How to be a “Dog Person”

Do you regularly find yourself saying things like:

“It'll be fine, I have a way with dogs.”

“It's okay if he jumps, I don't mind.”

“Sorry, he's a rescue! He was abused.”

“Don't worry, she's friendly!”

“He just wasn't socialized enough.”

If so, you're not quite ready to call yourself “A Dog Person.” To most people, a dog person is someone who loves dogs. Maybe they have had a few dogs. They may even know a lot about dogs or at least can recite the common buzzwords. I think there is way more to it than that.

To truly be a dog person, you need to be ready to accept full responsibility for your dog's behavior. I cannot make it any more plain than this: Anything your dog does “wrong” is your fault. That's it. Excuses don't cut it. Infringing upon the rights of others to safely enjoy their dogs is unacceptable. Risking your dog's safety by giving him too much freedom before he's ready for it is irresponsible. Allowing your dog to harm other people, other dogs, or other people's property is inexcusable. Yes, accidents happen. If the same accident happens over and over again, it's not really an accident, is it?

I live in a suburban neighborhood. I see all kinds of things going on every day when it comes to my neighbors and their dogs. There are dogs who are constantly barking out windows or from behind a fence. There are dogs dragging, and I mean towing, their owners all over the place. There are dogs who lunge and bark at every other living thing. I have had some of these dogs charge my fence or actually jump my dogs because their owners couldn't be bothered to put a leash on. Some dogs chase cars, others bicycles or joggers. These owners are forever telling their dog to “Leave it!” or “Look at me!” but the behavior doesn't change. I've seen every possible “gentle,” “no pull” and “easy walk” gadget out there. Why would you pair one of these wonder tools with a retractable leash that encourages your dog to pull 26 feet away from you?! Likewise, why put your dog on a prong collar if you are going to allow him to lean into it the whole time you are walking? And please, can anyone explain to me why people think it is acceptable for their dogs to urinate on everyone's mailbox???

As I walk by with my well behaved dogs, these owners often explain to their dogs that “those are good dogs, see how good they are?”. People see me out with a few of my dogs heeling through the neighborhood or doing some off leash training in my front yard and they tell me how lucky I am to have such good dogs. I can assure you that luck has no part in it. It is no accident that my dogs behave that way and it will be no accident when your dog becomes the one who is regularly complimented by neighbors, your veterinary staff, your groomer, and passersby everywhere.

Do any of the following cause you a great deal of anxiety?

-Passing another dog on the street

-Having to take your dog for a car ride somewhere

-Walking past children with your dog

-Having company over

-Taking your dog to the veterinarian

-The possibility that someone will leave a door open and your dog will not come when called

-Brushing your dog or trimming his nails

-Mealtimes, either human or canine

I have good news for you. This can all get better! You can choose to live a life with your dog that is more focused on enjoying each other's company and doing things together than it is worrying about what will go wrong, what your dog will destroy next, whether your dog will get hit by a car, or perhaps hurt someone or another dog. Choose to utilize a strong combination of good management strategies and clear, consistent, real world dog training so that obedience becomes a lifestyle for your dog. It is about neither cosmic energy nor rocket science. You will need guidance from a skilled professional. You will need to do some work. Some dogs require more work than others. Realistic expectations will vary by dog. I'm not going to talk about unicorns and rainbows and tell you that every dog can be saved or that your particular dog will fit exactly into the dream you initially had for him. However, I can assure you that doing nothing to change the situation will result in continuing to experience constant frustration, resentment, and anxiety with regards to your dog. Wouldn't it make more sense to invest that energy in turning things around?

All this talk about good behavior, management, obedience, rules, structure, work, etc. can seem like a real drag to some people. When does the dog “get to be a dog”? That seems to be a common concern and the essence of why people permit all of the nonsense I observe every day in my neighborhood and which I know is happening in yours. Would a dog rather be on a leash until his recall is reliable or be hit by a car? Would a dog rather be euthanized for biting someone or crated when strangers are coming into the house? Would a dog rather have both eyes intact or stick his head out a car window? Are dogs happier when they are choking themselves to death while walking on leash so that they can sniff and pee on things? Does reactive behavior actually come across as happiness? Which is preferable, spending a few hours crated or having freedom that results in a foreign body surgery?

Once you have shared your life with a well trained dog, you will never look back. You will wonder how it is you ever tolerated all of that craziness. You will also realize that your dog is happier, too. There is a couple in my neighborhood who love to walk together. The sad part is that for years, they had the sweetest dog and they left him home on walks. Why? Because he pulled and wanted to sniff everything and it slowed them down. If your dog gets left behind because taking him out to do things with you isn't worth the trouble, he isn't happier “getting to be a dog”. If your dog's health gets neglected because you can't handle the stress of taking him to the vet, his life isn't better. If your dog is completely matted and you have to get him shaved to the skin two or three times a year because he won't let you brush him, is that real enjoyment? If a dog's nails are so long that they curl and impede his movement, do you think he's relishing the fact that he was allowed to give you such a hard time over handling his feet? Does providing your dog with the clarity and consistency he needs to thrive in our world really seem all that odious by comparison?

Envision the life you want to live with your dog. Think about what you hoped for things to be like when you first brought her home. Having a well trained dog does not have to feel like having a second job. With the right guidance, you can chip away at issues everyday and make progress before you know it. Own the fact that your feelings and emotions might not lead you to make what are actually the best decisions for your dog. Being a dog person means respecting the rights of others to enjoy their dogs while you enjoy yours. It means that you respect the space that other owners claim for themselves and their dogs. Real dog people do not subject other people to the whims and fancies of their dog. Actual “dog people” invest the time and energy to cultivate a relationship of mutual respect with their dogs.