Q & A with Denise Joyce on Positive Reinforcement Training and Choosing a Dog Trainer

*This is the follow-up to my previous post, How NOT to Train Your Dog


Q. WHY IS POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT MORE EFFECTIVE (THAN PUNISHMENT-BASED TRAINING) IN ELIMINATING UNWANTED BEHAVIOUR?

A. Training is meant to bridge a communication gap across species to increase understanding for a harmonious relationship. Most of the behaviours we expect from dogs are largely unnatural for them so the road to a harmonious relationship will have its challenges, regardless of the type of training you choose, but the humane methods will build a bond like no other.

This issue of positive vs. punitive has polarized dog owners and trainers around the globe. There are many, many considerations when it comes to discussing how dogs learn, the best way to teach/train, etc., but I like to keep it simple; if every person working and living with dogs would step back and consider exactly what is required to perform the two options for training, I would hope that most people would make the smarter, kinder choice. I know there will always be a certain type of person who feels that physical force is the only way to train an animal. It reminds me of the situation with human parents who believe that hitting their children is necessary to teach them how to behave.

#1 Training Style: includes Lure/Reward, Marker Based /Positive Reinforcement

This method asks you to show your dog how to behave and reward them for doing so – regardless of age. For the behaviours you don’t like you must remove any reward the dog might enjoy as a result of the unwanted behaviour. (The opposite of reward is no reward). You must remain patient, calm and consistent. Your timing is important to speed learning but a few seconds here or there doesn’t typically have any negative repercussions. You will need to be ready to enjoy and celebrate your dog’s success and feel pride when they learn to control their own behaviour in the presence of any distraction. This method typically prevents unwanted aggression and can rehabilitate all sorts of unwanted behaviours, especially those caused by anxiety.

#2 Training Style: includes physical punishment via leash corrections, pinning, electric shock and various other pain causing devices.

This method asks you to show your dog how to behave by causing severe pain whenever they make a mistake – regardless of their age. You must be on alert for any deviance from desired behaviour to administer punishment (i.e. pain). You will need to remain, patient, calm and consistent as you administer severe pain and your timing must be impeccable. The pain must be severe enough that the dog will never want to experience it again. This type of training has been proven to exacerbate existing anxiety or cause anxiety and stress where it had not existed in a dog prior to training.

If given the right information, I like to believe that any decent human being will choose to not administer pain to their companion animal. They are meant to be our friends, our family members, not our adversaries. The fact that they are a different species does not justify the administration of pain.


Q. ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES/STYLES OF POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING?

A. Well, the Term Positive Reinforcement Training has taken on a bit of a generalized meaning. First of all, “positive” does not mean it’s all rainbows and lollipops. It is a scientific term meaning the addition of....
It’s all part of Classical and Operant Conditioning as described in the Laws of Learning. Generally, people hear terms such as clicker training, marker based training, positive reinforcement training and lure/reward. The punitive method is actually Positive Punishment; the addition of punishment.

The general idea is this: you bring meaning to a previously neutral cue (sound) by pairing it with a highly prized reward. The same can be done using pain, by the way, but again.....why would you?

Whenever the dog does something you like – you mark it and reward it. All creatures repeat behaviour that is rewarding. If behaviour is not rewarded, the animal will cease doing it over time. This is called extinction of a behaviour.

You can add sounds, verbal cues and or hand signals to name behaviour and you are essentially teaching English as a second language. Dogs don’t come to us knowing any of the words we are saying.

I think it’s very important for the detractors of positive training methods to know that positive does not mean permissive. Food is just one way to reward the dog and there is a scientifically proven way to remove food as a reward. One of the common criticisms I hear is that we are bribing dogs to perform and that is simply not correct. Often, dog owners will take one obedience course and they get stuck using food, not knowing when and how to wean the dog off food reward using other principles of reward.

Q. HOW WOULD YOU ADVISE AN OWNER ON CHOOSING A DOG TRAINER?

A. This is a bit tricky. Anyone can call themselves a professional dog Trainer.

Get a recommendation from three people whose dogs’ behaviour you like.

Ask the Trainer(s) for references and for a copy of their Training biography.

