Animal Welfare Professionals

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Helllllooooooo…anybody out there?

HELLO??

I'm not here to have a conversation with myself - Did this get lost ? Or does nobody have anything to say?

I find that hard to believe. I'm asking questions with all sincerity and want to hear your thoughts.

If you're not asking questions, you're making assumptions. 

What am I supposed to do with silence?

Did I not post this in the right place?

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Helllllooooooo…anybody out there?

HELLO??

I'm not here to have a conversation with myself - Did this get lost ? Or does nobody have anything to say?

I find that hard to believe. I'm asking questions with all sincerity and want to hear your thoughts.

If you're not asking questions, you're making assumptions. 

What am I supposed to do with silence?

Did I not post this in the right place?

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Helllllooooooo…anybody out there?

HELLO??

I'm not here to have a conversation with myself - Did this get lost ? Or does nobody have anything to say?

I find that hard to believe. I'm asking questions with all sincerity and want to hear your thoughts.

If you're not asking questions, you're making assumptions. 

What am I supposed to do with silence?

Did I not post this in the right place?

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Do you have 3minutes and 48 seconds to watch my yards help a fear biter? https://share.icloud.com/photos/08fyX3NAwabT0FIFKPMp2sBOw

Helllllooooooo…anybody out there?

HELLO??

I'm not here to have a conversation with myself - Did this get lost ? Or does nobody have anything to say?

I find that hard to believe. I'm asking questions with all sincerity and want to hear your thoughts.

If you're not asking questions, you're making assumptions. 

What am I supposed to do with silence?

Did I not post this in the right place?

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Do you have 3minutes and 48 seconds to watch my yards help a fear biter? https://share.icloud.com/photos/08fyX3NAwabT0FIFKPMp2sBOw

Helllllooooooo…anybody out there?

HELLO??

I'm not here to have a conversation with myself - Did this get lost ? Or does nobody have anything to say?

I find that hard to believe. I'm asking questions with all sincerity and want to hear your thoughts.

If you're not asking questions, you're making assumptions. 

What am I supposed to do with silence?

Did I not post this in the right place?

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Thanks for posting this, I was able to watch it. I appreciate that you took the time to make it accessible for us non-tockers. 

I did get some sense of the yard set up, and I can see how being able to keep on eye on you while not have to interact with you was really helpful for him. 

I'm curious why you use the slip lead - is that a routine every time a dog goes from kennel to kennel? 

Also - when you end the video, is that the perpendicular yard?

Thanks again!

Do you have 3minutes and 48 seconds to watch my yards help a fear biter? https://share.icloud.com/photos/08fyX3NAwabT0FIFKPMp2sBOw

Helllllooooooo…anybody out there?

HELLO??

I'm not here to have a conversation with myself - Did this get lost ? Or does nobody have anything to say?

I find that hard to believe. I'm asking questions with all sincerity and want to hear your thoughts.

If you're not asking questions, you're making assumptions. 

What am I supposed to do with silence?

Did I not post this in the right place?

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

There are so many benefits to the yards.  Being able to watch me also allows me to continually communicate with him.  

He starts in the perpendicular yard,. Then moves "downstairs" and "outside"before the last yard "inside", closest to the runs.

Did you notice what scared him the most? I know right away, but it's been pointed out to me that it's not something others pick up on.

Halfway through, he makes it clear, at least to me.  See it now? After we walk to the last yard, he knows I know, and is why he agrees to finish in his run as we did. But if I didn't continue to listen to him, I would've been bitten. Once that conversation was over, he's a different dog. We still had work to do, but the point is, no dog stagnates goes backwards. I get them into a good headspace, and it gets better with time.

The answer to this is also why I use slip leads. No stopper, endless configurations to keep the dog loose and both of us safe, comfy, and engaged. I'll explain more, but first,

Please, watch it again and let me know what you think his biggest discomfort is that's adding all the stress. I'll say it's not me, and it's not being in a new place. Most would think that's it, but with that in mind, observe the dog and what do you see him say?

To me, it's obvious. But then I have the advantage.  If I just say it, I'm not giving anyone the chance to notice.

I need feedback so I know what others perceive. This is for the dogs.  Using the yards as I do is how I can be so successful understanding them. It lets the dogs speak, and I can learn to listen to each individual, body and mind.

Theres is a lot going on, so I need questions to be posed because it may or may not be what you think. I don't know. But It's probably in part but not whole. 

Thanks for posting this, I was able to watch it. I appreciate that you took the time to make it accessible for us non-tockers. 

I did get some sense of the yard set up, and I can see how being able to keep on eye on you while not have to interact with you was really helpful for him. 

I'm curious why you use the slip lead - is that a routine every time a dog goes from kennel to kennel? 

Also - when you end the video, is that the perpendicular yard?

Thanks again!

Do you have 3minutes and 48 seconds to watch my yards help a fear biter? https://share.icloud.com/photos/08fyX3NAwabT0FIFKPMp2sBOw

Helllllooooooo…anybody out there?

HELLO??

I'm not here to have a conversation with myself - Did this get lost ? Or does nobody have anything to say?

I find that hard to believe. I'm asking questions with all sincerity and want to hear your thoughts.

If you're not asking questions, you're making assumptions. 

What am I supposed to do with silence?

Did I not post this in the right place?

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Hello again, 

I just tried to watch the video again and this time my computer said it wasn't coded correctly and couldn't run. I'll try on another computer tomorrow. I do remember that the dog was reluctant to accept the slip lead at one point, but I don't suppose that is what you're talking about. 

There are so many benefits to the yards.  Being able to watch me also allows me to continually communicate with him.  

He starts in the perpendicular yard,. Then moves "downstairs" and "outside"before the last yard "inside", closest to the runs.

Did you notice what scared him the most? I know right away, but it's been pointed out to me that it's not something others pick up on.

