Dogs and Wolfdogs Socialization: Enrichment

I’ve mentioned specific enrichment activities many times, but I never talked about what enrichment is and why it’s so important for the mental health and socialization of dogs and wolfdogs.

Enrichment activities stimulate an animal’s mind by giving it obstacles to overcome, problems to solve, and physical challenges. Enrichment can alleviate boredom, curb destructive behaviors, and improve the quality of life of contained animals. Enrichment also helps animals adjust to new situations and sensations.

The activities are always designed to simulate the natural behaviors and activities of specific animals. For example, enrichment activities for a parrot would be very different from a robin, since one finds fruits and nuts in trees and the other searches the ground for grubs and worms.

For dogs and wolfdogs, activities may cater to such things as:

-The Prey Drive (without a kill… as in the poster)

-The Senses (scent marking and rolling)

-Oral Satisfaction (chewing raw bones)

-Movement (platforms, tunnels, walks)

-New Sensations and Situations( wrapping things in packages or hanging a plastic tarp outside the pen)

Enrichment also aids in containment, since a happy, stimulated animal is more likely to stay put and not have a need to wander for thrills.

Enrichment is not only for the animal, it gives the owner or caregivers a challenge to create and think like the animal, rewards all around.

Have fun, do some research on natural behaviors, and take the challenge to enrich all of your animal’s lives.

Dog and Wolfdog Behavior: Adolescence Or Bad Training

Photo TexxWolf

Since most pups are surrendered for behavior issues during adolescence, it’s time the “phase” gets more attention, because while adolescence has not been professionally studied it is often talked about anecdotally by experts.

Sure, most mammals go through a transition between childhood and adulthood that is marked by more independence, risk taking, testing limits and challenging authority and peers. 

In both dogs and wolfdogs, the transition noted by owners is marked as selective hearing, stubbornness, refusal to do known commands, a regression to earlier behaviors such as mouthing, jumping, demanding barking, lapses in housebreaking, and destructive chewing. 

Owners and trainers sometimes agree that the phase is limited to about a year and a half, with some larger breeds taking longer to mature.

But dog trainer and behavioral counselor, Jolanta Benal has a different theory that makes sense. Benal says, “Adolescent dogs aren’t puppies anymore. Puppies are smallish and super cute, and the result of being smallish and super cute is that people see your behavior as harmless and sweet. A puppy jumps up, and people say “Awwwww.” Three months later, that puppy has spent his entire life jumping on people; he’s really good at it, and he weighs 50 pounds, so now he’s tagged an “out-of-control adolescent.” 

“Or take mouthing,” she continues. “Or take mouthing. We can and should teach young puppies to mouth chew toys instead of our arm, and to tug at a rope toy instead of our clothes. But many people don’t know how, or don’t know how important it is, or aren’t proactive and consistent. At 9 months old, Mouthy Zippy is doing exactly what he did at 3 months, only now it really freaking hurts and all your jackets are torn."

These kind of problems can really be a problem for wolfdogs since these behaviors are often viewed as the “wolf” in the wolfdog rearing its vicious head. And I do get really annoyed to hear trainers chalk bad behavior up to the “wolf” side. 

These behaviors also frighten people because wolfdogs grow really fast but mature really slowly. So, Zippy’s 9 month mouthing is a bigger issue for a 60lb wolfdog at 6 months, and again… unfortunately it's taken as a sign of the “wolf’s” natural aggression ...BS!

As for small dogs, their puppy size and cuteness could be the reason for all their issues. After all, who can resist a paw up calming signal from a little yapper after you caught him in the middle of a little piddle. Super-sized, the puddle is less subtle, paw up or not.

However, the true culprit can be that people don’t realize training is ongoing and doesn’t end with puppy training class graduation. Benal adds, “I’ve noticed that many people who have trouble getting their adolescent dogs to come when called took their puppy’s nearness for granted, meaning they didn’t purposefully practice and reward coming to them on cue. From the dog’s point of view, a general preference for being near her people is quite different from understanding that “Dogalini, come!” is a signal to close the distance in a hurry right now. If you don’t teach and reward that specific behavior, it’ll go away, like any other behavior with little or no payoff."