The responsibility is on every dog owner to understand the animal they have invited to join their family - due diligence, so to speak. I recommend www.dogwise.com as a great source of reputable authors on all things dog. You want to read Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dr. Patricia MacConnell, Karen Pryor, Brenda Aloff, Pat Miller, Jean Donaldson, Dr. Stanley Coren, Karen Overall and Ray Coppinger, to name but a few.

Ask a lot of questions in an interview and if any answers make you uncomfortable – ask more questions until you feel comfortable with the information or you decide the Trainer is not right for you.

Ask the Trainer what they plan to do with your dog before they ever lay their hands on your dog.


Q. BRAD PATTISON SAYS, "IN A DOG PACK THE LEADER WILL DISCIPLINE AT ANY COST. THIS IS ESSENTIAL AND MANDATORY ALPHA BEHAVIOUR IF ORDER IS TO BE KEPT. WHEN THE MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN FAMILY FAIL TO ESTABLISH THEIR SUPERIORITY, THE DOG NATURALLY ASSUMES IT IS IN CHARGE AND WILL DISPENSE DISCIPLINE AS IT SEES FIT, WITH OFTEN DISASTROUS RESULTS."

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

A. I find it most unfortunate that largely incorrect information is disseminated through such a powerful medium as television. Just because it’s on TV it doesn’t make it true. You know, TV, the medium that brought us such superlative shows as Jerry Springer. I can only suggest that people question what they are seeing and reading with healthy skepticism and probe in to someone’s sources. The “alpha dog” myth which is becoming a bit of a societal syndrome isn’t supported by any scientific research. Behavioural Scientists and Animal Behaviourists the world over have decades of research to disprove some of the dangerous but prevalent ideas put forward by some so-called Trainers.

Q. POSITIVE TRAINERS OFTEN SAY THAT THEIR METHODS ARE BASED IN SCIENCE - WHAT DOES THAT MEAN EXACTLY?

A. It means that Behavioural Science has put forward some theories, based on research through observations and experimentation. These theories have yielded results that are rigorously scrutinized and then tested and verified by many others working in the field. The theory can then become a scientific law. I believe everyone is well acquainted with the laws of other disciplines, for instance - Newton’s Laws. Training falls under the Laws of Learning.

In short, the Laws of Learning tell us that learning occurs through experience and involves making judgments about current and future behaviour based on what was experienced in the past. All creatures learn primarily by association. These associations will occur whether you are consciously training your dog or not. The dog is making associations and picking up patterns of events all the time.

Q. IS IT EVER OK TO PUNISH A DOG?

A. It’s not that punishment doesn’t work. If the pain is severe enough and timed correctly it can certainly “teach” a dog to cease doing something. So, by this method the dog experiences its environment through a series of negative experiences and has to learn how to behave by process of elimination. It also requires the handler to micro-manage the dog’s behaviour and always “be in control”. The question is: why would someone want to cause severe pain in their companion dog? The fallout of this style of training is stress and anxiety. Stress, anxiety and fear are known to result in generalized aggressive behaviour or anxiety disorders. What if instead - you can provide consequence to inappropriate behaviour that will signal to the dog there is no reward forthcoming? If the behaviour does not net a reward it will eventually extinguish. That also falls under Laws of Learning and has been scientifically proven. The dog owner need not hurt their dog or their relationship with their dog to make a point about what constitutes unwanted behaviour.

I think it is important to ask any Trainer or person working with dogs how they chose their methodology and where they get their “philosophy” for working with animals. When I hear anyone using terms like “alpha dog”, domination, superiority, etc., I know this person is using a homespun method of punitive training and from where this information came......nobody knows. I can say without hesitation, it is completely and entirely incorrect. We have more than sixty years of animal science data that can really shine a light on these amazing companions and our complex and wonderful relationship with them. I know from experience, that you can be a “leader” for your dog without ever putting your hands on him/her.

