Dog Columns - A Fun Way to Bring Dog Behavior to the Everyday Reader!LET ME SHARE SOME DOG COLUMNS WITH YOU. ENJOY!
Dogs can think. Like humans, they have a convoluted frontal lobe. The difference between the brains is by degree only; not that one species has it, and the other does not. Dogs, if given the opportunity, are brainier than many people give them credit for. Having said that, when we recently exchanged our gas-guzzling SUV for a trendy Hybrid vehicle it became apparent that my dogs are not the greatest conceptual thinkers. Davie and Will have a very strong, and positive, association to the word “car”. We never kennel or fly them, which means that every vacation we take is by car and they are part of it. The car transports them to their favorite park and to the beach throughout the summer. They often join us when we run errands, not because they couldn’t be left alone in the house, but because both hubby Mike and I enjoy taking them. We all like to feel our legs and often incorporate a walk or hike into the trip to town. All our walks are meaningful because our “girls” get bored easily, and I’m a firm believer that brainwork is as tiring as bodywork. Just think back how exhausted you were after a math exam. Leisurely strolling and sniffing is interspersed with sharpening obedience commands, real life agility jumping over fallen logs and across creeks or weaving through a set of trees in a row, and nose work when I ask them to find objects, like an “accidentally” dropped mitten or sock - and the car wherever it’s parked. Both eagerly anticipate the “find the car” command on the way back and, in the past, successfully led us every time to the SUV, even if it was sandwiched between two others at a busy parking lot. For Davie and Will “car” equals fun, and I was sure they knew that car means the thing that gets them to places and back home. That it only meant SUV became evident the day the Hybrid arrived, parked in our driveway in its usual spot. Both dogs, instead of gingerly dancing around it, completely ignored its presence. They made no attempts to jump in when we sorted maps, CDs and other necessities into the compartments, but continued to look through it like it wasn’t there. When I told them to “find the car”, I was met with two blank expressions. “No car here, stupid!” they said. So in the house we went. I hung the car keys up, put the collar on Davie and harness on Will, grabbed the keys again, asked who wanted to come for a car ride, opened the car door and, remembering the routine, they jumped in. Brainy canines after all. They couldn’t figure out that car meant four wheels, seats and an engine, and not green SUV with yellow paw-print decals all over it, but they knew a behavior sequence and followed it to the end. I wonder how long it’ll take them to find the Hybrid in the parking lot.
The maxim that dog trainers generally disagree on about everything that makes a well-behaved canine companion out of an instinct-ridden predator is true. That makes life difficult for layowners who have to sort through all that conflicting information, and are utterly confused which method to follow. There is one exception. Punitive coercive trainers on one pole, and purely positive dog experts on the opposite end, and every dog pro in between see eye to eye that if a dog’s daily routine is predictable, she will be better behaved. Consistency in handling does exactly that; the pooch knows what is expected and has learned how to respond in ways that keeps her life in order. That leads to reliable compliance and diminishes stress, which is a major contributing factor to many problem behaviors. Consistency means to always use the same cue words, apply the same consequences, and enforce rules and commands once they are given. It means not kneeing the excited pooch one day and pat her the next when she jumps, or to command her “down” for both the position and to tell her to quit counter-surfing. It also means, ideally, that every family member is on the same page. And here is the problem. In real life ideally rarely happens. So the question is if one can have a dog who behaves even if dad enforces leash rules while mom is pulled to the fire hydrant; if parents don’t tolerate begging while the kids nosh the pooch the veggies they despise. Unless you are dealing with a serious problem, the answer is yes. To make it clear, a dog will respond most reliably to the person who is most consistent, and if you are dealing with a major issue you need a plan, and every family member has to follow through. That said, one can have a great human/dog relationship and a good canine citizen, even if one is a self-described “lazy” owner, or a dog-rookie not yet skilled enough to be always on it. One shortcut is to focus on things that are most important to you. For example, as an off-leash enthusiast I don’t care if my dogs automatically sit when I halt, or walk behind or right beside me, but it is important that they come when called and move to the side when I give the “over” command to let other trail users pass. I put a lot of effort into practicing those behaviors to a default, and because of that my dogs obey out of habit. Hubby Mike put less time in it, because he has less time. The dogs come when he calls, but when he tells them to move “over” they both look at me as if to ask if he’s serious. If I repeat the command, they move to the side. Mike does not expect our “girls” to be as reliable with him as they are with me, so he keeps them leashed when he takes them out by himself. And that’s another key to savvy dog ownership. Know yourself and know your dog and wisely manage what you haven’t practiced enough. Don’t expect your pooch to compensate for your mistakes, lack of commitment or knowledge. If you give 80 percent, you won’t get 100 percent in return.
