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Recidivism Impacts Us All

From tax dollars to the unemployment rate, we should all care about recidivism

If it hasn’t happened to you or a loved one, it’s hard to imagine incarceration impacting your life. But the truth is that mass incarceration not only affects those involved in the justice system and their families. It has an influence on all of us and our community. Things like taxpayer dollars, employment rates, and the economy at large are all intertwined with the prison and justice systems.

Pennsylvania for example has the not-so-proud position  of the fourth highest state prison expenditure in the country. In dollars and cents, it costs just under $43,000 to house an inmate in Pennsylvania for a year, totaling over $2 million annually.  Specifically in Philadelphia, the poorest large city in the United States,  there are countless ways that a saved taxpayer dollar could be reallocated to address the needs of its citizens, a quarter of whom are living below the poverty line.

John Orens, Philadelphia real estate developer, drug addiction advocate, and founder of the Daniel J. Orens Center for Life, a space that offers services for people reentering society explains, “The real value in prison housing is to make sure that the housing is temporary and not permanent. As long as recidivism rates are unacceptably high, we are wasting our money.”

Orens goes on to explain why the Center for Life partners with New Leash on Life, “Many returning citizens do not have the support or resources to reorient back into society as law abiding citizens. At the end of the day, there has to be something tangible and attainable for a returning citizen to succeed at a normal life and that is what New Leash on Life provides.”

High rates of incarceration and recidivism for those with low-level, non-violent offenses also decreases Philadelphia productivity rates. A criminal record is a major barrier to employment.  For those with a record, the unemployment rate is five times higher than the national average*, which has a cyclical impact on poverty and crime. As one of the greatest predictors of the likelihood of returning to prison, New Leash on Life focuses on decreasing  the unemployment rate after incarceration.

The New Leash on Life program provides 12 weeks of comprehensive job readiness, life skills, and animal health care workshops. Graduates are guaranteed 60-day internships after their release which for many results in permanent employment. During that 60 days, returning citizens are paid and transportation is covered. The program also provides the essential support that many newly released citizens need and often lack: referrals to housing programs, financial and literacy workshops, weekly visits with case managers, substance abuse help, access to educational opportunities, and ongoing employment assistance.

“There are bad people in the world who need to be remain detained. Many however are good people who have a serious problem or have made bad decisions. These people deserve the type of support that New Leash on Life provides,” explains Orens

With a 50 percent lower recidivism rate than the city of Philadelphia as a whole, graduates of the New Leash on Life program are half as likely to see the inside of a prison again, resulting in tax dollars saved, more productivity, lower crime rates, and new role models with stories of redemption returning to their communities.

To hear more personal stories from returning citizens check out our Life after Prison series on the New Leash on Life YouTube station.

If you are interested in giving more inmates and dogs, a chance at redemption, click here.

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“Once you leave jail, you’re not just given a token and you’re on your way, but New Leash on Life stays with you.”

Returning Citizens discuss the obstacles of returning to ‘normal’ life

After someone has served their prison sentence and is released back into their previous world, the general public expectation is ‘this time you should simply do better.’ But often times the circumstances that lead to their bad choices are all that is waiting on the other side of the prison walls.  2012 New Leash on Life graduate, Dwayne who is now working in property management explains, “I have been in and out of the system all my life. When you try to the right thing and you can’t succeed, you go back to what you know.”

Expecting a returned citizen to just ‘do better’ without equipping them to make a change is unfair. Things like not having a home, marketable job skills, a professional position with a steady income, or a consistent means of transportation can all be detrimental to maintaining freedom. Dwayne goes onto explain, “Once you leave jail, you’re not just given a token and you’re on your way, but New Leash on Life stays with you.”

The New Leash on Life USA reform model is recognized as one of the most successful programs of its kind in the country. The program provides 12 weeks of comprehensive job readiness, life skills, and animal health care and training workshops.  At graduation, the inmate participants are paroled and immediately enter a 90-day re-entry program through New Leash. Here the  graduates are guaranteed 60-day paid  internships which often results in permanent employment. During that 90 days, returning citizens are also provided with  transportation passes. The program provides the essential support that many newly released citizens need and often lack.  Weekly meetings with a dedicated case manager include referrals to housing programs, financial and literacy workshops, substance use disorder help, access to educational opportunities, and ongoing employment assistance.  It’s more than just saying ‘do better this time,’ it’s giving returning citizens the real opportunity to choose a better life for themselves. 

Kevin who graduated the program in 2016 and has been working as a manager at the Pennsylvania SPCA since, said he was skeptical in the beginning because of the sheer number of programs that made similar promises, “It was like finally, we have an organization that actually gives a damn about us. Not asking for anything in return…You were seeing it, guys were going home and relaying back, ‘hey' I got a position.”

New Leash on Life USA’s comprehensive approach is working. With greater than a 50 percent lower recidivism rate than the general population of Philadelphia prisons, graduates of New Leash are half as likely to see the inside of a prison again. Jason, who now works as a veterinary nurse says, “My first year I got out was toughest and I thought that I was going to head back to jail. Now I am working with ACCT as an animal control officer and I have a family and own my own home.”

To hear more personal stories from returning citizens like Dwayne, Kevin and Jason check out our Life after Prison series on the New Leash on Life YouTube station.

If you are interested in giving more inmates, and dogs, a second chance click here.

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Six Summer Suggestions

It’s officially June and to many of us that means the end of the school year and the start of summer vacation.  Summer is a great time to get your dog involved in all sorts of activities and action – days are longer and we have more time to enjoy the outdoors.  Here are a few quick suggestions to help you and your pets have the best summer yet:

1. Exercise early or late, leave the middle of the day for snoozing in the shade or air conditioning.  With the rising temps and humidity it can be difficult for your dog to keep cool, unfortunately dog’s don’t sweat as well as we do so they are at higher risk of overheating.  If you know you will be out all day, consider picking up a cooling vest or collar to give your pup a paw up with artificial evaporative cooling. 

2. Stick to the grass on walks if you can.  While it’s normally considered polite to keep your dog off other people’s lawns, try to keep walks to grassy areas or put your dog on the grass median between the sidewalks and street. Pavement and asphalt heat up quickly and can burn delicate paw pads.  Dog boots (without hard soles) are another great way to keep paws protected. 

3. Swimming and water play are excellent exercise! Whether you plan to go to a dog friendly beach, set up a kiddie pool of your own, or just turn on the sprinklers – playing in water can keep your pet cool while having fun in the sun. 

4. Ensure proper hydration throughout the day.  Keeping cool water available and offering icy treats are great ways to ensure your dog gets enough fluids  (I highly recommend frozen broth or ice with blueberries.) Just keep in mind, more water intake may mean you need to plan for more potty breaks too! 

5. Brush your dog a bit more.  A healthy coat can help your dog stay cool as well as warm, but extra undercoat can trap heat and needs to be brushed out.  You can do the dirty work yourself and let the birds enjoy extra nesting material or schedule a trip to the groomer for a doggy spa day.  Proper coat care is essential in the heat. 

