Category Archives: Dogs

Windows Open or Shut for the Dogs

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Picture of a black dog looking out a window to illustrate windows open or shut for the dogs

It’s a dilemma around here every Spring and Fall. On those gorgeous days with perfect temperatures and breezes, should the windows be open or shut?

We’re sure non-dog people never even think about the consequences of the decision the way dog people do. Is the fresh air worth the aggravation of barking at every little noise? 

Without the filter

It’s not that we buy into the “happy little dog” stereotype. Our pack of four isn’t particularly barky. But they do react when they hear something out of the ordinary. Here in the Chicago area, having the windows open to outside noises isn’t a daily occurrence. Most years the house is shut up from November to at least March. And again from June to September. Like Oprah once said back in the day when she was host of A.M. Chicago; If Chicago had good weather, everyone would want to live here.

But we don’t, usually. The dogs aren’t accustomed to all the everyday outside noises; the mowers, the blowers, the trucks and deliveries, the in-and-outs of every neighbor up and down the block. Or if they are, because dogs have better hearing than we do, they’re used to those noses being muffled by closed windows.

We know we could train them to be quiet when the windows are open. But, in all honesty, it’s a process that takes time and energy that just isn’t worth it to us. Like everything in life, you have to weight the cost / benefit ratio. Training a dog to suppress an instinct is a long process. For the few days a year, the value isn’t there for us.

Predictable behavior

It’s absolutely normal that dogs react to the unusual. That’s sort of their job as house dogs. They’re supposed to let us know when something is going on. But does it have to be so loud? It’s one thing when the dogs bark outside in the yard. The volume is mitigated by the open space it gets lost in. Even when they go nuts at the garbage pick-up truck (they’re convinced it’s trying to steal our stuff). It’s another thing when they hear the truck from inside, lying next to you, and start up.

So the discussion on beautiful days revolves around the cost vs. benefit of windows open or closed. Open usually wins. And there’s a lot of “shushing” that goes with it. 

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Picture of a Maltese puppy sitting in grass to illustrate dogs are embarrassing

Dogs are embarrassing

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There’s no doubt that dogs enhance our lives. They’re wonderful companions who bring smiles, laughter, and unconditional love. Dogs are also embarrassing.

Anyone who’s had a dog has had moments. The time your boss comes over for dinner and your dog greets them with a crotch sniff. Or you’re talking with your next door neighbor over the backyard fence and your dog won’t stop growling at them. Or you’re in obedience class and your dog decides it’s time to poop.

It happens to everyone

Actors are advised never to work with children or dogs. There’s a reason for that. Both are unaware of social nuances. And if they do know, they don’t care. Their reactions are honest and real. And, at times, make you want the ground to open up and swallow you. 

Picture of a Maltese puppy sitting in grass to illustrate dogs are embarrassing

The nice thing about being involved in dog sports is that everyone, to a person, is in the same situation. Whatever awful, embarrassing thing your dog does, everybody else there has “been there, done that.” Your peers aren’t judging. They’re sympathizing. 

And the general populace may not identify with you, but they will find it cute or funny. No one blames the owner for the silly or disgusting behavior of their dogs. Most people find it aww-worthy watching a dog rolling around on its back in the park. You’re the only one who knows they found something gross and will get a bath the minute you get home. 

Get some perspective

We see it most often in our training classes. Most people want their dogs to behave nicely in public. When we come over to talk to someone and their dog jumps on us, they always apologize and try to get their dogs to behave. 

That’s silly. If their dogs knew how to behave, they wouldn’t be in class. We even had a case where the person thought their dog was too naughty to come to class. That’s not possible. 

Dog training classes are there to help you communicate with your dog. They might still decide their private parts need a thorough cleaning while your mother-in-law is over, but they may not jump on her and knock her over.

Start playing training games

We’re in the middle of a seven-part series of fundamental dog training games on 2-Minute-Trainer. We named it that because that’s how long you should play the games. Just a few minutes a day can make a world of difference.

Dogs are never completely predictable. But you can prepare for some of the common naughtiness by having alternative behaviors. If your dog’s been taught to “Sit!” whenever someone comes in, then crotches go unexplored. Grandma won’t get bowled over. And you can relax a little bit. Until your dog goes flying through the house with the toilet paper roll streaming out behind them. 

