As
many know, we have several dogs to say the least and with that being said, I see more than one personality in them and I will tell you they are all
different, not good, not bad, just different, just like kids. Each one has
different needs, personalities, wants and desires. We think they would be the same, but they're not. Some are
needy, some independent, some loving, some outgoing and some are even aloof. I
have often wondered why this happens to some of our pups when I see dogs come back to visit but they are all
over the gamut. I know they left with the same upbringing and personality
and I also think that most dogs start out the same, it’s the human aspect that
makes them different. We have a lot of people that visit just to see the dogs
and watch and play with them. If we come in the house with the dogs of
their choice and play and interact with them. Everybody want to take Clancy home. He will
always put on the charm, will jump on the couch with them and put his head in
their lap. I tell them if you want
Clancy, you have to make him, he's inside every dog, but you have to work at it. In the past, I've always
told everyone that leaves with a pup, “Remember, whatever you put in, you will
get out, nothing more, nothing less” It’s up to the owner, the fate of their dog is
in their hands, it’s that simple.
This
brings me to my point. Why are they different? I think when a dog gets
comfortable with the owner, they take on the personality and traits of the
master or do what they are allowed to get away with. Sometimes we make it too complicated
with our “stuff”. They are simple animals, and want nothing more than to be
lead and loved. They look to us as the
“alpha” in their life. I have seen it time and time again, when something goes
wrong, the human stops being the "alpha" and the dog takes up the position and
this should never happen. We need to be stronger than the dog.
As
I said earlier, mine are different. Abbie came back to us as a pup, she went to
a house with 3 young kids and Abbie had problems or so we thought After just a few days, Elaine and
I looked at her and wondered what had gone wrong.
Several
days ago, I had most of the dogs up except Abbie. I had just got in the hot tub
and as usual, Abbie got up on a small corner of the tub and stood there looking
at me for just a minute. Then she wanted to get comfortable so she knelt down
like a lamb folding both front legs down and resting on them before she curled
into a small circle. At that point, she watched me on that very small space
that had to be uncomfortable for her, where just a few feet away, she could
have stretched out and lounged on a comfortable throw. A few days earlier, I
was in the family room and had shooed her away because I didn’t want her to be
involved in what I was doing. Elaine, knowing I had done this, watched her go
to my “fuzzy” house slippers and push them together with her nose. She gathered
them between her paws and laid her head on them. Elaine told me later Abbie
“just missed you” and wanted to be near you, but you sent her away and she was
crushed.
Many times, we see dogs that
come in and have anxiety issues, with people or other dogs. I am stern with my dogs when needed but it
always pays off because they will look to me as being in charge. As a rule, when the guest dog realizes that their is a "boss", they relax and become my Velcro dog. Never leaving my
side, sitting under my me and sleeping in bed with me. It’s not because I baby talk to them, it’s
because they are comfortable with their surroundings and want to submit, this is their nature.
All
of our dogs want to be near us in one way or another because we have always
loved them and been in charge, touched them, played with them and included them in the many things
we do each and every day. They are a part of our life and we are a part of
theirs. Something that has always angered me is when I hear the comment, “it’s
only a dog”. They are correct in that statement, but they are only a dog,
because that is all “they” made” them to be. I happen to want more, they are my friend, companion, cohort and at times my playmate. They make me
feel special, needed and full of life. For the people that say that, they have
never been loved by a dog. I feel sorry that they have never had that
relationship and you have missed a great opportunity. I will tell you, it's wonderful
and a good trade-off.
 |
| It's always a battle of the wills with them... always... |
See
you next week or follow us today on Facebook
