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Voice muzzle for humans8/14/2023 ![]() ![]() Our relationship with our dogs is one of ‘part of the family pack’. Up close and very comfortable Believe it or not, but in terrierrescue we do not believe in kennelling dogs other than seldom holiday parking or in our case saving their lives as a homeless dog. If the terrier isn’t coping in their current setting, ask yourself are they equipped to cope with ‘free range’ farm animals, livestock, a kennelled life or intermixing with cats and other dogs as a pack? We can’t believe people are still making such suggestions. This is to condemn that terrier to a state of emotional devastation. The big mistake is suggesting that a terrier, who has only ever known a family unit and usually without the degree of socialisation their breed type demands, at an early age, ‘go and live on a farm’. To ask a working terrier to live in a domesticated setting and adjust fully, is achievable, but needs mutual respect. We are constantly taking Fell terriers in who have nipped, bitten or are ‘hard to handle’. If they make a mistake with their instincts rushing through, they need forgiveness and future management. Ask me how many rescue dogs have had the love, care and attention a terrier needs with adjustment to a domestic lifestyle, where they are the centre of a family’s lifestyle few before- only after homing.įorgiveness Patterdales are very tender and loving. They are ‘hot head’ and get themselves is situations they never intended. Terriers are such bold individuals ‘all front’, but so often they don’t have the inner skills or confidence to match the bravado. In rescue we are always conscious never to rush to achieve an objective, first break it down into achievable steps with the ultimate goal ever in sight. It takes nerve to ignore the excited behaviour and may need several attempts of moving away and building association again. The aim is to gradually move the dogs together so they are fairly close, but never able to have physical contact. ![]() They learn that the other dog is trustworthy and doesn’t exist for them alone awareness that they not really interested in them. They develop a ‘comfortable’ coexistence as trust in the other dog is developed. Parallel walking is when a dog is controlled on a lead and gradually bought into association with another dog(s) on lead(s) not face to face, but by moving slowly together with attention maintained on their walk. We think ‘unaccustomed as I am’… this terrier needs frequent, long and confident walks ideally with walking partners ‘friends’ outside who can offer parallel walking. Parallel Walking How many times do we hear “our Patterdale is perfect in the house, its outside that they are a nightmare”. Muzzles ensure social encounter achieves a trustful affiliation. This shows a responsible owner who is working with maintaining social contact whilst ensuring with gentle control asserted through the voice and lead. We advocate a muzzle until they learn to tone it down. Their instincts for play have to be softened and they need to become ‘mannered’. So many are misjudged as ‘aggressive and ready to attack everything’ when in fact they want to go over and meet. Patterdales will naturally be out in front on walks with their nose poking in the undergrowth or their paws lifted up in pose as they listen to a ‘rustle’! They need intense socialisation to enable them to meet other dogs without intense emotion and excitement. Please don’t take risks as they have no road sense and our roads and even our country lanes are responsible for killing many a Patterdale. They adore affirmation of their being a valued ‘good dog’. ![]() Also their association with their master is close friendship high value treat-sharing, they see you moving on to further a field, or simply association of routine – home for tea – they’ll be there. High pitched voice and whistle are good signals to bring the Patterdale running back. They need a ‘master’ and will live loyal to their master’s wishes as their own control over their instincts and emotions allow. They don’t seek to dominate, they seek to please. Patterdales are alert hunters and looking for an opportunity to ‘commit’. ![]()
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