What is Obedience?

The dictionary defines obedience as complying with or submissive to  authority.   For each of us, the level we need our animal being submissive is different.   Likewise, each dog seeks a different level of authority in order to submit.  This combination sometimes leaves dominant dogs and submissive people in one household leading to problems. 

A dog, being a pack animal, must have a leader to follow or they often take over.   When the leader is weak they challenge his authority and he either steps up or falls back.    There are many opportunities to be the leader of the pack and practicing obedience to you and your rules places you firmly in the position of "boss".   Training does not have to be as rigid as the above picture would show but firmness of decisions is always in order.  There is no room for people who change the rules of the game when it comes to obedience training.   If sit means sit here until I tell you to move, then in a week do not change that to mean sit here until I walk away and forget to call you.   This will endlessly confuse the willing pet and greatly undermine the picture of authority you are trying to present.

Obedience is not yelling.   Dogs learn more with a hand signal or nod of the head then shouting of commands has ever taught them.   Yelling is purely emotional and human and has no place in training.   Dogs see leadership as black and white.   Giving a command should be done with calm authority which will register to the dog as leadership.  This is much more likely to be obeyed provided  basic training to the meaning of your words has been established.   Any long drawn out narration of why they should not have knocked down the trash can and dug out all the goodies will only leave your pup wagging his tail.    Next time you are sitting on the couch with your best furry pal, eating a pizza, feeding them nibbles here and there while watching the news, (expecting them to not reach over and take their own bite) think about the mixed signals you are giving.   How clear are you about your personal space, the dog's space, and exactly how and when the pet is allowed to eat your food?  If an owner has been fair on all these points then the dog will sit quietly on the couch and not reach over to take their own bite.

Obedience is an action reflecting the state of mind of an owner and is always in flux.  Your pet is your mirror.  When the dog fails at a command look to yourself first.  Days that owners feel weak, the pet takes more of a leadership role, feeling strong, the pet falls back into line.  Next time your four legged furry is not being as obedient as you wish, reflect on your own training, mood, level of energy and way you are conveying your desires to them.    You may find it more your fault than your friends.



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Dog Gone It!

It does not matter how green your grass, the number of hot tubs, the array of ornaments and flowers you place in your yard, or even how many toys your precious companion has, a dog without a fence, kennel, or tie out will roam.  Some people seem to think dogs view boundaries of land as they do.   The opposite is true.  A dog is always trying to extend its home range, find friends, and look to breed.  Dogs are pack animals and if left to their own devices they will wander away from home.   For those farm folks out there, yes, I know, some dogs always make it back and maybe by the skin of their paws don't get hit by a vehicle, but the dangers of a loose dog are many.

For starters, most cities have leash laws and if your dog is in violation, off on his own, someone may pick him up and drop him off at the local pound.  Once that is done there is usually a seven day hold before being euthanized and to spring them a fine must be paid.  The spread of fleas, ticks, worms, and transferable diseases are a few other reasons to keep your pup home.   The options of allowing a dog outside, alone and restrained are basic; fenced yard, tie outs and kennels.

Top pick is a fenced yard.  It is important to note that even with the most secure fence, if you leave the gate open the dog can get out.   Sounds stupid but some people don't watch when coming and going, neighborhood children, and service men all can leave the gate open for just long enough for your four footed friend to sneak out.   If no one is home to call them back it could be hours, days, or never when they return.  For various personal reasons some people do not advocate micro chipping your pet.   For those people there are collars, tags, and tattooing.   It is important to always have something to identify the dog to others.

Kenneling a dog is another outdoor alternative.   Panels are available in various lengths and heights and can be put together to form a pen.  For me, this is not a substitute for allowing time out of the pen to sniff, walk, run, and play.   Depending upon the size of your pet, there are four foot and six foot tall panels.   It is best to get the tallest one can afford and put a top on it in case your animal turns out to be a climber.  Dog house, fresh, cool water, and shade should be available at all times.   Placing stones or paving bricks around the boarder will help with digging dogs.   These pens tend to allow the dog to destroy your grass in one area, turning the yard and dog into a muddy, smelly mess when it rains.  Placing bulk cedar chips down on the grass is a good choice as it is fairly flea resistant and the air space between the chips allows for faster drying of the dog and ground.

Finally, there are many devices to tie a dog outside and provide a dog house for him.   However, the dog has no protection from strays and can easily become tangled without a great deal of effort put into creating a snag free zone.   An overhead, or flat to the ground, "zip" type line with a lead running to the dog provides the least amount of problems.  The run can be moved if needed, and the dog gets a longer area to move in, often enough room to run a bit.  Chains are just not the "IN" fashion anymore.   Always use flat buckle collars when tying your dog outside.  The plastic snap ones are pretty but a yank on one and it can break off.  (Collars should be loose enough to allow three of your fingers between the dogs neck and the fabric, check often for sores, or out growing).

