NEWS AND OPINION, UK: From a lawyer’s point of view this is a slightly strange story. It is also a story which provides us with a lesson. A banker, a senior executive at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Yigit Onkan Sazak, and his wife Belma, sued in the county court a canine therapy business called Four Paws Walking and Training, which was started by Paul Ives, a former advertising executive less than two years ago with the aim of helping “dogs and owners form an unbreakable bond.”
We don’t know the circumstances which resulted in a rather serious spinal fracture and a broken leg while the dog, a Jack Russell, named Sirius, was at the Four Paws Walking and Training facility.
We do know that the spinal fracture was described as “quite serious” by the County Court judge, Edwin Omo-Regie. And The Times reports that the dog broke a leg.
Sirius was checked into the clinic in Suffolk to treat “anxiety and reactivity”. But after the treatment the couple were forced to spend about £7,200 in veterinary bills because of the injuries.
The banker sued the clinic to cover the veterinary bills and for the original training fee. He was successful in being awarded £10,583 which included interest. The business did not defend the action. They did not attend court.
However, they did say online in response to an earlier comment by Belma Sazak that they had informed the dog’s owners promptly after the “unfortunate accident”. They also told them that they had taken the dog to a veterinarian and had offered to “cover the medical costs for the operation, x-rays, medication and follow-up appointments”.
On that basis, it is difficult to understand why Mr Mrs Sazak decided to sue the clinic. It would appear that the clinic did not offer enough in compensation. There is no report that negotiations were entered into. There appears to be no attempt to negotiate a settlement outside of court.
I will presume that they were attempts and they failed. Mrs Sazak described their experience as a “complete nightmare”. She reviewed the clinic online and said that “the entire ordeal has inflicted significant emotional stress and financial hardship on us.” They also said that the dog had to be put on antidepressants to cope with not being able to run around while recuperating.
I would doubt that they suffered financial hardship bearing in mind that her husband is a senior city banker with what must be, I presume, an enormous salary! Also, they could have avoided the therapy bill and trained their dog themselves (see below).
The interesting aspect of the story is not really the compensation awarded but the circumstances under which the injuries occurred. I would like to know more. But the lesson to be learned is that when you leave your darling companion animal with a third-party contractor that is probably unregulated, you do so on the understanding that your dog will be well cared for. There has to be an element of trust here.
But accidents can happen. It would appear to me that these are more likely to happen in dog grooming parlours which are unregulated in the UK. There have been a number of accidents in these facilities sometimes fatal.
Training a dog to be less anxious and reactive
Training a dog to be less anxious and reactive involves a combination of behavior modification techniques, patience, and consistency. The goal is to gradually desensitize the dog to triggers that cause anxiety and reactivity, while reinforcing calm, confident behavior. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Understand the Triggers
- Identify triggers: Pay attention to what causes the anxiety or reactivity (e.g., other dogs, loud noises, strangers, etc.).
- Monitor body language: Signs of anxiety include yawning, lip licking, trembling, or pacing. Reactivity might include barking, lunging, or growling.
2. Create a Calm Environment
- Safe space: Ensure the dog has a quiet, comfortable area to retreat to when feeling stressed.
- Routine: Dogs thrive on structure, so maintaining a consistent daily routine helps them feel more secure.
- Positive association: Make the home a place where the dog feels safe by offering toys, chews, and relaxing activities.
3. Desensitization and Counterconditioning
- Desensitization: Gradually expose your dog to the triggers in a controlled way. Start from a distance where the dog can notice the trigger but doesn’t react. Slowly decrease the distance over time as the dog becomes less reactive.
- Counterconditioning: Pair the trigger with something positive (like treats or toys) to change your dog’s emotional response. For example, if your dog is reactive to other dogs, give them a treat every time they see a dog at a distance, before they start reacting.
- Controlled exposure: Keep exposure brief and non-threatening. Always work below the dog’s reactivity threshold to prevent overwhelming them.
4. Teach Calm Behavior
- Calm reinforcement: Reward your dog when they remain calm in situations that usually trigger anxiety. Use treats, praise, and calm petting.
- Settle command: Teach a “settle” or “relax” command where the dog learns to lay down calmly. You can reinforce this behavior by rewarding your dog every time they relax on their own.
5. Teach Focus and Attention
- Focus exercises: Teaching commands like “look at me” or “watch” helps shift the dog’s attention from the trigger to you.
- Impulse control: Practice exercises like “sit,” “stay,” or “leave it” to build the dog’s ability to control impulsive reactions.
6. Use Calm Body Language
- Stay calm yourself: Dogs pick up on their owner’s energy. Remain calm, confident, and patient when working with an anxious or reactive dog.
- Avoid punishment: Punishing a dog for reacting can increase anxiety and worsen the behavior. Instead, focus on reinforcing calm behavior.
7. Provide Physical and Mental Stimulation
- Regular exercise: Physical activity helps burn excess energy and reduces anxiety. Make sure your dog gets enough walks and playtime.
- Mental stimulation: Use puzzle toys, training sessions, and scent games to engage your dog’s brain, helping to tire them out mentally and reduce stress.
8. Consider Professional Help
- Trainer or behaviorist: If your dog’s anxiety or reactivity is severe, working with a certified dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist can provide tailored guidance.
- Potential medical issues: In some cases, underlying health issues or extreme anxiety might need to be addressed with veterinary care or anxiety-reducing medications.
9. Use Calming Aids if Necessary
- Calming tools: Products like Thundershirts (a snug vest for anxiety), calming pheromones, or supplements can provide additional support.
- Soothing environment: Play calming music or use white noise machines to help your dog feel more relaxed in anxiety-provoking situations.
10. Patience and Consistency
- Consistency is key: Training a dog to be less anxious and reactive is a gradual process that requires regular practice.
- Set realistic goals: Progress can be slow, especially if the dog’s anxiety is deeply ingrained. Celebrate small victories along the way.
By following these steps, you can help your dog become more confident, calm, and less reactive over time. Every dog is different, so it’s important to tailor the training approach to your dog’s individual needs.