Something else to consider; fear and stress is the greatest predictor of aggression in dogs. Is it reasonable to punish a fearful response? Punishment tends to add stress and create anxiety and it sets the dog up for more reactivity and aggression. Let’s look at leash walking as a perfect example of how punishment can go very wrong very quickly. The dog owner wants their dog to walk in a strict “Heel” position. Their three month old puppy is excited to meet and greet every dog, person, squirrel and blowing leaf. The pup forges forward with excitement and then gets a yank. Their excitement keeps them in a moving forward pattern and they keep getting yanked and the “corrections” become more severe as the other dog or person approaches. In no time, most dogs will develop anxiety and then leash reactivity. Dogs who are otherwise friendly and lovely will become furry chainsaws on a leash. From the dog’s experience they have learned that the appearance and proximity of another dog (or whatever) means pain for them. Dogs use snarling, growling and lunging as distance increasing signals. They want the other creature to go away so they won’t feel pain. The walk becomes something akin to an urban minefield and that isn’t fun for anyone, dog or human. I know of two popular training companies in Toronto who advise owners to leash correct any movement away from the formal Heel position and they like to add in a pseudo-growl to admonish the dog for wanting to explore their surroundings. Some people, including Trainers, are unfamiliar with canine body language or the natural body language of dogs. Dogs use all sorts of body language to negotiate social situations. They perform calming signals which help diffuse tense greetings and they begin these ritualized behaviours the moment they see the other animal. Signals such as sniffing the ground and looking away will prevent unwanted conflict from as far away as 20 ft. If a dog is in a strict Heel and on a tight leash the calming signals are prohibited and the ensuing leash corrections will remove a dog’s basic social skills. It gets very ugly quite quickly and then the dog is no longer capable of living in our society and we know what happens next....our shelters are full of anxiety ridden dogs with reactivity and aggression issues. Some dogs will go straight to the veterinary office for their last needle. Some people don’t realize they are the incubators of tomorrow’s problem dogs.

I believe that when enough people have the correct information we will see progress in the human species and our relationship to dogs.

For anyone interested in learning more about dog behaviour and training methodology and where the heck I get off making such bold statements please see the following sources:

Books:

The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller
Aggression In Dogs: Practical Management, Prevention and Behaviour Modification by Brenda Aloff
If Bones Would Rain from the Sky by Suzanne Clothier
Positive Perspectives by Pat Miller
Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas
How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks by Ian Dunbar
Dog Behavior by Ian Dunbar
The Other End of the Leash by Patricia MacConnell
It's Not the Dogs It's the People by Nicole Wilde

Journals/Magazines:

Whole Dog Journal
Animal Wellness
PETS magazine
Dogs In Canada
Pet Age
Modern Dog
BARK

About Denise Joyce:

After finishing her studies at the University of Toronto, Denise decided to turn her passion into her full time profession, dedicating herself to working with dogs and their guardians. In 2000, she opened her own pet sitting, training and behaviour consultation business, with a focus on holistic care and positive leadership. Denise has worked with animal advocacy groups lobbying for responsible dog ownership, and has assisted rescue organizations in an effort to keep dogs in their forever homes. Denise has worked as the Head Trainer for several full-service organizations and she developed a reputation as a knowledgeable, caring and professional trainer using humane and positive methods. Denise has appeared on Breakfast Television, Cityline, and Animal House Calls. She has also been featured in the Globe and Mail, Bloor West Snap, and Dogs,Dogs,Dogs. Denise shares her life with her partner and son and is owned by her mixed breed rescue dog, Hank.

How NOT to Train Your Dog

I have been a professional dog walker for over nine years, and boy have things in the dog world changed a lot between when I started my business and now. Dog training theories have come and gone, and then come back again, so the controversy and the debate continues…..what's the best way to train a dog?

I have decided that for me, it is with Positive Reinforcement training. I have not always been consistent with this over the years because I have received so many mixed messages from so-called experts and even from the media. But I want to really hone my skills in this area (we live and learn, right?), so I'm currently learning the Karen Pryor style of dog training, which I will write a separate blog about as my journey progresses. I am starting with the Foundations of Clicker Training Course, and intend to end with Karen Pryor's Professional Dog Trainer Certification Course. I don't want to become a professional dog trainer per se; I just want to be the best dog walker I can be, and the best dog owner I can be for my puppy CeCe. Of course this is just my personal choice, but there's some general information I'd like to share and hopefully make you think about the choices you're making with your own dog.

