Canine communication with Julia Collins

Parlez Vous POOCH?!

Blogger and qualified ‘Dog Listener’ Julia Collins looks at the best times and places to teach your canine companion valuable new skills

We spend so much time and effort on our dogs – enjoying a relaxing walk, playing, practising old skills, or even working on new ones. Equally important is when to put in the effort and, while we are thinking about this, why comes a close second. You may as well gain maximum effect from the energy expended, so a little bit of thought will pay dividends.

We need to arouse our furry friends’ interest. My little chap is always very attentive when we return from a walk. He decided years ago that, upon returning home, numerous treats should be administered. Changing his view has proven absolutely fruitless, but I have capitalised on this time, when those deep brown eyes are focussed alternatively upon my own and my treats pocket, to teach him several new skills.

Food does tend to be at the forefront of most learning activities, although some dogs prefer a play with their favourite toy. Prior to a walk often proves an effective time for bringing your dog’s focus onto you, especially if he’s so tense that you feel obliged to ‘just get going’. Five minutes playing fetch or other simple game can only be positive, as will running through skills both established and new. Your dog’s anticipation places you firmly at the centre of proceedings – an excellent start; brief, fun and, after all, it is exercise too!

Changing direction on the walk encourages your dog to keep an eye on you, rather than assuming you’ll be plodding along, acting as countryside chaperone, bearer of treats and poo bags. Likewise, calling your dog back for a bit of fuss or small food reward, pausing for a few minutes of fetch or other exercise, really enhances the walk, only takes minutes and catches your dog when he is relaxed and happy.

These mini ‘workouts’ are often more successful than serious ‘training sessions’. Trundling into the garden, only to meet that: ‘Am I bovvered?’ expression can sap your confidence and make minutes feel like hours.

Indoor ‘work’ goes down well too. The novelty of being asked to walk at heel, sit and wait in the house usually proves surprisingly entertaining for your dog. Familiar exercises in different surroundings feel like an extra achievement – nice and positive.

Lastly, if your dog tends to ignore you, running off after canine pals, or worse, putting him through his paces, sticking to stuff he is good at, reestablishes your leadership (and composure) in a firm but positive manner.

To find out more, or contact Julia, go to www.walksoflife.co.uk or Instagram walksoflifessuffolk. Parlez-Vous Pooch articles are also available on the Oracle, an audio information magazine for visually impaired listeners, which is part of Wymondham and Attleborough Talking Newspapers. To access all the Talking Newspaper recordings, go to www.watn.org.uk

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✔ Also interested in smaller jobs - tap replacements, outside taps, ball valves etc.

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