Working Class Dog

I have a couple of clients whose dogs are able to go to work with them on most days.  Their employers not only are okay with dogs in the workplace, they encourage it!  Seems that more and more businesses are realizing that people are productive and more relaxed when they have their dogs with them.  I can understand that; they aren't worried about working long hours and leaving their dogs home alone, as the dogs are right there with them!  Having a dog with you at work means you can reach down for a few pats when you need to decompress, and that dog will need a few bathroom breaks which means you will stretch your legs as well.  That definitely helps you recharge and refreshes your productivity.

Dogs in the workplace isn't a completely new idea, of course.  Back in the 80's, I was taking my dog to work with me. I was a graduate student at UC Davis, slogging through classes, student teaching, and long hours in my office.  Having Shadow with me meant I didn't have to run home several times each day, and she wasn't lonely.  It also meant that stressed out undergrads who came to my office hours could pet Shadow and (hopefully) feel a little better.  I have certainly been into many small businesses where dogs (and cats) are on site, cuddling up to patrons and welcoming you to their shops.  Frankly, I love seeing dogs and cats holding court in indie bookstores, antique shops, and home stores.  However, I also know there are people who don't like animals or are afraid of them.  Do they avoid patronizing these businesses where there is an obvious animal on the premises? According to The Hartford, a major business insurer, the answer is an unequivocal yes.  So, if you are a business owner that has an animal on your premises, and you are in a customer service type business like a shop or store, what can you do to insure that you don't lose that potential sale?

I think the real issue here is the behavior of the animals on the premises.  If your pet is well-behaved, approachable, well-groomed, and outgoing, but not pushy, I doubt that their presence will be a huge deterrent. If, however, your store pet isn't well-behaved, or appears threatening in any way, I can understand why people shy away from coming in. Even if you work in an office where pets are allowed in your office or cubicle, it is still important that they be well-behaved, well-groomed, etc.  You are still working with other people and it isn't fair for your dog's behavior (or their odor!) to impinge upon someone else's work experience.  In fact I had one client reach out to me because she'd been told she couldn't bring her dog to work anymore until she got his lunging and barking under control! And if your dog suffers from separation anxiety, taking them to work with you doesn't solve the problem, in fact, your dog will likely still exhibit symptoms there if you walk away from them for a moment, thus disrupting your workplace and jeopardizing your ability to bring them with you.

Bottom line here is that I like to see animals going to work with their humans, hanging out in stores, etc.  As long as those animals are well-behaved, I will always welcome them in my space.  How do you feel about animals in stores? In offices? Do you take your pet to work with you?  As always, if you need help getting your dog's behavior "office ready," you know where to find me.

Desi and Pearl used to love loading up in the truck

 and heading to bookstore with me when I worked there.

Great Expectations

No, I'm not trying to re-write my favorite Dickens' novel.  I just wanted to talk briefly about, well, great expectations, as they relate to the dogs we choose to share our lives with.

Recently, I've noticed a plethora of online questionnaires allowing potential dog owners to "answer these 10 questions and we'll tell you the perfect dog breed for you!" First off, there's no way a canned, 10 question test can accurately match you with your doggie soulmate.  Just as with the perfect human match for you, there is a lot more involved than just 10 questions.  Plus, I've noticed that these questionnaires actually suggest some very questionable matches.  I've taken the tests many times, as have many of my colleagues, because we find them entertaining, often eye-roll worth, and quite frequently face-palm inducing. I took one recently where they suggested that a Malinois was a good choice for a novice owner who enjoys a smart active dog.  Are you kidding me?! Anyone who knows this breed knows they aren't for novices and to say that they are simply "smart and active" is like saying that "rain is wet." Thank you Captain Obvious.  What about why they are that smart and what it will take to keep them engaged?!

Here's the thing. If people just took these tests for the fun of it, I'd have no problem with them. Like those online buzzfeed quizzes, they give you a good giggle over your morning cup of coffee. No, the bigger problem is people think these quizzes are real and the answers are all they need to make their next dog companion choice.  This is simply not true and likely to lead them down a path filled with frustration, unhappiness, and unfulfilled expectations.