6. Think twice about quick trips in the car. We all know cars heat up dangerously fast in the sun but we don’t always think about how long it takes them to cool down when we first get in.  Unless you have time to start the car and cool it down first and plan to leave it running with ac while you run errands, it might be best to leave dogs home in the air conditioning for short trips this summer.  Most dogs love car rides, but summer drives carry risks.

With just a few precautions you and your pets can enjoy time together this summer safely! 

Quick New Leash update: our Motor Gear class has graduated and we are getting revved up for our 21st class – sign up for our Newsletter to stay up to date as we meet our next cohort of dogs and trainers!

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Shelter Assessments

Over the past few weeks this article has popped up on social media multiple times. Many caring individuals question whether New Leash on Life- USA uses shelter assessments and how the assessments affect our selection. While the science is still unclear, we do know the assessments are not perfect. These types of tests take highly stressed dogs and push them to see if they will exhibit a negative reaction.  The goal is to determine if a dog will be safe in a future adoptive home.

The assessment sounds like a great idea! We want to be sure the dogs we place in people’s homes are safe and loving family members. Unfortunately recent evidence shows there is potential for some dogs to display a negative reaction (especially to a food bowl test) even if they are perfectly safe in a home environment. We certainly don’t want to keep healthy, safe dogs out of homes.

So what does New Leash do? While we utilize a shelter assessment as part of our dog selection process, it is just one small factor in how we select dogs for the training program. We are fortunate to have excellent relationships with our rescue partners who get to see these dogs interact with staff and volunteers regularly. They have a better idea of their day-to-day behavior.

Our mission is to save at-risk dogs. This means some of the dogs we select are truly in a life-or-death situation. They may not respond well to a test—it’s hard to care about eating when you’re too weak to move. That’s why our expert team of staff and volunteers is committed to looking at each dog individually. We take all factors into consideration. We don’t use a single test that results in a pass/fail. We take a holistic approach when we test.

New Leash is dedicated to saving shelter dogs. Our selection process is a careful assessment of each dog’s behavior, need, and reactions. And just as we know one sentence doesn’t tell the whole story about the lives of the inmates, so one test doesn’t close the book on any dog. We are committed to helping people and dogs rewrite their story.

New Leash is getting ready to rescue more dogs because we have a new class starting soon! You can sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear the latest class theme and to get the names of our new pups! And follow us on Facebook and IG to get updates on their training and to celebrate their adoption into their forever homes!

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From shelter to home: Why New Leash is essential to adopters, shelters, and homeless dogs in our communities

Overpopulation in our shelters is a well-known issue, and the statistics are alarming. Too many dogs end up in shelters that don’t have the space, and unfortunately, many lose their lives as a result. What is less well known, just as unfortunate, but almost impossible to quantify is how many dogs in shelters are actually returned adoptions.  With city and local shelters running on tight funding and limited staff, it can be very difficult to assess what behaviors or health concerns a dog may display in a home post-adoption. Often, this leads to dogs being returned, furthering their stress and contributing to the growing overpopulation issue.

This is where New Leash on Life- USA really makes a difference! Our program allows us to take dogs from the shelter and really get to know them while in our care, often resolving any underlying behaviors or health issues. Unlike a shelter, which may have thousands of dogs each season to keep track of and try to find suitable outcomes for, New Leash dedicates our resources to the dogs most in need and works diligently to find them permanent homes.  

So what does the journey from shelter to home look like for a dog pulled from a shelter by New Leash on Life- USA? It all starts with our selection process. New Leash staff, with the help of our many volunteers, identifies which shelter dogs are most in need and least likely to have a positive outcome from the shelter. We take dogs who are physically ill, show signs of extreme stress from confinement, or have been passed over by potential adopters for so long that they are unlikely to be adopted.  

Next, we rigorously assess them, ensuring they will be safe and comfortable in a prison environment. This process allows us to determine which dogs are most likely to be successful; however, because we often work with sick or stressed dogs, we do have to take some degree of unpredictability into account.  

Once we have selected a group of dogs for an upcoming class, they need to be appropriately vetted, including typical vet care such as neuter or spay surgery, vaccines, microchipping, and preventative medications along with the atypical costs that come with a high-risk population. We have had to treat various illnesses ranging from heartworm disease and upper respiratory infection to mammary cancer and mange. Medical care for one class of New Leash dogs adds up quickly!

Once everyone is stable and ready to go to prison, the entire class is outfitted with all the supplies they will need for 12 weeks. This includes food (oh, so much food!), treats, bowls, leashes, collars, harnesses, toys, peanut butter, ongoing medications if needed, and so much more! Taking care of more than six dogs for 12 weeks adds up quickly, and that’s not even including the supplies for the human end of the leash! Over the course of each session, the dogs are continuously assessed and trained. We make sure we know them as well as possible and observe any behaviors that may not have been evident in a shelter setting but could affect their adoption. For example, we have seen dogs who are terrified of TV noises -- not exactly something they would experience in a shelter but definitely something that would be an issue in a home. All the dogs in our program are also trained daily to ensure they’re better candidates for adoption and more likely to be successful in their new homes. 

We also work together to determine what sort of home each dog will do best in, and then work hard to find each the best possible adopter. The process runs from applications to interviews, home visits, multiple meetings with each family, and many hours spent on ensuring a safe future for our dogs.

But with even the best matches, life is unpredictable and sometimes adoptions fall through. In that event, New Leash steps in to prevent any dog we have ever pulled from ever going back to a shelter. Any dog saved once by New Leash on Life- USA is forever saved by New Leash on Life- USA. If a dog ever has to come back to us for any reason, we take them back and rely on our network of volunteers and foster homes to help us care for and reassess them.  When dogs come back to us, whether for a few days or a few months, we ensure they receive the highest quality veterinary care and training.

New Leash is committed to breaking the cycle of returns to shelters; while this figure is not readily available, any number is too high. With your support we can continue to care for dogs who are high-risk and low likelihood of adoption and mold them into wonderful family members.  

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Dog training: These are a few of our favorite things

It’s been just a few weeks since we sent off the pups and handlers of our 18th, or coffee, class and we’re already thinking about our next Philadelphia Department of Prisons class. With each new class, we assess our supplies and tools. The amount of things we need to ensure proper care and training for a group of dogs is incredible!  If you were ever curious about all the things we use, here’s a breakdown of some of our key supplies, and how you and your dog could benefit from them, too!

Airline-style crate. Each dog gets its own closed,     airline-style crate to give it an oasis from the bustle of the prison     unit.  Each crate is just large enough for the dog to turn around,     stand, and lie down comfortably.  Having a nice safe space to relax     in ensures our dogs get quality rest and can be house trained more     easily.  Your dog could benefit from crate training as well,     especially if you are planning a move or other major life change and want     to provide a secure space just for it.

Martingale style collar. These collars have a second loop to ensure     proper fit and security.  Dogs can sometimes get nervous and slip out     of regular flat collars, especially in a new environment, so a martingale     or limited-slip ensures collars stay on. If your dog has gotten out of its     collar, or if you are transitioning from a harness to a collar, you may     want to consider using a martingale collar in the future.

