I just met you, and this is crazy.....

     I had a person ask me this morning "Do you have a blog on dog etiquette? Specifically when people go to a house with dogs and when people have children and the dog goes to it's [place]."

Roxy the Malamute

     There are so many elements that can be addressed with this issue!  I will try to focus on what a careful owner can do to keep their dog secure.

     I used to think not touching strange dogs was a "No-brainer" until I reached adulthood and began taking my dogs with me to places.  People I have never met have walked or run directly up and tried to pet or hug my dog.  I have learned to create safe areas in my home where my dogs can go to relax and guests are not allowed to invade.  In public I have learned to be willing to stand up for myself, and teach people how to respect dog's space.  Unfortunately, some lessons I have learned have been through trial and error.  By sharing, hopefully you all can benefit from my experiences in the past.

       To start: It is my responsibility as a caring pet owner to preserve my animals' trust in me.  To allow an animal to be put in a situation that could cause a growl, snap or bite can have devastating consequences emotionally and legally.  As a sentient being I expect to not be fondled by complete strangers.  I insist on the same respect for my dogs.

     At my home, I control the environment.  If my dogs are asleep, do not bother them.  Just because me and my husband can, does not mean I expect them to tolerate it from strangers.  If I see signs of stress in my dogs I allow them to go to their designated safe areas.   Not all dogs want to be overly affectionate with strangers.  Both of my dogs have been Therapy tested (and passed).  This does not mean I expect them to make out with total strangers all the time.  Even Therapy Dogs need time to relax!  It is my job to oversee any interactions to be sure my pups are behaving, not crowding, barking or jumping on my guests.  It is also my duty to be sure my guests are being polite and not teasing or hurting my dogs (I have found small children have quite a "pinch" when they grasp things).

     One of the safe areas for my pups is in a spare bedroom where I will close the door to make my intentions clear.  There is no reason for a guest to be wandering into our bedrooms unaccompanied, thus it ensures my dogs do not become stressed when people come over, since they have seen it demonstrated repeatedly that they have a safe haven.  It can also avoid awkward conversations with folks who are not very dog savvy.  I have had guests over who do not even realize that there are multiple dogs in the household.

Luca the American Eskimo Dog

     When in public, a person should ALWAYS ask to pet.  No exceptions.  My dogs have a strong foundation in basic obedience before they are allowed in public, so when I stop moving, they stop with me.  For the people who run up to my dogs, I will literally move in front and block the person (if needed, I put my hand up extended in the classic "STOP" open palm).  If they do not recall their manners, I will prompt them with a friendly "Did you want to ask to pet my dogs?"  If they appear young, I insist they retrieve their parents first.  If they are inattentive or rude I will not allow them to touch my dogs.

     So often as dog handlers we forget we have the freedom to walk away.  I worked with a gal years ago who allowed a polite young child to pet her dog.  The child began playing with her male dog's er..... nether part.  The parent was nowhere to be seen.  Thank goodness her dog is so tolerant (the gal is an excellent handler), but situations like this can mostly be prevented, and if not, managed.  Don't feel obligated to allow someone to do something to your dog that makes you feel uncomfortable (I am referring to an acquaintance or stranger here, not your Veterinarian).  If you are uncomfortable saying "No" or "Stop" blatantly, you can always just leave hurriedly explaining that you forgot you had an appointment (I have used that one myself).

     Lastly, try to be patient with people.  Each interaction is an opportunity to educate.  My own family did not understand at first why I sometimes seemed to "hide my dogs from them".  Before I met my former mentor, I did not really have a concept of a "Working Dog" other than a dog who serves in the Military or guides the blind.  Pass some knowledge on if you can, and you could make the world a safer place for dogs.

   

A Little Clarity, Titles for Dogs and What They Are

Brutus Paul RA has been conditioned to work under vest as a Therapy Dog

    In the dog world, there is a diverse array of options when choosing training goals.  Many of us can clearly articulate the skills we want to build in our companions, but do not necessarily use AKC recognized Titles (or their acronyms) when describing them.  I am not competitive in nature, but I have chosen to be tested for some awards and titles so I have a standardized gauge to measure my progress.

     Here is a brief rundown of the most commonly used (and mis-used) titles I hear on a daily basis.

    CGC: Canine Good Citizen award. It is earned through a basic 10 step test.  This is an award offered through the AKC to reward responsible owners, and well behaved dogs.  It does NOT grant access or privileges not available to the general public.  For more information about this reward, click here.  If you are in the Charlotte NC area and would like to be tested, you may contact me.

