Who's The Boss?

Three years ago I was offered the chance to do a presentation at a symposium called "Dog Sense". My friend Ann Corvin was organizing it as well as being a presenter. She'd invited Dr. Ruth Colwill, Associate Professor of Psychology at Brown University and Dr. Dan Simpson, from West Bay Animal Hospital and host of "Pet Care with Dr. Dan Simpson" on WPRO to present as well. "Me? Really? I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!" I wasn't sure I could use the word "symposium" correctly in a sentence much less be a presenter at one.

I spent the next few days kicking around a lot of topics before settling on the role training plays in defining the human/canine social hierarchy. I've always thought it was an interesting and evolving idea in the training world and hey, what a snappy title for my power point presentation, "The Role of Training in Defining the Human/Canine Social Hierarchy" (The alternate title was "Snooze-Yawn-Zzzzzzzzz....")

The Dog Sense symposium came and went; I managed not to embarrass myself too badly in front Ann, Ruth and Dan (At least they didn't let on that I had.)it even seemed fun in hindsight. Since then though I've come across a number of articles that raise interesting questions concerning parallels in wild canine behavior and domestic dogs. Chief among them is the idea of a pack leader. Friend and fellow trainer Sue Parker sent one such article titled "The Myth of the Pack Leader" by Lee Charles Kelly (www.leecharleskelley.com) It points to recent work by wildlife research biologists L. David Mech(www.davemech.org) who has stopped using the word "alpha" (I'd assume by extension that means no beta or omega either) because, "It falsely implies a hierarchical system in which a wolf assumes a place in a linear pecking order." That's just a brief passage from a much larger body of work but it encapsulates a significant shift in the way we look at canine behavior. If research is revealing new information about the social dynamics of wild canids then it's reasonable to say that any previously accepted parallels with domestic dogs should be reevaluated as well. That means some editing the next time I have a chance to make my presentation but it also means some major tuning in the way I'm presenting ideas about how dogs think and process information to my clients.

Dominant behavior remains a relevant talking point for me when I'm working with dog owners. Anyone who's experienced the rare pleasure of having their leg humped will appreciate that dogs make use of dominant overtures to define the dynamic. In Bruce Fogle's excellent book "The Dog's Mind", canine body language, dominant, submissive, etc. is illustrated and outlined. Humping is the one everyone's familiar with but there are a number of others that dogs turn to articulate their sense of where they slot in a particular situation. Years ago I brought one of my dogs, Reno, to a park in Hingham, MA where dog owners frequently let their dogs run unleashed. With the book's illustrations fresh in my mind I watched Reno assess various situations as they unfolded, exercising a different dominance option nearly every time. Most dominant overtures involve position; think, Greco-Roman wrestling. With the two Malinois he chose posturing (tail up, pilo-erection, "I look bigger than you.") followed by climbing over their withers. Before the humans became too rattled, I said "Reno out." He called off the encounter and came to me. What happened next has left me puzzled ever since. Every subsequent encounter would quickly begin with a dominant display, but never the same one twice. T-blocking (Walking across the tangent path of a dog perceived to be subordinate.) Head over the withers, and humping. Reno was clearly preoccupied with articulating his sense of dominance in these scenarios but it also appeared he was choosing one means of communicating dominance over another. Why was it important for him to establish his dominance in those situations and why too was he picking one approach over another? Finally, why would he respond subordinately to me each time while in the throws of establishing some measure of dominance? Pack dynamics don't appear to be a good fit for these encounters. In truth I don't know why Reno behaved the way he did that day. Often in lessons I'll say "It'd be great if I could ask him." Of course we cannot. Instead we turn to research; which seems to suggest (my interpretation only) that dominant behavior is intended to be ephemeral not a means to establish a permanent position of status (e.g. The Pope or The Supreme Court) For me that puts a lot of things in perspective. If nothing else I am a diligent observer of canine behavior. I believe I am both objective and subjective in that respect. I have observed my dogs interactions among themselves, with me, my wife Sue and my 7 year old son Keir. The issue of status in these various and sometimes nuanced situations is as common as salt and pepper at the dinner table. Jockeying for attention, getting the best view of the neighbor walking their dog etc. In that respect I'm inclined to wax dog-like (At least my best interpretation of that idea)and assert dominance; correcting behaviors from barking to climbing on people and furniture. I've got an old brood of dogs ranging in ages from eight to thirteen. If I've spent all the years we've lived with each other establishing myself as "pack leader", then why would I have to keep reminding them of my status within our "pack"? It explains why so many dog owners have become frustrated with training their dogs. At what point does the training "stick"?

