Victoria Stilwell’s Blog

Dogs that jump

victoria — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 02:42:47 +0000

I am fortunate to receive letters from dog owners all over the world. My show- ‘It’s Me or the Dog,’ has been broadcast in over twenty countries and fortunately the message of responsible ownership is also spreading to far off places such as Brazil, Dubai and Hong Kong. If I personally answered all the training questions I receive from dog owners I would be spending the next two years on my computer. I don’t have the luxury of time, so I will attempt to answer some frequently asked questions via this blog.

What doesn’t surprise me is that dog owners all over the world have the same problems. I receive letters asking for advice on anything from housetraining to destructive chewing, from aggression to jumping up on visitors. Some owners are mildly irritated by their dog’s bad behaviour, while others are at their wit’s end and ready to send the dog to a shelter. However it continually amazes me that many owners still have very little knowledge about how to deal with their dog’s behaviour. There is such a wealth of great training information available, yet it seems few people tap into it. Please don’t let this stop you writing for advice because I feel very honoured to be in a position where I can help to improve dogs’ lives with their owners and vice versa. But I would urge you to take advantage of valuable information that is readily available in books, videos and from good trainers, making sure that you stay away from any that are punitive or unkind to the dog. There are still many ignorant ‘traditional’ trainers out there that think the best way to train a dog is to make it submissive towards them using harsh methods such as choke collars, prong collars, Alpha rolls, hitting, physical manipulation and other appalling techniques and devices such as the shock collar. SHAME ON THEM. There are, however, many wonderful trainers that use positive reward methods. If your dog has a behaviour problem that you don’t know how to deal with and you need help – invest in one of these trainers. It will change all your lives for the better.

One frequent question I get asked is how to stop a dog from jumping up on people when they come into the house? I always start by asking the same question, ‘why do you think the dog is jumping up?’

Dogs jump for many reasons. Don’t we like to see people’s faces when we say hello? Jumping while greeting is a great way for a dog to get your attention. Some dogs will jump from sheer excitement. Ever feel so excited that you just want to leap around? Excitement produces physical energy and this energy has to go somewhere. Jumping and licking can also be sign of submission. The dog has to jump up in order to lick the owner’s face. Licking the face and around the mouth is a learned behaviour in our dogs and particularly prevalent in wolves, our dogs’ ancestors. Licking around the mother’s mouth stimulates her to regurgitate food. It also shows mum that pups are submissive towards her. Many pups and adult dogs will lick faces of humans and other dogs after being reprimanded. Licking is an appeasement gesture – sorry mum.

On the other side of the coin – some dogs will jump because they feel uneasy when someone comes into the house. Jumping becomes a controlling/coping mechanism that allows the dog to deal with the new intrusion. Taking this to the extreme is the dog that jumps up, puts his front paws on a person’s shoulders and stares them full in the face. I’ve met a few of those dogs and that is a direct challenge that I am not willing to win at that moment. I shall win the battle in a much gentler but clever way throughout training.
So what can you do if your dog jumps on people when they come through the door?

1. If your dog is jumping from pure excitement then it is wise to manage your environment by not allowing the dog to greet people when they first come through the door. Keep your dog behind a baby gate and don’t allow him to greet until he is calm.
2. It is important to be consistent. Don’t allow the dog to jump up on you when greeting and expect him not to jump up on guests when they come into the house. Mixed messages are confusing and unfair.
3. The best way to stop a dog from jumping up is to ignore it while it is jumping. This is an easy but effective way to deal with the problem. Each time the dog jumps up at you – turn your back. Don’t look, talk or touch the dog at any time it is trying to jump. Fold your arms in front and be boring. When he stops jumping wait for four seconds of four paws on the floor then reward this with your attention in a calm manner. If your dog jumps again, repeat. Sometimes the dog jumps harder and higher to get your attention. This is known as an extinction burst. What has worked before is no longer getting attention so the dog tries harder. Be consistent because eventually he will give up! Remember ignore the crazy and reward the calm.
4. If your dog is unconfident around guests and jumps to be controlling, do not allow your dog to greet your guests. Put him in a place where he can be calm and confident. When guests are seated allow your dog to come in and say hello. If your dog is aggressive in any way to strangers it is your primary responsibility to keep your guests safe. If this means your dog is away while guests are in your home, so be it. You will have a happier dog and happier guests.
5. When your dog can greet in a calmer manner, teach him to walk up to a person and sit in front of them rather than jump all over them. This exercise will give your dog something to do while greeting providing a more controlled energy outlet which you and your guests will appreciate!