Even with all these precautions there can be a situation where your dog is gone, either by accident or theft.   Be prepared with current pictures of the dog, the local pound, humane society, and the vets phone numbers.   Start calling right away.  Most places are open 9-5 and may close before they get your information.  Start talking with your neighbors, and if your pet was stolen, the police.  Make up flyers and ask to post them at vets, groomers, grocery stores, laundry mats and any other place that allows it. (When your pet is found remember to be courteous and go take those flyers down)

 Call the paper and make an ad.  Lost pet ads are usually free and run seven days in most places.  Then start looking for your companion with friends.  Drive around calling out the dogs name, stop at places where dogs live outdoors, drive the route you take the dog walking, they can travel several miles before turning back home.  Keep looking.  If your pet was not spayed or neutered, and ran away to answer the call of nature, you could walk right by them and they may not come to you.  Additionally, use whatever social media you have to get the word out to everyone.  Pets have been rescued from states and even countries away when news of their disappearance was made public.

In any case, no matter the story's end, learn from the experience.  Even if your pet was stolen, there are safe guards one can take to prevent a repeat in the future.  Since we neglected to provide dogs with "comment boxes", make the housing for your animal the best you can offer by imagining yourself living in the same situation for however long they are left unattended.  You might change your mind about how your companion is housed and upgrade their accommodations.


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Don't Judge A Breed By Its Cover!

While out on a leisurely stroll alone or with your pet, you spot a loose dog that looks very much like the one pictured above, what do you do?   Today, as I was walking my Toy Fox Terrier and Beagle I saw three unattended, loose dogs of this variety standing on the sidewalk eying us.  I paused, alerted both dogs to the presence of the loose dogs ahead (thus showing a united front when approaching) and walked forward calmly.   Two of the three circled us, tails stiff, hackles up, trying to place their heads over the backs of my dogs.   When one got too close I calmly and with directed energy said "Hey" at the same time, using two stiff fingers, quickly poked on the dogs neck.   It was just enough to distract their attention from the full on focus they had.   In a few minutes the owner strolled outside, and gathered her dogs.  To have run, yelled, snatched up my dogs, or tried to push past them would have led to an all out dog fight.   It could have been any breed  or group of dogs and I would have done the same thing, read the non-verbal cues being exchanged.

If you believe the dog pictured above is a Pit Bull you would be totally wrong!   The above dog is an American Staffordshire Terrier.  There are a few "Bully Breeds" , as they are called, including the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, American Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Bullmastiff, French Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge, Renascence Bulldogge, Victorian Bulldog, Alapaha Blue Blood, and Boxers.    The sizes, temperaments, and original tasks each of these breeds was created to perform varies widely.

Not many people would watch in horror when the United States Marine Corps walk "Chesty", their mascot, ( English Bulldog adopted as the official breed in 1922)  through a crowd or onto a field  because it is a member of the "bully breeds".     Likewise, people should not judge ANY breed of dog based on stories or hype.   The American Temperament Test Society, Inc., a professional organization that independently tests temperaments of over 200 breeds, found that bully breeds, in terms of friendly disposition, all rank on par with such dogs as Beagles and Australian Shepherds.   Having worked, for years, in a boarding kennel which housed over 200 owned dogs, as well as grooming for that facility, I can say far more Cocker Spaniels, Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise', and American Eskimo dogs (the small breeds) along with Chow Chows, Akitas, and Alaskan Malamutes  (the big breeds) were the most likely to bite.

Refrain from blaming an entire category of breeds for being vicious; instead blame the foolish owners.   Far too many people obtain a specific breed for the sole purpose of creating a biting dog.  Lack of socialization, purposeful baiting, and complete disregard for life (human or animal), on the part of the owner, can create a dangerous dog.  The simple fact is ALL dogs have the capacity to bite and breed bans are encouraged only by the ignorant in our society.   If people want safer dogs, they need to attend care/maintenance classes, training classes, read and study about dog behavior, socialize their companion in as many opportunities as possible, don't buy from back yard breeders/puppy mills and support causes that ban the use of dogs in fighting.   By setting a good example with our own companions in public and encouraging other dog owners to follow suit, we may be able to create less drama, more harmony, and dissolve the need to isolate any one breed no matter what the original intention of that particular canine was 100 years ago.


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