In an article titled "Dominance, The Dirty Word" from the May 2005 issue of the APDT newsletter, Lore I. Haug, DVM writes:

"Dominance describes a relationship between two individuals based on the outcome of an agnostic encounter (Lindsay, 2001; Shepherd, 2002). Dominant-subordinate relationships permitted the evolution of social hierarchies to allow for more harmonious group living."

The operative word is "relationship". In this context the suggestion is long term. Canine relationships are not monolithic, they are complex, they are the culmination of many things including harmony and conflict, dominance and subordination. When dog owners become preoccupied with concepts like "Alpha" and "Pack Leader" we are trying too hard to simplify. We are looking through the same lens that gives us the Iron Rule of Oligarchy. Yet there is no evidence that I'm aware of which suggests that dogs, wild or otherwise, are interested in bureaucracy. So is it time to retire these terms? I have. In training there are "terms of art". Phrases that may not hold up to scientific scrutiny but may make it easier to understand what's going on. Consider Caesar Milan's frequent references to what type of "energy you're projecting". Everyone understands this isn't intended to be taken literally but figuratively; it's intended to put the dog owner in the right frame of mind. Just the same, trainers are often the first and sometimes the only means of education a dog owner may get about their dogs. The expression "Pack Leader" becomes problematic in that respect because it suggests a relationship on auto-pilot instead of a fluid changing one. Fluid relationships require effort, consideration and a sense of pragmatism.

The Zen of Butt Scratching

In my other life I'm a senior project manager at Mandeville Sign. It's a third generation family owned company that's been around for ninety-two years, a long time by any measure. I've been there for fourteen of them but last night I left in the wake of a sweeping lay-off. "Heavy is the head that wears the crown." a well known line uttered by the great Jack Nicholson in the 2006's "The Departed" came to mind, the gravity of the decision clearly taking it's toll on the company's president. In recent months, he'd taken to bringing his miniature poodle "Tito" to work with him. Two of his kids were off to college; he said he didn't want to leave Tito at home in an empty house. Since Tito spent most of the workday lounging quietly on his dog bed in the President's office he was never an annoyance and in fact, was a pleasant reminder that I was working for a family business.

Sleeping last night was difficult. While I was not included in yesterday's lay-offs, there are most certainly more to come as the relentlessly grim financial forecast shows no signs of clearing anytime soon. Early this morning I was greeted at the side of my bed by Archie. If I've worked with you, you've heard me mention him and if you've worked with me, you've probably heard me say that I allow my dogs on the bed "by invitation only" never of their own accord. He sat patiently at bedside hoping for an invite and I obliged. As he curled up with me I scratched his tush, a favored activity for most dogs, Archie being no exception. He began letting out quiet, barely audible grunts and wheezes that I only hear when he's in the "zone", supremely content and happy. Thoughts of my future lifted, if only temporarily and instead I wondered if my boss and co-workers weren't at home getting a break from the gloominess with Tito, Chico, Ruby, Rocky, Shadow and Oola (to name a few). I hope they are. Our dogs do pick up on our tension, reading even subtle changes in body language, tone of voice and general behavior. They are often remarkably gifted at relieving tension as well.

There's a rolling e-mail, I get it once every 18 months or so, about the simple pleasures our dogs value so greatly. My wife Sue will tell you with an all too knowing grin that I am not sentimental at heart. So it is with an unsentimental yet genuine zeal that I encourage dog owners, particularly those feeling the stress of the recession, to consider and engage in the profoundly simple pleasure of butt scratching. By all means include your own tush in the bargain though in my experience I have never been able to appreciate it with the same depth that my three dogs do.

Of course the Zen of butt scratching extends in trademark existential fashion to other simple pleasures as well. Walks, fetch or some time with a tug toy. These are healthy and effective ways to blow off steam and they don't cost anything.

The recession, depression, call it what you like; will end. For myself, I hope Ben Bernanke's predictions of 2010 are pragmatic. In the meantime I'll endeavor to emerge from it more grounded. Scratching dog butts will play a role. My dogs, your dogs, and the dogs at the Warwick Shelter.

The Duke of Norfolk

In October 2004 the staff and volunteers of the Warwick Animal Shelter were settling into the new shelter building on Service Road. A welcomed change of scenery from the dilapidated structure immediately next door. Amongst the first group of potential new dogs was a lively eight month old lab terrier mix we’d named “Griffin”. He had a wiry black coat with brown highlights and lots of playful energy. I liked him a great deal and didn’t expect him to be at the shelter very long before some lucky soul adopted him. I knew of a family who had recently moved into a beautiful new home in a quiet Lincoln neighborhood and wanted a family dog. My focus at the shelter was training and later temperament testing; adoptions seemed best left to the staff and volunteers who knew the right questions to ask in the screening process. At the time this seemed different, it struck me as an easy call putting this family and Griff together; I’d established a good rapport with the staff so when I recommended the adoption it was with the best of intentions that the application was approved.

