This time of year represents a substantial change in our regular routines, not only for families with school-aged children. In an effort to beat the summer heat, I’m up and out the door with my dogs first thing (well, actually, after coffee). My walks are also my quiet reflective time to prepare for the days’ events. But now my morning routine requires another shift.
In case you hadn’t noticed, mornings just became busier because school is back in session!
We live in close proximity to three different schools. This was a blessing when our children where younger, but not so much today. Walks include navigating school traffic, watching for random children rushing to get to school on time, and a general plethora of people and dogs alike. One would think I’d be used to all of this, as I’ve lived in this neighborhood for 20 years.
However, our newest dog addition, Ridley, is dog-selective, doesn’t always want to visit with everyone he sees, and can get easily overwhelmed. Owning this type of dog is a substantial change for our family.
I would consider our dog to have a large “personal bubble;” that comfortable distance you naturally keep from another person (or dog, in this case) when speaking to them. The size of the bubble will fluctuate depending on the familiarity of the situation. To respect my dog’s need of space, I watch his body language (learn more here). Believe me, he’s a very good communicator!
The biggest change I recently made is adjusting our morning routes and altering the time in which we walk.
This modification now means I walk while finishing my morning coffee. It also means I have to be better prepared, knowing I will encounter more distractions. Dipping my toe into the new nuances provides additional short training opportunities for Ridley in his journey to remain calm when Out N’ About.
If you have a “noisy” dog, or a salty dog, it doesn’t mean they are a bad dog, but they do require support to embrace the calm. Here are some quick tips to keep the peace:
- Distance is your friend! Creating a large personal bubble is key, so go bigger than you think you will need.
- Move to the other side of the street when you see a person with a dog walking toward you.
- Find a driveway that you can walk up and hang out there until the dog passes
- Reward an alternative behavior. This is a great moment to practice any tricks or games your dog may know that involve movement such as treat catching, searching for treats, spinning, or jumping up on something.
- Use a visual barrier, such as a car or even trash cans, to stand behind as the other dog walks by.
- Teach your dog “switch” to walk on the other side of your body where you are between your dog and the oncoming dog.
The bottom line is to learn to understand and respect what your dog needs in the current moment. They are doing the best they can with the skills that they have. We can also take pause to show respect toward others that may be going through a similar journey.
If you, or someone you know, would like assistance navigating walks with a salty dog, please reach out to a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. We are here to help!
