Ask not what a dog can give you...
Jun 22 '00
Conventional wisdom holds that there are too many dogs. Several years ago I read an assertion that the problem ISN'T too many animals but not enough homes. It seemed a silly, even faintly illogical, assertion but the woman writing the opinion sounded sincere and reasonable.
Visits to both municipal shelters (Cedar Rapids IA) brought her words back to me. At both shelters the workers informed me all healthy puppies are placed. It's adult dogs, particularly elderly adult dogs that aren't adopted. (Outcomes at various shelters differ considerably but my local shelters are the only ones I have experience with). Epiphany! The truth of something I'd known for years suddenly HIT. The owners are out there. Many, many owners. Commitment promised but never given. As a shelter worker noted, if everyone abandoning their dog / cat had the allergies and moving demands they claim the city would be half empty and without Kleenex!
Much thought is given to what we expect from our pets...They're expected to expel the loneliness, push back the fears, and provide stability. This assessment of human needs and expectations often gives no thought to the dogs rights and needs. Relationships are not one sided.
It is essential to ask what can I give my dog? What are this animal's deepest needs? How will I succeed for my dog?
Study, and weep at, the hot trends in breeds. Saint Bernards were once the "fad" breed. I knew people that had never owned a dog because dogs were messy, expensive, demanded too much time and trouble. Yet these people (apartment dwellers even!) suddenly acquired a Saint Bernard puppy! It was sooo adorable. Not one of these impulse owners succeeded with their Saint. Soon they were wailing 'it's too big', 'sheds too much', 'too messy', 'eats too much'...The ugliest part is when they dumped the dog not one felt that THEY had failed their dog. All blamed the dog. Because he's too big??? This is not mistakenly acquiring the 'wrong' breed. This is treating a sentient being as a fashion statement. The damage to the breed continues. Ask a good Saint breeder what the explosion in popularity did to their breed.
Companionship. Dogs require lots of it. Without it many dogs exhibit destructive chewing, nuisance barking, or even self mutilation (flank sucking, paw licking). Their social needs are not met waiting at home 8, 10, even 12 hours for a human to show.
A solution to consider is keeping two dogs. Advantages include watching them interact (educational, too!) and indulging their 'doggy' instincts. My dogs are permitted to growl, bite and play aggressively with one another which is never tolerated with humans. They tremendously enjoy this but can only indulge with other dogs. Note that the breeds or types must be compatible. Seek advice from a trainer or reputable breeder if your dog displays aggression towards other dogs or prey drive.
Home...All dogs are entitled to a home. Living outside in the backyard, deprived of people, is intolerable. Roaming, incessant barking, fence lunging, escaping, or excessive digging often manifest in desperate efforts to seek mental stimulation and alleviate loneliness. These sad unfortunates when occasionally permitted into the house are overly excited at that rare treat and behave wildly, reinforcing the notion that they can't behave inside. House manners are more than toilet training. Dogs learn the rules owners establish when they are applied consistently by all family members.
Please understand that emotional maturity lags physical growth. In the larger breeds, a dog can look grown yet show the willfulness, high activity levels and cussedness of a youngster. Canines also go through the 'teen' years. As with children, all too soon they're grown up and "leaving". Demanding, though they are, treasure these years of youthful exuberance and physical vigor. Cuddled up with my senior dogs the reality strikes that they're old dogs. Old dogs that won't live forever. Might not even live a lot longer. It's unbearable.
Training. I'm amazed at the people who are too 'gentle' to train but are quite willing to unload the bumptious, ill-mannered dog that results. Dogs deserve training. Dog obedience class will offer socialization with both dogs and people. There is no 'best' training method. What works varies with the dogs, people and situations involved. Read, search the web, talk to owners and trainers. Observe your dog closely. Training that might be excessively 'soft' for one dog could be too 'harsh' for another. Training methods that would elicit compliance from one dog will result in an aggressive challenge from another. Seek professional help with any adult dog displaying high levels of aggression whether it's fear induced or a territorial / dominance dispute. Assess the trainer carefully. Too many self-styled trainers possess little deep knowledge of dogs or have enough real experience with them.
Moving. Dogs don't expire when the lease does. Is the dog a goner if you move? If you live in a rental and you're young chances are excellent you will be moving within several years. If your current rental situation permits a dog is that typical of your area? This is a particularly crucial question if you want a large dog. Do you plan on making a major move in the near future? Some localities are much less dog friendly, especially as regards rentals.
Medical. Spay. Neuter. Vaccinate. Those are routine. Some consider it eccentric that my pets get professional teeth cleaning as needed. Imagine a mouthful of teeth that chronically hurt. The tiny dog my daughter got from the shelter had abscesses and cavities that initially required 5 teeth being pulled. My heart aches to think of how this little guy silently suffered before we got him. As in humans, canine heart disease is often linked to gum disease. Poor integrity of gum tissue permits the entry of destructive bacteria into the blood which can attack and damage blood vessels associated with the heart.
The geriatric exams and testing my pets undergo is another source of amusement yet it was discovered that the little guy has an underactive thyroid. More recently we discovered he has an enlarged heart. Treatment is being pursued but without his annual physical we wouldn't have known. My heart and soul Husky has a mildly depressed serum phosphorus level that's easily treated, but only because it was diagnosed. It was ascertained that my senior Irish Wolfhound does not have weak kidneys! The relief was well worth the testing needed. (As with my ex-husband he simply drinks too much!)
Exercise. Most dogs crave it. All healthy dogs benefit from it. An advantage of multiple dogs is that they exercise while running and playing. A noted trainer once stated, "A tired dog is a good dog." Many behavior problems are simply too much energy without an outlet.
Solutions. Problems occur. Many minor. Some major. Dumping the dog is not a solution. Most problems can be solved with persistence and creative thinking. Seek information from various sources. Look for advice or ideas that are readily implemented and followed. The life of the dog may depend on it.
Carefully, lovingly placing the dog may occasionally be best for all. An ad in the paper 'Free to Good Home' is not careful, loving placement. Not even when you're promised the dog will be well loved and cared for (what else is anyone REALLY gonna say!). If available, rescue organizations frequently do an excellent job of screening and placing. (Warning, not all rescue organizations are equal.)
My opinion that placement is sometimes the best solution is controversial. As with marriage and divorce, life does not follow the ideal. My Husky came from a good home. He was 4 yrs. old and had become an escape problem (highly characteristic of the breed). They were concerned he might not be getting enough attention (their two children were born 1 yr and 3 yrs after getting the dog). I saw him and fell instantly, madly in love. Which is what his first home didn't have to give him. They cared for him (deeply, I think) but they did not LOVE him. He was neutered, polite, gentle, confident, and is exceptionally reliable with all people and all dogs. (Make NO mistake, he's no angel. He's just a very sweet devil). I credit them for nurturing the magnificent dog I fell for. But I think the decision to part with him was the right one. He has thrived on being LOVED and NEEDED.
My senior Irish Wolfhound was 5 months old when I acquired him through rescue. He was the product of divorce. Frequently, especially with large dogs, divorce necessitates placement. I've never considered him a 'true rescue'. A healthy, house trained IW puppy has many homes available. It would be arrogant to claim I saved him. The privilege of adopting him into our family was a rare honor.
The hard truth is even good homes sometimes fail. But I would ask that people think very carefully before deciding to place their dog. Ask honestly if placement benefits the dog or unburdens you. Much of this can be avoided by asking the tough questions before the dog is brought into your family.
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LaBruja
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Member: Jacinta
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