SERVICES

Educating our dog in basic obedience will give us an easy and fluid relationship with him and will also help us avoid many problems on a day-to-day basis.  

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Obedience is worked with verbal and/or gestural cuess (using our hands, for example) and with positive reinforcement. We must be patient and consistent in our daily training routine.

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This training should be carried out by all the household family members, to obtain a uniform result that works the same with all. Both people and the dog may get frustrated or demotivated at some point and that is why we recommend you seek for help from a professional educator, who will teach you and guide you with the techniques.

The most functional cues are: "sit", "down", "stay", "come" and walk by our side, "heel", but we will always stick to the needs of each family in relation to their dog.

 

Educating a dog should not be something tedious, quite the opposite, it should be something fun and stimulating and although it is better to start when our dog is still a puppy, any dog is capable of learning these signals, regardless of its age. Short repetitions are recommended several times a day so as not to saturate our dog. And above all, do not be in a hurry to get results. Everyone has their own rhythm.

Behavior modification involves modifying a dog's behavior in order to decrease unwanted behaviors and thus enhance desired ones.

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At Social Dogs we do not share the belief that dogs want to "dominate" humans and we know that the use of physical and psychological intimidation techniques towards dogs only contributes to creating a relationship that is, to say the least, unbalanced, characterized by a lack of communication and misunderstanding, something that inevitably leads to serious problems of fear, stress and anxiety, which could have been prevented from the beginning.

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Depending on the case of each dog, the diagnosis of an ethologist veterinarian will be necessary and the duration of the treatment will vary depending mainly on the degree of involvement on behalf of the family and the capability of the dog to manage the situation. We will need to work together constantly and patiently to initially communicate with the dog and understand its needs, to later carry out a specific work according to these needs, thus helping our dog to obtain a life as balanced and calm as possible, teaching him guidelines to manage all that is causing him issues.

Dog-assisted therapies are goal-oriented, structured, directed and performed interventions by healthcare and education professionals, usually in conjunction with a canine handler. They are used to help certain patients recover (and not get worse) from a health problem such as mental health problems, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, among others. They are also very useful for accompanying and encouraging older people in nursing homes.

These therapies are very effective in reducing and relieving anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, or fear in certain people. These are some examples:

 

• People with PTS stress, anxiety or depression

• People with autism spectrum disorder

• Children or adults who undergo a dental intervention

• Patients receiving cancer treatments

• Patients with dementia

 

And not only do these people benefit from these dog-assisted therapies, but family members and the closest environment also enjoy these positive experiences, which are also used in college environments and community programs. .  

 

If you are a health professional and you are looking for a dog (and a guide) to accompany you to the interventions you carry out, do not hesitate in contacting us and we will find the dog that best suits your needs or we will help you train your own dog to carry out the routines necessary for your work. 

Adopting a new member of the family is a great decision that must be made with complete information on both the responsibility it entails (time, expenses, ...) and the possible options that may be presented. 

A dog will live with us for many years and we must bear in mind that it is an effort that will be rewarded by the fun moments we will share, the affection and the satisfactions that it will bring us.

Whether you want to adopt a dog from a breeder or a shelter/kennel, we will inform you of the best options that suit your family and lifestyle, and we will also help you during the process:

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• Evaluation

• Choice

• Preparing its arrival home

• Introducing the new house

• Tips for living the family life

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Therefore, we will avoid problems by evaluating from the start the level of activity of the dog or the puppy to adopt as well as its behavior.

Separation Anxiety (SA) is an emotional disorder in which a dog experiences intense and overwhelming fear when left alone, perceiving the absence of their guardian as a threatening and highly distressing situation. This distress is expressed through various anxiety-related behaviors such as barking or howling, destructive behavior, urinating or defecating indoors, constant restlessness, hypervigilance, panting, trembling, sweating through the paw pads, or exaggerated reactions to external stimuli, among others.

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When a dog suffers from separation anxiety, family life can become extremely challenging—not only because of possible complaints from neighbors, but also due to the emotional burden of knowing that our dog is suffering every time we have to leave the house, whether to go to work or to run everyday errands where they cannot join us on.

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Although a genetic predisposition is suspected, influenced by factors such as early or inadequate weaning and negative experiences during early life, the exact origin of separation anxiety remains unknown.

Sudden changes in routine, environment, family structure, or the amount of time spent with the guardian or family can trigger this problem in dogs, especially after prolonged periods of constant companionship, such as during the COVID lockdown.

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For this reason, seeking help from a qualified professional is essential. If your dog does not show signs of separation anxiety, gradual training to be left alone while monitoring their behavior is recommended. However, if separation anxiety is already present or suspected, these measures are not appropriate, and specialized professional guidance is crucial.

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We can help you with a fully personalized therapy plan tailored to your family structure, home environment, and daily routine. Location is not a limitation, as most of the therapy is conducted online, meaning we do not need to be in the same city or country. We also offer support in Spanish, English, and French.

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It consists of a course designed for:

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• People who currently own a shelter or kennel

• Volunteers

• All those people with the intention of starting a shelter or a kennel business

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We will help you with the creation, improvement and adaptation of the facilities, as well as with the establishment of management protocols in favor of animal welfare.

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You will learn, among other things, about the following topics:

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• Indicators and protocols of animal welfare and environmental enrichment

• Dog handling

• Establishment of a volunteer and work program for the center's staff

• Design and creation of a canine center or shelter

• Current regulations and legislation