With the arrival of autumn, we find ourselves relaxing about all the problems that summer had to face us (the heat, the insects, the potentially harmful snakes, the very boring ears of corn), but we find ourselves face new and important adaptations that can mean health and well-being for our dog . Autumn and winter, first of all, give us the opportunity to be hosted respectfully by the woods, but, inevitably, they require us to share these spaces with hunters and their dogs.
I am a Dog Educator and dogs are, literally, the greatest and most beautiful part of my life. However, I am above all a lover of animals and nature in general, and therefore respect for every form of life, in its habitat, is a priority for me. When we walk in nature we must absolutely always remember that having a good relationship and good management of our dog allows us to prevent him from being a danger, not only for himself, but also and above all for the creatures that live there. the wild and non-anthropized environment. Our dogs are still relatives of incredible predators, but they do not hunt out of necessity, like wolves or other canids, and, therefore, we must always make sure to control and manage as best as possible, a predatory behavior that is only the result of an instinct (not a need) and which very often is not as aware and attentive as that of the wild cousins of our life partners.
A dog left without control can prey on animals that are potentially dangerous to it, can encounter accidents due to the geographical conditions of the place, can seriously injure without leading to death, creatures that will go through suffering that is too great to be acceptable. Few people know that man's ecological impact on wild species is, too often, reckless and inappropriate. Whether you agree with it or not, hunting, or the attitude of leaving domestic dogs free to express predation during walks in the countryside, upsets the balance of the inhabitants of the forest, sometimes causing very serious consequences on the ecology. of different species.
Both we and our domestic dogs are guests in the woods and for this reason we must protect our life companions, perhaps using work with them, appropriate games and natural snacks, to allow them to express adequate and non-dangerous predatory behavior , and we must, as a reflection of this important protection, do the same with all the animals that, well before us, inhabited this wonderful planet.
Dr. Marina Garfagnoli
Dog trainer