So next time, you think a young animal is trying to defy you, think again…  Are you falling short on the “goods” too soon?

See Benal's full article on the topic at Quick and Dirty Tips.com

Wolfdog Containment: How To Keep A Wolfdog In An Enclosure

Article by Megan Lindsay

One of the most important aspects of wolfdog ownership is the containment they are kept in. A secure means of housing your animals outdoors is essential.

While some lower content wolfdogs can be pet quality and kept in the house, most higher content wolfdogs need an outdoor enclosure to live in. Containment should be planned in advance and built before adopting or buying wolfdog. 

Wolfdogs are what we call single event learners, it only takes one time for them to do something for them to learn. This includes escaping. It should be kept in mind that escaping from containment is a reward to the animal and once they know it is possible to get out, it will lead to fence testing. This is a VERY dangerous habit and difficult to break. The best way to deal with fence testing is to prevent it in the first place with a secure and escape proof enclosure.

There are many different kinds of fencing and ideas you can use to create a safe and fun enclosure. 

Eight foot high fencing is suggested. The materials are important, wolfdogs are very strong willed animals and when they are determined to do something, they will do everything in their power to succeed. They can easily hop a six foot fence and tear up wood. Cattle panel fencing is one of the most durable and strong materials you can use. If you choose to use chain-link, make sure it is nine gauge or stronger. You can also add lean-ins which are sections of fencing that point inward and extend a few feet out on top of the fence. Dig guards are also highly recommended, which is a section of fencing that lays on the ground next to the fence to prevent animals from digging out.

Invisible fencing and tethering are not proper forms of containment. 

Chaining can lead to aggression, pacing, and neurotic behaviors. Your dog can also get tangled up and not know how to untangle themselves. When tangled, dogs can be asphyxiated by struggling. By tethering, the dog has no means of escape or ways to protect themselves from other dogs or wild animals. A happy wolfdog is not one tied up. 

Invisible fencing are not recommended because a determined dog can run through the shock barrier to get to whatever is on the other side, but they do not want to return once they get out because in order to come back to the property they would have to be shocked again.

So now you have your proper fencing up, what else do you need? 

Enrichment! Any thing to create stimulation, excitement, provoke interest, or challenge them. Enrichment is an effective way to prevent wolfdogs from fence testing, but you should always have a companion dog or wolfdog to keep your wolfdog company when you are not around. A bored wolfdog is one who will try to escape, dig, or be destructive. 

Common forms of enrichment for wolfdogs are wooden platforms or dog houses that they can hop up on or large metal tubs they can go for a dip in. Plastic baby pools can work as well, but when in a pen with wolfdogs, they may not last very long. Toys, such as the KONG, where treats are placed on the inside of the toy and the dog has to figure out how to get them out is another great way to enrich your animal's life.

Remember, Wolfdogs are incredibly smart, very curious, extremely athletic, independent opportunists. You should always prepare yourself for the worst. It is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to wolfdog containment!

Dog and Wolf Dog Calming Signals: Shaking It Off

Anyone involved in sports has probably heard coaches shout, “Shake it off!” It’s a common human expression that simply means… let go of what just happened and move on.

Remarkably, “Shake it off” used by dogs as a calming signal has a very similar meaning.

Different from most calming signals that are meant to avoid conflict, “Shaking it off” most often occurs after a conflict has been avoided, or at least the worst of it.

Also, if you missed the other signs of stress, you can’t help notice your dog “Shaking it off “ when the stress or stressor has passed... like a tense encounter with a dog or being approached by a stranger.

Many dogs put in new and perceived stressful situations, will use “Shake It Off” often. Eventually, the behavior will decrease over time once the dog begins to feel comfortable with his environment.

