Toys, Toys and More Toys

Almost 100% of the time, when we go to a pet owners home for the first time, there are many dog toys scattered across the house. Like a spoiled toddler, the dog is overwhelmed with options, from chewy toys to squeaky multi colored balls. We get it, we realize the humans love their dogs and want them to be happy and content. However, this situation has the opposite effect, causing the pup to be nervous and possessive. 

 Why you ask?  Well, the dog begins to think that the toys belong to him or her and not the human. In turn, this will lead to resource guarding, causing even deeper issues, like growling or even biting when the human or another pup wants the toy. Dogs need to understand that the toys belong to the human and that the human allows the dog to play with them at proper times. Like food and shelter, dogs need to understand that everything belongs to the human, including those fun, furry and noisy play things.

To some, this sounds cruel. But the reality is that this approach causes the pup to relax, since the animal realizes the toys belong to the owner. No reason to stress or fight over it, if it does not truly belong to the dog.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fostering Saves Lives

Image
Fostering saves lives, but it's not for the faint of heart. As much as we need good fosters, wimps need not apply. In fact, you must have a pretty high tolerance level—or what I like to call a grit level. For example a wimp with a grit level of one would be a family who gives up on a pup, when it decides to potty on their new carpet. Conversely, a grit level of 10 would be someone who just got bit in the face, but decides to carry on anyway. For our cause, we need you to be at grit level 4 or better. Now, I do not want discourage anyone who wants to step up and foster a pup. However, if you decide to throw your hat in the ring, don't do it to make yourself feel good—or to get a pat on the back. Do it because you realize the dog needs you for the period it will take to get adopted, no matter how long this might take. Yes, no matter how long. In fact, on average, it takes just over 4 months for these furry animals to find their forever home. You must endure barking, jumping, a
Read more

Let Your Pup Decompress

Image
By Gary Newcomb Gary is a contributing editor and works closely with The Little Red Dog as a volunteer and trainer. His own company PawsRMade4Walkin.com works with families who currently have problems with their pups. You can also listen to Gary every other week on our Podcast, For The Love of Dog Please Welcome Fido To The Show! When you adopt a dog, there will be a transition period where the dog is settling in and you are getting to know each other. Those first days and weeks are going to be the foundation for your new life together. Imagine being taken by people you don't know, driven somewhere you've never been and told it's your new family and home. Many dogs experience the same nervousness you and I would in the situation. When you bring a dog home, they need time to decompress. Allowing them the time and space to get back to a calm state of mind, and comfortably get to know the new environment. During that time, try to keep everything calm and soothing f
Read more

Dog Behavior and How it Should Guide Adoptions

Image
Recently I have been scrutinized more than usual for being too difficult on potential adopters. I can always take the heat, but at the same time I attempt to keep an open mind, wondering if I could soften my tone or water down the scrutiny. But here is the issue. It's our organizations responsibility to ensure that once a dog is placed in a home that the environment is safe, secure and loving for both the pup and the family. In order to facilitate this decision, we focus on dog behavior. The more the potential family knows or is willing to learn, governs directly in how successful they will be with the chosen dog. In other words, if a family has only ridden a moped I am not going to let them have a Harley Davidson—especially if they are not wiling to learn how to ride it correctly. To me focusing on dog behavior is common sense and all rescue facilities should make it standard practice. However, the hard truth is, most do not. Also, city, county and state dog shelters are so ov
Read more