It is planting season where I live - a log home on an one-acre lot in a thousand- people community, bedroom to a small town in Nova Scotia, one of the three Canadian Maritime provinces. We moved here from Western Canada, leaving the rat race of large city life. There we lived in the ‘burbs, a house twice the size of the log home, on a lot that was little more than a strip of grass – just enough for my pooches to pee on. In lieu of a fenced yard, we took the dogs for walks several times a day, and to off-leash parks and hiking trails a few times each week. Still, I felt sorry for them when we lounged outside on warm summer days and they where restraint on a leash. So when we moved into our new digs, with a third of an acre completely fenced in, I allowed my pooches to do as they pleased whenever we were outside. I soon discovered that what they like best is to landscape everything that has NO grass on it. Will gleefully digs little holes at many places; true to her delicate nature tenderly with one paw, sometimes finding something edible in there. Ten-year-old crazie-Davie, the forever juvenile, still has puppy-like zoomies and particularly the feeling of earth and sand underneath her paws elicits maniacal runs around the yard, interspersed with moments of intense digging that sends dirt flying everywhere. I take great pleasure in watching them have so much unrestricted fun on their own turf, and at the same time it put me in a mental conflict when we decided to make use of the NO-grass are and plant a vegetable garden. The purpose of planting food is to eventually harvest where it was planted, not wherever the seeds flew - or at all. Because of my rookie gardening skills I already suspected an interesting harvest. I didn’t need additional canine help. The solution to my conflict was to change my dogs’ association to the planting plot: from playground to paws-off zone - preferably before the seeds would go in. Equipped with my bait bag, Davie’s Guz toy and Will’s red ball, we took advantage of a sunny afternoon and learned “All good things happen as long as you stay out of the garden”. First, we had a fun practice of commands, positions and tricks I rewarded frequently with yummy food. Then I tossed handfuls of tiny treats across the yard and sent them out to find the loot. And I played ball with them as long as there was not one paw print in the dirt. It didn’t take long before the earthen spot became boring, and the once boring grassy section turned into the action packed playground zone. And, because the “girls” are so cooperative since, hubby Mike promised to build them a dirt box. Once it’s done we’ll spend a training afternoon outside again, with treats, toys and bones to be hidden and buried in it; to instill interest and to teach them where they are allowed to dig and grub all they want. I have my garden, and they’ll have theirs – the best of both worlds.
My dogs are gifted! They understand English, German and words spelled. Walk and w-a-l-k elicit the same annoyingly happy barks. Our walks are the highlight of our day. Davie and Will sniff, pee at strategically important spots and, if lucky, find poopsicles deposited by ungulates. I love to watch my dogs, interact with them, chat with a neighbor, or let my mind wander. Many dog/owner teams don’t enjoy the mental, physical and emotional benefits walking offers. That’s because the stroll becomes a drag when 95-pound Brutus acts like a sled-dog team all by himself. Pulling is a very common problem, because outdoors people and dogs’ interests differ. Dogs keenly sense many environmental stimuli and it is natural for them wanting to investigate the whiffs, underground rodent sounds or movements in bushes. From the dog’s point of view, his person lacks sense-itivity and speed and either densely heads in the wrong direction, or is boringly slow. So Brutus pulls, and with every step he succeeds and you follow, he is powerfully reinforced for it. It works, even if you are frustrated at the other end of the leash. He’ll do it again and again and soon pulling is a habit. It is a big problem for many owners, and they are willing to spend money on anything that curbs the behavior and make walks pleasurable. There are plenty of “New and Improved” collars and harnesses on the market that promise just that. Typically, the collars tighten around a dog’s neck, and the harnesses fit around the dog’s nose. Regardless of type and brand, these control apparatuses have one thing in common: they rarely work and never improve attention and the relationship. Either the dog still pulls, now coughing and gagging, or she forever rubs and paws her snout to get the contraption off. In addition, dogs trained with such devices rely on that crutch, which means that when it’s not on, polite walking isn’t on either. When my dogs and I are out and about, I want them want to be with me. I aim for a