Taking note of the behavior is a very useful tool to determine improvement in an animal over time if “Shaking It Off” is favored or used frequently by a dog.

This calming signal is different from wet shaking because obviously there will be no moisture. But the best way to determine if your dog uses “Shake It Off” as a calming signal is to watch his behavior and figure out what may have triggered it… other dogs, people, or the vacuum.

Knowing what the trigger may be, does not mean you should avoid discomfort. There are training techniques to help your dog change the way he reacts and “feels” when a trigger is present or approaching.

 For more about calming signals along with a list of signals reviewed here, visit the Wolfer Magic Blog calming signal page:

Good and Bad Dog and Wolfdog Breeders: Red Flag Warnings

I'd rather people adopt any breed dog or wolfdog, but being realistic I know people will buy, so I'd rather see bad breeders and con artists sink like stones in a quarry.

To be fair, legitimate breeders may do some of the things I mention here, but I’m setting up this list of warning signs that can tell you something may be fishy. Trust your gut.

What can possibly be wrong?

They run a puppy mill. The pups could be sick. The pups could be stolen. They won’t deliver/ship the pups after you pay. They may bait you with a picture and deliver a completely different animal.

So how can you be sure?

There’s no way to be sure if you buy anything online or sight unseen.

RED FLAGS

 Bad Breeders Don’t Ask Questions

Someone who cares about the animals they breed will want to screen the people they sell to. If you’ve done your homework on a particular breed, you ‘ll know what kinds of questions they should be asking. If you’re not sure, you need to do more homework.

Bad Breeders Won’t Allow Pre-Purchase Visits

Sometimes breeders don’t want someone in their home for various reasons, but this should raise a flag if you are not allowed to meet a pup before you purchase. A good breeder will want to see how you interact with a pup before they allow you to take it, and will arrange a place to meet you. Personally, I would want to see the home and one of the parents first.

 Bad Breeders Make Excuses

A bad breeder is secretive because they know what they’re doing is morally or legally wrong. They will make all kinds of excuses to keep you away from the pups and or them before a purchase. “I don’t let people see the pups because they haven’t had shots.” “I can’t get around much, so you’ll just have to take my word.” But they’ll personally pack the pup in a crate and send it off across the country on a plane. As if there are no germs on planes.

 Bad Breeders Rush You

They’re in a rush to find a buyer, so if it’s not you, you’re wasting their time, and time is money. They will tell you there are five other people who want this pup sight unseen. “Do you want it or not?”
Bad Breeders Make Guarantees
 
Con artists and bad breeders need to make a sale. They will promise the impossible. “All my pups will have great temperaments, make great house dogs, and are great with kids... I bred them like that.”

Bad Breeders Make More Excuses

If a bad breeder does meet you with a sickly puppy, she will make claims that the pup is underweight because he was stressed on the ride, or all puppies have eye drainage, or bald patches. These are professional crooks who will count on your sympathy to take that pup with you no matter what.

 Bad Breeders Must Have Full Payment Immediately

Yes, some breeders ask for deposits to hold pups and some will not breed unless they have a deposit on an approximate litter. But if they are asking for full payment immediately by PayPal, sight unseen, without even asking your address, then you may get scammed.

Spotting Bad Breeders Outright

Good breeders care about the animals they brought into this world. They want to know you, your lifestyle, and that you’d make a good match.

Puppy mill breeders and scammers only care about making money off of your ignorance or sympathy for the pup. They don’t want to know anything about you, and they don’t want you to know anything about their bad practices.

Con artists and bad breeders come in all sizes and shapes, and they even use front people to gain your trust, like sweet little old ladies, or smart looking women with twenty years of experience breeding show dogs. If you don’t feel right follow your instincts, don’t buy that puppy, you’re just encouraging them to do it again and again.