Hound Houdinis needed!

victoria — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:34:19 +0000

Is your dog a Hound Houdini? Does it try and escape each time you open the front door or the garden gate? Does it run away from you on a walk? I’m looking for a few case studies of dogs that have these kind of issues. If you are in the UK, are interested and want me to work with you for a day please contact Emma Marshall at the following address: emma_marshall@jcpr.com or by phone: 07875-399-995.

Just back from Crufts

victoria — Mon, 19 May 2008 01:47:57 +0000

I have just returned from Crufts – the dog show of all dog shows. Every year I go it seems to get bigger and better. There are more things for the average dog owner to enjoy such as agility, flyball, training classes, heel to music demonstrations and trade stands by the hundreds. You could spend all day at Crufts and not see one dog being shown. I love the buzz, the energy and the passion. Dog owners from all over the world unite for four days of pure heaven. But for a few of the dogs that are being shown, I’m not so sure that is the case.I make no secret of the fact that I come from a rescue-oriented background and have never been a part of the show-dog world, but that’s not to say I’m completely against it, either. If the dog enjoys the attention, the hustle and bustle, the grooming and the travel, then I have no problem with it. But I see some dogs at Crufts and other dog shows that look completely miserable, and if we are to be honest, showing that type of dog is not really for the dog at all. If you asked those dogs what they would prefer to be doing, running outside chasing rabbits would be my guess, rather than spending most of the day in a crate, prancing around a room and having to stand still for long periods being felt up by a person they don’t know. No, showing holds no benefits for that type of dog at all; it is purely for the owner. I have an issue with the word ‘conformation,’ which in dog show terms means ‘overall appearance and structure – an indication of the dog’s ability to produce quality puppies.’ (American Kennel Club.) Dogs are judged on appearance and form, the winner being the closest to conformation. The judge examines the dog and then ‘gives awards on how closely the dog compares to the judge’s mental image of the perfect dog described in the breed’s official standard.’ I think the dog world needs to take a closer look at the concept of breed conformation. Celebrating and perpetuating a strict set of rules constituting breed conformation means that many breeds of dogs live with disabling physical characteristics and hereditary diseases that can cause acute suffering and in some cases premature death. Many of our beautiful breeds are being bred to destruction such as the Great Dane, the German Shepherd and the Cavalier King Charles, but no breed is more maligned or disfigured than the English ‘British’ Bulldog. I recall an argument I recently had with a breeder of English bulldogs who took great affront at my concerns about the breed. She accused me of wanting to ban them – her immediate reaction to questions I asked her that she knew she couldn’t defend. For example, do you think it is right that 80% of bulldogs cannot be whelped naturally because the puppies’ head are too big? Don’t you think it cruel that these dogs find physical exercise difficult because their legs are so crooked that their joints tire easily? How unkind is it that these dogs have been bred to have such short noses that they suffer from brachycephalic upper airway syndrome – difficulty breathing particularly during exercise and in hot weather? Isn’t it uncomfortable to have so many folds on the face that fold dermatitis and other infections can occur if not cleaned daily? The breeder told me that facial folds were important because they helped drain the blood away from a bulldog’s face when it was bull baiting. I didn’t know we still practiced that in this country! I then showed her a print of what a bulldog used to look like in the 1800’s, a proud, fit, long-legged dog that looked like it could take on a whole empire, not just one raging bull. I’m not condoning the vicious sport of bull baiting, long since banned (thank goodness), but our English bulldogs these days couldn’t take on a fly let alone a bull. How can breeders ignore the suffering of their dogs all in the name of conformation? Why do those championing breed conformation continue to celebrate this breed’s discomfort and deformity?And it’s not just the Bulldog. Approximately 500 genetic health defects have been documented in dogs and defects are very high in purebreds because the gene pool is so limited. There are currently standards in place which require that offspring come from the mating of registered dogs with the same lineage. Breeding dogs from the same champion will pass on the good and the bad genes, and breeding dogs that are too closely related, which is common practice, means there is more of a chance that defective genes will come together. There are some breeders who are working hard to breed out defective genes, but many will breed so much to conformity in the hope there will be champion stock, that healthy dogs are rejected in favour of ones that meet breed conformation standards regardless of health. There are also many breeders that will defend their breeding practices by saying that ‘line breeding’, i.e. breeding grandparent to grandchild, cousin to cousin, uncle to niece etc. is ok as long as you are not ‘inbreeding’ (parent to child, siblings etc.) Geneticists disagree. Line breeding is still classed as inbreeding and it weakens the gene pool considerably. How can we as a dog loving nation allow this to continue? It seems to me that thinking about the dog’s well–being comes second to breed conformation. Breeders will seek to defend this notion, but unfortunately they can’t argue what is staring them full in the face, ‘in the long term, without the introduction of new and unrelated genes, all living creatures will suffer loss of genetic diversity, leading to weaker animals with health problems.’ The situation is now so serious that scientists are predicting that in the future many breeds will become extinct. The evidence is there and it’s happening now. Which breeds? I’ll leave you with one that has already made it onto the list of endangered breeds. The beloved flat coated Retriever. Shocked? That is just the tip of the iceberg!