Six-foot nylon leash. Each dog starts out with its own leash, but it is not uncommon for it to chew through one or two over the course     of the class. Unfortunately many of our dogs have never been on a leash     before, and many of our handlers have never leash-trained a dog—making the leash our usual casualty, so we go through quite a few.  If your dog has a proclivity for chewing, nylon leashes are an affordable option that are also soft on your hands while training.

No-pull harness. Again, our dogs start out with no training at all, and most are pretty difficult to walk on leashes. By using no-pull     harnesses, we can teach the dogs to walk politely while protecting their    throats from undue pressure.  If your dog pulls on its leash, please     know that a harness is not a cure and you still need to put in the     training time. Still, beginning training with a harness can seriously     speed up your progress and help you maintain control of an unruly leash  walker.

Stainless steel bowls and high quality food. This one is pretty self-explanatory, but food is an integral part of dog health. We provide our dogs with     high-quality, healthy food to help them recover from whatever they may have experienced in their past. If you have a dog, you know how expensive it can be to provide it with nutritious food. Imagine feeding 6-12 dogs!

Puzzle toys. Our dogs often have excess energy and stress that we need to work with, so we provide them with mental stimulation in the form of puzzle toys for a portion of their daily meals.  This also gives our handlers a chance to work on their homework, clean, and eat meals.  If your dog has some extra energy you want to refocus, try offering it a way to work for its meals!

Training tools. As a program based on the science of positive reinforcement dog training, we utilize a number of tools to train     our dogs including clickers, treat pouches, and high-quality treats. We go     through more treats than you can imagine in 12 weeks! Almost all of us     have used treats to train our dogs, but have you ever tried to train 10+     commands in under 12 weeks for dogs with no prior training experience? It takes buckets of treats!! And the dogs love every moment of it.

Medical supplies. Many, if not most, of our dogs have some medical needs that must be addressed before they can be adopted.Treating just one dog for a skin or intestinal issue can be expensive, and we have up to 12! We also ensure that every dog is spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and micro chipped, as well as receives flea, tick, and heart worm preventatives for the duration of its class. Is your dog on appropriate preventatives? Lyme and other preventable diseases can be really difficult for a dog to live with, and monthly prevention can be a true lifesaver.

Books and classroom supplies. Our handlers are in charge of the care and training of their dogs along with participating in other daily classes. We fit months’ worth of classes into 12 short weeks. During that time we utilize textbooks, classroom supplies, and laptops to ensure a quality program is being provided to all of our graduates.

Cleaning supplies. Do we really have to explain this one?  With 6-12 dogs house training all at the same time, cleaning supplies are no joke in our program! We recommend an enzymatic-based cleaner like Nature’s Miracle if you are working on house training your own pet.  Don’t forget poop bags too! No one appreciates a dirty play yard.

Have you ever considered making a donation to New Leash on Life USA or a similar program?  Well, this is just a short list of all the supplies we use every 12 weeks! If you think your dog has a lot of stuff, try multiplying that by up to 12!

Once our dogs graduate and move into their new homes, we start all over again saving more dogs and supplying them with what they need to be successful in our program and in their forever homes.  If you would like to help out, please think about contributing to our Amazon Wish List.  We are so proud of all of our graduates and can’t wait to meet our next class!

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How to help your dog safely enjoy the water this summer

As the dogs of the recently graduated Coffee Class settle into their new homes, we’re anxiously awaiting updates on how they’re enjoying their new lives! Being a spring class, the dogs graduated just in time to enjoy the fun of longer days and warmer weather for outings to parks, beaches, camping trips, boats rides, and more!

 Hopefully, you have some fun plans in store for your pup this summer as well, and there’s a good chance that whatever adventure you’re planning involves water, so here are a few key tips to keep your pet swimmingly safe this summer:

1. Keep in mind that not all dogs are good swimmers. While the doggy paddle is ubiquitous with canine strength in the water, many breeds are not well-built to swim.  Barrel chested dogs like pugs and bulldogs, along with giant breeds, tend to be the least efficient swimmers.  No worries, though, even the worst swimmer can enjoy wading in the water up to their chest and trying to grab splashes as they walk.  

2. All dogs, even the savviest swimmers, should wear a life jacket. The life jacket should fit well, and have handles for assistance.

3. Be prepared for unpredictable lake or beach bottoms, temperatures, and currents. Be sure that your dog is wearing a long leash (many stores carry 30-to 50-foot nylon leashes) so that you can reel in a dog if they suddenly begin to struggle.  The life jacket will keep them afloat as you maneuver them back to shore.  4. Beware of pool chemicals causing dry skin and potentially irritating eyes. Also avoid having your dog drink pool water if you can. One easy solution for enjoying time in the pool with your dog is to bring inexpensive saline eye flush with you and hose your pet off with clean water as soon as they get out. This will remove any chemical residue that could dry into their coat.  

5. Watch for signs of overheating and sunburn. The sun reflects off water much more easily than you think, and this can lead to overheating and sunburn. Be extra aware of your dog around bodies of water to be sure they are keeping cool.  Cooling coats (like the Swamp Cooler from Ruffwear©) are a great way to keep your dogs’ body temperature lower with evaporative cooling.  You can also mist any dog with exposed skin or thin coats with infant, non-toxic sunscreen to prevent burning (just be sure to cover their eyes and nostrils during application and rinse and wipe off after). Boating is especially hot for dogs as they are surrounded by water without being in it, so if you’re planning a boat ride, ensure it includes a shady area to rest.

6. Banish unwanted sand. Lastly, try to remove any sand from your dog’s coat once they’ve been dried off to prevent skin irritation. Baby powder is a great way to easily remove dry sand and keep your pet—and your car— comfortable.  Be sure to check between paw pads for irritants, too!

Any time you introduce your dog to a new experience, like swimming, do so at his or her own pace and avoid pushing them past their comfort level.  If a dog is forced into the water they are more likely to panic and not wish to enter later which makes all future water adventures less enjoyable. It can also lead to gasping or gulping in water out of fear, which is dangerous.  Walking parallel to the water line is a good way to start your dog off comfortably so that they can watch the tide and movement of the water as they acclimate and approach at their own speed.

 If the area is off leash safe and your dog has a great recall, you can also simply remove their leash and let them explore on their own- possibly tossing a favorite toy near the water to entice your furry friend. Having a confident doggy friend is another great way to help a nervous dog gain confidence. It’s never fun to feel left out, so many dogs will follow a friend into the water!

By keeping these precautions in mind, you and your dog can safely enjoy beaches, creeks, pools, and other bodies of water this summer. It is always a good idea to have a canine first aid kit on any adventures as well, and carry a copy of your dogs vaccine information and local vet info just in case- it’s always better to be prepared for any unexpected injuries that may arise. Surfs up!

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Bringing your new best friend home

This week, the members of our Coffee Class are working through their Canine Good Citizen evaluations. Our handlers get to show off all the work they have put into their dogs over the last ten weeks, and it’s paying off—three of our dogs have already become Canine Good Citizens!  