relationship where I don’t walk my dogs, or they walk me, but all of us enjoy the bonding and meaningful activity together. That kind of companionship is also what my clients wish for, and it is achievable with almost every dog. A dog who knows that all good things happen within 3-4 feet proximity to the owner stays there voluntary, attentively and reliably. “All good things” does not mean shoving treats into the dog’s mouth indiscriminately. Davie and Will’s favorite walking reward is when I animatedly change directions and pace and they get to chase me. They also like it when I am chatty. My happy voice and loving attention never fails to keep their bodies next to mine. Periodically, I toss a treat out for them to find. Or I take their balls out, or ask them to target a stick, or practice commands, teach them to leap across a creek or weave through a set of trees that are closely together. I don’t make fun happen nonstop, but am full of creativity and surprises throughout the walk. Don’t ignore your dog when she politely walks next to you, offers attention and seeks group activity. But do ignore her when she pulls toward something or someone. If she has a destination, and can’t wait for you, she shouldn’t get there. Halt instantly and don’t look or talk to her until she connects back to you and creates the loose leash. Then carry on. If your pooch learns that only a slack in the leash lets her investigate, loose-leash walking, not pulling, becomes the habit. And your walk together can be the highlight of your day also. The other day, to prevent the annoying pre-walk barking, I re-phrased and asked hubby Mike if he’d like to join us with: “Wanna go for a pleasurable journey on foot to the w-o-o-d-s”? Both dogs’ eruption in excited yips reminded me that they know the word “go”, even if part of a sentence. Gifted they are.
Does it Doodle in your neighborhood? Do you own a designer dog? We do! Hubby Mike and I have a Bossie and a Berv. Both our “girls” came second hand with unproven pedigree; maternal genes known – sperm donor undetermined. The Bossie, Davie, is an Australian Shepherd with a possible touch of Border Collie; Berv Will was whelped by a Border Collie but looks like a Belgian Tervuren. Of course I’m kidding. Officially our dogs are mutts, not trendy designer dogs. They are crossbreeds by chance, not intention like a Schnoodle, Puggle or Pootalian. It was in the mid-nineties when I first encountered a Labradoodle. My raised eye-browed “Labra what?” was met with a detailed explanation of the benefits that result when one mates a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle. Acquaintances of ours, and life-long German Shepherd owners, were tired of all that flying hair that comes with a Shep and searched for a non-shedding dog as their next pet. They still wanted a large, robust and brainy dog and found the seemingly perfect match in the Land Down Under. What they got was a hyper, strong, boisterous boy who outsmarted them – and was shedding, albeit only moderately. They kept and loved the pooch, but their trust in the knowledge and skills of designer dog breeders quickly vanished. Are designer dogs just overpriced mongrels, or is there is a real advantage in selectively crossing different purebreds? Many pedigreed pooches are inbred and come from a small gene pool - the canine equivalent of incest, which often results in fancy, blue-blooded pups with a delicate physical constitution and an intense personality. At the same time, there is a market for purebreds. Some folks don’t like surprises and are willing to hand over a substantial amount of moolah for a pooch whose size, appearance and temperament is predictable cause his parents were carefully chosen. A dog by design through the deliberate mating of two different purebreds creates, at least theoretically, a healthier, sounder pet without losing the predictability of a certain look and expected disposition. Human nature pursues perfection. All of today’s dogs once were the result of purposely combining two nearly perfect dogs with the hope that the offspring inherits the best genes of both, and none of the ones that put the “nearly” into perfect. Since my first encounter with the imported Doodle, I met many designer dogs that are healthy and have a wonderful personality. I have also seen many that fell through the cracks of Mendel’s genetic principles. And I question the sincerity of good intent when someone purposely creates litters of unmanageable, for most people, dogs in quest of the all-time agility or flyball champion, or white tiny puffs of hair that cost 300 bucks more if they have apricot-tinted ear tips. A designer dog does not guaranty perfection, just like a designer label doesn’t mean the jeans fit. On that note, I’ll better put mine on and take the Berv and Bossie for a walk. Maybe we’ll run into that cute Shlapso they played with the other day.
