This past Saturday John and I attended a dance performance at a local park. I was happy to do something different. In my rush to get a meal in before the show, I totally forgot to bring adequate warm clothing.
When we got to the park, I realized my mistake. It was very windy and cold. I should have remembered that we live at 7,000 ft of elevation. Lucky for me, I had some warm clothing stashed in my car – for occasions such as this. So I went back and grab those in addition to the dog’s pad as insulation.
Now feeling a bit more comfortable we sat on the grassy knoll waiting for the show to begin. I was scouting the crowd and noticed how many people had brought their dogs with them. How nice to see so many dogs here, I thought.
A few minutes later, I noticed an older Greyhound shaking from being cold. Ahh… lame humans, you brought your dog to the performance but did not think that your dog might be cold. The poor dog just stood in place mouth closed, darting eyes. Perhaps it was not only the cold but the vast amount of people walking around that made the dog "uneasy." My heart sank. I am not, however, one to tell people what to do with their dogs. I leave my professional hat at home. I would only interfere if I witnessed outright cruelty done to an animal.
I have seen one too many times the effect that well intentioned folks have when dispensing unsolicited advice to a pet guardian about their dog. I don’t think unsolicited advice helps the dog. I have also learned that many times we really do not know the whole story. It is so easy to pass judgment.
As we sat waiting for people to settle, I kept looking at other attending dogs. Here is a guy with two beautiful Boarder Collies frolicking on their leashes as they tried to say hello to everyone there. Wow, I told John, these Collies are amazing… totally relaxed and social. This made us think of Deuce and Rioja who where left back at home (with my warm blanket and comfy chairs). How would they do in this environment? Would they too be pulling on their leashes in an effort to meet others?
The Collies where kind of the best in show, with people meandering around them. Petting them while talking to the owner. Later on I saw them playing with each other with the music full blast - without a care in the world. I was so impressed by how well-socialized they where that I wanted to find out where he got this amazing pair.
Two women sat to my right with a brownish dog that appeared to be around five-years old. The dog was laying down, yet attentive. Suddenly I saw a man walking just behind the two women with a Belgian Sheepdog… when poof! The two dogs are fighting - just like that, “out of the blue” as people often say when their dogs get into a fight. Arg! The man gave the leash a sharp tug moving his dog away from the brown dog and as a result his dog yelped. Common’ people, pay attention please!
You really must wonder if after all is it a good idea to bring your dog to an event like this? None of the owners that I could see were interacting or minding their dogs. The two women with the brown dog did not even react when their dog attack the one passing by. No apology or a smile to the owner. As the man continued walking with his dog, I overheard a woman admonished him and telling him that his dog was aggressive and that this was not the first time that she had seen his dog aggress. The man very calmly told the woman that the other dog was the one that came after his dog – my take too. Zipped lipped I really wanted to chime in… but instead I wondered: Did she know the man and the dog? Was she one of the organizers in charge of public order? And I reflected as to how quickly we label dogs as: aggressive, submissive, etc. instead of “labeling” the behavior by being factual about what the dog(s) did.
Would I bring my own dogs to an event like this? I guess the answer is that it depends. If my idea on attending is just to relax then answer is no. Dogs are better at home. If I am trying to teach (train) my dogs with a specific purpose in mind in this given context then the answer is yes. However, most likely I would not stay for the whole event and I would be watching the environment around me like a hawk.
As I was sharing my experience with a colleague and friend we both agreed that not all events (fairs, garage sales or even professional dog training conventions where dogs are allowed) are appropriate environments for most dogs. Each opportunity for socialization must be evaluated taking into consideration the dog’s ability to cope and even enjoy the excursion. I am very clear that if my dogs are going to join in the “fun” I need to interact with them while at the event. Along with the intent that I must manage them- making sure that their experience is a positive one and that they will not be a nuisance to someone else.
I get that everyone has different idea of what “socialization” looks like. Other people’s expectations of the circumstances in which their dogs can cope and enjoy themselves are often different from what I consider a good opportunity for learning. However, in my perfect imaginary world, we all agree that we must pay attention to our dog’s individual needs. We must remain aware that their needs are never static. It is us that must make the informed decision (since dogs can’t drive themselves home if they had “enough” ) as to when and if they should attend an event.
