It is 2012! With the start of a new year and the puppy adoptions that have happened and will happen in the coming months of spring, it feels like it is time to do a few posts on life with a puppy. I have a few suggestions, but am starting off with a video that demonstrates one of my favorite suggestions for not only how to train but also how to exhaust a puppy - use an older, well-behaved dog!
Dogs may be as receptive to certain human communication signals as infants. Here’s a great article that brings insight into how we communicate with our dogs. As with humans, actions speak louder than words!
I have been told by more than one person that having a dog is a huge responsibility they just aren’t sure they can handle. When I say I have three dogs, then they multiply my responsibility by three. Caring for a dog does take some of our time, so I decided I would write down a few of my responsibilities in having dogs. Here’s what I came up with:
I am responsible for …
Talking sweetly to Melody as she wiggles, crab-crawls, and “gets silly”
Picking up Moby and dancing around as I sing our song.
Brushing Zoe as she paws for me not to stop.
Walking Zoe as she frolicks in front of me and runs back full speed to sit for a pet.
Telling Moby that Zoe doesn’t have the only bone in the house.
Laughing every morning as Zoe talks to me (seriously!) and the little ones look to see if I’m awake as they prepare to meet the day as if it were the best thing ever.
Opening the back door and letting the dogs out…then, opening the door to let the dogs back in.
These are just a few of them…
I can now see why others perceive my having dogs as a HUGE responsibility. I gotta’ go now - there’s a dog that needs a hug.
. . .of course they do! There are experiences in life when science finally validates what some of us already knows or believes to be true. If you have spent any time observing dog behavior, you already know the answer to the question - Do Dogs Smile?
Being a responsible human isn’t always easy. Owning up to our choices and their resultant consequences can be a challenge. Sometimes, and too many times, it seems easier and harmless to blame someone, something, and worse of all - a being that cannot defend itself. The image below is worth sharing and has been making its way around Facebook. I completely agree with Cesar Millan. . .when will the humans be held accountable and responsible for their actions.
Unless you decide otherwise! I don’t have a one-method-fits-all approach to dog training and behavior modification. There are rules and then, there’s the wonderful “whatever” command. It, of course, should be used sparingly and preferably not when an overly serious dog trainer is around.
I believe the first few weeks of a dog’s life in their new home is when the standards should be set. I would go so far as to say they shouldn’t be allowed on the bed or furniture and they should go through at least basic obedience and learn house manners. If the dog is worthy of sharing the space on their human’s bed, then it can happen after an appropriate amount of structure.
In my home, I have had a “no dog on the bed” rule and I’ve had the “you’re little so you can be on the bed” rule, and now, it’s more of a right of passage. The larger dog, Zoe, doesn’t sleep on the bed and only gets up after being told it’s okay. She asks first and it’s usually in the morning when I’m getting ready for work. All of the dogs know the meaning of the word “off” and I think it is important to enforce it so they will follow instruction if we are visiting a not-so-dog-accomodating home.
It’s funny to me that people have kids and understand the need for structure but their dog knows no boundaries. If you want boundaries and peace in the kingdom and when out in public, start it early and be consistent. Later, it will all seem so easy - especially when you get the opportunity to tell them, “whatever!”
This post is a reminder of how our dogs live in the moment and what we can learn from them. Dogs are in the moment. The moment. They aren’t thinking about dinner, wondering how far we are going to have to walk, or wishing they would have brought their phone or ipod. They are full of awareness of the myriad of scents, sights and sounds as they take each step.
It reminds me of the study on gorilla behavior while in the wild. If a gorilla is walking through the forest and sees bananas in a tree, they will then look for a stick to use to reach the bananas. A gorilla has never been observed to pick up a stick and walk through the forest in the event they may later find bananas to eat. You might be thinking that it’s good to prepare and that’s what separates us from animals. I agree - to a point; however, they have the added benefit of not worrying about what comes next. . .how about you?
Zoe is exuberant about her walks and meeting people. She stops to smell the roses along the way (okay - maybe the scent is not actually from a rose). One moment, I’m joining her in appreciation and observation of what is around me and the next moment I’m thinking about what to buy at the store later this evening or I get lost in the concerns of the economy. The point is to challenge ourselves to take a thirty minute walk with our dogs (or with a two-legged companion) and see if we can stay in the moment for the entire time. I am working on it, and it is a practice. Thanks to Zoe (and wonderful friends), I have great teachers.
It’s thoughtful Thursday - take a walk even if it’s from your work to your car and see if you can stay in the moment. It’s an amazing way to live - just ask your dog.
