This is not an easy subject and still a bit raw personally. I feel the need to share. . .
I love that there are no-kill shelters. That is WONDERFUL!
They are full. All of the local shelters are full. What’s next for the dogs whose last stop was the local shelter and hopefully a no-kill one that is full? They are being abandoned along with their abandoned homes. It’s a difficult choice to make for their humans. An almost impossible one. So, leaving the dog behind or dropping them off in a neighborhood leaves more options for the dog, right?
Consider those options. . .starving or dehydration. Becoming ill and not having medical care. Being hit by a car. Feeling abandoned and lost without a clue of how to find food and water. Looking for a familiar face.
Those are a few of their options. Maybe someone will pick them up and bring them home. That someone may already be over their dog limit and financially strapped but feeling guilty to let this one go.
What are your options — keep your dog until you find a home or shelter that can take it. Don’t just put an ad in the local paper - ask rescues, ask friends, ask anyone. It’s better to experience a little sadness about re-homing your dog than the sickness of leaving them somewhere unsure of their future.
Ok - here’s the tough part. There are worse alternatives than humanely helping your dog go to sleep for a very long time. Most people have difficulty with death as is evidenced with our treatment of humans. It is far more humane to know the fate of your dog, than to leave it to chance or someone else.
I say this because I get a lot of calls from people who want to know if I can take their dog or help them find someone who can because they don’t want to take them to a shelter. There is a much better chance of adoption through a shelter where people are actively looking, than anywhere else. If, the choice has to be made by the already-over-filled shelter to “put your dog down” after a specific period of time, on behalf of your dog, I’d like to say there are worse things.
I hate writing this. I hate that dogs are euthanized by the thousands daily. What choice is there as long as people don’t spay or neuter their pets? That’s only part of the problem. The dogs that are being abandoned now may have been spayed and once came from a shelter. They deserve nothing less than humane treatment.
I welcome your thoughts, comments, and suggestions.
You’ve heard me say that dogs bark. I have some bad news. . .they also dig. Some enjoy the smell and feel of dirt as it is flying in the air and their bodies get dirtier as they become more engrossed in their task. Some breeds enjoy burying treasures in the yard so only they can return to them later.
Here are some reasons that a dog digs:
To make a cool place in the soil where they can relax
They are bored and it seems like a good thing to do
Instinct says, “What are you waiting for man, there’s earth to uncover! You might find something to eat”
They are young and goofy and everything is fun
To bury a bone or toy for later
They are certain they can get the rodent that just entered it’s home
Here are a few things to stop or at least detour your dog from digging:
Put their poop in the hole they just dug
Sprinkle cayenne pepper in the hole
Give them a place to dig that is theirs. Frame in an area or use a kiddie pool and fill it with sand. Bury some of their bones to encourage them to dig there.
Train them to stay away from the area where they dig by teaching them boundaries
If they are being left outside all day while you are at work and you come home to holes in the yard, this is a good indication of boredom. Another dog to play with might help (that could go either way - help with more holes or help with the boredom!) If you don’t give them something to do, they will find something.
I am a fan of healthy dog treats; i.e., some of the chicken jerkies, lamb and rice, and there are others. I also recommend Nylabone chew toys and Kong products. Treats for your dogs are just that - treats. They shouldn’t be large enough to replace a meal. We can save that luxury for the humans!
I’ve told you some of my favorite treats. Listed below are some of a dog’s favorite treats.
plastic water bottles (the noisier the better)
nice underwear (don’t ask me how they know)
“things” that should remain in the garbage
“things” a woman really wishes had stayed in the trash
Fear not when one of the above “chews” gets swallowed. Usually, with no assistance, within about three days the object of their consumption will pass. That’s if it hasn’t already come up. I recently heard of a Labrador that took 9 days to pass a very fluffy sock.
You can just pretend that you are on a special assignment with CSI as you follow your dog around praying for the site of something that resembles what went in their mouth. If, of course, within reasonable time it hasn’t found it’s way out or your dog stops eating and/or eliminating, see a veterinarian immediately. There may be a blockage and it can require surgery if it is stuck or twisted in the intestine.