Halfway through, he makes it clear, at least to me.  See it now? After we walk to the last yard, he knows I know, and is why he agrees to finish in his run as we did. But if I didn't continue to listen to him, I would've been bitten. Once that conversation was over, he's a different dog. We still had work to do, but the point is, no dog stagnates goes backwards. I get them into a good headspace, and it gets better with time.

The answer to this is also why I use slip leads. No stopper, endless configurations to keep the dog loose and both of us safe, comfy, and engaged. I'll explain more, but first,

Please, watch it again and let me know what you think his biggest discomfort is that's adding all the stress. I'll say it's not me, and it's not being in a new place. Most would think that's it, but with that in mind, observe the dog and what do you see him say?

To me, it's obvious. But then I have the advantage.  If I just say it, I'm not giving anyone the chance to notice.

I need feedback so I know what others perceive. This is for the dogs.  Using the yards as I do is how I can be so successful understanding them. It lets the dogs speak, and I can learn to listen to each individual, body and mind.

Theres is a lot going on, so I need questions to be posed because it may or may not be what you think. I don't know. But It's probably in part but not whole. 

Thanks for posting this, I was able to watch it. I appreciate that you took the time to make it accessible for us non-tockers. 

I did get some sense of the yard set up, and I can see how being able to keep on eye on you while not have to interact with you was really helpful for him. 

I'm curious why you use the slip lead - is that a routine every time a dog goes from kennel to kennel? 

Also - when you end the video, is that the perpendicular yard?

Thanks again!

Do you have 3minutes and 48 seconds to watch my yards help a fear biter? https://share.icloud.com/photos/08fyX3NAwabT0FIFKPMp2sBOw

Helllllooooooo…anybody out there?

HELLO??

I'm not here to have a conversation with myself - Did this get lost ? Or does nobody have anything to say?

I find that hard to believe. I'm asking questions with all sincerity and want to hear your thoughts.

If you're not asking questions, you're making assumptions. 

What am I supposed to do with silence?

Did I not post this in the right place?

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Hi Eudora- thanks for playing :)

The video starts out with the dog having just came in, still wearing his own collar and lead. Normally, dogs are stripped upon entry, but this guy was clearly not wanting me to touch him.  Even if I could have, he would have been too afraid being loose for me to get him out of the first yard. That would've been scarier for him, and a bad idea.

So I wait a while, soft round postures from me, and eventually when the time was right enough, I dropped my slip lead on him so we could move on. Why am I not using just his?  Because it doesn't allow me to have a different conversation with him about walking. He has a very negative association with his own collar and lead.

He then spends time in the outside downstairs yard watching me and acclimating. He's still pretty frozen. Then I go in the yard and we independently walked around a little. We both went to the gate where you could see us posturing, relaying information. 
I soon pick up His lead and at this point you can see his stress increase. I DROP His lead because I know it's his biggest discomfort and a point of fear. 
He then balks at my slip lead. What you don't notice is that when I picked up His lead, I made it the primary point of contact Inside my slip lead instead of my lead over it. Once I dropped his lead he easily took mine. He's learned it has a release of pressure where his does not. Then we walk to the 3rd yard, closer to the runs. He's dragging His lead out the gate and hits tight on mine. I take up his lead and mine slacks. Now he Knows. I then guide him doing my best to Keep it loose (holding both)and I've helped him reset having experienced the RELEASE of pressure, which his too tight punishment based lead did not.

Once in this new yard, he accepts me (you can see it) and I carefully touch him to take off only my lead. I walk away and he thinks, then follows. He easily takes the slip lead and he follows me to his run (holding both) and I ASK him if he's ok taking it all off, which is what we Both want. He lets me, but if I made a mistake (at any point), I would've been bitten. I wasn't worried. 

You can then see his relief and how sweet he is as he asks me to continue helping him feel good. 
Touch and movement are vital for dogs to communicate. By giving them the structured freedom to do so, I've been able to observe and manipulate true dog under various conditions, picking up the subtleties to understand and communicate back under what is normally a stressful environment . My environment undoes that stress. I am part of the environment.

Everyone can learn dog this way, and all dogs will be better, and better off.

Hello again, 

I just tried to watch the video again and this time my computer said it wasn't coded correctly and couldn't run. I'll try on another computer tomorrow. I do remember that the dog was reluctant to accept the slip lead at one point, but I don't suppose that is what you're talking about. 

There are so many benefits to the yards.  Being able to watch me also allows me to continually communicate with him.  

He starts in the perpendicular yard,. Then moves "downstairs" and "outside"before the last yard "inside", closest to the runs.

Did you notice what scared him the most? I know right away, but it's been pointed out to me that it's not something others pick up on.

Halfway through, he makes it clear, at least to me.  See it now? After we walk to the last yard, he knows I know, and is why he agrees to finish in his run as we did. But if I didn't continue to listen to him, I would've been bitten. Once that conversation was over, he's a different dog. We still had work to do, but the point is, no dog stagnates goes backwards. I get them into a good headspace, and it gets better with time.

The answer to this is also why I use slip leads. No stopper, endless configurations to keep the dog loose and both of us safe, comfy, and engaged. I'll explain more, but first,

Please, watch it again and let me know what you think his biggest discomfort is that's adding all the stress. I'll say it's not me, and it's not being in a new place. Most would think that's it, but with that in mind, observe the dog and what do you see him say?

To me, it's obvious. But then I have the advantage.  If I just say it, I'm not giving anyone the chance to notice.

I need feedback so I know what others perceive. This is for the dogs.  Using the yards as I do is how I can be so successful understanding them. It lets the dogs speak, and I can learn to listen to each individual, body and mind.

Theres is a lot going on, so I need questions to be posed because it may or may not be what you think. I don't know. But It's probably in part but not whole. 

Thanks for posting this, I was able to watch it. I appreciate that you took the time to make it accessible for us non-tockers. 

I did get some sense of the yard set up, and I can see how being able to keep on eye on you while not have to interact with you was really helpful for him. 

