Pumpkin Patch is Dog Enrichment
by Christy Caplan
|
October 11, 2016 
My life with a reactive hound, Sherman lives his life through his nose!
It is family tradition to visit the Pumpkin Patch. This year we decided to help Sherm with his leash reactivity and use this as a training experience. I know most people would think I’m crazy taking him to a place with so many dogs but we always have a game plan and stay in the areas where there are less people hanging out. When we see a dog we treat him generously. He really needs the environmental enrichment!
I listened to a webinar recently moderated by my hero…
According to Patricia McConnell, PhD, animal behaviorist and ethologist and an adjunct professor in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, “Exercise and time outdoors have a profound effect on dogs and people. Both on healing from drama and building resilience.” Leash reactive dogs need to build their resilience – a trending topic that focuses on the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy or even significant sources of stress. Reactive dogs need to build resilience.
One way to build resilience is opportunities to use his nose! Just spending 30 minutes in the Pumpkin Patch is enrichment and he learns that seeing other dogs equals hot dogs.
I wrote an article for the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) on leash reactivity that appears in their December PetsMatter blog. I’ll flag that when it goes live.
Blog Hop!
I bet the pumpkin patch was a lot of fun. Can’t wait to see your leash reactivity article!
Thank you so much! I LOVE this time of year!
Mom is the type to confront fears and issues too. If you always avoid it, it will not go away, and may worsen. We see that red wagon and thought, nose? vehicle search?
I agree with 100%. We have to face our fears even though it means we have to manage some behavior while we’re there — and YES!!! I wish I had my odor kit as that would have been a killer vehicle search. We had class last night and got locked out of our building and had to search by flashlight!
Ruby has some leash reactivity to certain men and dogs. It doesn’t happen very often, but shows up once in awhile. I had never dealt with this with any other dogs in the past so I was overly cautious at first. Now, we are actively taking her to places where she will encounter other dogs and men and trying to work through this – again, it doesn’t always happen, only sometimes. Love the idea of building resilience.
I love this idea too and I think with Shermie it’s a lifetime of management so we have to work our way through it. Walter has trouble with men too and basically anyone wearing a hat! Thanks for sharing – it’s nice to know others deal with this too.
What a great post. Getting outside makes so much sence, but it’s an easy thing to forget. I love that you work with you dog and get him out. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! We do as many enriching activities as we possibly can.
I love that you’re reaching Sherman with positive reinforcement and in a place that would probably make most dogs nuts with the smells 🙂 What a cutie. These are adorable pics 🙂
It was a challenging environment for sure and he didn’t want to leave! Thank you — we had fun taking lots of pics!
I’m excited to see your piece when it publishes. Congratulations! And good for you on continuing your leash work. I’m sure it’s a challenge. It comes with rewards, for both you and Sherman, but I don’t underestimate the amount of effort it takes to do the job right!
Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie
Thank you! It does take a lot of work but doing Nosework once a week helps a bunch and it takes a village as far as management. I guess with all the rain we’re about to set we’ll see less dogs out there!
Although many would go to the negative and list off all the possible things that could go wrong putting him into that scenario, I think it was a fantastic place to 1. Enjoy yourselves, 2. Be in public around other people, dogs and things – tons of stimuli and 3. It is confidence and skill building. So many positives. 🙂
Thank you!!! He did react vocally to some dogs but we’re so used to it, he’s easier to manage these days. The exposure to other dogs out of the hood too is really key. Every little but helps,,, 🙂
Our golden Bruin is leash reactive as well. Glad to see you had a game plan, looks like things went well. Love the pics! 🙂
Oh I didn’t know that about Bruin – makes me feel better that it’s not just us — thank you, having a game plan helps a lot!
You have a great attitude and I’m sure it really helps Sherm with these outings. It looks like a blast and I’m sure the hotdogs were a huge hit!
Thanks so much! The hot dogs are always a HIT with Sherm. Didn’t hurt that there were sausages and Kettlecorn on the ground from the folks there either. ;0 Appreciate your note – I try to stay positive!
I’m glad your pumpkin patch outing worked out well for Sherman. I know it can be challenging to bring a reactive pup to a crowded event, you really have to be on your toes! I’m excited for your AAHA article, I look forward to reading it!
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Thank you! It was challenging but worth it! I appreciate your note about the article coming out – hoping it helps folks!
Sherman seems to find the pumpkin patch “soothing” I love the colors. Nice photos
Thank you! He really likes all the food and people smells! He’s typically pretty calm overall but he gets super excited when he sees other dogs! Snoopy turns into crazy Snoopy 🙂
I love visiting places like that! That would be good for our beagle Cricket who is leash reactive too. I look forward to your article and learning more.
Thank you so much!
Sherman lives his life through his nose…! So cute made me smile! 😀 Seems like you guys had so much fun at the pumpkin patch. Now I wanna find one to go this weekend! <3 Have a great weekend! 🙂
Did you find one!! I cannot believe the last weekend is coming up…..