“My first interaction with Griffin as an adolescent dog was brief as he wasn’t at the shelter for very long before he was adopted.” – Ann Corvin | Director of the Warwick Animal Shelter

I’d offered to tutor the family with some basic leash work and recalls. The training session we scheduled revealed to me that Griff was being relegated to a wire crate in the family’s unheated garage and an outdoor pen. He was not allowed in the house at any time because of his shedding. No allergies to speak of, just the mess he was sure to leave in their new home. I tried in vain to convince them they were making a mistake, I assumed he’d be part of their family, be allowed to play, be in the holiday pictures; all of things you want for them when they leave the shelter to live in someone’s home. “Home” being the operative word. There was no convincing them. The revelation that my naïve enthusiasm to put him in this home would mean he’d live out the rest of his life in isolation was doing a number on me. I had dreams of sneaking onto the property under cover of darkness to liberate him. I wanted to travel back in time two weeks and just keep my mouth shut, let Ann, the shelter keeper, find him a nice home as she so skillfully did day in and day out. Of course I had to tell Ann what had become of this adoption. That it was personally humiliating was a minor detail. I would learn from this blunder but it was Griff who was paying the price for my hubris.

At the shelter, long time volunteers John Boiardi, Paul Napolitano and Jan Tucker walked the dogs diligently every week. They embraced the Postman’s Creed, “Neither rain nor snow…” Because getting the dogs out to stretch their legs and get some fresh air was critical to their ability to endure the shelter experience. Life at the shelter is difficult for the animals that find themselves there but Ann and then Director of Volunteers Barbara Emmons had nurtured an environment that drew compassionate, bright volunteers to help ease the tension. At the shelter Griff was surrounded by people who cared about him. I’d just taken that away.

In the years that passed I’d hear through the grapevine how he was doing. The first winter following the adoption had it’s share of freezing cold days and nights. The brother of one of the adopters had constructed a heated dog house for Griff when he learned Griff’s existing dog house had no heat. It was a kind thing for him to do but also fueled both my disgust and sense of guilt.

The following summer I’d find myself working with a family who lived within a few streets of Griff. That family’s kids knew the adoptive family’s kids. They related what I interpreted to be anti-social behavior when Griff was out for a walk. This was second hand information but consistent with what happens to some dogs when they’re not an intimate part of a social group; not part of a pack, not part of a family. What they described sounded like aloof behavior, disconnected. He was shutting down. I used the encounter with their neighbor to again offer some training assistance. If I could get their ear again perhaps they’d soften to the idea of finally bringing Griff into their home. The response was something of the order of “That’s very nice, we’ll let you know.” I’d grown cynical enough by then to know what that really meant.

In December of 2007 I learned the family that adopted Griff was moving out of state where the father was taking a new job. With guarded optimism I also learned they did not intend to bring Griff with them. No reason of any value was offered. They had never bonded with him so while I’d wished for years they’d give him back to the shelter it now seemed likely it would actually come to pass. The only wrinkle was that he’d been living in Lincoln so ending up at the Warwick Shelter was not in the cards barring an exchange of dogs with the Lincoln Shelter. Perhaps it was providence when another family member who happened to live in Warwick agreed to take in Griff. I reached out once again to the father who’d told me there was a teenage son and another dog living there and that Griff would be allowed to live in the house. I explained that Griff would need help adjusting to this new dynamic and offered to make myself available to his sister and her family to assist them with the transition. “That’s very nice, we’ll let you know.” Days and weeks passed and I kept my fingers crossed that the sister was more sensible than the brother. Then I got the call from Ann. Griff was back at the shelter. He had bitten the son on the ear. It was a superficial bite but a bite nevertheless.

“Unfortunately for Griff, he ended up back at the shelter years later after he had been given away when the adopting party moved out of state.” – Ann Corvin | Director of the Warwick Animal Shelter

Any dog owner I’ve worked with whose dog had demonstrated dominant behavior will attest, I instruct them, ad-nauseam, dogs should not be allowed to share a place with them on the furniture, beds, etc. It renders fuzzy any other efforts to establish a social hierarchy and can lead to abhorrent behavior. The story related when Griff was turned into the shelter had him lying down on the couch with the teenage son. When the son put his arm around Griff, Griff responded with a single bite to the ear, defined as a level three bite by Dunbar’s Bite Hierarchy (more on that later). Our body language can sometimes send unintended messages to our canine counterparts. In this case Griff was afforded an elevated place in the home (couch), when the teenaged son put his arm around Griff, he interpreted this as a dominant challenge. It’s difficult to quantify these things when I don’t witness them first hand, so this is strictly speculation on my part based on the account told. The family had done nothing wrong, they’re willingness to take Griff into their home was noble in and of itself however, given the opportunity I would’ve educated them about such things and perhaps this would not have happened but it had. The damage was done and so was this chapter in Griff’s life.