I'm curious why you use the slip lead - is that a routine every time a dog goes from kennel to kennel? 

Also - when you end the video, is that the perpendicular yard?

Thanks again!

Do you have 3minutes and 48 seconds to watch my yards help a fear biter? https://share.icloud.com/photos/08fyX3NAwabT0FIFKPMp2sBOw

Helllllooooooo…anybody out there?

HELLO??

I'm not here to have a conversation with myself - Did this get lost ? Or does nobody have anything to say?

I find that hard to believe. I'm asking questions with all sincerity and want to hear your thoughts.

If you're not asking questions, you're making assumptions. 

What am I supposed to do with silence?

Did I not post this in the right place?

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Hi Diane, 

That explanation is helpful - hopefully I can get the video to work again. 

What are the two types of slip lead you're talking about? I haven't worked with slip leads before. 

Eudora

Hi Eudora- thanks for playing :)

The video starts out with the dog having just came in, still wearing his own collar and lead. Normally, dogs are stripped upon entry, but this guy was clearly not wanting me to touch him.  Even if I could have, he would have been too afraid being loose for me to get him out of the first yard. That would've been scarier for him, and a bad idea.

So I wait a while, soft round postures from me, and eventually when the time was right enough, I dropped my slip lead on him so we could move on. Why am I not using just his?  Because it doesn't allow me to have a different conversation with him about walking. He has a very negative association with his own collar and lead.

He then spends time in the outside downstairs yard watching me and acclimating. He's still pretty frozen. Then I go in the yard and we independently walked around a little. We both went to the gate where you could see us posturing, relaying information. 
I soon pick up His lead and at this point you can see his stress increase. I DROP His lead because I know it's his biggest discomfort and a point of fear. 
He then balks at my slip lead. What you don't notice is that when I picked up His lead, I made it the primary point of contact Inside my slip lead instead of my lead over it. Once I dropped his lead he easily took mine. He's learned it has a release of pressure where his does not. Then we walk to the 3rd yard, closer to the runs. He's dragging His lead out the gate and hits tight on mine. I take up his lead and mine slacks. Now he Knows. I then guide him doing my best to Keep it loose (holding both)and I've helped him reset having experienced the RELEASE of pressure, which his too tight punishment based lead did not.

Once in this new yard, he accepts me (you can see it) and I carefully touch him to take off only my lead. I walk away and he thinks, then follows. He easily takes the slip lead and he follows me to his run (holding both) and I ASK him if he's ok taking it all off, which is what we Both want. He lets me, but if I made a mistake (at any point), I would've been bitten. I wasn't worried. 

You can then see his relief and how sweet he is as he asks me to continue helping him feel good. 
Touch and movement are vital for dogs to communicate. By giving them the structured freedom to do so, I've been able to observe and manipulate true dog under various conditions, picking up the subtleties to understand and communicate back under what is normally a stressful environment . My environment undoes that stress. I am part of the environment.

Everyone can learn dog this way, and all dogs will be better, and better off.

Hello again, 

I just tried to watch the video again and this time my computer said it wasn't coded correctly and couldn't run. I'll try on another computer tomorrow. I do remember that the dog was reluctant to accept the slip lead at one point, but I don't suppose that is what you're talking about. 

There are so many benefits to the yards.  Being able to watch me also allows me to continually communicate with him.  

He starts in the perpendicular yard,. Then moves "downstairs" and "outside"before the last yard "inside", closest to the runs.

Did you notice what scared him the most? I know right away, but it's been pointed out to me that it's not something others pick up on.

Halfway through, he makes it clear, at least to me.  See it now? After we walk to the last yard, he knows I know, and is why he agrees to finish in his run as we did. But if I didn't continue to listen to him, I would've been bitten. Once that conversation was over, he's a different dog. We still had work to do, but the point is, no dog stagnates goes backwards. I get them into a good headspace, and it gets better with time.

The answer to this is also why I use slip leads. No stopper, endless configurations to keep the dog loose and both of us safe, comfy, and engaged. I'll explain more, but first,

Please, watch it again and let me know what you think his biggest discomfort is that's adding all the stress. I'll say it's not me, and it's not being in a new place. Most would think that's it, but with that in mind, observe the dog and what do you see him say?

To me, it's obvious. But then I have the advantage.  If I just say it, I'm not giving anyone the chance to notice.

I need feedback so I know what others perceive. This is for the dogs.  Using the yards as I do is how I can be so successful understanding them. It lets the dogs speak, and I can learn to listen to each individual, body and mind.

Theres is a lot going on, so I need questions to be posed because it may or may not be what you think. I don't know. But It's probably in part but not whole. 

Thanks for posting this, I was able to watch it. I appreciate that you took the time to make it accessible for us non-tockers. 

I did get some sense of the yard set up, and I can see how being able to keep on eye on you while not have to interact with you was really helpful for him. 

I'm curious why you use the slip lead - is that a routine every time a dog goes from kennel to kennel? 

Also - when you end the video, is that the perpendicular yard?

Thanks again!

Do you have 3minutes and 48 seconds to watch my yards help a fear biter? https://share.icloud.com/photos/08fyX3NAwabT0FIFKPMp2sBOw

Helllllooooooo…anybody out there?

HELLO??

I'm not here to have a conversation with myself - Did this get lost ? Or does nobody have anything to say?

I find that hard to believe. I'm asking questions with all sincerity and want to hear your thoughts.

If you're not asking questions, you're making assumptions. 

What am I supposed to do with silence?

Did I not post this in the right place?

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

I only used one slip lead (yellow) with this dog.

His very tight buckle collar and lead are red.

I use slip leads so many different ways to keep the dog from hurting himself and me, and they can help teach body awareness, but not if used in a locked position.

Hi Diane, 

That explanation is helpful - hopefully I can get the video to work again. 

What are the two types of slip lead you're talking about? I haven't worked with slip leads before. 

