It's The Little Things

It really is the little things that get to you. I have had more than one client reach out this week about something they described as "small but still annoying."  Even if a problem seems small, if it is effecting your relationship with your dog, then it's still a problem worth addressing.  What is also important to remember is that while something may be small and annoying today, it could spiral into a bigger issue if not dealt with in a timely manner.  I'll give you an example.

I met a dog last week who has never liked going to the vet.  Even as a puppy, he would be visibly anxious while there, but he was never aggressive.  His owners figured all dogs were anxious at the vet's office and didn't think of it much beyond a problem that is "small but annoying."  Fast forward to the same dog who is now 5 years old and not only fearful at the vet's office, he's now behaving aggressively. I got a call from the owner AND from the veterinarian.  Now this dog needs to be sedated in advance of appointments and muzzled for safety.  If we had addressed the anxiety when it first started, this story might have had a much different conclusion.  As it is, my plan is to work on some desensitization with handling for this dog, some relaxation techniques for both him and the owner, and build back to a stable relationship with the veterinarian and her staff.  This will take a lot longer to do now that the dog has been "pushed" to the point of aggression, but I am willing to work on it, as are the owners.

Maybe just one more example.

I have another client whose dog has been jumping up on people since he was a puppy.  Everyone thought it was cute then, he often got picked up when he did it, in fact.  Fast forward to now where he is 50 lbs, too big to pick up, but he still tries to jump in your arms, and he recently knocked an elderly neighbor right over onto the ground when he bounded into her.  She broke her hip and the dog's owners are mortified.  How did this happen?  By not addressing that small yet annoying problem of a dog who persists in jumping up on people, this is what can happen.

So, the moral of the story is this: No problem is too small. If it bothers you, your family, your veterinarian, your groomer, or your neighbors, it's worth dealing with head on and dealing with before it becomes a much bigger issue.

As always, if you have questions, I am here to help.

Even a little dog jumping up

 (especially with wet feet!) can be annoying