Now there are just two short weeks until graduation and the dogs get to move on to the next stage of their journey as our handlers prepare for their internships and futures outside of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons.  All of the dogs in this class came to us from our shelter partners after being found or surrendered; they all entered the program with pasts and baggage they have had to work through with their handlers. Now, they are each about to embark in different directions to their adoptive homes.  

 Spring is a great time to adopt a dog- the days are longer, the weather is warmer, and going out with our pets is just more fun.  If you are considering adding a pet to your family, we highly recommend adopting a dog in need.  When you do adopt a dog, there are a few things to keep in mind to help your dog transition into your home as smoothly as possible.

 Remember that your new dog may be unsure in their new surroundings and that they may not understand where they are or why for a few weeks.  Its easy to give in to the emotional urge to cuddle or hug your new dog, but keep in mind that it may take time for your dog to trust your touch or they may be feeling restricted.  Always let your new dog determine the pace of contact and avoid messing with them when they have a toy or food item until you’ve had a chance to practice trading a few times successfully.

 Starting on basic training right away will help your dog learn to work with you and the basic rules of engagement in a very human-oriented world.  While it may be tempting to go to a dog park, café, and family gathering to show off your new best friend—this can be overwhelming at best for your new pup. Try to keep the first few weeks as calm and routine as possible while you get to know each other.  If you have holiday plans or a birthday party coming up, have a plan of action to ensure your dog is safely contained behind a gate or in a bedroom when you cannot directly supervise and until you are sure they want to greet people.  Calm walks in a park or around your neighborhood can help with bonding, but dog parks can be full of unknowns.  

The first few weeks with your new dog should be all about bonding and setting the stage for a long-term relationship. Take it slow; you will have the next decade to build on this foundation.  You may or may not know what your dog enjoys, so spend some time experimenting—try playing with a ball, a disc, and a rope, and offer hard chews, soft chews, and stuffed Kongs. Always buy bigger toys than what you think the dog needs as most dogs are stronger than they look and smaller toys can be easily destroyed or swallowed. Always supervise your dog with new toys or chews and crate when you can’t supervise to prevent any accidents.  

The dogs in our program are house trained to a very strict schedule and with limited access to toys, furniture, or other household items. This means that they are essentially started, like a potted tree, but need a little more cultivating to be used to your home or yard.  This is also true of any shelter dog—even the dogs with the best behavior and the most potential may need a little time to grow into their new environment and routine. With time, patience, and a solid plan, your new family member can become the pet you want them to be.  Dogs thrive on knowns and routines, and while it takes a little practice to get it right, in the end it all pays off. The vast majority of rescued dogs do extremely well in their new home, and we can’t wait to see the fabulous homes that our Coffee Class ends up in. We know they will all be excellent pets!

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Loose leash walking

Loose leash walking, or teaching a dog not to pull on the leash, is one of the most difficult skills any of our participant trainers will work on during their time with New Leash on Life USA. In fact, loose leash walking is possibly the most difficult skill for any dog owner to master!  

 This is compounded by the fact that our participants are often working with dogs who have likely already learned to pull on leash in the past, and only have a few short weeks to undo that drive. Since we train dogs pulled directly from high risk shelters, we are all too aware of the fact that many of our dogs might have minor behavior problems that have been reinforced until they became bigger behavior problems.

 Now that we are just about half way through our 18th and 4th classes in the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, we are finally seeing some improvement in the leash skills of our dogs and handlers.  It’s amazing to see a dog like Java Bean enter the program on week one wanting to pull towards every person, dog, and smell develop into a dog who happily walks alongside her handlers and can sit for greetings.  It’s equally impressive to watch a more fearful dog like Macchiato learn the leash is not a torture device but rather a ticket to fun and rewards! While both dogs presented different issues on leash, both had to overcome their initial behavior issues and learn to walk alongside their human partner. Not an easy feat at all, as anyone who has ever tried to walk an untrained adult dog surely recognizes!

On TV and online, you can find thousands of different perspectives on this exact issue—there are people showing off fancy heel walking, dogs walking on every type of collar and harness (many of which promise improved behavior), and the list goes on and on. It can be overwhelming. Leash walking is probably the most common dog-training YouTube search out there, and the media is certainly capitalizing on that to sell you all sorts of methods and tools.

Here is my perspective on leash walking: the leash is a tool you use to keep you and your dog safe and within the confines of the law.  It’s not a steering wheel to direct your dog with, nor is it a magic lead that will transform a hyper dog into a calm dog.  Finally, walking comfortably on leash shouldn’t be torture for the dog. Going for a walk with your dog should be fun!  Are some dogs easier to walk than others?  Of course!  Is it ok to envy your neighbor, whose dog seems to glide along right next to them while your pooch has his nose to the ground yanking your arm right out of its socket? Sure! However, while you envy those individuals, realize that most people with dogs who walk well on lead put a lot of work into that dog at some point (or got ridiculously lucky).  

Our participant trainers put hundreds of hours of work into teaching our dogs to walk well on leash so that their future owners will already have a foundation to work on. However, no matter what, this is the type of behavior that will still need reinforcement in the future.

So what exactly are our participants working so hard on teaching their dogs?

Loose leash walking is a walk where you and your dog are attached to either end of the leash and the length between the two of you is slack, or j-shaped.  Your arm isn’t being wrenched all over the place, your dog’s neck isn’t being strangled, etc.  It is an enjoyable and comfortable endeavor for both parties.  So how do we teach a dog to accomplish this feat? We use the same theories we apply to every other aspect of training: reward the behavior we want to see repeated and not rewarding (or allowing your dog to reward) other behaviors. Simple right? Not quite. The reason most dogs do not walk nicely on leash is because this concept sounds easy, but it is not so easy to follow through on.

For dogs that have already been walking on a leash and pulling like our dogs have prior to entering the program, here are a few brief tips before you start:

 1. Get the right tools! We like to use a correctly fitted, no-pull harness, collar, and simple six-foot leash.

2. Get yourself ready and choose the least frustrating time and place. I recommend your driveway after a good play session. Our handlers work back and forth across a large, empty open space before going anywhere more interesting.

3. Do not plan to go far. Walking up and down your driveway for 45 minutes is still walking for 45 minutes.  Quality is more important than quantity here.

4. Do not get mad at your dog. (Be sure to repeat that to yourself, a lot.)

 Here’s a good way to start teaching your dog to walk with you:

1. Tell your dog how wonderful they are and pop a treat into their mouth.  Talking to your dog is a great way to engage and ensure this is a mutual activity.  You’re going for a walk together; you really should enjoy being together it.

2. Take one step forward.

3. If your dog is still looking at you for another treat- give them one! Feed right next to your leg if your dog takes treats nicely, if not you can drop a treat right next to, or behind, your shoe.

4.  Take another step. Feed. Keep talking to your dog and letting them know how well they are doing.

5. Repeat a lot!

6.  Anytime your dog moves away from you, stop talking and feeding.  IF they don’t come back to check for a treat, take a step backwards slowly so that your dog looks back to see what you’re doing. As soon as your pup is at your side- praise and feed!

