TRENDS
It’s a Dog’s Life
Urban living can be extremely stressful for our canine companions as we expect them to fit in effortlessly with our lifestyles. Cecelia Sumner examines how this can be made a little easier on both sides
Interacting during a walk increases the connection between owners and their dogs
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ot surprisingly, I love living with dogs. I embrace their essential dogginess. Barking, jumping, digging, hunting, these are all normal canine behaviors. I recognize I need to provide an outlet for these behaviors to keep my dogs happy and stress-free. Many pet owners struggle with understanding their dogs’ behavioral needs. While dogs evolved alongside humans, in recent history, our environment and expectations of our dogs have changed. Increasingly we fit our dogs into small compartments in our lives, often rendering us unable to allow them an appropriate way to express innate behavior. This can be stressful for them and, as a result, dogs may resort to destructive behavior or vocalizations to relieve their anxiety. These issues may then create a division between the owner, the dog and quite likely the neighbors too. There are a multitude of things dog owners can do to help their pets cope with life in our human world. Choosing a dog with the right temperament to suit individual lifestyles, providing an outlet for energy and exercise and, most of all, taking the time to learn how dogs communicate are all great ways to avoid stressful situations and increase the fun for all involved. I encourage prospective dog owners to take an honest look at their lifestyle. Selecting a dog that fits into their regular activities is the first step to a great relationship. I like to pick a dog 40
BARKS from the Guild/January 2015
© Can Stock Photo/halfpoint
based on personality more than appearance. An athletic person might do well with a sporty type dog, provided they include the dog in their exercise regime. A more sedentary lifestyle might require a more mature dog or one with a less energetic character. Take some time when selecting a pet.You will most likely be spending 10 to 15 years together. It is important to find a compatible personality. Remember, you might love your friend’s Labrador, but there is a huge variation of dogs within a breed. Don’t just select a breed, choose an individual. There is great variety of canine personalities. Take advantage of that and find a dog who appeals to you, not just physically, but emotionally. Setting up you and your dog for success will make your lives together much easier. Aside from that, having a dog you truly connect with will make meeting his emotional and physical requirements much easier. We all like to spend time doing things we enjoy. If you love your dog, you are more likely to find the time for walks or games or training. Dogs feel calmer when they get exercise and have a few moments to indulge in important canine activities, like barking, running and digging. Because dogs are companion animals, just letting them out in the yard does not fulfill their emotional needs.You need to actually interact with your dog to keep unacceptable behaviors at bay. Leash walks are a good start. Put your cell phone down and