There is snow in the forecast where I live. Not much, but it does remind me that I oughta mail my dogs wish list off to Santi Paws. I think I mentioned before that Davie and Will are brilliant, the little darlings, but they aren’t able to scribble on paper what they’d like to find in their stocking, hung with care. According to a survey conducted by Petfinder, 63 percent of dog owners give Christmas presents to their pets. We belong to the majority. Including the canine family member into the festivities feels good all around; for humans because giving is better than receiving, for dogs because they love to get stuff, period. Gift giving is only one aspect of the Holiday Season; there is decorating house and yard, shopping, baking and cleaning, functions to go to and company that’s coming; family gatherings sometimes with people one doesn’t really want to gather with.All that can be exciting, but also very stressful for people – and dogs. By now, most everyone knows to keep the dog away from the box of chocolates under the tree, and fatty food scraps from the dinner table. Helping him deal with Holiday stressors is just as important. The young, inexperienced, or timid pooch could spook when a big, red Santa inflates in front of the house, or when he sees a snowman with a black hat and broom in the neighbor’s yard. Suddenly his turf he’s known all his life changes, and that is scary, and his natural response is to bark, lunge or bolt. The smart owner calmly increases the distance until the pooch relaxes, and then lets him observe the new things on the block so it can be checked off as non-threatening. Offering a piece of his favorite loot, or engaging him into a familiar and fun game, further contributes that the cagey canine feels cool again in his ‘hood, despite all the changes. Every dog, even the friendliest people lover, can be overwhelmed when too many hands are patting. And because he can’t pour himself another Bourbon to calm the nerves, he might growl – or shy away, or bark, chase, pant or pace. A dog often doesn’t have the choice to escape, physically or mentally, all that commotion, and so lashes out. The onus is on the owner to recognize when the pooch has had enough partying, and provide a safe, quiet place where he can chill undisturbed. That, and keeping the dog’s routine as much as possible, for example feeding the same food at the same time, and going for walks at the usual time, ensures that giving presents on Christmas Morn’ isn’t the only happy event during the Holidays. Presents – right, I have to get that wish list done. I wonder what my girls want this year? A Nina Ottosson interactive toy? A ball for Davie to add to the dozen she already has? Carob covered liver for Will? Extra meaty marrow bones and “accidentally” dropped pieces of roasted turkey, or that jazzy white collar with black sheep prints for black and white Aussie Shepherd Davie – wait, that would be a present more for me; but an extra long walk where there are a few slow squirrels, or maybe a….
Research indicates that dogs smell the way humans see. For example, before I indulge in my Sunday dinner, I am visually delighted by the colorful arrangement of crispy fried chicken, green broccoli, orange carrots and red, tomato-flavored rice, and take a moment to reflect and give thanks. My dogs, were I to place the same plate in front of them, would eye it as an undistinguishable chow, but would smell the chicken, broccoli … as distinctly different food stuff. So the research says. My own observations confirm that only somewhat. Nose-savvy Will selectively eats around the despised vegetables that are part of her home cooked dinners, while Davie, whose keenest sensory organs are her ears, gobbles hers up without hesitation. I always assumed that was because she likes veggies, but maybe she just doesn’t “see” with her sniffer where the chicken ends and the carrot begins.Smelling details or not, the fact is that all dogs have an excellent sense of smell. “Big deal”, you might say, “what’s so new about that?” True! Most folks know about K-9 canines and search and rescue dogs that find bad and lost people, or pooches trained to detect drugs, bombs, epileptic seizures or even cancers. However, fewer people are aware how scent work can be, and is, incorporated in positive family pet training and relationship strengthening. Scenting is a genetically hardwired, and therefore highly desired, activity for dogs. To explore the world with his schnoz is something Rover wants to do. Anything a dog wants becomes a powerful reward you ought to put under your control. “Reading” what the neighbor put out on garbage pick-up day is important for your dog, but he should only be allowed to investigate after he paid attention to you, and walked nicely on the leash. The environment becomes full of life rewards for offered good behavior. Scenting, because it comes so natural and is one of the few things dogs are better at than humans, is a great confidence builder for the timid pooch. Our drama queen Will, who falls to pieces in an obedience or agility class, excels in recreational tracking. The task oriented activity to find family members, or a mitten I “accidentally” lost on our walks, expedited bonding first, and now gets us a lot of voluntary attention. On hikes, Will is very aware of her job to scout for the best path and, although off the leash in the woods, never moves far ahead. And even the last recall when we are at the dog park is her highlight of the outing. Clipping her back on the leash is never a problem, cause she knows that it is up to her to find the car in the parking lot. I wonder if she thinks that her humans are too dumb to remember where the car’s at – or if she knows we are all playing a game? It doesn’t really matter. Using the nose with purpose is physically stimulating and mentally satisfying; tiring and emotionally calming. It is a fantastic tool to redirect a fearful-reactive pooch, and refocus the one who’s too engaged in the environment back to the handler. And the beauty of it is that you can have fun with structured sniffing anywhere and anytime. Have your pooch find his toys, the children, your spouse or part of his food strewn around the house and yard. Even if your dog doesn’t have Will’s aptitude for sniffing, but is a little scents-dense like Davie, with creativity, encouragement and patience anybody can reap the benefits that come when a canine is given a nose-job.
