Please take a moment to read if you are new to our walks. PLEASE KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEAD AT THE START OF THE WALK UNTIL ALL DOGS HAVE SETTLED. GSD WALK GROUP GUIDELINES GSD WALK GROUPS – the purpose: > To create an excellent opportunity for socialisation and stimulation for our GSDs > To build confidence in the dogs and work with nervous, un-socialised sheps and give them the chance to learn from each other > To provide a perfect opportunity for owners to exchange and share information, hints and tips > To assist people with adopted GSDs, exchange experiences, offer advice/support > To provide an opportunity for handlers to observe dog behaviour, dog-to-dog communication etc. > To walk foster and kennelled GSDs, which has become a wonderful support for the dogs, progressing them to become more adoptable > To provide a meeting platform for potential adopters or foster applicants > To demonstrate what can be achieved with well trained, well mannered GSDs > To educate people about rescue work, the extent of dog abuse and the necessity to decrease the dog population in the UK > To communicate/brainstorm ideas to support and fundraise on behalf of GSRE GENERAL GUIDELINES > Please be responsible for YOUR own dog/s and make sure you keep an eye on them at all times > Ensure you always carry a dog lead. We can recommend either a dogmatic head collar or a Gencon, for those of you that have a dog that pulls excessively > Please always pick up after your dog and dispose appropriately > Please be aware of other dog’s and their owners and help and support each other > Anyone joining the group with a young dog (pup, adolescent or rescue), please be aware that running up at a nervous dog can trigger a reaction, so please keep them on a lead until the other dogs have accepted them into the group (this takes a surprisingly little time, but does depend on individual dogs > Try not to panic if a dog reacts to another one, it can be a mild disagreement (not unlike us really) and of no consequence. GUIDELINES for NEW MEMBERS with anxious GSDs: > RELAX , an anxious owner = an anxious dog > Keep your dog on the lead and > Walk tall, confidently and calmly without giving a nervous dog too much attention > Be aware that learning theory states that a reinforced behaviour remains and grows stronger, while a behaviour that is not reinforced will extinguish. If handler is anxious, the dog thinks there is reason to be anxious and the behaviour continues to be reinforced > We ask people that have used a muzzle before joining the group to use one, (preferably a Baskerville type). Each owner understands their own dog better than anyone else and we really do not want ANY dog to be hurt. Remember this is a rare occurrence > On rare occasions we may request that a nervous dog wears a muzzle, we strongly advise that dogs are conditioned to wear them before their first walk with the group > Walk with a lead and keep a distance of at least 50 – 70 metres behind the rest of the group at the beginning. Please be aware that each dog is different, so the required distance will vary, but we are aiming for the new dog to be walking behind the group without signs of stress, if he starts to show signs of stress, drop back a bit further until he/she is comfortable > Please avoid tightening the lead when a dog approaches, this serves to reinforce the dog’s thinking, that the approaching dog is something to be concerned about > Understand what may TRIGGER a reactive behaviour, which in turn, may force the owner/handler to be reactive > Continue to walk at the back until your dog is obviously starting to relax > After about 20 – 30 minutes one of the experienced GSD handlers will join the new member and dog (invariably with a steady GSD shadow) and assess if the dog is ready to decrease the distance between new dog and the group. Both the body language of the new dog and demeanour of the other dogs are important > Some young dogs at this stage may go to investigate the new dog, just relax, they work it out very quickly, they are intelligent, sensitive German Shepherds > If the dog tenses, just increase the distance again, set your dog up to succeed > Please try to avoid constant ‘corrections’, and make the walk a good experience, helping the new dog to have a positive experience and a good association with the other dogs > Everytime a new dog gets it right and is not concerned about other dogs, always praise the dog. When there is a good bond between handler and dog, praise is very valuable and can be underused! Many new dogs are able to run free and enjoy the walk with the other dogs within 30 minutes on their first walk, others take much longer, but with perseverance, observation and care, they can all run around as free spirits and have a wonderful experience. We have had wonderful results in the walk groups with nervous/anxious sheps (and owners) making wonderful progress. Without exception the owners have gained confidence from our members and start to walk tall with the rest of the group. :) NEW IDEAS? If anyone has any suggestions that can improve our GSD walk groups, please let us know, we are part of a team and here to help each other and our gorgeous GSDs. :)
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 15:03:49 +0000