Fawcett stated that it caused him psychological harm and required treatment for both physical wounds left by dogs trying to defend themselves from him killing them, and psychological treatment to cope with his own actions. Shown in the film is something that parallels television shows like

CSI

with workers clad in exposure suits exposing mass graves of dogs, and investigating their cause of death. Robert Fawcett was sentenced to three years’ probation on November 22, 2012 for causing unnecessary pain and suffering to nine of the animals. Sadly, Judge Steve Merrick concluded Fawcett had "the best interests of the dogs at heart" when he violently slaughtered them Whistler. The sad part of this incident was the film shows that the expensive investigation did not accomplish much. The only reason this incident was investigated was because they caused "undue suffering" to the dogs. If the dogs had been killed in a manner which did not have them attacking Robert Fawcett, no laws would have been considered broken. Shooting unwanted dogs is not illegal in most areas of North America. Certainly more needs to be done. The government of British Columbia increased the standard of care for sled dogs, and released a guide to killing sled dogs.

Several mushers are interviewed in the film, and describe how they have personally witnessed dogs being beaten with chains, "broken in mind, body, and spirit" as well as choosing which dogs live, and which are to be put to death because they are no longer capable of running.  Several are brought to tears recalling what they witnessed. The film brings to light some of the rare and unfortunate events that have happened in the dog sledding industry. It is an important documentary to watch, and should be widely seen by the general public. It is very important to note that this film depicts some of the worst of the industry, but does not represent the industry as whole. Most dog mushing facilities care greatly for their dogs and instruct staff to do the same. There is no tolerance for much of what is portrayed in the documentary. All dog lovers who see the rare incidents portrayed in this film are outraged.  

So what can be done?

As with all things in the world, public education is key. Yes the abuse and neglect happens in

very rare

cases. No, it's not okay. Removing the heritage of working dogs is most certainly a foolhardy method of dealing with the issues at hand. Dog Mushing is part of many peoples cultural history. Certainly for various Indigenous tribes. In North America sled dogs have been an important method of transportation for both European and First Nations people for centuries. Keeping sled dogs running and pulling is part of their cultural heritage. Canada would not have been settled as a nation if it were not for the help of sled dogs. Banning dog sledding outright is a horrible solution. This has been proven recently in

Florida where a banning of dog sports has resulted in tens of thousands of dogs that now need new, homes or face execution

[LINK]

. Retired working dogs don't usually make easy pets without a lot of work. Race dogs which have spend their lives outside do not have any concept of discipline. They don't know to ask to go outside. They don't understand the world isn't their chew toy. They have no manners such as not jumping or lunging. They have spent their entire lives focused on running. Anyone who adopts a former tethered sled dog as a house pet is in for a real surprise when the dog doesnt act like other dogs. Negative activism such as releasing tethered sled dogs into the wild is a disasterous, inappropriate and childish action. Activists who have done this ended up being responsible for multiple dog deaths in Alaska where 20+ dogs were released by activists only to be hit by cars, eaten by bears and coyotes or never return again. Focusing on promoting appropriate treatment and care of sled dogs is the best answer. It has never been "us vs them" against activists. Mushers are passionate dogs lovers and everyone wants to see the dogs happy. Public outcry for better conditions is important. Constant oversight by third party investigators (government and otherwise) is important for commercial operations. Whistle Blowers in the form of mushers speaking out is important. All animals deserve a cruelty free, fulfilling, and joyous life.    

References

"War grave experts exhume bodies of 100 sled dogs killed by tour operator in post Winter Olympics massacre"

.

Mail Online. 3 May 2011

Sled Dog Code Of Practice British Columbia January 30, 2012

Hindes, L. M. (2003). Historical perspectives on the human-animal bond. American Behavioral Scientists, 47(1), 7-15. doi: 10.1177/0002764203255206 Nitkin, Patricia.

"The Human-Animal Bond"

, B.C. Cancer Agency, University of British Columbia. Retrieved on 2011-06-19.

The arguments in favour of dog tethering June 23, 2018 KTUU News

A comparison of Tethering and men confinement of dogs by the College of Veterinary Medicine and Cornell University 2001

[darkwood-sleddog]

How does a sled dog's drive to pull work in weight pull? I'm not well educated on the drives involved in sledding, but I would imagine that it's more about the running as a group (with some resistance) and less about getting a heavy weight moving (slowly and with a single dog), since the later doesn't seem all that similar to their historic jobs. But your very interesting commentary about breed appropriate drives in weight pull leads me to think that this is incorrect. Do sled dogs also derive... fulfillment(?) from working against a very heavy load? TIA!