Many years ago I attended an aggression seminar offered by my hometown’s continued education program. The instructor, like many people, accepted the dominance-hierarchy theory as truth, and warned that one of the signs that a dog is dominant is if he is height seeking – wants to be spatially above, or on the same level as his person. “The top dog is the dog on top”, the instructor clarified, and advised to ban the pooch from sofa and bed. That was many years ago, but the belief still prevails, with trainers and layowners alike. The problem is that the theory often doesn’t translate into according rules, because snuggling up with the beloved pooch is a very pleasing activity for dog lovers. In the olden days, it was the lap dog’s job description to keep the Lady warm in bed at night while the Gent finds his warmth with the mistress, and to attract her fleas and lice during the day. Not only was the dog tolerated next to the person, but wanted there. Nowadays, most of us are not infested with nasty bugs, we can buy cozy blankets, and adultery is morally unacceptable. Our homes are warmer, but our society colder. The modern human lives in a fast paced and anonymous world, but still has touchy-feely needs for affection and emotional closeness. That where the dog comes in. He is the recipient, lean-on, confidant for all those velvety feelings; it’s his new job description. And that goes not just for lap dogs, but for any breed, and hence, dogs of all sizes can be found sprawled on the sofa and hogging the pillow. Concurrently, “discipline over affection” warnings are hard to miss. The “top dog” message some trainers purport clash with the feelings many owners have, and that creates conflict. On one hand, the owner wants to cuddle, on the other hand, she worries that by doing so she promotes aggression. Indeed, that is the sentiment I often hear from my clients, and they are relieved when I tell them that there isn’t a conflict. Dogs are keen to be on furniture not because they are dominance seeking, but because those places are soft and comfy, and smell like their beloved people, and that offers security to an insecure dog, especially when home alone. A dog who sneaks up on furniture is not a bad dog, but maybe a needy one. When the owners are home, the sofa is still soft and comfy, and sharing space is bonding and relaxing for both species. A dog on furniture is not a problem, but one who guards space and defends it, is. To be certain that it is comfort that drives your pooch to flop himself next to you, and not dominance, watch if he waits until you give him a permission signal. If he is on the couch already, he should move over or off when you want to sit there; surrender space and make room for you. If our 40-pound Davie, with a personality the size that occupies hubby Mike’s complete side of the mattress, wouldn’t shift her legs a little when he climbs into bed, but instead were to snarl at him, we’d have a problem that would warrant action. Kicking her off, or out of the bedroom, would be the logical thing to do, but the fact is that such measures are rarely successful, because controlling space as a resource can happen any place that is important to the dog; the door, yard, where her food dishes are, around you, or under the covers. To give resources freely, but to make them contingent on the dog’s behavior to be relaxed, attentive and polite, is the key to change a social climber’s attitude about life. Then you can snuggle all you want, and never have an alpha problem – like us. The top dog is not the one spatially high, but the one who sets the rules. With our dogs, the rule is: don’t mind your own business and velcro yourselves next to us, but wait for the “hop-up” command first.
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