What is Leadership as a Dog Owner?

Imagine being shipwrecked on a desert island.  Until rescuers come to help, we somehow have to survive on the island on our own.  If you were in such a situation, what kind of person would you follow in order to stay alive?  Probably, no one would feel good about following someone who is nervous, upset or goes into intense emotional ups and downs.  Likewise, someone who acts as a loner or behaves selfishly would lot get much cooperation from others.  No matter what crisis they need to overcome, I think most people would agree that they would seek a leader with tremendous courage who possess enormous physical energy to stay alive and radiates a well-balanced mental state to make the right decisions and come up with good ideas that might help everyone survive.  Do you agree?

Guess what?  This is the characteristic your dog is looking for in his/her leader.

A couple of important points to remember about dogs: 

 1) dogs are pack animals
 2) dogs live in a hierarchical society

When a dog becomes part of a pack, s/he tries to find his/her position in it.  If a great pack leader is already there, the dog will show submission to its leader.  If s/he can’t recognize a powerful or respectful leader in the pack, then the dog will try to take over the role itself.  This is because dogs have a survival instinct in which they recognize the need for a superior pack leader.

When there is NO human leader

This same principle applies in modern living circumstances in a condominium, apartment or house with a dog.  When a dog doesn’t trust the master's leadership position in the home, it tries to become a pack leader — even if the only other members in the environment are human.  Thus, the human owner will notice their dog displaying unwanted behaviors, such as:

1. barking fiercely towards “outsiders” who come close to its territory 
2. challenging other dogs during walks
3. pulling the owner (on the leash) while they are out for a walk, and insisting on roaming everywhere it wants to go
4. challenging or snapping at anyone who comes close while eating
5. ignoring the owner(s) when called 
6. challenging the owner(s) when told to be “off” from couch, bed, etc.

At the same time the dog tries to protect its pack, it also tries to display its superiority to its followers.  However, dogs should not be in the role of pack leader when they live with humans!  Humans must ALWAYS assume the role of pack leader so our dog(s) can naturally and smoothly become the follower(s).  It is absolutely necessary that the humans provide this leadership role so their dogs can relax and take the ‘follower position’ in the ‘pack.’  Otherwise, there will never be a hierarchy that both dog and master can fit into comfortably and rely on.

Rules, Boundaries, and Limitations

 

Are you babying your dog too much?  Are you leaving your dog alone too long because of your busy schedule?  Are you letting your dog do whatever s/he wants because you believe dogs are entitled to have lots of freedom?  If any of the above apply to you, you are not providing proper leadership for your dog.  My ‘mentor’ Cesar Millan (a.k.a. Dog Whisperer) always says, "Rules, Boundaries, and Limitations." 

Dogs need structure in order to feel secure.  When they understand the rules and what is to be expected, they can relax.  On the other hand, if dogs feel they need to take over the leadership role, they often show signs of stress because of a variety of responsibilities and obligations that they feel ‘need to be done’ for the pack.  This can also become harmful to your dog and lead to health risks. Thus, in order for dogs to feel secure and relaxed, we humans need to do our best to position our leadership roles clearly to gain trust and respect from our dogs.  By doing so, we provide our dogs a peaceful way of life.

Well, next time, I would like to talk about one of the most important responsibilities for us as leaders — training. We will consider what the most important aspect of training is with our dogs.

Until next time, be kind to Man’s Best Friends!

comments/questions: info@doggieproject.com

Spay/Neuter

“If we want to end the pitiful situation of abandoned, homeless dogs from this planet, the best solution is to spay and neuter all dogs!”  I’ve once heard a celebrity speak out on this so passionately.  Although we see more and more dog owners having their dogs altered these days, there is still persistent resistance towards spaying and neutering pet dogs.  It has become my regular ‘sermon’ at the shelter or wherever else I go - to explain the benefits of it and to encourage dog-owners-to-be to spay or neuter their dogs. 

There are pros and cons in regards to the question of spaying/neutering (S/N) dogs and there is no right answer to it.  However, I personally believe that having your dogs spayed/neutered produces more benefits than demerits, and I am hoping everyone realizes the importance of it.  In this article, I want to explain why I keep being so outspoken about this issue and tell people, “if you love your dog, trust me and please just spay/neuter.”