Well, specifically freight dogs (dogs bred to pull heavy weights like Malamutes, Greenland Dogs, Inuit Dogs etc.) should very much be driven to go forward into the harness when heavy weight is involved.

(above, three dog Inuit sled dog team pulling expedition/hunting supplies).

One of the sled dogs first purposes would have been to pull heavy weight on traveling & hunting expeditions with their specific indigenous communities. This is not light work. In addition we also used dogs to carry mail & supplies across the Alaskan & Canadian wilderness before the invention of trains and planes. Weight pull has been part of the working sled dog community at large for a long time and in the past there have even been team pulls with two or three dogs!

Prior to the International Weight Pull Association beginning in 1984, ALL weight pull competitions were organized through the International Sled Dog Racing Association. Weight pull has its roots in sled dogs.

While running with others can certainly be motivating for the dogs, with malamutes (at least in my experience) they also need to actually feel that there is weight behind them, not just some light resistance, to work hard. This is one of the reasons I don't like using a bungee for my dogs because it makes the load feel not as heavy and kind of bouncy. When I took away the bungee at my mentor's suggestion my dogs drive to work was much more enthusiastic. Contrary to popular belief, dogs do ENJOY feeling like they are working at something.

For me, appropriate drive would be a person behind the weight pull cart commanding the dog from behind (as one would do traditionally when dog sledding) or a person from a distance calling the dog across the finish line. A dog with appropriate drive will not need and SHOULD not need a handler right up in their face convincing them to pull and walking the dog the entire way. The dog should be driven to go forward on its own for 16 feet (International Weight Pull Association standards). If a dog is unwilling to go forward on its own even if it is physically capable it shows, in my opinion, that the dog is not yet ready to pull that type of weight mentally, is unmotivated/undriven, or knows there is a limit to its strength because it has been pressured to pull weight it wasn't ready for in the past.

The dog above seems motivated without a handler walking side by side. As does the one below being called across the finish line with an impressive 2,000 pounds behind.

A big part of working freight dogs for me is the line of thinking that the dogs should never feel like I've given them too much and they are straining in a way that feels demotivating to them. It should always be fun and they should ALWAYS trust me to give them things they are capable of doing. This builds trust and ensures that if I ever needed to give them a very heavy load they would trust in me and work enthusiastically. Many people do not realize that just because their dogs are physically capable of something does not mean they are mentally capable of something. Weight should be worked slowly and always show enthusiasm.

[bloojayoolie]