A war in the Neighbourhood

victoria — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:52:54 +0000

A war is about to start in my neighbourhood, the same war that is being fought in neighbourhoods around the world. There is a public footpath across the road from where I live. This path is used by runners, mothers pushing prams, children on their bicycles and people walking their dogs. My daughter and I walk along the path to get to the playground in the local park. But getting to the park has become a hazard because if we don’t walk with our eyes concentrated on the ground, chances are we will step in dog poo. It is everywhere and I’m sick of it. Yes, it’s against the law to not pick up after your dog and yes, if you’re caught you could be fined a nominal sum, but no-one is watching, so owners continue to flout the law and leave their dog’s mess for everyone to step in. Well not anymore, because I’m on a mission to clean up the neighbourhood and it starts now.

Allowing a dog to foul a public area and not clearing up after it poses a serious health risk to humans and other dogs. Diseases can be passed through a dog’s intestinal tract and into the faeces. These diseases can cause debilitating illnesses in dogs and humans and in some cases can be fatal.
Here are just a few of them:

Adenovirus – a viral disease in dogs that can damage the liver and kidneys. Can cause convulsions, jaundice, bleeding from orifices and even death.
Parvovirus – a viral disease causing vomiting, diarrhoea, immunosuppression and in many cases can be fatal. This disease is particularly dangerous in puppies.
Giardia – a parasite that infects the gastrointestinal tract and causes diarrhoea
Coccida – a parasite that causes diarrhoea
Tapeworm, Whipworm, Hookworm – worms that live off the intestinal tract causing illness such as vomiting diarrhea and anemia.
Toxicariaosis - can cause blindness, particularly in children who come into contact with an infected stool while playing and inadvertently putting their fingers in their mouths.
E-coli – can cause urinary tract infections in humans, meningitis, peritonitis, mastitis, septicemia, pneumonia, severe vomiting and diarrhoea and in few cases even death.

Fortunately modern-day vaccinations can protect your dog from some of these diseases but for others there is no protection.

So what is to be done? First I will write to the local authorities. We need more notices, bins and bag dispensaries to make picking up poo more palatable. If this doesn’t happen I will have to put up my own signs – they just might not be so diplomatic. If that fails I might have to keep watch with my video camera ready to pounce on any offender. Seriously taking action is only half the battle as some dog owners need a big kick up the backside. It just remains to say, for all of those who pick up their dog’s poo – thanks and blessings. For those who don’t – shame on you. Be warned – next time I might be watching.

A new arrival

victoria — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:29:57 +0000

I’m very happy to announce that we have a new addition to our family. She is overweight, snores at night and has some pungent gas problems but we love her and she’s here to stay. Sadie the chocolate Labrador came into our lives at the beginning of February. She is five years old with the most appealing eyes you have ever seen and the kindest nature. Sadie belonged to an elderly lady who was no longer able to keep her due to illness and members of the family decided that it would be best to re-home her. She had spent the best part of three years with virtually no exercise and has become very overweight. Their neighbour, who happens to be a good trainer friend of mine, took her in and knowing that we were looking to adopt a dog, called us with what she thought was the ideal candidate. As soon as Sadie stepped through the front door we knew she was the dog for us. My daughter Alexandra is scared of dogs, possibly from the fact that she has watched mummy training the naughty puppies on TV and in her mind, every dog is a ‘naughty puppy.’ I was a little concerned what Alex’s reaction would be to a very large brown dog but I needn’t have worried. Sadie walked up to my daughter, sat down in front of her and raised her paw as if to shake hands and say hello. To this day the pair are inseparable.