For more see Megan Lindsay’s article “Why you should not buy from a puppy mill” http://wolfermagic.blogspot.com/2013/08/responsible-ownership-why-you-should.html

This link is for a wolfdog specific article about bad breeders: http://texx-wolf-tails.webs.com/wolfdogbreeders.htm

Personally, I feel there are plenty of adoptable pups and adult dogs out there to choose from. The pups may not still have that milk fed puppy smell and the adult dogs may need a review of manners, but it’s a misconception that dogs in rescue or shelters are broken. They are usually there because the owner was broken and never considered a dog to be a lifetime commitment.

And where do these broken people get dogs… puppy mills and bad breeders.

Think about adoption first.

Dog and Wolfdog Calming Signals: Yawning

There are no conclusive studies about why we yawn, but yawning as a calming signal in dogs is well-documented by animal behaviorists.

First, an interesting bit about yawing from Psychology Today:

'Despite what you may have heard, yawning has nothing to do with increasing the body's oxygen supply. In experiments, subjects yawn just as much in oxygen-rich air as they do in an oxygen-poor atmosphere. Yawning is, however, a response to boredom. When researchers showed students ages 17-19 music videos and color bar test patterns, those who saw the test patterns yawned nearly twice as often as those who watched videos, and their yawns lasted longer.

But boredom isn't the only yawn factor. If someone you're conversing with yawns, chances are, you will too. "Yawning is extraordinarily contagious," says Robert Provine, a pioneer of yawning research. "Seeing a person yawn triggers yawns. Reading about yawning causes yawns. Sitting in a room thinking about yawning triggers yawning," he says. Some experts think this happens because yawning evolved as a means of communication. It may help animals, including humans, coordinate their behavioral responses to changing conditions in the environment. "

lol... Did you yawn?

So how can you figure out if your dog is calming yawning or just yawning because they're bored?

Look at the whole picture. It may be a reaction to being hugged, petting or being restrained in some manner, like being held at a heel in a busy environment. All these things can be uncomfortable for some dogs.

If your dog is obviously not bored and has been playing and jumping around, or was in full zoomie mode...did you put a damper on things and say,"settle down" or "no" when he jumped on you? Your reaction to his fun may have made him uncomfortable.

Your yawns can also help your dog calm down during stressful situations, but be cautious, you may trigger a whole office full of yawns at the veterinarian's office.

For other calming signals covered at Wolfer Magic see the Calming Signals Article

Dog and Wolfdog Calming Signals: Moving Slowly or the Slow Approach

Even without my glasses, I can always tell when there’s a dog (or something dog-like ) in the distance, because at least one of my dogs will start moving in slow motion.

Sometimes this can be misread as stalking, but as a signal, the ears are relaxed to the side instead of forward.

The slow motion calming signal is a non-threatening approach to oncoming animal or human traffic. Usually, the approaching traffic is coming at a fast pace and puts the dog in an uncomfortable position of having to assess the situation.

I have experienced this calming signal from dogs more regularly during walks rather than jogs or runs. This may be because dogs moving at a fast pace are focused on moving, whereas, walking dogs are focused on their surroundings.

The slow approach is not only for the trail. It can be used any time a dog must approach something that makes them uncomfortable.

Being guilty of always running late and still having yet to walk the dogs, I see this calming signal more often than I should.

So it goes like this:

I'm standing at the front door with my keys and leash in hand, I call my Husky, an older female with a thyroid condition that makes her look like a stuffed sausage.

“Aims, outside!”

She’s on my bed as usual, while my faithful German Shepherd is already leashed, ready and waiting.

“Let’s go!” I say with a bit more oomph.

I hear footsteps ever so slowly approach the top of the stairs then Aims stands there, looking at me.

“Let’s go!”

Of course, she opens up her repertoire of calming signals and bows, yawns, and finally lies down.

Yeah, I get it. It’s all my fault. I should allow more time so I won’t have to rush.

So, my point... next time you think your dog is being a pain in the butt, consider your role in their actions.

For more about calming signals and a list of each article click here.