Being Alone, Cats, and Children: ld 61 76.5 yrs. 39 lIbs of joy rooklyn ACC The wiggliest, sweetest, most endearing boy w/only love in his heart for everyone! Gentle, hopeful, happy A GEM TO BE KILLED - 5/23/2019 Wapo is a tiny boy, who is much too thin, has old scars and callusses on his legs and needs lots of TLC ! Wapo came into the shelter trembling, but he puts his best paw forward - warming up to the staff and his volunteers, wagging his tail a little and trying to make the best of it. Wapo has been surrendered by an owner who obviously did not care properly for him, he was not even fed enough. In the shelter he is whining, when he sees a doggy friend - probably he would love to spend some time with every 4 legged buddy he sees. Please share little Wapo for the safe, loving home he deserves - with parents that actually care! A volunteer writes: I don't know if it's that sweet little face, those gentle brown eyes, or all the wiggling that goes on when I pet him, but I just find it so darn hard to pull myself away from Wapo. He can be a bit shy with new people, but don't worry, that doesn't last long and before you know it, you'll be part of his growing circle of friends. He's a really friendly and affectionate boy who'll happily do his little wiggle dance when you show him any kind of attention...or give him a treat! He has a medium-to-high energy level and knows the commands sit, come, and lie down. He was relaxed and gentle with the two large dogs he previously lived with, as well as with dogs who used to visit him. He's also been a very good boy at playgroup here at the shelter. Wonderful Wapo has become a Favorite with staff and volunteers...come and see why by meeting him at the Brooklyn ACC shelter where he's excitedly awaiting his fur-ever home. MY MOVIE: Wapo <3 https://youtu.be/xNohG9qAH00 WAPO, ID# 61576, 5 yrs old, 39 lbs, Brooklyn Animal Care Center, Large Mixed Breed Cross, Tan Male, Owner Surrender Reason: stated as person circumstance- moving - no pets allowed. Behavior History: During intake Wapo was shying away from the counselor. He did allow the counselor to collar him and take his picture with no problems. Spay/Neuter Status: Neutered Basic Information:: Wapo is a neuterd tan male dog that was surrendered by his owner due to the fact he is moving and could no loner have pets. The owner stated that Wapo was bred at home and he has had him for the past 5 years. Previously lived with:: 2 adults 2 dogs How is this dog around strangers?: When around strangers Wapo is shy for a few moments then he will warm up. When playing with adults he is gentle. How is this dog around children?: Wapo has not spent time in the home with children so it is unknown how he will react. How is this dog around other dogs?: Owner stated that Wapo has spent time in the home with 2 other large dogs and he was relaxed and affectionate. When playing with other dogs he is gentle. How is this dog around cats?: Wapo has not spent time in the home with cats so it is unknown how he will react. Resource guarding:: Wapo is not bothered if someone was to touch his food treats or toys. When someone unfamiliar approaches his house he will bark. he is not bothered if someone unfamiliar approaches his family member. Bite history:: Wapo does not have a bite history. Housetrained:: Yes Energy level/descriptors:: High Other Notes:: Owner stated that during fireworks Wapo will hide. He is not bothered if he is restrained pushed off the couch or disturbed while he sleeps. He is not bothered if he is bathed or brushed. He has never had his nails trimmed so it is unknown how he will react. Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No Medical Notes: No reported medical concerns. For a New Family to Know: Owner described Wapo as friendly affectionate and playful.When at home he will follow his owner around. He has been kept mostly indoors and eats dry dog food.When using the bathroom he will go outside on the grass or cement. When left alone in the home he is well behaved. he has never been kept in the yard so it is unknown how he will react. He has been crated an does well. He knows how to sit, come lay down and when called. He is used to brisk walks on the leash. When off the leash he will wander but comes back when called. Behavior Assessment Date of intake:: 4/30/2019 Spay/Neuter status:: Yes Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner surrender Previously lived with:: 2 Adults, 2 Dogs (Large) Behavior toward strangers:: Initially shy, but warms up quickly and plays gently Behavior toward children:: Unknown Behavior toward dogs:: Relaxed and affectionate (w/resident dogs); Plays gently (w/visiting dogs) Behavior toward cats:: Unknown Resource guarding:: Wapo's previous owner reported Wapo to growl when his food or food bowl are touched. No reported resource guarding reported over his treats or toys. Bite history:: None reported Housetrained:: Yes Energy level/descriptors:: Wapo is described as friendly, affectionate and playful with a high level of energy. Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate pulling Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Very friendly and social with people encountered on walk Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Neutral body, ears back, tail low, explores somewhat, whining, follows handler, panting, somewhat approaches, but backs away, readily accepts treats with a soft mouth, low tail wags Call over: Approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Tense, leans in immediately with contact, lip licking, closed mouth, ears back, tucked tail, accepts contact Exuberant handling: Tense, leans in immediately with contact, lip licking, closed mouth, ears back, tucked tail, accepts contact Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follows handler, low and fearful, panting Arousal comments: Knock Knock Comments: Whines when assistant exits the room; No response to knock; Approaches assistant, tail wagging, then pulls toward the door seeking exit Toy Toy comments: Minimal interest; Panting, distracted by outside noises Summary:: According to Wapo's previous owner, she stated that he has spent time in the home with two other large dogs and he was relaxed and affectionate. When playing with other dogs he is gentle. Here at the Care Center, Wapo displays a soft wiggly body when greeting both a novel male and female dog. He engages in high energy bouncy-play, with a few body bumps and persistent paw slaps. Wapo's high energy level and paw slaps quickly overwhelm the other dogs, but he does listen to correction briefly. Due to his behavior around other dogs at the Care Center, the Behavior Department recommends that Wapo be placed in a home with other dogs who are highly socialized and tolerant of his high energy behavior. 