     Therapy Dog: This is a title for a dog who has been certified by either TDI (Therapy Dogs International) or Delta Pet Partners.  Dog and handler teams with these titles have been tested,  evaluated, and deemed safe to participate in a wide variety to helpful programs.  Even Certified Therapy Dogs may have rules their handler prefers them observe.  Always be sure to ask before petting, even though it is most likely very welcome!  Click on either one of the names to learn more about the organization. 



     Service Dog:  This is an animal that is specifically conditioned to do work, or perform tasks for a person with a disability.  The disability can be physical or mental.  It is quite rude to approach and ask a person what their Service Animal is for (it is asking them to share personal medical details), they may choose to share that information, or not. The animal is almost always identified properly with a clearly marked vest.  It has access to any place the handler does by law.  Your attention could inhibit it's ability to do it's job (ie. you could be putting some one's life in danger by trying to distract it).

Grace is a service dog

     Working Dog:  A dog that has been specially trained for a specific task.  There are many different types of Working dogs: Service Dogs, Therapy dogs, Scent Detection (Narcotics, Explosives etc.), Personal Protection Dogs, and Herding Dogs (just to name a few).  If you are not sure, and particularly, if a dog is wearing a vest, best ask to pet, it may be working!

     AKC Titles :  (Click on the link to the left) The American Kennel Club has a vast array of accomplishments you can earn!  There are over 80.  I cannot list them all (I don't even know them all!) so I have provided you a link to look them over.  They cover skills from agility, obedience, herding, hunting, and more!  Check them out and you may find a new activity you and your pup will love!

*Check out the facebook page

Non-Perfection

     Everyone always assumes that the trainer's dogs are perfect.  Such a dangerous thought!  My dogs have simply been exposed to a lot of structure consistantly enough to adapt to MY needs.  That means ME personally.  It does not mean that anyone at any time can do anything to them, especially outlandish or harmful things.  Before I developed a spine, I would have people I was not acquainted with walk up to me and my dogs and begin talking inches from their faces in weird gibberish voices, rough-housing, or poking them.  Their excuse?  "Oh, well if you're a dog trainer your dogs like this, right?"  I am still a person who has the same expectation of privacy and personal space and I insist on the same rights for my canine companions.

     My dogs have achieved great things.  They do not pee or poop in the house.  They allow me to constantly touch and play with their nose and toes (my two favorite doggy parts!).  They never complain when I sing (quite badly) to them.  Brutus Paul got his Canine Good Citizen award years ago, was a Delta certified Therapy Dog, earned Rally Novice and Rally Advanced titles.  Grace qualified for her Canine Good Citizen award and Delta Therapy Dog certification, but the paperwork was never submitted (she was simply tested to gauge her training progress).  She went through intense conditioning with another trainer before I adopted her to prepare for Service Animal work, so had been socialized and desensitized to a multitude of environments. 

     When Brutus and Grace accompany me anywhere, there are not permitted to pull on the leash, use the restroom on inappropriate places, bark, or jump up on people.  Brutus has some cute tricks he likes to show off- "Bang!" (Play Dead), "Wave Hello", and "Get Low" (lie flat with your head down).  In public, Grace will lie so quietly for so long where I place her, that many people do not even realize she is present unless they see us enter or exit. 

     At home, my fur babies are my companions while my Matthew is at work.  Whether cuddling on the couch, playing fetch, taking a walk, or any other activity we choose Brutus and Grace are willing to accommodate my ever-changing whims. 

     If you choose to visit me at my house, Brutus will bark to let me know you have arrived, and Grace will whine.  When Matthew arrives home from work the dogs like to dance around him in circles and whine slightly, which annoys him to no end (I personally, think it's adorable!).  You may notice I never allow Brutus off-leash unless he is in a fenced in, safe place.  This is because his recall is still not completely trustworthy- when we are harnessed up properly he will track an animal for several miles, and I do not enjoy taking hours-long hikes unexpectedly.  Grace can handle petting with guidance, but if a stranger was to walk up to her and just start rubbing all over her, she would likely try to nibble and jostle them. 

     My personal training style relies mostly on accurate handling, which allows canines to learn multiple skills more quickly (as opposed to styles that rely heavily on muscle memory, for example.) My pups are not machines.  Behavioral Conditioning to the extent my dogs have been exposed to through me makes them more adept problem solvers.  Brutus's sweet sense of mischief and Grace's stealthy sense of humor means I am very selective about who I will let even hold their leashes, or deliver commands.   If I was to give my pups to someone who would not follow through and be sure their behavior was consistent, they would quickly adapt to suit their own purposes. 

     Dogs become "Good Dogs" with structure and guidance.  They are not magically "Perfect" just because they happen to be standing with a trainer.  I love to have a conversations with anyone I meet, whether it is about dogs or even just the weather!  It is exponentially more enjoyable when I am treated like a normal human being, and my dogs are too.