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VET[TED]
Dear Dr. Steele,
Relationship advice from your vet
"Why won't Joey behave? I'm thinking about sending him to obedience school. Will this stop his annoying behaviors? Why won't he just be a good dog?" This kind of question is brought up to me often and seems like such a simple question. Teaching a dog his place in life, making sure that he understands who the "master" of the pack is, what will resolve this, right? "They are pack animals and need to know you are their leader" explained the client's spouse "She is just too soft on him and that is why he doesn't listen to her".
FROM THE BACKYARD TO THE BED
Before we can begin to talk about what type of training is the best way to get your dog to behave, we need to re-evaluate how we think about our relationship with our dogs. I have been practicing small animal veterinary medicine for over 30 years. During that time, I have seen my patients move out of the backyard and into our homes, many times right into our beds. When we lived at arm's length from them, it was easy to be detached and to have a contractual relationship; We provide food and shelter as long as they fulfill their obligation of work or companionship. With them moving into our homes, we noticed their character and quirks and amazing intellect and compassion. How could we not fall in love with them? The relationship no longer is a contractual obligation, but rather one of reciprocated love.
THE FAMILY PACK
There is a long-standing view and there has been much written about dominance and how dogs view their mixed families as their packs. A true Canid pack is composed of related dogs born into a social group. This, I am certain, does not describe your household. Our family, as are many of yours, includes unrelated dogs that came into our home as young adults, not newborn puppies. These relationships, along with other humans, cats, and other creatures that may live in your home, are imposed upon the resident dog. By assuming that humans are part of the pack, we believe we should be the leaders of the pack. I may agree with you and Cesar Millan on this one, but perhaps we disagree on what it means to be a leader.
DEFERENCE DOMINATES
We are more alike with our dogs than we are different. Perhaps this is why we have such a long-lasting relationship with dogs. Dogs are born into an extended family group, making them more closely related to each other than they are to most dogs in another pack. Although we call it a pack, perhaps a better descriptor may be a Clan or Tribe. The pups require extensive and extended parental care before they can care for themselves and there is group cooperation and help with caring for the pups. Dogs use play to develop social skills and communicate extensively vocally and non-vocally. Their social system is based on deference rather than dominance, and this deference governs differing roles in differing contexts. "Fights for status or control are notoriously rare among wild canids" (Karen Overall). The same is true for us humans. Healthy relationships are structured by negotiation and deference rather than by violence or the threat of violence. Violence is a symptom that something has gone wrong.
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QUICK TIPS
Shots shots shots shots shots shots
Bite-sized pup protection
We get it; raising a bundle of puppy joy can be a bit like juggling flaming sticks especially when it comes to their healthcare. So, if the alphabet soup of puppy vaccinations makes you want to run for hills, fear not, we're breaking down the essentials for you here. Brace yourselves for a shot of knowledge that's safer than a -- OOOH SQUIRREL!
BORDETELLA BRONCHISEPTICA: A fancy word for "kennel cough," bordetella causes severe coughing, whooping, vomiting, and even seizures and death. If you plan on boarding your pup, attending group training classes, or your pup is a natural social pupperfly - you'll need to provide proof of this puppy vax.
CANINE DISTEMPER: This airborne contagion affects everything from your pup's nose to their toes (it literally causes their footpads to harden!) and can also be spread through shared water/food bowls and equipment.
CANINE HEPATITIS: A highly contagious viral infection that affects the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and the eyes of floofs everywhere. Unrelated to the human form of hepatitis many dogs can overcome the mild form of the disease, but the severe form can kill.
CANINE PARAINFLUENZA: One of many that if not treated can lead to kennel cough. Best to steer clear.
CORONAVIRUS: Not of the Covid variety, but awful no less what with the havoc it wreaks on puppy tummies.
HEARTWORM: Brace yourselves for the heartworm talk. No, it's not a new breed of romantic canines; it's a serious buzzkill. Keep those heartworms at bay and maintain your pup's health with this monthly edible.
KENNEL COUGH: The common cold for doggos, nothing some antibiotics can't cure.
LEPTOSPIROSIS: With a science name like that, better to just avoid. Spread by land & sea (soil & water) this one is treatable with antibiotics.
LYME DISEASE: The ultimate party crasher, this one helps prevent transmission through ticks. No ticks allowed at this paw-ty.
PARVOVIRUS: Speaking of parties, parvo's not welcome here. It hits hard, dehydrates fast, but quick moves from your vet including hydration can outsmart this Debbie-downer.
RABIES: A non-negotiable in the vaccinations world, this one affects all mammals alike. Headaches, excessive drooling, even a fear of water and eventual death is likely if you don't get treated within hours of an animal bite. Yikes bites! |
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We asked, you answered...
More mental stimulation for my little man with training and fun games. @ccbougi
More decompression walks! @caitlin_mckenzie
Switching up our walking route more often so he has a chance to sniff new areas and don’t rush through them. (That last part is for the both of us!) @hilarynotinparis
Be more present and in the moment with your dogs! @jeannetaylor |
| | |
We asked, you answered...
More mental stimulation for my little man with training and fun games. @ccbougi
More decompression walks! @caitlin_mckenzie
Switching up our walking route more often so he has a chance to sniff new areas and don’t rush through them. (That last part is for the both of us!) @hilarynotinparis
Be more present and in the moment with your dogs! @jeannetaylor |
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