Dog Citizen

Dog Time

Your dog’s internal clock and why it matters

Ever wondered how your dog always seems to know it’s dinner time or walkies before you do? What can we learn from this to help them along?

We all know it, “The Look”. Your dog’s eyes somehow become larger and puppy-like, the eye contact is razor-sharp, and she is trying to tell you something. You haven’t noticed the time, but your dog of course doesn’t know what absolute time is and what it means. All she knows is that her internal clock is telling her that dinner is over-due. It’s not just a metabolism thing either. Dogs love routines and structure. Their day is parcelled up into the rhythm of doing and not doing: walkies, sleeping, going outside, changing the room. To some extent we also have an internal clock. But perhaps our natural reliance on this has subsided with having other gadgets help us.

The Circadian Clock

All living things are guided by the natural rhythm of the seasons. When the days are longer and lighter, we tend to wake up earlier and sleep less and be more active. A generalisation of course, but it more or less holds true. Jet lag for example is when our circadian rhythm is out of sync. Things like our metabolism have adjusted to eating mostly at the same times, and however care-free some of us think our lives are, our days are still quite structured. Dogs in the wild will have behaved differently as the day is solely structured around finding food. With domestication the food is largely provided for them. So, whilst eating is still the most important event of the day, it becomes combined into the rhythm of other activities that make up the day. So

time itself becomes access to one resource of many: food, you, bed.

In winter days dinner time may still be, say, 5pm even though it is dark outside, and the afternoon walk a distant memory. In the bright afternoon sun at 5pm on a summer’s day, maybe with a walk still on the horizon, it’s feeding time regardless. Therefore, we know a dog isn’t taking its cues only from its natural environment. It’s because their own clock is telling them that’s the way it is.

It’s Dog Time

So, my own dog has a biscuit at 7pm, a good two hours after his dinner, partly to break up the evening for him to have something extra to look forward to. And partly a relic of intentionally never completely phasing out the late dinner when he was a puppy. I know it’s 7pm because my phone tells me it is. Or if I don’t notice, my dog will sure enough come to my side and look up at me at 18.59. I always thought he knows it’s 7 o’clock because it somehow feels like it to him. The fact that he is bang on though, every day, without exception, I find extraordinary.

Dog Time is relative

So, when we all lost an hour recently with BST and the clocks going forward, it only took him a day to adjust. One day. He was a bit bemused and bleary-eyed when he went out in the morning at what felt like an hour early, but he soon adjusted. The next day at 7pm, (which should have still felt like 6pm), there he was again at 18.59: “OK I’m ready for my biscuit now”. So, from this unscientific test, we can deduce the dog clock works in relative not absolute ways. Sounds like Stephen Hawking!

For him, the day starts with the walk, and from that, everything is subconsciously but very accurately measured. So, he had his dinner at 5pm, and he knows exactly what two hours later feels like to him. Dinner at 5pm (which should have felt like 4pm) made perfect sense. Because it came correctly after the afternoon walk. Which in turn was exactly 3 hours after I normally have my lunch, and so on. But the point is these intervals are relative, but at the same time very real. How he knows this, I have no idea!

But here’s the rub. On a day that is not a routine one, this should all go out the window, right? If the weather is terrible and the day’s walks are all at different times, for example. Or when I am travelling with the dog and feeding as well as walking times could be completely different from normal. He won’t know when it’s 7pm biscuit time, surely. There has been nothing that day to measure relatively against. But at 18.59, there he is. “Ready when you are, bro.” It’s one of nature’s mysteries.

Clockwork Training?

And what are the implications for training? When we start training our dog, they start to learn not just the thing being trained, but also its context. By this we mean literally the physical location and the time. It’s called contextual learning. And that’s fine at the beginning because we all have to start somewhere. If you are training your dog to walk nicely on the lead, this will often be along the same section of pavement. Or always in the garden, and usually at the same time of day. In time you will find your dog naturally starts to walk better in this particular location. Not so well at other times or in other places.

This is why it’s important to break things up – trying the exercises in different locations, adding distractions, and so on. But what is often missed is we should try to also do this at different times, to mimic real life. Every time we do a real-life (i.e. not training) Recall for example, there is usually one small but very real element of surprise to your dog – she was not expecting it. So before she starts to learn 3 o’clock is always training time (and by implication other times it’s okay to pull on the lead), remember we need to keep surprising our dog when training.