Through a strange set of circumstances, Griff found himself back at the Warwick Shelter, however his future was uncertain. He’d bitten someone and that put him in a precarious place I’d never imagined he’d be three years earlier. Statistically, the great majority, perhaps 80% or better of adoptive homes haven’t had a lot of experience with dogs, certainly not aggressive ones. That brought up some tough questions. Fundamentally, is there a home out there now for Griff? Is there someone who’s prepared to expend the resources of time, patience and money? Aggressive dogs represent a potential liability. Is there someone out there who will exercise good judgment consistently to avoid putting others as well as themselves in danger? Someone who won’t set Griff up for failure but for success? Difficult and important questions. Other factors included how Griff would adjust to being back at the shelter. Volunteers had to be aware of his history. For my part I would begin taking him to the sally port for some counter conditioning and desensitizing sessions. Surprisingly, Griff appeared to remember me, affording me a certain measure of trust. My first goal was two pronged. I wanted to draw him out of his shell and I wanted to desensitize him to having someone lean over him to put a collar, then a leash on him. He liked junky treats, not the good stuff I typically turn to like string cheese and turkey-bacon. To Griff, Puppy-Ronis® had no equal. He began to respond quickly. There would be a lot of work ahead but this was a promising start and I was very happy to have the chance to work with him again. He was alternately enthusiastic and stubborn as we moved onto sit, down and stay. It appeared that when the novelty had worn off he just wanted to go back to his kennel. He hadn’t been part of any sort of pack dynamic, there was no reason to expect he’d care what I wanted him to do but he’d have to learn if he was going to have a chance of being adopted successfully.

The volunteers that had been around when Griff first left knew what he’d been through. Together they’d rally to make sure he got plenty of exercise and praise in equal measure. It was a regular reminder that I was a volunteer as much for the insight shelter dogs provide as to temper my cynicism. One of my favorite “dog books” was “Culture Clash” by Jeanne Donaldson. It was required reading at Mt. Ida when I’d gone back to school to get an academic grounding in training. Her frank reflections included (my interpretation) a good deal of what we humans had done to screw dogs up. The Warwick Shelter is like the parabola of a magnifying lens when it comes to this subject. Neglect, abuse, over-breeding, etc. are present in concentrated form. Only the staff and volunteers prevent a full blown conflagration. The city was restructuring the shelter’s staff with respect to its relationship with the Warwick Police Dept. Animal Control would remain within the WPD and the shelter would have an appointed director. I’m deeply grateful to Mayor Avedisian’s office and the wisdom they exercised in appointing Ann Corvin the shelter’s director. In the wake of that appointment the shelter has become a warmer, more compassionate place for the unfortunate creatures that find themselves there, including Griff. Ann, a one time shelter volunteer herself, had always welcomed earnest, thoughtful individuals to do the same. Dawn and Mike Kalinowski were amongst the most recent and were anxious to help. Sue Parker, a long time volunteer and fellow dog trainer was offering, free of charge, a “Train the Trainer” program. Group classes for shelter volunteers and shelter dog owners interested in training shelter dogs. Dawn and Mike signed up. Ironically (in hindsight) Griff was not their first choice. Mike was drawn to Spooky, a Rotti and Dawn to Bogey a Rotti mix. It was Ann who suggested Dawn and Mike work with Griff in Sue’s classes. Dawn reflected back on it saying, “We fell in love with the knucklehead, he was a challenge but he needed us.” Dawn asked me for some advice about working with him in a group environment. “Be firm but fair” I remember saying. Griff’s very bright but he’ll shut down when he’s not in the mood.”

“Early this summer 2008, Griffin began coming to my group shelter dog classes with two volunteers that had joined our "Train the trainer program". My first impression of Griffin was that of an empty shell. He was just there, no expression. He seemed to act like a lost soul. Griffin was a smart cookie and knew a lot of commands already. However, he only wanted to do the commands on his terms, he seemed like he liked to be in charge of situations. Well, teaching Dawn and Mike a bit about leadership skills, this wasn't too difficult to fix, but the challenging part for me as an instructor was to find a motivational way to get him to loosen up and have fun with us, becoming part of the gang. We needed to let him know he was accepted and he didn't need to be in charge any longer.”