Eudora

Hi Eudora- thanks for playing :)

The video starts out with the dog having just came in, still wearing his own collar and lead. Normally, dogs are stripped upon entry, but this guy was clearly not wanting me to touch him.  Even if I could have, he would have been too afraid being loose for me to get him out of the first yard. That would've been scarier for him, and a bad idea.

So I wait a while, soft round postures from me, and eventually when the time was right enough, I dropped my slip lead on him so we could move on. Why am I not using just his?  Because it doesn't allow me to have a different conversation with him about walking. He has a very negative association with his own collar and lead.

He then spends time in the outside downstairs yard watching me and acclimating. He's still pretty frozen. Then I go in the yard and we independently walked around a little. We both went to the gate where you could see us posturing, relaying information. 
I soon pick up His lead and at this point you can see his stress increase. I DROP His lead because I know it's his biggest discomfort and a point of fear. 
He then balks at my slip lead. What you don't notice is that when I picked up His lead, I made it the primary point of contact Inside my slip lead instead of my lead over it. Once I dropped his lead he easily took mine. He's learned it has a release of pressure where his does not. Then we walk to the 3rd yard, closer to the runs. He's dragging His lead out the gate and hits tight on mine. I take up his lead and mine slacks. Now he Knows. I then guide him doing my best to Keep it loose (holding both)and I've helped him reset having experienced the RELEASE of pressure, which his too tight punishment based lead did not.

Once in this new yard, he accepts me (you can see it) and I carefully touch him to take off only my lead. I walk away and he thinks, then follows. He easily takes the slip lead and he follows me to his run (holding both) and I ASK him if he's ok taking it all off, which is what we Both want. He lets me, but if I made a mistake (at any point), I would've been bitten. I wasn't worried. 

You can then see his relief and how sweet he is as he asks me to continue helping him feel good. 
Touch and movement are vital for dogs to communicate. By giving them the structured freedom to do so, I've been able to observe and manipulate true dog under various conditions, picking up the subtleties to understand and communicate back under what is normally a stressful environment . My environment undoes that stress. I am part of the environment.

Everyone can learn dog this way, and all dogs will be better, and better off.

Hello again, 

I just tried to watch the video again and this time my computer said it wasn't coded correctly and couldn't run. I'll try on another computer tomorrow. I do remember that the dog was reluctant to accept the slip lead at one point, but I don't suppose that is what you're talking about. 

There are so many benefits to the yards.  Being able to watch me also allows me to continually communicate with him.  

He starts in the perpendicular yard,. Then moves "downstairs" and "outside"before the last yard "inside", closest to the runs.

Did you notice what scared him the most? I know right away, but it's been pointed out to me that it's not something others pick up on.

Halfway through, he makes it clear, at least to me.  See it now? After we walk to the last yard, he knows I know, and is why he agrees to finish in his run as we did. But if I didn't continue to listen to him, I would've been bitten. Once that conversation was over, he's a different dog. We still had work to do, but the point is, no dog stagnates goes backwards. I get them into a good headspace, and it gets better with time.

The answer to this is also why I use slip leads. No stopper, endless configurations to keep the dog loose and both of us safe, comfy, and engaged. I'll explain more, but first,

Please, watch it again and let me know what you think his biggest discomfort is that's adding all the stress. I'll say it's not me, and it's not being in a new place. Most would think that's it, but with that in mind, observe the dog and what do you see him say?

To me, it's obvious. But then I have the advantage.  If I just say it, I'm not giving anyone the chance to notice.

I need feedback so I know what others perceive. This is for the dogs.  Using the yards as I do is how I can be so successful understanding them. It lets the dogs speak, and I can learn to listen to each individual, body and mind.

Theres is a lot going on, so I need questions to be posed because it may or may not be what you think. I don't know. But It's probably in part but not whole. 

Thanks for posting this, I was able to watch it. I appreciate that you took the time to make it accessible for us non-tockers. 

I did get some sense of the yard set up, and I can see how being able to keep on eye on you while not have to interact with you was really helpful for him. 

I'm curious why you use the slip lead - is that a routine every time a dog goes from kennel to kennel? 

Also - when you end the video, is that the perpendicular yard?

Thanks again!

Do you have 3minutes and 48 seconds to watch my yards help a fear biter? https://share.icloud.com/photos/08fyX3NAwabT0FIFKPMp2sBOw

Helllllooooooo…anybody out there?

HELLO??

I'm not here to have a conversation with myself - Did this get lost ? Or does nobody have anything to say?

I find that hard to believe. I'm asking questions with all sincerity and want to hear your thoughts.

If you're not asking questions, you're making assumptions. 

What am I supposed to do with silence?

Did I not post this in the right place?

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

HI Diane, 

I'd love to learn more about how you use the slip leads. My shelter is moving to requiring the use of slip leads or harnesses for safety reasons. I am finding that for jumpy dogs, the slip lead makes for a much calmer exit from the kennel, and I've used slip leads with a clip leash attached to the ring for hands-free return to the shelter. Any tips about ways to use a slip lead will be really appreciated. 

I only used one slip lead (yellow) with this dog.

His very tight buckle collar and lead are red.

I use slip leads so many different ways to keep the dog from hurting himself and me, and they can help teach body awareness, but not if used in a locked position.

Hi Diane, 

That explanation is helpful - hopefully I can get the video to work again. 

What are the two types of slip lead you're talking about? I haven't worked with slip leads before. 

Eudora

Hi Eudora- thanks for playing :)

The video starts out with the dog having just came in, still wearing his own collar and lead. Normally, dogs are stripped upon entry, but this guy was clearly not wanting me to touch him.  Even if I could have, he would have been too afraid being loose for me to get him out of the first yard. That would've been scarier for him, and a bad idea.

So I wait a while, soft round postures from me, and eventually when the time was right enough, I dropped my slip lead on him so we could move on. Why am I not using just his?  Because it doesn't allow me to have a different conversation with him about walking. He has a very negative association with his own collar and lead.

