Pepper is introduced to Mr Binks by Pepper, who bottom-sniffs him as a greeting. As ever, I look away. Anna Webb, a dog behaviorist and Anna Binks' owner, said that Mr Binks was introducing himself to her dogs.
Pepper, my miniature schnauzer runs ahead on the pavement. I follow her, keeping her lead, then Mr Binks, and finally Anna. They are walking side-by-side.
Anna tells Pepper that Pepper shouldn't be running ahead. Anna laughs immediately, softening her harshness by adding: She's not the queen!
Pepper is unaware that Anna is going to assess Pepper and me on our walk today on Hampstead Heath, north London. This will be to determine how we interact with each other, much like a family psychotherapist watching over a child's playtime. Anna will also give me tips to improve Pepper's wellbeing as well as mine by making our daily walks a quality, interactive experience.
Anna, the host of A Dogs Life's weekly podcast, says that owners and dogs should communicate regularly during a walk. The owner should praise the dog, reward it with treats or verbal cues, and remind the dog to return when called. The human is given companionship, devotion, and an increased level of wellbeing. Anna says it's a chance to be together, to have a break, and to enjoy the natural world together.
It is not a good idea to ignore the needs of our dogs. Anna's stress levels skyrocket when she sees a human using their phone and ignores their dog chum. Anna says that you wouldn't expect your child not to talk to you about the environment or what they see along the way to the park.
After hearing this, I vow to be my best and most interactive self. Pepper immediately lifts her leg outside The Mutt Hut. This grooming parlour is located near the Heath. Here she gets her eyebrows trimmed, and her anal glands examined. Dog ownership isn't all glamour and photoshoots. Uncertain of how to join the fun, I send her positive vibes. The moment she leaves, I follow her steps, although with a sneaky tug of her arm. Anna spotted me.
She says that the lead should be taut but not too tight. Dogs that are charging ahead don't know where they are going. The dog assumes all responsibility for the walk. The dog is stressed and pulls ahead, panting like an train.
Dogs that are running ahead don't know where they are going.
Walking to heel is Mr Binks's forte. This means that your mutt can be called upon when needed and knows where it belongs in the pack. At least this is what I can see. Pepper walks often between my husband and me when we are making our passeggiata. Her pointy ears, fondness for carrying a stick that the width of four great danes, and her love of walking with me make it a source of envy and admiration.
Pepper next stops to smell a newly urine-sprayed lamppost. I'm all over it. Pepper, you are a good sniffer! Anna says that old dogs can be taught new tricks. When Pepper indulges in her Proustian tic, I usually keep my schtum. If I'm in hurry, I will bark at Pepper to get her attention.
This is a mistake. When a dog is doing something on command, you can only praise them for sniffing. Anna says that this can be used as a focus tool to help you get your dog out the way of other dogs or people. This is a great way to get your dog involved in walking and activate their enormous olfaction.
Dogs can have as many as 300m of olfactory receptors. They can map their environment by sniffing, and communicate with one another through chemical signals in their bodies odours. Anna claims that a dog's ability to tell the age, rank, health, and gender of another dog is determined by a single bottom whiff or urine trace.
You can use other tools such as the verbal cue "Look at me", or distract them by giving them a toy so they don't sniff all the time. You are the one providing fun and the dog will be focused on you.
Anna uses another tool when a toddler runs amok and speeds down the path. As if she was about to cut through something, Anna immediately crouches down and holds her hand in front of her. She then extends the tool towards Mr Binks, then back at herself. Touch! She calls out, "Touch!" The collision is imminent. Just in time, Mr Binks jogs past the toddlers and runs straight to Anna. He gets the thumbs up from Anna, and she then treats the English toy terrier superhero with a treat.
Anna explains how she does it: Combine the command and a smiley face with a food reward, and you're practicing operant conditioning. This is one step beyond a Pavlovian reaction. It is the dog doing something they choose and being rewarded. This principle is then applied to all their actions, such as walking to their heel command.
It is a joy to report that Pepper quickly grasps the touch command when Anna introduces it to her. It works. She has never tried venison before.
They can tell if I'm feeling down and will cheer me up with a smile or tail wag
Anna was instrumental in the 2008 launch of Medical Detection Dogs charity, which trains canines how to detect odours in type 1 diabetics. They are now able to detect Covid-19. Even if it is a simple game of fetch or hunting out hidden treats, dogs thrive on cognitive stimulation. Anna warns that all dogs need to be trained for the great outdoors ahead.
Anna used the touch command to stop Prudence, her miniature bullterrier, from getting into a fight with some bullocks in a field. The duo made a quick getaway. Untrained dogs are capable of running wild. According to the National Farmers Union (NFU), farm animals that were attacked by dogs cost 10% more last year. According to the survey, 64% of the 80% of dogs that walked away from the lead never return when called. Anna says the problem is owners who don't train their dogs in lockdown. They believe they are already trained.
Tintin, Snowy, Wallace, and Gromit all remind us that humans and dogs can have a symbiotic relationship as well as adventure, derring-do, and a symbiotic relationship. Anna doesn't doubt that dogs can be empathic. Prudence and Mr Binks rallied during the difficult experience of caring for her mother, who was suffering from dementia. They know when I'm feeling down. You can be cheered up by a thoughtful look or tail wag. Prudence excels at this, and will play and distract me, making me laugh even when I don't want to. Their loyalty and the fact they are there for me is what I find so comforting. I find it very humble to be surrounded by unconditional love.
The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill was passed by the government last month, officially recognising dogs as sentient beings. Anna says that dogs are intelligent and complex creatures. She recommends an interactive relationship. Pepper is encouraged to run the length of a log, and then jump over it. Pepper is, dare I say, a natural. She leaps over Mr Binks, showing off her skills. It's like the Tokyo Olympics, and I for one am exhausted.
What does Anna gain from all of this? We have worked together as a team. He trusted me and was willing to challenge himself. It's about spending quality time with your dog. We are often left heartbroken by their short lives. I am conscious that I have made my best effort and I have the memories to prove it.
annawebb.co.uk
Doggie etiquette rules
DO
1 Train a complete recall without distractions such as joggers
2 Reward with healthy, tasty treats
3 Change the season to adapt your walking style
4 Train the perfect way to walk to heel
5 Invest in a 5-m-long line
DONT
1 Retractable leads are best
2 Allow your dog to pull in front
3 Allow your dog to run around strange dogs and people
4. Let your dog go off leash without any recall
5. Allow your dog the freedom to chase squirrels and worry about livestock
