Questions and Answers: Let’s answer some common questions that we get while out walking the dogs. Over the next few days, I will do one question a day! feel free to leave a question in the comments and I’ll be happy to answer!
#1 Most common question:
1. How do they all get along so well?
Well, that’s easy. We have a very strict evaluation period that each dog goes through before being allowed to walk with the pack. First, it usually starts with a phone call or email and we have new clients answer a very lengthy questionnaire about their dog. Then once I look it over and the dog looks like a good candidate we set up a day where the dog can come over to Bark N Barrel headquarters for an evaluation (Usually about 4 hours). When they’re at BNB we test their temperament, find out more about their personality, and start building their trust. I usually do some long line work to see how well they do with leash pressure and to see how well the dog can work in a new environment, along with taking the dog on a short private walk. When we get back from our private walk I then introduce them to one bombproof dog to see how the new dog plays/reacts, if they are just fun happy jump around crazy, or if they’re shy, or possibly even scared and nervous. If that goes well we then bring out another dog and we do this till we have about 5 dogs out total. If all goes well and everyone seems happy we load them into the van with those same dogs and go for a short drive to be sure the new dog is comfortable riding in the van with other dogs present and are ok being in close quarters. We then go for a small pack walk with our bombproof and well balanced veteran dogs to be sure the new dog is comfortable walking in a pack environment. We also evaluate where they’re at with leash manners and basic training, we also use this walk to find out if they’re reactive to people, other dogs, bicyclist, or any other types of distractions we can find. During this time we also introduce the new dog to the pack rules and boundaries so they know what is expected of them, we show them that walks are not a time for play but it’s a time to be working and staying focused, that way rather then paying attention to all the dogs around them they focus on the task of paying attention to the handler and moving with the group. After the trial day, I usually have a pretty good understanding of what the dog is like and who they would be best paired with during the week. Depending on the dog we then set them up on one of our lighter regular week pack walks and be sure that on their first big pack walk day we pick a trail that we know will be easy with low distractions, something we know will be a success for the new dog. If at any time during the trial day I think a dog is uncomfortable or not ready for large pack walks. I talk to the owner about other options such as small group walks so we can build confidence, and or sometimes pack walks are not for every dog. So, we look at private walks and or private training to really find out the route of the problem. No matter what we are sure when bringing a new dog into the pack that we take it slow and we go at the dog’s pace. Safety and the mindset of our dogs is our top priority so being sure that both the new dog and the pack dogs are safe and happy is our goal. Sometimes dogs get in right away others could take a few weeks of work or sometimes even months, it just depends on the dog. But in the short version, all the dogs get along because we as handlers be sure to set every dog up for success, and knowing each pack dog as if they’re our own help so that we can be sure it is a smooth and successful process while bringing in a new dog.
So as you can see we don’t just go to houses not knowing the dog and throw them into the pack and hope for the best. It is a well thought out plan so that everyone can have success. We are sure to get the new dog fully established before bringing in any other new pack members so that the new dog has plenty of time to become familiar with handlers, boundaries, and expectations.
Love
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