– Sue Parker | Dynamic Dog Training

The weeks of the spring and early summer of 2008 saw progress. Whenever I’d bump into Dawn and Mike I’d get a quick report card. Griff wasn’t the adolescent pup I’d known three years earlier but was responding and seemed to be having fun. Something else was happening as well, Dawn and Mike were bonding with Griff. Mike, a Navy guy who was in Newport teaching fire fighting to sailors and officers, was due to be stationed back in Norfolk. They were considering adopting Griff and taking him back to Virginia with them. Meanwhile, Dawn, a paralegal had been working for a real estate developer in Warwick but found dog training so compelling she was kicking around the idea of getting into the field herself. The same thing had happened to me many years ago working with my friend and dog trainer Ron Aviles. Dawn had gotten the “bug”. I’ve known a number of trainers over the years. Many chose their own dogs very carefully, purchasing dogs who’d been bred as much for temperament as for conformation. Not a bad thing to do necessarily but I’d been inspired by people like Sue Sternberg, www.suesternberg.com , to own a shelter dog and to work with shelter dogs as much as I could. They’d sharpen my instincts; make me a more intuitive trainer. Dawn appeared poised to make that same decision. Only a very small percentage of shelter dogs are ever adopted by dog trainers. A fledgling dog trainer with a big heart would be every bit as good. I was very excited for Griff; his future was looking great. The guilt I continued to harbor began to lift as well.

On June 29th, Griffin and I began attending Sue Parker’s CGC class. We attended eight training sessions, including a one mile trail walk fund-raiser. I incorporated the training into our walks, and I worked with Griffin in the carport at the shelter. Griffin was stubborn and distant. He generally sniffed the ground, attempted to relieve himself, or ignored commands by turning away. He would pay attention and perform commands for approximately the first 20 minutes of class then he would “check out“. He would refuse to perform commands that I was certain he knew; he would lose focus and become distracted. Even when performing commands at the shelter, Griffin was not consistent. Griffin always seemed aloof and disconnected. He did however enjoy getting attention in the form of petting from me and other volunteers, and never showed any aggression towards people or dogs in class. – Dawn Kalinowski

There were a few weeks between first hearing this and when Mike and Dawn were scheduled to return to their home in Virginia. Summer is the busiest time for me. I was working with as many as twenty private clients in addition to a full time job and was content to count the days until Griff moved to his new home. He’d finally have what I’d hoped for him more than three years earlier, he’d have a family.

Most days start for me with a scan of incoming e-mails. That morning there was an e-mail from Ann lamenting Dawn and Mike’s sad decision not to adopt Griff after all. A volunteer who had only been there for a short time was returning Griff from a walk. She leaned over him to remove his leash when he lunged growling at her. I’ve learned to strike the phrase “tried to bite” from my lexicon. When the circumstances are such that a dog intends to bite, they do. Unimpeded by a leash, muzzle or enclosure they will bite as often (Six times per second is not unusual for even a geriatric dog.) and with whatever level of severity they prefer at the time. Griffin had delivered a single glancing bite. Earlier I described a level 3 bite. This refers to “Ian Dunbar’s Bite Hierarchy”. I keep a copy describing levels 1 through 6 in my planner for reference. Dr. Dunbar is amongst the most widely known and most respected individuals in the world of canine behavior. The bite hierarchy is a tool for determining both what a dog did and more often what they did not do. Griffin had given the volunteer a level 2 bite. No punctures and in this case, no repetition. In dog parlance he was saying “take a hike” with prejudice. Again he’d misinterpreted the body language, however his response was tempered. We can speculate that he did not know the volunteer well enough to trust her leaning over him. In both the second and third pictures I’ve included in this story you will see both John Boiardi and Dawn Kalinowski leaning provocatively over a composed Griff. Both had established trust with him and so there is no response. Nevertheless, Mike and Dawn were rattled by the incident and were concerned that taking him now might be more hubris than anything else.