He then spends time in the outside downstairs yard watching me and acclimating. He's still pretty frozen. Then I go in the yard and we independently walked around a little. We both went to the gate where you could see us posturing, relaying information. 
I soon pick up His lead and at this point you can see his stress increase. I DROP His lead because I know it's his biggest discomfort and a point of fear. 
He then balks at my slip lead. What you don't notice is that when I picked up His lead, I made it the primary point of contact Inside my slip lead instead of my lead over it. Once I dropped his lead he easily took mine. He's learned it has a release of pressure where his does not. Then we walk to the 3rd yard, closer to the runs. He's dragging His lead out the gate and hits tight on mine. I take up his lead and mine slacks. Now he Knows. I then guide him doing my best to Keep it loose (holding both)and I've helped him reset having experienced the RELEASE of pressure, which his too tight punishment based lead did not.

Once in this new yard, he accepts me (you can see it) and I carefully touch him to take off only my lead. I walk away and he thinks, then follows. He easily takes the slip lead and he follows me to his run (holding both) and I ASK him if he's ok taking it all off, which is what we Both want. He lets me, but if I made a mistake (at any point), I would've been bitten. I wasn't worried. 

You can then see his relief and how sweet he is as he asks me to continue helping him feel good. 
Touch and movement are vital for dogs to communicate. By giving them the structured freedom to do so, I've been able to observe and manipulate true dog under various conditions, picking up the subtleties to understand and communicate back under what is normally a stressful environment . My environment undoes that stress. I am part of the environment.

Everyone can learn dog this way, and all dogs will be better, and better off.

------------------------------
Diane Cuff
Owner/operator
Waggin'Tails Boarding Kennels
TX

Original Message:
Sent: 10-22-2023 03:26 PM
From: Eudora Watson
Subject: Creating a yard system and dog routine

Hello again, 

I just tried to watch the video again and this time my computer said it wasn't coded correctly and couldn't run. I'll try on another computer tomorrow. I do remember that the dog was reluctant to accept the slip lead at one point, but I don't suppose that is what you're talking about. 

There are so many benefits to the yards.  Being able to watch me also allows me to continually communicate with him.  

He starts in the perpendicular yard,. Then moves "downstairs" and "outside"before the last yard "inside", closest to the runs.

Did you notice what scared him the most? I know right away, but it's been pointed out to me that it's not something others pick up on.

Halfway through, he makes it clear, at least to me.  See it now? After we walk to the last yard, he knows I know, and is why he agrees to finish in his run as we did. But if I didn't continue to listen to him, I would've been bitten. Once that conversation was over, he's a different dog. We still had work to do, but the point is, no dog stagnates goes backwards. I get them into a good headspace, and it gets better with time.

The answer to this is also why I use slip leads. No stopper, endless configurations to keep the dog loose and both of us safe, comfy, and engaged. I'll explain more, but first,

Please, watch it again and let me know what you think his biggest discomfort is that's adding all the stress. I'll say it's not me, and it's not being in a new place. Most would think that's it, but with that in mind, observe the dog and what do you see him say?

To me, it's obvious. But then I have the advantage.  If I just say it, I'm not giving anyone the chance to notice.

I need feedback so I know what others perceive. This is for the dogs.  Using the yards as I do is how I can be so successful understanding them. It lets the dogs speak, and I can learn to listen to each individual, body and mind.

Theres is a lot going on, so I need questions to be posed because it may or may not be what you think. I don't know. But It's probably in part but not whole. 

Thanks for posting this, I was able to watch it. I appreciate that you took the time to make it accessible for us non-tockers. 

I did get some sense of the yard set up, and I can see how being able to keep on eye on you while not have to interact with you was really helpful for him. 

I'm curious why you use the slip lead - is that a routine every time a dog goes from kennel to kennel? 

Also - when you end the video, is that the perpendicular yard?

Thanks again!

Do you have 3minutes and 48 seconds to watch my yards help a fear biter? https://share.icloud.com/photos/08fyX3NAwabT0FIFKPMp2sBOw

Helllllooooooo…anybody out there?

HELLO??

I'm not here to have a conversation with myself - Did this get lost ? Or does nobody have anything to say?

I find that hard to believe. I'm asking questions with all sincerity and want to hear your thoughts.

If you're not asking questions, you're making assumptions. 

What am I supposed to do with silence?

Did I not post this in the right place?

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Helllllooooooo…anybody out there?

HELLO??

I'm not here to have a conversation with myself - Did this get lost ? Or does nobody have anything to say?

I find that hard to believe. I'm asking questions with all sincerity and want to hear your thoughts.

If you're not asking questions, you're making assumptions. 

What am I supposed to do with silence?

Did I not post this in the right place?

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Hi Diane,

Your kennel backyard design and routine training model make sense and are thoughtful for the dogs who will be kenneled. All dogs deserve to have outdoor access on a regular basis.

I  appreciate that I can open a back door and my 3 huskies can safely go outside every morning.  As a volunteer in rescue, it breaks my heart

that far too many dogs in shelters are not let out of their kennels daily. I wish that the kennel that my shelter rents space from had the type of design you shared in your post. 

------------------------------
sabrina kabella
Volunteer Animal Socializer
Northern Sled Dog Rescue (Norsled)
CA

Original Message:
Sent: 09-26-2023 10:28 AM
From: Diane Cuff
Subject: Creating a yard system and dog routine

Helllllooooooo…anybody out there?

HELLO??

I'm not here to have a conversation with myself - Did this get lost ? Or does nobody have anything to say?

I find that hard to believe. I'm asking questions with all sincerity and want to hear your thoughts.

If you're not asking questions, you're making assumptions. 

What am I supposed to do with silence?

Did I not post this in the right place?

