Got your Attention
September 9, 2015
This morning I received a phone call from a very concerned dog owner. In the past year this owner had a lot of changes in her life. Her dog was not happy. She phoned me to find out what she could do. You see this dog finally had her attention.
Her border collie shepherd mix was clearly dissatisfied with all the changes that had occurred. One huge change was that the dog was left alone at the acreage where it currently was living. The home was being renovated and this dog was not very pleasant with the comings and goings of these renovation workers. The owner was spending a lot of time away from the acreage and the dog.
What can I do this owner asked? I’m not at the acreage enough and am moving into town. My answer was simple. This canine is a high-energy dog. Dogs like these either require exercise once or twice a day if you live in town, or they need a job. All of you dog owners with high energy herding dogs know that you must give it either or both. I have a friend who has a border collie. My friend allows her collie to chase cows a little bit. It’s her fun time my friend explained. Clearly she gets her dog. Not everyone does.
I explained to this dog owner that her dog was only getting her attention. This dog was practically shouting, “Do something with me (before it gets worse)!” I have witnessed some activities with dogs that I would rather not discuss. I will leave it there but I will say this, your dog (or animal) will do things to get your attention. If you do not pay attention, it will talk louder with more drastic action or activities. These dogs are not bad dogs. They just want you to pay attention, and then do something about it.
I offered her several suggestions as to what she could do. My main message was that she rehome her dog. It was a high-energy dog that needed life in the country. Taking the dog into the city with her would not solve the problem for her or the dog. Sometimes we have pets and these pets are not meant to stay with us forever. If we are conscious that something is not working, then we can work toward fixing of solving the problem. Refusing to acknowledge the problem or situation can only result in disaster for both pet owner and pet.
Having a dog is like having a child. They require constant attention, exercise, love and a safe, loving environment. They do not do well on their own. Let's face it, many us of can tell about that time our dog decorated our house. It happened to me more than once. I even took my dog to work when I had to work on the weekends. I made the choice to have a dog and when I could not take her when I moved to a different country, I found a very kind couple who took her in. They gave her a loving home. All I had to do was ask.
This morning I received a phone call from a very concerned dog owner. In the past year this owner had a lot of changes in her life. Her dog was not happy. She phoned me to find out what she could do. You see this dog finally had her attention.
Her border collie shepherd mix was clearly dissatisfied with all the changes that had occurred. One huge change was that the dog was left alone at the acreage where it currently was living. The home was being renovated and this dog was not very pleasant with the comings and goings of these renovation workers. The owner was spending a lot of time away from the acreage and the dog.
What can I do this owner asked? I’m not at the acreage enough and am moving into town. My answer was simple. This canine is a high-energy dog. Dogs like these either require exercise once or twice a day if you live in town, or they need a job. All of you dog owners with high energy herding dogs know that you must give it either or both. I have a friend who has a border collie. My friend allows her collie to chase cows a little bit. It’s her fun time my friend explained. Clearly she gets her dog. Not everyone does.
I explained to this dog owner that her dog was only getting her attention. This dog was practically shouting, “Do something with me (before it gets worse)!” I have witnessed some activities with dogs that I would rather not discuss. I will leave it there but I will say this, your dog (or animal) will do things to get your attention. If you do not pay attention, it will talk louder with more drastic action or activities. These dogs are not bad dogs. They just want you to pay attention, and then do something about it.
I offered her several suggestions as to what she could do. My main message was that she rehome her dog. It was a high-energy dog that needed life in the country. Taking the dog into the city with her would not solve the problem for her or the dog. Sometimes we have pets and these pets are not meant to stay with us forever. If we are conscious that something is not working, then we can work toward fixing of solving the problem. Refusing to acknowledge the problem or situation can only result in disaster for both pet owner and pet.
Having a dog is like having a child. They require constant attention, exercise, love and a safe, loving environment. They do not do well on their own. Let's face it, many us of can tell about that time our dog decorated our house. It happened to me more than once. I even took my dog to work when I had to work on the weekends. I made the choice to have a dog and when I could not take her when I moved to a different country, I found a very kind couple who took her in. They gave her a loving home. All I had to do was ask.