In my professional life, however, I strive to educate people so that they consider their decisions carefully, taking into account not only their needs for comfort and companionship but their dog’s ability to thrive when they come along.
When we got to the park, I realized my mistake. It was very windy and cold. I should have remembered that we live at 7,000 ft of elevation. Lucky for me, I had some warm clothing stashed in my car – for occasions such as this. So I went back and grab those in addition to the dog’s pad as insulation.
Now feeling a bit more comfortable we sat on the grassy knoll waiting for the show to begin. I was scouting the crowd and noticed how many people had brought their dogs with them. How nice to see so many dogs here, I thought.
A few minutes later, I noticed an older Greyhound shaking from being cold. Ahh… lame humans, you brought your dog to the performance but did not think that your dog might be cold. The poor dog just stood in place mouth closed, darting eyes. Perhaps it was not only the cold but the vast amount of people walking around that made the dog "uneasy." My heart sank. I am not, however, one to tell people what to do with their dogs. I leave my professional hat at home. I would only interfere if I witnessed outright cruelty done to an animal.
I have seen one too many times the effect that well intentioned folks have when dispensing unsolicited advice to a pet guardian about their dog. I don’t think unsolicited advice helps the dog. I have also learned that many times we really do not know the whole story. It is so easy to pass judgment.
As we sat waiting for people to settle, I kept looking at other attending dogs. Here is a guy with two beautiful Boarder Collies frolicking on their leashes as they tried to say hello to everyone there. Wow, I told John, these Collies are amazing… totally relaxed and social. This made us think of Deuce and Rioja who where left back at home (with my warm blanket and comfy chairs). How would they do in this environment? Would they too be pulling on their leashes in an effort to meet others?
The Collies where kind of the best in show, with people meandering around them. Petting them while talking to the owner. Later on I saw them playing with each other with the music full blast - without a care in the world. I was so impressed by how well-socialized they where that I wanted to find out where he got this amazing pair.
Two women sat to my right with a brownish dog that appeared to be around five-years old. The dog was laying down, yet attentive. Suddenly I saw a man walking just behind the two women with a Belgian Sheepdog… when poof! The two dogs are fighting - just like that, “out of the blue” as people often say when their dogs get into a fight. Arg! The man gave the leash a sharp tug moving his dog away from the brown dog and as a result his dog yelped. Common’ people, pay attention please!
You really must wonder if after all is it a good idea to bring your dog to an event like this? None of the owners that I could see were interacting or minding their dogs. The two women with the brown dog did not even react when their dog attack the one passing by. No apology or a smile to the owner. As the man continued walking with his dog, I overheard a woman admonished him and telling him that his dog was aggressive and that this was not the first time that she had seen his dog aggress. The man very calmly told the woman that the other dog was the one that came after his dog – my take too. Zipped lipped I really wanted to chime in… but instead I wondered: Did she know the man and the dog? Was she one of the organizers in charge of public order? And I reflected as to how quickly we label dogs as: aggressive, submissive, etc. instead of “labeling” the behavior by being factual about what the dog(s) did.
Would I bring my own dogs to an event like this? I guess the answer is that it depends. If my idea on attending is just to relax then answer is no. Dogs are better at home. If I am trying to teach (train) my dogs with a specific purpose in mind in this given context then the answer is yes. However, most likely I would not stay for the whole event and I would be watching the environment around me like a hawk.
As I was sharing my experience with a colleague and friend we both agreed that not all events (fairs, garage sales or even professional dog training conventions where dogs are allowed) are appropriate environments for most dogs. Each opportunity for socialization must be evaluated taking into consideration the dog’s ability to cope and even enjoy the excursion. I am very clear that if my dogs are going to join in the “fun” I need to interact with them while at the event. Along with the intent that I must manage them- making sure that their experience is a positive one and that they will not be a nuisance to someone else.
I get that everyone has different idea of what “socialization” looks like. Other people’s expectations of the circumstances in which their dogs can cope and enjoy themselves are often different from what I consider a good opportunity for learning. However, in my perfect imaginary world, we all agree that we must pay attention to our dog’s individual needs. We must remain aware that their needs are never static. It is us that must make the informed decision (since dogs can’t drive themselves home if they had “enough” ) as to when and if they should attend an event.
In my professional life, however, I strive to educate people so that they consider their decisions carefully, taking into account not only their needs for comfort and companionship but their dog’s ability to thrive when they come along.
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