Last weekend, my business took a stall at the Dogs Day Out – a dog-friendly event at a local heritage park which included an organised walk. I love supporting dog-friendly events because we have so few of them (something, over time, I hope to change).
These events become a good way for local dog-related businesses to showcase their products and services in a way that is focused on the community and not profit-making (unlike some of the commercial pet expos). These events are also a way for me to highlight my Fear Free certificaton as well as my approach to natural dog care.
The Balanced Dog’s stall complete with Fear Free certified signage and helper, Leonie
At these events, exhibitors often have time to chat once we are all set up and before the public arrives in droves. I enjoy seeing the range of products and services that are on show.
Unfortunately, this event also taught me how far we have to go in terms of veterinary professionals understanding fear free handling and interaction. Fear Free is about managing fear, anxiety and stress in our animals by focusing entirely on their needs and responses. You need to understand emotional health as well as physical health.
So imagine that the stall next to us was a veterinary practice which opted to use balloons as part of its decorations. Towards the end of the event, as I was still massaging dogs and talking with members of the public – the stall next door was dismantling itself in preparations to leave. Someone decided the best way to discard their balloons was to pop them one after the other in rapid succession – like a car backfiring.
Can you guess how many dogs responded negatively to these noises (including the one on my massage table)?
Fear Free is so much more than spraying Adaptil in your clinic and playing soft music. It’s about being prepared to take it slow and work with the dogs at their pace. So many dogs are stressed by loud noises like fireworks, it should be common sense that popping balloons is not acceptable.
As my mother has said many times, common sense isn’t common.
Ask me about Fear Free handling! I’d love to tell you more.
Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
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