7. Occasionally pause to let your dog sniff or explore, but only move forward when the leash is loose again.  

8. End the session after a few good attentive steps.  The more you practice, the better your dog will be at engaging with you on walks and keeping a loose leash.  

Sound boring?  It sure is! It’s simple and not amazingly fun or cute (unlike other tricks) which is one reason many people don’t follow through and practice. While loose leash walking is not the most glamorous behavior, it makes your dog a much more enjoyable companion and helps our dogs be the best possible candidates for adoption.  Go ahead and try working with your dog for just a few days to see if you can spot the difference on your next walk, we sure do!

[newleashonlifeusa]

Play: What’s normal and what’s not

Thanks to the rise of dog parks, day cares, and playgroups, most owners want their dog to play well with others. While there are dogs that enjoy play well into adulthood, there are also dogs that don’t want to play with different adults, and it may not be safe for them to engage in this type of activity.  If you want to expose your dog to off leash play, it’s up to you to be their advocate and make sure the play is fun and safe for all involved.  

Normal dog play can be loud and fast, with barking, growling, and body slamming. Play is a super exaggerated form of fighting or hunting, and evolutionarily, prepares a young animal for behaviors it will need to survive. It’s characterized by two willing parties showing each other that nothing serious or harmful is about to happen—any growls or hits are just for fun. In normal play, you’ll often see wild movements like spins, jumps, or full body bows that are not used in actual fighting or hunting. Normal play can also appear to be very loose and wiggly, with dogs showing open and happy faces.

 When play starts to shift into an inappropriate area, you may see one dog close their mouth, or begin to move more tensely.  There may be obvious signs of stress including teeth flashing, or direct take downs of the other dog without the back and forth of normal position swapping.  If one dog seems to be on top or is much stiffer, there could be a problem.  If you suspect an issue, it’s a good idea to split the dogs up immediately and see if they move closer to each other again, showing they want to reconvene in play. Often you’ll notice one dog wants to take a break and does not instantly return to play.  Finding well-matched playmates in dogs that have never met before can be difficult, so it’s always worth encouraging frequent breaks to prevent escalating behavior.

 Adolescent dogs in particular have a hard time playing well in big groups; they tend to grow from a playful, outgoing puppy into a dog that has scuffles seemingly overnight, without obvious reasoning. This is a normal part of the transition into adulthood, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that your dog cannot handle an appropriate, playful interaction.  It’s absolutely normal for dogs to grow out of being super friendly with unknown dogs—you wouldn’t expect your adult friends to go hang out in a sandbox with strangers as comfortably as your toddler would you?

 There is a lot you can do to help your dog be a fair playmate and encourage free play, including using these steps:

 1. Aim to play with dogs you know are friendly dogs, as opposed to unknown dogs.  One or two bad interactions can permanently affect a dog’s sociability.  

2. Make sure your adolescent is not upsetting other dogs by taking over play sessions. Normal dog play, whether chasing or wrestling, should have a fair amount of give and take, and positions should switch up regularly.  You should also see handicapping where the bigger or stronger dog limits their strength to match their smaller or weaker partner.  If your bigger pup is overpowering a small or older dog without letting up, you want to try to step in before the other dog gets agitated.

3. Make time for breaks. Adolescent dogs have a lot of energy and can be relentless. Enforcing breaks can help the other dog keep up and enjoy continued interaction with your dog.  

4. Find the right number of playmates. Play is safest with just two participants; be weary of large, un-moderated playgroups that can result in dogs ganging up on each other. If you do have a large group of dogs, splinter them off by similar play styles.

5. Be sure to know your dog’s play style and limits. If your dog prefers to wrestle and is over powering a less physical player, step in and direct them to another rough-and-tumble friend.  Most professional daycares will test dogs before dividing them based on size, age, and play style, to ensure groups stay as safe as possible. You should always ask for details about the testing process and be weary of any facility that won’t let you observe group play or see all parts of the facility.  

While not every dog is going to tolerate or enjoy playing with other dogs once they mature, knowing about dog play behavior means that you can recognize problems as they arise and set your dog up for the best possible experience.

[newleashonlifeusa]

Classical conditioning: The science behind how dogs learn to trust again

We’re in the midst of gearing up for a new class at the Philadelphia Department Prisons, and that means introducing our pups to the public and letting the excitement mount as we begin to track their progress toward becoming pets!

 With our 18th and 4th classes commencing on Tuesday, this is a great time to talk about two types of conditioning our trainers will utilize to turn an unruly shelter dog into a Canine Good Citizen and phenomenal pet: operant and classical conditioning.

 A good example of operant conditioning is a simple command such as “sit” (a full sit means the bum touches the floor for a reward). The behavioral science behind this is antecedent (the command of sit), behavior (the dog sitting), and consequence (the treat). This teaches the dog to respond to specific cues with an exact behavior.

 Operant conditioning is juxtaposed with classical conditioning, which elicits an inherent response. Classical conditioning is very critical to the human-animal bond.

 I had the amazing opportunity last week to speak to a class of University of Pennsylvania Veterinary students on this topic. The most vital takeaway I hope the audience understood is the how behind these dogs learning to trust humans again, regardless of their backgrounds. That is the subtle, patient, classical conditioning form of training, which creates a positive conditioned emotional response in our dogs. By pairing human contact and attention with good feelings and rewards, we are actually training them to enjoy human contact and trust again, despite their rough pasts.  

At our starting point, some dogs are fearful or nervous of handling and strangers; a preexisting emotional response that we need to overcome.  Emotional responses are those gut reactions we all have—the fear of snakes or spiders even when we know, logically, they can’t hurt us. Dogs have the same basic reactions- even if they know they are safe logically, it can take time to change that base emotion.

 Classical conditioning is often called “Pavlovian” training. If you know the story of Pavlov’s dogs and their salivary reaction to a bell, you’ll quickly see why. This is also why we use clicker training: the dogs might have negative associations with people’s voices or being spoken to directly, but a “click” is neutral sound and can quickly be paired with delicious treats to be an inherently fun reward mark.  

 Over the three months of training, care, and attention our dogs receive in the program, they learn to trust again, to love again, and, how to be pets. Classical conditioning is a slower process than operant, it takes time to change a dog’s mind. But we know that each dog in our program has the potential to be a great pet, and it’s worth the time. By steadily showing them that every interaction with their handler is a good one, we change their minds, and by the time they are ready for adoption they can happily enjoy people again without the painful reminders of their past overtaking them in the form of primal, emotional responses. It’s more than just erasing their history; we’re essentially converting their brains to think about people differently. This is a huge undertaking that all of our graduates have excelled at, and we know our next class will, too!

[newleashonlifeusa]

Reactivity

The term “reactive” comes up frequently when discussing dog behavior and training. Trainers are seeing an increase in clients seeking help with this issue. In fact, there is a good chance your own dog could be considered reactive at times, but, what exactly does that mean and why is it a hot topic right now?