In the preceding decades, we as dog owners relied heavily on punishment-based training methods, because that's what our parents did (yup, my own loving parents used to throw a hunk of chain onto the floor to scare our Lab Lucy into stopping whatever Lab-y thing she was doing), that's what the trainers did, and that's what the books told us to do. Well, some of them, anyway. When I think about the ridiculous stuff my parents used to do to 'train' poor Lucy, and the equally ridiculous stuff I used to do to keep my own dogs from misbehaving….I have to laugh. We were seriously on the wrong track most of the time. Which is why, when I adopted my very special Collie/Husky mix, Blazer, all those years ago, I really had no idea what I was doing in terms of training. It was truly a blessing that he came into my life, because what an incredible teacher he turned out to be. I very quickly learned that patience and persistence were the keys to helping Blazer to let go of some of his fear-based aggression, and I also (perhaps most importantly) learned that there were some things that I just couldn't force. Through trial and error, we learned to live in perfect harmony with each other, and I wish every owner could experience the depth of love and bonding we shared as a result.

I shudder to think what might have happened if Blazer had ended up with someone else…someone who, with the best of intentions, had subscribed to aggressive training ideologies that advocated dominating and pinning him to the ground. Instead of dealing with his fear issues, it would have intensified them (and the accompanying aggression), and I'm quite sure someone would've gotten hurt in the process. Or worse: the greatest dog in the world might have been euthanized because humans failed him from day one.

As Toronto-based professional dog trainer and behaviourist Denise Joyce points out, "fear and stress is the greatest predictor of aggression in dogs. Is it reasonable to punish a fearful response? Punishment tends to add stress and create anxiety and it sets the dog up for more reactivity and aggression."

And so why are we continuing to punish our dogs?

See, the problem is, as dog owners, we do what the trainers tell us to do (especially when they're on TV), because they're the experts. But there are SO MANY different methods and training schools - how's an owner to know what to do??!

I'm not an expert, but I do know a few, like Denise, and I also have common sense. I read, I listen, I ask questions, and most importantly, I observe. Every day I see crazy owners with their out-of-control dogs, like the woman who brings her French Bulldog to the park and angrily shakes a tambourine at him to make him stop harassing other dogs. No, it doesn't work…..but somebody obviously told her it would. At the same park, another woman brings her dog to the off-leash area, stands on the other side of the fence before entering and yanks him by the neck when he gets too excited. There's even a psychotic dog walker who flips dogs over and pins them on the ground. I can only imagine what he does to the dogs behind closed doors. Needless to say, none of these methods are working and are only causing stress to the owners, the dogs, and the people around them.

These people all need the help of a pro (I have a feeling that Tambourine Lady may have gotten that idea from some weirdo trainer), but choosing the right trainer can be overwhelming. Generally speaking, I tend to be wary of anyone who is overly extreme in their views, and close-minded toward any reasonable (note, I said reasonable) alternatives. For example, is it possible that treat training doesn't work for every single dog? I'm sure it is, since some dogs aren't food motivated, but that doesn't take away from its validity as a training method…..it has trained Dolphins to jump through hoops, after all! Trainers like Brad Pattison* (remember that show, 'At the End of my Leash'?) have a different ideology. In an interview with Slice TV, he says:

"At the end of the day, “gentle” negotiation techniques such as treat training and constantly repeating verbal commands undermines the owner and empowers the dog to an alpha status, and we generally do not see the resulting danger until the dog has lashed out or threatened a family member or friend."

As a dog lover, I'm very wary of anyone who doesn't advocate "gentle" techniques, but obviously many people agree with him, since he has a TV show and an expanding dog training business. I'm told that I have to be very careful about what I say here, so I'm going to leave it at that, and will include a link to the entire Slice interview at the bottom of this page so you can read it and form your own opinions on him, based on his own words and not mine.