The most common reason for resistance to getting the S/N procedure done seems to do with people’s feelings about manhood.  If the owner is a rather macho individual, this sentiment becomes stronger.  I often hear, “if we take the balls out of my boy, he won’t be ‘a man’ anymore,” or “his personality will change drastically.”  Owners of female dogs seem to be more concerned about safety of the surgery or overall health concerns.  They don’t think it’s necessary to ‘cut her up’ if there is no foreseeable possibility in the future for their female dog to mate.  Why bother?  It is perfectly understandable to worry about surgery.  In fact, when my dog Juliette had her spay surgery, she almost didn’t wake up from the anesthesia!  However, this was a very rare case.  It would be much riskier if your dog needs to undergo surgery at an old age because s/he developed a disease in the reproductive organs which could have been taken out in S/N surgery.  Yes.  Prevention of unnecessary illness in later years is one of the best benefits of S/N procedure. 

Female dogs who are not spayed have their cycle twice a year and they go into heat.  The pheromones that those females emit during their cycle are aerated for miles around, and especially the park down the street where they leave their scent while walking the neighborhood.  That scent attracts their neighboring un-neutered male dogs.   Then, it makes the male dogs feel the need to pro create! However, most pet dogs do not have access to mate even if the time has arrived.  If the male dogs do not get the opportunity to meet a female, their frustration could reach the boiling point – or even to explode.  Some try to run away.  Others become aggressive or display behavior problems.  So, un-neutered male dogs have to go through this torture twice a year for many many years until they die.  By having him neutered, you can prevent ‘runaways.’  Your dog should behave milder since no testosterone will be produced (testosterone can make dogs more dominant and aggressive).  Thus, it is a tremendous benefit for both male and female dogs to be free from the frustration caused by sexual urges.
 

"Let’s have one litter and then we will spay her" or "it was an unexpected pregnancy…."  I hear these stories often.  Well, do you think all the puppies from the litter will find a permanent home?  The answer is no.   The puppies may be lucky enough to find a home - eventually.  But, there is a pretty big chance that some of the ‘grandpuppies’ would end up at a shelter.  Additionally, the family who adopted from your litter could have adopted a dog from a shelter!  The family could have saved a life of a homeless dog!  At the shelter where I work, all the dogs who find a home are spayed/neutered before they leave unless there is a compelling reason not do the procedure - the probability of which is about one in a million. 

Since we took the wildness from dogs, I truly believe that it is our duty to spay/neuter them to diminish excessive breeding and to lower the numbers of homeless dogs in this world.  That is why I constantly keep repeating, "Please just believe me and spay/neuter your dog if you love him/her so dearly."

Well, next time, I would like to bring up one of the most important topics for dog owners - “leadership.”  

Until next time, be kind to Man’s Best Friends!

comments/questions: info@doggieproject.com

Matchmaking!: part 2

Nicole's German Shepherd Dog

Nicole lives with a German Shepherd in a small Manhattan apartment. Every time someone passes through the hallway or the elevator goes back and forth, her German shepherd barks fiercely.  Since the dog also barks viciously and shows his teeth whenever delivery people come to the door, they started refusing service.  Her neighbors also started complaining... Nicole feels nervous when she leaves the dog alone in the apartment.  So, she goes out less and less.  Her friends stopped visiting  which makes her feel very isolated.  However, the dog is extremely loyal to her and trying his best to protect what he loves most.  She also thinks she is the only one who can protect him.  Nicole started becoming neurotic because of this intense situation.

Do you think I am exaggerating?  Though the situation or breed of dog might be different, I’ve heard similar stories over and over when I talk to the dog owners who come to the shelter to surrender their dog or when I receive a phone call for training consultation.   

Guard Dogs

Dogs like German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Dobermans, Chow Chows, etc. are bred to guard and protect.  If their owners don’t demonstrate strong leadership, these breeds will go overboard to protect their family or property from outsiders.  In other words, they will try their best to fulfill their mission.  They have no idea they are only giving their owners trouble.  So, if you live with a breed that is considered to be a guard dog, you are required to have considerable energy and firm leadership skills as a dog owner of such a powerful breed.

Dog-to-Dog Aggression
 

Pitbulls are generally very friendly to humans and enjoy interactions with them.  They can be friendly instantly even with a stranger.  However, many pitbulls tend to show dog-to-dog aggression.  This is because pitbulls were created for dog fighting sport by people in England centuries ago and some of them were purposely bred to be aggressive towards their own kind.

Howlers and Pokers

Beagles and Basset hounds howl excessively when they get excited.  This is a typical characteristic of hunting breeds.  They warn their owners by howling very loudly and proudly.  They won’t stop until the owner reacts to it.  Their loud and deep voice that comes from the depths of their soul can irritate anyone rather easily.  You might get a considerable number of complaints from your neighbors if you live in a tight-knit community.  And in such close quarters, beagles seem to be an ideal size for apartment living, but I often advise people who live in an apartment to think again about adopting a beagle due to their howling habit.

