Consent

What Does This Mean for Our Dogs?

Many of us have been taught to train our dogs by demanding cues and controlling their behaviour as much as possible, even in their everyday routines. While our dogs love being with us and ideally want to spend all day by our side, we often don't give them many choices. This includes activities like being approached, petted, or handled for grooming or medication. We may try to "socialise" our puppies by letting strangers and other dogs approach and touch them, often without considering how the puppy feels. This can lead to reactivity towards people or other dogs later on, even if no obvious scary incidents occurred.

To help dogs feel safe and trust us more, it's essential to read their body language and allow them to approach us, strangers, other dogs, or tools like harnesses, nail clippers, or brushes. We should give them space and let them move away without chasing after them.

A Consent Test for Affection:

• Approach your dog but stop about half a metre away.

• Encourage your dog to come to you without demanding it.

• If your dog doesn't come, respect their need for space.

• If your dog does come to you, stroke them briefly.

• Take your hand away and see if your dog comes closer for more affection. This pause allows your dog to decide if they are comfortable being touched.

This approach is especially important for people who don't live with the dog.

Cooperative Training with Tools:

For tools like harnesses and nail clippers, combine this method with cooperative training using the shaping technique. Start by allowing the dog to interact with the tool at their own pace, rewarding positive engagement.

If you think your dog could benefit from this approach, get in touch!