Thinking Like Your Dog or WWYDD

D and I took Jack to visit trainers recently. We are looking for the one that “gets us.” Our favorite trainer, Barbara Jolliff, really connected with us. She uses positive reinforcement. Barbara took the time to explain the different training techniques and why they worked. She used a positive motivator to teach Jack to come around her, heeling, while she turned a tight circle. She used a bit of string cheese and Jack was eager to comply. She also pointed out that some trainers tend to jerk their dog’s choke collar while dragging their companion around them in a tight circle. Gee, which method do you think would work better on you? Jack has been receiving training since he was a little pup and really seems to enjoy it. D wants to further his education as well as keep him happy because we all know what happens with unhappy pets….they let us know it in their own special way.

I remember having to leave for work in a rush one hectic morning, in a place I had just moved into with Chewie and Rusty. I had forgotten something in my storm out the door and had to turn around before reaching the office. In the five minutes or so that it took for me to jump in my car, drive 100 yards and return to my apartment, Chewie had taken it upon herself to live up to her name with the end cushion of my Italian leather sofa. Rusty just lay calmly watching. He had been through a few of these moves with me. But Chewie hadn’t. She was upset with me. She felt abandoned. Chewie rebelled by taking her frustration out on the giant brown rawhide that she knew I liked to recline on with her.

Not too many years ago, scientists tried to convince us that dogs had no “feelings” or “emotions.” Any dog owner that has bonded with their companion knows better. I specify dog owners that have bonded because you would be hard pressed to convince me that dog owners that keep their dogs chained up outside have any type of emotional bond with their “pet.” (But don’t get me started… on with the topic at hand). Since then, most scientists have caught up with reality (bet they weren’t pet peeps!) and we understand that dogs definitely do have emotions. They react to us and “read” us probably even better than we read other humans. Our dogs are in tune with us with pure frequencies that are so fine that we cannot hide our feelings or hide behind a facade that could fool our human counterparts. Our dogs react without filtering or second-guessing their actions. They don’t play mind games trying to figure out what might be considered politically correct. If Nikki sensed you needed a hug, the big hairy dog jumped up next to you and wrapped her neck around yours. She didn’t sit back and contemplate the correct hug etiquette. Dogs are uncomplicated like that. They don’t stand back and over-analyze a situation to death before taking action.

When it comes to people, it is proven that a group of people witnessing another person in peril will usually let the person be hurt without getting involved. Everyone is waiting and watching to see what someone else will do will the poor victim struggles. Now what do you think your dog would do? or WWYDD? In my mind, I am convinced that our dogs are guided by instincts and unconditional love – something we all could do better to use. Trusting our instincts and acting with unconditional love could solve many of our challenges, don’t you agree? But we tend to get all caught up in the social/political gunk, right? So next time you are faced with a situation, think WWYDD! It is most likely the right thing to do!

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