While I recommend the natural treats in the first paragraph, be aware that your dog may have other ideas!
There are a lot of options for dog toys and chews. Depending on your dog, the stuffed toys can leave a nice layer of white fluff all over the floor and for only a few seconds of enjoyment!
I recommend:
A Natural Beef Bone. These can be purchased at pet stores such as PetSmart. They come in a variety of sizes. They also come filled, but I wouldn’t suggest those unless you’re comfortable with the ingredients. The bone is porous but hard. Most dogs enjoy chewing on them and for added taste, you can soak it in bouillon or spread a dab of peanut butter along the edge.
Nylabone makes a variety of products that last a while and do not typically break off in tiny pieces which can be a choking hazard.
If you have a teething puppy - try soaking a washcloth in water, ringing it out, and freezing it. This feels good on the dog’s gums and they may feel satisfied that they are “allowed” to chew on a cloth. (Don’t remind them that you gave it to them)
Rope toys are good as long as you throw them out when the rope becomes shredded.
Those are some of my top picks. I don’t recommend rawhide as it does not digest. A small piece can get lodged in their throat or if swallowed it sits in their stomach.
Also, rotate their toys. If everything is out all of the time, they get desensitized and may find the chair leg or even their own bed to be a suitable substitute!
Dogs are definitely obvious about being dominant or their attempts at dominance by posturing and stance. Once you know what to look for, their exchange is a learning experience. As long as everyone is cooperating and show signs of being accepting to one another, I don’t intervene.
So, in the morning I put the dog bowls down — now five. And, I observe. I leave the room briefly and return to see that Moby, the 10 lb. yorkie mix is eating out of the extra large bowl intended for Violet, the Great Dane. I stood quietly and then realized that Violet was eating out of the ashtray-size food dish that is intended for Moby!
I couldn’t help but laugh but also be aware that since Violet is the newest member of this pack, she was following orders nicely. . .or was she? What may have looked like Moby took over could very well have been perfectly fine with Violet because there could be something in his food bowl that isn’t in hers.
I had a good laugh and then respectfully directed them back to their own bowls. They didn’t care, and I’m sure were quite satisfied at knowing that kibble was the entree for both of them (and the others).
Later that evening, I walk into the living room and guess what? Moby is lying in the middle of the largest dog bed while Violet looks at him in earnest silently looking for a sign or blessing from Moby that he’d either share the bed or perhaps consider an exchange for the bed that fits Moby.
Once again, I respectfully, intervene and make them move to their appropriate places. They listen and respond to me, but it sure is entertaining to watch the dynamic as they vie for the position of dominant dog. (Don’t tell them that will ALWAYS be me!)
I so appreciate Cesar Milan’s approach and instruction on being a calm, assertive leader. What I see a lot of are loud, anxious, demonstrative, wanna-be-leaders. And, I’m not talking about the dog. =)
In observing the introduction of dogs to one another, there is a posturing but not a lot of noise. Usually, the noisy one is attempting to demonstrate their authority. I’m not sure that the alpha/leader in the group isn’t amused by the interaction while appearing tolerant.
Remember that when you are demonstrating authority to one or more dogs, that you do it with intention and presence of mind rather than as a reaction and in fear. Think of something that you really KNOW and then bring that same level of knowing to BEING the authority with the dog. They WILL get it as soon as you do.
Since it’s an election year and all I was thinking about democracy in my home. I realized that there is a form of democracy at work. One description notes that in a democracy all members of the society have equal access to power (equal rights) and the second that all members enjoy universally recognized freedoms and liberties. The majority rule is another key aspect of a democracy.
So? Well, my relationship in the pack is democratic in that I treat everyone equally. Affection, in particular, is given to each the same. Appropriately, of course! They are all fed the same diet and at the same time. And, that’s where it ends because there is no equal access to power. They don’t all have the same freedoms and definitely the majority couldn’t rule, because I’d be odd-man-out for sure!