Moving on. Denise makes a good point regarding treat training:

"I think it’s very important for the detractors of positive training methods to know that positive does not mean permissive. Food is just one way to reward the dog and there is a scientifically proven way to remove food as a reward. One of the common criticisms I hear is that we are bribing dogs to perform and that is simply not correct. Often, dog owners will take one obedience course and they get stuck using food, not knowing when and how to wean the dog off food reward using other principles of reward."

With all the mixed messages and choices out there, it's overwhelming, especially for new dog owners. Treats? No treats? Clicker? No clicker?? I don't have all the answers, but I am lucky enough to know Denise, who has the wisdom and experience to advise me, and she has kindly explained it for all of us in an easy-to-understand, pleasant-to-read serious of Questions and Answers. I have included them in their entirety in the next blog, linked here:

http://tailblazers.blogspot.ca/2012/04/q-with-denise-joyce-on-positive.html

On a side note: I wish that more positive reinforcement dog trainers would be more…well……positive. They tend to be (and yes, I am making a generalization here) extremely rigid and forceful in their views (ironic, no?) and leave some dog owners feeling attacked and angry, which naturally pushes them even further the other way. As a vegetarian living among meat eaters, I can totally relate to this. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that leading by quiet example will create far more converts than the whole preachy-soapbox routine.

Luckily, there are many wonderful, positive-positive (I think I just invented that term) trainers, so ask around, do your research (I recommend starting with the Denise Joyce** Q&A), read some Karen Pryor, and make an informed decision!

GOOD LUCK!!

*To read the entire Brad Pattison Q&A interview with Slice TV, follow this link: http://www.slice.ca/Shows/AtTheEndOfMyLeash/QAndA.aspx?Title_ID=105200

**About Denise Joyce:

After finishing her studies at the University of Toronto, Denise decided to turn her passion into her full time profession, dedicating herself to working with dogs and their guardians. In 2000, she opened her own pet sitting, training and behaviour consultation business, with a focus on holistic care and positive leadership. Denise has worked with animal advocacy groups lobbying for responsible dog ownership, and has assisted rescue organizations in an effort to keep dogs in their forever homes. Denise has worked as the Head Trainer for several full-service organizations and she developed a reputation as a knowledgeable, caring and professional trainer using humane and positive methods. Denise has appeared on Breakfast Television, Cityline, and Animal House Calls. She has also been featured in the Globe and Mail, Bloor West Snap, and Dogs,Dogs,Dogs. Denise shares her life with her partner and son and is owned by her mixed breed rescue dog, Hank.

The DNA of an Mutt: to be Continued.....

A couple of weeks ago I ordered a DNA test kit for my rescue mutt, CeCe, and it has finally arrived!! Now I just have to do a couple of cheek swabs, send it back in the envelope, and wait for the results.

The company I'm using, Wisdom Panel, claims to have the largest DNA database of breeds available on the market, at 190 breeds. I figure this should give us a pretty good chance of determining what exactly this little ginger mutt of mine is. We've had lots of guesses from interested folks, including Shelti, Basenji, Finnish Spitz, Jack Russell, Beagle, and a bunch of others.

The Wisdom Panel website lists some of the reasons for DNA testing your mutt:

"A dog’s ancestry can influence him in surprising ways. Obvious and not-so-obvious physical traits plus behaviors like digging, herding and barking all come from the various breeds in a dog’s family tree. Once an owner understands a dog’s natural tendencies, it makes it possible to create a tailored training, exercise and nutrition program to fit his one-of-a-kind needs."

And it's true; the more you know, the more you can do for your dog. Of course I don't really care what breeds CeCe turns out to be (I'll love her even if I did accidentally adopt a terrier), but I'm sooooo curious to know, and eager to gain any insight I can into her genetics.

I will post the results as soon as I get them. I can't recall ever being so excited to get back test results!!!!

For more information on Wisdom Panel Canine DNA Testing, visit:

http://www.wisdompanel.com/

Tea Tree Oil: Friend to Humans, Foe to Pets

For years most of us have assumed it safe to use tea tree oil on our pets. Better than safe, in fact, since using an essential oil seems to be a much safer, more natural way to treat problems like hot spots or other skin irritations. Well, you know what they say about assuming…..

