Doggies

Chained dogs suffer from stress and behavioral problems and are also more vulnerable to being attacked by other dogs

November is the month of Magusto – the traditional autumn festival –but from now on November will also go down in history as Month of Summits.

Earlier on tens of thousands of visitors invaded the Altice Arena at the Web Summit and on the 24th and 25th at least 1500 dogs are expected to take possession of the LX factory in Lisbon at the Dog Summit (https://www.dogsummit.pt).

Their caretakers – with or without their four-legged friend – will be treated to numerous workshops and lectures on training, healthcare, nutrition, and wellbeing. Moreover, the vast exposition area will accommodate a great variety of start-ups and companies offering a large number of services and products to the beloved animals.

‘This project is a first in Portugal’, say Cristina Pena and João Brochado – the couple that organizes the event – in the newspaper Público. ‘We want to emphasize a positive approach in the rearing of dogs instead of an aversive approximation. We often come across training methods based on punishment and negative reinforcement, leading to aggressiveness and anxiety in the dog.’

Therefore, much attention will be given to training methods that respect the welfare of the animals. Except for renowned trainers from home and abroad, there will also be veterinarians and behavioralists among the speakers.

Animal protection associations – like the civic movement Unchain your Dog  (http://www.quebraacorrente.pt) – will of course not be missing from the event.

‘In the end, the one who has to be educated is the caretaker, not the dog.’

Bom fim de semana                                                         Enjoy the weekend