Author archive: Terrie Hayward

Does your dog have a difficult time when needing to calm down in new or exciting surroundings?

A towel is a handy tool that you can use as it can roll up and travel with you providing your dog a spot to relax and settle on cue in new, distracting, or stressful environments. Via an exercise in Leslie McDevitt’s,  “Control Unleashed” program we worked on following the cue, “Bottom on the Mat” in which George lays down on a towel until his release cue is given. You can see that he is attentive and eager but not overly stimulated.

Sam focused sitting-awaiting release cue!
Sam is available for adoption via arfrincon.com!

Adding a release “cue” to your behavior gives your dog the message that the behavior that you were seeking is complete and that they are free to move.

You can use any word that you like. Common release cues are “free,” “okay,” “release,” or, the one that we use, “break!’

An example of the use of a release cue is if you have asked your dog to sit. The “sit” should remain in place until you provide the release cue (in our case, “Break!”) which means that the dog can move from the sit position.

A practical application of a release cue is before your pup is allowed to exit the car. This is a safety feature as you can ensure that you have your leash hooked on and the coast is clear (of cars, or any other dangerous distractions) before your dog exits the vehicle. It is a good idea for your dog to know that the act of you opening the car door is his cue to look to you for the release cue in order to know that it is time to get out of the car.

You can play a game to practice your release cue with your dog. You may put your dog into a sit, step back,  and then shout out odd, random words (like “turtle,” “catsup,” or “bongo,” for example) before finally giving your release word which would allow your pup to move. Most dogs sit eagerly awaiting the “right” cue & enjoy this game. When playing, don’t forget to CT (click and treat) for the correct response!

(photo thanks to Laura McLaughlin www.photographyLAM.com)

Travel

If you are like me, you recognize that adopting an animal saves a life! Here in Puerto Rico, there is a serious over population problem. As such, many animals are adopted to the continental US.

Rescue groups cultivate relationships with no-kill shelters in the States and also do direct adoptions to loving forever families.

Whilst browsing online or while here for a visit, if you find a sweet dog or cat who melts your heart and you would like to adopt, this post will shed light upon what is involved.

Most rescue groups  function on donations and via a volunteer workforce and generally an adoption fee or donation is requested.

In order for an animal to be ready for adoption they must be healthy. Often times this means, a full set of vaccines + Rabies, de-worming, spay-neuter, and curing other skin aliments or injuries. Once the animal is set to go, they will require a travel health certificate. This is procured via the vets office and is good for ten days from the date of travel.

Flight reservations are made next. The three options for travel are: carry-on (if the animal is small enough), checked baggage (if there is an “escort”-ticketed passenger-on the flight), or cargo (more expensive, but with a PetSafe program and no temperature restrictions dictating when animals can fly).

The dog or cat also requires a crate or soft-sided carrier (carry-on only) to travel in.

Arrangements are made for transportation at both ends and the pet gets ready for their trip!

As a re-cap, associated costs may look as such:

• spay-neuter + vaccines $200
• travel documents $25-40
• flight $150 (carry-on)-$400 (cargo)
• crate-carrier $40-150 (small soft bag carry on-largest size crate)
• fee to “pet travel agent” for all of their hard work, information, and logistics coordination $100+

However, the life that you save is priceless. And, as the saying goes, “You may not change the world by rescuing that one dog or cat, but you will change the world for that dog or cat.”