So, when you are ready to choose your next dog, you certainly can, and should, approach it in a scientific manner. Research breeds while first taking into consideration the very basics.  That is, where you live, how much time you have to exercise the dog, how much time you have to devote to grooming, any allergies in your household, and your budget. The answers to these basic questions will narrow your field of choices significantly.  Then, you need to think about behavior and temperament.  Are you looking for a laid back companion to lay on the couch and watch Netflix with you? One with a lot of drive to perform, who will work with you on an agility course 5 days a week?  Or maybe a weekend warrior like yourself who will be happy to hang out at home during the week, but wants to hit the beach and the park on Saturdays and Sundays?

I am assuming you've noticed that I haven't once mentioned what the dog looks like or how popular the breed is.  That's because people get too wrapped up in "the cute factor" or the "in vogue factor" to understand that some of the most beautiful, popular dogs in the world aren't perfect in every home.  Plus, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some people think Pugs are ugly. I for one think they are adorable and their temperaments make them suitable to a lot of home environments, including those with young children.

I have my own questionnaire that I give owners (and one for their kids, if they have them!) which is a lot longer than 10 questions!  At the end of the process, I match people with breeds that meet their expectations.  And more than once, I've told people that the dog they are looking for does not actually exist.  Reality can be a real downer sometimes. However, if you really know what to look for, your great expectations for your next canine companion may be closer to a reality.

So, if you've taken any of those online quizzes, would love if you would share the breeds you were matched with, versus what dog you actually have!  I had a friend who was looking for a laid back companion dog with a low maintenance coat.  She got matched with a German Shorthair Pointer.  Are you kidding me?!  They got the coat maintenance thing right, I guess, but laid back?! Anyone who has ever lived with a GSP knows laid back is not the description most often used for them.  Anyway, share your experiences.  And, as always, if you have questions or need help choosing your next dog, you know where to find me.

My perfect match. Always <3

Grief Is Complicated

One of my clients just recently lost her dog.  While feeling blessed at the extra months she had with her dog (the dog had responded well to chemo), she was feeling raw, devastated, and fraught with despair now that her beloved dog had passed.  I truly felt her pain.

I hate platitudes. Don't tell me, "it's just a dog." Or "you'll feel better soon." Or "Just get another dog. They will keep you busy and your mind will move on." Or any of the other million, un-helpful things people tell you when you lose a dog.  As is true for many of my clients, my dogs are beloved family members and their passing is grieved like the loss of any two-legged family member.

So what did I do when she called me? I cried with her.  We talked about how wonderful her dog had been and how truly fortunate she was to have this dog in her life for so long.  We talked about heart dogs.  And most importantly, I just listened.  She needed to be heard and I most certainly can listen.

I know another dog will be in her future.  She is a "dog person." When that will happen, though, isn't something we can speculate on and I gave her "permission" to wait however long that takes.  Grief is complicated; it's ugly and messy.  Some of us grieve loudly while others grieve in silence. But you have to grieve before you can ever consider opening up your heart and home to another dog.

It really is their only fault. Dogs just don't live long enough.

I still miss this sweet girl. Pearl you will live in our hearts forever.

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.

The Reality of Rescues

I get several calls a week from people who have "rescue dogs" that need help, which, of course, I am happy to do.  However, I like to make sure that we are all on the same page with regard to these dogs and understanding where the behavior problems they are seeing come from.  Let me explain.

Just because a dog comes through the shelter or a rescue group does not necessarily mean that said dog was subjected to physical abuse, emotional abuse, or both.  It doesn't even necessarily mean that they were neglected.  What it means is that they were fortunate enough to end up in a shelter or rescue group who invested in their future.  Assuming that dogs that come through rescue or from a shelter have been abused in some way actually does a disservice to those dogs!  The biggest misconception I hear is that a particular dog "must have been abused because he is behaving aggressively."  The reality, however, is that aggression isn't the typical response of a dog who has been abused. Rather, dogs who have been subjected to abuse tend to be on the fearful side, shrinking away from contact, and behaving apathetically to interactions with humans.  They don't lash out, they retreat into a corner or into themselves.  With consistency, patience, and predictable outcomes, these dogs can blossom into individuals who aren't afraid and seek attention rather than avoiding it.  On the contrary, dogs who behave aggressively are the least likely to have come from situations involving abuse. Does that surprise you?  Want to know where their aggression comes from?

