Who Owns Whom?

I am constantly fascinated by the lengths people will go to to ensure that their dogs needs are met before their own. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all about ensuring that the quality of life of my dogs are met. I make sure that I respect their bathroom and feeding schedules, their need for outdoor time, and their need for attention and affection. However, this does not mean that I stop EVERYTHING the moment my dog whines or gives the ‘look’ or drops a ball at my feet. I have needs too. Humans and dogs are meant to coexist together peacefully. Which means both sets of needs are to be met equally.

I know this may sound harsh, but hear me out. The other day I was at the beach. Dogs are allowed at this beach, but they must be leashed at all times. A couple came down to the beach with their child and their Dachsund. The Dachsund was clearly more attached to one parent as opposed to the other and every time that parent went down to the water to play with her daughter, the dog whined and barked. The other parent did nothing to alleviate this behavioral problem (a story for another day), and the end result was the parents having to switch rolls. One was tied to her beach chair with the dog, and the other parent was on parent duty with the actual child. The parent further enabled the behavioral problem by wrapping the dog up in a blanket and cradling the dog in her arms. Meanwhile, the actual child in this story is without the joy of hanging with both of her parents on a glorious beach day, because the dog could not simply coexist quietly with his other parent.

I took a moment to acknowledge the fact that not only do I have a dog that I can travel anywhere with, but who has been given the opportunity to enjoy and trust the company of anyone who is watching him. This is what makes owning him a joy and a pleasure. These owners have never given this dog the opportunity to learn how to be OK on his own. The end result is a poor, confused soul, who annoys the crap out of anyone around him! But it’s not his fault. I am sure his owner’s mean well, and it is not the first time I have seen people use a dog to mask their own insecurities. But it is something to keep in mind every time you heed to the ‘needs’ of your dog before your own. Think of what you may be creating. A dog will happily learn how to calmly lay on their bed while you go about doing your household chores, they just need to be taught that they can do this. If you do not take the time to teach your dog this basic skill, and you become blind to the fact that they follow you around everywhere, or ‘that face is just too cute that you just have to throw that toy for them every time they drop it at your feet’, then you are creating the essence of that Dachsund on the beach: a dog that owns you. And trust me, it’s not a job that they want.