It turns out to be quite the opposite. Although many pet products like shampoos or sprays containing tea tree oil are marketed in just this way, tea tree oil is, in fact, quite toxic to our dogs and cats. These products contain teeny-tiny amounts of tea tree oil, which is harmless in a shampoo, but the average pet owner might see the product and get the idea that applying undiluted tea tree oil to their pet's skin is even better. Wrong!!!!

Even though tea tree oil is well known for its antibacterial, antifungal and even antiparasitic effects, the Pet Poison Helpline states that "As little as 7 drops of 100% oil has resulted in severe poisoning, and applications of 10-20 mls of 100% oil have resulted in poisoning and death in both dogs and cats."

From the veterinarywatch.com website, regarding tea tree poisoning:

"Most patients have clinical signs of central nervous system depression. Dogs and cats with tea tree oil toxicosis will appear weak, obtunded, uncoordinated, ataxic, and usually have muscular tremors. Cats may exhibit signs of liver damage. Toxic components are fat soluble and rapidly absorbed via skin and GI tract. There is no antidote. Treatment involves general detoxification, supportive care, bathing with mild detergents, using activated charcoal if ingested."

So there you have it. I love tea tree oil and I will continue to use it every day in my lotion, but CeCe had better keep her paws off!!



Pet Poison Help Line: 800-213-6680

My Pound Puppy CeCe

"Anything I've ever done that ultimately was worthwhile...initially scared me to death."

I'm not sure who said it, but she must've rescued a pound dog.

My beloved dog Blazer died in June, and my home hasn't felt complete since. So I decided that, even though I could never love another dog the way I loved Blazer, I could at least open my home to a dog in need. But when I brought CeCe home from Animal Services, things weren't all sunshine and roses. Like so many pound dogs, she had a very rough start to life, and it showed.

At only a few weeks old, CeCe was dumped at a rural shelter in Ohio, where she spent most of her young life in a state of stress, surrounded by other unwanted, troubled dogs. Luckily, between the kind soul who runs the shelter and took her in, and James at Toronto Animal Services, she arrived in Toronto in January as a 5 month old puppy, scarred both physically and mentally, and scared of almost everything and everyone. A few hours later......I arrived and took her home.

The first time I took her to the dog park and 2 puppies tried to play with her, she turned on them quite aggressively, and I thought, "Oh crap. I've made a huge mistake." So the next few weeks were spent working on training: meeting new dogs (hey - they can be friendly!), meeting new people (hey - they give me treats!), walking all over the city, and getting used to all of the scary sights & sounds. Eventually, she began to blossom, and the puppy within began to come out as she discovered friends and toys, and enjoyed a calm, loving and stable home. It wasn't easy, and it was a lot of work, but she is the BEST puppy I could ever ask for, and an absolute lovebug. And smart as hell! She already knows "sit", "down", "stay", "shush", "crawl" and "rollover." She's sweet, gentle, and intuitive, and she has the best puppy stink I've ever smelled. Even the cats are starting to forgive me for bringing a puppy into their home....

I didn't think I would ever love another dog after my Blazer died, but this wriggly little creature is worming her way into my heart, kiss by kiss.

If anyone reading this is thinking about adopting a pound dog, please remember that the first few weeks might be difficult, but if you stick it out, the reward is limitless.

To see this post and a link to more photos on the Toronto Animal Services blog, click here: http://iwantapounddog.blogspot.ca/2012/02/update-on-cece.html

How to Fulfill Feral Kittens: The Search for the Perfect Cat Tree

When I really love a product, I promote it, and I think that the following might be useful to people like me, who spoil their animals beyond reason.

As some of you know, a few months ago (June, 2010) I adopted two feral kittens, and it has been a real challenge to keep them satisfied indoors. No matter how much time I spent with them, playing with dozens of toys, they were still wreaking havoc on my poor condo: climbing all over everything, smashing things, opening the freezer, turning the oven on....you name it. And the little cat tree I bought them from Canadian Tire was a waste of time. Since it is extremely important to me to make them feel happy and fulfilled as indoor cats (and save my bloody home!!), I did some research into cat trees, and boy, did I find the answer - The Fantasy Cat Tree!

