Many, if not most, dogs around the world suffer from harsh treatment—forced to pull sleds and live outside in the snow in Canada, killed and eaten in Asia, experimented on in labs throughout the U.S. and Europe, and on and on.
So people like us, who love dogs, often go overboard in trying to make up for these injustices—we vow that our dogs will never, ever feel a moment’s discomfort or experience the slightest restriction—especially dogs who have been rescued from hideous living conditions.
Nothing but love, affection, and smooches for our dogs—sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? To us, yes. But dogs have a different way of looking at things.
First of all, they live in the present moment, so while we may be obsessively lamenting Fifi’s past trials and tribulations, she’s not. Secondly, in doggie culture, there must always be a leader, a leader who creates rules and enforces them. If you don’t demonstrate this leadership to your dog, then your dog will feel obliged to try to fill that role.
So what happens when a dog becomes the leader in a human household? Well, it tends to get ugly: There may be excessive barking, inappropriate urination, snapping and biting, and usually a dog who has become a nervous wreck, trying to control things that he or she doesn’t fully understand.
So please, don’t feel guilty about setting boundaries and rules for your beloved canine companion. This is normal for dogs—they expect it, they don’t take it personally, and, best of all, it makes them feel more secure. Your dog will be happier and much more relaxed if you take a leadership role—try it!
Comments ( 6 )
I've noticed the same thing about dogs loving boundaries. Our family dog is really my dad's dog, he takes care of him and plays with him. I'm honestly very nervous with dogs (especially large ones) due to some incidents when I was little.
But I had to take care of Charlie one weekend when my dad and brother were away. I would not stand for growling at me or jumping at me, and I would tell him "no" or refuse to approach him or let him out until he acted in a manner less threatening. The next day, he acted entirely different toward me, and finally treated me the way he does Dad! I was shocked.
The really strange thing? The same thing happens with kids (during the occasional baby-sit), because I get panic attacks when they are too uncontrollable, so I have to really stick to the rules, plus I don't want to get in trouble for letting them do something their parent wouldn't. I'm always afraid they are going to tell their parent that I was mean or cruel, but instead they always pitch a fit about me leaving, begging for me to stay and their parents to "go away."
XD Just another one of those odd observations that just go to show you the deep connections between animals and humans.
Posted by Jessica | September 26, 2007 4:56 PM
Posted on September 26, 2007 16:56
I am a huge fan and advocate of all animals and PETA. I know of the many abuses that happen in every country and think it's horrific no matter what it happens to be or where. While I do realize that there are many dogs in Northern Canada that are, unfortunately, forced to pull sleds, I noted that that your "pull sleds" link within the blog actually talked about the races that take place in Alaska, which is of course
a state of the United States of America located west of Canada in the extreme northwest portion of North America.
Posted by Tricia Cummings | September 26, 2007 8:11 PM
Posted on September 26, 2007 20:11
For KP
I quite agree. But linking to ceaser!??! Even American humane knows how cruel he is! :http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nr_news_releases_dog_whisperer
Please reconsider him. I used to like him too... I even used one of his tecnickes once... I stopped liking him after reading this.
>>>Response From KP
Hi Anna!
I know that many dog people hate Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer), and I agree that using choke collars and force are not right. However, he's not all bad, and some of the things that he emphasizes are extremely important, such as daily exercise and dog psychology and boundaries. I haven't yet found any trainer that I feel 100 percent comfortable with. Some of the so-called positive trainers, for example, use citronella collars to stop barking, which I find quite mean.
KP
Posted by Anna Lawes | September 27, 2007 10:36 AM
Posted on September 27, 2007 10:36
Boundaries and rules are great but it is how you convey that to the dog that is sooo important. I was quite turned off by seeing a link to a trainer who uses violent methods to CONTROL the dog. I though we were advocating humane treatment. I would love to see a link for Jan Fennell who shows you how to have your dog WILLINGLY follow your lead. Jan will be in California in November and Orlando Fl in December for two day training courses and KP, I think you would love it. Check her out www.janfennellthedoglistener.com She is the epitomy of kind and gentle work with dogs!!
Posted by Kim Kapes | September 27, 2007 11:26 AM
Posted on September 27, 2007 11:26
Does any one know PETA's
position on pit-bull-type dogs?
>>>Response From KP
Hi Eleanor,
Yes, here it is: http://www.peta.org/about/hottopic007.asp
KP
Posted by Eleanor | September 30, 2007 5:14 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 17:14
Thanks kp. I haven't really met a perfect trainer either:)
Posted by Anna Lawes | May 2, 2008 8:21 PM
Posted on May 2, 2008 20:21