It comes from lack of socialization.  With other dogs, with people, and often both. It comes from their genetics.  One or both of their parents were aggressive too and passed that trait along to them. Jumping to the conclusion that an aggressive dog must have been abused and therefore deserves extra special attention and extra resources to "recover" is a fallacy. Aggression isn't a curable problem.  It's not like teaching a dog not to jump up or not to pull on leash.  Yes, aggressive dogs are anxious dogs, but most people aren't equipped to deal with aggression long term because it IS risky.  There is liability involved.  It may sound inordinately harsh, but I'd much rather see shelters, rescues, and my clients investing their time, money, expertise, and love in all of those other dogs who are free of issues in aggression.

I also know that sometimes prospective pet owners aren't given the full story. They aren't told about the aggression or it is glossed over.  Or they are told that the pet was abused, thus pulling at the heartstrings of that prospective new owner, when there is no evidence to support a claim of abuse whatsoever.  I think humans inherently want to "fix" these dogs and think that showering a dog with love and attention will reverse the aggression.  I am here to tell you not only will it not fix the aggression, it might make it worse, and your heart will be broken in the process.

Finally, while it may just be semantics, I think it does a disservice to a dog to be continually referred to as a rescue throughout their life when, in fact, said dog has been with their owners since they were puppies, for several months to years, etc.  Once you adopt that puppy or dog from a shelter or rescue, he is now your newest family member. Celebrate and welcome them into your family by introducing them that way!

As always, if you are having trouble with your pets, including aggression, please don't hesitate to ask for help. That's why I am here.

These two cuties are just waiting for a human to love and invest in them.  No fear.  No aggressive posturing.  Just curiosity, trust, and a willingness to engage!

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

Accountability

Accountability.  Meeting or exceeding expectations.  Reliable. Approachable. Good listener.  These are words or phrases that I, and probably many of you, like to hear in reference to ourselves.  But I hear dog owners use those same words with reference to their canine companions.  He isn't what I thought he'd be.  I am disappointed with his unreliable recall. When people approach him he barks and jumps up.  When I say stay, he just walks away and doesn't listen to me.  But, see, here's the thing.  WE need to hold ourselves responsible and accountable first.  Did you research this breed?  Did you ask questions of the foster?  Did you work on recall before letting the dog off leash?  Did you teach your dog the consequences for NOT coming, NOT quieting when asked, etc.? If not, then it isn't your dog who isn't meeting expectations, it's you.

I always have loved the fact that Karen Pryor titled one of her books, "Don't Shoot the Dog." Seriously. It's not just his fault.  Accountability.  Understanding how dogs think and behave in a general sense is good, but learning how YOUR dog thinks is even more important.  Be a good observer and watch your dog.  Some dogs need you to stay right with them when they are working. Others want some space.  Some need to understand "NO!" just as much, if not more so than "YES!" Consequences are important for all of us and that includes your dog.  Don't be afraid to admonish bad or inappropriate behavior.  Ignoring the barking or jumping won't make it go away, that's for sure.

Lots of talk out there about how you should  never punish your kids or your dogs.  Lots of different definitions of punishment too.  A time out is punishment. Snappy-traps on the counter to stop counter surfing is punishment.  Taking away your kid's car keys/video game time/etc. are all forms of punishment.  I realize that just talking about punishment makes some people very uncomfortable.  That's a good thing though. It means it's time to talk about these topics and explore our discomfort.  Our dogs, and our kids, really need us to be reliable, accountable, guardians.  Dishing out consequences doesn't make you a bad parent or a bad dog owner.

As always, if you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  Progress is made with these kinds of hard conversations.

Ozzie demonstrating good listening off leash.