I wanted to share this with all of my cat people, because my cats absolutely ADORE this tree, and they spend much of their time climbing, perching, playing, sleeping and eating in it. It's like a feline jungle gym for them: they chase each other around the trunk, and even dangle from the lower perches, hoping to swat an unsuspecting canine or two. And when they don't want to interact with any resident (or visiting) canines, they happily snooze in the upper pods, well out of harm's way. It's soooo important for all cats to have their own space/safe haven, separate from any visitors, be they human, feline or canine. I can't imagine anything else giving them so much exercise and joy indoors, or making them feel so safe and comfortable.

David Harvey of Cloud 9 Cat Trees is the man behind the tree, and he came to my place for a consultation armed with a book of photos, and even some carpet samples so I could choose my own colours. Together, we figured out the best options for my cats (and my condo!), and even added, at my request, a custom feeding perch to the design! Our tree also has two sleeping pods in it, plus four other perches/steps. You can add as many pods as you like, and there's even a hammock option, which is pretty darn cute.

Cloud 9 Cat Trees makes all sorts of cat trees (big and small), and has even made versions for dogs - why not?! I love the fact that David is a real person; one guy who makes cat tree art. Whenever possible, I like to support local and independent small businesses, so I was happy to pay for the quality and individual attention I got from David.

Now, keep in mind that I got the super-deluxe version, but he makes cat trees of all shapes, sizes and price points, so there's something for everyone and every budget.

Links:

Cloud9CatTrees: http://www.cloud9cattrees.com/

More photos of my cats in the tree: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=291714&id=16226840539

A great resource for help with your cats & kittens, feral or domestic: http://www.torontocatrescue.ca/store/index.asp

So You Want to Start a Dog Walking Business??

So you want to start your own dog walking/pet sitting business, eh? Well, it's a great idea and a wonderfully fulfilling career for many people, but IS IT FOR YOU??!! While the following is by no means a comprehensive guide to being a dog walker/pet sitter, I do believe it answers most of the questions commonly asked by newbies, and gives some good advice on how to start things off on the right paw. If you can master everything listed below, you will indeed be a true professional and your business has a good chance of being successful. Today's pet owner is very saavy, and if you don't know what you're doing they will call someone who does. Someone like me. :) After almost a decade of super-amazing dog walking and pet sitting, here is my advice to you:


Almost every week, I get emails and phone calls from enthusiastic dog lovers looking for a life change and wondering how to go about starting up a dog walking business. It's a long discussion to have, and there are so many things to consider before taking on a commitment like starting a pet care business. I've learned that some people think that it's a walk in park (literally and figuratively), and an 'easy' way to make money without working too hard. In reality, running a pet care business is a huge (and often stressful) responsibility, and entails an exhausting amount of physical labour.

Who Should be a Dog Walker?

Not everyone, that's for sure. Loving dogs isn't enough - you have to have a very broad base of knowledge to be an excellent dog walker. There are a thousand things can that go wrong, including medical and behaviourial issues, and even if you've owned dogs all of your life, you're not necessarily prepared for looking after dozens of other people's pets. Owners very rightly expect you to have expertise in a wide range of topics, from canine psychology and breed traits to health and nutrition. They will come to you with questions about housetraining, local veterinarians, dog parks and a million other things! Being a dog walker goes way beyond simply walking the dog once a day; you become an important resource for the owner, and provide support and advice on an ongoing basis over the years. It's this relationship that separates the true professionals from everyone else.

What do I Need to Know?

In short - everything!! In addition to having experience handling dogs of all breeds & temperaments, here are some topics that you should be thoroughly educated on before you think about becoming a professional dog walker:

- Study all dog breeds, know their genetics and traits. Why is a Beagle a flight risk? Which breeds are prone to bloat? Why should a pug wear a harness and not a collar? What the hell is a Chinese Crested?!

- Know all of the 'lingo'. If you don't know a hot spot from an undercoat, you've got a lot of learnin' to do!

- Canine psychology: knowing how a dog thinks and what drives him is your most valuable tool. It's essential when controlling a group of dogs. Read books, blogs, watch the positive-reinforcement training shows on TV, attend seminars, meet trainers, take classes with your own dog, and spend lots of time in the dog park. If you're not observant, no amount of reading will help you. Hone your instincts!!!