In August 2002, I adopted a dog, Reno, from the Warwick Shelter. He had a reputation for dominant aggressive behavior with dogs but on occasion with people as well. I’d reasoned that the best way to have empathy for the dog owners I was working with was to bring a dog into my home with some, if not all of the problems my clients were dealing with. That’s proved to be a sound idea and has paid dividends on a number of fronts. I also love Reno a great deal. Outweighing my concern for the grim future Griff was facing was the deep sense that Dawn was making a mistake that would affect her as well. The very problem that had lead Dawn to leave Griff behind would in fact make him the perfect choice for adoption. His aggression was not severe but tempered. In the right hands he could be rehabilitated. Taking charge of his training would provide Dawn with some invaluable experience. This was a mutually beneficial and rare match and I was compelled to make that case to Dawn. I started with an e-mail, an “opening argument” of sorts. Dawn responded almost immediately. She’d been broken up by the decision and was receptive to the idea that this could work after all. She and Mike still had concerns but at this point they had to do more with the logistics of adapting to his new home. The love was there already, a dash of logic was needed to seal the deal and sealed it finally was. Griff’s life to this point had played out like an odyssey. There was promise, suffering, endurance, and hope; closely followed by despair. Finally, when all appeared to be lost, a glorious rescue.

We adopted Griffin on October 16th and it took him about 2 weeks to adjust. During this time, he acted out by growling and backing up when we attempted to crate him (we used chicken to lure him into the crate to get him past this); he jumped on the furniture after being moved off of it several times (we no longer give him access to rooms with furniture when left alone); and he whined and barked while in his crate (we rewarded him with chicken and praise for periods of quiet). He also had a period of growling/snarling at us when we placed him in his crate with his morning kibble (we eventually changed his meal time and the growling stopped). Additionally, Griffin did not seem to understand the concept of playing once we got him home. We gradually incorporated different toys until he caught on and he now plays regularly – Dawn Kalinowski

Life at the shelter is rife with pathos. For many dogs and cats the drama extends beyond the shelter experience. I’ve seen it first hand, but Griff’s story was special. Dawn promised to keep me posted on Griff’s progress. We’ve had an ongoing dialogue ever since. Dawn and Mike’s efforts to continue his counter conditioning and desensitizing have been creative and very smart, including group obedience classes (In the photo below Griff is taking a bow on graduation day) lots of exercise and play. Dawn fashioned a custom squirrel toy variation on the “tethered mouse” cats love so much. Griff bounds around the yard jumping and crawling like the puppy I remembered when we’d first met. He’s been enrolled in a doggy day care. The owner is experienced and was briefed on Griff’s behavioral issues. The staff keeps a close eye on him and report he is starting to play with other dogs. Wonderful things were happening and Dawn agreed the experience was teaching her a great deal. Far from having any misgivings about adopting him, Mike and Dawn clearly love Griff and he was bonding with them as well. In light of Griffin’s re-emergence as the real Griff, replete with the best dog bed, best dog food and his occasional aloof behavior, Dawn’s begun referring to him as “His Highness” Griff may never be fully aware of how extraordinary his life’s been or the role the staff and volunteers played in it. In a strange way I suppose this adds to the regal mystique you’d expect from The Duke of Norfolk.

"A Look at Breed Stereo-types"

"Are Wheaton Terriers good family dogs?" It’s the type of question that begs other more poignant questions. For example, is it reasonable to paint any breed with a very broad brush? Do all Wheaton Terriers share the same essential traits? To answer both questions in the affirmative, these pups would have to come off an assembly line, from a single proprietary source. There would have to be strict quality control measures in place to insure consistency from one puppy to the next. Of course this is not the case and despite the efforts of experienced breeders to perpetuate the virtues of their chosen breed, there are plenty of puppy mills supplying your local pet stores with poorly bred dogs. Add back yard breeders to the mix and you've got yourself a fairly diverse gene pool with countless variations on a theme. That's why when I hear something like "Jack Russell Terriers are fearless" I think general statements of this sort are a little silly. (By the way, mine's a sissy) They can also create false expectations for your average pet owner.

Anyone who's watched the Westminster Dog Show has heard something to the effect of "The Portuguese Water Dog is...fill in the blank". This narrative unfolds as the best of that particular breed makes it's way around the show ring with their handler. What's assumed by the show's producer is that the audience understands what's being described is a breed standard as it applies to temperament. Now, if you prefer a more in depth examination, virtually every breed gets it's very own book. Each extols the virtues of the subject breed, both physical and behavioral. These books can be helpful if you're patient enough to find dogs who meet the breed standard but that's no easy task. Often what's described is a narrow band of a breed's actual population at any given time. Unfortunately the shows and the breed books are where a lot of once and future dog owners are gathering the information they'll use to begin looking for their next dog. Many dogs will go home with their new families and grow up as advertised. The rest , however, are a hodge podge brought to you courtesy of the aforemention gene pool. Good breeding is a tricky business, it may well qualify as an art form and raising a well-behaved puppy is hard work. You’d be ill-advised in fact, to consider one if you don’t have the time.