In simple terms, reactivity is an overreaction to external stimuli characterized by extreme excitability, which can manifest as barking, whining, lunging, mouthing, pacing, panting, inability to respond to well-known cues, lack of focus, difficulty calming down, hyper vigilance, leash biting, or any combination of the above. It is often in response to the sight of people or other dogs while on leash or behind a fence—this is why many trainers categorize reactivity “leash reactive,” or “barrier reactive,” etc.  Any type of reactivity is alarming and frustrating for a dog owner, and can be especially challenging for those living in dog-friendly areas.

To truly understand how to deal with reactivity, you must know where it originates. Reactivity is rooted in natural behaviors and is more prevalent in certain breeds that humans have spent hundreds of years developing to be sensitive.  Take a herding breed like a German Shepherd for example: these dogs must be hyper vigilant in order to be successful at spotting where sheep are going and prevent straying.  On top of that initial instinct, we have spent significant time and resources breeding shepherds for military and police work—yet another job that require intense focus and often strong emotional and physical reactions. Unfortunately, this set of behaviors can spiral downward when it transcends to people and dogs in the civilian community.  In the past, dogs displaying reactive behaviors would likely have been classified as aggressive or merely “bad dogs” that should be ignored, and in result were often left abandoned outdoors as a result. However, we now know that this is a common set of behaviors that can be modified.

In addition to the factors identified above, we also have a tendency as humans to reinforce this behavior when we first see it, which leads to declining behavior down the line.  How do we do this? Well, in most cases, reactive behavior first appears in adolescent dogs, surprising owners who trained and socialized them thoroughly as puppies.  As the young adult sees a dog or person that triggers an alarm behavior, the owner instinctively and immediately pulls them away from the situation and shouts. This teaches the dog that barking or lunging at the trigger will cause it to disappear. Over time, this overreaction starts sooner becomes more intense as the dog sees it, proving it to be a way of sending off an offender.  This is extremely frustrating for both the owner and the dog, and if a punishment is introduced, this behavior can quickly spiral out of control; now not only is the trigger quite frightening, it is now associated with the owner becoming mean and potentially inflicting pain.  

There is not a one-size-fits-all solution for reactivity, however there are a few simple things you can do to help your dog overcome their reactive behavior:

1. This has been made obvious in the above, but don’t punish your dog for the behavior, and stop trying to get their attention or cue a different behavior. It will not work, and ultimately will frustrate you both even more.  If your dog is reacting, they are not proactively focused on you and will not respond.

2. Hire a professional.  No, really—find an experienced and certified professional dog trainer who can teach you force free methods to modify your pet’s behavior. There is a lot you can do on your own, but if you really want the most effective solution, work with a trained pair of eyes who can guide you through the best process for your dog.  A good trainer will teach you to read your dog’s body language, showing you how to better communicate with them.  If you don't understand why your dog is lip licking on a walk, for example, it is difficult to know when you should be responding.

3. Figure out all the stressors in your dog’s life and try to manage or rectify them as much as possible.  It might sound unrelated , but it’s not—if your dog is stressed by something at home, they will release cortisol before they even get out for the walk, making them closer to their threshold and reactivity point. If you can eliminate some external stressors, you can start with a dog that is farther from reacting and thus more likely to be successful in training. Cortisol can be found in blood serum for up to 72 hours after a stressful event, so try to mitigate its effects in any way you can.

4. Change associations. If your dog thinks that every dog he sees as potential for punishment or fear, you need to work diligently to change that perception.  This is a case of what can be simple and classic conditioning and you can start by setting up far away from other dogs (perhaps 50 yards away from a known enclosed dog park) and simply feeding high value treats to your dog repeatedly.  This is very quick oversimplification of the process, so, again, you should certainly work with a trainer. The idea is for your dog to think “yes!” when they see dogs as opposed to “oh no!” Remember with classical conditioning, simple training is good training since you are trying to avoid behavior and work only on associations.

5. Teach impulse control and relaxation as behaviors.  The more you can teach your dog to relax quickly on their own in a variety of situations, the easier it will be to calm your dog when they are getting over excited in other situations. Remember that dogs need to anticipate what they should do more than they need feedback about what not to do.  It’s easier to teach a “sit” for example than “don't stand,”  “don't jump,” or “don't lie down.”

Reactivity is a very common behavior complaint and there are many different ways to modify these behaviors that are caused by an overreaction to otherwise normal stimulus.  If you start to see any signs of reactivity, please contact a force free trainer with quantifiable experience so that you and your dog can begin to enjoy walks together again.

[newleashonlifeusa]

The Tug Controversy

Years ago, there was a common conception in the dog training community that playing tug-of-war with pet dogs increased the chance of aggression or a bite; tug was only to be played with high-drive, working dogs and supervised by experienced handlers. In the dog sports world, the game has always been a common reinforcement tool. Unfortunately most trainers felt that owners wouldn’t be able to use it appropriately as play, and therefore, should never try—essentially, the idea was that pet owners weren’t dog-savvy enough to play with their own dog.  This led to a huge loss for pet dogs who were denied the all-out joy of a good, interactive tug session.

So what is tug-of-war, really?  It's a game that two individuals play by pulling a toy in opposing directions with the goal to upset their partner’s balance and get the toy.  The fear of the past was that by promoting arousal and allowing the dog to win a game of tug of war, owners were teaching dogs to challenge them and take over.  But this is untrue! We know that dogs are not spending their days scheming to overthrow their human overlords any more than we are spending time plotting to keep dogs subservient.

So should you play tug with your dog?  Yes! If your dog is stable and does not have a history of aggression or reactivity, you can safely introduce the game of tug with just a few simple rules:

1. The game can be initiated by you or your dog by one of you bringing out the designated tug toy. (I recommend starting with a rope that has multiple knots.) Once the toy is present, ask for any simple behavior your dog is good at—“sit” is a great starting point. This is your way of ensuring both you and your dog are focused.  Once the dog sits, present the toy and cue “tug,” allowing your dog to grab the toy. If you hold two ends the dog is more likely to aim for the middle than the end you are holding, and you can drop one end.  

* If your dog does not sit on cue, simply put the toy behind your back and ask again calmly.  

2. Once your dog is tugging, be sure that you are tugging back in a way that keeps their neck in a natural position and try not to lift their front feet off the ground by their jaw. Generally, let the dog do any side-to-side shaking and don't jerk their neck too hard to either side. You know your dog’s strength, so moderate your force for a smaller dog and pull harder for a larger or stronger dog.  Feel free to be loud and have fun!

3. If your dog re-grips the toy and their teeth touch your hand at all, or, they seem to be losing control, simply make a happy sound like “oops” and stop tugging. It’s ideal to remove the toy from them for a moment, but only if you can do so without ripping it out of their mouth. Re-cue your starting behavior, like “sit,” followed by the “tug” cue and go back to playing. Re-gripping is sometimes a signal that the toy is too large to hold comfortably or the dog needs a more stable point to hold, so switching to a toy with tennis balls or a different material like fleece can help.  Touching teeth to human skin pauses the fun.