Australian Shepherds, Border Collies and Corgis often poke heels of people with their snout.  They may nip lightly as well.  This can frighten small children in the household, or neighbor kids who come to play.  Yet for these breeds, this is their ‘herding activity.’  They are working hard to gather ‘livestock’ by poking or nipping its back or heel. 

Man-Made Creations

What the examples above tell us about certain types of dogs is that they are man-made creations.  Over the years, people have created many different breeds in order to utilize their particular behavior for every aspect of our lives.  Therefore, it is very important for us to study the breed before we choose our new dog.  We should be aware of the origin of the breed and special characteristics to see if it matches our lifestyle.  Many well-organized animal shelters are equipped with adoption counselors who can help lead you to the right dog.  So, please ask for expert’s guidance when it comes to selecting the right breed for you.  Moreover, you might be able to figure out some peculiar behavior your dog displays if you study his/her breed in depth.  You might be able to take advantage of those traits for something very useful!

Well, I would like to talk about pros and cons of spaying and neutering dogs in the next issue.  Please look forward to the discussion.

Until next time, be kind to Man’s Best Friends!

comments/questions: info@doggieproject.com

Matchmaking!: part 1

Why Did You Choose That Breed?

I have a question for dog owners.  Did you choose your dog because of the breed?  Or, did your dog come to you by chance?  I work as an adoption counselor at a local animal shelter to help new dog owners to select the right dog.  What I’ve noticed over the years is that many people tend to select their dog by ‘first impression’ or ‘appearance.’  I always tell them, “There aren’t such major differences amongst cat breeds.  Most of the requirements for caring should be fairly similar (i.e. American short hair vs. Maine coon, etc.), but there are very significant differences among the many breeds of dogs.  We need to know the breed characteristics as well as the requirements to care for the breed you are  choosing before you adopt.  You really need to make sure if the breed you are getting will fit well into your lifestyle.”

When I adopted my dog Juliette ten and a half years ago, to be honest, I didn’t know much about American Pit Bull Terriers.  Since I was pretty sure that I would be okay with almost any dog, the staff at the shelter “tricked” me into adopting ‘the most unadoptable dog.’  So the day I brought Juliette home, I spent a lot of time studying her breed.  Luckily, I soon realized that typical pit bull traits fit rather well to my personality.  They have a high desire to please and are extremely loyal to their owner.  Their LOVE  and affection for people is endless and they show it visibly by wiggling their entire body and 'kissing' all over you.  They also have an incredible amount of physical stamina to enjoy a variety of activities.  Moreover, they are very low-maintenance and very comical, too.  Pitbulls are easy to care and FUN to live with!  Yet, best of all might be the fact that they are the world most misunderstood breed in the world.  Why is this best?  My new found love of Juliette made me become an advocator for the breed and I have been promoting a better image of pitbulls every chance I can. Though it was mere chance that I adopted her, I still believe we somehow attracted each other without really knowing it. 

It's Like a Marriage... and Divorce???

Although I was a lucky one, I am sure there are many people out there who are having a miserable life because the dog they got doesn’t fit into their lifestyle or their personality.  If you selected your dog because you saw the same breed on TV or you like how it looks, chances are you are having some difficulties with your newly acquired dog.  When I talk to people during the adoption counseling, I often tell them, "This is like a marriage.  We are looking at the next 10-15 years.  You should weigh heavily on comfort level.  Think who can make you feel comfortable, happy, and with whom you can enjoy life.  The key is to know who you are.  The dog’s appearance or its popularity should come as a lower priority." 

The Jack Russell Terrier is a good example.  This breed became very popular because of its appearance in movies and television.  They are very smart and learn things very quickly.  But they can be very stubborn, too.  JRTs are real hunters.  They have guts and stamina to work through things once they go into the mode.  They don’t give up anything easily.  They are also quite reactive to their surroundings and move around restlessly.  Since they are small in size and also their expressions are so cute, I am sure that many people thought, ‘this is the breed I want!’  But, if you are a couch potato type of person who likes to have a very quiet and relaxed home environment, your life with your Jack can become a nightmare… You both will start piling up frustrations and it might lead to ‘divorce’ if things go very badly.

