Most of us who have dogs love the idea of giving them lots of hugs and kisses, and we love receiving them in return. I’ve even signed off on some of my blog posts by saying “Hugs to the Pooches”. But do the dogs really enjoy it? Well, in my humble opinion, it depends on the dog. In other opinions the short answer is no!
Like people, dogs are all individuals with their own temperaments and personalities, and they should be treated as such. We should all do our best to socialize and expose our dogs to different things, starting at a young age and continuing as they get older.
We humans sometimes push our own ideas on dogs without fully analyzing how the dogs are reacting. 
We might confuse “he loves it” with “he’s tolerating it”. We love to hug our dogs. It makes us feel good. We love the thought that our dog loves to be hugged, therefore we assume it is so. Dogs will usually give us subtle cues through body language, eye changes, breathing changes and more, as to how they are feeling. But sometimes we ignore those cues because WE want something so much.
Some dogs like to be hugged. Others will tolerate hugs and kisses from his own family but not from others. Most dogs (82% according to one recent study) experience stress while being hugged! If a dog doesn’t enjoy it or want it and we push too hard we could have disastrous consequences.
Hindsight is 20/20, but there is no worse feeling than pushing a dog past his limit to biting when it could’ve been avoided. The coulda woulda shouldas are horrible feelings to have.
So, do your best and consider how your dog may “feel about” or interpret a situation. Some dogs love to be loved (physically), while others may not. I’ve had clients tell me that they wish their dog was more affectionate. It doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with the dog. Maybe you were meant to have that particular dog to learn a thing or two (as hopefully we do from EVERY dog we share our lives with!).
As I’ve said to many clients, we should not try to make our dogs perfect robots. We should try to help them be the best that they can be! And if your dog doesn’t like hugs try to find alternatives. Gentle petting with soft spoken words is a great start!
Stacie & Ronan
Work Your Dog’s What???
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by info@royalk9.comCORE!
You can use a child’s ball (like the one Paige is on) or a human balance ball (like the one
Ronan is on). If you can inflate or deflate the ball you can experiment to find the level that is best for a beginner and make it more challenging as your dog’s skill level improves.
Start slowly and keep it safe!
Stacie & Ronan
Where Are You Taking Your Dog???
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by info@royalk9.comStacie & Barbara
Last weekend a friend from PA came to visit and we attended an awesome event in the city on Pier 26. The event, called the Liberty Challenge, is where teams of paddlers on outriggers come from all over the world to compete in races – some 15 miles long! Though the Liberty Challenge has been going on in NYC for 20 years, I had never been, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
My friend (an amazing groomer I’ve known for over 20 years) suggested that I bring Ronan. Now, most of you who know me know that I love to bring Ronan to events. He is pretty easy and adaptable, and always enjoys being social. But I declined.
Babs grooming Paige
I’m glad that I did. He would’ve done just fine, but I felt badly for the dogs that would’ve been better left at home. It’s great to bring our dogs with us to events, but we should always think above and beyond what we want and consider what’s best for them, even if we err on the side of extra caution. I wasn’t sure how hot the pavement would be, if there would be any shade, if the crowds or acoustics might be too overwhelming, and most of all, if it would be a good experience for Ronan, or if he’d be better off at home.
The Liberty Challenge
Don’t be afraid to be too cautious when it comes to the care and safety of your dogs. Ronan would have enjoyed the Liberty Challenge, but I’m glad that I didn’t bring him. It would’ve ruined the day for all of us if I brought him and it turned out to be the wrong choice.
As much as you enjoy having your dogs with you, please don’t take chances by making a potentially selfish decision. I know how much your love your dogs. Please put their safety first!
XO,
Stacie & Ronan
Dog Parks – Good or Bad???
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by info@royalk9.comPROS:
socialization
running
playing in a securely fenced area
burning off extra energy
seeing/making new friends (both of you)
CONS:
possible spread of parasites/illnesses
potential for dog fights
SOME owners not watching their dogs
SOME owners bringing dogs who should not be there
potential for injury
IF you decide to take your dog to a dog park, please play by the rules for the health and safety of everyone. Watch your dog closely and
irrupt/redirect ANY type of behavior that could be escalating towards trouble. Remove dogs that are picking on or being picked on. A dog fight is easier to avoid than break up! Have your dog’s stool sample checked at least twice yearly if he visits dog parks.
Play safe and have fun!
Stacie & Ronan
Unofficial Start of Summer…
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by info@royalk9.comdog sun break
…that means we love to spend time outdoors. For many of us, that means bringing our beloved dogs with us when we can. It can’t be overstated: we have to be careful of the health (and death) risks associated with having our dogs out in extreme temperatures.
