BY FRAN JEWELL
We all want a dog that is friendly, outgoing, comes when she is called, and one that we don’t have to worry about if we leave her outside Starbucks while we go get a cup of coffee or chat on our cellphone.
The reality is that a good dog takes effort. There simply is no way to have a wonderful dog unless you put time and energy into her. That doesn’t mean just taking her for walks.
Today, more and more people have dogs and most of the time they have more than one dog. That means more dogs, and a bigger “city” of dogs. Just like in the larger cities, there is more crime simply because there has to be with a larger population. As there are more dogs (and, let’s face it, the Wood River Valley is a dog overload!), there are more and more that won’t get along with each other. For us to believe it is dog utopia is, unfortunately, a fallacy.
Not only are larger populations of dogs to blame for the increased aggression and spats among their species, but we humans enable those distasteful and dangerous behaviors when we feel the need to let our dogs “be free!”
The simple reality is that if we are not proactive about teaching our dogs how to behave, dogs will revert to what they know, or “feral” behavior. Domestication has not taken that away. They will resolve disputes with aggression, as they would naturally. Polite behavior is not the nature of most, if not all, dogs.
I realize that is a strong statement to make, but even humans must be taught how to behave in our society. So, why would we think that a dog will simply fit in with all dogs and all people, with love and smiles?
So many people also think they can send a dog off to a trainer and that the dog will come back perfect. As the title implies, “There is no such thing as a Lassie pill!” There is no simple way to have a trusting, respectful relationship with a dog or expect them to have the same with others if you, as their owner, are not taking the lead to show them how. We are all trainers, 24/7!
What many do not understand is that dogs want and need our direction. They want to fit into our society. I cannot tell you how many times I feel so strongly that aggressive or disrespectful, obnoxious behavior could be avoided by positive direction given by the dog’s owner.
What most people don’t realize, too, is that aggression is almost always directly related to a dog feeling insecure or anxious. Very seldom is aggression or other obnoxious, disrespectful behaviors a result of a dog being “alpha” or dominant. Alpha dogs don’t need to fight or be aggressive because every dog knows who they are without fighting.
In order to have a wonderful dog to live with, it takes time, knowledge and commitment on your part. There are no Lassie pills to make it happen overnight. If you don’t have the knowledge, you seek help. Max von Stephanitz, founder of the German shepherd dog, said, “A dog is a reflection of his owner.” That says it all, regardless of what breed you own.
Fran Jewell is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, IAABC-certified dog behavior consultant, NADOI-certified instructor #1096 and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC, in Sun Valley. For more information, visit positivepuppy.com or call (208) 578-1565.