It’s difficult for us because our own lives can be busy enough. But wherever possible, it will help you to set aside your 5 minutes a day at different times, even if you can only occasionally manage it, because

we want our dogs to learn something, not the context when they are supposed to do something.

We’re working against Nature in a small way, up against the dog’s powerful internal clock. But that’s okay – a lot of training is un-natural in this way: not pulling on a lead is the best example. It’s not remotely “natural” for a dog to do this. But it’s possible of course to teach them that it can feel natural. So if you can, mix it up, surprise your dog, and break out the training treats when they are least expecting it!

A Dog Day

For everything else, we are coming back to the R word: routine! If your dog doesn’t have to worry about when the next meal or walk might be, you will be helping to nourish a calmer environment. And keeping them regular will keep you happier!

Interview with a Dog Groomer

This month we ask Charlotte Taylor of Hair & Hounds in Dunmow all about what it’s like to be a professional pet groomer.

Ever wondered what makes a dog groomer tick, or what goes on behind those hallowed doors when you drop off your pooch for a haircut or a bit of TLC? My dog is always so relaxed, happy and looking smart when I collect him from Hair & Hounds, so Charlotte was the natural choice for me to ask all those burning questions…

DC: Hi Charlotte! So what made you decide to be a dog groomer?

CT: I have worked with animals all my life, coming from a farming family and surrounded by animals of all shapes and sizes. Dogs were the next step for me to get into.

What would you say are the most important character traits for someone in this business?

You need a keen interest in animals, a sense of humour, to be calm and patient and have a strong spirit.

Do you have a favourite type of dog to work with, and why?

I don’t have a favourite breed. They are all so lovely in their own right. But I do have a soft spot for the older dogs, “OAPs” – they are so calm and love the attention they receive and they run around like puppies again because they feel fantastic!

What’s the most challenging or unusual request you have had?

The most unusual request I’ve had was a teacup micro pig called Penny. She came in twice a year for a deep clean and ear wash.  Unfortunately she is no longer with us due to old age. To be honest every groom is a challenge, you have a living, breathing animal on the table that could do anything and I have to be ready for anything or any situation that could arise.

And how do you go about handling a dog that doesn’t like being groomed or has anxiety issues or is just simply afraid? 

My answer is PATIENCE. I never go bounding in with any animal nervous, anxious, afraid or even happy to see me, because they can turn just like that without any kind of warning. An animal that is put into a new situation can either like it or hate it.  Dog/animal groomers have to learn to read a dog’s body language to determine if they are okay or not. I could touch one paw and it would be okay but touching a different paw could not be okay. So when I get a dog that doesn’t keep still and doesn’t like the dryer I slow everything down, talking to the dog, reassuring it, having lots of breaks and having lots of tasty treats helps! Sometimes I have to work on the dogs for several weeks so they learn to trust and tolerate the process. 

Are other pets like cats or rabbits generally more or less challenging?

Rabbits and Guinea pigs are a lot less challenging as I find that they love the whole process form bathing to clipping the nails. Cats on the other hand are a different kettle of fish!  Most of my cats have been coming since they were kittens so they are completely comfortable with water, drying, brushing, clipping and cutting nails.  And then you get the cats that only come when it’s necessary i.e. matting of the coat, nails are too long and they are feeling uncomfortable in the first place. These grooms can become difficult to do!

The good people of Dunmow love you. But what do you enjoy most about your job?

Yes I love my job, I love making all the animals look and smell amazing but I love that I can make an animal feel good about itself and be happy. This job has its ups and downs –  it’s a physical job and can sometimes be very emotional, not very glamorous and can be quite smelly! Some animals don’t always get the best start in life and I have unfortunately seen animals in a bad way from nails curling back on themselves to matting to the coat that causes skin sores and haematomas….

I can imagine. So the health aspect is really crucial?

Yes exactly, this is why it is important to get your dog groomed on a regular basis. A good dog groomer will check your dog over and if he/she sees something that isn’t  right, they will advise to get it checked. We groomers see everything on an animal, we look at every inch of the body.