I have providing counselling to many families about the process of getting a new dog, particularly important when there are small children involved. It seems strange that after being dogless for so long because of work commitments, I am now in the same position. I can’t take any chances with a four year old running around and need to have a dog that is particularly good with children. Sadie has to be one of the most gentle dogs I’ve ever seen with a child, but I still believe that there has to be effective management so that Alex and Sadie are never left alone together. It is also important that I talk to Alex about what she is and what she is not allowed to do around the dog. Fortunately she’s a trainer’s daughter and at the age of two and a half was already training her toy Dalmatians to ‘leave it’ and ‘sit’ with pretend treats and a training pouch I had given her. The amazing thing was, I had never taught her to do these things – she was copying what she had seen me do on the television, with dare I say it exactly the same tone of voice! Always be aware parents that even if you don’t think they are, your children are watching and listening to everything you say and do. Alex understands how she should behave around Sadie but needs a gentle reminder from time to time.

As I write this Sadie is lying beside me wondering when this new woman is going to take her for a walk. The sun is shining through the window onto her beautiful chocolate coat and I am transfixed. I have never had a dog of my own even when I was a child. I have fostered countless here in the USA but have never been able to bond with them because I knew they were going to go to new homes. Now, after so long, this beautiful animal lying next to me is truly mine. Welcome Sadie to our home and our family – we are so blessed that you are now part of our lives.

Contented cat. Health and feeding

victoria — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:24:29 +0000

Make sure your feline friend is always kept in tip top condition with our handy tips on health and feeding.

You can feed him wet or dry food or a mixture of both
Your cat prefers small meals on frequent occasions rather than one big meal a day. This also ensures his food is always fresh and doesn’t go stale
Always make sure he has access to plenty of fresh water
Illnesses can be kept to a minimum with regular vaccinations and symptoms like repeated vomiting, sneezing or coughing should be always be treated by a vet
Always keep an eye out for any changes in feeding and drinking habits. An excessive thirst or a decrease in appetite should always be investigated by a vet

Well-groomed. Making sure he looks his best

victoria — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:24:16 +0000

Cats usually look after themselves without any encouragement. However grooming him not only increases the bond between you, but can also reduce hairballs and allow you to check for any signs of ill health. Here are a few tips:

Shorthaired cats can be groomed with a fine-toothed metal comb weekly
Brush or comb your cat’s hair using strokes in the direction that the hair grows, from head to tail. Remember to be gentle
Groom longhaired cats daily with a steel comb
Make grooming time brief and reward him for his good behaviour
If his tail starts lashing then he’s had enough grooming for now
Any matts can be teased out gently. If they are very close to the skin and removal proves painful you may need to contact your vet to help you

Best behaviour. Stopping those bad habits

victoria — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:24:08 +0000

Spraying, clawing, biting and other unpleasant habits – we’ll help you find an easy solution to these problems with these helpful tips.

It is advised to neuter or spay your cat. It not only prevents unwanted pregnancies occurring, but also stops unwanted behaviour from occurring, such as straying or fighting
Your vet can neuter your cat and once this quick and easy operation is performed, he’ll soon be back on his paws
If he’s clawing furniture, a good scratching post will soon stop him. Scratching posts should be high enough for him to stretch, have a sturdy base and consist of a material he can really get his claws into, such as hessian or rope
Always reward him with praise or a treat when he uses his post instead of your curtains!

What’s he saying? Understanding your cat’s chat

victoria — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:23:34 +0000

Cats may not be the biggest talkers in the world, but you’ll notice that he does get a little chatty from time to time. And what does his body language mean? Here’s how to understand your cat.

From telling you he’s hungry, to expressing bewilderment, to having a moan, the most common noise he’ll make is a ‘miaow’
If you hear him purring you’ll know he’s a happy catty. Though sometimes he’ll do it to comfort himself if he is unwell or anxious
If he’s hissing, he’s anything but happy and feels under threat. You’ll probably only hear this when he is around other cats
When he weaves between your legs rubbing himself against you, he’s saying you’re one of the family and he loves you.
If he shows you his tummy he’s paying you a huge compliment and telling you that he trusts you
An arched back, fur on end and ears laid back, is a sign that he’s angry and wants to be left alone

Kitty cover. Insuring your cat

victoria — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:23:24 +0000

Whether you own a cat or a dog, making sure you have pet insurance is essential. If he does get injured or becomes ill not only will pet insurance soon have him back on his paws but it will also take care of the expensive vet bills.

you have pet insurance is essential. If he does get injured or becomes ill not only will pet insurance soon have him back on his paws but it will also take care of the expensive vet bills. Direct Line pet insurance not only covers your cat against accident or injury but it comes with some great benefits too.

Cover starts from just £6 a month for cats or £8 a month for dogs
Direct Line can even pay the vet directly
12 months free membership of the missing pets bureau
10% online discount

Click here to buy your Direct Line pet insurance now.