Not all prompts will be suitable for all dog-human relationships. For example, some dogs may not feel safe playing, or they might have health issues limiting play. In addition, your surroundings need to be considered—play may not be safe on all surfaces (e.g., slippery surfaces, around other dogs who may get over-excited, etc.). Older dogs, dogs with health issues, and dogs who are uncomfortable with human touch or play may not enjoy some of these prompts. It is up to the participants to use their knowledge and understanding of their dogs to ensure safety.
Before beginning, please review these two websites, which outline common behaviours and expressions that dogs’ use when nervous and/or fearful:
https://ontariospca.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Canine-ladder-of-aggression.pdf
https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/signs-your-dog-is-stressed-and-how-to-relieve-it
If, at any point during the study, you or your dog are not enjoying the proposition, please do not continue.
[September 2nd to October 13th]
Watch your dog play (with themselves, with another dog, with a human). Pay attention to what you smell and/or hear.
Collaboration request: Who was your dog playing with (don’t use real names)? What smell and/or sounds do you remember?
Collaboration Request Week Nine
Happy sounding high pitched barking at the person or animal he is playing with. Interpret it as him saying, let’s get going, you’re not moving fast enough. Often, though he is very silent and just looking at the object of his affection, giving them the eye and wagging his tail in anticipation, or as an invitation for fun. I don’t really associate smells with this.