The 'One-Step-Farther' Choice

It’s not just the behavior of the dog we need to consider.  For example, there are many high-maintenance breeds like the Cocker spaniel, Poodle, Yorkshire terrier, Collie, Bichon Frise, etc. that need to have frequent visits to ‘the beauty spa.’  They also require regular grooming at home.  Dogs like Cocker spaniels and Basset hounds who have droopy ears need regular cleanings in order to prevent ear infections.  If you are not very keen about doing this task, it could become a burden.  

Some owners simply abandon their dogs when the requirements become too much of a burden.  Others continue to work hard because they know their dog is a part of the family and they will do anything to make it work.  Of course, you might be able to overcome these  problems by dedication and commitment.  But, don’t you think it’s wiser to go ‘one-step-farther’ in your choice when you are ready to adopt? 

Finally, factors like the family situation (such as children's age), environment (weather, living conditions, etc.) should be considered when it comes to matchmaking you with your new best friend.

Next time, I want to talk about several specific breeds to show why it’s important to know their characteristics.

Until next time, be kind to Man’s Best Friends! 

comments/questions: info@doggieproject.com

Mind of Dogs: part 2 ("Inu no Kokoro")

I’ll Bite You Back A Hundred Times Harder!

“She is the apple of my eye!”  Those who are familiar with the relationship between me and my dog, Juliette, would say, "Yeah, yeah, yeah…" in a little sarcastic way.  This feeling of mine for Juliette hasn’t changed a bit for the last ten and a half years.  I shower her with kisses every time I find her on the bed taking a nap so peacefully.  Yet, I also hold this feeling, ‘I would bite you back a hundred times harder if you dare bite me.’  I believe it is very important for dog owners to have this kind of duality.

As I mentioned in my last article, I prepared for the worst on the third day of bringing Juliette home whose breed was considered to be “vicious.”  At the same time, I vowed to be the best dog owner in the world.  I decided to learn more about dogs, especially about pit bulls.  I started getting involved in animal rescue activities at local shelters in order to help dogs like Juliette who desperately needed to find a home.  I started learning how to train shelter dogs to make them become more adoptable.  I’ve spent a lot of time studying dog behavior and their body language in order to appreciate “Mind of Dogs” more fully.  Better yet, the more I observed the shelter dogs and paid attention to their behavior and communication, the stronger the bond between Juliette and myself became.  The staff at the shelter said that it was a miracle Juliette found home.  No.  A miracle actually happened to me when I adopted her.  She has enriched my life so much, helped me realize my capabilities, and gave me the opportunity to change my life.

Trust and Respect

I love their loyalty, earnestness, and honesty.  It’s impossible to lie or play games with them.  They always give back a 100% of what we give them.  Those are the things I love and enjoy so much about dogs.  Even if I feel blue or stressed, everything goes away when I see Juliette’s face.  In fact, I have rarely gotten depressed in the last ten and a half years because I am surrounded by so many of the “world’s best therapists.”  My bitter face turns to a happy face as soon as I see a dog.  Their healing power is so amazing.  It’s not just me who benefit from this wonder.  There are many dogs who engage special work as a certified therapy dog.  They go to hospitals, nursing homes, and schools to provide comfort and to help people ease their problems.  It is my hope that I want as many people as possible to experience such an amazing power dogs offer to humans.

However, dog owners need to realize that they must make a great effort in order to have a happy and comfortable life with their dog.  The most important things between a dog owner and his/her dog are 1) the dog needs to have an absolute trust towards his/her owner, and 2) the owner must earn respect from his/her dog by providing various needs (feeding, exercise, training, toileting, health care, etc. – these are the basic of the basics, by the way).  If you can’t provide what a dog requires, you and your dog’s life will become quite miserable.  However, when the relationship is properly established, I guarantee that you would say “Life is Beautiful!”

Well, I would like to bring up a discussion on “matchmaking” the next few times to show you what breed is most suitable for you. 

Until next time, be kind to Man’s Best Friends!
 

                                                             comments/questions: info@doggieproject.com

 

Mind of Dogs: part 1 ("Inu no Kokoro")

The Dog I Adopted Was a Pit Bull 

"I was a dog in my past life."  When I tell people this, some politely smile and listen while others walk away with a strange face.  But I am 100% serious and I do believe I was a dog.  I have been in love with dogs as long as I can remember.  I have handled nearly a thousand dogs over the past several years and I have never been chased or bitten by them.  I love dogs more than anything else.  I would probably be more interested in playing with dogs than eating or guys...?  Anyway (laughs), I just love dogs!  Yet, even a person like me, who is crazy about dogs, didn’t think of becoming a dog professional until fairly recently.  I was once a student, studying cultural anthropology to become a 'human expert.'

