livingitup

I was really first introduced to this debate back in college.  My friend decided to get her first puppy, an adorable English Terrier.  He was a mess of a pup, but adorable.  I enjoyed meeting Rounder and playing with him.  What I soon learned, though, was that Rounder wasn’t just a puppy.  Rounder was also a full-fledged baby.

Soon conversations revolved entirely around Rounder.  He was the center of his “mommy’s” world.  Rounder had his own chair at the table, his own electric blanket, his own wardrobe.  During the day, Cher would wake up early to drop him off at doggy daycare.  She insisted, “It’s not because he needs to be watched.  He’s really well-behaved and doesn’t make a mess.  I just want him to learn how to play with other dogs.  He needs to be socialized.”  The ticket price of doggy-socialization?  $35 a day, plus $25 for 10 minute walks twice daily–$225 a week, plus food.  (Did you know that most parks are free?)

Even for those that don’t tend to go all out, dogs seem to take the place of a child.  Even I love sharing treats with my gorgeous pooch.  Is it really so wrong to let them lie in bed with you?  Some dog trainers and vets think that some of the things we do because we love our pets might be harmful for them.  When I worked with some dog rescue, I picked up some things.  Of course, there is plenty of gray room, too.

Table scraps are one of the big issues–not only can this cause behavior issues, but health issues can arise as well.  Dog food is made for dogs.  That simple.  Human food–and really how many of us are eating healthily–is not.  Not only does it often contain too much fat, but spices and enzymes in human food can cause your pet stomach problems, and not just the smelly or messy kind, either.  Sometimes the problems are so severe, your pet may need medical attention.  Unsalted veggies (carrots or green beans) are probably the best thing to share if you are going to, but many dogs won’t give them a second lick.

Crates… Okay, so most people tend to agree with this one.  Using a crate can save you a ton of trouble, and can make your dog feel more secure.  However, people chose to use them differently.  Is it okay to leave dogs in crates for extended periods?  (Not weeks, but hours)  “No!” my heart screams, but I’ve seen some very well adjusted dogs that spent most of their time in a crate.  However, their owners did work with them extensively when they were out of the crates.  Most dogs tend to like their crates, at least after the first few weeks.  Many continue to return to crates to sleep, and treat the area almost like a bedroom.  (Okay, I know I’m personifying here, but that is the best comparison I have.)

I was never concerned with dogs sleeping on beds.  In fact, as a child I had wanted a lower bed so that my dog could sleep with me.    However, now caring for Rottweilers, I see the point in keeping them down.  (Other breeds could benefit from this, too.)  Not only do rotties shed like nobody’s business, but they are leaners, too.  Stand or sit near a Rottweiler for a while and you’ll know what I mean.  They have a tendency to lean their body against you.  Sometimes this seems sweet–aww she’s cuddling up with me–but it has something to do with dominance, too.  You might notice this when you realize you are being knocked over by that leaning dog.

In case you weren’t already aware, dogs are very hierarchical by nature.  Put dogs together, and one dog is going to be the boss.  That’s just how it is.  Sometimes it is good to set limits on dogs.  Mostly this is so they recognize who is in charge, but really, you’ll thank me when you visit that house where the dogs rule the roost.

Some dogs seem to need a more regiment that others.  Rules that seemed silly to me at first, make sense to me now.  You should enter a room before your dog, unless you tell her to go there.  The dog should wait on you (he will, if you make it clear you expect him to–more on this later).  The dog should wait on you to tell her to eat after you’ve filled her bowl.  The dog should be limited to certain furniture.  I allow mine to sleep on the old couch in the bedroom, but she cannot climb onto the couch in living room.

I still can’t be entirely straight-faced and serious with dogs.  Who would want to?  But I set boundaries, let the dog know what to expect, give opportunities for him to please me, and reward good behavior with positive reinforcement (’good girl’, petting, or treats).  I guess that even though I’m being my dog’s master, I’m also treating my dog like a child.  Just a well-disciplined child.

Where do you stand?  Dog as child or dog as mere animal?  Or is it something inbetween?

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