Dogs Chasing 2/4 Wheelers, why and how to Tackle…

Human chasing a wrong goal is like dogs chasing motorbikes and cars; there will be no achievement in both the cases… only frustration. - Manoor Sachdev

“C.S” was asked this before and was asked again yesterday - Why do dogs chase cars and motorbikes and how to deal with it as it is dangerous for both Human and the Dog?

The Explanation - Dogs chase and bark behind cars, bikes because they see them as unstable, fast moving things... (One will always see them focusing on the tyres). They still haven't got used to it and might never as dogs don't like anything Human or his material world which is unstable. They would do anything for the environment that is calm and under control.

Why it happens - When a human sees a dog chasing his vehicle the following happens;

• Some mostly speed up further – Result - Only nurturing the dog behavior by exhibiting their unstable ways, which dogs see as a prey and chase till a certain point then give up. They don’t give up only because it has gone out of their territory, but because the “grapes were sour”;
• Some, try slowing down and zigzagging their vehicle to shoo them or hurt them – Result - Again nurturing the dog behavior by exhibiting their unstable ways but with a fight. During these chases you will see the dog not giving up so easily and continue barking for some more time once the vehicle speeds away;
• Some panic and start shouting using their expressive body language (nervousness, agitation and anger etc) while trying to get away – Result - Again nurturing the dog behavior for a fight but by being a prey. This ends up in a bite to a human or the dog being beaten, thus bringing an end to the situation for that moment but with loss suffered by both the parties.

The Solution - In today’s scenario and challenging lifestyle humans are deprived of one thing, which is “Time”. I know, it is very easy for us to explain a path to achieve the opposite of any negative behavior of a dog which is always going to be time consuming, but what has one achieved in life till date that happened in a click of a moment. We need to remember, work very hard on the fact that we are humans and nothing is impossible for us.

I went off track in the above paragraph so that you can look at things differently; now let’s get back to the solutions;

• Remember what ever situation one is in with the dog be it a stray or a pet, only if you are calm and assertive there will be no incidents which will make life difficult for the dogs, who is a part of nature. We cannot ignore them as we are humans,  only we can think and find solutions;
• If one is in the car and notices a dog chasing, please stop your car, roll your window down and tell the dog “NO” only twice in 10seconds. The dog should stop barking and retreat , but if he doesn’t (chances are too low) turn off your engine and say “NO” again but only twice in 10seconds… by this time the dog will disappear;
• The ones on the bike and bicycles should follow the same procedure but get off your 2wheeler on the opposite side of the where the dog is and stand tall when saying “NO”, don’t be nervous or intimidated. Remember you are a human and can control any situation and your 2wheeler is supporting you in the cause.

Solutions for dog owners - Dog owners have to be extra cautious if their dogs are chasing the vehicles on the road and can come under huge liabilities if they are not able to control the behavior. Given below are some tips to follow and reverse your dogs chasing behavior;

• First and foremost every dog should have a collar around them all the time if they are not well behaved in any department. This gives you easy hold to control them in troubled areas in the house (avoid using choke chains or any such collars because they give you less chance of controlling them);
• Second most important is before going for a walk, forget everything your dog has done in the past and begin a new day. Never get nervous, angry, frustrated etc during the entire walk;
• Always walk your dog on the leash when out for the walks and never let them loose near the road;
• First & last 15minutes of the walk should be your way, in between you can give your dog 15minutes to relieve themselves, socialize and sniffing around;
• Always be aware of what is your dog up to when walking, so that you can react before they lunge or want to chase a vehicle. Few signs which will tell you that your dog is going to react are;
  • The dog will get away from sniffing and focus on the oncoming vehicle or object;
  • The head of the dog will push forward and go in the level of their shoulder or below;
  • The dog might crouch, getting in the position to attack;
  • The speed of the walk will become slower due to which they will be left back and you will require to pull;
  •  The dog will stop sniffing in the air for the thing he is focusing on.
  •  Always walk the dog;
    • On a tight leash, right next to your thigh when in heavy traffic areas;
    • On your right side and always walk towards the oncoming traffic, which will keep you aware of the vehicles crossing by very close to you and will give you more control when your dog is away from the passing vehicle; (this has lot many benefits for women too, tell me your guesses)
    • If your dog does lunge or try to chase a vehicle never pull them backwards instead tug them on the inside towards your knees;
    • Once in control make the dog to sit and stay for minimum 30seconds and face the situation, they should only move when you do, if the dog gets up before, repeat the process (while sitting make sure your dog is not focusing on anything in particular and should look back at you in small intervals);
    • At the end of your walk, spend 10to15minutes standing at a point where the vehicles are not very close but visible, your dog should ideally be in sit or down position the entire time, but due to different types some might even stay in standing position but you should encourage them to sit;
    • While on the walk never talk to your dog else than commands or give any affection when the dog listens to you. Keep that for once you reach home.