A really important link in dog care generally, then. So what would be your advice for someone looking to start a career in dog grooming?

My advice to anyone that wants to become a dog groomer would be:

1. Get as much experience as possible with all animals, not just one type.

2. It’s not all fun and games you will have to get your hands dirty.

3. Be prepared for any situation. Every animal is different, every groom is different.

Oh, and have the patience of a saint and enjoy your work. You can change the way an animal feels by doing simple or big things and they will love you for it.

Sound advice! Finally, as a dog trainer I have to ask this! In your opinion what percentage of dogs do you see that could definitely benefit from some form of training?

Puppies!!!! Puppies need training from the day they are brought home. Every day that pup needs to learn something new or old. Also socialisation is a huge factor, I don’t just mean meeting other dogs, I mean socialising in every aspect in a dog’s life, travelling in a car, meeting different people and animals, traffic noise. I have meet so many “lock down” pups and they have no experience of the outside world and what it can offer.

Couldn’t agree more. It’s the ideal learning time, though it’s never too late, however old the dog! Charlotte, thanks for your time!

Does my dog need a coat?

Gimmick or necessity? As always with dogs, it depends …

The choice for doggie accessories has never been bigger, and “clothing” is no exception: from traditional quilted country coats to hoodie raincoats to onesies, any dog owner could be forgiven for being bewildered by the choice while also wondering if these garments are a must-have.

The obvious answer to the question is that your dog already has one anyway, right? Being cheeky aside though, this is the first question you need to think about, because obviously dogs have very different natural coats, some single, some double, some none at all. We can knock off a few breeds straight away: if you have a Chinese Crested, you will already have a coat anyway, and if you have a St Bernard, no you don’t need a coat. But for the majority of us, who may not even know if their dog has a natural double coat, there is a grey area where the answer is not as obvious as you might think.

Let’s look at each of the four most popular reasons you might want a coat for your dog:

1. To keep them dry

2. To keep them less muddy

3. To keep them warm

4. To look killer

1. Keeping your dog dry

So having done your quick search engine research on your breed or cross (or best guess for some rescues), you can make the first assumption about just how waterproof your dog naturally is. The answer should normally vary from quite a bit to a lot. Then what about the conditions you are happy to walk your dog in: do you still go for it in the pouring rain? Or no more than a little drizzle?

I have been caught out once in a deluge with my own dog when on a long walk – who is a hardy breed with a double coat – I was shocked to see him shivering a little later. So, if the coat gets wet enough for long enough, and don’t forget the effect of wind, your dog can indeed feel (and suffer) the cold just as a wet and cold “you” would. Therefore, a doggie raincoat, even for a hardier breed, is not always a bad idea.

Personally, I would not consider it for just going on a walk, and if it’s heaving it down, we will wait it out anyway. But if we’re off to go somewhere where I know we might have to queue or not move around so much outside, and it’s a constant drizzle, then why not?

But here’s the thing, and it’s a big thing – raincoat or none – getting your dog dry after your walk is important, because your dog’s welfare is of course the first priority. Because:

• You don’t want a wet dog sitting and lying around on your furniture (if you let them anyway of course)
• You wouldn’t like to walk around the house in a heavy, soaking wet towel-for-your-skin either, you are going to be miserable
• Prolonged wet coats can encourage parasites and infections
• Most importantly… recent research has been consistently linking early arthritis in dogs to having wet limbs for too much of their younger lives. It is now thought moisture is just important as cold in effecting joint health in the long term.

So, save yourself from storing up a big problem: when you dry your dog, leave them for a few minutes and then go at them again with another towel. They will thank you for it! (And those towelling robes or gloves work well too.)

2. Keeping your dog cleaner

I sympathize with this, but my bugbear here is when outdoor conditions are fairly benign. Sometimes making your dog wear a coat simply to save you a little extra cleaning off is more about your needs rather than the dog’s, when you think about it. We met a hound in the park once who was wearing an outdoor onesie when it was, ooh, a humid and balmy and unseasonal 15C after a little rain. The owner exclaiming how proud they were of the coat which “saves so much cleaning off!” Puurleasse!