- Health & Nutrition: Know the commercial food & treat brands currently available (keep an eye out for recalls); what's good for a dog and what's toxic, and educate yourself on commercial food vs. raw food vs. home cooked. Learn what constitutes a healthy dog and what are signs of underlying problems. Get used to talking about parasites, anal glands and bloody diarrhea! Oh, and form your own opinion on subjects like flea & heartworm prevention and vaccinations - there are 2 very hotly debated sides to those topics, so be informed. Are the vets always right? Helllls no!!

- Equipment: every dog is different, so you must be able to recommend a product that fits the dog and the situation. There are hundreds of products to know: booties, sprays, training (spray) collars, martingales, Haltis, Gentle Leaders, harnesses, leashes, coats, crates, toys, beds, pheromone diffusers, etc, etc.

- All current training methods: the difference between Brad Pattison and Ian Dunbar, puppy training, housebreaking, aggression, separation anxiety. Know how to stop a fight before it even starts.  This is an endless topic, and no pet care professional should ever stop educating themselves.  Again, hone your instincts.

- Local trainers, behaviourists, groomers, holistic vets & regular vets: know who to refer, and who to avoid

- Get advice on how to walk multiple dogs; learn how to match dogs by energy, size, age & temperament. Figure out the logistics of picking dogs up and dropping them off (including how to introduce dogs for the first time), keeping things calm and organized. What's the best way to hold 6 leashes without getting tangled?

- Develop an EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN


How Do I Start my Business?

- Apprentice with an experienced dog walker if you can swing it.
- Pet Sitters Insurance
- City of Toronto dog walker's license
- Register your business name with the city of Toronto
- Pet First Aid certification - VERY important! And don't do a cheesy online course; make sure it's in-class and hands-on
- Professionally designed logo, website & business cards
- Research different areas to determine whether or not they can support another dog walking business
- Look into furthering your dog-related education with training, lectures, seminars, etc. Learn from the pros
- Join Pet Sitters International (good resource for business start-up as well)
- Make contact with pet stores, vets, and other dog walkers in your area once you've started taking clients. Networking is essential to get referrals to build your business. You will also need them when you take vacation.
- Have a list of 'Phone Screening Questions' at the ready when you take new client calls. Know which dogs & cats to take on, and which to decline.
- Have a 'New Meeting Checklist' to help you through your meetings. You need to know what questions to ask and what information/advice to offer.
- Develop your own (as in, don't steal someone else's) Information Sheet, Pricing, Policies & Procedures for your business.
- Start advertising and networking - and head to the dog parks!


Who Should be a Cat Sitter?

First of all let me point out that most people start out with the dog walking business idea, then take their cue from other established businesses and add on the cat sitting service as a way to make additional income. Which is fine, as long as they are equally as dedicated to (and knowledgeable about) cats. Cat owners are every bit as invested in their pets as dog owners, and they expect a high level of service and expertise. Just as some dogs are 'easier' than others to care for, some cats are higher maintenance than others and may have special needs. With cats, health problems can be harder to detect, so you need to know which behaviours are normal and which may constitute a red flag; that way you'll know immediately if something's wrong and be able take action before it's too late.

If you are a cat owner, love cats, and have done your research, you will probably make a good cat sitter. Here are some topics that you should be thoroughly educated on before you think about becoming a cat sitter:

- Common cat breeds, behaviour & terminology

- How to administer medication

- Cat food and equipment/supplies currently available on the market

- Hairballs

- Feline diabetes

- Fleas, ear mites, ringworm & other parasites

- Plants, etc. that are toxic to cats

- urinary tract infections (UTI)

- the importance of preventing and treating feline constipation

- Viral and Other Infections like feline infectious enteritis, rabies, cat flu, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), and the feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Some of these are highly contagious and can be spread by YOU!



Ok, I think I've covered the most important topics, but I should add that above all else, you MUST be reliable, honest, organized, quick-thinking, patient, have loads of common sense, and an amaaaazing sense of humour.

Good luck, and stay off my turf!!!!! :)

Yvette