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Diane,

I am trying to envision the yards you described. So 3 yards, each 10-15 x 50. No shared fences leaving room for humans to walk. Two of them are parallel and one is perpendicular. Did I get this right?  What is INDIRECT play? With 12 imaginary dogs, would you put 4 in each yard?  What is the ratio of dogs to handler? 12:1? What do you mean incorporate the dogs into chores? sleeping quarters, can you elaborate? Sleeping quarters in the yards? I am confused. 

I am a trainer and training is truly overrated. Understanding is priority. I love your philosophy "I will not sacrifice safety, health and happiness for obedience. "  Totally agree with this " No way was I ever leaving my dog in a boarding kennel or let her be trained. Yuck and ouch !!! Into adulthood, I still never saw a kennel situation that made me smile. "

The dogs come first!

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Each yard is for 1 dog to start, even sibling dogs get private time and Boy do they appreciate it!

Siblings aside, (remember this 3 yard is beginner basic), with my 12 dogs, that's 3 rounds of 4 dogs at a time. But it's very fluid and gives the dogs needed time in the Most positive way and the handler the Most opportunities to reinforce what is desired.

So in roughly 1 hour, all 12 dogs (1person) have had private instruction, free sniffs and running, engagement, and positive experiences with more to come.  We rest, eat, and poop well, too.

It's hard to describe in an email for me,  and there's a lot to it, but nothing that shouldn't be familiar.

I know it's not ideal, but you CAN see and get a feel for my place @alldogsincorporated on tiktok.  It's just as easy to delete the app after looking around and you do not have to follow to do so.

Then, it might be easier for me to describe answers to questions.

Diane,

I am trying to envision the yards you described. So 3 yards, each 10-15 x 50. No shared fences leaving room for humans to walk. Two of them are parallel and one is perpendicular. Did I get this right?  What is INDIRECT play? With 12 imaginary dogs, would you put 4 in each yard?  What is the ratio of dogs to handler? 12:1? What do you mean incorporate the dogs into chores? sleeping quarters, can you elaborate? Sleeping quarters in the yards? I am confused. 

I am a trainer and training is truly overrated. Understanding is priority. I love your philosophy "I will not sacrifice safety, health and happiness for obedience. "  Totally agree with this " No way was I ever leaving my dog in a boarding kennel or let her be trained. Yuck and ouch !!! Into adulthood, I still never saw a kennel situation that made me smile. "

The dogs come first!

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

I'm feeling really slow. If there are three yards and each dog is in a yard by themselves, how is that 4 at a time? 

In that hour, how long are the dogs out in the kennels? 

(I wasn't able to take part in the community job-to-job conversation for part 2 of Dog Interaction, but will catch up on that when it comes out.)

Each yard is for 1 dog to start, even sibling dogs get private time and Boy do they appreciate it!

Siblings aside, (remember this 3 yard is beginner basic), with my 12 dogs, that's 3 rounds of 4 dogs at a time. But it's very fluid and gives the dogs needed time in the Most positive way and the handler the Most opportunities to reinforce what is desired.

So in roughly 1 hour, all 12 dogs (1person) have had private instruction, free sniffs and running, engagement, and positive experiences with more to come.  We rest, eat, and poop well, too.

It's hard to describe in an email for me,  and there's a lot to it, but nothing that shouldn't be familiar.

I know it's not ideal, but you CAN see and get a feel for my place @alldogsincorporated on tiktok.  It's just as easy to delete the app after looking around and you do not have to follow to do so.

Then, it might be easier for me to describe answers to questions.

Diane,

I am trying to envision the yards you described. So 3 yards, each 10-15 x 50. No shared fences leaving room for humans to walk. Two of them are parallel and one is perpendicular. Did I get this right?  What is INDIRECT play? With 12 imaginary dogs, would you put 4 in each yard?  What is the ratio of dogs to handler? 12:1? What do you mean incorporate the dogs into chores? sleeping quarters, can you elaborate? Sleeping quarters in the yards? I am confused. 

I am a trainer and training is truly overrated. Understanding is priority. I love your philosophy "I will not sacrifice safety, health and happiness for obedience. "  Totally agree with this " No way was I ever leaving my dog in a boarding kennel or let her be trained. Yuck and ouch !!! Into adulthood, I still never saw a kennel situation that made me smile. "

The dogs come first!

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Sorry- my math is off. 

3 yards. 12 dogs.  Fluid according to needs.

1 round includes all dogs, so a minimum of 4 rotations in 1 round.

I do 2-3 rounds in am and 1-2 rounds in pm. 

I meet individual needs within the routine.  Each round is about 15-20 minutes, but it's dictated by each dog.  I ensure health and safety. I am actively present.

Ex. Lizzie and Huck, sibling dogs, each get separate poop time first thing, that's 2 yards, and I pull out Hanna, a new lab to the scene, into the perpendicular yard, that's 3 dogs out, and 9 of our 12 waiting for their turn in rotation. I help them wait nicely.

I have options, Huck and Lizzie can have some family time after business, sharing a yard for a few, and I bring out another, or they go back and I choose 2 others, it all depends on needs but all needs are met, including mine. 

The perpendicular yard gives Hannah great opportunities to relax and learn (and me too) in the presence of others at her own pace and in her own time.  I'm helping, walking in and around, picking up, playing, clicking away. I can incorporate Hannah while I'm with Lizzie.

After round 1, while I disinfect outside runs, all snooze soundly as the know round 2 is near, or already started as I can still have dogs in rotation the entire time. The design allows for it. 
Round 2, more pooo and play, specialized to needs, which can run right into round 3 by extension or with breaks.

I currently run 2 sets of parallel yards, 2 open into a transition yard (for testing ON fence) and a round pen playground.

That opens on both sides into a pasture yard.  

There are satellite foster yards, a separate tiny dog yard attached to their living quarters.

There's more but not in routine use.

Everyone gets to run and play, just not directly, unless.

Not all dogs get the same privileges.  I teach all a recall automatically, and no one gets direct contact with another without passing certain tests.  #1 being recall.  
We'll come back to that later.

I started way back when with 3 yards. 2parrallel, 1perpendicular.