When someone asks me "Are Boxers good with children" my standard wise guy answer is "What Boxer are we talking about?" At one point during the summer of 2005 I found myself with five clients who had golden retrievers. Keeping in mind that this is the second most popular breed in the U.S. the odds were significantly better than say, five clients with Pharaoh Hounds. If I asked the question “Why are Golden’s so popular?” the most likely answer has something to do with a stereo-type that in this case, is enjoyed by the breed. “They’re good family dogs”. Even if we forget for a moment that we’ve neglected to consider whether we’re talking about the Manson family or the Partridge family, just what exactly does that mean? In hindsight I remember these five goldens for the traits that made them individuals, in other words, what made them different from one another. They were, in fact, anything but carbon copies of each
other.

Breed stereo-types have begun to affect some dog owners in their wallets. Several insurance companies have begun to make it very difficult to own certain “dangerous breeds”. Why the quotation marks around “dangerous breeds”? Are the insurance companies just pulling these breeds out of thin air? Of course the answer is no, however, this is a “What came first, the chicken or the egg?” story. Does a Doberman puppy come into the world destined to pose a greater threat to humans than say a Labrador Retriever puppy? Can we examine that question without asking ourselves whether the stereo-types associated with each breed don't have an impact on who’s interested in them to begin with? By extension, might that have an impact on how they're being raised?

It wouldn't be right to cast a jaundice eye on breed stereo-types without shedding some light on better ways to look for your next dog. First, focus on temperment. In the February 26th issue of the Providence Journal, an article on so called "Designer Dogs" by Laura Meade Kirk quotes Jean McGroarty, executive director of the Animal Rescue League in Providence. In it she says, "When it comes to choosing a dog, people should go for temperament instead of looks or lineage." That's good advice. Second, leave the pet stores off your search list. The first question I ask prospective clients is, "Where did you get your dog?". No one who has purchased their dog at a pet store was asked the type of questions responsible breeders ask as a matter of practice. e.g. "What is the longest period of time the puppy will be left alone at home?" Pet stores do not evaluate for temperment and frequently purchase their puppies from dubious sources. Third, consider your local animal shelter. Petfinder.com is a virtual database of dogs waiting for homes in shelters around the country and near you. A growing number of shelters are evaluating the temperment of the dogs in their care. While these tests constitute no guarantee of good temperment they do provide valuable insight. Also, most, if not all breeds are represented by a rescue organizations and most if not all of these rescue organizations evaluate the temperment of the dogs in their care.

At the end of the day there's just no way to be absolutely sure what you're getting when you decide to bring a dog into your home. In the interest of full disclosure many of the dogs I work with that came from pet stores where smart, fun, physically healthy and by all accounts, wonderful additions to their respective families. Sadly, many of the dogs I see and work with at the Warwick Animal Shelter come from pet stores too; these poor souls are often the worst representatives of their breed. Plagued with health and behavioral problems, many don't find homes. While this post is intended to address stereo-types, pet stores play to the perceptions that constitute stereo-types. As a consequence they will alway figure heavily in any discussion of the subject.

Jim O'Neill
Great Dog K9 Training

“Tips for the Dog Park”

The City of Warwick allotted funds in 2005 for the designation of a fenced dog area at City Park. Thank you Mayor Avedesian, it's been an incredibly popular venue with an additional area added for smaller dogs. The Town of Barrington, RI followed with it's own designated area at Haine's Park. With the passing of Ballot Question 2 in this years election perhaps we'll see more of them.

Dog parks are a great place for dog owners to observe the behavioral traits of their and other people’s dogs. I’ve been walking my dogs at City Park for several years. On a number of occasions I've observed people with their dogs walk nervously by other people with their dogs. You can only imagine what terrible scenarios their owner’s imagine might occur. Of course aggressive exchanges between dogs can and do happen so this sensation of impending doom is understandable, unfortunately owners tend to make mistakes like bunching up on the leash or changing the tone of their voice in a way that says to their dog, “Oh, boy, this might get ugly!” I can only imagine what a pleasant surprise it must be when they happen upon a dog park and all the dogs aren’t killing each other but playing instead. Of course having the freedom to move without the restriction of a leash dials back the tension levels considerably so aggressive behavior is far less likely to occur. That said, you’ve got to wonder if many dog owner’s first foray into the dog park isn't a little traumatic. Far more often than not their concerns are eventually appeased as their dog begins to greet and play with the other dogs. I enjoy watching dogs sort each other out. Dogs communicate so much to each other through body language and vocalization, it’s great fun watching the exchanges that unfold.