Dogs have very different cooling mechanisms than we do. They can overheat very quickly, especially those who are
brachycephalic (short nosed). Dogs will not tell you when they’ve had enough. They want to be with us and please us so much that they can easily be pushed past their limits. Owners often mistake their willingness to play in the heat as a sign that they are fine, but this is sometimes not the case.
Pay attention to the heat. Make sure your dog has plenty of fresh water, but don’t let them drink a whole bowl at once if they’ve been exerting themselves in the heat. Make sure your dog has shady options. Yes, the same message gets preached every year. Ask any vet who has treated and/or lost a dog to heat stroke or a heat related problem and they will tell you – if only the message was repeated one more time…Help spread the word and keep our delightful dogs SAFE!
Happy (unofficial) summer!
XO,
Stacie & Ronan
Thanks for supporting Bark for Life!
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by info@royalk9.comHopefully someday we can eradicate cancer!
Have a safe Memorial Weekend!
Stacie & Ronan
Bark for Life 2016 this Weekend!
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by info@royalk9.comRonan & treats
That’s right – this Saturday 5/21 from 12-3pm (rain date Sunday 5/22 12-3pm) on the gazebo lawn in Florham Park. The official address is 111 Ridgedale Avenue. Please come out for this amazing cancer fundraiser, expected to be the biggest Bark for Life in NJ! Royal Canine Dog Training LLC is a proud sponsor for the third year in a row.
2015
Show your support in the fight against cancer. Save $ when you register online at www.relayforlife.org/barkflorhamparknj.
Ronan & I will see you there!
Stacie
NJ to Ban Stores from Selling Dogs and Cats ???
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by info@royalk9.comIn the best interest of the animals,
Stacie & Ronan
Your Dog A Therapy Dog???
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by info@royalk9.comI hear it so often from clients “I want my dog to became a Therapy Dog”. It’s a fantastic goal, but does your dog have what it takes?
When considering whether your dog would make a good therapy dog, first ask yourself a few questions: Does your dog startle easily or is he afraid of unexpected noises? Is he tolerant of
being hugged and pulled on, sometimes abruptly, by perfect strangers? Is he able to keep calm and well-behaved while in the presence of other dogs? Is he able to control himself around food, even if dropped on the floor? Does your dog have a stable enough temperament that he is basically “bomb-proof”? And if he passes all of the above questions, would he truly enjoy it?
So, if you think your dog has what it takes, go for it! There are many qualified organizations that can assist you on
your journey (and I can point you in the right direction). But make sure that you fully believe that it’s right for YOUR dog and that he will truly love it. There’s an old saying, “Therapy dogs are born, not made”, and I believe that to be true. We can teach a dog to be tolerant of certain things (see last week’s post on hugging), but if he doesn’t absolutely LOVE IT, it’s not the right job for him!
Thank God for Therapy Dogs!
Stacie & Ronan
To Hug or Not to Hug…
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by info@royalk9.comLike people, dogs are all individuals with their own temperaments and personalities, and they should be treated as such. We should all do our best to socialize and expose our dogs to different things, starting at a young age and continuing as they get older.
We humans sometimes push our own ideas on dogs without fully analyzing how the dogs are reacting.
We might confuse “he loves it” with “he’s tolerating it”. We love to hug our dogs. It makes us feel good. We love the thought that our dog loves to be hugged, therefore we assume it is so. Dogs will usually give us subtle cues through body language, eye changes, breathing changes and more, as to how they are feeling. But sometimes we ignore those cues because WE want something so much.
Hindsight is 20/20, but there is no worse feeling than pushing a dog past his limit to biting when it could’ve been avoided. The coulda woulda shouldas are horrible feelings to have.
So, do your best and consider how your dog may “feel about” or interpret a situation. Some dogs love to be loved (physically), while others may not. I’ve had clients tell me that they wish their dog was more affectionate. It doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with the dog. Maybe you were meant to have that particular dog to learn a thing or two (as hopefully we do from EVERY dog we share our lives with!).
As I’ve said to many clients, we should not try to make our dogs perfect robots. We should try to help them be the best that they can be! And if your dog doesn’t like hugs try to find alternatives. Gentle petting with soft spoken words is a great start!
Stacie & Ronan
Pet Appreciation
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by info@royalk9.comBut the bigger way I want to celebrate is to celebrate my dog, Ronan. I was very sick this past week and Ronan took the brunt of it. My usually active dog was forced to lay around with me and not get his proper exercise. He was such a trooper! He wanted to play but knew there was something wrong with me. By the end of the week I got a friend to walk him (Thanks Kim!).
As I continue to heal Ronan is still by my side. We will get back to our long walks and regular exercise (eventually).
That is what a dog is. A true companion. A faithful friend. Loyal in good times and bad. Thank you Ronan. I celebrate you and am so happy you are such a huge part of my life!
XOXO,
Stacie