Letting Dogs Be Dogs

I had a really fun conversation with a client this morning.  He has an adolescent Pit Bull mix who is absolutely adorable. She's just a big, goofy, ball of enthusiasm and joy. There is simply no other way to describe her.  So, what's the problem? My client was told by a couple of people at the park that he needs to teach her "impulse control" so that she will be a "good dog."  I am so pleased that he called me before googling what this means, or even worse, trying to do it to his dog.

Come on folks. Dogs are dogs.  Dogs are not people. They are not little kids.  They are not infants.  They most certainly are not wolves.  We can't get upset with dogs for behaving like dogs.  Choosing to share your home with a member of another species is a choice.  Dogs most certainly can make great companions.  However, assuming that they *will* does them (and you) a disservice. You do have to take an active role in this relationship.  It isn't all sunshine and rainbows.  There will be accidents in your house, torn up stuff, and hurt feelings.  It is up to you to teach and train your dog to meet your expectations.  So, let's get back to my client's Pit Bull mix.

He loves his dog. They run together every day, get puppuccinos at the Starbucks drive-thru once a week, and love to play on the beach at Fort Funston. He knows that she needs lots of exercise and he makes sure she gets it.  He takes her to the park to play and removes her when she is tired. So what impulse needs controlling?  Her impulse to run? To play? Dogs don't need impulse control. People need to better understand that other species they've chosen to live with.

Dogs like to run, sniff, and pull on leash to get to the next smelly thing.  They like to forage.  Feeding them in a bowl is so not a dog thing.  Feeding them from an interactive toy so that they work for what they eat makes more sense to them.  Whiles puppies sleep 18-20 hours a day, adult dogs sleep 12-14 hours.  Sure, they can sleep on your couch or your bed if you want them to, but the bottom line is that they do need somewhere to sleep, and that couch looks pretty comfy. They like to play, and enjoy the play more if it's not always the same game. Novelty is good. Dogs are territorial. They will bark when someone or something changes on their home turf. Even if it's just leaves blowing by, squirrels, or a FedEx delivery. Dogs will sniff crotches and jump up.  Some dogs hump people when excited, grab people by the hands or clothing, and pee on the floor.  All dog things for sure.  It is your job to teach your dog what works for you and what doesn't. Be clear in what you are looking for.  Reinforce them for the good choices they make and let them know when the choices they've made don't work for you.  It isn't about controlling their impulses so much as showing them the appropriate outlets for their normal dog behaviors.

I know those people at the park meant well. They thought that this sweet, goofy Pit Bull might be judged by others negatively for her enthusiasm.  Me? I see her behavior as normal for an adolescent dog of this breed.  While I do think we need to work on her propensity to chase cats, I don't think that the fact that she wants to chase cats is abnormal. Dogs like to chase stuff. I get it.  They just can't chase the cats that they live with for obvious reasons.

Let's all make a better effort to understand dogs for who they are.  They branched off from wolves more than 14,000 years ago, so using language that relates to that non-domesticated species isn't helpful.  Dogs are learning from us every single day.  They learn even when we aren't actively teaching them.  They have certainly taken the time to understand us, manipulate us, and predict our behavior, perhaps we should do the same.

Long collie noses are most likely the result of some long ago breeding with sighthounds like the Borzoi.  Nowadays, many a collie likes to use those long noses for getting into other people's business. It's my job to remind Ozzie why such behaviors are not appreciated.