Dog lovers have a common habit of being their dog’s ventriloquist. Though we don’t always need the pet parent to provide a descriptive narrative, we can see the bubble of words over the dog’s head. So why do we dummy up and become compliant when our dogs need us the most to protect and defend them and speak up for them when they cannot protect themselves?
You may agree or disagree with many of the occurrences I will share as examples of human submissive behavior when involving the family dog. However, I hope my words will surface in your mind when a particularly uncomfortable or questionable scenario arises. Furthermore, I’m counting on my ability to make you more aware of unpredictable situations that you may never expect to have unforeseeable results.
Before I share some of my own experiences and stories passed on to me by my clients, I’d like you to consider this: Only humans will make an informed decision to ignore their instincts. Why? We ignore our instincts due to our self-image or how others will perceive us. Entering into an uncomfortable or possibly threatening situation may be preferred to feeling embarrassed or facing confrontation.
I ask you to consider your dog’s welfare as most important!
Scenario One. We take our puppy or adult dog to a large home improvement center. This exercise aims to introduce our dog to “the shopping experience,” where there are many people, maybe a few dogs, an array of loud sounds, and semi-organized hustle and bustle. When done correctly with the guidance of a professional trainer, this shopping experience will succeed in teaching our puppy to be correctly socialized, develop improved self-esteem and impulse control, and acquire the social skills to NOT jump or bark at people passing by.
Whether our dog is small, cute, cuddly, or large, lumbering, and intimidating, strangers will rush forward, arms extended to touch a dog. Sometimes, another dog accompanies the stranger. Sometimes, small children with or without an adult guardian will approach unexpectedly. A stranger may or, most times, may not ask permission to pet our puppy. They can’t resist. They can’t help themselves. They love dogs…all dogs…our dogs!
Do we really want everyone and anyone, human or canine, approaching our dog? Do we really know if another dog will bite our dog? Do we really know if a person or child will frighten our dog, and our dog will have a fight-or-flight reaction and snap?
I always prefer to avoid a harmful situation if I don’t know for sure what the outcome will be. So why do we remain silent? Why can’t we express our desire for our puppy not to be touched?
If you are at a loss for words, I’ll simplify it. Just say, “My dog is in training”. “He can’t be played with right now.”
Scenario Two. We take our dog to the vet’s office. We love our vet and trust him. A person, probably a vet tech, comes into the exam room and states that they are taking your dog to be weighed. While your dog is out of the room, someone may give him vaccines, do blood work, take his temperature, and express his anal glands, to mention a few procedures. You may not be aware of some of these procedures until your dog returns to you.
So, saying, “I don’t want my dog taken out of the room where I can’t see what is happening is OK.” It’s also absolutely OK to say, “I don’t want my puppy to have more than one vaccine today and will come back another time for the rest.” It’s OK to ask what is being done or administered to your puppy and why. You must be your dog’s advocate and learn about all the meds you are told to give him. Find out the pros and cons of the recommended pesticides used to prevent heartworms, fleas, ticks, and other worms/parasites. Ask what happens if your dog has an adverse reaction to a 6-month injectable dose of a heartworm preventive.
Scenario Three. The GROOMER. It’s not easy to find a groomer that you and your dog like. It isn’t easy to get an appointment with short notice. But telling the groomer that you don’t want your dog’s “private areas” shaved too closely is OK. If your dog shows signs of tucking down as though to sit but doesn’t and is constantly licking private areas, it is due to razor burn or shaving too closely. Your groomer may also express your dog’s anal sacs, and your dog can come home feeling uncomfortable if not done correctly. Take the time to talk to your groomer about any concerns you have.
Your dog doesn’t need to be in contact with every dog encountered on a walk, in the park, or on a trail. Not all dogs are friendly, even if the pet parent claims that their dog has never bitten anyone! Biting is a knee-jerk reaction and is not predictable.
Remember this… A dog doesn’t bite until the moment he does!
Even the sweetest of dogs may be reactive without any noticeable provocation. Not every dog has social grace, meaning your dog might be injured simply by another dog trying to be dominant.
Dominance can be demonstrated by biting or by the dominant dog standing with its front paws on the back of the submissive dog.
BE YOUR DOG’S ADVOCATE! Protect your dog by being his voice.
