Life With Dogs

Growing up there was always a dog in our home. For over 30 years, my wife and I have had 2 or more dogs in our home. We like dogs, as many people do. But we also respect they are different than people. Treating dogs like furry people will take you down a road full of pot holes. But recognizing, understanding, and embracing the differences between people and dogs can lead to incredibly rewarding lives for all. And there are many differences...

First, dog's senses are different than ours. They see differently, hear much better, and have scenting abilities in a league humans can't even comprehend. This means our world can be one of countless distractions. While distractions are a part of life, good behavior and obedience will require dogs to listen around these distractions. If an owner doesn't fully appreciate the challenges and dynamics of their dog's distractions, how can they help them learn to listen?

And speaking of listening (no pun intended), owners must also understand a dog's language is far different from ours. Yes, they can certainly learn a multitude of words. But dogs also speak with touch, looks, body language, vocal tonality, nips, and more. I see owners every week that talk a great deal to their dog. If that speech isn't being taught initially within a dog's language sphere, well, it's just noise to the dog.

Another interesting point is that almost all dogs seek to please. They enjoy working with people and doing as we ask. Humans, typically, like to make their owner agendas, rules, and don't like others telling them what to do. Because of this, many owners have difficulty being "directive" with their dogs. But for most dogs, living with owners that don't clearly direct can be anything from boring, to confusing, to stressful. It's a formula for problem dogs and problematic relationships.

Most living creatures probably see themselves at the center of their universe. While that may be normal, if we want to co-exist with another species, a broader perspective is the key to success. That starts with moving past a human-centric view of dogs, and getting comfortable with the fact that we can never understand them completely. Enjoy the journey!