4. It’s OK to release the toy and let your dog win! If you win all of the time you’re essentially a bully and no fun to play with. No one wants to lose all the time.  If your dog wins, cheer them on for a moment and enjoy; most dogs will quickly bring the toy back since the actual tugging is the fun part.

5. At the end of the game, or if you want to end it at any point, use a “drop it” cue (if your dog knows it) or grab a tasty treat and trade it for the toy before you put it away. Ending the game with a treat reinforces that ending the game isn’t a bad thing.  

Toy motivation is a huge asset with any dog!  Treats are great for training, but having multiple reinforcement tools gives you more options—tools in your toolbox per se.  If your dog really loves to tug, it can be used as a reward for all sorts of behaviors at home as well as out and about. For example, recall can be rewarded with play; it’s pretty hard to tug with you unless your dog comes all the way to you.  Tug is a phenomenal way to build a strong relationship with your dog and show them that you like to engage in play and have fun together.

*Note: Tug is best played by older kids or adults, unless the dog has a very solid grip on interacting gently with younger children. Of course, the game should be closely supervised.

[newleashonlifeusa]

Tips from Tamar

Fake Service Dogs

We are officially in the throws of the holiday season—and that means family festivities, vacations, and, very often, travel. Each year it seems the US hits record-breaking numbers of flights. Airport stress is so common many airlines have invested in therapy dogs to comfort and relax stressed passengers. Therapy dogs are a wonderful addition to many airports and can often be seen in the press. A less-savory dog trend on the rise in the incidence of fake service dogs on flights—and out in public.  

Service dogs are specifically trained to assist their disabled handler to navigate the world independently. Many service dogs work with individuals who have life-threatening disabilities—and all service dogs work with individuals who have an ADA-recognized disability that negatively impacts their quality of life. Service dogs do not provide therapeutic presence for others and do not provide only emotional support or comfort. They are trained to execute specific tasks to mediate a disability.

It is easier to find websites and online providers of service dog gear: vests, identification cards, leashes, etc. However, none of these items make a dog a service dog. In fact, legally service dogs do not need to wear or carry anything at all, they only need to be trained to provide tasks that mitigate a person’s disabilities. Some of these sites even pander to those who want to take their pet on flights or in public with statements such as:

“Service Dog Certification of America recognizes that every person in The United States of America may have some form of disability,” or “Get an SDA kit so your dog can accompany you everywhere you need."

These claims do not address the fact that a person’s disability must be recognized by the ADA as having a negative impact on their quality of life and not every dog, not even most dogs, are actually qualified to have public access rights under the law.

We all love our pets and wish they could be with us all the time. Most of us don’t want to kennel our pets or leave them home—and the opportunity to bring them with us on our travels is certainly alluring.  Faking your pet as a service dog, however, can have very harmful effects on those who truly need their service dog to function—not to mention it is illegal and some states have enacted harsh penalties to deter faking.

The Negative Impact

One major risk to the service dog community by fake service dogs is the ill will fakes can engender in businesses and the public. Business owners are generally uncomfortable questioning a person about their apparent service dog, as lawsuits and poor publicity often follow these encounters. When pets who masquerade as service dogs behave inappropriately, people nearby cannot determine easily if the dog is actually needed or is a fake. This leads to the mistrust of all dogs presented as service dogs. While your pet may be well behaved and a truly wonderful companion, they are rarely as well trained and behaved in public places as an actual service dog who has gone through thousands of hours of training and preparation. One misstep can lead to a lot of fall out.

Another major threat of fake service dogs is they may actually interfere with a service dog at work. Pets often love other dogs and like to show some interest in them. They can distract a dog who is assisting their handler in ways you may not even realize. Service dogs are specifically trained to ignore other animals and when trained dogs are in contact with each other they generally ignore each other or give distance. Pets do not. Sniffing, whining, staring, etc. can distract a working service dog. A pet may actually even harm a service dog—an occurrence which has happened and can cause irreparable harm to handler and dog alike. Fake teams have created havoc on flights and in public with planes being forced to land prematurely and restaurants being forced to close.

Keep in mind faking a service dog is also faking a disability and wishing for one is similar to wishing for a life-altering disability. If you think of service dogs as necessary medical equipment rather than as pets, you will begin to see how faking a pet as a service dog is similar to taking advantage of a close parking space by using a handicap parking space: something I trust most of us recognize as wrong.

While it is tempting to take advantage of the fact that service dog equipment is inexpensive and easy to find, please know each time a pet masquerades as a service dog it causes harm to legitimate teams that rely on their dog’s training and skills.

Faking a pet as a service dog is both illegal and injurious and should not be condoned or attempted.  

[newleashonlifeusa]

When shopping changes lives.

On Christmas Day almost ten years ago, I volunteered at a local high-kill shelter, knowing they would need the help.  I still remember how it felt to see row after row of abandoned, neglected, forgotten dogs. I’m an animal lover, but I have a sweet spot for dogs, so when I learned many were on their way to being euthanized, I knew I had to get involved.

New Leash on Life USA was born out of the belief that everyone deserves a second chance. We knew with training and affection, dogs could be rehabilitated, while also being a companion to inmates who felt as discarded as the dogs. 

What we didn’t know was how effective the dogs would be at touching the deepest parts of men and women who had learned to survive by shutting off their emotions. The unconditional love and unguarded trust inmates receive turn their hardened hearts to mush, igniting hope.

Once hope is restored, lives change.

Men like Jay are able to build credit and buy a house. Women like Charnae learn to parent better, breaking the cycle of poverty for their children. People like Chris and Roland identify as productive citizens and are able to hold jobs.

And discarded dogs like Major, Sparky and Bo, after healing their handlers, settle into forever homes as family pets or emotional support dogs. 

This year, you have a chance to restore hope and change lives by “shopping” our gift catalog. Choose from among the many things we need to make our program successful and then make a donation in your own name, or in the name of someone on your gift-giving list. They’ll be thrilled to know the gift they receive this year helps to rescue dogs and give returning citizens the tools they need to succeed. 

You can view our catalog at newleashonlife-usa.org/shop. When you purchase from our catalog, you become part of all our success stories.

People say New Leash changed their lives. We know the truth. Lives change because rescued dogs restore humanity. And inmates become productive citizens when they receive a network of support. 

Rescued dogs. Real people. Restored lives. That’s what we’re about. 

Thank you for purchasing on purpose—and for believing in second chances. 

Happy Holidays! Marian V. Marchese, Dog Lover & CEO of New Leash on Life USA

[newleashonlifeusa]

Tamar’s Turkey Day Tips

This week we are all preparing for the festivities of Thanksgiving- a wonderful day full of family and food.  Most of us consider our dogs to be members of our family and want to include them in all of our activities—and especially our celebrations. We know dogs love to eat; in fact, many pets act like they are starving when in fact they are overweight! Canines are biologically designed to consume massive amounts of calories given the opportunity as they are designed similarly to scavengers who may not always have easy access to food sources. This affinity for food gives us the wonderful ability to use food rewards in training and behavior modification, however it also means that dogs have perfected the sad eyes needed to wriggle snacks from us almost at will. Being that Thanksgiving is a holiday formed around a large family meal, it can be hard to deny our dogs the enjoyment of partaking some of the meal- whether we want them to or not.

