Questions

There are no stupid questions, true.  That is if you haven't just ask the same  one and didn't pay attention to the answer.  If you don't know, ask.  Answering questions is probably my favorite thing to do with regards to helping others with their dog/dogs.  So many people think they know but they don't really.  

Dog behavior may not be brain surgery but it is most definitely 'difficult to figure out for humans.  I really cannot believe that humans can have an animal live in our house with no prerequisite courses or books to read first.  Yep, just add a canine to your family and assume that it's all going to go to plan.  Hmmmmmm.  

There is a great deal to know about dogs.  Facts about dogs in general, behavior, health and nutrition are a never ending learning curve.  Think you know it all?  Nope.  There is always something new to learn about dogs.  In fact, most people don't know anywhere near what they think they know about dogs.  

You see, even if you have a houseful of dogs; you still may not know about dogs.  To really understand dogs you must learn how they work; once you have that then your dogs at home can teach you much more.  But if you are looking at your dogs and seeing the wrong information or not seeing them at all then your dogs will teach you nothing.  

If you don't know, ask.  I am a need to know type of person.  Of course dogs are my passion but I like to know about everything.  If  am mid conversation with someone who is in the know; I may stop them for a factoid to further assist my understanding.  "How does this work, what happens when, what if," I ask a lot of questions.  One of the reasons I was so excited about my new vet is that he answered all of my questions.  

No question is stupid.  There are tiny little questions which require a yes or no all the way up to huge monumental life changing questions.  Even if you've been doing something or thinking something for years; if you have a question about it, ask.  Ask, ask, ask, ask.  

Next Q&A over at Just dogs with Sherri Facebook page September 10, 6:00pm PST.

Can you watch her?

We sat down to enjoy our Mexican food.  I hadn't had a chicken taco in a while and I was really looking forward to digging in.  The weather was beautiful; a bit warm but with a nearly hidden cool breeze hinting of cooler temperatures this week.  My husband and I sat outside on the patio as a gentleman walked by with his little minpin mix.  I said immediately "she looks older" as I noticed her cloudy eyes.  I am drawn to old dogs; there is something very special about them and their story.

The man tied her leash around a chair and noticed us looking at his little dog.  "Could you watch her while I go in?" he asked.  "Of course" we assured him.  He explained that he'd just be a minute so if we could just keep an eye on her.  We smiled and nodded "no problem."  As he opened the door he turned and asked "do you have dogs?"  I smiled thinking "do we have dogs?"  My husband let him know that we do indeed have dogs and the man smiled.  He'd given himself a little extra reassurance that his little girl would be fine under our watch.  Smart. 

I see dogs left out in public all the time.  Tied to a pole somewhere outside a store or restaurant and it actually horrifies me.   So many things can go wrong by leaving a dog just tied alone.  Someone can steal your dog; can you imagine if you came out and your dog was just gone?  What if someone walks up with a little child and the child hugs your dog tight?  What if your dog is not okay with strangers hugging them?  Anything can happen and you have left your dog tied, to deal with it.  Not okay, dogs should NEVER, EVER be tied to a post and left alone. 

This man was very wise to ask us to keep an eye on his dog.  Even though he could still see his little dog through the restaurant window, he added extra protection to had given her extra protection.   By asking us, he instilled a protective cloak over all of us; we felt like it was our job to watch and protect her.  He also had others watching her because of our discussion; everyone around was watching the little dog.  He had a patio full of volunteer watchers that he had unknowingly enlisted.  So when the door of the restaurant closed behind him and she started barking, no one minded.  Everyone was now involved in the watchful eye over her.  Smart. 

She soon stopped barking and just sat frozen; she wasn't taking her eyes off the door.  We ate our meal and watched her; no one was taking this little cutie, not under our watch.    He had asked the right people to watch his little dog; we would protect her like our own while she was under our watch.  He soon came out to her great joy.  He unhooked her leash and brought her to our table to thank us.  She was sweet and he shared her story.  He'd had her only four years; but in those four short years you could see the love and devotion shared between them.  She had been adopted from a hoarding situation where she had lived with  many other dogs who were all very overweight.  He told us how he'd got the weight off her and how they exercise together.  Her cloudy eyes were twelve years old; but if she remains healthy they have many years to share.  I told him "she's lucky to have found you" and he smiled saying "I'm the lucky one."  I love stories like this. 

They moved to a table further away and enjoyed their lunch together.  We finished our meal and said our good-byes as we head out.  I smiled at the connection they shared.  I love great dog relationships and stories. 

They should come with instructions

Did you know that you could yank on your dog's neck forever and never teach them not to pull?  You could also push their butt down for years and never teach them to sit.  What you would might do is damage your dog; push a dog and they push back, pull they pull.  The other day I saw a woman attempting to get her dog to heel I would imagine as she yanked and yanked and yanked around the park.  The dog was just getting upset; not having a clue why his neck was being yanked on.  Heeling is one of the hardest things to teach a dog; very few average dog owners have the dedication and commitment to really teach it. 

