Category Archives: Dogs

Picture of a brindle French Bulldog to illustrate dogs aren't in charge

Dogs aren’t in charge

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Into every life, a little rain must fall. That includes dogs. No matter how much you love your dog and want to do right by them, something’s bound to happen that your dog doesn’t like. Whether that’s actually having to walk in the rain, get their nails trimmed, putting on their collar, or going to the veterinarian, there’s going to be something they don’t like. 

And you know what? They can suck it up and deal with it, just like you have to. 

There. We said it. Dogs aren’t in charge. They can’t have everything their own way all the time. Any more than we can. Both you and your dogs can handle it. 

Going too far 

As you’d suppose, we’re involved in lots of different dog groups, for trainers and for owners, in real life and online. Lately there’s been a lot of discussion where people feel horrible about having to do something their dog doesn’t like. Like dosing them with medication. Or trimming their nails. Or taking them out in the car.

Ideally, we could explain to our dogs what’s happening. We’d get them used to the procedure, and forge ahead at a pace comfortable for the dog. Frankly, we haven’t usually got the time or patience to cope with that. If the dog has to go to the vet, they’re getting in the car. Period. If the dog won’t take the medicine voluntarily, it’s still getting swallowed. Would we like to give it as a cheese-covered treat? Yes. But after spitting out the pill a couple of times, we’re done. We don’t want to shove it down their throat, but we will.

Drawing a line 

Cooperative care and positive-reinforcement training are protocols we believe in and practice. If we’re asking our dogs to do something we want, rather than something they need, we take our time and demonstrate all the patience in the world. We recognize that our dogs do tricks and play dog sports because we want them to. They couldn’t care less about ribbons, placements, and qualifying. The dogs just want to have fun.

That part of their lives is completely voluntary on their part. If they don’t want to play “Put Your Toys Away” today, that’s fine. We’ll do it another time. And when we teach them something new, all the training steps come with lots of rewards. There’s never any corrections or punishment for optional activities.

LIMA for the rest

The stuff that is necessary, like grooming, we can’t give our dogs the choice of opting out. Just like people, there are some things in life that may not be fun or pleasant, but still have to get done. For these, the protocol we follow is LIMA: Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive. 

That doesn’t mean delivering corrections or punishment for non-compliance. That’s never an option. When our dogs hammer at our last nerve, we walk away. Or they all get their special crate treats and get sent to their rooms. 

Picture of a brindle French Bulldog to illustrate dogs aren't in charge

When we do have to accomplish something the dog doesn’t like, we plan what to do for maximum efficiency and comfort. Most of our dogs are fine with being held while we do their nails. One of us holds, the other trims. Torque, Hope’s French Bulldog, was unhappy and stressed with that arrangement. Instead, he goes up on a grooming table and gets a peanut-butter-slathered lick mat during the procedure. We found a way to make a hated procedure more tolerable. He still doesn’t love it. But he’ll do it.

Be creative

When you’re faced with a similar situation, something that has to get done that your dog dislikes, think of ways to make it easier for both of you. Think of ways you can make life easier on yourself and your dog. Ask other people how they’ve dealt with similar situations. We can absolutely guarantee that somebody else has been there, done that. 

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Picture of a dirty Boston Terrier to illustrate dogs get baths

How often should dogs get baths?

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Experts recommend that dogs get baths about every one to three months. We got curious about it when we realized that three of our dogs hadn’t had baths in a really long time. We’re not even sure how long it’s been, so we figured it’s about time.

Picture of a dirty Boston Terrier to illustrate dogs get baths
Booker after he rolled in the dirt.

Other than Tango, who gets a medicated bath every week for a skin issue, the other dogs all have short hair. They’re indoor dogs, so the dirt factor is minimal. A couple of years ago Booker (Fran’s 11-year-old Boston Terrier) had a fixation with rolling in dirt in the yard. Fortunately, he seems to have gotten over it. He never did make the connection between “rolling in dirt” and “bath.” The first was always closely followed by the second.

Regular maintenance

While we’re not really conscientious about baths, regular grooming is constantly happening. Brushing happens several times a week, nail-grinding, face-washing, and ear-cleaning are regular Sunday activities. Making it a habit every week means the dogs know what’s coming and are accustomed to it. It also helps that we’ve trained them to accept it. While none of them is crazy about any of it, they tolerate it just fine. The one highlight for the dogs is regular application of coconut oil to their noses. Torque (Hope’s French Bulldog) needs it, the rest just want their turn. It can’t do any harm, so all the lined-up noses get oiled.

Speaking of oils, all dogs have glands that secrete oils onto their skin. Most of these are around the paws, back of the neck, rump, chin, and tail. The stuff they exude, called sebum, is “important for keeping the skin soft, moist and pliable,” according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. What we didn’t know is that “Sebum gives the hair coat sheen and has antibiotic properties.” The “antibiotic” part was news for us. We may use that to justify the lack of baths in their lives.

Not too often

As a matter of fact, bathing your dog too often can dry out the skin and cause flakiness. Brushing distributes the oil through the coat and keeps the dog’s skin and fur in better shape. It doesn’t work for every dog. Fran’s Simon is prone to flakiness despite daily brushing with a rubber curry comb. In addition to brushing, he gets an application of moisturizing lotion while still damp after a bath. You can also combine moisturizer with water in a spray bottle and apply it to your dog’s fur. It has the side benefit of making their fur really soft. 

Tango over-produces oils and feels greasy after a few days. The medicated bath helps condition his coat and keeps the greasy feeling at bay. It does absolutely nothing for his disposition, especially since the medicated shampoo has to stay on for 10 minutes. Fran’s knees aren’t crazy about the procedure, either.