From there you can gain knowledge and improve skills while giving dogs free exercise in a safe space without pressure, threats, or intimidation. 

No dog, or person, is to be at unnecessary risk. Dogs come First. Dogs get to make their own choices(set up to make good ones), and Dog perspective takes precedence. I work for them.

I rotate and clean all morning. (~630-~11am)So each dog gets about an hour total yard time, (3rounds) including personal instruction and socialization - all dogs. They are not separated while I clean inside, giving us more opportunities, lotsa hands on, and after a nap, we do it again.  Afternoons are easier tho.

There's a lot, but it all falls into place if worked within parameters.  

Maybe there's a better way for me to try and communicate this. I'll think on it, and I'm open to suggestions, so please ask specific questions for clarification or raise any concerns you may have.

Thank you all so much for your time

I'm feeling really slow. If there are three yards and each dog is in a yard by themselves, how is that 4 at a time? 

In that hour, how long are the dogs out in the kennels? 

(I wasn't able to take part in the community job-to-job conversation for part 2 of Dog Interaction, but will catch up on that when it comes out.)

Each yard is for 1 dog to start, even sibling dogs get private time and Boy do they appreciate it!

Siblings aside, (remember this 3 yard is beginner basic), with my 12 dogs, that's 3 rounds of 4 dogs at a time. But it's very fluid and gives the dogs needed time in the Most positive way and the handler the Most opportunities to reinforce what is desired.

So in roughly 1 hour, all 12 dogs (1person) have had private instruction, free sniffs and running, engagement, and positive experiences with more to come.  We rest, eat, and poop well, too.

It's hard to describe in an email for me,  and there's a lot to it, but nothing that shouldn't be familiar.

I know it's not ideal, but you CAN see and get a feel for my place @alldogsincorporated on tiktok.  It's just as easy to delete the app after looking around and you do not have to follow to do so.

Then, it might be easier for me to describe answers to questions.

Diane,

I am trying to envision the yards you described. So 3 yards, each 10-15 x 50. No shared fences leaving room for humans to walk. Two of them are parallel and one is perpendicular. Did I get this right?  What is INDIRECT play? With 12 imaginary dogs, would you put 4 in each yard?  What is the ratio of dogs to handler? 12:1? What do you mean incorporate the dogs into chores? sleeping quarters, can you elaborate? Sleeping quarters in the yards? I am confused. 

I am a trainer and training is truly overrated. Understanding is priority. I love your philosophy "I will not sacrifice safety, health and happiness for obedience. "  Totally agree with this " No way was I ever leaving my dog in a boarding kennel or let her be trained. Yuck and ouch !!! Into adulthood, I still never saw a kennel situation that made me smile. "

The dogs come first!

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Thanks Diane, That description is very helpful. 

Are the yards attached to the building? I take it they are not attached to each other because there is walking room for people, right? Are there catch areas at each entrance to a yard? 

Thanks again!

Sorry- my math is off. 

3 yards. 12 dogs.  Fluid according to needs.

1 round includes all dogs, so a minimum of 4 rotations in 1 round.

I do 2-3 rounds in am and 1-2 rounds in pm. 

I meet individual needs within the routine.  Each round is about 15-20 minutes, but it's dictated by each dog.  I ensure health and safety. I am actively present.

Ex. Lizzie and Huck, sibling dogs, each get separate poop time first thing, that's 2 yards, and I pull out Hanna, a new lab to the scene, into the perpendicular yard, that's 3 dogs out, and 9 of our 12 waiting for their turn in rotation. I help them wait nicely.

I have options, Huck and Lizzie can have some family time after business, sharing a yard for a few, and I bring out another, or they go back and I choose 2 others, it all depends on needs but all needs are met, including mine. 

The perpendicular yard gives Hannah great opportunities to relax and learn (and me too) in the presence of others at her own pace and in her own time.  I'm helping, walking in and around, picking up, playing, clicking away. I can incorporate Hannah while I'm with Lizzie.

After round 1, while I disinfect outside runs, all snooze soundly as the know round 2 is near, or already started as I can still have dogs in rotation the entire time. The design allows for it. 
Round 2, more pooo and play, specialized to needs, which can run right into round 3 by extension or with breaks.

I currently run 2 sets of parallel yards, 2 open into a transition yard (for testing ON fence) and a round pen playground.

That opens on both sides into a pasture yard.  

There are satellite foster yards, a separate tiny dog yard attached to their living quarters.

There's more but not in routine use.

Everyone gets to run and play, just not directly, unless.

Not all dogs get the same privileges.  I teach all a recall automatically, and no one gets direct contact with another without passing certain tests.  #1 being recall.  
We'll come back to that later.

I started way back when with 3 yards. 2parrallel, 1perpendicular.

From there you can gain knowledge and improve skills while giving dogs free exercise in a safe space without pressure, threats, or intimidation. 

No dog, or person, is to be at unnecessary risk. Dogs come First. Dogs get to make their own choices(set up to make good ones), and Dog perspective takes precedence. I work for them.

I rotate and clean all morning. (~630-~11am)So each dog gets about an hour total yard time, (3rounds) including personal instruction and socialization - all dogs. They are not separated while I clean inside, giving us more opportunities, lotsa hands on, and after a nap, we do it again.  Afternoons are easier tho.

There's a lot, but it all falls into place if worked within parameters.  

Maybe there's a better way for me to try and communicate this. I'll think on it, and I'm open to suggestions, so please ask specific questions for clarification or raise any concerns you may have.

Thank you all so much for your time

I'm feeling really slow. If there are three yards and each dog is in a yard by themselves, how is that 4 at a time? 

In that hour, how long are the dogs out in the kennels? 

(I wasn't able to take part in the community job-to-job conversation for part 2 of Dog Interaction, but will catch up on that when it comes out.)

Each yard is for 1 dog to start, even sibling dogs get private time and Boy do they appreciate it!

