Satisfaction
Last night was a week four class.
I started out that class with Several challenges.
One was a four year old beagle who had been rescued by an assisted living home. 
He was meant to be the mascot there, interacting with the residents, greeting visitors etc. He managed those things just fine, but had a very bad habit of literally biting the hands that fed him. Food aggressive.
Another is a five year old golden who had spent his life out on someone’s chain in someone’s back yard. Can not figure out why people get dogs to chain them in the backyard their entire lives. But that’s another post for another time. 
They finally got tired of his barking and got rid of him – and he came to live with a couple who just adore him – but not his jumping on them, pulling on the leash, peeing in their house, and growling at other dogs.
Another is what she called an Aussie mix and I say is full blooded smooth collie, whose main problem is sheer and unadulterated exuberance.
There are a few more in that class, but last night, on week four – only half way through the class – they all came in beaming. “SO MUCH BETTER! A GREAT WEEK!”
I was beyond thrilled. Everyone of them have worked hard to do the changes I’ve suggested, implement the tips I’ve given them, the ideas I’ve shared. And they have worked. Or have begun to, at least.
No more food aggressive snapping. Golden walked up to the other dogs, wagged and smiled. Just like a golden should. We got bouncy one to calm down on command.
YES! 
I love it when a plan comes together!
Muzzles
One of the most irksome parts of my job is talking to people about muzzles. 
Now, yes, muzzles are not bad per se.
They are very useful if your dog hates getting his nails done. Keeps groomers safe and sometimes calms your dog down enough they can get it done quickly.
They are handy if the vet is giving shots or doing something unpleasant. They can get it done safely and faster than if they have to worry about snapping dogs.
Muzzles are not bad.
What IS bad is when people come in wanting a muzzle because “my dog is chewing” or “my dog is barking”.
I really really try very hard – but sometimes its all I can do not to smack them upside the head and say Of course they chew and bark – they are DOGS. What did you think they were going to do – perch on a branch and sing???
But I don’t do that.
I am an adult.
And as I remind myself often – you just don’t know what you don’t know. So I try to educate.
Puppies chew for a variety of reasons, so do bigger dogs. From teething pain, to stress, to boredom to lack of physical or mental exercise, 
and for fun. There are many reasons to chew but ‘make mommy mad’ is not one of their reasons.
See the chew list for barking. Same thing, and add in lack of training. Bark when the doorbell rings? Dog barks, mom barks, everyone runs to the door and barks when the bell rings! That is what we Do – it is not ‘drive everyone crazy’.
Muzzles cure nothing.
Muzzles cure nothing.
They are made to be a short term solution for a stressful situation.
Like when I have to deal with people who say “My three month old puppy chewed up the chair leg and now I’m going to muzzle him while I’m at work for eight hours!”
See – in this situation a muzzle would be a good thing – .
for MY mouth.
Why Oh Why
Why why why?
Why does he do that?
Why does he herd the kids?
Why does she bark at the squirrels?
Why does she behave better for you than me?
Why does he jump on people
WHY oh why oh why does he stay outside for an hour and then poop in the house within five minutes of coming back in??
Why does my dog DO the things he does?
While I will go into some detail about these, and other questions in later posts, the simple answer to many of our ‘why’ questions is just a ‘because they are dogs and not people’.
Dogs make no moral judgements on poop and pee the way we do, so they sniff, eat and roll in it, much to our disgust.
Dogs need a job and exercise. If you don’t give it to them, they will herd your children and dump your trash.
Squirrels are mean and cruel creatures, sent to earth to tease the dog into a frenzy. 
Mostly though – we take a living, breathing, thinking, creature into our homes to spoil, to love, to live with and we expect them to act like four legged furry children.
And they are not.
Are not.
They are dogs. Really.
Totally different species, no matter how we dress them up and talk baby talk to them.
They will be dogs. 
And if we can’t be as thankful for that as we should be – we should at least accept and embrace the concept wholeheartedly.
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