The other day as Elsa and I were at a very busy marina.  It was the weekend so there were a lot of dogs out walking.  As I pulled into my parking spot I saw a man who was basically manhandling his German Shepherd.  The dog was wired by all the other dogs; you could see his it in his eyes by the dilated pupils.  The man was attempting to get his dog under some sort of control by pushing, pulling and yanking.  The more he physically maneuvered the dog the worse it got.  Why?  Because touch is a power stimulus.  Too much touching can bring on all sorts of bad behaviors.  Add to that, environmental stimulus and you have a bucket of crazy. 

In contrast, I met a little puppy the other day for a training session.  She was only 3 months old and had me smiling at her astonishing intelligence.  When I arrived, she of course got out of control excited and was leaping all over me.  I got on my knees as she was very small and ignored her; that is until she lay on the ground beside me which I rewarded quickly.  Within minutes she was choosing to lay on the ground instead of leap at me.  Touching her would have only made matters worse; so pushing is out of the question.  I chose to take advantage of her smarts and she was one smart cookie that one and as adorable as they can get. 

It makes me sad when I see owners growing frustrated; and their dogs being yanked around in frustration.  It makes me want to scream from the roof tops "ASK SOMEONE."  Sadly dogs don't come with instruction manuals, but they should.  Humans do not instinctively know how to deal with dogs and many will never ask.  The general consensus is that you just throw on a collar and yank around or yell at them to do those dog things that everyone expects from them. 

Even with all the information out there on how to's, many people go it on their own having no idea.  It is easy when you know how, just ask. 

Approaching dogs

Really?  As we sat on the beach, trying to give Luke a small piece of what he loves; we were very rudely interrupted.  Before we got to the beach we had walked down the boardwalk and come upon a doodle who was very exuberantly saying hello as we passed by.  Not wanting Luke to give one of his senior "knock it off" lessons and getting hurt, we reined in and moved onto our destination, the beach.  Getting situated and comfy so that Luke could enjoy the beach without much energy loss; we spread out the beach towel and sat for a few.  Elsa immediately began to bark and wag like mad so I turned around to see what the deal was.  It was the doodle again and her owners were allowing her to charge down the hill to about a foot from us on her EXTENSION leash.  So much for our quiet time.  The owners laughed and had their camera out shooting their dog, Luke and Elsa. Obviously they thought that our dogs were also doodles.

I was not impressed; space people, a little space please.  Honestly, humans!!!  What part of our sitting quietly, minding our own business on the beach said "please allow your dog to come charging at us?"  Really. But that was not enough; down the hill came the owner, at the furthest of the other end of the extension leash.  She laughed as her dog bounded at us again and again.  Elsa was half happy excited and half protective over the very rude interaction.  The woman never asked if our dogs were friendly; never asked if her dog could come and say hi.  This is one of the biggest problems; people don't ask, so they go in blind.  Ask, ALWAYS ASK.

We were at the beach for Luke.  This specific beach was chosen because Luke would not have to walk too far but could still enjoy the beach, which he loves.  Elsa had already had a big run earlier in the morning with her Dad and although she loves the beach as much as Luke, it was a Luke trip.  Quiet, short and all about the man.  Not every dog wants to interact with others; just like every person you see may not want to interact.  Just allowing your dog to wander over to dogs to interact could be dangerous, is unwise and rude.  So as much as their dog seemed to be having fun; we were not their for their entertainment purpose.

On the other end of the spectrum of approaching dogs was a very nice Mom and little boy.  We were walking in the surf when I heard behind us "ask, you need to ask."  Hearing this I turned around to see an adorable little guy in his wet suit.  Mom was teaching him the rules of walking up to a dog (thank you great Mom.)  Both Luke and Elsa like little children who are respectful and this little guy was being taught the ropes.  Mom was hovering as she should and of course I had a very tight leash on both.  I moved in to allow the little boy to pet Elsa and stood close to the interaction.  Dogs and children are wonderful when you are extremely careful and watchful.  But you just never know what a child will do so you must be RIGHT there.  Elsa loves children, to her they are just small people, which of course they are.  But many dogs are frightened by children and want nothing to do with them.

When my dogs meet toddlers, they are literally face to face.  I am on top of the entire situation; watching the child's movements and paying close attention to my dogs reactions, via body language.  Too many people allow their children to run up to strange dogs without ever knowing if the dog is friendly.  The best thing that parents can do is to teach their children like this mother was doing.  Teaching respect helps to avoid running into a bad situation.  I love when children ask me "can I pet your dog?"  It makes me happy that they know to ask.

I really don't get when people don't ask before assuming that their dog can interact with yours.  Not only could the other dog be unfriendly but the owner of the other dog may want some peace and quiet.  Ask, don't assume and honestly, don't just go in blind.