There are a handful of fundamentally important facts I enter the dog park with however. First, there is nearly always an element of aggression in dog play. Growling, barking and the baring of teeth are not unusual within the context of play. Second, if there is an aggressive exchange between two or more dogs it’s more likely to be a lot of pomp and circumstance (Think yelling and screaming) as opposed to them actually injuring each other. Dog’s have an innate sense of conflict avoidance, I believe this is vestigial and often refer to this type of behavior in that fashion. If they can impress upon an adversary that they should be left alone with a dramatic display as opposed to an actual exchange that includes biting, they are more likely to emerge from that situation uninjured; seems sensible right? Third, if they are injuring each other it will more than likely be over before you can do very much to prevent it. Your average dog can deliver five bites per second. If you’re getting the impression that a visit to the dog park should come with a measure of pragmatism I’d say you’re right. One of my three dogs, Reno, came from the Warwick Shelter with dog aggression issues. Training and conditioning that continues to this day, have yielded a dog that’s able to cope with dogs other than the two he lives with. I would not let him loose in a dog park. It’s just not reasonable to expect other dog owners to understand his dominant displays are not likely to lead to injury. There’s also no way to be certain that they wouldn’t! No one can be absolutely certain that other dog owners have asked themselves whether their dogs will behave well with other dogs and their human counterparts. Equally true is that no dog owner can say with absolute certainty that their dog is not capable of aggressive behavior. So what can you do as the human part of the dog park equation to keep the tension down and the atmosphere of fun up? Here are a few things I do. When I first posted this entry I suggested bringing treats into the dog park environment to establish a positive association. With the benefit of hindsight, that turns out not to be such a good idea. Many dogs gravitate to and frequently jump on the one or two people who do bring treats in. This can lead to injury and certainly creates tension which is not the objective here at all. Instead, think about using the space more effectively. With City Park as an example, the large dog area is 3/4 of an acre, the small dog area is roughly 2/3 of an acre. Both areas start with a small rectangular "lock", essentially a two stage entry into the larger areas. This is where problems can occur. If the larger area provides enough space for dogs to avoid conflict by walking (or running) away from it, the smaller is a potential powder keg. Enter only when it's empty. If someone else is coming in or out of it, wait for it to clear. Don't open the second gate until the one behind you is shut. Unleash your dog only after you've walked into the large area and do it quickly. Walk directly to the back of the area. Languishing near the entrance effectively abbreviates the park for your dog who will be inclined to stay near you. This is also where most of the other dogs are going to be and that's a recipe for stress. Walking to the back of the park opens it up and relieves the initial stress that comes when all the dogs already in the park want to see who the new dog is. Hang back and observe how frequently and how far your dog ventures away from you to mix it up with the other dogs. I do this to determine comfort level. Also observe when your dog looks back to make sure you're still there. I like to praise for this "Good Puppy", it lets them know I'm not stressed and will sometimes lead to a recall. If your dog responds to verbal praise by returning to you make sure to step up with vigorous physical praise as well.

What other behaviors should you be looking for when your dog’s at the dog park? Praise your dog for playing well with other dogs, praise your dog any time they’re near another person but not jumping on them; even chronic jumpers are going to miss an opportunity once in a while and when they do, accentuate the positive, let them know you noticed, “Good Dog!”, if you're close enough throw in a scratch on the tush. That'll begin to form the foundation of good, and from your dog’s point of view, rewarding behavior. What if your dog appears to be getting stressed out? One overly assertive pup is spoiling the fun. Call it a day before things get ugly but end on a positive note. If you’ve been careful to reward desirable behavior like eye contact and recalls with praise, then your dog is going to begin to recall more reliably. Call your dogs name, when they look, praise, when they come in, praise, leash say goodbye and try it again tomorrow.

In other parts of the country dog parks are fairly common, I’m confident you'll be seeing more of them in and around Rhode Island too, particularly as places like City Park begin to illustrate that they're not the risky proposition some thought they might be. The art of conversation, which has lost so much ground to modern distractions, is alive and well at City Park and places like it. "What sort of dog is that?" "What do you feed her?" "Who’s your vet?" "Hey, you know our dogs seem to like each other, what are you doing for dinner?" You get the picture. It’s great stuff. Civil discourse is part of this picture as well. Aggressive dogs, small children and food are best left outside the park but on occasion, find their way in. "Excuse me, your daughter doesn't look more than three years old. She could easily be injured in here" The presence of children in particular is both common and as the father of a 6 year old, disturbingly irresponsible and lacking common sense. Speak up! The accused may be belligerent at first but they're not likely to come back making the same mistake.

Jim O’Neill
Great Dog K9 Training
www.greatdogk9training.com