This is the first of a two part series addressing the enrichment of the human-animal bond. Presently I’ll discus canine companion issues. Next month I will look at how felines interact with their caregivers.
Most will agree, having a well-behaved dog brings joy to a home. Better yet, having an obedient, well-behaved furry friend is awesome! I realize training takes time and energy, but let me be clear. Investing a relatively small amount of time during the initial introduction of a pet into your home will result in you reaping incredible rewards. Simply put, dogs respond very favorably to rules and regulations. Your relationship will be richer as training identifies and sets boundaries.
Instinct will initially guide your canine companion. Over time they will learn the “human” rules of the house. At the get go, to effectively communicate, you need to learn their “language”. It’s really quite simple. Deeper voices command more respect than do high pitched utterances. Your hand, placed on the back of their necks, symbolizes “mom” telling them what to do. Your fingers or hand, placed over the bridge of the nose, is alpha saying, “I’m in charge!” When a dog exposes its abdomen it is saying, “I am a lesser. Go ahead and do whatever you want to me.” Every canine is born knowing these innate ways to communicate.
In early September, an elderly client of mine presented a two-year-old neutered male Jack Russell Terrier for an examination. She was adopting him from a Mount Pleasant rescue organization. During the examination, it became quite clear (a guttural sound was emanating through his clearly visible TEETH) he didn’t want to be touched. His reluctance was easily explained. His prospective owner told me of the considerable abuse he had taken from his previous MALE owner. Once Biscuit was confident I meant him no harm, he began to relax. Pronouncing him in good health ensured he would be at Roberta’s side for many years to come. She had already started training him. He knew sit, stay, and was learning heal. She planned to enroll him in an obedience training program and had him vaccinated to protect him against Kennel Cough and other diseases.
It is not evil to crate or kennel a pooch when; they’re in a vehicle, while “training” them, at night or when you leave. In the wild you do not find canines frolicking about. Rather, they live in a den. Instinctively they know eliminating in the area where they sleep draws predators. Hence, they go an appreciable distance from their den to “take care of business.” When you’re out and about, confining your dog to a crate or a kennel takes advantage of this den mentality. It drastically reduces the likelihood of having an “accident” in your home.
Dogs that receive love in the form of exercise rather than food tend to do much better. The interaction that occurs during a casual walk is ideal. They learn how to communicate with people while burning a few calories. This is important both for their general health and their emotional well being. Expending those calories while interacting is an ideal way to help pets and their people stay fit while meeting each other’s social needs.
Should you have an issue with your canine companion that you are unable to resolve, please consult your veterinarian ASAP! Addressing any type of concern early on is far better than trying to undo a behavior that has been learned and reinforced through multiple repetitions.
