By Adria Henderson

And

Lisa Peterson

In our last column we talked about keeping horses as lawn ornaments. But the lawn ornament syndrome isn’t limited to just horses. Dogs fall prey to this “disease,” sometimes more so than horses. In our business we see hundreds of dogs in many different kinds of settings.

Some time ago we worked with a family who lived on magnificent estate with all the “trappings” money can buy. And money did buy their $2,000 Champion Belgian Tervuren. This beautiful, wonderful animal was tethered outside all day with no water, no shelter, the only stimulation an occasional squirrel running by. At the end of the day someone brought him inside where he was confined to a small, dark area away from the family because he had “no manners.” He had no physical contact with the family, never went for a walk, never got to go for a ride in the car, never played with the family’s little boys. Yet, the family still expected him to be well behaved.

Many families spend large sums of money for their puppies just so they can have an exotic breed. They never take into account the breed’s intrinsic make-up or emotional and behavioral needs. For example, a Tervuren is a herding breed. They expect and need exercise and mental stimulation.

When we interview owners of misbehaving dogs the conversation always follows the same pattern. We’re warned that he’ll jump all over us and is impossible to control or to walk on a leash. We’re usually told that the neighbors complain that he barks all day while they’re at work. And then we’re told that they have to lock him up when he comes in at night because he’s too difficult to handle. He can’t play with the kids because he grabs their toys and knocks them over.

Keeping a dog tied up all day, as we said in answer to our column’s last question, aggravates existing behavior problems. Limiting contact with your pet is not the way to develop a warm, loving relationship. That will only heighten his need to be with you. Once you start the “vicious” cycle of tying out all day with no contact at night, the cycle usually escalates. The more the dog misbehaves, the less contact he gets. The less contact he gets, the more he misbehaves. The only answer is to break the chain.

Of course if everyone in your house works your dog will have to learn to spend time alone. Since you chose him for your pet, he would expect to have some of your attention when you get home. Quality time is the criteria here. Fifteen minutes will do. Walk him. Take him to the park. Take him for a ride in the car to get that extra quart of milk.

Or, maybe a neighbor’s teenager could spend some afternoon time playing ball with the dog while you’re at work. There are many teenagers who are responsible and would love to have the opportunity to play with your pet, especially if they don’t have a dog of their own. Better still, let them bring their dog with them when they come (if the dogs get along). Dogs need to socialize with their own kind as well . . . and think of all the exercise and stimulation your dog will be getting!

Owning a dog as a family pet means loving the dog, giving him physical contact, letting him know that you care. A dog with no mental or physical activity is a bored dog. Bored dogs are destructive dogs and frustrated dogs. They can only express their frustrations in limited ways. They can bark, they can chew, they can bite or they can eliminate regardless of their surroundings. Giving these dogs even minimal attention by playing with them for a half hour a day or taking them for a walk or a run or practicing obedience for 15 minutes a day will begin to eliminate the inappropriate behavior. In addition, you can gain control over the dog when he misbehaves.

Although dogs descended from wolves, they have been domesticated. They belong in the house as part of the family. The need here is quality time. The more time and contact you have with your dog the better and more fulfilling and rewarding the relationship.

Here’s a story submitted by one of our readers that clearly depicts the kind of amazing relationship you can build with your dog. And that’s important for both of you.

 From Deborah Lee Miller-Riley:

One Sunday afternoon this winter I left police headquarters to warm up my brand new Caravan and walk the dogs. I started up the van and flipped the heat and fan to high. Then I opened the rear and took the three dogs out for a walk around the adjacent park. When we got back to the van, I loaded up the kids and shut the sliding door. “Click”, the electronic security system locked all the doors. The heat was blasting away inside with no open windows. I stood there for a few moments trying to figure out how I could have done such a stupid thing. My happy dogs wagged their tails and cocked their heads asking when I was getting in.

As a 25-year veteran of a police force I know why officers roll their eyes while helping stranded motorist whose keys are dangling inside a locked vehicle. My “oops” was an embarrassing lesson in humility for me. I could feel my face flush. I half-heartedly located a fellow police officer and asked for some help unlocking MY car door. After being appropriately teased I returned with a tool. I slid the device into the door hoping to release the lock. It didn’t work. The new vehicle had some anti-theft barrier. (?*%#@*#) I considered the cost of breaking a window, calling a locksmith - on overtime - or hoping a nearby dealership might be open and able to make me a key. But I was running out of time, the car would soon be too hot for the dogs.

I could think of just one more thing to try. One of my brilliant Portuguese Water Dogs might be able to help. The window release button is located in a vertical door molding near the dash. The dog could paw the button and open a window for me. I merely had to teach the behavior from behind a glass barrier using only verbal praise for reinforcement. This would be fun. How long would you work without a paycheck and just an atta-boy from your boss?

I called Kohl, my nine-year-old trickster, into the front driver’s seat. I put my hand on the glass and asked her to touch. She washed the window with her tongue. “Good Dog! Now paw”. She pawed the window. “Good girl! Now paw-touch the button” I pointed to the dash button through the windshield and tried to send a mental image to her. She pawed the dash. “Goooood” Then she pawed the door molding, she pawed just above the buttons, she pawed the window and then after 15 - 20 offerings she averted her eyes and jumped into the passenger seat. The “good-girl” stuff was just not enough. Well, maybe I was asking too much of her.

I walked around to the passenger side and spoke quietly to her. I told her I really needed to get into the car. She looked at me while panting from the heat. Great! I had eye contact again. “Kohl you are the best dog in the whole world and you are the only one who can open that door for me - please try again”. She sat up. Her face became alert and she faced the door. “Kohl, paw the button” What was I saying - she couldn’t possible understand me. But she reached up and pawed at the button. I screamed with delight “yes, yes that a way girl”. Two more attempts and the window came down. A huge kissy affair followed.

I don’t think I will ever doubt the ability and capacity of this breed to learn, to create, to connect with me. The trust Kohl placed on our relationship truly makes her the best dog in the world and in my heart!

 

Send your questions and animal lifestyle stories to animallifestyles@usa.net or mail them with photos to P.O. Box 427, Botsford, CT 06404

 

Adria Henderson and Lisa Peterson are owners/operators of Safe At Home, LLC, a Newtown-based pet sitting service.