You’ve had “Pickles”, you’re fluffy, sweet, little Pomeranian for 3 years now. He’s so smart. Look at him. Look at him! Look at widdle pickews!
You potty trained him in just a week, that’s how smart he is! He’s always been the perfect dog. He thinks he’s a person! Pickews!
And then Pickles takes a big dump right on your pillow. “What?? He’s never done that before”! Or he suddenly begins chewing the furniture or pissing on your favorite rug. “What is he doing”? Many times over the years I’ve heard similar stories from people. It seems like a complete mystery. Why would a dog ‘s behavior suddenly change from nice to naughty? When people come to me for advice, because their previously perfect pooch has begun redecorating their home with his bowels, I always ask this question first. What has changed in your life? What’s new? Often, the answer is “a new baby” or “we just moved”.
Almost any significant change in a dog’s regular life routine can result in behaviors that are stress related. Undergoing renovations? Dog gets hot-spots.
Got a new roommate? “Pickles” craps on your couch. Dogs react to what’s going on but not always in the way we would like. If you are about to bring changes into your life like the ones listed above, you can help your dog adjust by making him feel protected. you do this by subtly tightening the reigns. Walk him close to you. Have him sit more often. Ask him to work a little more. This takes him out of his own thought process, which may be confused by current events, and into your thought process. You are essentially distracting him with structure. You are letting him know that when he feels he can’t count on the life he is used to…he can still count on you to guide him through it. Dogs are very smart but don’t overestimate their ability to reason or apply logic. By guiding them with structure you are telling them “I have your back. There is no need to fear”. This is a great time, in fact, to institute new rules if there are behaviors you would like to change. With this thought process in mind, I have a theory. You have heard the old saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”? Sure you can. It’s just harder, normally, to change behavior because it requires deprogramming. That’s more difficult than instituting rules from the onset. Here is my thought. Want to change already established behaviors? Alter the life your dog knows in small ways like re-arranging your furniture. Re arranging the furniture may throw them off just enough for you to institute new rules and their reception to it will increase. They will have less routine to hold on to and will desire reassurance which can be in the form of new rules. Be sweet and kind but solid and repetitive. Also be sure to make it fun. Positive reinforcement and solid, consistent leadership will create a happy life for your dog and your family, not to mention a crap-free pillow!

So, Molly and I have this new Chihuahua puppy we adorned with the name “Fergus”. It was a toss up when we met him between the names ”Dobby”, “Fergus”, “Pickles” and “Pinhead”. Molly’s first choice was “Fergus” but, it being the most dignified of our options, I wanted to ensure he was, indeed, a dignified dog before we gave him such a moniker. He isn’t. But we named him “Fergus” anyway. A more appropriate name might be “Beelzepup” and I’m not convinced he is pure Chihuahua anyway. He must have some piranha in his lineage somewhere, I think. He has his cute moments though. Lots of them. And after a particularly silly leap in the air or during a rollicking game of “Steal my sock” Molly will look at him lovingly and say “He’s a good puppy” to which I ask…”Is he?” ..and she’ll say “…well…he’s a puppy.” We do love him though. Needle teeth and all. After noticing just before bedtime that Fergus had used my side of our white blanket as toilet paper I pondered the question..”Why do we have dogs?” The question was rhetorical this time but I have asked the question in earnest before.

Sometimes, I am asked to train others to handle dogs professionally. Dog walkers, Dog Handlers, Boarders and Transporters… People who are in the business of caring for Dogs who do not belong to them. Before I begin to talk about safety measures, the appropriate collars and leashes, how to walk a dog properly…before I talk about anything, really…I have a discussion about “Why do we have dogs?” What do dogs mean to people? I’m not talking about historically or their practical purpose as guard dogs or bomb sniffers…just what they mean to the average person. Nobody adopts a King Charles Spaniel or a 5 lb. Maltese for personal protection. So why do we adopt them? They cost us money. Lots of money in food and vet bills over time. We pick up their poop too! Nice. As Fergus lay across my face the other night, waking me from sleep as I struggled to breath I thought to myself…”If this was a rat I would be quite upset right now.” But instead I let him stay and eventually drifted off again…probably as much from a lack of oxygen as from exhaustion.

There are many reasons why we have dogs but there are two reasons that I think are most important to remember if you are in the business of caring for others pets.

1.  Dogs are a source of unconditional love. Many people know this…but I think it runs deeper. Think of how important the concept of “Love” is to all of us. It’s one of the primary focuses of our existence. We suffer without it. We don’t even develop fully if, as children, it is withheld in large part. Our lives are more complete when love is generously given and openly received. How many stories, songs and poems have been written about Love? Unconditional love is not impossible but it is difficult for us at times because we judge one another based upon our own beliefs or desires…our own skewed view of the world. But dogs do not judge. Their pure spirits are not sullied by the world we live in. They care not if they have been passed over for promotion or if they got stuck in traffic. We complain to each other because misery loves company but dogs don’t complain. They just wait for you no matter how long you take and are happy to see you no matter how bad your day was. Pure love. Dogs are the living embodiment of purity and innocence we rarely get to see in our every day lives. They are clean. By this description dogs reach almost religious status. They are representatives of heaven. Am I laying it on a little heavy? Perhaps…Perhaps not.
2. We bring dogs into our lives because of our desire to care for them. We want to be responsible for their happiness. For one thing…the recipe for our own happiness is complex and ever changing. How to attain happiness for ourselves on a consistant basis is a philosophical question and a source of struggle for which many never find complete satisfaction. A dog is much easier to please. Love them…play with them…feed them…engage them. Many a human relationship fails from the following model. One person wishes to be the sole provider of joy for the other. That they are responsible for every sound of laughter and every smile from the one they love. These relationships usually fail as love and care begin to more closely resemble smothering, control and jealousy. How strong is our desire to be responsible for another. Dogs fulfill our need to care.

The reason I begin with this thought process when training people to handle others animals is to show how important those in their care really are. If you have a full understanding of their importance to the people who love them… then you will be ever vigilant in your duties and responsibilities. There is too much at stake.