5/2: When off leash at the Care Center, Wapo is introduced to a novel female dog. He is initially nervous as he explores the pen with a lowered head/body with low tail wags. His body softens when he greets the female at the gate. He engages in cooperative chase play with leaps and bounces and does not attempt to mount the female. 5/3: Wapo was introduced to a juvenile male. He engages in bouncy play, with dramatic play bows. He mounts the puppy at the end of the play session. 5/17: Wapo returned to the group after recovering from CIRDC, and greeted a novel female dog. Wapo initially fixates on the greeter’s rear end before soliciting play. When the greeter corrects him, he walks away for a few minutes. Further, into his session, he returns to engage in play and backs away when he is overcorrected. 5/18: Wapo engaged in bouts of play, and can be a bit persistent; constantly paw slapping. He leans and lowers himself to the floor when the other dog does the same. 5/19: WaPo was introduced to a novel neutered male today. He greets the male with a wiggly body, but quickly overwhelms the other male with his high energy and paw slaps. 5/20: Wapo greets a novel female with a soft body and wanders the yard. Date of intake:: 4/30/2019 Summary:: Initially avoided contact; Allowed all handling Date of initial:: 4/30/2019 Summary:: Tense, trembling, soft muzzled as a precaution; Warmed up, tail wagging ENERGY LEVEL:: Wapo was observed to exhibit a medium level of energy during his interactions in the care center. BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 3 Behavior Asilomar: TM - Treatable-Manageable Recommendations:: No children (under 13) Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Wapo's overall level of fear and anxiety, as well as his reported resource guarding in a previous home environment, we feel it would be best for him to be placed in a stable, adult-only home environment to ensure his success. It is advised that the new adopters should be able to exercise appropriate and safe management when handling Wapo, allowing him to acclimate and decompress at his own pace. Force-free, reward-based training only is advised, as well as utilizing guidance from a qualified, professional trainer/behaviorist. Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Fearful,Anxiety Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Wapo's previous owner reported Wapo to growl when his food or food bowl are touched. No reported resource guarding reported over his treats or toys. This behavior has not been observed in the care center. Please refer to the handout on Resource guarding. Fearful: Wapo exhibits initial fearful behavior during his interactions in the care center. He was observed to pant excessively, whine and initially avoid contact with certain handlers during his assessment, although he did accept and lean into all contact. During his medical and intake exams, Wapo was also observed to show initial fearful behavior (tense, trembling and avoiding contact), but was able to settle on his own, warming up and allowed all handling. Please refer to the handout on Fearful behavior. Anxiety: Wapo displayed some anxious behavior during his interactions in the care center. He was observed to excessively pant and whine throughout his assessment, especially when a staff member would leave the room. He was not observed to escalate beyond these behaviors. Please refer to the handout on Anxiety. Medical Behavior Rating: Blue MEDICAL EXAM NOTES DVM Intake Exam. Estimated age: Approx 5 years. Microchip noted on Intake? Negative, placed at intake History : Owner surrender. Subjective: BARH, tense and trembling, soft muzzle placed for medical treatments as precaution, but he does warm up and starts wagging tail at the end of treatments. Evidence of Cruelty seen - none Evidence of Trauma seen - none, Objective: P = wnl R = wnl, BCS = 3.5/9. EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted. Oral Exam: Moderate to severe tartar (worst at canines). PLN: No enlargements noted. H/L: NSR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupnic. ABD: Tense, non painful, no masses palpated. U/G: Male intact, one scrotal testicle. No inguinal testicle palpated. MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat except alopecia and erythema at lateral aspects of hocks, elbows (likely pressure points) CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities. Rectal: Externally normal. Assessment: Dental disease, Underweight, Cryptorchid, Dermatitis - suspect pressure points. Prognosis: Good. Plan: Monitor weight, recommend dental cleaning upon placement, Neuter. SURGERY: Okay for surgery * TO FOSTER OR ADOPT * HOW TO RESERVE A “TO BE KILLED” DOG ONLINE (only for those who can get to the shelter IN PERSON to complete the adoption process, and only for the dogs on the list NOT marked New Hope Rescue Only). Follow our Step by Step directions below! *PLEASE NOTE – YOU MUST USE A PC OR TABLET – PHONE RESERVES WILL NOT WORK! * STEP 1: CLICK ON THIS RESERVE LINK: https://newhope.shelterbuddy.com/Animal/List Step 2: Go to the red menu button on the top right corner, click register and fill in your info. Step 3: Go to your email and verify account \ Step 4: Go back to the website, click the menu button and view available dogs Step 5: Scroll to the animal you are interested and click reserve STEP 6 ( MOST IMPORTANT STEP ): GO TO THE MENU AGAIN AND VIEW YOUR CART. THE ANIMAL SHOULD NOW BE IN YOUR CART! Step 7: Fill in your credit card info and complete transaction HOW TO FOSTER OR ADOPT IF YOU CANNOT GET TO THE SHELTER IN PERSON, OR IF THE DOG IS NEW HOPE RESCUE ONLY! You must live within 3 – 4 hours of NY, NJ, PA, CT, RI, DE, MD, MA, NH, VT, ME or Northern VA. Please PM our page for assistance. You will need to fill out applications with a New Hope Rescue Partner to foster or adopt a dog on the To Be Killed list, including those labelled Rescue Only. Hurry please, time is short, and the Rescues need time to process the applications.