Julie M. Cohen
With warmer weather nearing and the recently approved Paws in the Park off-leash pilot program starting, residents will likely see more dogs scampering freely in several town fields.
Proper training is vital for that plan to be successful and for pups and their human companions to be safe and happy.
“If we learn more, we can help dogs,” said Vera Wilkinson, who has run the dog and puppy training program at the Belmont Recreation Department since 2021.
Brandon Fitts, the town’s director of recreation, decided to bring the classes to Belmont after numerous people welcomed dogs into their homes during the COVID pandemic.
“There was definitely a big need increase,” he said.
Since the program began, Fitts said 68 dogs — including 51 belonging to Belmont residents — have completed the obedience and puppy “kindergarten” sessions. Belmont will offer the courses again starting May 16.
Fitts said that in addition to teaching training techniques, each class “helps build community and gets people connected.”
Training and caring
Wilkinson said she has seen “COVID dogs” whose socialization needs weren’t met during the pandemic because they were stuck in lockdown with their owners. The pets initially weren’t well socialized since they couldn’t interact with other people and fellow canines.
For some owners, returning to work compounded their animals’ problems and separation anxiety, leading to giving up their pets.
But, even during “normal” times, owners can “miss a lot of simple opportunities to not have behavior problems build,” said Wilkinson.
With 29 years of experience at her own business, The Cooperative Dog, she’s seen this happen.
Reading and learning body language are vital for humans and their four-legged pals.
Some behaviors are well-known: A tail up high means “I’m interested” or “I’m engaged.” A tail between the legs means “I’m scared.” Hair ruffled on the spine might mean something is unfamiliar and “I’m scared.” And then, there’s the dreaded aggressive lunging and biting.
But other times, owners have been known to anthropomorphize their pets. They believe their dog looks “guilty” after doing something “naughty.” Wilkinson said that “guilty” behavior is the dog reading unhappiness in the human’s body.
People also may unintentionally reinforce “bad” or undesirable behavior. For example, maybe their dog likes to jump on people. After the owner tells the animal to sit, they treat the pup. Instead of learning not to jump, the dog has learned that it gets a treat after jumping up first and then sitting.
Wilkinson said that socializing and training can help prevent problems and teach people how to respond rather than fall into a bad cycle.
The overall keys to training? Positive reinforcement – and love.
“It’s on us to give them a great life,” she said.
For more information on dog/puppy training through the Belmont Recreation Department, visit belmontma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29970
To learn more about Belmont’s Paws in the Park pilot program, visit belmont-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif12826/f/uploads/paws_in_the_park_regulations.pdf
