Social walks
Interaction with a variety of other dogs is necessary for the socialisation of a dog. You do not primarily reach a good socialisation by letting your dog play and go crazy with other dogs, as this bears the risk that your dog might associate other dogs with excitement. You want your dog to associate other dogs with calmness and relaxation though. In order to reach this association, I offer guided social walks.
Why organised walks?
Peaceful dog-dog encounters (or dog-human encounters) cannot be taken for granted in our hectic and densly populated society. On your daily walks you tend to meet the same human/dog-teams over and over again. Ideally, these encounters go well. It is quite often the case though, that dogs know at least a few other dogs which they do not specifically like. In these cases you avoid encounters if possible, or you pass hurriedly with a barking and growling dog by your side. In the worst case you dread every single encounter and find yourself walking when you expect nobody else to be around - even at night.
Passing other dogs or people calmly can be trained and learned, but most people do not call their dog-walking nemesis to arrange a date to go and train together. What you need are other like-minded people who have understood the potential of structured group walks with ever changing participants. People who are magnanimous and tolerant, and understand and accept also those dogs, who are only beginning their journey to becoming a "nothing-gets-my-knickers-in-a-twist-dog".
What is a social walk?
Location and meeting
We meet in Pratteln on the Schmittiplatz. The dogs are on leash and we ensure there is enough space between dogs (minimum 2 meters, if possible more). We do not let the dogs greet/sniff one another. The humans strictly ignore all other dogs but their own.
Why?
The rule of ignoring other people's dogs is important for dogs that have not been properly socialised with humans. Such dogs do not like to be looked at, talked to or touched. They should be given the possibility to join the group without having to worry that a stranger might touch them or talk to them. The rule for the dogs to not greet/sniff is extremely important for those dogs that have been insufficiently socialised with other dogs. They should learn to tolerate other dogs and to enjoy a walk with them. The initial meeting is crucial for the success of the rest of the walk as well for a successful socialisation. Therefore I will be very strict about enforcing those rules, and I will keep reiterating them.
What happens on these walks?
We always start and end the hour with a relaxation exercise. The rest of the hour will be mainly walking, but I will interject 2-3 socialising exercises. The dogs are on leash during the whole walk. Initially, owners will be splitting between the dogs with the possibility of walking dogs alongside one another towards the end of the walk.
Cost
Chf 10.-- per dog/owner-team
Who can participate?
EVERYBODY is welcome! These courses are specifically valuable for dogs who have issues encountering other dogs. Those dogs need a training possibility. Therefore, please do not hesitate to join even if you fear that your dog might not be an A-student the first few times round. We do not judge - we accept, give advice and support.
Safety & liability
The safety of all dogs and humans takes priority. Owners are responsible for their dogs at all times. You can always opt out of joining an exercise and just watch from a distance and you can decide to end a walk early.
Registration / Cancellation
Registratio is mandatory. This ensures that I could inform you in case I'd have to cancel a walk. Similarly, I would ask you to quickly let me know, if you decide not to join a walk. This ensures the group is not waiting for you in vain.
You find the dates of the upcoming social walks as well as the registration form under "Next courses".
Questions?
If you have questions, plese contact me via email (info@kenkou.ch) or call me on 076 350 9072.