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Picture of a dog on the beach to illustrate goodbye to her dog

Saying goodbye to her dog

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This week a social media friend of ours said goodbye to her dog. It was a long, joyous farewell. The dog was diagnosed with kidney failure a couple years ago. Our friend did everything she could to keep her dog comfortable and happy, but he recently let her know it was time.

She did something we’re not sure we could. She made their appointment with the vet for a week later, took vacation time, rented a cabin by a lake, and spent the days giving her dog the best few days ever. 

And then she said goodbye. 

It’s so personal

She chronicled her dog’s last few days with happy pictures of swimming, and barbecues, little walks he could manage. There was even a squirrel he chased. She made sure her dog’s send-off was filled with joy. 

Picture of a dog on the beach to illustrate goodbye to her dog

She’ll have those memories forever and shared them with her friends on social media. And, as always seems to happen these days, another “friend” commented on one of her posts “Don’t kill your dog! He has lots of life left in him.” 

We’re sure the comment hurt our friend deeply. She did block the person, but the damage was done. Whenever there are tough decisions, we always second-guess ourselves, and think most everyone does the same thing.

She promised him

When her dog got the fatal diagnosis, she promised him he’d never suffer. She believes that it’s better to let them go a day too soon than a moment too late. It’s a tough call when that day might be. Every dog owner dreads it.

But we’ve pretty much come to agree with our friend. We’ve lost dogs in sudden crises, and said long, slow goodbyes, too. Given the opportunity, we’d have spared our dogs the pain and panic those crises brought. But we had no way of knowing they were imminent.

The best we can do

Our friend’s story hit close to home. Three of our dogs are seniors – 15, 11, and 9. We don’t obsess about life’s fragility, but we worry. When Tango (Brussels Griffon) gets lost in the backyard, or Booker doesn’t want to jump up, or Torque’s back leg slips out, we worry. 

We’re not sure we’d have the fortitude to create a week of memories knowing what’s on the calendar. We’re more likely to stick to familiar routines they love. We let our dogs know, as part of our everyday lives, they matter. Because they do.

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Picture of a Dachshund sitting at a door to illustrate don't invite the dog

Don’t invite the dog

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What do you do if you’re having a party and you have dogs? Your dog shouldn’t dictate your social life. But most people don’t really consider one of the most sensible options – just don’t invite the dog.

Life with dogs is more complicated than without. You have to plan more carefully, and figure out what’s best for everyone. Depending on the dog, the people invited, and the stress of the event, it may be easier to make other arrangements for your dog.

For instance

A couple we know in the neighborhood recently added a second dog to their family. Both of their dogs are big, strong, boys. Their Rottweiler has been to our classes and is already a Cenine Good Citizen. The new guy is nowhere near ready for prime time. These two dogs are still getting to know each other – the family dynamic has drastically changed.

Our advice? Un-invite your friend’s dog they were planning to bring. Too much, too soon. And crate your dogs out of the way until everybody’s arrived. That way you can bring the dogs out to meet everyone on collar and leash, with treats on hand, and maintain control of the situation. If the dogs show off their party manners – great. If not, they can go back to their “room” and chill with a new chewie toy. 

Get ‘em out of there

Another training student of our this summer was stressing months before she needed to. Her home has been the family gathering spot over the holidays for many years. But now she has a reactive dog. She was trying to “fix” her dog’s reactive behavior on a too-short time line.

Picture of a Dachshund sitting at a door to illustrate don't invite the dog

At the end of the class session. She lamented that she’ll just have to cancel the holiday festivities at her house. She couldn’t risk the safety of her family and didn’t want her dog to be anxious, stressed, and regress.

She apparently never even considered the obvious answer – don’t invite the dog. Instead, give her an all-expenses paid, inclusive vacation at a nearby dog boarding/resort facility. The dog would be safe and well cared for. And she wouldn’t have to worry about anything but enjoying the holiday traditions she’s established.

You have options

Years ago a dogless friend of ours said something about us always taking our dogs on vacation with us. She couched it as if getting away from them was a good thing. 

For us, it’s not. We actually like having our dogs with us. It’s sort of why we have them. 

But there are times, even for us, when their absence is welcome. As long as we know they’re okay, cared for, and safe, it’s less to worry about. That can be anything from not letting them outside when we’re mowing, to crating them in another room when we need a plumber. It also holds true if there’s a lot of people invading their space – either for an evening meeting or a weekend visit. 

There are times when it’s okay to say “no dogs allowed.” When you need to, don’t invite the dog.

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