I never wanted to be a part of a dictatorship; however, like it or not, I think I have one. I’m a kind, loving dictator, but I am one, none the less. It sounds so much better to say Pack Leader, doesn’t it?
Don’t tell the dogs that this November, they don’t get to vote! =)
I have had several calls from clients who say that their dog growls and tries to bite people who reach to pet them. Then I find out that they are carrying their dogs because they are little. Stop that!
If you are concerned about the safety of your pup because someone unstable (be it dog or human) is approaching, then do what you feel is best. Otherwise, you are contributing to the very behavior that you are trying to correct.
By giving affection (holding) your dog as someone reaches toward them, you can be giving the message that if the dog responds aggressively, it’s okay or even good. They may also be attempting to protect you and again, you are letting them know that growling and snapping is acceptable.
Little dogs, fragile though they may seem, are still dogs. You knew I was going to say that. IT IS TRUE. It’s as important to instill confidence and to expect appropriate behavior from small dogs as it is from larger breeds.
Of course it’s okay to give affection, but only when the dog is in a calm state of mind.
A jumping dog is the number one complaint of people with larger breed dogs and of the friends and family of people with little dogs who think that it doesn’t bother anyone that their dog jumps to greet them.
It’s important first to look at what we do to contribute to this response. Our front doors are typically a place of greeting - animated voices, excited energy of seeing who’s there and welcoming them into our homes. If they are dog lovers or suffer from guilt of not being, they may anxiously speak to the dog as they touch him as he’s jumping up on them. You’re telling the dog “off!” and your friends are saying “Oh, it’s okay!” I think it’s obvious to understand the confusion of the dog.
The focus is the door and the entry. Good things happen there! Your dog is not only responding to the excited energy of everyone greeting each other, but to being touched as he jumps. So, he’s also getting affection while he’s jumping. Not exactly what you want!
The other part of this is the all-important question of how much you’ve actually worked with your dog using a situation like this for training purposes. Here is one way of breaking your dog from the habit of jumping on people when they are at the door.
Stage a visit - have a friend or neighbor come over and work with you and your dog.
Put a leash on your dog and keep them back from the door far enough so that they can’t immediately jump on your guest.
Invite your guest to let themselves in and to walk past you as they ignore the dog. Yes, ask them to ignore the dog - completely! If the dog jumps as they enter, immediately correct them and have them sit (the dog, not your guest!)
When your dog is calm and sitting, you may have your guest greet them.
This may not produce instantaneous results, as it is a process. Consistency and patience will pay off and will bring better results. Your dog will learn that they get affection and praise when they are away from the door and off your guests! There are other suggested ways to work with your dog not to jump. I’ll cover those in later posts.
Animals, like us, are beings of energy. There is kinetic energy. This is energy in motion. I am not referring to that, but rather the energy that is the basis of everything — the stuff that we’re all made of.
You’ve probably heard that what you feel travels down the leash to the dog. More importantly, as dogs they convert whatever energy we are experiencing through our thoughts and actions into an “appropriate” dog thought and action. In other words, they respond in the “dog equivalent” to our human emotion, thought, and posturing.
It is through awareness and observation that we can make subtle shifts in what we are feeling and in how we are using our bodies. This transfers to a different and what we humans would call a more desirable reaction from our dog. Let’s just say, we are more likely to get the response we want and have a much more attentive and content dog.
Dogs are never intentionally responding inappropriately nor are they ever bad in the way that we may interpret the word. They are just acting in a way that is natural for them at that particular moment in time. We spend a lot of wasted energy trying to get the dog to understand human thought rather than it being the other way around.
I’m not saying that we should just accept whatever the behavior is. It is difficult not to transfer our emotional expression to our dog. We assume that they are thinking as we are. By humanizing our dogs, we miss the opportunity to see what’s really going on.
Chances are, your dog is responding appropriately given their history, genetics, training (or lack of), and maybe most importantly, their instincts.
As a side note, I think it’s fair to say that we humans tend to forget that we also live a lot of our life based on instinct - human instinct. We should remember to understand and work with our dogs based on their instincts and not ours.
For a related article on humanizing your dog, check out: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/humandog.htm
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