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.
[October 7th to October 13th]
Think about a time when you and your dog have been the happiest together.
Collaboration request: Recreate the experience in a creative way. This can be through a drawing, a video/photo(s), a short story, or any other method you prefer.
Collaboration Request Week Fourteen
Nothing makes him happier than being off leash on a walk with me in the forest. A local familiar forest is always fun but somewhere new is even better. We will walk for an hour, and then find a log for me to sit on, and he will lay down beside me and wait patiently until I am ready to proceed. If he hears or sees or smells something up ahead that excites him, he will run ahead and leave me for a bit, but he always keeps track of exactly where I am, and never strays so far that he won’t hear me if I call him back. We are at one with nature, together, and nothing beats the feeling for him or me!