We need to remember dogs overheat a lot quicker than we do: they can only sweat through their mouths and paw pads, and this particular dog breed naturally wears a thick, wire-y sheepskin coat, basically. It would have felt rather hot in that fetching red onesie. And only a small step to being dangerous: heatstroke is a serious condition for dogs whose onset can be rapid.

Having airflow over the dog, especially if they run about (which they may feel less likely to do wearing a tracksuit), is good for their skin and keeps mites and other parasites at bay. Ooh, it airs things out a little too! I’ll take a dog smelling of fresh air over a dog unwrapped from polyester any day! There’s also a reason they roll around, which is actually to do with cleaning and feeling good. (Okay, I admit rolling around in something smelly can be for a whole lot of reasons – not one for today!) My answer to this one is let your dog be a dog, and is taking an extra 90 seconds afterwards to towel them over really so bad? But if we’re talking about the odd occasion where it’s cold, rainy, very muddy, and you two gotta go out, well okay then, I hear ya!

3. Keeping your dog warm

Some of the same things apply here, but it could be you do need to consider keeping your dog warm, especially these days if they are coming back to a house that might be a little cooler than it used to be, as most of us are being careful with the central heating these days. Short-haired dogs, obviously, will naturally feel the cold more than their shaggier cousins, so when it is properly cold outside, I would say a warming coat is a must. Consider quilted varieties where warmth is more important than outright waterproof qualities.

If you’re not sure about your particular dog, watch their behaviour when they are out and about and when you get back home. Extremes apart (shivering, looking miserable), you know your dog better than anyone – does their body language and behaviour suggest they are feeling the cold? It touches on a really important point – that your dog is an individual. Sure, they may be a certain breed with a typical coat, but just like humans, some of us feel the effects of cold or dampness more than others and may be more predisposed to medical issues that arise from this.

So how cold is cold?

Because your dog is an individual and of certain breed characteristics, it is impossible to generalise, but a good rule of thumb is below 10C is when some dogs can feel the cold. Freezing (don’t forget “feels like” temperature – a must for any dog walker’s app) or windy or wet conditions such as snowy ground even on a less freezing day would make a coat a no-brainer for many dogs. It is also thought smaller dogs generally feel the cold more than larger varieties, although those with longer hair less so.

And this brings us to our second point – consider the age of your dog. Puppies and especially dogs who are getting advanced in years will almost certainly need a helping hand with the elements. More so the skinnier varieties. Older dogs are not generating their own heat as efficiently, and nor are they running around so much to help that along.

4. Looking Good

Having a dog should be fun and if it makes you happy to see them happy enough in designer gear, then that’s fine. There’s a lot of fun on Facebook to be had too! But please just keep in mind everything already touched on – your dog’s welfare is the priority. They can feel the physical effects of their environment, just like you. And give some thought to how other dogs behave around your dog when wearing a coat – body language is far more important to dogs than to us. Coats can mask important signals between dogs (such as hackles) which can lead to problematic interactions. Even certain colours might be a trigger for another dog who may not be so happy to see you bounding over.

And does your dog run about and seem as happy-go-lucky as when they are not wearing a coat? Do they like to swim a little and would otherwise feel hampered doing so? If we are still okay on this, I would always recommend giving them some naked freedom some of the time anyway, let them be dogs!

In conclusion

Hands up a who owns a hunting hound or a genuine husky? And there are other hardy breeds too for whom a coat is probably never needed. And sure, your grandparents may have always kept their dogs outside at all times, and many farming dogs still are. Thankfully though, we now know so much more about dog physiology, medical needs and emotional welfare. So keep in mind, just because a dog is “tough”, think about what that actually means to the two of you? Does that mean your dog enjoys being cold and wet? Nope! And does that mean you should without question part with your hard-earned cash and invest in a doggie Barbour? Not necessarily so.

Like I said at the very beginning, with all things dogs… it depends.

To conclude, gen up on your dog’s breed(s), consider their individual needs and traits, certainly their age. Even then, if you think you need a coat, consider what it is actually for. My mission is accomplished here if I have at least given you some pointers as only you can answer the question for yourself. It really will depend on your particular dog. After all that, if you’re still unsure, it probably means you should get one!