Ten and a half years ago, I finally decided to have my own dog to make my dreams come true.  Since I was always thinking that 'If I get a dog, I'll give a second chance to a homeless dog,' I decided to visit a local shelter where I met Juliette.  She was the most unadoptable dog in the shelter at the time I visited.  She was a pit bull which has been labeled “vicious” by the media.  Her body was covered with bite wounds and she was nothing but skin and bones.  Besides, she was suffering from a disease called heartworm.  Because I didn’t have a preference in breed or anything particularly, the staff at the shelter must have thought 'She' s the one!'  They worked really hard to persuade me to adopt her and it became a major turning point in my life.

Our first year was just backbreaking… Everything was trial and error.  As soon as I adopted Juliette, I received a notice from my apartment building saying that we needed to move out because she was a pit bull!  Luckily, I was able to find a more pet (pit) friendly apartment complex nearby.  I made other changes, too.  Even though I came home exhausted after working many hours in Manhattan, I drove to a weekly obedience class with her for several weeks.  We also went to see a pit bull expert to get more in-depth advice.  I was desperately searching for information and assurance.  Since she was most likely abused before she came to the shelter, she got startled very easily by anything that was unfamiliar.  She was terribly scared of big built men or young children.  She kept acting defensively around them.

People often warned me to be careful since Juliette was a pit bull.  Others asked, "Did you get her for protection?"  On the third day after I brought her home, I prepared myself for the worst.  'If she suddenly becomes vicious and attacks me while I am sleeping, it's destiny. I dare her to do it.'  From that day on, I never felt scared of her.  I suppose it made a significant impact on our relationship by not getting fearful of my own dog and making it my mission to protect her.

October is "National-Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog-Month"

This month is "National-Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog-Month."  As mentioned earlier, I visited the shelter to find a dog and met Juliette.  There are also a few other ways to find the right dog.  According to statistics, the most common way of obtaining a dog is through family, friends or acquaintances.  Some find their dog at a pet shop or from a breeder.  Although the number of people who adopt a dog from a shelter has increased in recent years, there seems to be a long-lasting stigma toward shelters.  People used to call the shelter a “pound” and many people thought that they only housed dogs that had problems.  If you visited, you would have to deal with remorse and guilt. 

Three years ago when my mom visited from Japan, I took her to the shelter where I volunteer and showed her around.  At first, she was somewhat reluctant to step in because she wasn’t sure what to expect, but she was very surprised to see the dogs acting rather happy.  The dogs were very attached to the staff and volunteers.  Some of the volunteers were taking the dogs out for nice strolls.  The kennels were clean and each dog had a clean blanket on their bed.    By the time we left the shelter, my mom seemed quite content.

Yes.  It’s not easy to step into a shelter.  Actually, when I visited a local shelter for the first time, I wept in the car on the way home.  If you are an animal lover, it may be even harder.  You feel that you want to save them all.  It seems almost impossible to pick just one and can be emotionally overwhelming.  It’s very difficult to stay calm and objective when you are surrounded by so many homeless animals… It’s understandable…

But, there is a wonderful tool!  Have you heard about Petfinder.com (www.petfinder.com)?  This website was created in 1996 by a couple in New Jersey who thought that using the power of the Internet would be the next cool thing for homeless animals.  It’s like an online dating site for homeless animals and potential adopters!  This way, people can search for their future pet without becoming overly emotional. Today, more than 10,000 shelters and rescue groups in North America have registered at the site.  The site has always consisted of more than 200,000 animals available for adoption. 

If you are thinking about adopting a dog or you know someone who is thinking about getting one, please remember that October is "National-Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog-Month."  As part of the campaign, many shelters and rescue groups are organizing a variety of events in order to change the commonly held view towards shelter dogs and to have as many successful adoptions as possible.  So, why not consider visiting a local shelter or looking through Petfinder.com in October?

Well, I am very excited to announce that, as of October, I will be writing a series of articles on the relationships between dogs and humans.   The articles will be published in the biweekly Japanese magazine called “U.S. FrontLine (http://www.usfl.com/ee/)”.  This blog is the translated version of the published articles and I will be posting them as the article becomes available.  My goal is to bring you some advice on how dogs and humans can share a comfy life together.  I will be sure to include my personal stories with Juliette as well as "tails" of the shelter dogs. 

Until next time, be kind to Man’s Best Friends!

* comments/questions: info@doggieproject.com