In order to understand and identify your dog’s predatory trigger it is highly beneficial to know what breed(s) of dog you have and to know what that breed was bred to do. For example, my Vizslas were bred to locate birds and other small game. Most dogs are not born with impulse control and so it must be taught otherwise they will see a trigger (or what I also call a stimulus) and want to chase after it. The chase part of the predatory motor sequence is only the beginning of the upswing for the undesired portion of the PMS on dopamine, and other feel good hormones. The peak is if they are successful in grab biting. That is when the dopamine and other hormones will start to come down and the dog will start to relax in satisfaction. Depending on what your dog is bred for, prefers on an individual level and personal experience the types of triggers will vary. Some dogs learn to use their eyes heavily to look for that exciting trigger. Some dogs will use their nose to sniff out a critter trail and some will use their ears to listen for a disturbance to bolt after. Many dogs will use all 3 of these approaches but not all at equal levels all of the time. Paying attention to your dog while out on walks (even while on leash) is very important. This is the best and safest way to teach your dog how to be safe and have impulse control around wildlife. So be sure to not be on your phone and if you have to take an important phone call do your best to be in as little of a distracting area as possible while that call takes place (even if you are using Bluetooth or otherwise hands free). So now let’s talk about threshold levels. There are three different thresholds that we should be aware of: under threshold, at threshold and over threshold. You can think of them this way: - Under threshold = green light - At threshold = yellow light - Over threshold = red light Green light threshold, a dog is able to think, be engaged with you enthusiastically and listen to you when you give a command.

The Vizsla has multiple names just like the Australian Cattle Dog. They are known as Vizsla (which means pointer), Hungarian pointer or the Magyar Vizsla. This breed has been around for over a thousand years and are considered one of the oldest known hunting dogs. It is thought that the vizsla is a descendant of the eighth-century Hungarian hunting dogs. The vizsla has faced near extinction not once but twice with the first being from the Turkish Occupation (1526-1696) with a more serious decline after the Hungarian Civil War (1848-1849). The breed recovered from a small stock of about 12 true vizslas thanks to Hungarian sportsmen. The second near extinction the vizslas faced was after the two World Wars and Russian Occupation but were saved this time in part thanks to Mrs. Elizabeth Mihalyi. Mrs. Elizabeth escaped Hungary with her family Vizsla named Panni XV and was bred with Betyar from Austria. This breeding established the Panni-Betyar line which is recognized by the AKC as a foundation stock of the breed. Vizslas are known for their exceptional hunting skills, relentless loyalty, and versatility. The breed was highly regarded and treasured by Hungarian nobility. For centuries landowning aristocrats horded the vizsla and preserved their pure blood with more recently the breed is seen as not only a great hunting companion but also one great for families. The vizsla is not only treasured for their physical features but also their ability to adapt to various situations which made them versatile and reliable for tasks beyond hunting. The vizslas were not only tied to nobility and status but they also proved their worth during times of war and conflict. They were used to guard camps, sentinels, deliver messages and be a part of military campaigns. Due to their speed and endurance that allowed them to be able to travel long and difficult terrains the breed was entrusted with carrying important messages across the battlefield to friendly commanders and troops. Even during the hardships of the battlefield the vizsla remained by the side of their soldier companions.

Overtraining is when a dog is physically overworked. Overstimulation is when your dog has been exposed to too many exciting or stressful events with no relaxation. With overtraining your dog may become lethargic, stiff, lame, fatigue, exercise intolerant even without much exercise. Other signs could be vomiting and diarrhea. With overstimulation your dog may become (more) anxious, irritable, compulsive, hyperactive and or destructive. The symptoms listed for overtraining or overstimulation is not exhaustive. Due to these symptoms your dog may opt to not participate in physical activities with you including walks. It is important to monitor for physical signs of burnout such as changes in gait or posture. If you are unsure if your dog is displaying any of these symptoms it is recommended that your dog is seen by a reputable veterinarian, or even a sport veterinarian, where they may suggest imaging such as radiographs. If that is the case it may be a good idea to have the radiographs be sent for review by a board-certified radiologist as well. Dogs that are overtrained or overstimulated may also have changes in their eating or sleeping habits. They may start to withdrawal from socializing with other animals or even the humans in the household or they may become clingier. You may see increases in fear or aggression towards housemates or humans. If this happens assess and address your training/rest schedule and incorporate mental stimulation such as a snuffle mat, lick mat, KONG original (or similar), KONG wobbler (or similar) or puzzle of some kind. Keep the puzzles easy and fun for the dog especially at the beginning. **Note that the suggestions are not physical, but they are mental/self-soothing in a healthy, productive and nondestructive way** Overstimulation, constant elation and or stress, can lead to a weakened immune system as well which in turn can cause your dog to be more prone to sickness and disease. If your dog starts showing signs it may be in their best interest to have your dog examined by a reputable veterinarian to at least establish a baseline especially if your dog does not improve.

Hello I am Leah I have my own dog called Jude and a cat called Tdog I am a dog walker and home boarder and what to learn to help the dogs and cats I look after