Here are a few tips to keep your dog safe and satisfied on turkey day:

Plans ahead: If you are planning to travel and visit friends or family for the day or even a long weekend, set your dog up for a stress-free holiday. Whether you plan to bring them with you, leave them home, or board for a few days- it’s important to consider their safety and comfort, even if it’s different from what you want. For example, you may wish your dog could join you, even though a flight or long ride might be uncomfortable and being in a new place may be stressful.

Prepare for departure: If you plan to leave your dog home for a few hours, and you start to feel guilty, ease your conscience by going for a long pre-meal walk and giving them a favorite safe chew or toy to enjoy while you are away.  If you choose to board, be sure you choose a facility that is familiar to your dog and has a good reputation and kennel inspection.

Give your dog some privacy: If you’re hosting the holiday or your pet is traveling with you, it may be beneficial to pre-plan a containment area for your dog. Whether you choose the crate, a bedroom, or even just a gated area, having a safe space for your dog can help with stress from guests, over excitement, or accidental ingestion. If you have a containment area, you can give your dog a little holiday feast of his own by hiding their treats and dinner in a new puzzle toy or by getting them a new favorite toy to enjoy.  

Close the door: Accidental ingestion and accidental escape are the two of the biggest dangers to dogs this holiday week. With so many friends and family coming and going, it’s not uncommon for a dog to run out when spooked, or to escape through a door that’s been left ajar.  Be sure your dog has proper identification, such as a collar tag, on at all times. Be prepared with a plan for safe containment.

Guard the garbage: Accidental ingestion includes two of the most common canine behavior problems: counter surfing and trash diving! If your dog is occasionally guilty of either of these crimes, be aware that Thanksgiving is like entrapment- you are setting them up to reoffend. Keep your pet out the kitchen, avoid using counters for temporary food storage and be sure to take the trash out before you crash for the night. In fact, take the trash out as soon as it’s full. Even if it’s not the turkey that’s making you sleepy, we all love a good post-celebratory break and our rest gives our pets a perfect opportunity to steal a snack.

Share responsibly! If you are going to give your dog a few tidbits from your meal, be sure you are only giving safe food items and in very limited quantities or you may spend the best shopping hours on Friday in a vet’s office. Thanksgiving is an excuse to use decadent ingredients and to cheat on our diets, however many of these indulgences can be problematic for dogs. Be sure you avoid turkey bones and skin and stick to small pieces of meat- preferably white meat.  If you want to add some sides to their fun, stay away from dishes heavy with butter or garlic and stick to a few green beans or some potatoes.  In the case of any accidental ingestion of sweeteners, bones, etc. be sure you know the contact info for your local veterinarian and 24-hour veterinary hospital as most clinics are closed for the holiday (often preparing for the long shifts that follow!)

By planning ahead and knowing your dog, you can ensure you both have a safe and festive holiday. Happy Thanksgiving from New Leash on Life USA!

[newleashonlifeusa]

Tips from Tamar

Breed-Specific Legislation

A couple weeks ago, I briefly discussed the current battle in Montreal regarding the implementation of breed-specific legislation (BSL). These types of laws harshly penalize the owners of breeds such as pitbulls and other “bully-type” dogs, but they affect every dog owner in the territory. While the situation in Montreal is a hugely controversial topic with out a swift resolution, BSL is much more widespread and affects dogs and owners across the world. New Leash on Life USA is dedicated to saving high-risk dogs so our position on this is obvious: we do not agree with the implementation of BSL anywhere.  

What exactly is BSL Breed-specific legislation is “a law passed by a legislative body pertaining to a specific breed or breeds of domesticated animals. In practice, it generally refers to laws pertaining to a specific dog breed or breeds.”

Why is it enacted? We all want to see safe dog-human interactions, and we understand some dogs have the potential to be dangerous and a risk to people. Every year organizations publish statistics on dog bites as reported to medical facilities, but unfortunately no single source for dog-bite statistics exists. (The CDC had a study completed on dog-bite fatalities; however, this represents a very minute portion of all dog bites in the US.) Without a single, unified database it’s very difficult to find factual and significant information.

We regularly read stories in the news of dog bites to children and others--published with misleading and attention-grabbing details. All this information produces a natural urge to act and to legislate our way to safer dog interactions. This is legislation based on fear. The hope is we could write laws to prevent future harm to people, and it’s a noble goal for sure. But it often comes with severe consequences.

What are the major flaws with existing BSL?

BSL generally applies to pitbulls and similar dogs, so we are going to focus on those breeds. BSL is based on flawed statistics and vague, broad breed identification. Most laws targeting dogs use the term “pitbull” as though it’s a specific breed, but the law characterizes any dog with bully features, regardless of breed. This means any statistic used by law enforcement regarding a bite is going to label a larger proportion of dogs as pitbulls and further skew their data. Realistically, the US has over 80 million pet dogs. Using visual identification based on broad descriptions as the standard to determine a breed creates a situation where there’s a much higher likelihood a dog will be labeled a “pit” regardless of actual ancestry.

Visual identification alone is a highly flawed method for identifying breed.  Multiple studies have shown even dog professionals, including animal control officers and veterinarians, are not able to accurately identify breed when compared to DNA results of mixed breeds. If professionals are highly inaccurate, how can we expect bystanders and witnesses to accurately identify the breed of dog involved in a bite incident? Unfortunately, that's exactly what we do.  

Over 700 communities around the world currently have BSL in place as law.  These measures have not decreased the rate of dog bite incidents. In fact, in the UK, where strict BSL laws are in place and statistics regarding dog bites are maintained in one unified source, dog bites the require medical attention have increased by 41% over the last 10 years. Similar results have been found in Spain. Dog bites have not decreased as a result of BSL.

So what’s the solution? First of all education is key. With the increase popularity of dogs as pets and more involved in our daily lives, the potential for a dog bite incident increases.  Teaching children and strangers how to properly approach a dog and being vigilant about where you take your dog should be forefront in everyone’s thoughts. Though dogs are now welcome in more and more places, it is not always in their best interest to go shopping, to festivals, and to other places where they could be stressed. There also should be some laws on the books that deal with dangerous dogs- dogs deemed dangerous by their actual actions not by their physical attributes.

Second, dog owners should recognize their playful pets DO have the potential to be a risk and a safeguard to prevent repeat dog bites isn’t a bad thing. However, these laws ought to be breed neutral and take into account the specific dog and owner involved.  

Currently the CDC, AKC, American Veterinary Medical Association, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the US Department of Justice, and the Obama administration along with many others agree that BSL is ineffective and should not be enacted. Yet we continue to see fear steer the law in the direction of proliferating BSL. Until responsible dog ownership and safe handling becomes the norm, I am afraid we will continue to see ineffective attempts at keeping the public safe at the risk of our beloved dogs.