Siblings aside, (remember this 3 yard is beginner basic), with my 12 dogs, that's 3 rounds of 4 dogs at a time. But it's very fluid and gives the dogs needed time in the Most positive way and the handler the Most opportunities to reinforce what is desired.

So in roughly 1 hour, all 12 dogs (1person) have had private instruction, free sniffs and running, engagement, and positive experiences with more to come.  We rest, eat, and poop well, too.

It's hard to describe in an email for me,  and there's a lot to it, but nothing that shouldn't be familiar.

I know it's not ideal, but you CAN see and get a feel for my place @alldogsincorporated on tiktok.  It's just as easy to delete the app after looking around and you do not have to follow to do so.

Then, it might be easier for me to describe answers to questions.

Diane,

I am trying to envision the yards you described. So 3 yards, each 10-15 x 50. No shared fences leaving room for humans to walk. Two of them are parallel and one is perpendicular. Did I get this right?  What is INDIRECT play? With 12 imaginary dogs, would you put 4 in each yard?  What is the ratio of dogs to handler? 12:1? What do you mean incorporate the dogs into chores? sleeping quarters, can you elaborate? Sleeping quarters in the yards? I am confused. 

I am a trainer and training is truly overrated. Understanding is priority. I love your philosophy "I will not sacrifice safety, health and happiness for obedience. "  Totally agree with this " No way was I ever leaving my dog in a boarding kennel or let her be trained. Yuck and ouch !!! Into adulthood, I still never saw a kennel situation that made me smile. "

The dogs come first!

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

I'm feeling really slow. If there are three yards and each dog is in a yard by themselves, how is that 4 at a time? 

In that hour, how long are the dogs out in the kennels? 

(I wasn't able to take part in the community job-to-job conversation for part 2 of Dog Interaction, but will catch up on that when it comes out.)

Each yard is for 1 dog to start, even sibling dogs get private time and Boy do they appreciate it!

Siblings aside, (remember this 3 yard is beginner basic), with my 12 dogs, that's 3 rounds of 4 dogs at a time. But it's very fluid and gives the dogs needed time in the Most positive way and the handler the Most opportunities to reinforce what is desired.

So in roughly 1 hour, all 12 dogs (1person) have had private instruction, free sniffs and running, engagement, and positive experiences with more to come.  We rest, eat, and poop well, too.

It's hard to describe in an email for me,  and there's a lot to it, but nothing that shouldn't be familiar.

I know it's not ideal, but you CAN see and get a feel for my place @alldogsincorporated on tiktok.  It's just as easy to delete the app after looking around and you do not have to follow to do so.

Then, it might be easier for me to describe answers to questions.

Diane,

I am trying to envision the yards you described. So 3 yards, each 10-15 x 50. No shared fences leaving room for humans to walk. Two of them are parallel and one is perpendicular. Did I get this right?  What is INDIRECT play? With 12 imaginary dogs, would you put 4 in each yard?  What is the ratio of dogs to handler? 12:1? What do you mean incorporate the dogs into chores? sleeping quarters, can you elaborate? Sleeping quarters in the yards? I am confused. 

I am a trainer and training is truly overrated. Understanding is priority. I love your philosophy "I will not sacrifice safety, health and happiness for obedience. "  Totally agree with this " No way was I ever leaving my dog in a boarding kennel or let her be trained. Yuck and ouch !!! Into adulthood, I still never saw a kennel situation that made me smile. "

The dogs come first!

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.

Hi Diane,

I am slowly getting the picture of your yard system but I still have questions. 

1) parallel yards without shared fences separated by a walkway. Does this mean there is no nose-to-nose contact through the fence? 

2) Where is the perpendicular fence placed? Perpendicular to the parallel fences? What is the purpose of this configuration? Can the dogs engage in close contact with the perpendicular fence or there is a walkway there too? 

3) Do you run small playgroups even with just 2 compatible dogs?

Thank you for sharing so much info with your system.

I'm feeling really slow. If there are three yards and each dog is in a yard by themselves, how is that 4 at a time? 

In that hour, how long are the dogs out in the kennels? 

(I wasn't able to take part in the community job-to-job conversation for part 2 of Dog Interaction, but will catch up on that when it comes out.)

Each yard is for 1 dog to start, even sibling dogs get private time and Boy do they appreciate it!

Siblings aside, (remember this 3 yard is beginner basic), with my 12 dogs, that's 3 rounds of 4 dogs at a time. But it's very fluid and gives the dogs needed time in the Most positive way and the handler the Most opportunities to reinforce what is desired.

So in roughly 1 hour, all 12 dogs (1person) have had private instruction, free sniffs and running, engagement, and positive experiences with more to come.  We rest, eat, and poop well, too.

It's hard to describe in an email for me,  and there's a lot to it, but nothing that shouldn't be familiar.

I know it's not ideal, but you CAN see and get a feel for my place @alldogsincorporated on tiktok.  It's just as easy to delete the app after looking around and you do not have to follow to do so.

Then, it might be easier for me to describe answers to questions.

Diane,

I am trying to envision the yards you described. So 3 yards, each 10-15 x 50. No shared fences leaving room for humans to walk. Two of them are parallel and one is perpendicular. Did I get this right?  What is INDIRECT play? With 12 imaginary dogs, would you put 4 in each yard?  What is the ratio of dogs to handler? 12:1? What do you mean incorporate the dogs into chores? sleeping quarters, can you elaborate? Sleeping quarters in the yards? I am confused. 

I am a trainer and training is truly overrated. Understanding is priority. I love your philosophy "I will not sacrifice safety, health and happiness for obedience. "  Totally agree with this " No way was I ever leaving my dog in a boarding kennel or let her be trained. Yuck and ouch !!! Into adulthood, I still never saw a kennel situation that made me smile. "

The dogs come first!

Every dog owner wakes up and lets the dog out.  Shelters should be able to do that too.  With a proper yard set up and overall dog routine, I believe they can.