How to travel safe with dogs – Part 1

The importance of having your dog secured became clear to me whilst travelling last week. Jumping in the car to go 20km to the shop, of course the dog jumped in to.

The dog’s owner said “hey boy, you won’t be comfortable without your harness and your bed and will slide all over the back seat”.

But of course, they took off without the harness and that was exactly what happened.

The dog became anxious and fearful and it was apparent that this had not been a wise decision for both the owner and the dog.

It would have only taken a couple of minutes to ensure that the dog was safe and able to travel comfortably, but NO, the hasty decision was unfair to the dog and the passengers.

Not only was the dog sliding along the back seat around the corners, but he became anxious and wanted to come onto the arm rest in between the front seats and sit there for reassurance.  The dog became stressed, and this caused anxiety for the front seat passenger, as she had to keep pushing him back into the back seat.

It became a dangerous situation for all involved.

Without his harness, had the driver had to brake suddenly, the dog would have shot forward through the windscreen causing a major accident.

For the sake of half an hour of your time and a small expense, it is just not worth travelling these days, without your dog being properly secured.

Animates or any good pet store will help fit your dog with the right harness.

You may need to adapt and add other straps, to link with this harness.

What do you think about this situation?  Has anybody got any other ideas of how to secure your dog while travelling?

-Annie and Marj

Sam’s August Newsletter

Written by: Marj Mulholland

Sam says, “I  told you in July that on Wednesday 20 June I went into DOGGY HOSPITAL and had a really big Lymphoma (that means a fatty lump) removed from my side.  You won’t believe it, but Annie made me wear “human” t-shirts every day, so that I would not lick my wound.   I looked like a crazy dog, you would have laughed at me.     I have had seven weeks of just lying around and I got so bored, hardly any visitors and no children to pat me.   But now I am going on long walks again with Annie, it is so exciting to smell different things and meet other dogs and people on my walks.   Next week I am going to Torbay Kindergarten and am so looking forward to listening to Annie telling the children how to be safe around dogs, and when we go to Green Bay Primary I get to go over the Harbour Bridge, I can’t wait, it’s so high up and such a great view.  I would like to walk over the HarbourBridge but Annie says “dogs have to go in cars or trucks – I wonder if I can talk to the Mayor about that?  See you soon when I come to your school”. 

!WOOF!

ANNIE SAYS

This term we are going to Green Bay Primary School, which is over by Titirangi, and also we are going to see all the lovely kids and teachers at Torbay Kindergarten.   Sam is really looking forward to getting out meeting all the kids again, he was getting really bored sitting at home.   As well as the visits we have lined up, a new post is underway which should give all dog owners out there a few more tools to help keep their pack happy and healthy.

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

This section of my newsletter usually has lots of names of schools and children that I have visited – but with having my operation, I have lain on my bed and in the sun and very gradually started going on walks again with Annie.    BOOOOORRRRRRING   !!!!!!!     This week has been getting better though as I’ve been getting some extra walks with my beagle friends from next door.   We do lots of sniffing.  They sniff A LOT!     I have been so bored laying on my bed that I wrote you all a poem:

When I was ill,

Annie made me lie still

Annie even gave me a pill…..Yuk!!!!!

But now I am better

I can write this newsletter

I’m coming to see you, don’t you forgetter!

Thanks for the doggy get well cards.

If you want me to come to your school contact Annie my Pack Leader.

See you next month….    

Write to me or send me questions at sam@samsdogrules.com

WOOF!

Sam’s July Newsletter

Written by: Marj Mulholland

July 2012

Sam says, “On Wednesday 20 June I went into DOGGY HOSPITAL and had a really big lymphoma (that means a fatty lump) removed from my side.  Apparently lots of dogs and people can get them.   I am lucky that there were no nasties there, it was an uncomfortable spot and was getting bigger.

I was a bit nervous when I realised that my Pack Leader was leaving me. I know that my Pack Leader would only leave me when she knows the Vet will become my Pack Leader and I will feel safe.  Well I am home again and a bit sore but getting better every day.

ANNIE SAYS:

It is hard for us humans when we have sick pets or have to leave them in someone else’s care.  We need to know that all the staff love our pets in order for us to feel safe leaving them.

As humans we need lots of talk and reassurance and we often feel upset and anxious.  This is normal for us but we must remember that animals love it when we do the opposite.   So if your pet is left in someone elses care, the best gift we can give our pet is to give them what they need, and that is being in Pack Leader energy (stay calm and assertive).  Then our pets will know they are safe, no matter where we leave them.

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

“I went to Royal Oak School in Epsom Auckland for five days.  Boy, it’s a real big school.  They have 26 classes there.  Lots of lovely kids and they were very well behaved.  The second day I was walking across the playground and there were suddenly crowds of little people all calling my name.   I was a bit overwhelmed and looked like a “rock star”, but I looked at Annie and she didn’t look anxious, so I relaxed and just went with the flow.

I have been on a big road trip to Wellington.   I was at Seatoun Middle School right beside the harbour and was again a “rock star”.   Even the teachers wanted to meet me and could not keep their hands off me.

After that I went to WelTEC at Petone and Annie talked to the Vet nursing students – they learnt lots about how to handle dogs, sick and well.    I liked travelling in the car on my big adventure – lots of walks in the rain and cold, even snow on the mountains on the Desert Road– perhaps I’ll not have my woolly coat shaved next time I drive south”.

If you want me to come to your school, contact Annie my Pack Leader.”

See you next month….”

“You can send me a doggy get well card. If you like!” send to sam@samsdogrules.com

Don’t forget to send in your questions to me, either here in the comments, or by email to sam@samsdogrules.com, or on my Facebook page.  You can even Tweet your questions to me, my Twitter name is @SamsDogRules.   I will answer them personally and in the next newsletter.

WOOF!!!   

11,708 reported dog attacks on New Zealanders last year!*

Sam holding court

*NZ ACC – NZ Herald – 25 January 2012

With a New Zealand average of more than 30 dog bites per day, Annie and Marj, founders of Sam’s Dog Rules, passionately believe there is an urgent need for Sam’s Dog Rules education to be made available to all New Zealand children and families.

A lack of knowledge of the language that dogs understand and respond to has led to significant levels of trauma in the lives of children in New Zealand, and brought about the unnecessary destruction of thousands of dogs, that could otherwise have been avoided.

Sam’s Dog Rules will make a difference!

Practising No Look! means Sam feels safe to check you out.

Practising No Look, No Talk, No Touch rules