Obviously, if/when your dog gets stinky, it’s time for a bath. If you use a flea and tick preventative, be sure to read the instructions. Some recommend waiting a few days after application before you bathe your dog. 

Spot cleaning

If your dog is frequently licking their paws or scratching their ears, it may be a sign of allergies. We’ve found it helps to rinse or wipe their paws when they come inside. It only works if your dog has contact allergies, like Torque, who has a mild grass allergy. We keep unscented baby wipes near the door for convenience. 

There’s no hard-and-fast rule about how often to give your dogs a bath. We’re going to try to stick to the quarterly plan. But no promises.

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Picture of the head of a terrier dog to illustrate don't feel sorry for dogs

Don’t feel sorry for dogs

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Do you want to know what makes us absolutely crazy? It’s when people feel sorry for their dogs. It stifles the dog’s personality and puts boundaries around not only their bond, but their capabilities, too.

Unfortunately there are lots of dogs who come from less-than-ideal circumstances. We have absolutely no sympathy or understanding of anyone who would abuse or neglect any animal. But once those animals are free of the situation, once they’re in secure circumstances, there’s no reason to pity them.

Actually, what we hear most often from dog owners is how their dogs are spoiled. After adoption, these dogs have nothing to worry about. They have shelter, food, exercise, affection, and the best treats! They’re not pitiful, they’re lucky dogs.

Case in point

Picture of the head of a terrier dog to illustrate don't feel sorry for dogs

A couple of years ago a woman came to our dog training club classes with a little terrier she adopted. This little dog was reactive, noisy, and had no clue how to act in public. The relationship between dog and person wasn’t very joyful. Both dog and owner were stressed most of the time. Neither had high expectations of the other.

All that’s changed. Both person and dog are happier because the owner learned to set high standards for her dog and taught her how to live up to them. They are now (hopefully) getting ready to compete in Rally Obedience. They work as a team, knowing that their partner is smart, reliable, and knows what she’s doing. When you expect more from your dog, you give that dog the opportunity to shine.

Don’t feel sorry

There’s another dog in our beginner class that was born blind. The people knew he was blind when they got him as a puppy. We haven’t asked, but it’s pretty apparent they acquired him because they felt sorry for them and were acting charitably.

They have another dog in the same class. And the blind dog’s bond is to the other dog, not the people. The people think it’s a good thing that their dog has a seeing eye dog. Sort of. You see, the sighted dog is reactive – including to the blind dog when he bumps into her. Which he does. A lot.

Willing to change

If the people are willing to put in the effort, their blind dog can be a full member of the household who knows stuff and is a good companion. So far, despite our advice, we haven’t seen any effort to do that. It could be something as simple as teaching the dog to look when he hears a particular sound. That’s an easy one. Or putting a bell on their shoe laces to let him know where they are. 

We asked, but not even they are sure why they’re in class with this dog. They could be building his confidence, expecting him to succeed, building their relationship with him. 

We’re hoping even a glimmer of change will prove to them that their disabled dog can do stuff. Can be their dog, instead of their dog’s dog. 

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Picture of a brown and white dog in a field to illustrate dog world

News in the dog world

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The big news in the dog world this week was the South Dakota governor writing about shooting her 14-month old dog. We haven’t read her account, so we’re not going to talk about this particular case.

We will talk about the possible solutions available to people who are at the end of their rope with a dog. In the 21st century, nobody has to go it alone. There is help and resources are available regardless of how remote your location.

The wrong dog

Picture of a brown and white dog in a field to illustrate dog world

When someone acquires a dog for a specific purpose, whether that’s a therapy dog, service dog, guard dog, obedience prospect, hunting dog, etc., sometimes the dog just isn’t right for the job. There are lots of factors that may play into it; temperament, training, personality, health, physical issues. It doesn’t matter. For whatever reason, the dog isn’t right for the situation.

If that’s the case, the first call to make is back to wherever you got the dog. Every single reputable dog breeder will take back dogs they’ve produced. They take responsibility for every dog throughout its life. It’s usually written into the contract puppy buyers sign when they get the dog. 

Good shelters and rescue organizations do the same thing. It’s part of the agreement you sign when you adopt the dog. If, at any point, for any reason, you’re unable to keep the dog, you must contact them and release it back. 

In other cases

Not every dog is acquired from a responsible source. Backyard breeders, puppy millers, and your neighbor’s cousin’s significant other probably wash their hands of the dog when the transaction’s complete. So what do you do then?

There are still resources to call upon if you have a problem with a dog. There are resources available today that provide support, guidance, and solutions, all without leaving the comfort of your couch.

Start with a simple search. Phrase your question so your dilemma is clear. Just today there was a question posed in a training group: “When my dog is sleeping near me on the couch, he bites me if I move.” That’s definitely a problem. It’s also easily solved when experts respond. In this case, it’s a startle response. Our own Simon went through this as a very young dog, If he was startled awake, he came awake with a growl and an attitude. The fix was simple – we just said his name before moving, so he wasn’t as deeply asleep. He grew out of it.

Get online help

The dog world is full of experts online for just about any dog problem or issue. You do have to use your common sense, since there are also crazies with opinions online. But those are usually easy to eliminate. The true experts will call out the nonsensical, harmful, and stupid.

If you ask for help locally, your online neighborhood group will have recommendations for local veterinarians, trainers, behaviorists, nutritionists, chiropractors – whatever you need, there’s a pro for that. Read the reviews that every professional has. Use your community. Whatever problem or issue you have with your dog, there’s always someone who’s dealt with the same thing. Learn from their experience.

In the worst case scenario, when there is nothing else you can do or try, you will also find empathetic and non-judgmental groups online. The most difficult situation to deal with is behavioral euthanasia. Most people will second-guess a decision, even if it was agonizing to make and the only humane answer. There are support groups for people who have been there, done that. You never have to be alone. 

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