All of the above instructions are tried and tested with real dog owners under professional supervision. We would request each reader to begin trying these exercises at places where there is less traffic. At "C.S" we are committed to bring balance into our four legged friends lives, which will help you experience the most wonderful and beneficial relationship of all.

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Please feel free to write to us with your queries at Canine.Manoor@gmail.com and join us on FaceBook by searching for Canine Solutions in your search window for regular updates.

At Canine Solutions we do not differentiate between the pure breed and the strays dogs. We are open to provide our services to all Pet Owners, Animal NGO’s, Shelters, Volunteers, Co-operative Housing Societies to rehabilitate the toughest dog behaviors and give them a chance to find a loving home. Our aim is to provide a loving home to the dogs and a peaceful, balanced relationship with the dog for the pet owners because we believe a human family is never complete without a pet dog.

Manoor Sachdev - Canine Solutions

http://www.facebook.com/Canine.Solutions.Program

Harness for your dog...

“A smart consumer can change the world and start an end to competition... which will change what all, start thinking…” - Manoor Sachdev

There are many and different products available in the market to please every consumer and needs shoved on him. There are many things we pick up we don’t need and there are many things lying which we ignore, knowing they are the most essentials in our lives. A human can talk and show their discontent in the product the other human has picked up, but a dog can’t talk and tell you what he wants or what is discomforting for him.

Harness is one such product; amazingly I see a lot of dog owners very excited to buy it or have already bought one and using it on their pet. I ask each dog owner the reason they use a harness on their dogs and pat come the answer, someone suggested it. Hmmm… what can I suggest??? …. Thinking… meanwhile let’s look at the different kind and real work of harness…

Harness should be used on working dogs only. By working dogs I mean, Assistance Dogs - dogs who are used to gently help mentally or physically disabled humans in their daily routine. Pulling Dogs - dogs that are used to pull cargo, people, work in high terrain areas where vehicles are not available. Police Dogs - dogs that are specially trained to perform variety of tasks for the handler. Harnesses are also used for fighting dogs which helps intensify a dogs rage when in the ring. A working dogs job is to lead its human in direction to achieve his/her goal, thus the harness came into existence. A harness does not help controlling the dogs; instinctively and psychologically a harness only tells them to pull.

In most cases I have come across humans with small dogs are suggested harnesses… how clever! Exploit the right market (I am still thinking what to suggest… Hmmm?). Has anyone ever thought why harnesses are mostly suggested to small dogs, the only reason behind it is the lack of leadership and control of the consumer on his/her dogs. Indirectly the one suggesting you is insulting you for being that kind of a dog owner… according to me, while he or the consumer doesn’t even know that. Because he only knows what the one who sold him said about the harness to sell further “that this thing controls small dogs better, your sales and customers will boom if you suggest this to the small dog owners”. Ha… what a shame!

A small dog owner is suggested the harness because as soon as the small dogs make you uncomfortable in any situation like when on a walk or in the house, you can pick him up and take them away from the situation as a correction due to their light weight. But do you know what you are doing to your dogs psychologically depending upon their individual instincts. You are taking away control from the dog without facing or correcting the situation, doesn’t matter if it is your dogs bad or someone or something else’s bad; You are taking his pride away, by lifting him of the floor; You are pushing his confidence to the lowest; You are pushing him towards depression in his life and much more. And then, human complaints later that my dog is dull and doesn’t react to anything positive or negative, doesn’t allow us to lift him to cuddle him or pet him… which then leads to many inhuman decisions & gives birth to another consumer by digging a deep hole in the pockets.

The dogs don’t care about how much money or time you are spending on them??? What they care about is… if you are a good leader; if you can show them a right path to follow in the human world, if you understand the animal in him and if you are in control of any given situation. A dog is always ready to please you by understanding the human in you & only expects that in return, but consumerism does not allow us to think or take out time to understand & exercise the human in us. It is sad… weather it is true or not I hope to hear from you…

Lastly, I still can’t think of that one thing I would like to suggest for you to get, because… I don’t feel intelligent enough to suggest another human who has equal mind, body and energy like me about what and what not he/she should buy. I can only help humans understand their four legged friends hence I am at your service under “Canine Solutions” banner.

So, please feel free to write to us with your queries at Canine.Manoor@gmail.com and join us on FaceBook by searching for Canine Solutions in your search window for regular updates.

At Canine Solutions we do not differentiate between the pure breed or the strays dogs. We are open to provide our services to all Pet Owners, Animal NGO’s, Shelters, Volunteers, Co-operative Housing Societies to rehabilitate the toughest dog behaviors and give them a chance to find a loving home. Our aim is to provide a loving home to the dogs and a peaceful, balanced relationship with the dog for the pet owners because we believe a human family is never complete without a pet dog.

Manoor Sachdev - Canine Solutions

http://www.facebook.com/Canine.Solutions.Program