Your dog wants your attention. Do you make time for your dog? Dogs are social animals that thrive on interaction with their families (you). People who choose dogs over cats as their companion of choice do so because dogs are inherently more responsive and attentive to humans; they greet us at the door, they seek out our attention, they comfort us when we’re down and they celebrate with us in our good moods. So why do so many dog owners end up ignoring their dogs, treating them as lawn ornaments or part of the décor? Too often, people get dogs for the wrong reasons. A dog is a companion. You must be ready and willing to invest time and effort in your relationship with your dog. I remember one dog owner who told me she chose a liver Springer Spaniel because the dog went so well with her leather sofa. The dog complemented her décor, like a painting or a vase. She soon discovered she was ill-prepared to handle the energy her canine throw pillow had and ended up getting rid of the dog. Dogs take time. Countless dogs end up in shelters for this very reason and some of them are adopted and returned multiple times, simply because their owners won’t take the time to train and exercise them.
Your dog requires your commitment; whether you get a grown rescue dog or a puppy, a mutt or a purebred, be prepared to devote some time to your dog. Behaviors that may seem endearing coming from a 12 pound wiggly ball of fur barking at about 30 decibels can become quite annoying coming from an 85 pound grown dog with a bark that can reach 70 – 100 decibels. If you get a rescue, be ready to spend extra time opening the lines of communication with your dog, training or retraining him, and establishing the ground rules, to ensure a smooth transition into your home and life. Chances are there were no rules in his previous life and he might come with some bad habits that can be corrected with your help.
Your dog looks to you for guidance. If you don’t provide it, he will take the reins and you will most likely be unhappy with the result. By training and exercising your dog you will provide mental stimulation for him and give him an outlet for his energy, you will strengthen your bond with your dog and help shape him into a welcome member of society. Open the door: train your dog, walk your dog, and play with your dog. Our dogs give us so much; they don’t deserve to be pushed to the back burner. Turn off the TV, step away from your computer, put down your phone, and give your dog your undivided attention from time to time. Dogs weren’t meant to be couch potatoes or lawn ornaments; they grow bored and lonely, resorting to “problem behaviors” to get attention. Make some time for your best friend, you’ll both benefit from it immensely.